tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11616126125419536012024-03-19T03:16:34.417-05:00Suzan Tisdale Author of Historical Romance
Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.comBlogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-30338639198602719782015-07-06T14:34:00.001-05:002015-07-06T14:34:28.212-05:00WE'VE GOT NEW DIGS!I am very happy to announce that I now have an official website and blog :D<br />
<br />
You can stay up to date at either location.<br />
<br />
My website: <a href="http://www.suzantisdale.com/">www.suzantisdale.com</a><br />
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My blog: <a href="http://yourcheekywench.com/" target="_blank">www.yourcheekywench.com </a><br />
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So hop on over to either place and check out the new digs and features. Even though they didn't ask me to, I want to give a shout out to Wix.com. Building the new website was super easy, super fast, and lots of fun. I think you'll like it.<br />
<br />
Love you all!!<br />
SuzanSuzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-80862262031030919002015-06-14T23:15:00.000-05:002015-06-14T23:15:22.159-05:00Live In One Hour!Hello everyone! It's been a long day here and even longer night. Tonight's season finale of Game of Thrones left me crying and cursing like a drunken sailor! I won't say why because I don't want to give any spoilers. Suffice it to say, I'm mad as hell at HBO right now. I'll probably blog more about that later, once my anger has subsided a bit!<br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/1G6nbu0" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_O5_OjUeI7xNqGXTGuFfpYVQNRLLOWEi9GsC6sfRM7_r1Ci0pYPwMv_XBg8elIbx5TVL5mHIh63shNUtE1Zg6Ufhe69NybPgme1MoSt0pevmqGGYEzeSUOfKHCCPHIysUKvbyimXcjtc/s400/Saving+Moirra%2527s+Heart+%2528final%2529+1200+px+%2540+300+dpi+high+res.jpg" title="" width="266" /></a><br />
But on a much lighter, happier note: <i><a href="http://amzn.to/1G6nbu0" target="_blank">Saving Moirra's Heart</a></i> goes live in less than an hour! I did not do a big book release party with this release. But I <i>did </i>start a new <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moirrasheart" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> dedicated to that book and series. Readers are encouraged to stop by, ask questions and leave comments.<br />
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I want to thank all of you, my beautiful readers, who continue to offer words of encouragement and love. You're simply the best!!<br />
<br />
Please know how much I adore and appreciate all of you!!<br />
<br />
Below is a snippet from the first chapter:<br />
<br />
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<a href="" name="Alysander_stood_to_his_full_he">Pushing</a>
Moirra behind him, Alysander stood to his full height, jaw clenched. “What the
bloody hell do ye mean ye’ve come to arrest her?” Questions abounded, blended
with his anger that anyone would so unjustly accuse his wife of such an
atrocity as murder. ’Twas enough to make his head spin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
The sheriff was unmoved by Alysander’s display of
protection. He gave a nod to his men, who immediately dismounted. “Me brother’s
body, or what was left of it, was found last eve.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
“What evidence do ye have that my wife killed
him?” Alysander challenged, as he kept a close watch on the men slowly
approaching. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
The sheriff grunted his displeasure at having
anyone question his authority. “I don’t need any bloody evidence. I <i>ken</i>
she killed him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
Alysander knew he was sorely outnumbered, and
being unarmed did not help his situation. Still, that knowledge did nothing to
quell the instinct to protect his wife. When the first man reached out to grab
Moirra, Alysander’s fury erupted. He swung out, his fist landing hard on the
man’s jaw. He stumbled backward, his eyes wide with stunned surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
In the blink of an eye, Alysander was fighting
with such ferocity and fury, he was able to land several punches into the faces
and stomachs of the other men. But soon, they had overpowered him and wrestled
him to the ground. Moirra’s daughters stood frozen in fear just inside the
barn, looks of horror on their faces. Moirra and the girls screamed when the
sheriff’s men began to beat Alysander to a bloody mess.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
“Stop!” Moirra called out, momentarily frozen in
place, so gripped with fear she could not move. “Stop! Yer killin' him!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
The girls raced from the barn, anger alight in
their eyes, <i>sgian dubh’s </i>drawn and at the ready. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
“Nay!” Moirra screamed at her daughters. “Nay!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
Mariote and her sisters came to an abrupt halt,
just steps away from the pile of men. Orabilis apparently hadn’t heard the
order to yield, for she stepped forward and kicked one of the men, her boot
landing against his ear. Esa wrapped both arms around her littlest sister and
pulled her away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
“Almer!” Moirra shouted as she lunged toward the
men, pounding their backs with her fists. “Make them stop!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
One of the men rolled Moirra off with a shrug of
his shoulders. She lay on her back, covered in sweat and out of breath. Her
daughters rushed to her aid, kneeling beside her. Moirra continued to beg for
mercy on Alysander’s behalf, tears streaming down her face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
When her words went unheeded, she looked up to
Almer. “I’ll go with ye!” She screamed. “Just tell them to stop!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
A triumphant and arrogant smile formed on Almer’s
face before he called his men to stop. “That be enough,” he shouted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
The men stood, faces and tunics covered in blood,
much of it belonging to Alysander, but some of it their own. Moirra knelt down
to look at her husband. His lips were cut and bleeding: both eyes were
beginning to swell shut: and bruises covered his face. “Alysander!” she
whispered. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
He tried to sit but couldn’t. His ribs hurt with
each breath he took. “Moirra,” he said as he reached for her hand. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
Two men grabbed her by the arms and pulled her to
her feet. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
“Moirra,” Alysander called out to her. “Moirra!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">
<br /></div>
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The last thing he saw before blackness enveloped
him, were the tears streaming down Moirra’s face as the sheriff and his men
hauled her away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-80045615129656895152015-05-26T16:19:00.001-05:002015-05-26T16:19:39.871-05:00Saving Moirra's Heart .... The PrologueBelow is the prologue to <a href="http://amzn.to/1Q8UYse" target="_blank">Saving Moirra's Heart</a>. I'm almost done!! Just finishing up the last chapter, then the epilogue. I promise NO CLIFF HANGERS!<br />
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Alysander woke at dawn with Moirra’s bottom snuggled into his groin. ’Twas surely heaven on earth to wake with her in his arms and not have to lie or pretend anymore. Tenderly, with an arm wrapped protectively around her stomach, he pulled her closer, doing his best not to disturb her slumber. Yesterday had been an exhausting one, what with the wolves that had attacked Muriale and Orabilis and the fire that destroyed their little home. </div>
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The air in the barn was crisp and smelled of straw and lavender — his wife’s favorite scent. He inhaled deeply with the intent to calm his ardor. It was a mistake. Though they had made love twice last night, having her so close to him and knowing he no longer had to hide his feelings for her, well, that just made him want her all the more. As much as he wanted to roll her over and kiss every square inch of her body, he decided to let her sleep. Knowing that they had long days ahead, she would need her rest. </div>
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His heart felt much lighter now that their daughters knew the truth. Aye, they were <i>his </i>daughters now, no matter what blood might run through their veins and he’d defy anyone to tell him different. His daughters were in the loft, undoubtedly still asleep in the makeshift quarters. Alysander looked forward to rebuilding the cottage and getting everyone out of the barn. On top of having to build a new cottage, they would also need to begin the harvest in a few days. </div>
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For the tiniest moment, he thought of reaching out to his father for help, but quickly dismissed the idea. Nay, his father would be of no help to him, for he still blamed the death of his favorite son on his least favorite son — Alysander. He had no doubt the man would let him starve to death before he lifted a finger to help him. He also knew it wouldn’t matter one bit that he had turned his life around, had married, and was now the proud father of four beautiful girls. </div>
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With a sigh of resignation, he pulled the blankets up around his wife’s shoulders, and quietly rolled away. He pulled on tunic and trews, laced up his boots, and stepped away from the bed. He had taken no more than two steps away when he caught sight of Orabilis. The child was curled into a ball on the pallet next to Wulver, with one hand resting on the dog’s neck. Aye, she was a stubborn child but he could not blame her for wanting to care for the dog that had saved her life, as well as her sister’s.</div>
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He stepped out of the room, found a spare blanket amongst items people had left the night before. Carefully, he draped it over Orabilis and breathed a sigh of relief when Wulver lifted his head and looked at him. He sent a silent prayer up to God before leaving the barn. </div>
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Smoke from their destroyed cottage still lingered in the crisp morning air. Morning dew immediately formed on his skin making him shiver. For now, the fire pit Moirra used to do laundry would have to suffice as a makeshift kitchen. Soon, Alysander had a nice fire going and water heating. </div>
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He was able to find a few cooking pots inside the rubble of the burned out cottage. After scouring them thoroughly, they were as good as new. Going through some of the foodstuffs neighbors had thoughtfully brought to them last night, he set about making breakfast for his women. The smell of eggs and sausage frying made its way to the barn and he soon heard the women within shuffling around and readying themselves for the day ahead.</div>
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Moirra appeared in the doorway of the barn, looking every bit as beautiful as Aphrodite herself. Her hair was mussed and fell down her back in loose waves, still looking quite sleepy as she yawned and pulled her shawl around her shoulders. Her eyes searched the yard, and when they fell upon Alysander, a most brilliant smile came to her face. His heart slammed against his chest, his manhood twitched and his mouth went dry. <i>God’s teeth the woman is magnificent. </i></div>
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“Good morn to ye, husband,” she said as she crossed the yard, the smile growing with each step she took. </div>
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Alysander swallowed hard as he fought the urge to take her back inside and make love to her again and again.</div>
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“Good morn—” his voice caught in his throat. He cleared it and tried again. “Good morn to ye, wife,” he said with a smile. </div>
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Moirra came to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I didna like wakin’ up alone,” she said against his chest. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head and returned her hug.</div>
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“But I <i>did </i>like wakin’ up to the smell of eggs and sausage,” she said as she pulled away. Looking into his eyes, she continued to smile. God above, he would never tire of looking at that smile.</div>
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“I do believe I told ye once that I know how to cook,” he reminded her. </div>
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“Aye, and ye do yer own laundry as well,” she said playfully. “A man who cooks and cleans without complaint makes me heart go all aflutter. And it makes me want to take ye back up to the loft and have my way with ye.”</div>
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He swallowed again and was about to tell her she could do that anytime she wished when the sound of approaching horses drew his attention away. </div>
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Instinct warned that ’twasn’t a social call that brought the five mounted men into Moirra’s yard. The two whoresons who had tried to attack Mariote, along with three men Alysander had never seen before, came bounding down the small incline and pulled their horses to a stop.</div>
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Alysander heard Moirra’s gasp as she stood behind him. It was quickly followed by a flurry of activity inside the barn. Alysander could only assume the girls were either taking up arms or were planning to hide. Knowing him as they did, he imagined it was the former. </div>
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A thin man, very much resembling a weasel with unusually large ears, brought his horse to within a few feet of Moirra’s door. His gray brown beard hung to the middle of his chest, while his hair was cut very close to his scalp. A hawkish nose sat between a pair of beady eyes. The hair on Alysander’s nape stood up. Instantly, he did not like the man who stared down at him as if Alysander were some disgusting creature. </div>
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“I see ye hidin’, Moirra Wilgart,” the man said, looking and sounding perturbed. </div>
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Moirra huffed and came to stand beside Alysander. “Me name is Moirra McCallum.”</div>
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The man huffed derisively and shook his head. “Be this yer latest victim?” he asked, referring to Alysander. </div>
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Moirra started to give the man a piece of her mind, but Alysander stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder. “Who <i>are </i>ye?” </div>
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“I be Moirra’s brother-in-law, Almer Wilgart.”</div>
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“Ye are no’ me brother-in-law,” Moirra ground out. </div>
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“Ye were married to me brother,” Almer said through gritted teeth.</div>
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“Nay! I was no’. ’Twas a handfastin’ and ye ken it as well as anyone else.” She looked then to Alysander. “This is the Sheriff of Glenkirby, and aye, he is Delmar Wilgart’s brother.” </div>
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Alysander never took an eye from any of the men. He gave a slight nod as if he understood completely — which he did not — before asking why they were here. </div>
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“I’ve come to arrest Moirra for the murder of me brother, Delmar Wilgart.”</div>
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<i>You can pre-order your copy of Saving Moirra's Heart at <a href="http://amzn.to/1Q8UYse" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/saving-moirras-heart/id962867324?mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a> for only 99 cents. </i></div>
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Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-73903635297397680892015-05-24T13:29:00.000-05:002015-05-24T13:29:19.931-05:00Medieval Tales of Romance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLlXy9gfyw_nep6zlV6CzlF0syQviYUVrfscGhg0QsHCfQJoVu7_8Usp_Gc-EYvo4hR39SNHPbp31v4GwNO0vXHMSmj1mIKP_H4WiX1LPf_wM_xKZQrTsUBdNI22duCp5Fkwg6Pkl0DI/s1600/MedievalTalesOfRomanceBoxSet3D_1400px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLlXy9gfyw_nep6zlV6CzlF0syQviYUVrfscGhg0QsHCfQJoVu7_8Usp_Gc-EYvo4hR39SNHPbp31v4GwNO0vXHMSmj1mIKP_H4WiX1LPf_wM_xKZQrTsUBdNI22duCp5Fkwg6Pkl0DI/s320/MedievalTalesOfRomanceBoxSet3D_1400px.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
Four tales of medieval romance from four best selling historical romance authors. Four tales of passion from when honor ruled. Enjoy the great value of this boxed set while it lasts! <br /><br /><a href="http://amzn.to/1PFPU3B" target="_blank">MEDIEVAL TALES OF ROMANCE </a>contains these four novels: <br /><br />A LILY ON THE HEATH by COLLEEN GLEASON <br />When Malcolm du Monde, Lord of Warwick, reluctantly comes to court to find a biddable bride, he expects to woo her, wed and bed her, and be back home in a month. But when he crosses paths with his childhood friend, the fiery-haired (and tempered) Lady Judith, who is now a favorite of the Queen and quite popular at court, Malcolm's plans go awry. <br />And when Judith finds herself caught in a dangerous battle between the king and the Queen, she has no one to turn to but Malcolm. <br /><br />MORGANNA by JACKIE IVIE <br />HE is the handsome, brawny, charming youngest son of a Sassenach-loving Highland clan. SHE is a woman in hiding as a young man - a weapons champion, bent on vengeance against the Fitzhugh. The only thing worse than being forced to squire for a member of the hated Fitzhugh...is falling in love with him. <br /><br />THE ANGEL AND THE PRINCE by LAUREL O'DONNELL <br />In this exciting medieval romance, the French lady knight known as the Angel of Death wages a battle of wills and desires against her dreaded enemy -- the English warrior known as the Prince of Darkness. <br /><br />FINDLEY'S LASS by SUZAN TISDALE <br />She'd won Findley's McKenna's heart without trying and he can only pray for a chance to win hers. But how can Maggy put her trust in a man she barely knows. A madman kidnaps one of her sons and together, Findley and Maggy will stop at nothing to bring the boy home. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://amzn.to/1PFPU3B" target="_blank">Exclusively at Amazon. Special pre-order price of 99 cents. </a></div>
Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-41522764576115199732015-05-24T13:03:00.001-05:002015-05-24T13:03:27.320-05:00With Dreams Only Of You: The Legend of the Theodosia Sword<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3jlubYqBgi5GlcjL4-aWJEeu9-FMF4_jqBWG_6CC96FPIzcoipHcCpKz91pH5tG8FF344ItFwHTrwtrNWE-V1VXEvrZbPM5rnXVnZoGfX8zzroDs4lIp2ksDP-9aBTogp8QwxqDE1os/s1600/banner+WDOOY+week+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3jlubYqBgi5GlcjL4-aWJEeu9-FMF4_jqBWG_6CC96FPIzcoipHcCpKz91pH5tG8FF344ItFwHTrwtrNWE-V1VXEvrZbPM5rnXVnZoGfX8zzroDs4lIp2ksDP-9aBTogp8QwxqDE1os/s320/banner+WDOOY+week+2.jpg" width="320" /></a>One family. One Legend. One chance to reverse the tides of fortune. <br /><br />Welcome to a multi-genre collection unlike any other historical romance collection. Six of the top authors in their respective genres bring you this powerhouse collection, <a href="http://amzn.to/1PFOeXW" target="_blank">WITH DREAMS ONLY OF YOU</a>. Join the de Reyne family as they grapple with a family legend that follows them through centuries of hope, heartache, adventure, and romance in seven amazing segments: <br /><br />Roman Scotland - The origins of the Theodosia Sword. <br />Medieval England - The legend begins. <br />The Scottish Highlands - The legend takes a twist. <br />Tudor England - A new dimension to the legend. <br />Georgian Era - The legend upon the high seas. <br />Regency England - The legend has new life. <br />Contemporary Times - The legend concludes. <br /><br />Seven unique and powerful stories take the legend of the gladius, the Theodosia Sword, through the ages. Discover how each era of the family finds their own love, peace, and happiness. The sword that can tear them apart is also the one that binds them. <br /><br />One family. One legend. One chance to reverse the tides of fortune... will each generation of the family take that chance?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eFdg24-d6B68f2DmgtNSokYyt6mpwxkWes6aP9o18XiikES_A7H4Mu3yVRYDpksyaLNVPNG03VSXF1OIOk3YrCjfa13LEPp0SRb6KaT4QtOPtN08Tc16_xoYtnAVQziGCoi3QoGcr_E/s1600/ChristiCaldwell_WithDreamsOnlyofYou_3DBundle1400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eFdg24-d6B68f2DmgtNSokYyt6mpwxkWes6aP9o18XiikES_A7H4Mu3yVRYDpksyaLNVPNG03VSXF1OIOk3YrCjfa13LEPp0SRb6KaT4QtOPtN08Tc16_xoYtnAVQziGCoi3QoGcr_E/s400/ChristiCaldwell_WithDreamsOnlyofYou_3DBundle1400.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Dreams Only Of You: The Legend of the Theodosia Sword<br /><a href="http://amzn.to/1PFOeXW" target="_blank">Pre-Order at Amazon</a><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/with-dreams-only-of-you/id975038756?mt=11" target="_blank">Pre-Order at iBooks</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-31541318493101848272015-05-19T22:31:00.001-05:002015-05-19T22:31:32.025-05:00Things I learned on my recent mini vacationI. AM. HOME. It was a lovely trip, but next time, I think I'll fly instead of drive.<br />
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I learned a lot about myself and my family, as well as the east coast, whilst on my min-vacation. I'll take this moment to share a few of those exciting, thrilling facts.<br />
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<ol>
<li>My brother David is far more patient than I am. Who knew?</li>
<li>Out of the three of us (brother David, brother Dan, and me) David is the most sane. I know, it surprised the hell out of me, too!</li>
<li>My grandson has got to be the most well behaved 4-year old on the planet. No melt downs, no tantrums, nothing, until the last two hours of the trip home. Wait, that was me melting down, whining, and having a tantrum. My bad.</li>
<li>There is a significant difference between Apple Maps and Google Maps. Google Maps wins, hands down. If Apple Maps says it will be a two hour drive, double that for all the idiotic side streets she will take you down. Seriously, from Delaware to New Jersey, we drove side roads for half the trip. THEN Apple Maps wanted to dump me back into Philadelphia. Why??? Thank God daughter had Google Maps and the patience of Job. She got us the hell out of Cherry Hill, NJ and to Booktrader in Hamilton, NJ before I had an aneurysm. Did I mention I'm not a good traveler? </li>
<li>My daughter Emilee is growing up. I forget that far too often. She's beautiful, smart and feisty. I forget that she is a mother now and all grown up. Still, she is my baby and always will be. I was so glad that I <i>finally </i>got to take her to see the ocean and New York City.</li>
<li>My future sister-in-law, Tammy, is adorable and her driving skills blew my mind. Someone in NASCAR really needs to give this girl a ride. Seriously. Don't believe me? Ask her to take you on Delaware's 'Autobahn' sometime. 30 seconds in and you'll know exactly what I mean.</li>
<li>I no longer travel well. In the future, if a trip looks like it would take more than 6 hours in a car, I shall fly. I don't do well on 18 hour car rids. Not well. At. All. </li>
<li>I'm an ugly person when sleep deprived. I have submitted formal letters of apology to my brother and daughter. My grandson however, thought it was quite funny that Grandma said 'naughty words', so he doesn't get a letter of apology. He gets a hug. And a pony for being such a good kid.</li>
<li> The east coast of our country is breathtakingly beautiful. If you ever get the chance to drive through the Allegheny Mountains -- by choice or on accident like I did -- take it! I saw the most beautiful country by accident. I think the only reason brother David didn't strangle me was because we were traveling down the side of the aforementioned Allegheny Mountains. I think it was his first near-death experience and had I erred by so much as an inch ... 'nuff said. </li>
<li>Vinegar on french fries. Just typing the words makes my mouth water. I have a case of malt vinegar on its way here. Don't think I'll ever be able to put catsup on french fries ever again.</li>
<li>Ocean City, Maryland was amazing! </li>
<li>The best day of my life that I ever spent with my brothers, was Sunday, May 17, 2015 in Ocean City Maryland. No matter how old I get, I'll never forget that day.</li>
<li>A sausage biscuit in Delaware is significantly different than a sausage biscuit in Illinois. In Illinois, it <i>is </i>a biscuit (usually buttermilk) with a breakfast sausage patty, scrambled eggs, and a slice of 'orange' American cheese. In Delaware it is two Kielbasa sausage links tucked between a fried egg and white American cheese on a Kaiser roll. Still yummy, but totally different. Helen's Diner is cash only. </li>
<li>Before Saturday, I did not know it was illegal to pump your own gas in the state of New Jersey. </li>
<li>Before Saturday, I also did not know there existed a city where you could <i>not</i> under any circumstance make a left turn going down the main drag. Yes. New Jersey again. </li>
<li>I have the best readers and street team, bar none. I had a wonderful time in New Jersey at <a href="http://booktrader.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Booktrader</a>. If you live near Hamilton, New Jersey, you <i>have </i>to visit this awesome bookstore! Ask for Joan. She is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet! If Joan's not there, Barb can help you and she is just as nice!</li>
<li>People in New Jersey don't buy just one or two books. They buy every book you wrote. In all series. Blew. My. Mind. </li>
<li>In Delaware, it is perfectly acceptable for a police officer to stand along side any road and point at you to pull over. He needs no radar gun, no probable cause. He points, you pull over. It is as simple as that. I find that quite odd.</li>
<li>The <i>nicest </i>people I've ever met in my life all work at <a href="https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-philly" target="_blank">Harrah's Casino and Racetrack</a> in Chester, PA. Seriously, these people were awesome! They thought it was a travesty that I'd never had a Philly cheesesteak sandwich, so they hooked me up.</li>
<li>I like Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. Especially the ones you get in Philly!</li>
<li>New York City is big. Even bigger than my Midwest, right-brain could imagine. I found a K-Mart across the street from Madison Square Garden. Blew. My. Mind. 4 stories tall. My mom would have loved that!</li>
<li>The best General Tsoa's chicken on the planet can be found at Gingers Chinese Restaurant in New York City. Not sure of address. It was a few blocks from Penn Station. </li>
<li>Author Tarah Scott is even more amazing in person than she is on FB. Love her to pieces! </li>
<li>I enjoyed riding the train from New Jersey to New York, as did my four-year old grandson. If I did live out east, I'd take the train wherever I had to go. It was much nicer than I thought it would be.</li>
<li>The best ice-cream on the planet can be found at Dumser's in Ocean City, Maryland. It doesn't matter what flavor you choose, it is delicious. I recommend their Italian lemon ice or the orange swirl.</li>
<li>It is next to impossible to get a coke product at restaurants in Delaware. After a day, my daughter and I were starting to look for black market Coca Cola dealers. "Psst, dude, can you hook a girl up with a caffeine free diet coke?" I swear it was easier to find black tar heroin. </li>
<li>My brother David has the most wicked sense of humor. </li>
<li>I like east coast pizza better than Midwest pizza. </li>
<li>The bug population passed, say, Indiana, is significantly <i>less, </i>than here in Illinois. We had to wash the windshield twice before we got out of Indiana. Did not have to wash it again until we hit Indiana on way home. Another odd fact. </li>
<li>The Bay Bridge going from Maryland into Delaware needs to be renamed. I recommend <i>HOLY MOTHER OF GOD THE BRIDGE CURVES AND DIPS AND I HAVEN'T UPDATED MY WILL REMEMBER I'M AN ORGAN DONOR AND IF I EVER MAKE IT OFF THIS BRIDGE ALIVE I WILL KILL MY BROTHER DAN FOR NOT WARNING ME!!!!!!</i> Just a thought.</li>
<li>I have the most amazing family. My brothers, my kids, my grandkids, my husband ... I am one blessed woman. I knew that before, I sincerely did, but this trip just cemented that belief. </li>
<li>We all miss my mom. This was one trip she would have enjoyed. </li>
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Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-64674481000576895702015-05-11T17:10:00.001-05:002015-05-11T17:10:30.424-05:00Readers Vote for RONE's<div style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; color: #555555; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Its that time of year again! <em style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rone Voting.</em></div>
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What is a RONE? RONE stands for Reward of Novel Excellence, from InD'Tale Magazine. Its kind of like winning a Grammy! ;o)</div>
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The first round of voting started a few weeks ago. In round one, <em style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">readers</em> vote for their favorite novels in several different categories, from YA to Fantasy and Sci-Fi to Mysteries and Historicals.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeB2dRnnZiRBWeZrz49zsNAxAvcwHLqm5U7Z6nAOsUvLPkLF-xojw8-Fylwku3WSpiKNEJiqxShSWTct6yVHhtiViSCqywdNINsBkxqJJFiXSDPpuvWeLFX3DRHE_d2K12NfXDNpvC4KE/s1600/Frederick's+Queen+(final)+1200+@+300+dpi+high+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeB2dRnnZiRBWeZrz49zsNAxAvcwHLqm5U7Z6nAOsUvLPkLF-xojw8-Fylwku3WSpiKNEJiqxShSWTct6yVHhtiViSCqywdNINsBkxqJJFiXSDPpuvWeLFX3DRHE_d2K12NfXDNpvC4KE/s400/Frederick's%2BQueen%2B(final)%2B1200%2B%40%2B300%2Bdpi%2Bhigh%2Bres.jpg" title="Frederick's Queen" width="266" /></a>The top six vote-getters in each category will then move on the the second round of judging. Winners will be announced at the InD'Scribe Conference that will take place in Palm Springs, California in September. </div>
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This week -- <a href="http://indtale.com/2015-rone-awards-week-five" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; color: #3693cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Week Five</a> -- <em style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you</em> can vote for your favorite Historical novel. </div>
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<em style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Frederick's Queen</em> has been nominated for the Historical: Pre-Medieval Category! It is so exciting and nerve wracking at the same time! It is a huge honor just to make it to this first round. But I can’t move on to the second round without your help.</div>
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Voting in this round ends May 17, 2015. </div>
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To vote, visit the <a href="http://indtale.com/2015-rone-awards-week-five" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; color: #3693cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">InD’Tale Magazine</a> website. You will also find a complete list of rules and more information. </div>
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There are lots of great novels to vote for this week. One of the nice things about being an indie author is that we authors <em style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">do</em> support one another. Some of my dearest friends are up in the same category as <em style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fredrick's Queen,</em> so I know the choices this year won't be easy. So vote from your heart. ;o) Just making it through this round will be an honor. </div>
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The competition this year is fierce! It is such an honor to be included amongst my author sisters. </div>
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Thank you all for your support!!</div>
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Hugs,</div>
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Suzan</div>
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Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-57945922598550488402014-12-18T10:14:00.000-06:002014-12-18T10:14:03.470-06:00Winner of the Kids Kindle ...Drum Roll Please....Congratulations Summer O.!!<br />
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Summer is the winner of our Kids' Kindle Giveaway!<br />
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Wishing you all the best this Christmas!<br />
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Congratulations to Summer O. from all of us! </div>
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Merry Christmas from:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tanya-Anne-Crosby/e/B001HD19GI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1418918736&sr=8-2-ent" target="_blank">Tanya Anne Crosby</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pamela-Morsi/e/B000AP5ULO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1418918659&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Pamela Morsi</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-Le-Veque/e/B004QF87Q4/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1418918688&sr=8-2-ent" target="_blank">Kathryn Le Veque</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Suzan-Tisdale/e/B006JYU628/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1418918712&sr=8-2-ent" target="_blank">Suzan Tisdale</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Willa-Blair/e/B009KNNHEE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1418918763&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Willa Blair</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glynnis-Campbell/e/B001HD3WIQ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1418918788&sr=1-2-ent" target="_blank">Glynnis Campbell</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lauren-Royal/e/B000APGGEE/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1418918811&sr=1-2-ent" target="_blank">Lauren Royal</a></div>
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and </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Laurin-Wittig/e/B001HCW85K/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1418918836&sr=1-2-ent" target="_blank">Laurin Wittig</a></div>
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Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-75900569914635773472014-12-04T10:39:00.001-06:002014-12-04T11:28:00.056-06:00Kindle For Kids' Giveaway!<br />
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Win a Children's Kindle Fire HD 6 just in time for Christmas! Plus 1 digital copy of <i>The Dirty Word</i>, a children's book written by Glynnis Campbell and illustrated by Brynna Campbell, plus 1 audio copy of <i>The Great Awakening</i>, written by Chaise Allen Crosby & illustrated by Tanya Anne Crosby -- 3 great prizes!<br />
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<b>You don't have to have a FB page or a Twitter account in order to play. Those are <i>OPTIONAL</i> things you can do. Truly, the only requirement is entering your email and clicking the button that says "I commented" (and technically, you don't even have to leave a comment, lol). Just click on the rafflecopter doodad to the right. You can enter with your FB account <i>OR</i> your email address.</b><br />
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Merry Christmas! </div>
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Suzan</div>
Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-14070943696218573642014-09-19T08:55:00.004-05:002014-09-19T08:55:59.630-05:00My Two Cents on Scotland's No Vote<br />
As an American, I can never <i>fully</i> understand why someone <i>wouldn't</i> choose freedom. But when freedom is all you've ever known, it is difficult to wrap your head around another way of life.<br />
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Fear triumphed over hope yesterday.<br />
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Fear can be a great motivator. It can motivate us to do good things, to change our circumstances, to make a difference. It can also be a paralyzing thing that holds us back, keeps us from doing what we know in our hearts is the right thing to do, and it can keep us frozen in place.<br />
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I'm an American, not a Scot. I don't have the same life experience as the Scots do. My opinions are all from what I see, hear, or read about Scotland. I don't know how I would have voted had I been born there, so my perspective is somewhat skewed.<br />
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Before we shake our heads in disbelief, I think its important to remember where our perspective or our point of view is coming from.<br />
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My heart is with all of Scotland today. Looking at it from a fiercely independent mindset (I have NO political party as I don't trust political parties), I had hoped and prayed that the people would have voted for independence for a number of reasons.<br />
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I can only imagine how difficult the choice was for some. Think about it. On one hand, you have an excited, motivated, hopeful group of people saying "Now is the time for our independence, to be free, to be the masters of our own destinies. We don't want food banks, we want jobs. We don't want government handouts, we want opportunities." On the other hand, you have a group of people saying, "If you vote yes, you're going to lose your homes, your food, your healthcare, your whole way of life. The government can keep you from going hungry and without healthcare."<br />
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You see, we have the same problem here in the US as they have in the UK. The government has convinced the people that they can't survive, can't make it, can't do anything without the government's help. Politicians rarely, if ever, have <i>our </i>best interests at heart. That is true around the world. I think many go into politics with a sincere belief they can make a difference. But something happens along the way. Its like some big, dark, vortex exists in the state and federal capital that once a good hearted person steps foot inside the walls of the capitals, their soul is sucked right out of their bodies. I say that tongue-in-cheek, but there is a truth of hint to it. Something <i>does </i>happen to change these well-intentioned individuals.<br />
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Perhaps they get a taste of power. Power can be as addicting as crack or heroine. Once you get a taste of it, you can only focus on getting more.<br />
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But I digress, as I'm oft want to do, and I apologize.<br />
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I stand with Scotland today and hope that someday they do realize the freedom their forefathers fought so hard for hundreds of years ago. Many Americans don't realize it, but many of our founding fathers were from Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. They could not find freedom in their beloved homeland, but were able to come to this country and help us find ours. For that, I am forever grateful.<br />
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May God bless Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. May they someday find freedom.<br />
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<br />Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-60547927178185299872014-08-18T21:13:00.002-05:002014-08-18T21:13:47.282-05:00Found!Thank you all so much for the overwhelming support you've shown the past 24 hours. I'm happy to announce that the individual who tried to abduct our nephew was found and arrested. They found him in Lincoln, Illinois this afternoon. He was at a Walmart there trying to take <i>another </i>child. He is now in police custody.<br />
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I try to remain neutral in certain things. But I can't remain that way when children are involved.<br />
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The only thing that is helping me get through this is knowing that there is a special place in hell for people who hurt children.<br />
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<a href="http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/" target="_blank">You can see the full news report here.</a><br />
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I am glad that this person is behind bars and I hope he stays there and never gets another chance to hurt another child.<br />
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SuzanSuzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-20863088411448362702014-08-18T00:14:00.001-05:002014-08-18T00:14:39.222-05:00Your Help is NeededI try to keep my personal life and my public life separate. Unfortunately, an event happened today that changed that.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cinewsnow.com/news/local/Pekin-Police-are-on-the-look-out-271616061.html?fb_action_ids=10152413891389401&fb_action_types=og.comments&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUx9IgSN_XQqbjlg-0b3H8yaPqE98zj_CBX3DvKD98YagJQzZib-urhuRavWSmnxxsT3Bw-nObj7HWkTthUjMzqtF4zS66612oYLbv3pTBZ-vXtihCjhIACrMvCl10STKYC22apbrGOg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-18+at+12.13.01+AM.png" height="392" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cinewsnow.com/news/local/Pekin-Police-are-on-the-look-out-271616061.html?fb_action_ids=10152413891389401&fb_action_types=og.comments&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582" target="_blank">Read full story here</a></td></tr>
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The little boy that this sick person tried to abduct today, is my nephew. I am so thankful for the men who intervened on his behalf.<br />
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But we need to find this man and bring him to justice.<br />
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Please, if you see this truck or this man, call your local police. We have no idea if he is still in the area or not. He needs to be caught before he can try to hurt another child. My gut tells me this isn't this man's first attempt. I pray for all those children he probably <i>has </i>hurt in the past. I pray for my niece and her children, for strength and courage to get through this.<br />
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My niece is a <i>good </i>mom. This news article does not tell the whole story. He was <i><u style="font-weight: bold;">not</u> </i>left all alone.<br />
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Please share this photo of the man and his pick up truck. Again, if you see him or the vehicle, call the police immediately. I thank you in advance for your help.<br />
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With faith,<br />
Suzan<br />
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<br />Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-26039496167779935222014-07-15T18:04:00.000-05:002014-07-15T18:10:17.183-05:00We Won!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am back from Las Vegas and the RONE awards and in case you missed the news....<br />
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Can you believe it?? I couldn't! <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rowans-Lady-Graham-Suzan-Tisdale-ebook/dp/B00F57QL6A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405465382&sr=8-1&keywords=Rowan%27s+Lady" target="_blank">Rowan's Lady</a> </i>won the RONE for the Best Historical Medieval Novel of 2013. I'm still stunned and yes I cried! Truth be told, I'm still crying happy tears when I think about it.<br />
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I want to extend a special thank you to the <a href="http://www.indtale.com/" target="_blank">InD'Tale Magazine </a>and the staff of beautiful women who run it. Gracious, kind, funny, generous beyond words, these are the nicest women anyone could ever hope to meet.<br />
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<a href="http://www.indtale.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK48Vq7gCbTPEAaFZy4tMyqHNuRFHjY3K_F7hnFdLogs-HvvGxYAOBVrhuGbKxD0nzQ94HlipbpGLopqYnpvzrfAvGFaGLT2s2cVc6yQebDzT4VMOIl0X9faxmhWzEIoddDQbJMbjHx08/s1600/10535600_596974947082571_5533558983680854402_o.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The InD'Tale Girls</div>
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I hit the publish button too soon! I want to also thank you, my readers. Without all of you, none of this would have been possible. So from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. If I could, I would hug each and every one of you!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrV4ojRBSOV07JYN3cZW3IPskAEc7ckD6se9crhS-Wzc9WNBE7_X2nHYU2r5AKJzorMkPk35SvzTae5sHFBIwoiWCf24yWBXebNccGGPg73xLGegTu6-xd3i-a4Uddfb6N8NBT1taf7bs/s1600/10538662_764842216900759_7982465629689590613_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrV4ojRBSOV07JYN3cZW3IPskAEc7ckD6se9crhS-Wzc9WNBE7_X2nHYU2r5AKJzorMkPk35SvzTae5sHFBIwoiWCf24yWBXebNccGGPg73xLGegTu6-xd3i-a4Uddfb6N8NBT1taf7bs/s1600/10538662_764842216900759_7982465629689590613_n.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For the Costume Party, I went as a Menopausal Romance Author<br />
Pajamas, a feather boa, a fan and drink completed the outfit. That<br />
beautiful girl next to me is the divine Ms. H.P. Mallory<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1uxceVid7NI1zniCo5asHxKtXLQxCkXVZfI57-sZLc0041fzxX1QWVbCM0d3fu0lZ-CgN7UExJ6K6w9leDOob2M9U5t5TimssFcL7INLZnaJXA-koAKv1jKhB5VDfC7J5NIbx6IT61k/s1600/10552629_660279404061130_5816440010286182932_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1uxceVid7NI1zniCo5asHxKtXLQxCkXVZfI57-sZLc0041fzxX1QWVbCM0d3fu0lZ-CgN7UExJ6K6w9leDOob2M9U5t5TimssFcL7INLZnaJXA-koAKv1jKhB5VDfC7J5NIbx6IT61k/s1600/10552629_660279404061130_5816440010286182932_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at the Book Signing on Saturday. Sold almost all of my books<br />
and met some great people!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKreEyFofkFe1l4ROpyZTXyMGTvVfbBglrWmLsdvXcVI_eebUUNxmVjBQoiiM84k5YXVdlZVCp0MPpzOhfh9d_9p2dmLhg17WrPu3UcEl9FmL-FizPgiBZbm6VD-jdEPD-KDXKdC33SGc/s1600/10500292_876347839060164_7288210160435407729_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKreEyFofkFe1l4ROpyZTXyMGTvVfbBglrWmLsdvXcVI_eebUUNxmVjBQoiiM84k5YXVdlZVCp0MPpzOhfh9d_9p2dmLhg17WrPu3UcEl9FmL-FizPgiBZbm6VD-jdEPD-KDXKdC33SGc/s1600/10500292_876347839060164_7288210160435407729_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new sistahs, Ceci Giltenan and Kathryn LeVeque.<br />
The pretty blonde with the glasses is one of our lovely<br />
readers, Daryn C., who came to see us Saturday! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAFutxEL7E1PgafGqIyb5_gr9VDq4Pmim9RAjh3VUBDyeVy6pbKUvgqKUHtPz_NpoRBwof8p-61gFesDclQbYwoJQR2RsZbswAwCKp0SEoFRtGSB6oeFVgXVrNAzFEsd0tyj0XdE59oM/s1600/10458879_10152223536903359_4361507917726323303_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAFutxEL7E1PgafGqIyb5_gr9VDq4Pmim9RAjh3VUBDyeVy6pbKUvgqKUHtPz_NpoRBwof8p-61gFesDclQbYwoJQR2RsZbswAwCKp0SEoFRtGSB6oeFVgXVrNAzFEsd0tyj0XdE59oM/s1600/10458879_10152223536903359_4361507917726323303_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathryn LeVeque, Amy Jarecki and me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyotkivq6hcK_UL0s-Myk5SnmiGrq0iUKftRHlT-IJzaCM_mDrv1Ey4EYnHWYkd1QYNu2nw9D38bsKO6HQCxPeqPC4z6GFFFAxv-WGeXFf2v9UrQ9cwNcpOftdmr0AZP6I7Xd6ejuH188/s1600/10489687_764844183567229_9177983246715622682_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyotkivq6hcK_UL0s-Myk5SnmiGrq0iUKftRHlT-IJzaCM_mDrv1Ey4EYnHWYkd1QYNu2nw9D38bsKO6HQCxPeqPC4z6GFFFAxv-WGeXFf2v9UrQ9cwNcpOftdmr0AZP6I7Xd6ejuH188/s1600/10489687_764844183567229_9177983246715622682_n.jpg" height="320" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful H.P. Mallory and me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTGvYg8kdlbVOZ8_slGDPc7MW3F1jNBVivuRMijZfpYP9-JMcpPpX3d6UCeI2MJNQcTPeTgxMIy6KlNMAfZyEvA7aVWaElTcRYr1gahBOoyMNgf2rBW_m6B5cJIA0bnsCbscQ7ZqX6oE/s1600/10403403_10204508450058168_7067573627607183626_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTGvYg8kdlbVOZ8_slGDPc7MW3F1jNBVivuRMijZfpYP9-JMcpPpX3d6UCeI2MJNQcTPeTgxMIy6KlNMAfZyEvA7aVWaElTcRYr1gahBOoyMNgf2rBW_m6B5cJIA0bnsCbscQ7ZqX6oE/s1600/10403403_10204508450058168_7067573627607183626_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathryn LeVeque, Amy Jarecki and SE Saxon and me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28C7roeLuOXTgRqS0-uUcHWmnbP5rnxl4LME0GlFgAfNYc6qDk_ctp96W3egc4jofpYYCWpNSYUvosxF0fthR2ZsADIjA-6-2MhOqundPV6BWf-JxdbyMiyDyCS4qX-ZXE9_1UE1oQe8/s1600/10325539_322921134540672_4373043830651076459_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28C7roeLuOXTgRqS0-uUcHWmnbP5rnxl4LME0GlFgAfNYc6qDk_ctp96W3egc4jofpYYCWpNSYUvosxF0fthR2ZsADIjA-6-2MhOqundPV6BWf-JxdbyMiyDyCS4qX-ZXE9_1UE1oQe8/s1600/10325539_322921134540672_4373043830651076459_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lovely and Charming Ceci Giltenan...my partner in crime</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxFhhg_fqMT4hUSDubOe7N9-aAwEhyphenhyphenJuO0Nanqzu4V9iexKYPYE4uURq_wu9CNaKU39-EPQ0yv_1VJDxE8EBfSu83_eQgV34U1cczMhHf8pw87dGxfPLIfj2flQXfXOJ2KtNrRyO7XSU/s1600/10492297_10152342180374401_504803376197943910_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxFhhg_fqMT4hUSDubOe7N9-aAwEhyphenhyphenJuO0Nanqzu4V9iexKYPYE4uURq_wu9CNaKU39-EPQ0yv_1VJDxE8EBfSu83_eQgV34U1cczMhHf8pw87dGxfPLIfj2flQXfXOJ2KtNrRyO7XSU/s1600/10492297_10152342180374401_504803376197943910_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author Paula Knight! A charming and<br />
sweet lady!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUhAAmAi6Je39BdLSOggcAhAUh-_66R6kR4xs4x7je9ylqlvN9U9GuqvJOCdbxlupp2ummDVey_MgIMQZxhxg5peKgC3E1zgCoQ3P1PSpJtslELB28pwIaUIjqGWZXPWJvcjje-bX3xE/s1600/10501913_511563208943644_2010985411441547289_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUhAAmAi6Je39BdLSOggcAhAUh-_66R6kR4xs4x7je9ylqlvN9U9GuqvJOCdbxlupp2ummDVey_MgIMQZxhxg5peKgC3E1zgCoQ3P1PSpJtslELB28pwIaUIjqGWZXPWJvcjje-bX3xE/s1600/10501913_511563208943644_2010985411441547289_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with Author Lynn Peters - one of the most<br />
giving and sweet women you'll ever meet. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GYd7FR9UeH7XCkv8uzz9Xo71sMjfecI-lIr3wLcehFWNDODMzh1T_0FFFRHKpqgpOGQRtDg_xmVlWORbok-RFxdqiUD2V6FadJwmXwGLZCoXsAJsF1JoNuuoNUl4ZK7aauCWXL7SSmM/s1600/IMG_4410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GYd7FR9UeH7XCkv8uzz9Xo71sMjfecI-lIr3wLcehFWNDODMzh1T_0FFFRHKpqgpOGQRtDg_xmVlWORbok-RFxdqiUD2V6FadJwmXwGLZCoXsAJsF1JoNuuoNUl4ZK7aauCWXL7SSmM/s1600/IMG_4410.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author and new friend, HD Smith!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyGsR7oxvX_n2W7dESQ4sb-JqunMQplDn9wH_Bl7YTzVUnX9yPEEkyeNfgRjWfqDW3t6PNQSwuB2XNhptFITh9aDlpsUqEqBO3jkmCgMSFeag3Srly3iHTchSgyBB5JM9HlMp0dQlyIk/s1600/IMG_4405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyGsR7oxvX_n2W7dESQ4sb-JqunMQplDn9wH_Bl7YTzVUnX9yPEEkyeNfgRjWfqDW3t6PNQSwuB2XNhptFITh9aDlpsUqEqBO3jkmCgMSFeag3Srly3iHTchSgyBB5JM9HlMp0dQlyIk/s1600/IMG_4405.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reader Jerri T. and her husband and me<br />
Jerry brought me homemade fudgy peanutbuttery<br />
rice crispy treats! They were very good!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, accepting my award and getting a big hug from<br />
TJ MacKay - owner, CEO, Editor of InD'Tale Magazine<br />
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Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-2350786061960846992014-07-03T13:41:00.001-05:002014-07-03T13:41:05.617-05:00Hatchette v. AmazonThis is my two cents on this touchy subject.<br />
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<br /><br />There is a lot of talk going around about the “Evil Empire that is Amazon”. It’s the same talk as a year or two ago, about how evil Amazon is, how its forcing brick and mortar stores to close, and how its hurting the traditional publishers and now, the traditionally published authors. <br /><br />Let me tell you about my experience with Amazon.<br /><br />Were it not for Amazon and the KDP program, I would not be where I am today. I would still be stuck in a dead end job that I did not like. <br /><br />Were it not for Amazon, I wouldn’t have been given the chance to publish my books. Ever. Because, according to New York/Traditional publishing houses, the romance genre is dead, series books don’t sell, and no one reads historical fiction/historical romance anymore. And ‘clean’ romance novels don’t sell at all. (I write Scottish Historical Fiction/Romance, now have two series, and all my books are ‘clean’ compared to many in this genre.) <br /><br />In 2011 I published my first book. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. Not. One. Clue. But, because Amazon made it so easy, I was able to get this little book, that in truth was only meant as a gift to my mom, published. That was December of 2011. In the book world, I was an unknown. Just a woman with a story to tell. My goal at that time was to sell ten copies in my entire lifetime. I would have been over-the-moon happy with selling just ten copies. <br /><br />By February of 2012 — just two months after hitting that lovely ‘publish’ button — my book was #2 on Amazon’s Top 100 Best Sellers List in Scottish Historical Romance. I kept thinking that Amazon would call and say it was a mistake. That I wasn’t really selling 250+ copies of that book a day, and don’t give up your day job. <br /><br />Amazon did call me in March or April of 2012, but it wasn’t to tell me it was a mistake. They called to congratulate me and give me my own KDP representative. Yes, it blew my mind too!<br /><br />By October of 2012, I was able to give up my day job. I was earning so much more at writing than at my day job. In fact, one month my royalty check was the equivalent of 10 month’s salary at day job. That’s right. It would have taken me ten months of working 8 to 5, five days a week, to earn what I made in one month as a writer. The decision to give up the day job was settled. <br /><br />Were it not for the KDP program and Amazon, I would not have thousands of devoted readers. I wouldn’t be adding on a 24 x 30 room addition to our home (paying cash for it, no loans). I wouldn’t be able to pay for all my mom’s medicine that medicare doesn’t pay for— and trust me that gets very expensive! I wouldn’t be able to help my kids through college, and pay down our debt. I wouldn’t be able to do any of the things that I’ve been able to do in the past two and a half years. I’d still be stuck in my dead end job. And writing full time would still only be a dream. A wish I’d make when blowing out birthday candles or on a falling star. <br /><br />Were it not for Amazon, I wouldn’t have made all the wonderful friendships with so many of my readers. I wouldn’t have forged friendships with fellow authors. I wouldn’t know who Hugh Howey is, or Liliana Hart, or Tanya Anne Crosby or Kathryn LeVeque or the countless other awe inspiring people I’ve met along the way. <br /><br />In my humble opinion, the big, traditional publishing houses are worried that they’re losing their stronghold on publishing. The Kindle has opened up new territories for readers. And were it not for readers, none of us, not the traditionally published authors or the indie authors, would be here. It is the reader who makes us all successful. And that is who I think is getting lost in this argument. <br /><br />Readers are not as stupid as New York likes to think they are. They’re intelligent people who love a great story. And many readers are probably like I was three years ago: limited funds to spend on books. Before becoming a writer, I had a monthly book budget. I could read three to six books a week depending on the length of the book and free time. For me, I would rather read ten good books in a month than just one. So if I could get ten books for ten bucks, that made more sense than spending ten bucks on one book. I love James Patterson, Nora Roberts, Lisa Gardner, and John Grisham. They’re wonderful story tellers. But honestly, I couldn’t afford $10 to $20 for an ebook. I just couldn’t. So I would get their books from the library and spend my book money on less expensive — but equally beautiful and wonderfully written — ebooks. I think many of my readers are in the same boat that I was. We want to read. We want to read a lot. We read many different genres and many different authors. <br /><br />The traditional publishers just don’t get that. And the traditionally published authors don’t get it either, at least not the big named authors. What they’re forgetting is the reader. <br /><br />I can’t tell you the number of times a reader has contacted me via Facebook or email or blog and when I respond to them, they are stunned. “I can’t believe you answered my email!” or “I can’t believe you’re talking to me on Facebook!” Indie authors understand that the relationship between us and the reader is important. Our readers are important. We do our best to give them good stories and we love hearing from them and talking to them. The indie author isn’t afraid to form a friendship with their readers, to ask questions about what they like or didn’t like about our books, or what they’d like to see next. <br /><br />I often get asked “Why are your books so inexpensive?” <br /><br />I keep my prices low for a couple of reasons. One and foremost is for my readers. If they’re on book budgets like I was a couple of years ago, I want them to be able to afford my books. The second reason is this: I’d rather sell 10,000 copies of a $2.99 cent book each month, than 10 copies of a book priced at $12.99. It just makes good economic sense for me. <br /><br />I owe Amazon a great deal. Because of them, I have so many opportunities to write, to publish, to reach my readers. Amazon has literally changed my life. I would not have the income that I have with a traditional publisher. Authors with traditional publishing houses make between 2% to 12% of sales. Indie authors get 35% or 70% (depending on what we price our books at.) So which would I rather have? 2% of an ebook priced at $8, or 70% of an ebook priced at $3.99? And when Amazon discounts a paperback, I still get the same royalty as if they hadn’t. Trad houses don’t do that. They don’t treat their authors with the respect they deserve, they don’t pay them enough to give up their day jobs, and they certainly do not treat them as well as Amazon treats the indie author.<div>
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I have a few questions: Why must Amazon be the one to give in? Why not Hatchette? Why does Hatchette insist that Amazon raise <i>its </i>prices? Why shouldn't Hatchette lower thiers?</div>
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I'd also like to know -- and I received this question/though from another author on a different forum -- should I boycott Barnes & Noble because they won't put my indie books in their stores?</div>
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<a href="http://www.thebookseller.com/news/child-grisham-patterson-amazon-protest.html?fb_action_ids=777897248899049&fb_action_types=og.comments" target="_blank">You can read the letter from the Hatchette Authors here.</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.change.org/petitions/authors-to-thank-our-readers-2" target="_blank">You can read our response to it here. </a></div>
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Thanks for letting me have my two cents. :D</div>
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Suzan<br /><div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
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Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-25758412485977768412014-06-29T14:08:00.000-05:002014-06-29T14:08:10.340-05:00Announcing Winners of the MidSummer's Dream Giveaway!!!Pop over to the MidSummer's Dream Giveaway for our list of winners!!<br />
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This is so exciting!!<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MidSummersDreamGiveaway?ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabHgZatpg1h4767SAQku99SrM3DtdoX4Wkvv5njHJVxQmr6lPA-RlTLDbG85LdF5vowPPRgUAQzcgrG7Piym-8hTLbKw3jbTDCcqd2vvToHHehhIiRHFPMbBLuMD-lyu68C2HI4WT04s/s1600/10380451_290833201093118_6240617341035560012_o.jpg" height="132" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-28037548157559129262014-06-26T16:51:00.002-05:002014-06-26T16:51:23.568-05:00Our new logo...I just love this!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0OPSMn6yVsOcSR1fEWd6bheR5BZTY7YjYzY2lWOgmC2XG0fGyCtfNbYEefQ20fwClXyDU3FYdCCUmpoKUraCvdftx9X0JAqbmymOtQ2N6J54QqHjoaF3vT4gzm99-jA_0MskmFkAW_Q/s1600/Tisdale_logo_highrestransparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0OPSMn6yVsOcSR1fEWd6bheR5BZTY7YjYzY2lWOgmC2XG0fGyCtfNbYEefQ20fwClXyDU3FYdCCUmpoKUraCvdftx9X0JAqbmymOtQ2N6J54QqHjoaF3vT4gzm99-jA_0MskmFkAW_Q/s1600/Tisdale_logo_highrestransparent.png" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-54520338445041434912014-05-27T09:53:00.002-05:002014-05-27T10:13:43.012-05:00Midsummer's Dream Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello! Yes, its been a little while since I've posted...but I've been very busy finishing up Frederick's Queen. As well as participating in this awesome event! </div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MidSummers-Dream-Giveaway/282777351898703" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjkdb-eXZ3cj7_Sc-V-57YY0QwxjI4d0bZBrjefc0Ppj5gp-e4IQ0bM93H2ceJcxavEooRG6kur4Jdxny4nGIkxvXwLdIJ95zxXaliKaV-ZpBR32-t5GYm5fq-HOxLdPJuTBMa7I_8mk/s1600/Giveaway.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a><span id="goog_1754384992"></span><span id="goog_1754384993"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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Visit us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MidSummers-Dream-Giveaway/282777351898703" target="_blank">Facebook</a> for more information!<br />
<br />Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-17491548224775676242014-04-28T07:22:00.000-05:002014-04-28T10:00:29.290-05:00That Writing Thing You Do...<br />
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There’s a blog tour going around that’s helping spread the word about all of the great authors out there. Author Kathryn Le Veque asked me to participate with her and I was happy to say yes! You can visit Kathryn at her website<a href="http://kathrynbouseleveque.com/writing-process/"> <i>here.</i></a> <a href="http://kathrynbouseleveque.com/writing-process/" target="_blank"><i>Kathryn Le Veque</i></a> is one of the sweetest and funniest women that I know and I'm sure you will love her medieval romance novels. She's one heck of an author!<br />
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Everyone on the blog tour gets the same questions, so here are my answers to the burning questions that inquiring minds want to know:<br />
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1. <u>What am I working on</u>: I'm currently working on my sixth book, Frederick's Queen. This will be the second book in my Clan Graham Series. We first met Frederick in Rowan's Lady and this is his story. Frederick Mackintosh is turning out to be one of my most favorite heroes. While he tends to be a bit impatient and at points is a bit of an ass, he quickly redeems himself. This story has a bit of a darker story line, darker than what I'm used to writing. But I promise it will have an Happily Ever After. My heroine, Aggie McLaren, has had a rough life. Her father is beyond harsh, he's down right brutal. Aggie is as far from perfect as a body can get. Scarred, afraid, mute, and holding on to deep, dark secrets, she is as terrified as she is astonished that Frederick Mackintosh offers for her hand in marriage. This is a love story that starts out a bit rocky but blossoms over time. It shows us that love can conquer many things. Love is the light that shows us the way. We might not always get what we pray for, but we do get what we need.<br />
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2. <u>How does my work differ from others of its genre</u>: Yes, I write Scottish Historical Fiction/Romance. Yes, I have big, brawny men who often go around all sexy and sweaty ...sorry, my mind wandered for a moment. Yes, I have big, braw, sexy heroes. I think where my stories differ is that the men aren't broody and you don't start out hating them only to end up loving them. I like to think we fall in love with them immediately. Though its easy to fall in love with my heroes, they are far from perfect. They are perfectly imperfect. My heroines usually need rescuing or help of some sort. But as my stories evolve, we find they rescue our heroes. Either from dark forces, or themselves. :D <br />
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I also create bad guys you love to hate. Bad guys my readers tell me they want to reach into the book and kill with their bare hands. Bad guys are fun to write. I tend to take a no-holds-barred approach to writing these despicable characters. I mean, its fiction, right? <br />
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My books also tend to have secrets, backdoor deals, missions to accomplish, and all sorts of adventure. They're more about the romance that develops between my hero and heroine. I don't write descriptive sex scenes. I tend to take a more humorous approach to that part of life. I mean, we all know it is insert tab A into slot B, right? And there are only so many ways you can describe what happens between two consenting adults. Yes, there is lots of passion in my books, but you won't find any velvet shafts or quivering sheaths in my stories. I mean you will, but I don't use those kinds of terms. ;o)<br />
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3. <u>Why do I write what I do</u>? I absolutely love this genre. I love anything medieval, but prefer medieval Highlanders. Its not just the sexy men with naked knees. Its the fact that Scots love freedom. Most of our founding father's came from Scotland after all. They want freedom to choose their own destinies, to live freely, to not be governed by power hungry men. Its more than the brogue, the scenery, the time. Its all of those things and so much more.<br />
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4. <u>How does your writing process work</u>? I write the entire book first. I do very few edits as I write, unless some idea comes barreling in out of nowhere, demanding to be heard and put into the story. Once I've written the entire story, then I go back and do my own personal edits. I try to have it as edited as I can get it before sending it to my editor and beta readers. I ask my beta readers to look for flow of story, any gaping holes, any questions that I might have let linger, excitement level, etc. Once I hear back from all of them, I do final edits. With Frederick's Queen, I'm going to do something new and send the fully edited book to a 'final look editor'. Sometimes, you just need another set of fresh eyes. <br />
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Now that I’ve answered your burning questions, join my fellow authors Anabelle Bryant and April Holthaus to find out how they do what they do! Click on these links to be taken to their websites. <br />
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<b>Anabelle Bryant</b> began reading at age three and never stopped. Her passion for reading soon turned into a passion for writing and an author was born. Happy to grab her suitcase if it ensures a new adventure, Anabelle finds endless inspiration in travel; especially imaginary jaunts into romantic Regency England, a far cry from her home in New Jersey. Instead, her clever characters live out her daydreams because really, who wouldn't want to dance with a handsome duke or kiss a wicked earl?<br />
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Though teaching keeps her grounded, photography, running, and writing counterbalance her wanderlust. Often found with her nose in a book, Anabelle has earned her Master's Degree and is pursuing her Doctorate Degree in education. She proudly owns her addiction to French fries and stationery supplies, as well as her frightening ineptitude with technology. A firm believer in romance, Anabelle knows sometimes life doesn't provide a happily ever after, but her novels always do. She enjoys talking with her fans. Visit her website at <a href="http://anabellebryant.com./"><i>AnabelleBryant.com.</i></a><br />
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<b>April Holthaus</b> lives in central Minnesota with her husband and they are expecting their first child, a boy in March 2014. April developed her passion of historical romances through her love of history and genealogy. Over the last several years she has compiled her family tree finding over 350 bloodline grandparents dating back to the 1100s.<br />
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She is currently working on the last book Highland Daydreams of her series, The MacKinnon Clan.<br />
When not working or writing, April enjoys spending time with her family, reading and being outdoors. <i><a href="http://aprilholthaus.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">You can follow April here.</a></i><br />
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<b>Kathryn Le Veque</b>....Welcome to Medieval England - hard-core, battle-scarred, power-driven knights of the highest Norman order and the women that love them. Like High Middle Ages action and romance? Welcome to the Le Veque Medieval Machine - Medieval just got real!<br />
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Kathryn Le Veque is one of Amazon's top selling Historical Romance authors, consistently ranked in the top 100 authors of the genre. Kathryn is a dominant presence in the Medieval Romance category with several novels always in Amazon's Top 100 rankings. If there's a Medieval Romance list, chances are that Kathryn is on it!<br />
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Kathryn has been featured regularly on Kindle Nation, Coastal Conversations, Confessions of Romaholics, Goodreads, and a host of other blogs and websites highlighting her novels. Kathryn is an award-winning author and has legions of dedicated fans all over the world.<br />
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Kathryn's Medieval Historicals have been called 'detailed', 'highly romantic', and 'character-rich'. She believes that total immersion in a time period is essential to creating the perfect story. More than that, she writes for both women AND men - an unusual crossover for a romance author - and Kathryn has many male readers who enjoy her stories because of the male perspective, the action, and the adventure.<br />
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Although Kathryn's passion is her Medievals, she is very proficient at writing Contemporary Adventure Romances and one of her novels. "Fires of Autumn", received over 50,000 downloads on Bookbub in a two day period. Additionally, one of her novels, "Lady of Heaven", is currently being adapted into a screenplay.<br />
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Kathryn is the author of 45 novels and counting.<br />
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See Kathryn's fanpage on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kathrynlevequenovels?ref=hl<br />
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Join her on Twitter @kathrynleveque<br />
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Visit her website at <a href="http://www.kathrynleveque.com/">www.kathrynleveque.com</a><br />
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Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-60600501627033316492014-04-21T20:27:00.001-05:002014-04-21T20:27:41.086-05:00Special Announcement!I've been holding on to a secret for a few days...that is not an easy thing for me to do! :D<br />
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Tonight of Facebook we made the official announcement and I am very happy to share the news with you now.<br />
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I am working with Ceci Giltenan, Tarah Scott, Lily Baldwin, Sue-Ellen Welfonder, Kate Robbins and Kathryn Lynn Davis and come November, 2014, we will be release a very special book bundle. These will be novellas, all new books/stories! Squeeeee!!!! All set in medieval Scotland. I'll be introducing some new characters to all of you.<br />
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I am so excited to be working with this beautiful group of women, phenomenal authors all! We will have more details to give you as the weeks go on. I'm sure you're going to love what we've come up with!<br />
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You can stay up to date on my Facebook Author Page. :D<br />
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Love and Blessings,<br />
SuzanSuzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-1318049597082491652014-04-03T17:00:00.003-05:002014-04-03T17:00:51.963-05:00Don't Call Them "Pirates"...<span id="docs-internal-guid-94ac8199-299b-3575-b7cc-08809a7da384"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NOTE: When I speak of ‘sharing’ I am referring </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">only</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to pirate sites, peer-to-peer sharing sites. I am </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not referring to readers who share books with friends and family. I’m speaking about pirating sites that strip all the digital rights management from ebooks and then upload them to a website or multiple sites.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gird your loins folks, this is going to be a long post on an ugly topic. And I'm going to be brutally honest and very blunt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Until I became an author, I had absolutely no clue that 'book pirates' existed. Whenever I wanted to read something, I either purchased a book, borrowed something from my mom or a friend, or went to the library. Needless to say, it was a rude awakening. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I really wish they would quit calling these people </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pirates.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The term pirate oft evokes an image of a misunderstood and handsome swashbuckler. (Think Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean.) I'm here to tell you that these people are not Johnny Depp-like characters. They're dishonest, disingenuous thieving bastards. There. I said it and I'm not ashamed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several times a week I either see a post on someone's blog or on Facebook on this very topic. I even receive private messages or emails with the same vein running through them: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OMG! I just found out my books are being pirated and your's are too! </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yeah, I know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know my books are being stolen. Countless numbers every day across the world. I know I'm not alone. I know it happens. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the beginning, I used to spend hours contacting these pirating sites, demanding they remove my books, informing them they don't have permission to 'share' my books, and warning them to immediately halt what they're doing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm here to tell you that this does absolutely no good. Its as smart as trying to scoop water out of a leaky boat with a teaspoon. A sane person would try to plug the hole. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As soon as you get one site to remove your books, another one pops up to take its place. No amount of haranguing, screaming, or 'sign the petition to stop book pirates' is going to get these people to stop. It doesn't matter how many times you talk about it on your blogs or how diligently you work to warn people not to buy your books from anyone other than Amazon, B&N, Kobo, or other reputable book sellers. You can scream the message from the top of your lungs day after day after day until the end of time. These thieves breed like cockroaches and are just as disgusting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By now, I'm sure many of you are floored by my apparent pessimistic attitude on this subject. A few of you might even believe I have a fatalist attitude and believe there is nothing we can do to stop them. Not true. There is a solution. Is it an easy one? No, but it is the only answer to stopping these people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Does anyone remember Napster? Napster was a 'peer-to-peer' file sharing internet service. The operated under the guise of 'freedom of speech' or 'I should be able to share my music with my friends.' Hundreds of thousands of music files were downloaded for free. This went on for years. Artists and musicians lost </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lots </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of money. Napster swore they were simply sharing. I argue they were stealing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don't get me wrong, if my readers want to buy a paperback and hand it out to all their friends, I'm good with that. I'm even okay with them sharing the digital versions. I’m not talking about honest readers who get their books from bookstores, Amazon, Kobo, or other legitimate businesses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love readers, you all know that. But what makes the 'sharing a paperback' different than a peer-to-peer file sharing service is this: Someone originally bought the book. (Or I personally gave them a copy.) The original reader bought the book for his own personal enjoyment and if he or she likes the book, they’ll want to spread the word or even share their copy with friends and family. I do this all the time. The book might make its way to a dozen or so people. Again, I'm fine with that. But with peer-to-peer sharing, thousands upon thousands of people are getting to either listen to the music or read the books because someone (the thieving pirate) stripped the DRM (Digital Rights Management) from the original copy and made it available ‘to the world’. The thief didn’t purchase the book or piece of music with having it for his own personal use in mind. He took it with the intent of sharing it with thousands of people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"But Suzan, what about the library? Libraries all over the country have thousands of copies of all sorts of books. People go in and borrow them for free all the time. Isn't that the same thing?" No, it isn't. Because the library </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bought </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the original copy or copies of the books or the audio books or the albums. While some pirates might buy one copy, many are able to steal them. But buying it with the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">intent to distribute it widely</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> at no cost is still different than sharing with your immediate circle of friends and family</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"But Suzan, musicians like the Beatles or Aerosmith or Toby Keith are all rich gazillionaires. Certainly they don't miss a few songs here and there." That's like your boss telling you "Listen, you worked 60 hours this week, but I need to buy my kid a new car, so I'm taking $15.00 out of everyone's paychecks for the next four years to pay for it. You won't miss it, its just a few bucks here and there." You'd be mad as hell. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stealing is stealing, plain and simple. People can try to justify it all they want to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Napster tried to justify what they were doing by saying this: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A recent study of more than 2,200 online music fans by Jupiter Communications suggests that users of Napster and other music-sharing programs are 45 percent more likely to increase their music purchasing than fans who aren’t trading digital bootlegs online. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(</span><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=119627" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from ABC News.</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Excuse me? Your argument is that if I let people steal my music or my books, then they're more apt to actually by my music or my books in the future? That is BS and I'm calling BS. Why on earth would you purchase music or books if you know you can get them for free? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These sites act as both thief and fence. They steal the work -- be it from musicians or authors -- and give it away to potentially hundreds of thousands of people. All under the guise of 'sharing'. I don't know why they do it and frankly, I don't care. I simply want it to stop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, I make a very good living as a full time author. Yes, I give away lots of paperbacks, ebooks and audiobooks every year. It is </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">work. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blood, sweat and tears that went into creating the book. It is my right to give it away to whomever I please whenever I please because it is mine. And again, let me reiterate that I am fine with people who have purchased my books or people who were given my books as gifts, to share them with their friends and family. I'm not talking about my devoted readers sharing books. I'm talking about the pirating sites. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It doesn't matter who they're stealing from. Whether its the famous Hugh Howey's of the writing industry or the new guy just starting out, it is still stealing. This isn't about the haves and the have nots. This is about a group of people who steal from one group of people to give it to another group of people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If someone wants to read my books buy them or go to your local library and borrow a copy. If your library doesn't have a copy, ask and they'll get a copy for you. I have lots of contests throughout the year so a person could even win a free copy. Just don’t steal it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just because I gave away copies to people doesn't mean someone has the right to come in and steal copies from me and then give them away. And that is what these sites do - they steal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what is the solution? Three words: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Class Action Lawsuit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We need every author -- traditional or indie -- to come together and file a class action lawsuit against these thieves. Yes, it might take years of court battles and buckets of frustrating tears before we see a final conclusion. But I say it would be worth it in the end. It isn't about suing them to win a ton of money, its about getting these people to stop. What we want is to get these websites to quit stealing our work and giving it away. Personally, I’d rather see the bastards do hard jail time than for me to win a dime. Either way, I’d be happy with seeing these people punished.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We can't get these thieves to stop by sending emails saying "Take my book off your site." I would wager they get dozens of such emails every day. I imagine some idiot in a grease-stained muscle shirt, oily skin, and long dirty hair, sitting behind a desk littered with empty Doritos bags, a family sized box of Twinkies on his lap, and diet soda cans spilling out of the trash can, smirking every time he opens one of those </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cease and desist </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">emails. I can hear him say, "Yeah, right. We'll take it down for now, baby cakes, but come next week? Your little book will be on fifty other sites! Take that honey pie!" After he promptly moves my cease and desist email into his trash folder, he switches over to the 24-hour porn sites. I wonder if he pays for the porn or steals that too? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the DMCA? The DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) is supposed to protect authors, artists and musicians against these thieves. Ha! Its as effective as trying to use a peacock feather against a horde of pissed off Alaskan Brown Bears. What are you going to do, tickle the bears to death? All it does is give us a fancy schmancy letter to send to these sites. I bet greasy twinkie guy has wallpapered is third-floor walk up studio apartment in copies of the DMCA. He might even use them as toilet paper. Yeah, that’s how I picture these slimeballs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Until we band together against these thieving idiots, we'll never stop them. I say we unite ourselves against these fools. Instead of waving our feather made out of DMCA notices, I say we become the horde of pissed off authors who stand united and letting them know we're not going to allow this any more. Who is with me?</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span>Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-71658943708610338932014-03-18T06:48:00.002-05:002014-03-18T06:48:41.770-05:00The Countdown Begins...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.indtale.com/2014-rone-awards" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW6sg31mbg_1gLGnAAaMNZF-WW_LnVQ9B4gTgtsqwa7iEDK_ygx5bB6Zs5oPJvo6MhE3dUTeMrGdJ6SxD3BsTy2QOcqzqJ5o-usjtexIXeigbIcE4yQiyhqP2h3bpT8LSn4H9m8X3z9k/s1600/Countdown6.jpg" height="220" width="400" /></a></div>
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Did you receive your copy of this month's newsletter? What did you think? Do you like the new format? I'd love to hear from you!<br />
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Hugs,<br />
Suzan<br />
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<br />Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-6150153086367861912014-03-12T20:04:00.000-05:002014-03-12T20:05:24.990-05:00Reader Voting Schedule for RONE'sHello everyone! I'm so excited! The last week has been amazing. A whirlwind of activity here. But we'll keep this post focused on the RONE's.<br />
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<a href="http://www.indtale.com/2014-rone-awards" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAvEtAL8aWfo9JNxYmx6f5SEZ4N5wMUtuXJiBttChDc7jmCOjxBCX-iGwBd6vpNwY2jCgpEBUZ-LcT9HPIITZ-CNiAmP4nmRsdtcJyJvsy_q3zT39oqPp6gXfEzPkoaldW787Ntzcx2k/s1600/2013_RONE_Nominee_200.png" /></a></div>
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Because of the number of books nominated and the various categories, InD'Tale had to break the voting down by genre and sub genre. Each week you'll have the opportunity to vote on specific categories. Voting has already started and you can find the schedule <a href="http://www.indtale.com/2014-rone-awards" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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As you know, <i>Wee William's Woman</i>, <i>McKenna's Honor</i> and <i>Rowan's Lady</i> have all been nominated. Reader voting is extremely important. I can't move on to the next round without readers voting.<br />
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Wee William's Woman and Rowan's Lady are in the Historical Medieval category. Voting for them begins <b>March 24</b> at InDTale Magazine. McKenna's Honor is in the Historical Novella category and that voting begins <b>April 7</b>. It is one vote per person.<br />
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It <i>is </i>an honor to be nominated! To see my books listed among the likes of Courtney Milan, Kathryn Loch, Willa Blair, Hildie McQueen, and Kate Robbins (just to name a few) is mind-boggling! I'm just so tickled about this!<br />
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As always, you can find updates on books, contests, etc. at my Facebook Page or my new website.<br />
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Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart! I would not be where I am if it weren't for all of you!<br />
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Hugs,<br />
Suzan<br />
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<a href="http://suzantisdale.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" Suzan's New Website" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBrP6X6igNHneQwWb92d1Z79ualDLSbbMYBcDysDgOagMMAbzD8aqydRAx0YnMt5a0QxgHNj7jqOhgEl_fwaOpWeDDv80wOeoxeVmxkVp9oYEHf7dNn3580gSLRZalAHxC72q19VdL4E/s1600/mybanner3.jpg" height="175" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-13952270090259201902014-02-28T18:36:00.000-06:002014-02-28T18:36:43.292-06:002014 RONE Awards <br />
I am so very excited <i>and </i>honored! Last night I learned that three of my novels, <i>Wee William's Woman, McKenna's Honor, </i>and <i>Rowan's Lady</i> are all up for the distinguished RONE awards from <a href="http://www.indtale.com/" target="_blank">InD'Tale Magazine!</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.indtale.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZkWE5dhnYWx1r-9ZnGZ1Nm2gfDCV-rCPMAcc_c5mHEva5WdZyUbTjsd83SAdEHncA2v3S3HhKUXIj6ZjCsjq35SaYLbTksZqWyvO2wmr7ShkyxVWq0J1Pvjp6jBNxQA4IWCv-ohqKvM/s1600/BannerRONE.png" height="132" width="400" /></a></div>
The RONE is one of the most prestigious honors that an indie author can achieve. I rank it as being right up there with the RITA's. Win, lose or draw, it is an honor just to be nominated.<br />
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What is a RONE you ask? RONE: Reward of Novel Excellence, is given to those novels that have earned a high review by InD'Tale's professional reviewers, voted on by readers, then judged by publishing industry professionals. Winning this award is not easy. You can't 'buy' one, they aren't given based on 'who you know' and no nepotism is involved. This is something that must be <i>earned. </i>That is why I'm so very excited about the prospect of getting my books in the final round.<br />
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<a href="http://www.indtale.com/2014-rone-awards" target="_blank">Click here</a> to learn how the judging and voting works and to find out when reader voting begins.<br />
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<a href="http://www.indtale.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT99T2dCar2MBnpKz4AFgIhVXNZg_PJN9ZPw1YG8JXd4nio4l2jThfYfdd_BGVeaPFTro7ITqdBPyPZoDhBUgiIrRUW7UOCeKTpp6eWsgUEtZ7cH3BIwt_kGaGSEw3m-5SBrhgJsmyS54/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-28+at+5.06.13+PM.png" height="320" width="246" /></a>I know that I'm up against some great competition. I personally know several of the other authors who will also be nominated, and many of those I happen to love dearly! To even be considered for such an honor, to be included amongst these wonderful authors makes my heart flutter and brings tears to my eyes. (Okay, I almost peed my pants when I heard that my books were in the running!)<br />
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Voting is only open to subscribers of <a href="http://www.indtale.com/" target="_blank">InD'Tale Magazine</a>. Now, before you panic, subscribing is fast, easy and FREE! It really is a great magazine filled with interesting articles, interviews with some of your favorite authors, and good, honest reviews. Voting will start soon, so if you haven't already signed up for InD'Tale, I'd recommend doing that <i>before</i> voting begins.<br />
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I can't express to you how much your love and support means to me. I believe I have the best readers!<br />
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From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.<br />
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I'll continue to keep you all posted on how we're doing and when you can (if you want to) vote for my books. :D<br />
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xoxoxo<br />
Suzan<br />
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<br />Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-36115852270151676762014-02-20T00:15:00.000-06:002014-02-20T12:04:34.412-06:00Author SpotlightI love to put fellow authors who I either love as an individual or their work or both in a special spotlight. I do this in my monthly newsletter.<br />
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Today, however, I'm giving a special shout out and shining my spotlight on author Krystal Shannan. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckT8QnXQrHoWXlR6MYXn612lG98o7lHoRvaotwTaQ6C6S4rk3j3bLqbWpxP3N7m1XzgdA_4PzEWe-aCc7E_ealXtPzyfFkydRNYemhpLoKA8HNVkwBPo8fSRLFt_QTg9GO6mVS4j9Nmo/s1600/KrystalShannanHeadShot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckT8QnXQrHoWXlR6MYXn612lG98o7lHoRvaotwTaQ6C6S4rk3j3bLqbWpxP3N7m1XzgdA_4PzEWe-aCc7E_ealXtPzyfFkydRNYemhpLoKA8HNVkwBPo8fSRLFt_QTg9GO6mVS4j9Nmo/s1600/KrystalShannanHeadShot.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></div>
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She is one of the sweetest people that I know and has been so very helpful to me on my writing journey. I consider her a friend and ally. :o)<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">About Krystal Shannan:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Krystal Shannan goes to sleep every night dreaming of mythical realms
with werewolves, vampires, fae, and dragons. Occasional a fabulous, completely
human story slips into the mix, but powers and abilities usually crop up
without fail, twisting reality into whatever her mind can conceive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As a child, her parents encouraged her interests in Ancient Greek and
Roman mythology and all things historical and magickal. As an adult, the
interests only grew. She is a child of Neverland and refuses to ever stop
believing in fairies. She is guilty of indulging in and being a Buffy the
Vampire Slayer groupie as well as an Angel fan. For those of you unfamiliar
with the world of Joss Whedon, you are missing out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">She enjoys reading romance in all genres, but especially paranormal.
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Krystal writes stories full of action, snark,
magick, and heart-felt emotion. If you are looking for leisurely-paced sweet
romance, her books are probably not for you. However, for those looking for a
magickal ride, filled with adventure, passion, and just a hint of humor.
Welcome home.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Her next book is set for release on March 13, 2014. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Big Caslon"; font-size: 26.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">TAKING NICOLE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Vegas Mates, Book 4<o:p></o:p></div>
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By <o:p></o:p></div>
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Krystal Shannan<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBUU0I1bp4292Iin96iGQYCgdVwbnzZUy5ZSQzuydXzmk-E4E9zp7eNty6cjbVCieYuOqx-pGewZw3mchTik8E3uTHQCJnyetKtTNSmEj9-9q4rxwVtyMpW7m6QfjGeGavPxqtVUR_Xo/s1600/takingnicoleB&N+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBUU0I1bp4292Iin96iGQYCgdVwbnzZUy5ZSQzuydXzmk-E4E9zp7eNty6cjbVCieYuOqx-pGewZw3mchTik8E3uTHQCJnyetKtTNSmEj9-9q4rxwVtyMpW7m6QfjGeGavPxqtVUR_Xo/s1600/takingnicoleB&N+(1).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The last thing Nicole
Demakis remembers was getting in the car with Sarah’s kidnapper and driving
away. Now she faces the cold hard truth. The kidnapper, an agent of the
Council, is her mate. But he refuses to claim her, and the Council may take
everything away before she even has a chance to convince him to trust her.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Aaron Katsaros was
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should’ve been an easy task. Clean. No hiccups. But this infuriating woman,
this wolf, his mate…is one hiccup after another and she’s arousing him to the
point of pain. With his sister’s life hanging in the balance, he refuses to
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 36.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 48.0pt;">Krystal Shannan</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 28.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 32.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">___________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/KrystalShannan"><span style="color: windowtext;">Twitter</span></a> | <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6543639.Krystal_Shannan"><span style="color: windowtext;">GoodReads</span></a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Krystal-Shannan/e/B009FLVHTS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1"><span style="color: windowtext;">Amazon</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161612612541953601.post-36932211031583333952014-02-14T08:58:00.000-06:002014-02-14T08:58:11.434-06:00Real Romance<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is romance? How do you define it? Is it roses and chocolates? Is it jewelry and dinner out?</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-5861c7fa-30e6-ea46-222f-1ebb942b7b25" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I see </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">romance</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> everywhere, every day. And for me, it is none of those things.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romance is the giving of oneself wholly in a quiet, unassuming way. Romance can sometimes be loud and blatant, with flowers, chocolates, and jewelry, and that is fine. But real romance, the kind I’m speaking of, happens every day of the year. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My husband never sends flowers. He doesn’t have to. He shows me every time he smiles at me how much he loves me. There is a twinkle in those blue and green eyes of his when he looks at me that just makes my heart flutter. (Yes, he has one green eye and one that leans toward blue.) He shows it in so many different ways.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He’s done many a romantic thing over the years. Oh, some people might not consider them romantic, but </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> do and that is what is important. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He is supportive, in so many ways. Career wise, it was him who said I should give up the day job and write full time. When I wasn’t sure about it, he said not to worry, he had my back. He bought me a beautiful desk and awesome chair, explaining those were the tools I needed for my career, just as he needs his hammer and nails. (He’s a carpenter.) </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A year later, he’s building us a room addition that will house a new kitchen, dinning room, and most of all, a beautiful new office for me. Yes, I find these things romantic because they all come from his heart. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He takes over kitchen and laundry duties when I’m working to meet a self-imposed deadline. He doesn’t blink when I call an ‘every man for himself’ night dinner-wise for the fourth night in a row. I’m so thankful that he likes mac and cheese and Hamburger Helper. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He’s patient and doesn’t even flinch when I come racing into the room while he’s in the middle of his favorite TV show, to ‘run a quick idea by him’. He simply smiles and says that that is what the pause button is for and I’m helping him get some ‘fast-forward-through-the-commercials’ time in. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He doesn’t yell or complain when he comes home for lunch and finds me ‘doing plot revisions’. (That’s code for: I’m either stuck on a part of the current WIP or tired. Either way, I’m really napping.)</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a one way street with only my husband doing nice things. I show him I love him in a lot of different ways too. I let him sleep in on the weekends. I bring him coffee. I make him his favorite meal -- one I really don’t particularly care for -- just because it is his favorite meal. (Pork Chops in cream of mushroom soup. Blech!)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I throw him surprise birthday parties. I drink coffee so he can have a beer or three when we go out to dinner. Yes, I’m always the designated driver and really, I don’t mind. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are many things we do for each other, without asking or without demanding them. We try to ‘outserve’ the other. Not necessarily with expensive gifts, but with the little things. I think that is what keeps us in this ‘honeymoon’ stage that we’ve been in for nearly nine years now. We make the effort to be there for each other. We support each other. We encourage each other. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He holds my hand a lot and I like that. He kisses me goodbye every morning and every day when he comes home from work. He asks how my day was. He never, ever, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ever </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">says, “what in the hell did you do all day?” </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We never fight. We never argue. Unless its about politics, so that topic is off limits. </span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What it boils down to is this: he cherishes me, and I, him. I know, without a doubt, that he loves me, adores me, and cherishes me. I’d rather have that every single day, than roses once a year.</span></div>
Suzan Tisdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448144413924439336noreply@blogger.com0