tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32680063345568185792024-02-19T07:47:48.831-06:00Live.Love.WriteI live to read. I love to enjoy life. I write to escape from realitySydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-26832654920007606302014-02-14T20:08:00.001-06:002014-02-14T20:10:19.661-06:00Valentine's Day Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZkVjWo36c-TS9Yx_FYd1c65O514PUrL_XBPHFSZbCEokg_ypH_i4reIomajeLrROLsSBpEdvHGl5_G3J39qdOea-ZPU3IPSplOra8BMvgm2Y6u1Ue91zDAWjjI3q7elCr9zDZLEraJ4/s1600/Valentines-Day-greeting-card-background-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZkVjWo36c-TS9Yx_FYd1c65O514PUrL_XBPHFSZbCEokg_ypH_i4reIomajeLrROLsSBpEdvHGl5_G3J39qdOea-ZPU3IPSplOra8BMvgm2Y6u1Ue91zDAWjjI3q7elCr9zDZLEraJ4/s1600/Valentines-Day-greeting-card-background-9.jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">VALENTINE'S DAY BLUES</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day. Call me old and jaded, but the idea of spending money on candy and flowers to acknowledge that special someone should be done all the time, not just on Valentine's Day. Expressing feelings like that, the need to want to surprise someone with a single rose or a romantic dinner should be there on any given day, not only on February 14th. It's always nice to know that our significant other appreciates us no matter the day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am getting ready to publish The One Who Loves You. This is a new and uncharted territory for me. I'm nervous and excited, anxious and proud. And all along, my husband has been my biggest cheerleader. He isn't always the most thoughtful person, and sometimes he can be a downright pain in my ass, but at the end of the day, he's there. He's there supporting me and my dream, he's proud that I've come this far. He doesn't always show it, and that's okay, because I know that no matter the day, he still manages to surprise me in his own special way. Even if it's when he brings home my favorite candy bar (I love dark chocolate) or a bottle of wine, just because. I know that he appreciates me. I don't have to wait until February 14 to be reminded. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick is one of the characters in TOWLY. He is deeply flawed, as we all are, and he's working his way through life, which has become increasingly complicated, both by his own hand and by circumstances. No marriage is perfect. We all find ourselves, at some point or another, wading through the bad times. Hanging on to hope that a good time is right around the corner; the peace and calm that waits once a storm has passed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope that you enjoy this short story from Nick. He's gone above and beyond his comfort zone to surprise Siena for Valentine's Day and he's reminded, like me, that it's just another day... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xo SS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you enjoy what you read, remember to add it on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18300160-the-one-who-loves-you">Goodreads</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sydneysimonauthor">Facebook</a> for all the latest news on TOWLY</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "whatever it takes"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The one thing we can ever get enough of is love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "whatever it takes"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And the one thing we never give enough of is love.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "whatever it takes"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-Henry Miller</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lush","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NICHOLAS:
VALENTINE</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Lush","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">S DAY 2010</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
glanced down at my watch. 6:00 p.m. <i>Where
the fuck is Siena?</i> I was practically wearing a whole in the floor from
pacing the living room, waiting for her to pull into the driveway. One hand was shoved in my pocket, the other
hand was firmly gripped around two fingers of Macallan’s finest. <i>What is
holding her up?</i> Traffic, maybe? It was a Friday night, after all and she was
driving from Downtown L.A. I tugged my
tie loose a little. I didn’t realize I’d
done so tight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Noel
helped me put this plan of mine into motion.
I’d never been the typical romantic ‘dinner for two by candlelight’ type
of guy, but things around here, things between Siena and I had been pretty tense. I wanted to wave the white flag and
surrender, even if for just one night. I
hoped that by doing this, we could get past this rough patch we’d found
ourselves stuck in. You know that
routine: kids, work, kids, work, house,
work. It all seemed to be sucking up our
time together. My work had been a little
slow, still reeling from the recession, but Siena managed to pick up some extra
clients and work was good for her. She
found herself spending more time in New York, away from me and the girls. I understood though. She was the bread winner for the family, so I
supported her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Noel
was the first person I went to when I decided to surprise Siena for Valentine’s
Day. She made sure that Siena was going
to be in town, because when I last took a peek at the calendar in her
organizer, there was a heart on Valentine’s Day, along with the three letters
NYC. Technically, Valentine’s Day isn’t
until Sunday, but I wanted to spend the weekend alone with her, so I set dinner
for tonight. I looked at my watch again: 6:10.
I took another gulp of scotch and waited for the familiar burn that
lessened with every swallow. At this
rate, I was going to be shitfaced before Siena got home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"> I
walked into the dining room and saw the table was set perfectly. I don’t know what I was expecting to see
since I was the one who set it. I slowly
worked my way around, reaching my hand to make sure each placemat was aligned
perfectly with the edge of table and that each napkin was perfectly folded in a
non-perfectly folded way. There was a
decanter of Cab and two wine glasses patiently waiting to be filled. I </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;">hadn't</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"> lit the candles yet. The two long, ruby red tapers were perfectly set
into some crystal candlestick holders. I
moved slowly further along the table, smelling the sweet air around me. There was a centerpiece of all white flowers
sitting in a red globe vase. It was
filled with some of Siena’s favorite flowers:
gardenia, plumeria, white roses and some other crap. I ordered a similar arrangement to be sent to
her office this morning and had another one delivered here. I paid out of the ass for the arrangements;
how was I supposed to know that gardenias </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">didn't</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> bloom in February?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"> My
glass was empty and it was only 6:30. I
poured another two fingers and added a hand full of ice to at least water it
down some. I was nervous, and doing my
best not to get trashed. I made my way
into the kitchen, aware that I </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;">shouldn't</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"> be mindlessly drinking. Before I
opened the over to check out diner, I set the glass down and slid it away from
the edge of the counter. Maybe if I put
it far enough away, I though, I’d forget that it was there. The smell of warm food crept from the over, I </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">barbecued</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> jumbo shrimp and </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">filets</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">. There
were also perfectly grilled asparagus, a few baked potatoes and plenty
sourdough bread piled with cheese waiting to be broiled. On the opposite counter from the stove, thick
delicious triple chocolate brownies sat safely behind the glass of a cake
pedestal. I went cheesy and even
sprinkled pink and red shaped hearts of foil confetti around the brownies. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Unfortunately,
my hand missed the feel of cold glass, and before I realized I’d done it, the
glass was back in mind hand. I remembered
this time to sip, not gulp. Back over to
the expanse of living room windows for one more peek to see if she made it
yet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Nope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Another
small sip as I walked down the hallway toward our bedroom. Sitting in the middle of our bed was a large pink
box with a black ribbon tied around it.
Inside that box was Victoria’s Secret naughtiest little ditty I could
find. I got instantly hard just thinking
of how Siena was going to look in the outfit I picked out. Tightly nestled in the folds of tissue paper
was a bustier and coordinating thong.
Both were in the lightest pink I’d ever seen. Woven in the pink fabric were the finest
lines of silver threads that formed an intricate floral pattern. The front was pretty tame, low cut, but still
modest enough for Siena to be comfortable.
The back of it was the show stopper. I had to adjust myself, wipe my
brow and take a drink just thinking about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Below
the two straps that went over the shoulders were three bows that held the
bustier together. They were pink silk
bows that were evenly spaced apart, and positioned directly in the middle of
the back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Was
it getting hot in here? Fuck. I wiped my forehead again. Another gulp.
I heard the chinking of ice against the glass. How the hell did I finish that so quick? I set the glass of ice cubes on the dresser
and leaned against it, arms crossed.
After two glasses of scotch, I was feeling pretty fucking good. I thought about the piece de resistance: the tiniest fucking pair of underwear. The front of the barely there triangle of
material was the same pink and silver pattern, and across each side was a light
pink silk ribbon that led to the back. The
two ribbons met at the top, to form a pink bow, smaller than the ones on the
bustier. I could easily picture that bow
perched proudly atop Siena’s perfect ass.
If I kept thinking about all the ways I was going to violate my wife, I
was going to have to step into the bathroom and rub one out, and I didn’t have
time for all that. Plus, the bathroom
was cleaned and perfectly staged. Bucket
of ice with a bottle of champagne chilling and candles perfectly scattered
around the edge of the tub waiting to be lit.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
was so gonna get laid tonight, I thought, I brief smirk cross my smug face. No woman would ever consider not giving it
up after all the romantic thought and effort their significant other had gone
through to make Valentine’s Day special.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
grabbed the watery remains of my scotch and made it back to the living
room. Seven fucking o’clock, I noticed
the time on the cable box of the TV. I
just don’t understand where she could be.
I thought about calling her, but then decided against it. Things have been pretty tense around here and
I don’t want her to think I’m checking in on her or worse, have this somehow
lead to a fight. The tension was so
strong, any little thing was liable to set either one of us off. This is why the element of surprise needed to
me by ace in the hole. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> My
phone didn’t have any missed calls and there were no text messages. Not surprising, Siena didn’t usually text me
unless she was going to be super late.
And 7:00 on a Friday night isn’t really late, except that Noel assured
me that Siena had no appointments booked after 3:00, so I couldn’t understand
what was hold her up. I hated being one
of those pathetic guys calling around looking for his wife. But my dinner was already past warm working
its way to cold and I was buzzed, working my way to hammered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Back
in the kitchen I grabbed a large cup and filled it with water. I guzzled it back with two Advil. I didn’t want to be hungover during
dinner. And the water was an opportunity
to hydrate and sober up. I grabbed my
phone, made a few sweeping motions with my thumb and a second later my call was
connected. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Hellooooo,”
her words were strung out in a sing songy way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Hey,”
I grunted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Why
are you calling me, why aren’t you eating brownies off your wife’s ass?” She was laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Because
neither my wife nor her ass are here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “What?”
She was genuinely surprised, I could tell by the sound of her voice. “What do you mean she’s not there? It’s after seven, and I confirmed with her
that she was getting off at three. She
told me she’d taken the whole weekend off.
She even sent me a text at lunch confirming that I was picking the girls
up from school and that she’d come get them Sunday night to celebrate
Valentine’s Day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Silence.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Shit,
Nick. I am sorry. I really don’t know where she’s at. Did you try calling her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “No,
I wanted to call you first and see if you heard from her.” I felt my sails falling, my buzz waning and
my hope sliding into the gutter. If she
wasn’t with Noel, I had no idea where she could be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Hey,”
she said in a cheery voice, knowing that I was losing my confidence to pull
this off. “Let me call her real quick and find out where she is, okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Yeah,
sure. The girls are good?” They were always my bright side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Yup,
we just picked up some Chinese to-go and we have a few movies lined up after we
do our fingers and toes. Hey… Don’t
worry, I’ll call you right back,” and she hung up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
poured another glass of scotch, three fingers this time. No ice.
It was already 7:30, and I was ready to give up. I fell back onto the couch and grabbed the
remote, with barely the effort of touching a few buttons, the slow beats of
music quickly filled the air around me.
I loosened my tie a little more, needing to give myself breathing
room. I dressed in Siena’s favorite
suit, dark gray, almost black. I wore a
simple white dress shirt and a tie I picked up especially for tonight. It’s black with a pattern of tightly woven
blood red dots. Each dot was done in
fine silk thread. Tie shopping isn’t on
the top of my fun things to do list, but when I saw it, I knew it would look
great with this suit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
also knew it would look great with it wrapped around Siena’s writs, firmly
bound to our headboard. I thought about
this image of her neatly restrained, wearing the present I picked out for her,
wild brown curls spread across a pillow, and my heart felt a little heavy. My buzz picked back up and the music left me
a little melancholy. However, I still
felt the hardness in my pants and I was reminded that my libido wasn’t on board
with my oncoming pity party, it was still holding on to the idea of getting
laid. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Gary
Moore’s blues were flowing throughout the dark room. The only lights were the green ones from the
electronics along the wall in front of me, the other lights filtered in through
the windows to the right of me. Those
faced the street where the city continued to move on despite my now sullen
demeanor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The
vibrating of my phone brought me out of my momentary daze. I noticed the time before I answered the two
text messages that came in. 8:04 and
under that February 12, 2010. I opened up
the two text messages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Noel: She got
caught up in a last minute deal that was dumped on her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> She’s
on her way home <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> See: I’m in Century City, caught in
traffic. On my way home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Century
City was over an hour way, without traffic.
She wouldn’t be home until after 9:00.
I sat in the dark, finished my glass of scotch and pulled my tie
off. I slung it over the couch behind
me. The first few buttons of my shirt
were now undone and my suit was past wrinkled.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
thought about all the effort I’d put into pulling this off for her. It wasn’t her fault she had to work, and I
knew, rationally, that she didn’t do this on purpose. She had no idea that I was planning this for
her, and because things had been tense between us, I knew that she was in no
hurry to rush home and jump into my arms.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Still,
I <i>had</i> hoped she would want to come
home to me and celebrate in some way.
She knew the girls were with Noel.
Which wasn’t unusual, since Noel often took the girls for the
weekend. But, other than the text I got
saying she loved the flowers, I hadn’t heard from her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Maybe,
I rationalized, it’s because Valentine’s Day isn’t until Sunday, so she’s not
worried about coming home tonight. To
her, it’s probably just another Friday night.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
fixed myself another scotch and grabbed a brownie for the road. My jacket and pants met up with the discarded
tie. Back on the couch, I tried not to
get crumbs on my white shirt or drop feelings of hurt in my scotch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> What
a pussy, I thought. Who the fuck thinks
that? So what? Valentine’s Day is <i>just</i> another day, if you think about it. If I were any sort of husband, I would
surprise my wife like this more often, remind her that I appreciate all she
does. Dinner can be warmed, and really
nothing’s ruined. It’s just delayed, I
convinced myself. Except there was a
microscopic part of me that thought there was more. As I tipped the glass back, that feeling of
doubt was swallowed away with the last few sips of scotch. I closed my eyes and let it all wash away,
clear in my mind though was still the image of Siena tied to the bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">♥ ♥ ♥<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
can’t be sure what woke me first, the furious sound of pots and pans banging
together or the smell of coffee creeping across my nose in a slow, tortuous
way. No matter the reason, my head was
pounding and it was clear the two Advil to took last night to prevent this
headache, didn’t fucking work. My eyes
were still closed, I felt a mile throb in my left temple and a ferocious growl
from my stomach, a reminder that I didn’t eat dinner last night and that all
that food had gone to waste. It slowly
registered that Siena was making breakfast.
Thank god. That means she’s
already seen the food, the table, the bed and gift and the bathroom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Surprise
ruined. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
rubbed my eyes, not wanting to face reality and explain how my whole night had
gone to shit. How I passed out waiting
to surprise her. How I felt again like I
disappointed her because I had to have those last few glasses of scotch. A heavy sigh escaped my mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
smelled her before I felt her pull my hand away from my face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Hey,
sailor, rough night?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
cracked open one eye just enough to acknowledge her and then promptly shut it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “I
brought you some coffee and Advil. Here,
sit up,” she commanded. I sat up and
held my hand out for the Advil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Thanks,” my voice sounded gravely and thick. My head hung limply from my body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “I’m
really sorry I got home so late last night.
I obviously didn’t realize that you had all this planned. It wasn’t until I got home and put two and
two together. I got a lead on a last
minute deal and I wanted to get it wrapped up before I left for the day. I am really sorry, Nick. You went through all this trouble for me and
I feel terrible that I ruined your surprise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
finally opened my eyes when I felt her slight frame shift the cushions of the
couch. She was sitting next to me. I looked up to see her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Her
hair was long and loose, covering her shoulders, she had just the right amount
of make up on. Peeking through a curl on
her shoulder was a light pink strap. My
eyes quickly followed that strap.
Attached to it was her Valentine’s gift.
I darted my eyes back to her face, she had a wicked smile planted there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Com’on,
sailor,” she stood and held out her hand.
I threw off the blanket she’d put on me last night. “Let me feed you some breakfast, then you can
show me what devious thoughts were swirling through your mind last night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
let her pull me up and I stood over her, kissing the top of her head. “Happy Valentine’s Day. I know we haven’t been getting along lately,
and I know that I’ve been a pain in the ass.
I also know that there’s no one else in the world who would put up with
my shit, so for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is my white flag of surrender and piece
offering.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> She
pulled back and looked into my eyes, “I know things haven’t been easy. We can both remember to be kind and patient
with one another. This too shall
pass. I love you, Nick.” And she hugged me, I’d been a long time since
we just stood, tangled in each other’s arms.
It was bittersweet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
needed to lighten things up, feed her and then toss her ass into bed. “This outfit looks better on you than I ever
imaged it would.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Oh
yeah?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Yeah. Let’s eat.”
I grabbed the tie from the back of the couch and slung it over my
shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> She
cocked an eyebrow at me and smiled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Nice
boxers, by the way.” They were covered
in red and pink lips. The front said KISS ME HERE and pointed to the open
fly. Classy, I know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “What’s
the tie for?” Eyebrow still arched.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Feed
me and find out.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Please do not reproduce or copy any of this print without expressed permission of the author</b></span></div>
Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-74344255168935416092013-11-29T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-29T09:00:01.539-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 29<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawLxF5zk8CHVzJUZDUKjFKDn0XgVY26utusVuoe7IaCVBWNpSEagG7Nq-yFm0Gdkq4Wh0l_2Qk0N20ZoyJYgrVfe5mM2A1u6CbbadMAOTptIwhKgcDj_zWkqQkShqa62Mj1O0rFqK27s/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawLxF5zk8CHVzJUZDUKjFKDn0XgVY26utusVuoe7IaCVBWNpSEagG7Nq-yFm0Gdkq4Wh0l_2Qk0N20ZoyJYgrVfe5mM2A1u6CbbadMAOTptIwhKgcDj_zWkqQkShqa62Mj1O0rFqK27s/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i><br /></i></b>
<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's Black Friday AND Day 29!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">A Book I Wish More People Would Have Read</b></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been waiting 29 days to share my answer to this one. Only because this author writes probably one of the best writers I know. How she hasn't hit any milestones like the USA Today or the NYT is beyond me. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNpdCM3VpxRLpXrKUgOOhpjCrNq2wEOA6Klr6QJBXTUbm8yEmYUZky7blLeOxYjXNf97154yFEEktJeeSQTjyWhSLABhuEpX98A1eimGUPx5gMzAHOUPYhjdb_si0q5I9D7EN_owB128/s1600/AHA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNpdCM3VpxRLpXrKUgOOhpjCrNq2wEOA6Klr6QJBXTUbm8yEmYUZky7blLeOxYjXNf97154yFEEktJeeSQTjyWhSLABhuEpX98A1eimGUPx5gMzAHOUPYhjdb_si0q5I9D7EN_owB128/s320/AHA.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rqC9zOiRQ5Fb1X1sFXwz3okfKDtHPoUiEc_Eun7Ga9wWRBMpT_T7Ezd6Vl4nXc7xVeM_RrJfgltEN8iSfJV6wiCDttLkZpLsjpPgfLHUTRI3e6AM7sEE3buuhUvC_d4Qc_-cWx3vMyk/s1600/B24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rqC9zOiRQ5Fb1X1sFXwz3okfKDtHPoUiEc_Eun7Ga9wWRBMpT_T7Ezd6Vl4nXc7xVeM_RrJfgltEN8iSfJV6wiCDttLkZpLsjpPgfLHUTRI3e6AM7sEE3buuhUvC_d4Qc_-cWx3vMyk/s320/B24.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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Seriously, people. Evan is one the the most talented writers out there! Yet, her books don't get nearly enough recognition. Her written is gritty and brilliant. I beg you... if you want to read a wonderful story about finding love today wrapped in the history of World War II - read Block 24. </div>
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I promise. You will not be disappointed.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Accident-Evan-Tyler-ebook/dp/B00AHER9I0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385613936&sr=8-1&keywords=Evan+Tyler">A Happy Accident </a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Block-24-Evan-Tyler-ebook/dp/B00D2ZNGBK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1385613936&sr=8-2&keywords=Evan+Tyler">Block 24</a></div>
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ONE MORE DAY to <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Enter</a></div>
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-36156610251887091322013-11-28T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-28T09:00:02.784-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 28<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawLxF5zk8CHVzJUZDUKjFKDn0XgVY26utusVuoe7IaCVBWNpSEagG7Nq-yFm0Gdkq4Wh0l_2Qk0N20ZoyJYgrVfe5mM2A1u6CbbadMAOTptIwhKgcDj_zWkqQkShqa62Mj1O0rFqK27s/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawLxF5zk8CHVzJUZDUKjFKDn0XgVY26utusVuoe7IaCVBWNpSEagG7Nq-yFm0Gdkq4Wh0l_2Qk0N20ZoyJYgrVfe5mM2A1u6CbbadMAOTptIwhKgcDj_zWkqQkShqa62Mj1O0rFqK27s/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
TGIF and Day 22.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">A Book That Got Me Into Reading</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I had to think a bit on this. I've always liked to read. I started reading my first "chapter" books in grammar school - who didn't read Judy Blume?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTQjhhi5Yr8Fw_5sgslE3jK1mLWm0x5AklIKDUKu-UJvjQB5XbkBip_zW7Mhi127h7-kU6juvgDYiCRA1NIhwt0ynXihOuhZi0UQEPxyHpdfrcghZuMZjiEf4962veUyjdwW1vpK8YsU/s1600/Are+you+there+god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTQjhhi5Yr8Fw_5sgslE3jK1mLWm0x5AklIKDUKu-UJvjQB5XbkBip_zW7Mhi127h7-kU6juvgDYiCRA1NIhwt0ynXihOuhZi0UQEPxyHpdfrcghZuMZjiEf4962veUyjdwW1vpK8YsU/s1600/Are+you+there+god.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I think that if I hadn't read this book, and all the other fabulous books from Judy Blume, my childhood wouldn't have been quite boring. After reading all her books, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Blubber, Deenie, Otherwise Knows as Sheila the Great... I found reading a wonderful escape.<br />
<br />
I still do.<br />
<br />
Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-57401404797966739852013-11-27T22:29:00.002-06:002013-11-27T22:29:13.433-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 27<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogZyQIN8b3ph54HQOVTHhhcSpsJOYw5MA8d6vdGO5wrPoIvd9uM1Bp5qM0sV-L980jTjjuThmOwbB0kto-tdZkwPMIOMfsQE0ADCHaauPLkEX8KUdWS17YutadBI8tbUhJP2KOIoMjBU/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogZyQIN8b3ph54HQOVTHhhcSpsJOYw5MA8d6vdGO5wrPoIvd9uM1Bp5qM0sV-L980jTjjuThmOwbB0kto-tdZkwPMIOMfsQE0ADCHaauPLkEX8KUdWS17YutadBI8tbUhJP2KOIoMjBU/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Day 27 and I'm waaaayyy behind.<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">A Book People Can't Believe I haven't Read</b></div>
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This was a REALLY easy question.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSti_qtnwRriz1bqbgOCh43VVTYRlqPpdbCh0MivSGY-XIAsi0MhkcPG715ChyGw09-3EAb3aDe3Ru_UGCgF1u_GlMQE4JskebG_O3WH625hW-3nb9Ww3hCt7YPYNHFyOj-Yaghdyhag/s1600/A+Different+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSti_qtnwRriz1bqbgOCh43VVTYRlqPpdbCh0MivSGY-XIAsi0MhkcPG715ChyGw09-3EAb3aDe3Ru_UGCgF1u_GlMQE4JskebG_O3WH625hW-3nb9Ww3hCt7YPYNHFyOj-Yaghdyhag/s320/A+Different+Blue.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
I think I'm one of the only people in the Indie world who hasn't read A Different Blue.<br />
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I hear it's wonderful, unforgettable - beautifully written.<br />
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And yet, I'm still not sure why I haven't read it yet...<br />
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Amazon Link:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Different-Blue-Amy-Harmon-ebook/dp/B00C2GEJT8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1385612763&sr=8-3&keywords=amy+harmon">A Different Blue</a><br />
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There's only a few more days to enter for the great giveaway<br />
<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Rafflecopter</a><br />
<br /></div>
Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-50742371763125452722013-11-22T13:26:00.000-06:002013-11-22T13:26:01.993-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 22<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AjijY7uDSuna9AjtuH6HOaqGdqecbWEoOAC8jNgiUmm4oAFKHiJfvrozR2zPVmwpPDzIuOrPIel9EoH6kqSC-5l0JXnSOE-Yojh8tvkW_L6LWlGlL5zfXHZTJnSAumdLnKgU_0Dk244/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AjijY7uDSuna9AjtuH6HOaqGdqecbWEoOAC8jNgiUmm4oAFKHiJfvrozR2zPVmwpPDzIuOrPIel9EoH6kqSC-5l0JXnSOE-Yojh8tvkW_L6LWlGlL5zfXHZTJnSAumdLnKgU_0Dk244/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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TGIF and Day 22.<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">A Book I've Read More Than Once</b></div>
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This was an easy question for me to answer. I've read this book more times than I can count...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_fnT4z8oc8hQMzDTpzPUrGacR8ea2tkRGsqAu62s629lvea36Sd9jqAOzb92bhdzS3ZKeLePzKE2ABO12wCkkBuSNMR7jh4ILm7YqdS3Rjwu9rYH0jcNRo4N2qL9HeJpLqR7C23neA0/s1600/The+Opportunist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_fnT4z8oc8hQMzDTpzPUrGacR8ea2tkRGsqAu62s629lvea36Sd9jqAOzb92bhdzS3ZKeLePzKE2ABO12wCkkBuSNMR7jh4ILm7YqdS3Rjwu9rYH0jcNRo4N2qL9HeJpLqR7C23neA0/s320/The+Opportunist.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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Have a wonderful weekend everyone!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Enter Here for the huge giveaway</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-69095547901290907572013-11-21T11:49:00.001-06:002013-11-21T11:49:31.218-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XCU8kw_S8fSrg_VJrGsOjW9bjVeBcmb-qxNNV3wEWJG1mfOdMSmBhe0rcipsaqnxYM62GcK8bbxJQDy7HZf-578zzkq6mLwRe0OqIXNMp38msWJBLnNf9ax1C2_EpLoSZsG4gpE96BI/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XCU8kw_S8fSrg_VJrGsOjW9bjVeBcmb-qxNNV3wEWJG1mfOdMSmBhe0rcipsaqnxYM62GcK8bbxJQDy7HZf-578zzkq6mLwRe0OqIXNMp38msWJBLnNf9ax1C2_EpLoSZsG4gpE96BI/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Day 21 is here- I'm running behind schedule (again).<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Best Book I Read Last Year</b></div>
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I read a lot of really good books last year and several of them were five starred. So I have a tie:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rTH2TW81aTszze_sfns3GmX-F6SyD-FMzYabIHDtJkNOeFhcQAeFU6rGmtFOE_YWEnPOg24s-_vkjHyXHeTxsvPSTwgBzV6EF8pPj2I9yjUV_vpUK_LfAvFltiu_sHJ35sTnCxtOOz4/s1600/TSOT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rTH2TW81aTszze_sfns3GmX-F6SyD-FMzYabIHDtJkNOeFhcQAeFU6rGmtFOE_YWEnPOg24s-_vkjHyXHeTxsvPSTwgBzV6EF8pPj2I9yjUV_vpUK_LfAvFltiu_sHJ35sTnCxtOOz4/s320/TSOT.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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And yes, I picked the cover. I'm so happy that Katja was picked up last year, but I am a traditionalist and I love this cover. For me, it better symbolizes what the book was. <br />
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My other favorite is:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNToaKxd6ZvfjTgcvyN2RsAnE1XMzlwXVDPOYmfuo3qhdDRgr9kBeyrtD3FF61uuTQ8m5ZRgfYgmkmvRQDZHkA0JJnKwyc9YNp3GaPFo8f9AksXxqDJxfHiwEsnjR7aGLQc9OKqIDjEQc/s1600/captive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNToaKxd6ZvfjTgcvyN2RsAnE1XMzlwXVDPOYmfuo3qhdDRgr9kBeyrtD3FF61uuTQ8m5ZRgfYgmkmvRQDZHkA0JJnKwyc9YNp3GaPFo8f9AksXxqDJxfHiwEsnjR7aGLQc9OKqIDjEQc/s320/captive.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
I know - two completely different genres and styles of writing. But, I love me some CJ - and she knows how to tell a story.</div>
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Amazon link:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Tranquility-Novel-Katja-Millay-ebook/dp/B009R44MQ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385055398&sr=8-1&keywords=the+sea+of+tranquility">The Sea of Tranquility</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Captive-Dark-Duet-Book-ebook/dp/B005JZHN8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385056117&sr=8-1&keywords=captive+in+the+dar">Captive in the Dark</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Enter Here for the huge giveaway</a><br />
<br />Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-72216884605629758762013-11-20T14:11:00.002-06:002013-11-20T14:11:12.634-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 20<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHRfbFp8X3kPbFBkFFRJxoWQovtSCsagdxWl672G46z8dkP2r5Biv3BRpc0pWf32duOch2UV9lelnj8Lgoefw_36RHz6Sq8ujmNbXxox9QbYj-z_LCy00HIyXOXZmI-s8tEzbP-humfY/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHRfbFp8X3kPbFBkFFRJxoWQovtSCsagdxWl672G46z8dkP2r5Biv3BRpc0pWf32duOch2UV9lelnj8Lgoefw_36RHz6Sq8ujmNbXxox9QbYj-z_LCy00HIyXOXZmI-s8tEzbP-humfY/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Day 20 is here- I'm running behind schedule (again).<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Most Underrated Book</b></div>
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So, I read this book last summer, and I loved it. The main character resonated with me and I really enjoyed reading about a flawed woman who couldn't get past her guilt and self-loathing. </div>
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I also enjoyed that the author ended the book on her terms. She didn't fix the main character and act like life is all good again. Not all stories need a HEA or a big pretty bow. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21cOd11BOBXqO83BUzj966XMcShc36F4PDWmE7byCWS8MzEAPmfgjgtynXcjnYQCMP-eetqCgISv043uvohADGOS0jPZWQe-pjxYic1nvZzgU1TgAI4bidn1TXP_Oe-P9TjJ3UrRjk3A/s1600/Falling+Under.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21cOd11BOBXqO83BUzj966XMcShc36F4PDWmE7byCWS8MzEAPmfgjgtynXcjnYQCMP-eetqCgISv043uvohADGOS0jPZWQe-pjxYic1nvZzgU1TgAI4bidn1TXP_Oe-P9TjJ3UrRjk3A/s320/Falling+Under.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Amazon link:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/FALLING-UNDER-Danielle-Younge-Ullman-ebook/dp/B005OKB3XO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384977666&sr=8-1&keywords=falling+under+by+danielle+younge+ullman">Falling Under</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Enter Here for the huge giveaway</a>Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-1783009746383932672013-11-19T10:32:00.002-06:002013-11-19T10:32:23.324-06:0030 Days of Book Blog - Day 19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhb-zn4TQW9SWI0xyGLbvzQ5dME2VIt-TNtFzw0X0niZ1B3-P_TA6Ky37PAmn_0M2eKT3NktQOxaw5QCtd7DfHVQHXiqnYpbtkK7qQGMK-IUiQoe77MZoYqROs-5HwOCXMzY9Y3XVyXQ/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhb-zn4TQW9SWI0xyGLbvzQ5dME2VIt-TNtFzw0X0niZ1B3-P_TA6Ky37PAmn_0M2eKT3NktQOxaw5QCtd7DfHVQHXiqnYpbtkK7qQGMK-IUiQoe77MZoYqROs-5HwOCXMzY9Y3XVyXQ/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Day 19 is here- I'm running a little behind schedule. <br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">The Most Frustrating Series</b></div>
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I think a few of us picked this series. And if you've read it, then you know where we're coming from. Barbie is a firm Peppermint Posse member. I'm all about Team Jack...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHumICm1mL3Qn1mlobvLhRotTYGmjMIdMKHQW6RS3JtvuFosFO75i1HdC83BSoze7mELHrXIFW9czoQxdTsmXxUBMSm2l2ZFpXLxE-xrwfTX_3fjawk2bAPaHL5XxW8iLjARwAyRzzFY/s1600/Avoiding+Series.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHumICm1mL3Qn1mlobvLhRotTYGmjMIdMKHQW6RS3JtvuFosFO75i1HdC83BSoze7mELHrXIFW9czoQxdTsmXxUBMSm2l2ZFpXLxE-xrwfTX_3fjawk2bAPaHL5XxW8iLjARwAyRzzFY/s320/Avoiding+Series.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Amazon links</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_9?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=avoiding%20series&sprefix=avoiding+%2Cdigital-text%2C281">Avoiding Series</a></div>
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Enter here: <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Rafflecopter</a></div>
</div>
Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-30698547735231979742013-11-18T09:08:00.000-06:002013-11-20T13:52:20.322-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmiEdDFT4itaDB_PQXlJ9Xcilz_Ga2Sg3Nv1IjYnqTgPqR7-mXN9Gvp6i8yJiuojD3PZEqgMPrxzfnZQMzijmUBfJRCo11SxW9esnI6is622XepAGigiClEAusijLIGihQ1gQB5XQPmY/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmiEdDFT4itaDB_PQXlJ9Xcilz_Ga2Sg3Nv1IjYnqTgPqR7-mXN9Gvp6i8yJiuojD3PZEqgMPrxzfnZQMzijmUBfJRCo11SxW9esnI6is622XepAGigiClEAusijLIGihQ1gQB5XQPmY/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Happy Monday every one - Day 18...<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">The Last Book I Read</b><br />
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OK, so the last book I read... Originally when I wrote my out the responses to my questions it was Fangirl. Then it moved to Nikolai, then on to Infinite Possibilities. <br />
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I'm almost finished with this book: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pReEZp4tI8O_Ga3riwjKV2GVWlP1q49b9jfSHlbYyeEbMov6fkv0AUR8oURiHO21qucIi_a_o1GGsLOwzhcVWnuItQF6bIttxbWhtHZ_HhRGLwOPwZpPooEc9lGIr-isvQUyWaVAJrY/s1600/write+about+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pReEZp4tI8O_Ga3riwjKV2GVWlP1q49b9jfSHlbYyeEbMov6fkv0AUR8oURiHO21qucIi_a_o1GGsLOwzhcVWnuItQF6bIttxbWhtHZ_HhRGLwOPwZpPooEc9lGIr-isvQUyWaVAJrY/s320/write+about+me.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I am really enjoying it. A lot. The author fictionalizes her cousin, who went missing in Australia in 1988. It's a wonderfully written story, told from the eyes of a troubled 16 year old. She is torn between showing her independence and rebellion for things that haunt her, and wanting to be safe, at home with her mom. Instead she runs from home and turns to the streets. </div>
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Amazon link:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Write-About-Me-Melissa-Jane-Pouliot-ebook/dp/B00E3K92NY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1384786613&sr=1-1&keywords=write+about+me">Write About Me</a></div>
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Did you see all the things up for grabs? Check it out here and enter:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Rafflecopter</a></div>
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-64375498946329023892013-11-17T11:32:00.000-06:002013-11-19T10:25:07.951-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRvCCevD34yse4sBS0boaBTj8eC_gbJdKLFS_H9QQ2AJXsnzyvE6r9M1VNVXgK8TFvQovTOrmyDAH24TDTEB7gbXQ9PT9xjNaWA8nvzYGIgeFI8wtIpmrbcKTXVyf3cl0eNwQd6_6byM/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRvCCevD34yse4sBS0boaBTj8eC_gbJdKLFS_H9QQ2AJXsnzyvE6r9M1VNVXgK8TFvQovTOrmyDAH24TDTEB7gbXQ9PT9xjNaWA8nvzYGIgeFI8wtIpmrbcKTXVyf3cl0eNwQd6_6byM/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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We're on the back end of our 30 days - Day 17 is here.<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">My Favorite Fictional Side Kick/Side Character</b><br />
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I have two fictional BFF's. <br />
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My first choice is Cammie, from The Opportunist, by Tarryn Fisher. She's ballsy, she owns it and she's not afraid to call Olivia on her shit. Plus, let's face it, she's lacks filters. She's my type of girl. <br />
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I mean, who else but your crazy BFF would help you break into your ex-boyfriend's house and snoop through his crap!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApAdtqCwxwa57zpaeRqE-7EqhFIYMZawkbGb-XboWgZDRdpKTbo9INyi8nkpaLOXZw9bM1PUXSva80FrOkTbrZ6ay5VVh_UUf_5kWBztwlbfhcfatoPsUzudD5H_P8TBGOmmZVwzUmMU/s1600/The+Opportunist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApAdtqCwxwa57zpaeRqE-7EqhFIYMZawkbGb-XboWgZDRdpKTbo9INyi8nkpaLOXZw9bM1PUXSva80FrOkTbrZ6ay5VVh_UUf_5kWBztwlbfhcfatoPsUzudD5H_P8TBGOmmZVwzUmMU/s320/The+Opportunist.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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My second selection for BFF is Raegan from Fangirl. Have you read it? You must. Reagan doesn't give a crap about too much. She doesn't care much for Cath and her drab life, but they eventually grow on each other. Reagan likes to party, Cath prefers to stay in their shared dorm room and isolate herself from life. </div>
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They eventually learn to live as roommates and become more than friends. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc0cnABMVERrbUBX9M-H1V9-U2g8KYSsIWCQbJOhq4nhdkalugkky0Pw25WVthvkbaF9GByrg6WAQ5c9MLGxpse_RTAki9m90PniPtKVt4vHHW2pedguof1ws_LxKmzitz8-9q-WUAmE/s1600/Fangirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc0cnABMVERrbUBX9M-H1V9-U2g8KYSsIWCQbJOhq4nhdkalugkky0Pw25WVthvkbaF9GByrg6WAQ5c9MLGxpse_RTAki9m90PniPtKVt4vHHW2pedguof1ws_LxKmzitz8-9q-WUAmE/s320/Fangirl.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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Amazon links:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fangirl-Rainbow-Rowell-ebook/dp/B00BMKH5NW/ref=la_B0042IIWBU_1_2_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384709117&sr=1-2">Fangirl</a></div>
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Enter here for the huge rafflecopter giveaway</div>
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<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Rafflecopter</a></div>
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-79778988940100748332013-11-16T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-16T09:00:01.663-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDImwZF0RTGh6MteF1GpkeFPzX_7nJmZRnUsLf3cgN9Jaw0pDicAVxU69vxqRWlpDqrg7cilcP2wWu3LDg2uhLM3pjyOKKxglFIfdlJLQA6pzJ3bq4EkWl7KsEHvvCJ7r1DA-tIjJQBg4/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDImwZF0RTGh6MteF1GpkeFPzX_7nJmZRnUsLf3cgN9Jaw0pDicAVxU69vxqRWlpDqrg7cilcP2wWu3LDg2uhLM3pjyOKKxglFIfdlJLQA6pzJ3bq4EkWl7KsEHvvCJ7r1DA-tIjJQBg4/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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We're on the back end of our 30 days - Day 16 is here. <br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">A Book That Made Me Cry.</b><br />
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I must be honest, more than a few books have made me tear up. I usually don't get past a few tears before I am able to regain composure and press forward. <br />
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But this... This book made me black shit ugly cry. I bawled. I boo-hoo'd. Hard. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRXKXrXTJTPqVs2DvrnHby3s7EeipSdNd2X1-GG0jl64VL4x8JaTBPhEMXLpVttvMt38wb8KqOTCMt74CaXd1hqDdyEdsvz34eovsDSoAzOk6c5OM5vEXuobWKB4WsdbMERwvscSUHDk/s1600/Forbidden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRXKXrXTJTPqVs2DvrnHby3s7EeipSdNd2X1-GG0jl64VL4x8JaTBPhEMXLpVttvMt38wb8KqOTCMt74CaXd1hqDdyEdsvz34eovsDSoAzOk6c5OM5vEXuobWKB4WsdbMERwvscSUHDk/s320/Forbidden.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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If you've read this, then you know what I'm talking about, right? *sigh* If you haven't read this, I suggest that you put your prejudices aside and read this book. <br />
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I had to have an honorable mention for this category, for one reason only. Not only is it one of my absolute favorites, but I only have to read the Epilogue and I am tearing up. Seriously. No matter how many times I've read the book (more than one, less than 49), I get teary. Every.Single.Time. <br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><i>"I take my first step and then my second and right before the door closes, I look once more over my shoulder. Caleb is still under the tree, he winks at me, and I smile."</i></span><br />
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Wahhhhh... *runs for tissue*<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JrgNScC2NT3Ln3xe61Tsq6X_QlivqWe2anIUF34znd99u8vAG4gLdRgi6BrKem7RcqfUeT5TpHWSCM8lkdR2Lu7LazYKWu9uRbzbhz_3bOKDtPJsJ4WQaSYU99RkWeY-63Z4GlAiVB4/s1600/The+Opportunist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JrgNScC2NT3Ln3xe61Tsq6X_QlivqWe2anIUF34znd99u8vAG4gLdRgi6BrKem7RcqfUeT5TpHWSCM8lkdR2Lu7LazYKWu9uRbzbhz_3bOKDtPJsJ4WQaSYU99RkWeY-63Z4GlAiVB4/s320/The+Opportunist.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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Amazon links:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Definitions-Tabitha-Suzuma-ebook/dp/B004A90A9I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384109645&sr=1-1&keywords=forbidden">Forbidden</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Definitions-Tabitha-Suzuma-ebook/dp/B004A90A9I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384109645&sr=1-1&keywords=forbidden">The Opportunist</a><br />
<br />
Enter here!<br />
<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Rafflecopter</a><br />
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-66719976755020818472013-11-15T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-15T09:58:02.537-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 15<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDImwZF0RTGh6MteF1GpkeFPzX_7nJmZRnUsLf3cgN9Jaw0pDicAVxU69vxqRWlpDqrg7cilcP2wWu3LDg2uhLM3pjyOKKxglFIfdlJLQA6pzJ3bq4EkWl7KsEHvvCJ7r1DA-tIjJQBg4/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDImwZF0RTGh6MteF1GpkeFPzX_7nJmZRnUsLf3cgN9Jaw0pDicAVxU69vxqRWlpDqrg7cilcP2wWu3LDg2uhLM3pjyOKKxglFIfdlJLQA6pzJ3bq4EkWl7KsEHvvCJ7r1DA-tIjJQBg4/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Rejoice! It's the weekend AND we're at the half way point of our 30 Days!</div>
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">My Book Husband</b><br />
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This was a no-brainer. At first I thought: Caleb Drake. But, then I realized he and Olivia are together and I didn't want to go and bust up their family with Estella. No one likes a homewrecker. So, I moved on to the next guy on my list. <br />
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Uh huh... Dorian. You know, that hot warlock who can get you off without touching you? Yup. Him. Look.... I admit I have an unhealthy attraction to a fictional character. And it's not just that he's fictional, but he's some sort of magic sorcerer, to boot. <br />
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I've been patiently waiting for S.L. Jennings to hurry up and finish the series. I need to know what happens, so I'll have to ply her with drinks in NOLA and get some dish on my fictional husband. Until then, I'll have to be pacified by Nikolai, who is an equally hot, but tortured soul. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86VnDoLeWogXuW8T2x3xFv5eO5FB9H_L4Pl5NQiCGURgBSCorOLrMY4UwAHjS-V9E7WhyTAJYlnMvPkAAgTmIKYZiUvdGOVS7rY5MzjotGYn9kBtcjtdoR_XSbDPWN95cZXnJ8LVDCNU/s1600/Dark+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86VnDoLeWogXuW8T2x3xFv5eO5FB9H_L4Pl5NQiCGURgBSCorOLrMY4UwAHjS-V9E7WhyTAJYlnMvPkAAgTmIKYZiUvdGOVS7rY5MzjotGYn9kBtcjtdoR_XSbDPWN95cZXnJ8LVDCNU/s320/Dark+Light.jpg" width="207" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheM8yhOrU9UYwVhmIBAOIvrhoMq87FmPW1EvFsdtoi5l-Ra43kdVJd8un5-azO4Nxb-RmHi3IYNmx40qj9gtAXRMVCenlnmm6iaIEPNxBN8f5bEpSHT45Up76zSQSIxcjPWI7EhzyRvm8/s1600/Dark+Prince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheM8yhOrU9UYwVhmIBAOIvrhoMq87FmPW1EvFsdtoi5l-Ra43kdVJd8un5-azO4Nxb-RmHi3IYNmx40qj9gtAXRMVCenlnmm6iaIEPNxBN8f5bEpSHT45Up76zSQSIxcjPWI7EhzyRvm8/s320/Dark+Prince.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-42716749078709614702013-11-14T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-14T09:00:02.217-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDImwZF0RTGh6MteF1GpkeFPzX_7nJmZRnUsLf3cgN9Jaw0pDicAVxU69vxqRWlpDqrg7cilcP2wWu3LDg2uhLM3pjyOKKxglFIfdlJLQA6pzJ3bq4EkWl7KsEHvvCJ7r1DA-tIjJQBg4/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDImwZF0RTGh6MteF1GpkeFPzX_7nJmZRnUsLf3cgN9Jaw0pDicAVxU69vxqRWlpDqrg7cilcP2wWu3LDg2uhLM3pjyOKKxglFIfdlJLQA6pzJ3bq4EkWl7KsEHvvCJ7r1DA-tIjJQBg4/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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It's Day 14...<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Favorite Fictional Family</b><br />
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This one took me awhile to come up with. I had to do some research for this answer. I know MJ and Barbie picked some Harry Potter stuff (I've never read a HP book...), so that wasn't an option. <br />
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But then I remembered this book from my past, and I was like... YES! I loved the book and I especially loved the movie. They weren't a conventional family, but that was party of the beauty of the book. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeZ4GrAMnjiWadCxdBhefwsjitwlwVzPbnapW1Ropku_zCxSszsMrRMjxRz4OErEYUmo1oHAkWkk7i7zgaA6fBXwNbs2Dmh6tXLd07Pjvu40JMv_s-l5TK91F24_76zoceLhZyqxyY9M/s1600/tokillamockingbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeZ4GrAMnjiWadCxdBhefwsjitwlwVzPbnapW1Ropku_zCxSszsMrRMjxRz4OErEYUmo1oHAkWkk7i7zgaA6fBXwNbs2Dmh6tXLd07Pjvu40JMv_s-l5TK91F24_76zoceLhZyqxyY9M/s320/tokillamockingbird.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
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Atticus Finch. I want him to be my dad (and not just cause he's hot in the movie - Gregory Peck... swoon). I want to hang with Scout and Jem. I like period books, and this one is perfect. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” </i></span></span><br />
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Truer words have never been spoken.</div>
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Who is your favorite fictional family?</div>
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Amazon link:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Harper-Lee/dp/0446310786/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384107023&sr=1-1">To Kill a Mockingbird</a></div>
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Don't forget to enter here:</div>
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-28162850372594938462013-11-13T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-13T09:00:01.205-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFG1iYQm2hjoKg01qV_ZYDlQXeX319qaiSVC9Kpi3jxHXK_u6pQhpzI_F8YEFnSRwQHXhsSXHXnhWrYgsbSSE8OPSUl-peK6ePtTgd9YXy8gA-rI2lvlL8-eNuSsBofWzqX8fAraAi9o/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFG1iYQm2hjoKg01qV_ZYDlQXeX319qaiSVC9Kpi3jxHXK_u6pQhpzI_F8YEFnSRwQHXhsSXHXnhWrYgsbSSE8OPSUl-peK6ePtTgd9YXy8gA-rI2lvlL8-eNuSsBofWzqX8fAraAi9o/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Day 13! And 13 happens to be my favorite number. Today is all about my<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Favorite Non-Fiction Book</b><br />
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Feel free to bail on this post now. I did't pick anything edgy or fun, or even popular - at first I thought I would say The Diary of Anne Frank, but that seemed to... I don't know... Somber. <br />
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So, I went back to my favorite genre of non-fiction, which is historical, specifically, WWII and the evolution of the government. This book is a great starter for anyone who is interested in learning about the history of the US and their place in world espionage and deceit. It's a fascinating and informative book. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXCm99h5KSKx0tRfguyMqG28jMAje3yhCHf-J7u4fsv5KtcsuTh3YJe47W0oAKU_wnUNPaN_LCI6WQsMlvYrH36n1LZeVJD_LN93U4C9gOh3GMIrKv9koTKJuWJffubZa63B6efb9nUA/s1600/Legacy+of+Ashes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXCm99h5KSKx0tRfguyMqG28jMAje3yhCHf-J7u4fsv5KtcsuTh3YJe47W0oAKU_wnUNPaN_LCI6WQsMlvYrH36n1LZeVJD_LN93U4C9gOh3GMIrKv9koTKJuWJffubZa63B6efb9nUA/s320/Legacy+of+Ashes.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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Amazon link:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Ashes-History-Tim-Weiner-ebook/dp/B0010SIPZ8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1384105061&sr=1-1&keywords=legacy+of+ashes+the+history+of+the+cia">Legacy of Ashes: History of the CIA</a><br />
<br />
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-22451858947561492992013-11-12T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-12T09:00:05.941-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2PUItWTs1d7nt9UX56YgpBh0Pexrn5wzqKKd8C4GohhLbKGccM6touqjmOMgYNnffJZ4z7UJP60H33ItX2gd0juygm9WW6r-8-_KtPop7_X7KdxAXiaq9O6u0UZuYEtUoAIXhmHlXFM/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2PUItWTs1d7nt9UX56YgpBh0Pexrn5wzqKKd8C4GohhLbKGccM6touqjmOMgYNnffJZ4z7UJP60H33ItX2gd0juygm9WW6r-8-_KtPop7_X7KdxAXiaq9O6u0UZuYEtUoAIXhmHlXFM/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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It's Day 12!<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Favorite Book From the Longest Series I've Read</b><br />
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I've made it pretty obvious I like to read out of the box. This series fits the bill, to a T. The series is complete, but there are prequels in the works. If you haven't read this series, you are missing out on some fantastic stuff.<br />
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This series should NOT be missed. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc2ogix-nY2cK2fqN9g0eEkQnK2oPWMxdl6SMHRKwZ6OarM7q8-isARqxvQ2ndkstVj-gW2flHM_zAxcGvmhtTpC4IxuD84_keDukG_7nft47CmqcFNf3uJe6grLfE1BldT0YpdPHBeQ/s1600/Angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc2ogix-nY2cK2fqN9g0eEkQnK2oPWMxdl6SMHRKwZ6OarM7q8-isARqxvQ2ndkstVj-gW2flHM_zAxcGvmhtTpC4IxuD84_keDukG_7nft47CmqcFNf3uJe6grLfE1BldT0YpdPHBeQ/s320/Angel.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYEg2ZNOI6G38LFWRcHUupgma4u5YdaOTQXEsFjjsfsQUJ858aAbfz5tokShiWyLNWex1GhgRJ2yWaOoPqpWU7KyHNQKb9rJ7B4UUAfQH0dqWsSnZjaiwtSOEGRCQmVPiE3e_rky3kQQ/s1600/Siren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYEg2ZNOI6G38LFWRcHUupgma4u5YdaOTQXEsFjjsfsQUJ858aAbfz5tokShiWyLNWex1GhgRJ2yWaOoPqpWU7KyHNQKb9rJ7B4UUAfQH0dqWsSnZjaiwtSOEGRCQmVPiE3e_rky3kQQ/s320/Siren.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKeE1ltibOf5mHJblGu-MAyclP62LIQN62RvImSH9vO3TStOknzh3IJFtK_8kteoIMmWI5mzFnNvr8i1_GMH97ttf_vmUtmFSJZREYUdCC9ejZwrZ8xwZ6s4ixVPnfTfCt4hcVzzNNOE/s1600/Mistress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKeE1ltibOf5mHJblGu-MAyclP62LIQN62RvImSH9vO3TStOknzh3IJFtK_8kteoIMmWI5mzFnNvr8i1_GMH97ttf_vmUtmFSJZREYUdCC9ejZwrZ8xwZ6s4ixVPnfTfCt4hcVzzNNOE/s320/Mistress.jpg" width="208" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzLe8pgdWtvVMY4EKNr9Yu7y1q0nEmZvvEjTx2qG8av5WQgRlNhtXZF98YTgGwZr0QtPR_74s6_blIVKvZUMcGRHpVcEP8SVrO4LqIwRvMAeGuuze6TSX5AByv2osPgjGJ4OO0TwzNEY/s1600/Prince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzLe8pgdWtvVMY4EKNr9Yu7y1q0nEmZvvEjTx2qG8av5WQgRlNhtXZF98YTgGwZr0QtPR_74s6_blIVKvZUMcGRHpVcEP8SVrO4LqIwRvMAeGuuze6TSX5AByv2osPgjGJ4OO0TwzNEY/s320/Prince.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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Amazon links:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mistress-Original-Sinners-Tiffany-Reisz-ebook/dp/B00C3U9T8O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1383966708&sr=8-3&keywords=original+sinners">The Siren</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Mills-Spice-Original-Sinners-ebook/dp/B008EMCQ44/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383966708&sr=8-1&keywords=original+sinners">The Angel</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mistress-Original-Sinners-Tiffany-Reisz-ebook/dp/B00C3U9T8O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1383966708&sr=8-3&keywords=original+sinners">The Prince</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mistress-Original-Sinners-Tiffany-Reisz-ebook/dp/B00C3U9T8O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1383966708&sr=8-3&keywords=original+sinners">The Mistress</a><br />
<br />
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-90748463657851360992013-11-11T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-11T09:00:04.106-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2PUItWTs1d7nt9UX56YgpBh0Pexrn5wzqKKd8C4GohhLbKGccM6touqjmOMgYNnffJZ4z7UJP60H33ItX2gd0juygm9WW6r-8-_KtPop7_X7KdxAXiaq9O6u0UZuYEtUoAIXhmHlXFM/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2PUItWTs1d7nt9UX56YgpBh0Pexrn5wzqKKd8C4GohhLbKGccM6touqjmOMgYNnffJZ4z7UJP60H33ItX2gd0juygm9WW6r-8-_KtPop7_X7KdxAXiaq9O6u0UZuYEtUoAIXhmHlXFM/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Holy cow... Day 11<br />
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How was everyone's weekend?<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">My Favorite Scary Book</b><br />
<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></b>
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I already told you about Mara Dyer (<a href="http://sydneysimon.blogspot.com/2013/11/30-days-of-book-love-day-8.html">Day 8</a>) and Schasm (<a href="http://sydneysimon.blogspot.com/2013/11/30-days-of-book-love-day-6.html">Day 6</a>). They are both Paranormal and well written. <br />
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Both aren't "scary", but they are creepy as hell, and that's good enough.<br />
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Check out those links up there for the books. <br />
<br />
Enter here: <br />
<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Rafflecopter</a><br />
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-38511063816919918382013-11-10T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-10T09:00:04.574-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34ttlwiQF1pA5mqYMtt1yXjFCw6eqsxk9bGFXl_plYb4dEM8CoTSuIjKkMEck-Cwvw5oWwT2SZafsrpfOqs4AjH8X-wd6ZA6mmC1jezMBdacpLaocBy-PpNiCofAXP-JyfsQ08ZSv2ao/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34ttlwiQF1pA5mqYMtt1yXjFCw6eqsxk9bGFXl_plYb4dEM8CoTSuIjKkMEck-Cwvw5oWwT2SZafsrpfOqs4AjH8X-wd6ZA6mmC1jezMBdacpLaocBy-PpNiCofAXP-JyfsQ08ZSv2ao/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Ten Days down...<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Favorite Biography/Memoir</b><br />
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So, I originally picked another one of my boring historical books. But, then I read this book... and wow. Words fail me. My friend, Barbie, said we needed to read this book. So Claire and I did a buddy read. We read it in record time. Clearly, we're both a little past twisted. <br />
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I have mixed feelings about this memoir. Not the subject matter, per se, but the ability of the author to be so eloquent, yet very candid about the subject of what she wrote. The book left me stunned. I had several conversations with Claire and Barbie and we were able to work our way through the rationalizations and understandings of what we had read. <br />
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I won't lie. This book was a hard limit for me... however, it is written with decorum and an honesty that has to be respected. Obviously, the subject matter isn't for everyone, but it is a compelling story and I really enjoyed working my way through it. Books should make you think; and not always, but occasionally reading a story that pushes your boundaries and your comfort levels is good. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP42NFC-B3FHXdmNXDOKjeodhBdW3tjde0xpabbMGrlNXBSSYJpXEq_zJ1paBVsUz8YeE9nPCnvk4Pioxapc5K-aZlJDqXWaPMNbx4NI2E2szxBPU1TiByqwHDR8Z3henKqChnV0zHnqc/s1600/The+Kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP42NFC-B3FHXdmNXDOKjeodhBdW3tjde0xpabbMGrlNXBSSYJpXEq_zJ1paBVsUz8YeE9nPCnvk4Pioxapc5K-aZlJDqXWaPMNbx4NI2E2szxBPU1TiByqwHDR8Z3henKqChnV0zHnqc/s320/The+Kiss.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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Amazon link:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Memoir-Jane-Smiley-ebook/dp/B004WY1F9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383965636&sr=8-1&keywords=the+kiss+a+memoir">The Kiss: A Memoir </a><br />
<br />
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-41417296676503244062013-11-09T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-09T09:00:05.680-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdTsttAmWdnYqWlt7egu9B0iGcmQmqCClK_rIzZtHOXkV80RBMZWv9dXQ-W_uagziwr5ESVpgf6ytJVod1WYx2m0O3fpfOb65JUpniLoZj6GPtJ-WWJTrtxPYz4S9HAcqoyrqtfZ84D0/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdTsttAmWdnYqWlt7egu9B0iGcmQmqCClK_rIzZtHOXkV80RBMZWv9dXQ-W_uagziwr5ESVpgf6ytJVod1WYx2m0O3fpfOb65JUpniLoZj6GPtJ-WWJTrtxPYz4S9HAcqoyrqtfZ84D0/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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It's Day 9...<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Favorite "Don't Judge Me" Book.</b><br />
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I am laughing as I type this. Originally, I picked some really booooring book about FDR (don't judge! I like historical books), but I thought, "Geez, how boring. No one wants to read about FDR and how he was responsible for getting the US involved in WWII.) <br />
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So, I gave it some more thought, and picked something more lighter. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtX9CF-slXLqezo2skWjfB7rdaJ5NPa8hR1RwC6G9XNvPl0FqslIltSbmWTRrviuPlAJ-2XpBEpD77pv2RgnILWJ9GNfMYhen0eedT08S2dKNEEPrb8bJ34oT1UN59AA9WCxZfrbBjxA/s1600/Chelsea+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtX9CF-slXLqezo2skWjfB7rdaJ5NPa8hR1RwC6G9XNvPl0FqslIltSbmWTRrviuPlAJ-2XpBEpD77pv2RgnILWJ9GNfMYhen0eedT08S2dKNEEPrb8bJ34oT1UN59AA9WCxZfrbBjxA/s320/Chelsea+1.jpg" width="210" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckJccfycgbFvwUU9XmN30kBxEA0FmAMHI8sXaNv7WcOmw1wnXOloEzKsBIb0ZUS43PBFMzaYwSlUsnVCNn-HhnmQo3ZJyMMUUa6BoUjRjZcaldkCozhn6jFs76vrxgMiAREse2z3dp8s/s1600/Chelsea+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckJccfycgbFvwUU9XmN30kBxEA0FmAMHI8sXaNv7WcOmw1wnXOloEzKsBIb0ZUS43PBFMzaYwSlUsnVCNn-HhnmQo3ZJyMMUUa6BoUjRjZcaldkCozhn6jFs76vrxgMiAREse2z3dp8s/s320/Chelsea+3.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpSNqKpVygxaX-ZHLyeO1i8FsCbOKYAUe43caQaM-ewYMC9Z1fI9p1gh3hK588k2JN4AbHFeeyRdjVguWmHdIO3Pw7uMcD0FWnNKwmd96llmZiOFIKv6hPc3fdR_2brD2kd4OWSzrctM/s1600/Chelsea+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpSNqKpVygxaX-ZHLyeO1i8FsCbOKYAUe43caQaM-ewYMC9Z1fI9p1gh3hK588k2JN4AbHFeeyRdjVguWmHdIO3Pw7uMcD0FWnNKwmd96llmZiOFIKv6hPc3fdR_2brD2kd4OWSzrctM/s320/Chelsea+2.jpg" width="210" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIOBiSacxsCIRoaw1P-Bsl9SPuLXgFan42K-sZdfbSxj_HANhnxsqtmEJrlzpsLWIiquWW1tHiNx_ocU5gOhxKflPTSbhdHTgEuXZnp6QXIlG8Sc2P3GeAujl_EXk2pSE9lJXRGh_Vbk/s1600/Chelsea+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIOBiSacxsCIRoaw1P-Bsl9SPuLXgFan42K-sZdfbSxj_HANhnxsqtmEJrlzpsLWIiquWW1tHiNx_ocU5gOhxKflPTSbhdHTgEuXZnp6QXIlG8Sc2P3GeAujl_EXk2pSE9lJXRGh_Vbk/s320/Chelsea+4.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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Sure, she's a bit raunchy, but she tells it like it is. And who cares? Her books are pretty ridiculous and to me, that's funny.<br />
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I don't get to watch her show much anymore, but in doing this post, I saw she's got another book coming out next Spring. I'll be all over it.<br />
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Amazon links:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Horizontal-Life-Collection-Stands-ebook/dp/B00C102T3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383963979&sr=8-1&keywords=chelsea+handler">My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Are-you-there-Vodka-Chelsea-ebook/dp/B000UZQJ32/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1383964050&sr=8-4&keywords=chelsea+handler">Are You There Vodka, It's Me, Chelsea</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chelsea-Bang-Handler-ebook/dp/B0030I1XCS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1383964050&sr=8-3&keywords=chelsea+handler">Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lies-Chelsea-Handler-Borderline-Amazing-ebook/dp/B004LLIYWK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1383964050&sr=8-5&keywords=chelsea+handler">The Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me</a><br />
<br />
Enter here to win!<br />
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-45653857975721269612013-11-08T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-08T09:00:00.427-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 8<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZyeGvqNIgnBX3HicLu1JX3TGD3R5rLlhQ4OeXYwhmkZ2o_hoOBwpRssPlgh30Wpz9yW5KYepQSeTOCzfWoM2vqT7BaHCxb9yV_6ohzHFmSoonfxhvZV_RBJtBV9s48bUJapvLBHtCTA/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZyeGvqNIgnBX3HicLu1JX3TGD3R5rLlhQ4OeXYwhmkZ2o_hoOBwpRssPlgh30Wpz9yW5KYepQSeTOCzfWoM2vqT7BaHCxb9yV_6ohzHFmSoonfxhvZV_RBJtBV9s48bUJapvLBHtCTA/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Day 8 is here! Today I get to share with you my:<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Favorite Cover</b><br />
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This one didn't come to me as easily as some of the others. Cause, really, what makes a great cover? Is it ones that are bold and simple, like The Fault in Our Stars? Or is it clean, not too photoshopped, like Claire's There's No Light in the Darkness? Or is it black and white, up close and intimate, like Barbie's original cover for Promise Me? Or is it sassy and fun like MJ's Happenstance?<br />
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For me, I think it's all those things. Even though Barbie, MJ and Claire are my friends, I truly love their book covers (we're all admitted cover whores)! A cover should tell give you the first visual to the story told in the pages beneath it. When done right, it should stick with you as a reminder of the book you read. I've seen great books go unsold because the cover didn't grab the reader off the top. <br />
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This series not only is a fabulous YA series, but the covers entice me. They draw me in and are an added bonus for the story because they accurately and eloquently represent what's written. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-p1jkWcxohoOfsMdWRkFEFNICKjyP3P_Ve380atPwF5Dx7Wxg0DKfBW1Q5Gon9RbPaDDFHIMgvb_n0SIDXdsKzh0nLt256x0o1KfaODJkZDFR62U0_q49MjTQug876iVbol-0obYPKk/s1600/Mara+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-p1jkWcxohoOfsMdWRkFEFNICKjyP3P_Ve380atPwF5Dx7Wxg0DKfBW1Q5Gon9RbPaDDFHIMgvb_n0SIDXdsKzh0nLt256x0o1KfaODJkZDFR62U0_q49MjTQug876iVbol-0obYPKk/s320/Mara+3.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm2LtVVoabdpn5OLdCD3O4S_NlqlPFRwPtqhyS2MJZlZMvfXxL55ivs4sxrv8hkhsVqcQDAV4uOgzGo_12rMBpI_QjUw7kRgv_59qSC9mE3U9wrMwgjL0dTyk9xxOAxqYrTiHmVk2NZs/s1600/Mara+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm2LtVVoabdpn5OLdCD3O4S_NlqlPFRwPtqhyS2MJZlZMvfXxL55ivs4sxrv8hkhsVqcQDAV4uOgzGo_12rMBpI_QjUw7kRgv_59qSC9mE3U9wrMwgjL0dTyk9xxOAxqYrTiHmVk2NZs/s320/Mara+1.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZVsffXUr4FvWsDf_stg8dJMrNBHRa1rE-0QCqM7L0Z-huj4nPl5c9gm5WPpI1Ge-Dqm1jM39Nj4pIrGucJPH5iK2J4MGlXDOnBOPthOMRpXx47pHhwF0Jeb0TiEkGOxftLNua0ufskg/s1600/Mara+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZVsffXUr4FvWsDf_stg8dJMrNBHRa1rE-0QCqM7L0Z-huj4nPl5c9gm5WPpI1Ge-Dqm1jM39Nj4pIrGucJPH5iK2J4MGlXDOnBOPthOMRpXx47pHhwF0Jeb0TiEkGOxftLNua0ufskg/s320/Mara+2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Can you think about your favorite cover and what category it falls under? Did you feel like the cover accurately represent the book?</div>
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Amazon link:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unbecoming-Mara-Dyer-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B004IK988I/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1383342619&sr=1-3&keywords=mara+dyer">The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Mara-Dyer-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B007EDOSKY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1383342619&sr=1-1&keywords=mara+dyer">The Evolution of Mara Dyer</a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Retribution-Mara-Dyer-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00FNVSTAY/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1383363724&sr=1-2&keywords=mara+dyer">The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Out June, 2014)</a><br />
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<br />Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-73939244695934695912013-11-07T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-07T09:00:01.210-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJ1uAGEFp9kbajv_n6WiYzWubpOFhcWVSFc3N-f89VitVHQFJFMDxs2WRFELv3H9fU0gJN1hShHb9njr3VbH-IEU4_xyhS4mkI7C-sNICFrGHBdDKELDIji-5ycCeBQ8ebTKTiUhYbtQ/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJ1uAGEFp9kbajv_n6WiYzWubpOFhcWVSFc3N-f89VitVHQFJFMDxs2WRFELv3H9fU0gJN1hShHb9njr3VbH-IEU4_xyhS4mkI7C-sNICFrGHBdDKELDIji-5ycCeBQ8ebTKTiUhYbtQ/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Lucky number 7. <br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">A Book That Changed My Opinion About Something</b><br />
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I don't care for Paranormal. It's just not my thing. I didn't read Twilight. I guess my aversion to sparkling vampires may have something to do with me shying away from the Paranormal genre altogether. That being said, I like to keep an open mind. <br />
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So last year after I blew through my first Indie book (Beautiful Disaster), I was anxious to get my hands on whatever else Jamie McGuire wrote. I didn't have a lot of knowledge of the Indie market, so my author picks weren't nearly as plentiful as they are today. I came across this series because I liked Jamie's writing. I wasn't keen on the idea that there was maybe some Paranormal elements to the book, but I jumped in anyway.<br />
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And I'm glad I did. I ended up LOVING the series. It totally changed my perspective on the PRN genre as a whole: not all paranormal books have sparkling vampires in ridiculous love triangles. Because this book is light on the paranormal side, and pretty easy to digest, I have delved into more books like this (Check out S.C. Stephens' Conversion series). Even though I loved this series, and I don't mind Paranormal now, I'll still never read any books with sparkly vamps! <br />
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So if you're looking for an intro to Paranormal, this is the series for you:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqgNEgTlVHqXDJj5m_ZgKmgqUFodpuuhUS_LcaOKcJuLMy7ex2_nAaj3zxWJMkH4aHYLECLEqHwlobQTgn85VEQlXHgQM28jsspE7-oJ-fpSKadLZp0iqzrQGu1M645q7QGV5XkzxXac/s1600/Providence+Trilogy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqgNEgTlVHqXDJj5m_ZgKmgqUFodpuuhUS_LcaOKcJuLMy7ex2_nAaj3zxWJMkH4aHYLECLEqHwlobQTgn85VEQlXHgQM28jsspE7-oJ-fpSKadLZp0iqzrQGu1M645q7QGV5XkzxXac/s320/Providence+Trilogy.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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My Honorable Mention (well, because it's another Paranormal), if you want to read about a HOT warlock, then check out this series ASAP, because it ROCKS! Don't anyone get too attached to Dorian. Just sayin'.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOd3mLzE3dXfl68kOtJx7AQGi_HUMktgZ4WBBfu4URdai4xmVY4eylo2afnrKn4CWxzhBdPAOUWH31Nmb-gGczJTzD07TcZaH0Sf05R-YOkwoBaBHaRo4TO48M7O_Dqtj4bFkd0FUBXas/s1600/Dark+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOd3mLzE3dXfl68kOtJx7AQGi_HUMktgZ4WBBfu4URdai4xmVY4eylo2afnrKn4CWxzhBdPAOUWH31Nmb-gGczJTzD07TcZaH0Sf05R-YOkwoBaBHaRo4TO48M7O_Dqtj4bFkd0FUBXas/s320/Dark+Light.jpg" width="207" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdankUkd_hJ4wx3ZMhfnb3JUkVcBrVmbXhevaN0mMawk_85FGdYdgyqpAzUfj5GeR3iqN6ZAmC220RxQUu_vTmZSgFH9FMgqCFnw8AKjKE2w_4g4EkYpqYkMpXfoDnDqscIyP3-2NvNNQ/s1600/Dark+Prince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdankUkd_hJ4wx3ZMhfnb3JUkVcBrVmbXhevaN0mMawk_85FGdYdgyqpAzUfj5GeR3iqN6ZAmC220RxQUu_vTmZSgFH9FMgqCFnw8AKjKE2w_4g4EkYpqYkMpXfoDnDqscIyP3-2NvNNQ/s320/Dark+Prince.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
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What book changed your opinion about something? <br />
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Amazon link:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Providence-Trilogy-Bundle-Requiem-ebook/dp/B0084KFV8E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1383341248&sr=1-1&keywords=providence+trilogy">Providence Trilogy</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Light-S-L-Jennings-ebook/dp/B009YLRCCU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1383795719&sr=1-1&keywords=dark+light">Dark Light</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Prince-Light-ebook/dp/B00BSVNYT4/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1383795719&sr=1-2&keywords=dark+light">The Dark Prince</a><br />
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You know the drill, enter here:</div>
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-64707906021872713592013-11-06T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-06T09:00:06.989-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMibYFhVf4DRH9HKT6FO2nYOw55HRkUMHN1nogh5jQoFZlQWPokkrpHkNaklvTwpCmDCoRigbfzpRMoEBoA4jbsiEYsx4W3PtjLM8QEg3M4z3rGqJ1rRXUC00ud3deZaK8I1lpk2yfSo4/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMibYFhVf4DRH9HKT6FO2nYOw55HRkUMHN1nogh5jQoFZlQWPokkrpHkNaklvTwpCmDCoRigbfzpRMoEBoA4jbsiEYsx4W3PtjLM8QEg3M4z3rGqJ1rRXUC00ud3deZaK8I1lpk2yfSo4/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Day 6 is upon us. I hope everyone is enjoying all our answers - and thanks for playing along! Today's question:<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Most Surprising Plot Twist or Ending</b><br />
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I read this book at the beginning of the year, and true to my form for liking out of the box, this book was a total mindfu*#k. I love a good plot twist or WTF ending. Because, let's face it, the crazier the plot, the better the book (and it doesn't hurt that Sarah is a phenomenal writer). I won't lie, this book is not for everyone. The Heroine can come off as repetitive if you don't connect with her. But, if you're like me, and you let your emotions get lost in the words, you will find HER truly heartbreaking story of pain, trauma and disappointment - tempered by HER hope and passion for a beautiful stranger.<br />
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I'm so glad Sarah took pity on us and followed up with a sequel, THIS is Me. Both books shouldn't be missed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyOvLFF_Vqqi-NPO1_0GCzikvEvdiz-gXoe5q16azFX5RFOjjjVX0CoNk4nNNYCiM1Ehz9pJCY_KeQ9drCP0DUx4Oz0uxFfXdfehQmpXNbtBMBRWbznx3ljQavRwMhcWVpHmyFCyRtws/s1600/I+am+HER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyOvLFF_Vqqi-NPO1_0GCzikvEvdiz-gXoe5q16azFX5RFOjjjVX0CoNk4nNNYCiM1Ehz9pJCY_KeQ9drCP0DUx4Oz0uxFfXdfehQmpXNbtBMBRWbznx3ljQavRwMhcWVpHmyFCyRtws/s320/I+am+HER.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPbaYkSVfLdBhnD21UsI7eYto7ASEpT2GVihoMN23zYE_B0cYbFLyisM7AKvvl-7fGE742hscbtuUWAwOAGcPMUBkiqQzADCI4GQPyf2cbN8SGCi2v8dx4MV-PCOdUtJIjqtPJ0PJqFk/s1600/THIS+is+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPbaYkSVfLdBhnD21UsI7eYto7ASEpT2GVihoMN23zYE_B0cYbFLyisM7AKvvl-7fGE742hscbtuUWAwOAGcPMUBkiqQzADCI4GQPyf2cbN8SGCi2v8dx4MV-PCOdUtJIjqtPJ0PJqFk/s320/THIS+is+me.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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And because great minds think alike, make sure you find out who else though that I am HER was the best book with a plot twist. <br />
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I had to add a last minute honorable mention, because, this book was also one of those WTF did I just read? I am anxiously waiting for Shari to pump out Book 2!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4oDbaJ5tOdWYRP2VE462OLKRjB0jgHetUz7x0Af4geZe4fT2btIdJLzAp9jmnij_t1dtkEKgyDDdE7njSsEJ99zOxRvPuTgS9TwmACp5JG7tGmMSCg_jym9T2zQnz-IzdwIjFsc6BHY/s1600/Schasm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4oDbaJ5tOdWYRP2VE462OLKRjB0jgHetUz7x0Af4geZe4fT2btIdJLzAp9jmnij_t1dtkEKgyDDdE7njSsEJ99zOxRvPuTgS9TwmACp5JG7tGmMSCg_jym9T2zQnz-IzdwIjFsc6BHY/s320/Schasm.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Amazon link:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/I-am-HER-ebook/dp/B009QEDQVQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383339743&sr=1-2">I am HER</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/THIS-me-Sarah-Ann-Walker-ebook/dp/B00FO5WER8/ref=pd_sim_b_1">THIS is me</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Schasm-ebook/dp/B00EJLDRP6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1383364067&sr=1-1&keywords=schasm">Schasm</a><br />
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Make sure you enter here today:<br />
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Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-18563789256248416472013-11-05T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-05T09:00:06.674-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiutDbtIXbHK9Q5bC7t5sdDEkUz5OX1fR7CVu_FXNYIFI7XxNW_tCh7q7hQx4Vw865HtgdcZMNQdodhmnjhqH1Ogn92yybXJx44k5K-8t-Q_UiGDvPCM5NTb8N6Ry9n3mzqXjGm7IVaM/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiutDbtIXbHK9Q5bC7t5sdDEkUz5OX1fR7CVu_FXNYIFI7XxNW_tCh7q7hQx4Vw865HtgdcZMNQdodhmnjhqH1Ogn92yybXJx44k5K-8t-Q_UiGDvPCM5NTb8N6Ry9n3mzqXjGm7IVaM/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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Day 5 is here!<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Favorite Quote From a Great Book</b><br />
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This book is one of my all time favorite books. I bullied a bunch of people into reading it, cause I just knew they'd love it as much as I did. And I was right! Everyone I recommended it to gave it high praise. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-oORUQ1pwlF6pYTp2tVfYHeZp2paCwA6FdhE5sR-sd3osNZOZMG5nS8CFxRFoJ2r9gCQVGPEW_4K4576LSXLYx5XyFKsm-iSaRKnlL3ZN6eAZaG5JsExWeMvdPLbwSIWCBTBXv4JDMY/s1600/Painted+Faces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-oORUQ1pwlF6pYTp2tVfYHeZp2paCwA6FdhE5sR-sd3osNZOZMG5nS8CFxRFoJ2r9gCQVGPEW_4K4576LSXLYx5XyFKsm-iSaRKnlL3ZN6eAZaG5JsExWeMvdPLbwSIWCBTBXv4JDMY/s320/Painted+Faces.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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So, why do I love this book so much? Well, L.H. Cosway has a witty sense of humor and it plays out through her MC, Freda, aka Fred (because she likes "to be economical with her syllables.") and Nicholas, aka Viv. Naturally, this is also one of those unconventional boy meets girl stories. I like out of the box; coloring inside the lines is too much for me, especially when reading is concerned. This book is a perfect blend of out of the box and good romance. <br />
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Fred isn't a bombshell blonde with a great body, like her roommate, Nora. Fred is more full figured, and she's okay with her curves.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"If Nora's metabolism is an Olympic gold medal runner, mine is one of those slugs that you step on by mistake when it's cold and damp out."</i></span><br />
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She works at a thrift store, she bakes cupcakes for a local coffee shop, and she's honest about life.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"I might not have a boyfriend, but I have cupcakes, and those tasty bastards haven't let me down yet."</i></span> </span><br />
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She's also honest about her friend, Anny, who is not at all particular with whom she takes home at night.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"... I know good and well that Anny will f&#k a doorknob with enough alcohol in her system."</i></span><br />
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Then she meets Vivica Blue, who is dark haired and blue-eyed gorgeous. She couldn't resist his wicked good looks.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"I've never been in love. It's sad but true. I think the most I've ever been in has been low grade lust."</i></span><br />
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Fred lives next door to Viv, and he likes the charm and character of their apartment building, which is located is a lower class neighborhood in Ireland. Viv doesn't see his view on it. <br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"If by lived in, you mean an aged whore with cracked skin and dome sort of downstairs infection she can't get rid of, then you're right, this building has plenty of character."</i></span><br />
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After Fred and Viv spend some time together and he flirts with her mercilessly, she falls...<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">"Isn't that what every girls wants? To be loved by someone uniquely, to make a man feel something he hasn't yet felt for anyone else?"</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;"><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">"I want his smiles and his teasing, his smouldering look. His sad eyes when he thinks nobody's watching. Most of all, I want his heart."</i></span><br />
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So, if I give you any more of my highlighted quotes (which is half the book), I'll give away the whole story, and I really want you to read it.<br />
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I'm going to leave you with one more though, just because I can't help myself.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I've never understood the appeal of sleeping in the nude, but slim people seem to be mad about it."</i><br />
<br />
Seriously, go buy it, and then beg L.H. to write some more about Viv and Fred. <br />
<br />
<br />
Amazon link:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Painted-Faces-L-H-Cosway-ebook/dp/B00AOSEF9A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383332366&sr=8-1&keywords=painted+faces">Painted Faces</a><br />
<br />
Don't forget to enter here:<br />
<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Rafflecopter</a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-2799578515081493092013-11-04T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-04T09:00:04.472-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjky3xNfw1DXWZvXXONbNh-yMb0hic8SGtP_IV60eh8L2CLbSbfp_tuzia3X_8zmNs0Fmccm3GPIzJhhV_FzXzIruh0rEySaIHUP39Blp8LV28zFrLOHMQcS0FqLGdoqt1xXuIumPuM3M4/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjky3xNfw1DXWZvXXONbNh-yMb0hic8SGtP_IV60eh8L2CLbSbfp_tuzia3X_8zmNs0Fmccm3GPIzJhhV_FzXzIruh0rEySaIHUP39Blp8LV28zFrLOHMQcS0FqLGdoqt1xXuIumPuM3M4/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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It's Day 4 of our 30 Days. And today's question is... name:<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">A Book From a Favorite Author</b><br />
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So, this one took a bit of thought. Let's face it, I have more than a few favorite authors. And even though this author hasn't been on the scene a long time, I love her writing and this book is one of my favorites from this year. Not only is the writing beyond measure, but the story she told leaves me in awe of how she captured not just the setting, but the emotions of the characters - it's all flawless. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbwwYd7P7ZYUKWkBOkahCIX2X2DgyGUl8gi0B4ZcMTY9exG52Jr6aUU6LRsnh2dk6hZVaF-OSpJdJhfdcYpq_bOnARgLd2aUpnndX-2rkqBlAdZ6POtVwpyIw-aT3QJaIM9TdW3ZcUms/s1600/In+the+Fields.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbwwYd7P7ZYUKWkBOkahCIX2X2DgyGUl8gi0B4ZcMTY9exG52Jr6aUU6LRsnh2dk6hZVaF-OSpJdJhfdcYpq_bOnARgLd2aUpnndX-2rkqBlAdZ6POtVwpyIw-aT3QJaIM9TdW3ZcUms/s320/In+the+Fields.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
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In the Fields, by Willow Aster, is not your typical boy meets girl. Nope. Willow took it steps further. She told a story of a boy and a girl and made it a period piece: early 70's, in the South. </div>
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So, if you haven't read it, please do yourself a favor and pick it up now. It's well worth it. </div>
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Amazon Link:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/In-the-Fields-ebook/dp/B00F2L2P6O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383316926&sr=8-1&keywords=in+the+fields">In the Fields</a></div>
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And don't forget to enter for all those great prizes:</div>
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<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Rafflecopter</a></div>
</div>
</div>
Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-28944525120763751842013-11-03T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-03T09:00:00.487-06:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieArWVad8f2LOfAqGdoeYKUO5WDphmgvvettoutGJ0FbXM-CXRpTF0ZFp5csvIB07w2V4_aloRKxQgKJrwZ04eex5FGJLUDlR_2eKicFY09EMbrG2Rg_G_Ng9CFotQB31PZPdgEog3gI4/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieArWVad8f2LOfAqGdoeYKUO5WDphmgvvettoutGJ0FbXM-CXRpTF0ZFp5csvIB07w2V4_aloRKxQgKJrwZ04eex5FGJLUDlR_2eKicFY09EMbrG2Rg_G_Ng9CFotQB31PZPdgEog3gI4/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></span></div>
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Here we are... Day 3 of our thirty days. This question, I actually (and not surprisingly), had little problem answering. Sure, it took me a minute or five. I had to have a little pow-wow with my conscience to make sure that I wanted to openly admit it. In the end, good old fashioned common sense won out. <br />
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Because really, who doesn't want to jump in this book? Even given the circumstances surrounding the recent casting (do you see where I'm going with this?)<br />
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Today's question:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b>The Book I Wish I Could Jump Into</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxLJVvDLDv9hEs89AfbYXPD0DB3gBK2V8acWPqeUkXUhfmDxUg_UMhhVVMgOSgTJnIEfocD6P5jb_VR8VzAviCq0Fly_H0rMB2PyESEUjEXwDwYStj3fr7_AbuJBRp3CVUDNL7PoE-wU/s1600/fifty-shades-of-grey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxLJVvDLDv9hEs89AfbYXPD0DB3gBK2V8acWPqeUkXUhfmDxUg_UMhhVVMgOSgTJnIEfocD6P5jb_VR8VzAviCq0Fly_H0rMB2PyESEUjEXwDwYStj3fr7_AbuJBRp3CVUDNL7PoE-wU/s320/fifty-shades-of-grey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fifty Shades of Grey.<br />
<br />
There, I said it. <br />
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I want to be Anastasia. I want to trip and fall into his office and then have Christian drag me to the Red Room of Pain. <br />
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Who the hell doesn't?<br />
<br />
I'll admit, I was a little shocked when I found out Charlie was cast, but it grew on me and I was actually looking forward to seeing him dominate the big screen, so I was surprised when he backed out. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. <br />
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But now that hot morsel, Jamie has been cast. I think I'm on board. <br />
<br />
What book would you want to jump into? <br />
<br />
Here's the Amazon link for the Fifty Shades Trilogy:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Shades-Trilogy-Darker-ebook/dp/B007SGM084/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1383313014&sr=8-5&keywords=fifty+shades+of+grey">Fifty Shades of Grey</a><br />
<br />
Don't forget to enter here:<br />
<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Rafflecopter</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268006334556818579.post-86985469043369548672013-11-02T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-02T10:42:42.561-05:0030 Days of Book Love - Day 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzd-B-ipravVQK7uyt99yxh1wYW2qc36h1bVW8SsIuxzmCmo0gxaWKQA07Q3uEoZs8UI_JkPOSvVvFhMARJ55uJnbjz2S6HCLZWLeeTthb_kiU27xNSYSVbO8S_dQkWvlABfIvxB1ETS4/s1600/30DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzd-B-ipravVQK7uyt99yxh1wYW2qc36h1bVW8SsIuxzmCmo0gxaWKQA07Q3uEoZs8UI_JkPOSvVvFhMARJ55uJnbjz2S6HCLZWLeeTthb_kiU27xNSYSVbO8S_dQkWvlABfIvxB1ETS4/s320/30DBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-large;"><i>30 Days of Book Love</i></b></div>
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So we're on Day 2 of our 30 Days. Today's question was relatively easy for me to answer.<br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Favorite YA Series</b><br />
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I am not a big YA person. It is not my favorite genre. I went through high school, I graduated, I went to college. I didn't have nearly the fun/drama/angst as all the YA characters I read about do. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-XSBVeydCxJq0fSBCtTTSCVtXbPNQTzuQrMU-31Njtf9-E0StGW9KRqK6hwUn__Glwo-vwYop7oZumNXMVQucjtzck4KLM_7EDaZ8ktX4ETMK_hKIH3k38Fwj5Ith83C61EnBgSRpIE/s1600/KCcovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-XSBVeydCxJq0fSBCtTTSCVtXbPNQTzuQrMU-31Njtf9-E0StGW9KRqK6hwUn__Glwo-vwYop7oZumNXMVQucjtzck4KLM_7EDaZ8ktX4ETMK_hKIH3k38Fwj5Ith83C61EnBgSRpIE/s320/KCcovers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All that being said, I'm pretty invested in The Keatyn Chronicles by Jillian Dodd. Keatyn is beautiful, rich and her milkshake brings all the boys to her yard. </div>
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Jillian's books are fun, yet still have several more sincere subplots that run through the six books. I haven't had a chance to read the fourth book in the series, Love Me, but as soon as I publish, I plan to catch up. </div>
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Have you read about Keatyn? </div>
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Who do you think Moon Boy is? I have my thoughts!</div>
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What's your favorite YA series?<br />
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Here's the Amazon link for Stalk Me, and right now, it's FREE. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stalk-me-Keatyn-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B0090SXRXK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1383312810&sr=8-4&keywords=jillian+dodd">Stalk Me</a><br />
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<br />
Check out all the prizes and enter here:<br />
<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1df9d63/">Rafflecopter</a></div>
</div>
Sydney Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05593319345231896932noreply@blogger.com1