tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48555586647802774832024-03-17T00:52:18.365-05:00OnlinePublicistConnecting books with the online world...Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-90848848226462974972011-01-24T11:01:00.013-06:002011-01-31T10:31:40.584-06:00MYSTIFY, Book Two of the Mystyx Series<a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Mystify-Kimani-Tru-Artist-Arthur/dp/0373534310/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295881990&sr=1-1"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></a><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTyqtA6k4YsPKiIK42ZOmjvmI-MHNEVnRPGv_yTnIqXb01LDAgtwFPp1m1-MTAOqRu6HeJfNhzWxGZ0dUdrbQuXdj3LzPRgT6UhWIl6owObpNyWl05Oa2GXgguCsyfzVmA5RPSsv2WzU/s320/mystify1-200x312.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565798998360285666" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />MYSTIFY</span>: A Mystyx Novel</span><br />By <a href="http://www.artistarthurbooks.com/">Artist Arthur</a><br />Kimani Tru | January 2011 | ISBN: 978-0373534319<br />US $9.99/$11.99 Canada | 256 pages | Paperback<br />Artist Arthur on <a href="http://twitter.com/yabyartist">Twitter</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />MYSTIFY</span> is the second book in the Mystyx series from the Harlequin imprint KimaniTru. With its ethnically diverse cast of characters, accessible voice, and paranormal element, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">MYSTIFY</span>, the sequel to <span style="font-style: italic;">Manifest</span>, is the next book in the series that pleases every fan of YA literature looking for a fresh take on the genre.<br /><br />Synopsis: Sasha Carrington has grown up feeling like an outsider, and her parents are too concerned with scaling the Lincoln, Connecticut, social ladder to even notice her. They'd be really horrified to know about the supernatural abilities Sasha and her friends Krystal and Jake possess. But as part of the Mystyx, Sasha has found her place.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />Now her parents have suddenly taken an interest in everything she does, and their timing couldn't be worse. Sasha's father wants her to become BFFs with snooty Alyssa Turner, who hates Krystal for stealing her boyfriend. Then there's Antoine Watson, the boy Sasha has liked forever, the boy her parents would <i>never</i> approve of. But with the dark side getting more dangerous by the day, and the Mystyx's own powers growing in unexpected ways, Sasha is facing choices that could affect her friends, her love life—and even her destiny….<br /></span><p style="font-family:arial;">--</p><p style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;" face="arial">MYSTIFY: A Mystyx Novel</p><p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;" face="arial">By Artist Arthur</p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chapter One</span>:<br /></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I don't want to like him. I really don't.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">But I keep thinking about him—dreaming about him. It's like I'm obsessed with him. And I want to know everything about him, which isn't much, because I try not to talk to him more than I have to. That's been working out pretty well since we helped find his brother Ricky's killer. Of course it helped Ricky's spirit find peace and cross over after his death.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Me and my friends, Krystal and Jake—well, I should say my fellow Mystyx—we did that. That night was such a rush. When I remember it now, I get goose bumps. And sometimes I get scared all over again. There was something evil and dark living inside Mr. Lyle, the biology teacher, something that Jake, Krystal and I believe might still be here in Lincoln.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Lincoln, Connecticut, which is where we live, is probably one of the most boring towns there is. Nothing even remotely exciting happens here. The fact that Mr. Lyle was running an underage porn ring was the most shocking thing around here in a long time.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Now the only thing that's on people's minds is the weather. It snowed twenty-seven inches the first week of May. Then, as if Mother Nature wanted to apologize, seven days after the first snowfall, it got so hot the temperature went up to ninety-eight degrees with sixty percent humidity. (I know this because Krystal's boyfriend, Franklin—his father is the local weatherman. Franklin gives her weather updates all the time, and she tells me and Jake.)</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Today the snow is just about gone. The sun's still shining, and it's really warm outside. But there are lots of puddles because of the melting snow.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">But that's getting off track. I was thinking about the boy I don't like, or rather trying not to think about him, because I don't like him.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I breathe out heavily, making the hair in my face flutter. It doesn't change reality though. And the reality is that I <i>do </i>like Antoine Watson, even though I know I shouldn't.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It's not just the class differences that, for the record, are a big deal here in Lincoln. There're other reasons why me and Antoine don't make such a good couple.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">He's into music and clothes and hangs with a hip-hop crowd. While I like—more like love—clothes and I'm not into cliques. That's why I avoid Alyssa Turner and her minions like the plague. Alyssa's fifteen, just like me. She lives in a huge house on the lake, just like all the other well-to-do families, known as the Richies in Lincoln. She has the best of everything and makes sure nobody ever forgets it. There's nothing more important in Alyssa's world than Alyssa. Get my drift?</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I don't like anybody telling me who to hang with or why. Antoine doesn't seem like that. But the day I went to talk to him, two of the boys—who he later told me were named, of all things, Fats and Trigga—were rude and insulting, just because my parents have money. I didn't care enough to find out their real names because the ones Antoine used were so ridiculous I couldn't comprehend anything else. I just wanted them all to get a life. That's what Antoine calls being <i>stuck-up. </i>He's told me that a time or two. Funny how that always seems to roll off his tongue right after I turn him down for a date or refuse to give him my phone number.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">See, I think Antoine's a little confused himself. At the dance—before I had to rush off with the other Mystyx—he talked differently. We actually had a decent conversation, and he danced okay until he started grinding up against me like we were in a rap video. I didn't like that at all and was relieved when Krystal pulled me away.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">That said, there's no reason I should still be thinking about him. But here I am on a Friday night, lying across my bed thinking about where Antoine could be. Who he's with? What he's doing?</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It's so weird.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Which is another thing, I should be getting used to being weird. I'm half South American and half—what would you call it—North American? My mother is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and that's where she had me. She married my dad who's white and is originally from Houston, Texas, but moved to the east coast years ago.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We moved to Lincoln right after I was born and in this small town I'm probably the only Latina teenager. Krystal, who has been my friend for going on two months now, is part Native American and African-American. So I suppose we have something in common, even if it's only being weird and being mixed.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Krystal and I share something else. The <i>M </i>shaped birthmark that sits just above my right hip and the one Krystal has on the back of her neck. Jake, he's a Tracker—someone with less money who lives on the other side of the old railroad tracks—he has the same mark on his arm. We figured out that the <i>M </i>stands for Mystyx so that's what we call ourselves. We each have a supernatural ability that we think has something to do with atmospheric events that happened around the time we were conceived. That's why we listen to the weather reports Krystal gets from Franklin. Like I said, it's weird.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">To help make sense of it all, about an hour ago I sent an email to a woman who I think can help us figure out the nature of our powers. Or at least I hope she can.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Now I'm lying here waiting for my PC to beep with the sound of an incoming email, or rather, trying not to think of Antoine and the feelings I have for him.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm not asleep although my body feels kind of heavy like it's sinking into the mattress. My eyes are closed because I was tired of looking at the ceiling, waiting and trying not to think too much.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It really doesn't matter. The more I try not to think about him, the more his mocha complexion and smiling face appear in my mind. He is really cute, which right there is enough to make any girl like him. His dark hair is always close cropped and precisely cut like he has a barbershop in his house. His clothes, of course, are stylish, baggy jeans, oversize shirts—either button-downs or T-shirts—and black or brown boots. Most of the other guys in his crowd tend to wear too much jewelry, but Antoine only wears a chain with a cross hanging from it. His left ear is pierced and he always smells good. Antoine always wears cologne. I don't know what it's called, but I like it. I can smell it now, here in my bedroom. If I inhale deeply, the scent fills my nose, and when I exhale I want to see him even more.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I want to see him and talk to him, maybe try to figure out what this thing between us is. I figure it's probably not going to go away, and I don't know how else to deal with it.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I wonder if he likes me. I think he does because he keeps asking me out, and lately he always seems to be where I am.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I wonder what he's doing tonight, if he's home in his room thinking about me. I wonder…Am I floating on something?</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Wait a minute, I'm dizzy. It's cold in here. Did Casietta turn on the air-conditioning already?</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">My eyes are fluttering, trying to open. But when they finally do, I can't really believe what I'm seeing.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It's dark, really, really dark. Like pitch darkness—not like sometimes when you wake up in the middle of the night and can kind of see where things are so you don't walk into walls when you're trying to get to the bathroom. No, this is pitch blackness and it's cold, and I'm moving, going someplace.</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Then as quickly as it becomes dark, it turns loud, noisy and filled with music. I jump. I mean my body jerks forward like I've just been scared awake, and I look around trying to figure out why my bedroom has changed into what looks like a nightclub.</span></p><p face="arial"><span style="font-size:100%;">--<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5PtfNQ5PY5EEYVFT-J0Hx5XzDoqywPQQcMNipL7b028sIzLad42itoKLul7Vthuj5pDX4OACOq7tE1Lh-Nh3MpCjYEQUxlTOJTUpU_XP2oMLSNeqbmWtvFTxfqmvBLthEACo7ghwQc8/s1600/Mystify+Button.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5PtfNQ5PY5EEYVFT-J0Hx5XzDoqywPQQcMNipL7b028sIzLad42itoKLul7Vthuj5pDX4OACOq7tE1Lh-Nh3MpCjYEQUxlTOJTUpU_XP2oMLSNeqbmWtvFTxfqmvBLthEACo7ghwQc8/s320/Mystify+Button.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565815675018584770" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial">--</p><p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reviews: </span><br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial"><a href="http://divasbookcase.blogspot.com/2011/01/arc-review-mystify-by-artist-arthur.html">Diva's Bookcase</a>: <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The mysteries are slowly unfolding, giving me just enough bits of information to keep me following the story. </span><br /></span></span></span></p>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-9610521155714603332010-12-22T12:19:00.004-06:002010-12-22T12:34:04.622-06:00Give and Receive Givewawy Winner!<span style="font-family:arial;">Wow</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">. Everyone is pretty excited about <span style="font-style: italic;">Mystify</span>, aren't they? :-P<br /><br />Alright, so I entered everyone into Random.org and the winners of the 2 copies of <span style="font-style: italic;">M</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">ystify </span><span>are:<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oQx0u-Jy2lSkSDOAK1RA3y0wxVPWjO-_132qlJrXgWeoEOmiTNotqd0xd-PYQ0ITVHs-WGs89vw8hDcf1CJFGqAwzQe-8N1qdVBy_51gFH_PkJ6N8UKfIVxm3Vsjd8jJjo5USMdHsTU/s1600/Picture+3.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oQx0u-Jy2lSkSDOAK1RA3y0wxVPWjO-_132qlJrXgWeoEOmiTNotqd0xd-PYQ0ITVHs-WGs89vw8hDcf1CJFGqAwzQe-8N1qdVBy_51gFH_PkJ6N8UKfIVxm3Vsjd8jJjo5USMdHsTU/s320/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553574960960612114" border="0" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Urban and the friend she will be sharing a copy with: Kristina! Email me with both mailing addresses and I will send them out lickety split. ;-)<br /><br />Everyone have a wonderful holiday and a safe and Happy New Year!<br /><br /></span></span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-47243501589287739162010-12-20T14:51:00.004-06:002010-12-22T12:08:56.006-06:00Tis Better to give...and receive!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8cWidBkIXGKHYD4rS93jkoWSs1Fy9hZo4h0SygASvmQkYQeI8P49b-dVEbB7VG-7JetPt3Ikf5VAoJ7tXLYHd-QJ8rva9Tw7c1SydWYuDfGp55cwt_2Dk9nXUoqjKwr3Yc-Lum1D6Vc/s1600/happy_holidays.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8cWidBkIXGKHYD4rS93jkoWSs1Fy9hZo4h0SygASvmQkYQeI8P49b-dVEbB7VG-7JetPt3Ikf5VAoJ7tXLYHd-QJ8rva9Tw7c1SydWYuDfGp55cwt_2Dk9nXUoqjKwr3Yc-Lum1D6Vc/s320/happy_holidays.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552879451345266706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Happy Holidays from Online Publicist! And to celebrate, I would like to offer something for you and a recipient of your choosing! </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">I am offering two copies each of </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Muslim Women Reformers</i><span style="font-family:arial;"> by Ida Lichter and </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Mystify, A Mystyx Novel</i><span style="font-family:arial;"> by Artist Arthur.</span><i style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></i><span style="font-family:arial;">Here's how it works:</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br />1. Leave a comment with the title of which book you would like to win. </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Only list one book.</b> <b style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></b> <span style="font-family:arial;">2. In that comment, also name whom you would like to receive the second copy. It can be a friend, relative, literacy center, book program, etc. (please note that </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Mystify</i><span style="font-family:arial;"> is an ARC and not a finished copy)</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />3. Tweeting this statement will earn you an additional entry for each time tweeted: "Tis Better to Give...and Receive GIVEAWAY! Winner drawn on Wednesday, so enter quick! http://tinyurl.com/2csx3yp"<br /><br />3. You may enter to win both titles, but you must leave one comment for each title, do not just list both titles in one comment. That will upset me because it will mean you didn't read the rules. If you do happen to win both, you will have to choose one title to receive and the other will be redrawn.<br /><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mystify-Kimani-Tru-Artist-Arthur/dp/0373534310" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0F12AoACbWHMsveKiS9JkcSKjXtTSj-5wDFy9xHiyEqoFs4QpurXYDhewljtYjQn8tJEHKlUerOiZ5bvMynddifpyt1XRy9Im8-PEvheZmXkPaKeFQQqxRoy-_cDOgcPEKors53oHJQ/s320/8597919.jpg" border="0" height="320" width="198" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Muslim-Women-Reformers-Inspiring-Oppression/dp/1591027160/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292880355&sr=8-1"><img style="width: 206px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK36ZH2ssXsLfWV_aJHi2EQwTAFevA_r8fFhUmUiQuMH1orwteM9OCMvWUHSle1_b0xq9tCksrSAdtlvEUXFWLGsPCx99T5jAqKbP8zMz30Om5uVegnddbfrGmGO52H2OGPSlj7-3_pc/s1600/MuslimWomenReformers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div> <span style="font-family:arial;">This giveaway is for US based mailing addresses only. I will choose the winner on Wednesday, December 22 at 12pm, CST. As soon as the mailing addresses are emailed to me, the books will be sent out. Good Luck!<br /><br /></span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-39478504141826721892010-12-20T13:08:00.002-06:002010-12-20T13:08:24.180-06:00UPS delivery happiness<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just received a big old box of <i>Mystify </i>ARCs<i>, </i>the second book in the <i>Mystyx</i> series! Squeeee! I will be working on materials and will begin the campaign for it in January. I have a very limited number of copies of this one, so keep an eye out for the review request post!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Also</b>, I received additional copies of <i>Muslim Women Reformers</i>. I've been in touch with several of you in regards to this one and will be responding to the rest of the requests this week. Once I get everything printed and ready to go, I will send them right back out the door. I have a few remaining copies, so if you're interested in receiving one, please let me know. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the meantime, I will be posting a giveaway for copies of both of these this afternoon! </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdbg0lTAvNPnH1BtR4YTMLIRGuku2fQOyG9hBQug0GMWna57MXKSFn04vJDZ6IpD3Q67eUrbLYVHLYkHnLlW6rY2mNikur3zKnGa0tdtC_ZEt0SRC-Grxzd0lZv7dz_frPSt3NkoisIE/s1600/Photo0381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdbg0lTAvNPnH1BtR4YTMLIRGuku2fQOyG9hBQug0GMWna57MXKSFn04vJDZ6IpD3Q67eUrbLYVHLYkHnLlW6rY2mNikur3zKnGa0tdtC_ZEt0SRC-Grxzd0lZv7dz_frPSt3NkoisIE/s320/Photo0381.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-60942518166862737412010-11-19T16:56:00.001-06:002010-11-19T16:58:37.544-06:00Wahoo Giveaway Winner!<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
(Sooo, when I did a Google image search for 'Wahoo', a lot of images came up of people holding giant fish. Turns out, a 'wahoo' is as much a giveaway entering battle cry as it as a close relative of the King Mackerel known as the Ono. So Wahoo on friends, Wahoo on.)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lDknt3u0WpV836ZZzuHAApGbLcb-4wDk0oJ6JTnb-Bv3H3u2GafaD_iwBhvMZ4TxFsqSIg8d8Ah0pb1H0TEhN9GgPlyjdIgE4cHW8IVDlj0ZdDgFVGkQ8NaMDGCQmXWbW-9xKt2fn2g/s1600/WAHOO_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lDknt3u0WpV836ZZzuHAApGbLcb-4wDk0oJ6JTnb-Bv3H3u2GafaD_iwBhvMZ4TxFsqSIg8d8Ah0pb1H0TEhN9GgPlyjdIgE4cHW8IVDlj0ZdDgFVGkQ8NaMDGCQmXWbW-9xKt2fn2g/s320/WAHOO_photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you to all who entered and tweeted the Random Stocking Stuffer Giveaway! I entered everyone who commented and twice for the tweets, randomized the list on Random.org and the winner is....screen shot, please:</div><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpwckDNPOOEe3iEBf49iEqy1NMY10364bMTe_9PWXNZKY3y9raUglUk5K8yF9zqo-Zcgzz1nVn6X8uRPXWTuvj91uhuhzftvkczOQdb7d8xbJDqzv08EqpncVmb8kslUP2jOnUeSry28/s1600/Picture+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpwckDNPOOEe3iEBf49iEqy1NMY10364bMTe_9PWXNZKY3y9raUglUk5K8yF9zqo-Zcgzz1nVn6X8uRPXWTuvj91uhuhzftvkczOQdb7d8xbJDqzv08EqpncVmb8kslUP2jOnUeSry28/s320/Picture+3.png" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Angela of <a href="http://librarygirlreads.blogspot.com/">Library Girl Reads</a>! Congratulations!! Please email me with your mailing address and I will send your gift pack right along to you. :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">I will have at least one, maybe two more giveaways before the end of year so be sure to keep your eyes out! </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-27002212850185328022010-11-16T14:11:00.001-06:002010-11-19T16:05:43.611-06:00Random Stocking Stuffer Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjcV9_pTkLbs82H8yhSHLAqLxl1wfStIsKQlQhsHn1VyXwPkKsuz-NxZ1VjYJFuwnPK3ap9DcfHROWXta6aqlZqUFoSfC0LQtSO2o8dqaJu2mr9fIhk7c2dkVFPb7JNzqUIeb5mrVD5g/s1600/Photo0310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjcV9_pTkLbs82H8yhSHLAqLxl1wfStIsKQlQhsHn1VyXwPkKsuz-NxZ1VjYJFuwnPK3ap9DcfHROWXta6aqlZqUFoSfC0LQtSO2o8dqaJu2mr9fIhk7c2dkVFPb7JNzqUIeb5mrVD5g/s320/Photo0310.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Welcome to the first giveaway after my hiatus! I have some random books lying around and since I won't be getting around to reading them any time soon, I've decided to pass them along to one lucky person. I chose a random selection because at least one of these will appeal to you and the rest can be shared with others. ;-)</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's what we've got lined up:</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*<u>Signed</u>* ARC <i><b>The Lion</b></i> by <b>Nelson Demille</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*<i><b>Muck</b></i> by <b>Craig Sherborne</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*<i><b>Sima's Undergarments for Women</b></i> by <b>Ilana Stanger-Ross</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*<i><b>Covert Christmas</b></i> (3 stories in 1) by <b>Marilyn Pappano</b>,<b> Linda Conrad </b>and<b> Loreth Anne White</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*<b>Marie Farrarella</b>'s 200th Book, <i><b>Cavanaugh Reunion</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*<b>Dr. Colton's High-Stakes Fiancée</b> by <b>Cindy Dees</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*ARC of <i><b>Lies, a Gone Novel</b></i> by <b>Michael Grant</b> (this copy is sort of beat up. I honestly have no idea where it came from, but it's in my house and it appears someone read it!) </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>How to Enter</u>:</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~Leave a comment = 1 entry (you do not have to leave your email addy in the comment if you don't want to. I will post the winner and if it's you, you can email me to claim the prize.)</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~Tweet the statement below = 2 entries</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Wahoo! I just entered the Random Stocking Stuffer Giveaway @OnlinePublicist: http://onlinepublicist.blogspot.com/</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Contest will close Friday, November 19 at noon CST. I will post the winner soon after that. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Good Luck!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-84688451473672164552010-11-11T14:30:00.014-06:002011-02-24T07:15:24.336-06:00Muslim Women Reformers<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Muslim-Women-Reformers-Inspiring-Oppression/dp/1591027160/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289322352&sr=8-1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDisAdKGX_Y8W0-ENwWKQ39aNo-7Yll1zQQT8VrdTAzE42FXE0u12d8WY2kr20KiQhX3o0nt7gzst-DECCSY4PCy-jGqxa2ZU5gpBEe54Ub1ZBaNvTibkDURe7Qh4Sccpbbd2gCTL4is/s1600/MuslimWomenReformers.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b>MUSLIM WOMEN REFORMERS: Inspiring Voices Against Oppression</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By Ida Lichter</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Prometheus Books | ISBN-13: 978-1591027164 </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">513 pages | Hardcover</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ida on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1461228869">Twitter</a><a href="http://twitter.com/IdaLichter"> </a>& <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ida-lichter-md">Huffington Post</a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In a world where the strident demands of Islamic extremists capture the media’s attention, the courageous protests of Muslim reformers barely receive any notice. These include a surprising number of women who are prepared to challenge institutionalized persecution, risking derision, arrest, physical harm, and even death.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In this inspiring compilation of Muslim women’s stories from around the world, the voices of these long-oppressed women ring loud and clear as they question ideology and culture, patriarchal and religious beliefs, and demand the social and political rights women lack in many Muslim countries. The reformers speak out with passion, humanity, and sometimes humor in these compact and often poignant biographies, bringing alive the harsh realities for women in many parts of the world. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By surveying a wide range of Muslim reformers, not only in the Middle East but also in Europe and North America, Lichter uncovers some significant emerging trends. For example, she notes that the majority of Muslim feminists would like to see reform contained within Islam. Many criticize their patriarchal culture for suppressing egalitarian views that they believe the Koran expresses and so they advocate a reinterpretation of the holy text. Some demand changes to discriminatory Sharia-based laws. Others campaign openly for political and educational reforms.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Complete with a glossary and a list of helpful Web sites, this vibrant anthology makes use of reliable translations from original languages to demonstrate the groundswell of grassroots change that promises eventually to bring even the most conservative sectors of Islam into the twenty-first century.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Based on wide research and an expansive definition of reform that includes everyone from soft Islamists to ex-Muslims, Ida Lichter compellingly tells the stories of over one hundred women, organizations, and even a few men who in some way dissent from the conventional Muslim understanding of the role of the female. By bringing together this large and diverse group, the author succeeds in her important goal of amplifying the voices of dissident Muslims on whose slender shoulders hangs so much.</i> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-DANIEL PIPES, Director, Middle East Forum</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Ida Lichter provides a comprehensive and original view of the struggle that Muslim women are putting up to obtain equal and natural rights in the face of traditional exclusion. It is a report from the front line, so to speak. In their day-to-day courage and commitment, these women are contemporary suffragettes and the outcome of their struggle is certain to determine the future of the Muslim world.</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-DAVID PRYCE-JONES Senior Editor of <i>National Review</i> and Author of <i>The Closed Circle: An Interpretation of the Arabs</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Ida Lichter, </b>is a clinical and research psychiatrist and contributor to The Huffington Post. Living in London for over 12 years focused her interest on the large Muslim populations in the UK and Europe and brought her closer to the eye of the storm in the Middle East. She lives in Sydney, Australia. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>--</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i></i><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />To request a review copy for coverage on your online outlet, please email me at onlinepublicist [AT] gmail [DOT] com. Do not forget to include your URL and use 'REFORMERS' as the subject of the email. I have several copies available for international shipping.</span><i> </i> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />--<br /><u><b>Interviews:</b></u><br />vvb32, <a href="http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/2011/01/womens-tales-ida-lichter.html">Women's Tales</a>, January 15, 2011<br /><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bigideas/stories/2010/3019140.htm">Big Ideas on ABC Radio National</a>, September 30, 2010<br /><a href="http://the-diplomat.com/new-emissary/2010/06/21/muslim-women-reformers/">The Diplomat</a>, June 21, 2010<br /><a href="http://the-diplomat.com/new-emissary/2010/06/22/bold-women-of-islam/">The Diplomat</a>, June 22, 2010<br /><br /><u><b>Articles:</b></u><br /><i>Blogger's Unite!: </i><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ida-lichter-md/bloggers-unite_b_754253.html">The Huffington Post</a>, October 8, 2010<i><br /></i><br /><i>Campaigning must continue to end stoning</i>: <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/campaigning-must-continue-to-end-stoning/story-e6frg6ux-1225904609531">The Australian</a>, August 13, 2010<br /><i>Afghan Women's Movements Deserve More From the West</i>, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ida-lichter-md/afghan-womens-movements-d_b_669156.html">The Huffington Post</a>, August 3, 2010<br /><i>The Veil: Woman's Right or Millstone?</i>: <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/the-veil-womans-right-or-millstone/story-e6frg6zo-1225889544394">The Australian</a>, July 09, 2010<br /><br /><u><b>Reviews:</b></u><br /><a href="http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/2009/12/muslim-women-reformers-review.html">At Home With Books</a>: "<i>Over and over again in this book I was impressed with how it is much easier to lose your freedoms than to gain them back." "This book would be an excellent first source for anyone wanting to know more about Muslim women activists.</i>"<br /><br /><a href="http://www.authorexposure.com/2010/12/book-review-muslim-women-reformers-by.html">Author Exposure</a>: "<i>Lichter addresses various issues by specific geographic regions. This is a great way to approach a compilation like this one. Sectioning information in this way, allows the reader to take a more concentrated look into not only the stories, but also the cultural, historical, and current climate of each specific region</i>."<br /><br /><a href="http://kellyvision.wordpress.com/2010/12/21/266-muslim-women-reformers/">KellyVision</a>: "<span style="font-style: italic;">The women in this book are heroes. (And there’s even a chapter on what men are doing to help.) I like to think that I’d have the courage to do what they’re doing, if our situations were reversed, but I don’t know.</span>"<br /><br /><a href="http://onedayatatime-am.blogspot.com/2011/01/muslim-women-reformers-by-ida-lichter.html">One Day at a Time</a>: <i style="font-style: italic;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I'm grateful to Ida Lichter for sharing this information with us."</span></i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.helensbookblog.com/2011/01/review-and-give-away-muslim-women.html">Helen's Book Blog</a>: <span style="font-style: italic;">"...the research is impressive with detailed stories, quotes from letters, laws, and books in addition to awards won, legal cases fought, and personal stories that will break your heart."</span><br /><br /><a href="http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/muslim-women-reformers-by-ida-lichter.html">Booksie's Blog</a>: <span style="font-style: italic;">"This book is recommended reading for all those interested in human rights, and especially those focused on womens' rights." </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.caribousmom.com/2011/01/30/muslim-women-reformers-book-review/">Caribou's Mom</a>: <span style="font-style: italic;">"One of the things that stands out in this comprehensive book is the complexity of the issue and the very individual approaches of women reformers."<br /><br /></span><a href="http://proudbooknerd.com/2011/01/30/review-muslim-women-reformers-by-ida-lichter/">Proud Book Nerd</a>: <span style="font-style: italic;">"What makes this book amazing – in addition to the amount of information covered – is how eye-opening it is."<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2011/01/review-muslim-women-reformers-by-ida.html"><span>That's What She Read</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">: </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">"If we are to help our sisters in their fight, the first step is understanding what they face. In her comprehensive presentation of </span><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781591027164?p_ti" rel="powells-9781591027164" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Muslim Women Reformers</a></i><span style="font-style: italic;">, Ms. Lichter does just that.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"<br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://savvyworkinggal.blogspot.com/2011/02/muslim-women-reformers.html"><span>Savvy Working Gal</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">: "</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">In my opinion, true reform will not occur without the assistance of global human rights groups. It is important for westerners to know of these Muslim women reformers and help spread their message."<br /><br /></span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/64vrjlc"><span>One Librarian's Book Reviews</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">: <span style="font-size:100%;">"</span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" >Entirely inspiring, this book can be used for research on Muslim women reformers, organizations, and the countries they come from."</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://unabridged-expression.blogspot.com/2011/02/muslim-women-reformers-by-ida-lichter.html"><span>Unabridged Chick</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;">: "</span><span style="font-style: italic;">For those who are afraid to jump in, browse the table of contents for a recognizable name. (For example, Iran's Azar Nafisi, author of the immensely popular </span><i style="font-style: italic;">Reading Lolita in Tehran</i><span style="font-style: italic;">, is one of the women featured.)"<br /><br /></span><a href="http://suko95.blogspot.com/2011/02/muslim-women-reformers.html"><span>Suko's Notebook</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;">: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">"Brave and outspoken, these women reformers and activists share an ongoing quest for more rights, equality, and education for women. It was an eye-opening book for me, definitely worth reading."</span></div>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-82055855096698236132010-11-10T08:06:00.004-06:002010-11-10T08:13:27.504-06:00New Project<span style="font-family:arial;">I have a new review project to announce later today! I'm very excited about it and hope you will be, too! While I work on getting that information together, I leave you with a really cute video. It's called Kitten riding Turtle, but I'm pretty certain that's a tortoise. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The most incredible part of this video is the effort it must take to slog through shag carpeting like that! No small feat, my friends. </span><br /><br /><object style="font-family: arial;" height="345" width="440"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bjZqZWbmXK4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bjZqZWbmXK4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="345" width="440"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Enjoy!</span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-51046521168963362542010-10-04T14:16:00.000-05:002010-10-04T14:16:41.991-05:00Post Banned Book Fundraising Event<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Below is the post from the day after the Banned Book Event I co-hosted. And check out <a href="http://milwaukeereads.blogspot.com/2010/10/banned-wrap-up-part-deux.html">today's post</a> for some pics of the happy event! And now I'm off to get back to the work on this blog. ;-)</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, it finally happened. The Banned Books Event was last night! In the month we spent planning it, I never thought it would get here and now I can't believe how quickly it came and went! So today is being spent reflecting and relaxing. Cleaning the house that's been neglected recently was supposed to be on that list as well, but, eh, I suppose I have all weekend to do that! ;-) </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So on to the reflecting. The event went off so much better than I ever could have hoped for! Especially when, at the start, a wardrobe malfunction forshadowed a whole different tone. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I bolted out of the house, with the zip on the back of my super cute polka dot dress halfway down. It was hopelessly stuck. I figured my co-host, Lori, would help me get it once I arrived at Great Lakes Distillery. After her attempt, the joint attempt between her and her husband, a donated alligator clip, and some rough work with a stapler, I gave in and accepted that I was going to be sharing that tattoo I keep hidden with all the lucky event attendees! Luckily, while in the bathroom, I decided to try taking the dress off and working on it that way. It worked! And that little tattoo continues to remain a mystery...</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The set-up was great: a huge silent auction table with 21 stuffed baskets of goodies, banned books on display, a plethora of raw milk cheese platters from WI Milk Marketing Board (that mustard seed gouda never stood a chance!), and a banned book themed catering table from Mel and Mangia Mangia. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpeHinebHwyAjU2WuCxpkZg23QxTzumi_T2LHYzzYLky5Lz27pVq4FEEzZk3JBfEYPxLzyW_zmlDrcG3Xn4MOeWV1Q9Oh9fV4pZPUCSD45_N6nI3yj2gSrnSrWL8Dysffi6p0L7qXCjSR/s1600/Thesaurus+Rex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpeHinebHwyAjU2WuCxpkZg23QxTzumi_T2LHYzzYLky5Lz27pVq4FEEzZk3JBfEYPxLzyW_zmlDrcG3Xn4MOeWV1Q9Oh9fV4pZPUCSD45_N6nI3yj2gSrnSrWL8Dysffi6p0L7qXCjSR/s200/Thesaurus+Rex.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We talked books, we discussed volunteering for the literacy center, and we embraced our freedom to read. Ryan gave an awesome tour of the distillery and I learned that Doug, the master distiller, hand zests the lemons for the citrus honey vodka. Morgan, a bookseller with Next Chapter Bookshop, spoke about the history of Banned Books Week. <a href="http://jeremylowther.com/">Jeremy Lowther</a>, the illustrator who designed <i>Thesaurus Rex</i> for the event was in attendance as well as another of our sponsors, <a href="http://www.beautybykati.com/">Kati Hatfield</a>. Boris and Doris of the Shepherd Express stopped by as well. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the end, I had an amazing time and I hope everyone else did as well. I met so many wonderful people We raised more than $1,200 (I still have to go add up advanced ticket sales), which will be donated to the MPL Foundation and raised awareness on the scope and breadth of book challenging and banning. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Several people asked if we would do it again next year and I'm here to say: Absolutely! Stay tuned for information on the Second Annual Banned Event as well as photos from this year's. Thank you again for those who donated, participated, attended, bid, spoke, shared, and supported this event. We couldn't have done it without you. ;-)</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-40090355502284847132010-09-29T18:34:00.000-05:002010-09-29T18:34:37.130-05:00Banned Books and my Absence<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hello All!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This blog looks slightly neglected and I want to let you know I'm still here! I've been wrapping up a couple of campaigns and doing some other behind the scenes work. I did not take on any new projects for the past month or so, so that I could devote some time to launching <a href="http://www.milwaukeereads.blogspot.com/">MilwaukeeReads</a>!, my site dedicated to highlighting reading and other book related events in my area. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnimwNvCUk2MrmdcqkKLcSduzUJ-0O4NghzcVv8UcqRnsR6DwNxE6C0kDd2sHT2oToZedB0l9BQPgWSqr-PxhQ23AsKBEk7X0KTEToFUiZpwUANuJgtJ-e_6nO0AJqbI_gKC21EINs-s4/s1600/iStock_000011974100Large(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnimwNvCUk2MrmdcqkKLcSduzUJ-0O4NghzcVv8UcqRnsR6DwNxE6C0kDd2sHT2oToZedB0l9BQPgWSqr-PxhQ23AsKBEk7X0KTEToFUiZpwUANuJgtJ-e_6nO0AJqbI_gKC21EINs-s4/s320/iStock_000011974100Large(2).jpg" width="214" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While building the following for that site, I met a woman named Lori, who has a local food based blog called <a href="http://www.eatatburp.com/">Burp</a>! (we love exclamation points in Milwaukee!!) She sent me a DM on Twitter, expressing her love for books. I replied that I love food...and a beautiful friendship was formed! lol</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I stated that I was interested in doing a book and food related event and she asked what I had in mind. An email or so later, and <a href="http://milwaukeereads.blogspot.com/p/banned-taboo-books-bites-libations.html"><i>BANNED: Taboo Books, Bites & Libations</i></a> was born! We immediately began planning the event around Banned Books Week and decided all proceeds would benefit our local libraries. We upped the 'taboo' factor by including samples of absinthe and raw milk cheese into the mix! </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So the past month has been spent pulling every resource we have available to us to make this event a successful one. The event is tomorrow and I finally feel as though I have a second to breathe. We're so thankful to the authors, publishers and local businesses that have contributed items to the silent auction (check out the list <a href="http://milwaukeereads.blogspot.com/2010/09/sponsor-spotlight.html">here</a>) and look forward to celebrating our freedom to read together! </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So we will be back to regularly scheduled programming soon! In the meantime, how have you celebrated Banned Books Week? </span></div>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-3293478911593060122010-09-13T09:36:00.003-05:002010-09-13T09:41:45.257-05:00Happy BBAW to ya!<span style="font-family: arial;">Since I don't really review and I don't really blog about the industry, I decided not to sign up for BBAW (Book Blogger Appreciation Week). That is to say, I did not sign up to be part of the nomination process, but I am signed up to follow, vote for amazing blogs and have a lot of fun! And I think you should, too! </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Check it out!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> <a href="http://www.bookbloggerappreciationweek.com" target="new"><img src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg290/thefriendlybooknook/bbaw-button2010_med.jpg" /></a> </span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-49747539128121850622010-08-12T13:57:00.005-05:002010-08-13T09:17:28.373-05:00More WINNERS!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAHP3FZ1FM919vFS-mGCEZDjFK9JhpDZedFFGRsB6OPMz1T-Monv6OSPSh_jd95suvpxfRFkrzJ-mklrWBB3uhwIfufOsf6_KKsczfGsiC6INALHmmPEVdM9JG1dJygFaYKA5fvPNfxE/s1600/presents-250w.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAHP3FZ1FM919vFS-mGCEZDjFK9JhpDZedFFGRsB6OPMz1T-Monv6OSPSh_jd95suvpxfRFkrzJ-mklrWBB3uhwIfufOsf6_KKsczfGsiC6INALHmmPEVdM9JG1dJygFaYKA5fvPNfxE/s400/presents-250w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504898036401689698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">As part of the </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Manifest</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> launch, I created buttons that I then invited everyone to share on their blogs. I always say that sharing is caring, so when you shared the button on your blog, I entered you into the contest for a bookish git certificate. And the fine folks at Harlequin even let me choose three winners, instead of the one I had originally promised. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />And they are:</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Anne of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://potterpercyandi.blogspot.com/">Potter, Percy, And I</a> <span style="font-family:arial;">Laura of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://lisettebes.blogspot.com/">Tattooed Books </a> <span style="font-family:arial;">Christie of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://thefictionenthusiast.blogspot.com/">The Fiction Enthusiast</a> <span style="font-family:arial;">Your gift certificates are in the mail! Enjoy...</span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-4949628117417470922010-08-06T13:25:00.004-05:002010-08-06T13:55:56.287-05:00WINNERS!<span style="font-family:arial;">Happy Friday, all! </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Well, the 'Woo-Hoo, Manifest is pubbing, big YA Giveaway' concluded last night. I pulled all the names and extra entries (it was a lot!), entered it into Random.org, and the winner of the big prize is:</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Jennifer of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.girlsgonereading.net/">Girls Gone Reading</a><span style="font-family:arial;">. Congratulations!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Runner-up was Violet of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://violetcrush.wordpress.com/">Violet Crush</a><span style="font-family:arial;">. She wins a </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Manifest</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> prize pack!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Second runner-up is Linna of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://21pages.x10hosting.com/">21 Pages</a><span style="font-family:arial;">. She will be sent a finished copy of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Manifest</span><span style="font-family:arial;">!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcpostcards.nsf/%28Structure%29/congratulations?OpenDocument"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeQdAyWeTKoTvwo9rhTlnSxuXHtCc74f6tCI6Wp3BLzAXJlHNEYDwgcd0_rsrocNaUjIyBbLdSrbB-TI8z6WC7r4Zh0GU3JpI9AQ0GVEsc6LQQawMhg-MgvQWooQ794lZCh1zA62lq54/s400/congratulations.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502371845677702850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great weekend!</span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-80600655356747344752010-08-04T16:13:00.005-05:002010-08-04T16:36:43.816-05:00We Interrupt...<span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >the currently running giveaway to share with you something fun! As part of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.pageturnersblog.com/">Page Turners</a><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > 1st bloggy birthday bash, I was invited to take part in a Q&A to help elucidate what a publicist does. </span> <span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" ><br /><br />So stop by the <a href="http://www.pageturnersblog.com/2010/08/q-with-lisa-roe-online-publicist.html">interview post</a>, leave a comment, and be sure to wish Pixie, Stacey, Mamafox, Lauralee, & Sophie a Happy 1st Blogiversary! </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/bunnyknitter"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgu41TBSJd0E9fdH2ECUneZfwSbecLaJRfNVS99r92TyOxcBNDUP1x9jOBX3ATqGFnC0gO8If9Nh7Y5WZXq3wJadygWIHYceey5U1rjB2l5q_cmXwjOSgJzvfHt5fNDBn8UhbOBjuVPM/s400/work.2053635.7.flat,550x550,075,f.birthday-cupcakes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501671102160054354" border="0" /></a>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-13513565826178340732010-07-29T08:50:00.007-05:002010-08-06T10:40:55.181-05:00The 'Woo-Hoo, Manifest is pubbing, big YA giveaway'<span style="font-family:arial;">In honor of the publication of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Manifest: A Mystyx Novel</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, Kimani Tru's latest addition to their line, I am offering a very special multi-media big YA giveaway prize pack!</span> <a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDLSdl8Ws9pk1LjQgekp1hns5mSEHkcecs2Baoyoj8AZXurs1ZiabwOZKWh6sFVGxIPdM49zFkLam9eBrLM4z3O6_Bi1I7qiLhRjE3ylcV_c5FfUXyKV5poWvJg-stbGF-dziqac-2iY/s1600/Photo0247.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDLSdl8Ws9pk1LjQgekp1hns5mSEHkcecs2Baoyoj8AZXurs1ZiabwOZKWh6sFVGxIPdM49zFkLam9eBrLM4z3O6_Bi1I7qiLhRjE3ylcV_c5FfUXyKV5poWvJg-stbGF-dziqac-2iY/s400/Photo0247.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499335893101746594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Included in the prize pack:</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br />*Finished copy of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Manifest</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br />*</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Manifest</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> totebag</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">*ARC of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Firelight</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> by Sophie Jordan</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">*ARC of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Sapphique</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> by Catherine Fisher</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br />*MP3-CD of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Suite Scarlett</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> by Maureen Johnson</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br />*</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Manifest</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> coin purse & notebook/pen set (not pictured)</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />This contest is open internationally. To be entered, you MUST leave a comment with your email address. After that, you will accrue additional entries with every link you create to the contest whether it be via tweet (use @OnlinePublicist so I see it), on your blog, or other book related network (in these instances, please mention the publication of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Manifest</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> so your coverage will pop up on my Google Alert and you will be credited the extra entries). </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Contest will conclude at 12am CST, on Thursday, August 5, with the winner being announced Friday, August 6. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Good Luck! ;-)</span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-20400750806564865432010-07-27T18:05:00.014-05:002010-07-27T20:41:31.393-05:00Weddings & Reading!<span style="font-family:arial;">Books, where am I with books? </span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" ><br /><br />Manifest</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> is about to pub and the coverage is rolling! And there are plenty of giveaways, interviews, reviews, and other fun events surrounding that release. Keep an eye on the </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Manifest</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> page and Twitter for coverage!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">I have a couple more copies of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >To Your Dog's Health!</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> and </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Questions and Answers on Life Insurance</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> left, so check them out on the left sidebar and contact me if you'd like a copy. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIGKKkTJn0VU6KfPrn-NW6v1-VlhhS0bCLaqnU7Cri_Z1J23jn50QGDVMaPuLqx1yayGlJ4N2Yh-xpzcoJQyWqRSyVSGLqKg7Zgi4jjr7eJfFguRBy_ljuLag1dO0bpCG9CXbeYA2sgY/s1600/1117765.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIGKKkTJn0VU6KfPrn-NW6v1-VlhhS0bCLaqnU7Cri_Z1J23jn50QGDVMaPuLqx1yayGlJ4N2Yh-xpzcoJQyWqRSyVSGLqKg7Zgi4jjr7eJfFguRBy_ljuLag1dO0bpCG9CXbeYA2sgY/s320/1117765.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498744829465279154" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">As for personal reading, well, there's been a lot of acquiring going on lately. I've made a couple</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">of trips to Boswell Books and picked up: <span style="font-style: italic;">The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</span> by Stieg Larsson, </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >A </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Dirty Job</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> by Christopher Moore (my first book by him), and </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >The Summer Guest</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> by Justin Cronin (I loved </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >The Passage</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> and am just dying to check out his earlier work!) Ever the cyclist, the boyfriend picked up a gorgeous copy of </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bicycle: A History</span> by David V. Herilhy. I've commented a dozen times on how much I love the cover. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />The boyfriend and I also celebrated an anniversary this weekend and we managed to make that event booky nerdish, too! Instead of gifts, we went to an enormous used bookstore in downtown Milwaukee called Renaissance Books. It's three stories tall, dusty, crowded, and barely organized, but it's also pretty amazing. They have stacks and stacks of very old books. I love it. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />We headed there with a mission: buy one another books and only spend $15. I'm so glad we did it! As I scoured the Eastern philosophy section trying what to decide what to get for the boy, I was so distracted, wondering what section he was in. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">In the end, I think we both did really well!<br /><br />He picked up a Jim Crace book for me (</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Continent</span><span style="font-family:arial;">) and a fabric guide from the early 90s. The fabric info is still relavent because it describes the basic structure, weight, and components of fabric, and the bonus is that it comes complete with these incredible images of gaunt, super gelled, spiky haired models with linebacker shoulder pads. Straight out of a Robert Palmer video.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">And he was given a copy of a book on Tolkien characters and...a book that requires further research. It seems to be a rare, independently published book of Buddhist thought from the 70s that may have been compiled by a lama...or a quack. We're not sure, yet. But it's full of sketches and isms that are pretty bizarre. One prominently features an ice cream cone in the sky. It's pretty incredible.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm sure by now everyone knows this was a pretty wedding-tastic summer for me. I chatted via Twitter about them often and blamed them for falling behind at times. And below are some pics from those. I haven't gotten any pics from the photogs yet, so these are just the ones I took with my camera, which is why I'm only in one of them!<br /><br />First up: my brother's wedding!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;">My brother and his wife<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAASl02zVxleqymIQ15HlM6owEE9k5SoBUNoNmAxwM5CiV_KsaZmfnowTGOSjO8AjeiJ657djK8WfLCBxWaSo5z04yr0mPThVnhyQcZ4oyljRUmaxc7Yi9sx5esUNLMm5p6xNHfuGGff4/s1600/R1-11A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAASl02zVxleqymIQ15HlM6owEE9k5SoBUNoNmAxwM5CiV_KsaZmfnowTGOSjO8AjeiJ657djK8WfLCBxWaSo5z04yr0mPThVnhyQcZ4oyljRUmaxc7Yi9sx5esUNLMm5p6xNHfuGGff4/s400/R1-11A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498757113867605682" border="0" /></a><br />hands and rings<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcVzVpyFSDvbD-w63x74Y67XWXTv_PJoOh2xlR8XVEznK57K59mIabUMI3h7Wwz_UdD0q1rTB3_GD99Ll9scBTXRGiqH0xscI6nCsBLCUkQeceZflb-QFhCLj3c_Oqm4A_Px-S1ZkQZM/s1600/R1-+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcVzVpyFSDvbD-w63x74Y67XWXTv_PJoOh2xlR8XVEznK57K59mIabUMI3h7Wwz_UdD0q1rTB3_GD99Ll9scBTXRGiqH0xscI6nCsBLCUkQeceZflb-QFhCLj3c_Oqm4A_Px-S1ZkQZM/s400/R1-+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498757461579322626" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Next up, my friend Kristen from college:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(l-r: Shelly, Bridget, Kristen, Jacque & me!)<br /></div></div></div><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaoW533LeWvfyoCx9YzbYIzKvuG5woiEFwZ5lHfRTl0S0xQsbEsGMMdT6OqwmC8j3S2CFghucJlgULbppBrUxx2o9z-aVeToIaHmeGBkOy6RqzvybVO4DKBfRUuYr4UUw9UEy_8_YDFk/s1600/R1-11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaoW533LeWvfyoCx9YzbYIzKvuG5woiEFwZ5lHfRTl0S0xQsbEsGMMdT6OqwmC8j3S2CFghucJlgULbppBrUxx2o9z-aVeToIaHmeGBkOy6RqzvybVO4DKBfRUuYr4UUw9UEy_8_YDFk/s400/R1-11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498760842103372338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;">Her dress was so vintage fantastic, I had to take some vamp pics!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaQRXvi5-cAjOoBdb7WI9gHWmoxYNeePIR7pADWE8FidGQ70tWqd55fWxrqjVr4KCFa2rzBIb8x7WF4Ea40P-IhSx0aco75JhItiI_rPYxO48ncbD-pPLvUBQm_FGgvvBRP9l6mPi7rQ/s1600/R1-22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaQRXvi5-cAjOoBdb7WI9gHWmoxYNeePIR7pADWE8FidGQ70tWqd55fWxrqjVr4KCFa2rzBIb8x7WF4Ea40P-IhSx0aco75JhItiI_rPYxO48ncbD-pPLvUBQm_FGgvvBRP9l6mPi7rQ/s400/R1-22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498763261354049954" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm still playing with the colors and contrasts, so let me know what you think! </span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-68246946010874685822010-07-26T11:44:00.005-05:002010-07-26T12:18:55.923-05:00Rain Stories and Giveaway Winner!<span style="font-family: arial;">Greetings, fellow book lovers! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. It was still a little messy here in Milwaukee as we recovered from the wicked storms of last Thursday. We made it out ok, but some people weren't so lucky, having basements and yards completely washed away by all the rain. The airport was flooded and shutdown and underground parking structures became vehicle graveyards.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A giant sinkhole sucked up an Escalade (the driver was rescued) and they were using snowblowers to try and clear the water off the runways at the airport. A lot of insurance claims are being filed this week!</span> (click on the images for full story)<br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/99071294.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S-lJLRst7CezcnH5uzfwNigMvsp-d2bb9_Iz6KxL3yqYXHlAqQybL8rRlozEX4yDhck6dFJi7DtVQlqPrhMtTdweSqsZHqnLLRzTlDd1I-A1RdBmiOrjq2bvl_bFwpZ7XKYW6Tr75w8/s320/mjs-sink-hole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498259639204398466" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/07/23/wisconsin.flooding/#fbid=PXcN2_cEUKA"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFWDSI4GfrMV8PqlRjmnR0NDRUspLn2stWr-mC7_1SceUDUISLR5vsjinOr6aeGwAww8a1-RTo75glCXK4bKqDlEnsfxv0YT0iBv380WhAaTvbzHWCro-K1vz8My-3XIerprX2_OF1Hg/s320/von.milwaukee.airport.flood.wisn.640x360.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498259817830415538" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We didn't have power for a while and for a while I was running around trying to catch water that was making it's way into the house. So I owe you things! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">First things first, the winner of the finished copy of Manifest and the super cute totebag was: mbreakfield who chose to be a 'white tiger shifter named Sorsha'. I have already sent an email requesting a mailing address. If I don't hear back in a couple of days, I will choose who was next on the list. A huge thanks to all who participated. I loved reading everyone's names and choice of powers. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Very</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> creative stuff!</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Tomorrow I will have a post up with some pics from the weddings I stood up in recently. And on Wednesday, I will have a brand new giveaway for you! Stay tuned...</span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-62134022837426795712010-07-14T12:36:00.005-05:002010-07-19T15:46:05.018-05:00Thoughts on The Passage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TFOVhCohflFPDtXUMOMxZfvGyAmybtCR_ih7Wc7TiJ9KfsrDFaznzR0FSG6rGa8XoHwjRMNHTu5_vDa-5PSPc4ey1UptZXkSy6RoMMWnCaoplUEtjJvWbEnkeBC0_sZLLG2rQGJTshU/s1600/passage-cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TFOVhCohflFPDtXUMOMxZfvGyAmybtCR_ih7Wc7TiJ9KfsrDFaznzR0FSG6rGa8XoHwjRMNHTu5_vDa-5PSPc4ey1UptZXkSy6RoMMWnCaoplUEtjJvWbEnkeBC0_sZLLG2rQGJTshU/s320/passage-cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495618728955154306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I've been working in some personal reading and recently finished <span style="font-style: italic;">The Passage</span> by Justin Cronin. I think it was uh-mazing. And I'm still in awe that I got through an 800 page book. It was all thanks to the encouragement of a couple of bloggers who challenged me to give it a shot and I'm so thrilled I did!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />I've read some other reviews on Amazon and some folks really did not enjoy it, which baffled me. They spoke of how they expected it to end, how it should have wrapped up, and what they wanted out of it. But that's not at all how I read, so maybe that's why it worked for me. I read to take in what the writer has laid out for me, with no judgments or preconceived ideas of where I need it to take me. I understand some people need that, and for those folks, I always ask them how they want to feel at the end of reading a book.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />So, if you want to feel hope, if you believe in both the beauty of life as well as the evil of the world, if you don't need everything tied up in a neat little all-questions-answered-bow, and you</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">have faith in humanity's ability to overcome impossible odds, then this book is for you.<br /><br />As for my thoughts, well, I'm pretty terrible at reviewing books, which is why I leave it to all of you! I always worry that I will give something away that would have been better discovered through your own reading. Some nuance, thought, description, or segue that would tickle your nerve endings and enrich your reading experience. If I'm among a group where I know everyone has read it, I'll talk about it all day! But when I'm not sure, I keep pretty tight lipped. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />With that in mind, instead of giving you a synopsis, I would like to share a few of the many beautiful descriptions that moved me while reading. I dog-eared a number of pages (don't hate me, purists! It's an ARC!). Cronin's grace at crafting descriptions absolutely takes my breath away. Out of context, these sentences may evoke nothing, but I assure you, when read in the story, they're powerful. If nothing else, it might encourage you to pick up a copy of the book and find your own favorites. ;-) I also placed them out of order so they don't offer any sort of chronological order to the story.</span><br />--<span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The buildings were larger now, monumental in scope, towering above the roadway with their great ruined faces. Some were burned, empty cages of steel girders, others half-collapsed, their facades fallen away to reveal the honeycombed compartments within, dressed with dripping gardens of wire and cable.</span></span> <span style="font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />What were the living dead, Wolgast thought, but a metaphor for the misbegotten march of middle age?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >...men were running past her, yelling and shooting and dying, their fates already written when the world began...All his pain and puzzlement, and the long sad story of who he was. The bed of rags and bundles under the roadway, and the sweat and soil of his skin and of his long journey; the great gleaming car stopping beside him with its grille of jeweled teeth, and the voice of the woman, calling out to him over the dirty roar of the world; the sweetness of mown grass and the sweating coolness of a glass of ice tea...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >So maybe that's what his father had been doing all along, on the Long Rides. He'd been trying to remember the world.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >It was just another case of the body's unreasonable demands upon the mind, and his dreams, when he cared to remember them, all seemed to be lightly retooled versions of his waking state--full of circuits and breakers and relays, a thousand problems to be solved, and he would waken feeling less restored than rudely shot forward in time, with no discernible accomplishments to show for those lost hours.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Then, just like that, the pressure on Theo's hand released--an absence of torment so abrupt it was like pleasure.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >The rusting ribs of the great ships, stretching as far as the eye could see. Never had he thought to wonder how this had come about. He had lived in a world without history, without cause, a world where things just were what they were. ...like looking at lines on a page and suddenly seeing words written there. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >A huge greasy bulk, connected by long trailing hoses to a pair of bulging fuel tanks, weeping with rust.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >...and before long you didn't know which was which, if you were awake or asleep. Everything got blended together. A sensation like pain--only worse, because it wasn't a pain in your body; the pain was your mind and your mind was you. You were pain itself.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />--<br />Have you read it? What did you think?<br /></span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-58104637514914533662010-07-14T10:38:00.011-05:002010-07-21T15:11:19.575-05:00court room exploits & a giveaway<span style="font-family:arial;">I have a lot of catching up to do with everyone! I've had several short work weeks and I'm working hard to get back on track.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Last week, a friend had a court date for a speeding ticket and I went with him. I'm pretty fascinated with how things work behind the marble walls of our enormous courthouse and he promised to show me where I would need to go for my forthcoming stint with jury duty. It turned out to be pretty anticlimactic, with ticket reductions flying out the door, into the hallway I was waiting in.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">The reason I was waiting in the hall? This:</span> <a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSopCsNAiesfjLLwo3egFH25q4MW-wbpYCMqEeB6Gr6MD1l59UGSdblTLkmYyZszPedRua9y8OFAyqrivBWKIXprkwjTpl5tlH2yeBW37pvabghGM_PX6z0rFAEsAdSkGwDRLCnTe7W8/s1600/Photo0215.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSopCsNAiesfjLLwo3egFH25q4MW-wbpYCMqEeB6Gr6MD1l59UGSdblTLkmYyZszPedRua9y8OFAyqrivBWKIXprkwjTpl5tlH2yeBW37pvabghGM_PX6z0rFAEsAdSkGwDRLCnTe7W8/s320/Photo0215.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493788765995866530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">NO READING MATERIALS? Those damn readers getting all distracted and invested in their books, completely ignoring the grueling amount of time being spent in a tiny, stuffy room surrounded by disgruntled drivers. Yeah. That'll learn em not to speed!<br /><br />But the flip side was the enormous amount of reading time I was granted during jury duty and how much I despised it. Not 'despised' so much, but the whole experience in general was frustrating. Trapped in a room with 50 other people for two days, told when to take breaks and eat lunch, shuffled around the courthouse, only to be sent back to 'the room' after a couple of hours of questioning...it was just tiring. And I prefer to read in my comfy chairs.<br /><br />Overall, I'm just sort of confused with how the whole operation worked. They were calling alternate jurors in as they were sending 30 of us to court, only to have 17 of us come back and spend the next day in 'the room' again. Then we were sent home.<br /><br />Alright, then. So now I'm going to host a giveaway so I can spend the rest of the day working and going through mail. Up for grabs is a finished copy of <span style="font-style: italic;">Manifest </span>and a totebag!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszJwbdoyARMeDGYRUxqMpHeva3YgEFJb1EkVVooXNKJdCP5U8bV_IIBj2WcZebsdpIYYvltdQZ07j9AVIr0XJM3i05RaHZpLL8UJBYlvET1xdgcai4cm2SULd4hJm_pWvQVaVUEdB8r0/s1600/Photo0221.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszJwbdoyARMeDGYRUxqMpHeva3YgEFJb1EkVVooXNKJdCP5U8bV_IIBj2WcZebsdpIYYvltdQZ07j9AVIr0XJM3i05RaHZpLL8UJBYlvET1xdgcai4cm2SULd4hJm_pWvQVaVUEdB8r0/s320/Photo0221.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493827320085272994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Apologies for the quality, I snapped it with my cell phone. All you need to do to be entered is answer this question:<br /> You're a character in a YA paranormal novel. Comment with your character name and/or power.<br /><br />That's it! Contest is open internationally and will run until a week from today: July 21. Good luck!<br /></span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-71131288747781035622010-07-06T11:34:00.003-05:002010-07-06T13:17:05.583-05:00Guest Post & Giveaway Winner Announced!<span style="font-family: arial;">I hope all my fellow Americans are happy and well-rested after the holiday weekend. I was in my second wedding in as many weeks, so I'm still trying to get back into the groove of things. Can't wait to share some pics with you once I get them! </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />To kick off my 'get caught up' week, I'm pleased to share with you a guest post provided by Miss Attitude of the blog </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://blackteensread2.blogspot.com">Reading In Color</a><span style="font-family: arial;">. I love her blog and was thrilled when I was able to offer her <span style="font-style: italic;">Manifest</span> for review on her blog.<br /><br />About the blog: </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Reading in Color is a book blog that reviews YA/MG books about people of color (poc). There is a serious lack of books being reviewed by teens that are YA/MG about people of color, I hope my blog is one step closer to filling in this void.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br />I think Reading in Color is amazing and I recommend you check it out! And since I'm endlessly interested in childhood reading experiences, I asked Miss Attitude to share her thoughts on reading as a young Brown girl. Were books featuring POC available? More so then than now or is it the other way around?<br /><br />I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did and stay tuned after the post to find out the winner of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Manifest</span> tote giveaway from the Artist Arthur Community Interview event!<br /><br />--<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bright Eyes, Brown Skin</span><br /><br />Animals and Dr. Seuss. This is what stands out to me from my early childhood reading. I was doing some “research” for a post that I had planned for father’s day. The “research” consisted of looking at some of my favorite books from childhood and re-reading them. Deep stuff.<br /><br />I noticed something though; the majority of the books that we have from when I was in the baby/toddler stage are by Dr. Seuss or feature animals. My parents tell me that <span style="font-style: italic;">Marvin K. Mooney will You Please Go Now</span> was a particular favorite of mine, but we own many other Dr. Seuss books as well. I also looked at <span style="font-style: italic;">Guess How Much I Love You</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Can’t You Sleep Little Bear?</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">The Kissing Hand</span>. These books all feature animals as the main characters; rabbits, bears and raccoons. I also have some books with more bears, lions, foxes and other zoo animals. I didn’t ask my parents about the lack of human main characters in my childhood library, but I can’t help but wonder; was a part of this because of the lack of books for Brown babies and toddlers? Did my parents seek to protect me by not having me read the books that showed that little Black boys and girls don’t exist as far as children’s literature is concerned? Did they not want the idea of white superiority reinforced in my mind?<br /><br />Of course, the white superiority wasn’t blatant, but when the number of books about kids of color doesn’t even come close to the large numbers of books about white kids of color, the subtle message is that Brown kids don’t matter. I have some books with white main characters (<span style="font-style: italic;">The Napping House</span> is a particular favorite that comes to mind) but the number of books I have about animals (or made up characters a la Dr. Seuss) far outweigh the number of books I have about humans, especially books that focus on white children.<br /><br />I titled this post <span style="font-style: italic;">Bright Eyes, Brown Skin</span> because it’s the main book that is about African American children that I can vividly remembering reading as a toddler. I can practically quote it just by looking at the cover. I’ve been blogging for almost a year now and while I don’t review picture books, something I’ve noticed is that young children today have so many more options than I did growing up.<br /><br />For example, a book I would have gobbled up as a child is <span style="font-style: italic;">Dancing in the Wings</span> by Debbie Allen. It’s about a Black ballerina, which is what I aspired to be. Eventually I ended up leaving dance after ten years and it wasn’t until I was about eleven or so that I saw Alvin Ailey and learned that Black ballet dancers existed. It came out in 2000, I was born in 1993. I technically could have read it, it’s described as being for kids ages 4-8 and I would have been eight at the time, but by the second grade, I was past picture books, reading instead Beverly Clearly and the Royal Diaries series (for the record I hated the Sweet Valley High series but I did like the Babysitter’s Club).<br /><br />I don’t think I noticed the lack of picture books about people of color, but then again, right before my pre teen years, I wanted to be white. Maybe the two are connected, I don’t know. It’s a period of my life that I struggle with so I don’t think about it much.<br /><br />The Internet would have been a huge help to my parents and other parents raising kids my age, now there are lots of websites and blogs dedicated exclusively to promoting multicultural children’s books. It’s amazing and I’m so glad things have changed. I can walk down the children’s section at Borders (sadly my indie bookstore doesn’t have much diversity. I’m working on them!) and I will see Brown faces on the covers of picture books.<br /><br />I don’t see as much change occurring in literature for older readers, those in middle school and high school. So that’s what I focus on, promoting YA/MG books about people of color. The most crucial years for a child’s development are the early years and if I had to choose, I would rather have multicultural books for babies and toddlers than books for pre teens and teens. But guess what? I don’t have to choose, we can (and should) have both.<br />--<br /><br />A big thanks to those who participated in the Artist Arthur Community Interview! I will send all the questions along to Artist and will send her response to each out to everyone who contributed. I'm so pleased with the questions asked! I entered 27 into the True Random Number Generator at Random.org, was given 24 (I still can't figure out how to post that box from their site), and the winner of the autographed <span style="font-style: italic;">Manifest</span> totebag is.....</span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;" href="profile/16725435803070036892" rel="nofollow">iluvhersheys_andbooks</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, aka, Chioma of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://blackandblueink.blogspot.com/">Black and Blue Ink</a><span style="font-family: arial;">! Please email me at onlinepublicist [AT] gmail [DOT] com with your mailing address to claim your prize. ;-)</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Thank you again, Miss Attitude, of <a href="http://blackteensread2.blogspot.com/">Reading In Color</a> for sharing her story! Is there a children's book with characters of color that comes to your mind?<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-67152379030221121682010-07-06T00:00:00.000-05:002010-07-06T13:19:20.189-05:00Artist Arthur Community Interview!<div face="arial" style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Manifest-Kimani-Tru-Artist-Arthur/dp/037383196X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276898943&sr=8-1"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMQgWaxfFmU8PF4WWMnldNTLIqX4pg51eoqkK3YSPQTzYIyd2NI2TzuteBeG4A-hY6A6wHRPRWwh9Vk7qLdGhBxbOuvXQvg29Ctws4pA1T2Z86c2HFxVAEh96tUY0WNfWRJj6e-CXuRs/s320/Manifest+--+revised+front+cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484226410245403058" border="0" /></a>**<span style="font-weight: bold;">THIS IS A STICKY POST. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWER POSTS</span>**<br /><br /></div><div face="arial" style="text-align: center;">Here it is! The Artist Arthur Community Interview I've been promising you!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So many people have been really excited about the upcoming release of <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Manifest: A Mystyx Novel</span> by Artist Arthur. In fact, a <span style="font-weight: bold;">lot</span> of folks have wanted to conduct interviews with the author. This is a huge project with over one hundred people reviewing and participating in the campaign.<br /><br />I thought a community interview would be a fun way to give everyone an opportunity to interact with Artist, while providing all who are interested with an interview. I also don't want to overwhlem her. We need her to get working on the next books in the series so we can find out what happens to Krystal and her new friends who all share the same '<span style="font-style: italic;">M</span>' shaped birthmark as well as supernatural powers.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">From Artist: "<span style="font-style: italic;">I'm amazed at the tremendous response to Manifest and would like to sincerely thank every one of you for your support and participation</span>."<br /></div><br />And here's how it works:<br />*Submit one question in the comments section.<br />*All questions will be submitted to Artist. She will answer them all. I will compile them and send them out to everyone who contributed. That way, you can pick and choose the questions/responses you would like to feature for a customized interview post.<br /><br />**<span style="font-weight: bold;">Please</span> read through the comments! Repeat questions will be discarded.** This is your opportunity to be creative and ask that burning question you just need to know! Remember, this is Artist's debut YA novel. She previously published romance. There may be a question or two in that alone! If you haven't had a chance to read the book yet and would like a synopsis, please visit my <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://onlinepublicist.blogspot.com/2009/01/manifest-page.html">Manifest</a> page where you will find a book trailer, description, and excerpt.<br /><br />And did I mention the swag?? Aritst is generously offering a signed <span style="font-style: italic;">Manifest</span> tote bag to one lucky contrbutor!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM_88grsXn_Rzp7T3nrcTKtKFjT0cnYPlPqn6qXB4gYQAzu4KmmK0l9FhDoF91uurlkxrhZV-Q5UtxEiH8zqxGqRKQiYd209YV-hmPOpmtUL82rWQ8RkBTZU1TYfuUqsjRxG4dQLCWdg/s1600/Manifest+swag3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM_88grsXn_Rzp7T3nrcTKtKFjT0cnYPlPqn6qXB4gYQAzu4KmmK0l9FhDoF91uurlkxrhZV-Q5UtxEiH8zqxGqRKQiYd209YV-hmPOpmtUL82rWQ8RkBTZU1TYfuUqsjRxG4dQLCWdg/s400/Manifest+swag3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484240584314374082" border="0" /></a><br />You have two weeks from today to get your question in. Comments will close on Friday, July 2, with the winner of the tote bag being announced on Tuesday, July 6. Good Luck!<br /><br /></div></div>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-73330508616411358362010-06-30T08:53:00.021-05:002010-11-29T13:21:07.775-06:00To Your Dog's Health!<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984301704?tag=greebookgrou-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0984301704&adid=1QV7XNCW5N3Q1JNVSX6B&" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488564860263795234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW0-0gLAPFTSKhFtRWqB19LrXe-Kk_x36SSthntK0tLXgD35aZWHobA88kgOsOtamqDzEIxyYd29ZOS0E9TXcD-kl8oIcQy7rTMF8Euc8Ss7mrcZflcbZBuM9Hs4NtembtRDa6VBV1wo/s320/DOG'S+HEALTH.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 222px;" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">To Your Dog's Health!</span> Canine Nutrition and Recent Trends Within the Pet Food Industry </span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
by Mark Poveromo</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Poor Man's Press, February 2010</span> <span style="font-family: arial;">Paperback, 104 pages, $14.95</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
ISBN-13: 978-0984301706</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Interested in offering your pet meals beyond the pried open can or the bag of dried kibble? Perhaps you have an older pet, or one with a specific need that needs to be addressed through diet (cancer, kidney disease), or you're just looking for a more holistic approach to pet care.</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: arial;">Do you know if your pet's dry food is fried, baked, pressure-cooked, or dehydrated? </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">To Your Dog's Health</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, author Mark Poveromo discusses not only the method involved in creating each type and the effect it has on the overall nutrition, but suggests healthy alternatives which lead to healthier, more active lifestyles for your pets. </span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
He offers a variety of nutrition solutions from a raw diet to home cooked (which is great for those with home gardens). There are even recipes to help get you started! Also included is a chapter that lists and describes several of the best processed foods on the market today. </span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
Armed with this slim guide, you have the tools and guidance necessary to choose the best method of care for your pet, ensuring the time you have together is full of happy, healthy days!<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: arial;">''<span style="font-style: italic;">If you are what you eat then so are your canine companions. Unfortunately, we have been incredibly blind sided by the false science handed to us by the pet food industry. As a result, Mans Best Friend has suffered. Mark, in his book, </span></span><i style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">To Your Dog s Health</i><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">, concisely and in a very clear cut manner, reveals to us the truth about proper canine nutrition. A must read for every person caring for a dog</span>.'' -</span><b style="font-family: arial;">Martin Goldstein</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, D.V.M. & host of "</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">Ask Martha's Vet</span><span style="font-family: arial;">" on Sirius Satellite</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">To learn more about Mark, watch video segments, or read an article featuring him in <span style="font-style: italic;">Dog Fancy</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Pet Business Magazine</span>, please visit <a href="http://www.emeraldbookcompany.com/authors/poveromo/">here</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">--</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Interview:</b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dogworks/2010/11/14/the-dog-doctor-radio-show-to-your-dogs-health-book"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dog Works Radio</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Guest Post:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">'<a href="http://www.waycooldogs.com/holistic-pet-food-and-trends-in-the-industry/">Holistic Pet Food and Trends in the Industry</a>'<b> </b>on WayCoolDogs.com </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Reviews: </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
<a href="http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/2010/02/to-your-dogs-health-by-mark-poverono.html" style="font-family: arial;">BookHounds</a><span style="font-family: arial;">: "</span></span><b style="font-family: arial; font-weight: normal;">I am giving this book to my brother to try out on his new puppy and I am going to switch over my dogs to a more natural diet." </b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://spatter.typepad.com/spatter/2010/08/book-review-to-your-dogs-health.html">Spatter</a>: "...</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 100%; text-decoration: none;">it's a good book with good information and is a good it's a good jumping off point into the world of alternative health and nutrition for dogs."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://goinglikesixty.com/2010/08/cooking-for-our-dogs-and-letting-them-clean-our-plates/">Going Like Sixty</a>: </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">"If you have dogs, you’ve heard that it’s bad to feed them “table food.” Come to find out, if you’re eating right, your dog will be eating better than if you feed them dry kibbles."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://suko95.blogspot.com/2010/08/to-your-dogs-health.html">Suko's Notebook</a>: <span style="font-family: arial;">"</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">I enjoyed reading this book, which is a good guide book for dog owners with an interest in optimum canine nutrition."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://libslibrary.blogspot.com/2010/08/to-your-dogs-health-super-short.html">Libby's Library News</a>: "</span><span style="font-family: arial;">Little book with Lot's of info."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amberstults.com/?p=2719">Amber Stults</a>: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">"This book is a quick read that explains how to make or pick a nutritious food for your dog."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://goodgirlgoneredneck.blogspot.com/2010/09/to-your-dogs-health-book-review.html">Good Girl Gone Redneck</a>: "</span><span style="color: #330033; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black;">I could tell that Mark truly cares for animals, not just his dogs, but yours and mine, too!"</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<a href="http://bookaholicmom.blogspot.com/2010/09/to-your-dogs-health.html">The Crazy Life of a Bookaholic Mom</a>: <span style="font-family: arial;">"</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">It is a very interesting book to read especially after all the pet food recalls in recent years. The book was easy to read and understand."<br />
<a href="http://www.adventuresineveryday.com/2010/09/book-review-to-your-dogs-health-by-mark.html"><br />
Adventures in Every Day</a>: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Just like humans, our pets are what they eat, and we owe it to them to make sure we give them the best nutrition possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<a href="http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/2010/10/to-your-dogs-health.html">The Bookworm</a>: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This book has been an eye opener when it comes to my dog's eating habits and the food that I chose to give him."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.readingatthebeach.com/2010/10/to-your-dogs-health.html">Reading at the Beach</a>: "</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Everyone who is owned by a dog needs this book. It's full of helpful information."</span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-78984493774460583072010-06-23T17:19:00.012-05:002010-11-29T13:30:45.798-06:00Questions and Answers on Life Insurance<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984508104?tag=tonysteuercom-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0984508104&adid=0H7JFE3GM80V496T5YYX&" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486097639675778466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-9DGpXfsjyl7ji_HHyGBJnwnM4U28tdOmUDGpbSLrHKy5fjzHbgiAMvZWgKatR0CBS_g5BSJbSh3Cav5Wxj0pRhswCAfV57eH_x3C9-6pRROPldZcO7euBYDI94t1kIFuraHgAkIuyY/s320/large+Steuer.Cover.03-22-10.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 275px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 183px;" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">***I am out of review copies of this title. Please see below for currently posted reviews/coverage.***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
Questions and Answers on Life Insurance</span>: The Life Insurance Toolbook</span> by Tony Steuer</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Life Insurance Sage Press, August 1, 2010</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Paperback, 392 pages, $22.95</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">ISBN: 978-0984508105</span><br />
<a href="http://tonysteuer.com/" style="font-family: arial;">Tony Steuer's Site</a> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
Do you have life insurance? Do you know how to make your life insurance work for you? In an uncertain financial world, it is imperative to make intelligent, well-informed decisions concerning your assets.</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
In <span style="font-style: italic;">Questions and Answers on Life Insurance</span>, Tony Steuer uses an accessible Q&A format which educates and empowers readers with the information necessary to craft the best life insurance policy to benefit their lifestyle, needs, and goals.</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
Life Insurance is like a parachute, you may only need it once, but when you need it, you really need it. And just as important as your pilot, plane, and training are, your parachute is essential to your well being and needs to be packed correctly. In an emergency situation, Life Insurance will be that necessary element that guides you and your family to safe ground.</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
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Originally pubbed through iUniverse, <span style="font-style: italic;">Questions and Answers on Life Insurance</span> has consistently sold 90-100/month with placement on Amazon alone. Now, with the backing of a house, updated materials and full distribution, Steuer's book is poised to take off as the #1 personal finance reference guide among consumers.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">Full Press Release</span><span style="font-family: arial;">:</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
Questions and Answers on Life Insurance</span> is the definitive resource on life insurance and is the only book of it's kind. Tony Steuer's invaluable advice will safeguard you from unpleasant surprises and unnecessary pitfalls when facing the constant barrage of information from competing life insurance companies.</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
With twenty years of experience in the life insurance business, Anthony Steuer delivers a practical, one-of-a-kind resource to guide you through the basics--and the finer points--of life insurance and helps you choose the policy that is just right for you and your family. Using a simple question-and-answer format, Steuer covers everything you need to know about life insurance, including how to:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">* Differentiate between types of policies</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
* Find and evaluate a policy and company</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
* Hire a trusted agent</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">* Understand the practice of underwriting</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
* Monitor a policy's performance</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
So complete is the information in the book, that the appendices offer contact information for all state insurance departments, address some medical issues and how they may affect underwriting options and is offers a glossary of 'Key Life Insurance Terms' which helps demystify the language utilized by the industry.</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
Selecting a policy isn't easy, but Steuer's guide will help any reader make informed, confident decisions and gain the maximum benefit from life insurance companies. The author</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> has an upcoming article in <span style="font-style: italic;">Men's Health</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">AARP</span> and is available for additional interviews and guest posts. Please let me know if this is of interest.</span> <span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><br />
<br />
Praise for <span style="font-style: italic;">Questions and Answers on Life Insurance</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">:</span> <span style="font-family: arial;">"This easy-to-use life-insurance guidebook...will help readers make informed decisions about what kind of life insurance to purchase and how to monitor their holdings to avoid any nasty surprises down the road. Read in its entirety, the book provides a deep-immersion course....But it's also helpful in addressing the quandary of the moment, from something as basic as whether or not to buy term or permanent insurance to the material knowledge that can be gleaned from insurance regulatory information reports. Steuer lays out pros and cons, demonstrates how you can use mathematical calculations to arrive at a plan that best suits you, brings needs-analysis into play and tenders an array of quick facts that help put issues into perspective...the information is solid."<br />
</span><span style="font-family: arial;">~Kirkus Discovery Reviews</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">~~~</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Texas Tech University has adopted Questions & Answers on Life Insurance for their Masters/Doctoral Program in Personal Financial Planning. Professor John Gilliam, Ph.D., CFP®, ChFC, CLU mentions that: "The students love the simple straight forward nature of your writing. It is easily understood for anyone who knows very little or nothing about life insurance. Your book demystifies what some would considers a very difficult topic to understand."</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
~~~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">"Tony's book is my comprehensive life insurance reference. He takes complex topics and breaks them down into plain English. I relied heavily on this book when studying for the CFP exam and continue to use it when I have life insurance questions in my role as a wealth manager." </span> <span style="font-family: arial;">~Janet Hoffmann, CFA, CFP, Principal - Integral Financial Solutions, LLC</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
~~~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tony Steuer</span> is a specially licensed Individual Life and Disability Insurance Analyst, of which there are only about 30 of in the state of California. Prior to commencing his own practice in 1995, Tony was an Assistant Vice President with Acordia-Lloyd, a multi-line insurance brokerage. His responsibilities were as a lead on an endorsed life insurance program with the State Bar of California as well as working with Health Insurance Producers and Property and Casualty Producers to assist in developing life insurance programs for their clients.</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
<br />
Steuer</span> has contributed to TheNest.com. He has been quoted in <span style="font-style: italic;">Newsday</span>, appeared on the <span style="font-style: italic;">Wall Street Journal Morning Radio Show,</span> was interviewed on <span style="font-style: italic;">The Prudent Money Show</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Your Financial Editor Show</span>, the <span style="font-style: italic;">Larry Shannon Show</span>, and for the <span style="font-style: italic;">AARP</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">SLATE Magazine</span>. </span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
--</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Excerpts:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2010/09/what-is-life-insurance-where-did-it-come-from-and-why-should-i-care-.html"><span style="font-size: small;">Free Money Finance #1</span></a><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2010/09/how-much-life-insurance-do-i-need-.html">Free Money Finance #2</a><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Guest Posts</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><a href="http://www.growingmoneyblog.com/2010/08/why-you-need-life-insurance/">Growing Money</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;">Reviews:</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://blogs.forbes.com/investor/2010/11/25/nine-great-investment-books-worth-reading/">Forbes</a>: "</span><span style="font-size: small;">Steuer does a fantastic job of explaining complex topics in straightforward language."</span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span><br />
</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://libslibrary.blogspot.com/2010/08/questions-and-answers-on-life-insurance.html"><span style="font-family: arial;">Libby's Library News</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 100%;">"Wow - this book answered questions that I didn't even know I had!</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">"</span> </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/review-questions-answers-life-insurance-tony-steuer.html">Bargaineering</a>: </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">"</span><span style="font-family: arial;">While I’ve never looked at any life insurance books, I can’t imagine there’s one out there better than Questions and Answers on Life Insurance by Tony Steuer."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/questions-and-answers-on-life-insurance-book-review-and-money-saving-tips">WiseBread</a>: "</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">A knowledgeable, experienced, and unbiased guide in the realm of life insurance is useful for this task and is precisely what I found in <i>Questions and Answers on Life Insurance..." </i></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2010/11/01/review-of-questions-and-answers-on-life-insurance/">Mighty Bargain Hunter</a>: "<b style="font-weight: normal;">His complete, thoughtful answer to this one question (</b></span><i>How much life insurance do I need?</i>) <span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">is worth the price of the book.</b> And there are 133 other questions he answers!" </span></div>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-9041488126346482772010-06-21T11:51:00.002-05:002010-06-21T11:56:21.833-05:00ROOM Giveaway Winner!<span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you to all who participated in the ROOM giveaway. I created a list, posted it to Random.org and came up with: Heather of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.capriciousreader.com/">Capricious Reader</a><span style="font-family: arial;">! Congrats Heather. Please send me an email [onlinepublicist AT gmail DOT com] with your mailing address and I will send this out to you right away. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There are still other ways to win stuff! Post one of the Manifest buttons from my sidebar on your blog and you could win an eHarlequin gift certificate! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Or, submit a question in the Community Interview above and be entered to win the autographed </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Manifest</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> tote bag. I will also have </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Manifest</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> posters and more available soon. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And I still have more BEA stuff for you, so keep an eye out...</span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855558664780277483.post-706918958897783942010-06-16T10:10:00.006-05:002010-06-21T11:42:16.357-05:00What I've been reading and ROOM giveaway<span style="font-family:arial;">I will be posting the Artist Arthur community interview post later this week. We are waiting for the <span style="font-style: italic;">Manifest</span> swag to arrive and as soon as it does, I'll get it up!<br /><br />Until then, I wanted to chat about what I've read lately and host my first post BEA giveaway. Woo-hoo!<br /><br />I finished <span style="font-style: italic;">Dracula </span>a month or so ago and just loved it. The journal format was perfect for seamlessly offering the variety of perspectives that come about as the story unfolds across several countries. It did get a bit, 'Oh the Lady! Dote, fawn, How is the Lady? Protect the Lady from the evil of the world! Her delicate ears shall not be marred by such evil as the utterance of his name!' and on and on. Sometimes the doting on Mina chapters dragged on a bit, but it was written in 1897, so what can you do?<br /><br />It does remind me of an SNL skit I remember seeing a long time ago where two actors were dressed up in Renaissance or maybe Elizabethan garb and made a great show of bowing flourishing their hands and bowing and saying, 'Yeeeeeeeees'. Wish I could find that skit. Seeing it would probably help what I'm trying to illustrate here. :-)<br /><br />But anyway, it was a wonderful book. And I just love that the entire book centers around a character that makes a minimal number of appearances. So intriguing!<br /><br />I also read <span style="font-style: italic;">ROOM</span> by Emma Donoghue. I tore through it in about a day and a half and it was pretty amazing. The narrator is 5 years old, and while his speech patterns are highly elevated for someone so young, I still really had to think about what he was describing sometimes. It works so well because the author doesn't shy away from giving the reader some of the confusion of an adolescent perspective.<br /><br />The book ended with me wanting more. There's a bit of an empty part in me from it that feels unsatisfied. Not to be read as a failure on the author's part though. With my life experience, perhaps this is exactly what I was supposed to walk away from this with. That closing emotion will be different for everyone, which is part of what makes this book so wonderful.<br /><br />And to help give you the opportunity to share your thoughts, I am giving a copy of <span style="font-style: italic;">ROOM</span> away! Along with a Quirk Books tote bag and a cute pink, reading light that was a gift from BBC (I already have a simliar one). Ta-daaa!<br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp5Zgbcz5wxKrtPmEMpecCwcbUrwf7KqwoklXTKjwFssUcYS2E0VQk55E-jm8tdiKZodEwaJp9wVFA7lI9OM-FRU1RXsyu4itvV3ISSEqwdj-gMYPHjngYwab31-qWKVtg9bxFHCjHUg/s1600/Photo0199.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp5Zgbcz5wxKrtPmEMpecCwcbUrwf7KqwoklXTKjwFssUcYS2E0VQk55E-jm8tdiKZodEwaJp9wVFA7lI9OM-FRU1RXsyu4itvV3ISSEqwdj-gMYPHjngYwab31-qWKVtg9bxFHCjHUg/s400/Photo0199.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483414447836199186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Now! To Enter:</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">You must leave a comment </span><span style="font-family:arial;">to be entered</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> (you only need to leave your email address if I don't already have it)</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, and if you have a Twitter account, I give you an extra entry if you RT the giveaway. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Contest is open internationally.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />That's all. I will announce the winner on Monday, June 21. Good Luuuuck!<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span>Lisa Roehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596265958308911275noreply@blogger.com39