Broken Pieces

Sara Barnard - How to Avoid the Rejection Blues @TheSaraBarnard

How to Avoid the Rejection Blues

Peter Rabbit. Gone With the Wind. Frankenstein. Moby Dick. Little Women. The Wizard of Oz. What do all of these timeless classics have in common? They were all manuscript rejects – several times over. Jack London was rejected over 600 times before selling a single story. Nicholas Sparks’ THE NOTEBOOK – you know, the favorite chick flick and a must see for anyone in a relationship – was turned down by 24 literary agencies. The 25th not only picked it up, but sold it ONE WEEK LATER to Time Warner for the tiny little sum of $1 million. Louisa May Alcott was told to stick to her day job of teaching when seeking out publishers for Little Women. Meg Cabot, the author of The Princess Diaries, kept all of her rejections in a bag under her bed ... until it became so full she couldn’t lift it. Judy Blume, J.D. Sallinger, Agatha Christie, Louis L’Amour, and even the beloved Dr Seuss are members of the Rejection Hall of Fame. In short, rejection is part of this career. A western author in one of my groups moved into a remote cabin and papered the walls of the bathroom with his rejection letters, but me, I read them and then throw them away. I have lost count of how many I’ve received – but all it takes is for one person to say yes, then you’re on your way!

RebekahsQuilt

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Genre - Romantic Historical Fiction

Rating – PG

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#AmReading - She Can Run by Melinda Leigh @MelindaLeigh1

She Can Run by Melinda Leigh

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Elizabeth was a young widow with two small children when she met Congressman Richard Baker. Handsome and wealthy, with a sparkling public image, Richard seemed like the perfect man to provide the security that Beth and her kids were craving. But when she uncovers a dangerous secret about her new husband, Beth realizes he will go to any lengths—even murder—to keep it. After barely escaping with her life, she and her children flee. They eventually make their way to a secluded estate in the Pennsylvania countryside, where Beth dares to hope she has found a safe place at last...

Forced into retirement by an unexpected injury, Philadelphia homicide detective Jack O’Malley is mourning the loss of his career when his uncle abruptly dies, leaving Jack to dispose of his crumbling country house. Unbeknownst to him, his uncle engaged a caretaker just before his death, a mysterious woman with two children and a beautiful face that haunts his dreams. Determined to know her, Jack begins an investigation into Beth’s past. When he uncovers the shocking truth, and a local woman is viciously murdered, Jack puts his own life on the line to keep Beth and her children safe.

A 2012 International Thriller Award nominee for Best First Novel, She Can Run is a sexy, satisfying debut from award-winning author Melinda Leigh, packed with enough suspense and romance to get even the tamest heart racing!

Rebekah’s Quilt by Sara Barnard @TheSaraBarnard

RebekahsQuilt

Who can Rebekah trust when the line between English and Amish becomes blurred?

An Amish Settlement. An English stranger. The Blizzard of 1888.

Rebekah’s mother, Elnora Stoll, is the finest quilter in all of Gasthof Village but it seems Rebekah has inherited none of her skill. It’s not until the arrival of a mysterious English stranger that a lifetime of questions are answered and Rebekah, her special friend Joseph Graber, and the entire settlement of Gasthof Village learn the true meaning of what it truly means to be Amish.

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Genre - Romantic Historical Fiction

Rating – PG

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#AmReading - Blood Justice by Rayven T. Hill @Rayven T. Hill

Blood Justice by Rayven T. Hill

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When sixteen-year-old Jenny James goes missing, and the local police are unable to find her, the girl's frantic mother hires private investigators Jake and Annie Lincoln to search for her daughter.

When the body of Jenny's boyfriend is discovered, the mystery of her disappearance deepens. Shaken out of their comfort zone of Internet searches and poring over public records, the couple soon find themselves facing the frightening possibility they are looking for the latest victim of a serial killer.

As more bodies pile up, the town is gripped with fear. It seems no one is safe, and the Lincolns race to solve an impossible puzzle before they become the killer's next victims.

Author Interview – Ramz Artso @RamzArtso

Image of Ramzan Artsikaev

Who do you admire?

I admire billionaires. Not because of their money, though, but because of the charitable causes they promote. Take Michael Bloomberg, for instance. That man is an extremely avid philanthropist, and I respect him immensely for that.

What is your favorite quality about yourself?

Consistency.

What is your favorite food?

Junk food. I love anything spicy, too. And, although it’s not exactly relevant, I love Red Bull and Powerade. The former more than the latter.

What is your least favorite quality about yourself?

Rare episodes of stupidity.

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why?

I love Einstein’s quote about imagination being more important than knowledge. I like it because it’s true and sort of inspiring.

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Peter Simmons thinks he is an ordinary boy, before he is abducted by a man with certain special abilities, learns of his inescapable destiny, befriends immortals and becomes famous wordlwide. Why? Because Peter Simmons is mankind’s last hope for survival.

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Genre – Young-adult, Action and Adventure, Coming of Age, Sci-fi

Rating – PG-13

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Website http://ramzartso.blogspot.com/

Secrets and Lies by Natashiah Jansen & Ethan McKenzie @myreaderspress

CHAPTER 5

The next morning, Sharona woke up with a spring in her step and a slight headache. Felicia had stayed the night, because she had been too lazy to move from the couch after she sat down.

"Good morning, my friend," Sharona said.

"Morning… You sure are in a good mood; must be the good old doc's magic."

"You know what they say about those Latino men."

"Spare me, please. So… Did he give you his number, email… anything?" asked Felicia.

"No."

"No? Did you give him yours?"

"No," said Sharona.

"What?" Felicia was shocked because she had expected something after watching the two of them dancing the night away.

"We met, danced, laughed, and that was enough for me. What more would I want?"

"Mmmm… okay... So I take it you're not ready," said Felicia.

"I'm not ready for anything," Sharona said.

Shortly afterwards, J.J. woke up. He was in a playful mood and was very happy to see his mom. Breakfast was another story. He didn't seem to be in the mood for porridge, and ended up tipping the bowl on his head. Usually, Sharona would get upset, but this morning it was different. She laughed, and even J.J. was surprised. Felicia was glad to see her friend starting to enjoy life again.

"Well, it's time for me to leave," said Felicia. "What are you going to do the rest of the day?"

"I think I will surprise Edward with a picnic in the park. I'm sure he would love to spend some time with J.J. Why don't you join us?"

"I'll pass... I'd rather catch up on some sleep. Tomorrow will be a hectic day for me."

"Oh, I see. But what could possibly be so hectic? You're living on your trust fund, Paris Hilton."

"Shush… I don't want everyone to know I come from money. As for the hectic day, I have a full package booked at the spa. Will take about the entire day before I get out of there."

Felicia was an only child, and after her parents, who were real estate brokers, had died when she was 15, her inheritance was placed in a trust fund. After completing college, she jumped from one temporary job to another until she decided to live off her trust fund on a permanent basis. She didn't need to worry about earning a living. She had enough money to last her several lifetimes. Although she was filthy rich, she tried to live an ordinary life just like Sharona, but now and then she would splurge for fun.

"Yes, and that is very hard work. Tell Bruno I send my regards," Sharona said.

"Yes… Bruno… I wish I could have him on standby at home," she said, sighing.

"Why would you need a masseur on standby?"

"You never know when I might have a neck spasm or stiff calf that needs to be massaged," said Felicia.

They both sniggered as Felicia rubbed her calf playfully. She grabbed her purse and tied her hair back with a scrunchie, grabbed her pumps and walked barefoot to her car. Sharona and J.J. waved goodbye as she pulled out of the driveway.

"I hope one day you will have a friend like your Auntie Felicia; she really is a gem," Sharona said to J.J., who was still waving goodbye long after Felicia was out of sight.

She quickly dressed J.J. and herself and they were off to Edward's house. Before they got there, they stopped at the deli to pick up the picnic basket that she had ordered the day before. When they arrived at Edward's home, he was busy watering potted plants on his porch. A wide smile spread across his face when J.J. came running to his open arms.

"This is a nice surprise. I was thinking of visiting you this afternoon," he said, ruffling J.J.'s hair.

"Well, I thought I'd surprise you with a picnic," she said, smiling.

"Now that sounds like a plan. Come inside while I quickly throw on something."

While waiting for Edward, Sharona sat on the couch in the living room. From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Jason's graduation picture on the shelf above the fireplace. She got up from the chair and stood in front of the fireplace and looked at Jason's smiling face. She smiled, and somehow it didn't hurt so much anymore to think of Jason.

"It's getting a little better every day," she heard Edward say as he walked towards her.

"Yes, it is," said Sharona.

J.J. looked at the two of them and started to giggle, as if someone had done something extremely funny. They couldn't help but join in. Edward carried J.J. to the car while Sharona locked the front door, and they left to go to the park for their picnic.

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Genre – Medical Suspense Thriller

Rating – PG

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#AmReading - I Take Thee to Deceive by Tamra Lassiter @TamraLassiter

I Take Thee to Deceive by Tamra Lassiter

Amazon

“Till death do us part” is not an exit strategy.
Sophie Taylor thinks she's hit rock bottom. Her husband of three months passed away unexpectedly and her best friend Eliza disappeared without a trace. Things are bad enough until she finds out the truth—her “husband” is actually a CIA agent who married her only to further his own career and Eliza isn’t missing at all. She’s in prison for charges of distributing a new “gourmet” drug with deadly side effects.
Motivated to get her friend released, Sophie joins forces with CIA Agent Nate MacAllister, her “husband’s” best friend to find who’s really behind the drug ring. Is Nate who he says he is and can Sophie trust him to help her find the truth?