tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72849463686716262382024-03-13T14:47:38.585-04:00Confucius CatCoordinator of PURRS 4 PEACEUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger285125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-6013387371205378882014-04-03T09:42:00.001-04:002014-04-03T09:42:18.863-04:00Transforming The WORLD one purr at timePURRS4PEACE April 6, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. eastern time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-70822436705977114662012-06-14T09:14:00.000-04:002012-06-14T09:14:26.318-04:00I'm a Published Author<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">For a number of years, I've been active in this blog, and on twitter, imparting my sage pronouncements from on high. Now I'm a literary </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;">giant with the release of a new book. </span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><b>And as a treat for all my friends: IT'S FREE TODAY AS AN EBOOK AT AMAZON </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><a href="http://amzn.com/B008504R9W" style="color: #3d81ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">http://amzn.com/B008504R9W</span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Here's what the product description says: </b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXE7ejXuIMlDiDT7bZLDIgO-JCJSn9nE7tzRi8C8EqG3CbJ8TrFvekxdThunOOJt-ZjLpXYEWMgJePF9c5qC31DJLH-RvpO3oG1Js5t_X8VrAYlaPF4Y5Nknu6wA0_rfQVhUuepE3-/s1600/ConfuciusCatMason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXE7ejXuIMlDiDT7bZLDIgO-JCJSn9nE7tzRi8C8EqG3CbJ8TrFvekxdThunOOJt-ZjLpXYEWMgJePF9c5qC31DJLH-RvpO3oG1Js5t_X8VrAYlaPF4Y5Nknu6wA0_rfQVhUuepE3-/s320/ConfuciusCatMason.jpg" width="192" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Translated from the original Catspeak</b>,<b> </b><b><i>Confucius Cat says,</i></b><i> </i>is<i> </i>a hilarious and profound collection of the advice and observations of the wise and wonderful feline philosopher.<i> </i></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></i></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
<b>Praise for Confucius Cat Says...</b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">"A purrrrfect book for anyone who loves to laugh."<br />
- Ravenous Readers</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">"Hilariously funny and wise. A must-read book..."<br />
-Wanda Wienen Kruse<br />
Book Reviewer<br />
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</b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Overview</b><br />
Confucius Cat knows all and has generously agreed to impart his wisdom to the world in this compendium of his best advice and observations.<br />
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</b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><b>More Praise</b><br />
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"If you're a cat lover, buy this book."<br />
-Aspinwald</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">Book Reviewer</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">"Fun, quirky cute book for cat lovers everywhere."</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">Busy Happy Mom<br />
Book Reviewer</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">I hope you'll check it out while it's FREE. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">Also FREE today is mummy's book FATED HEARTS which is a paranormal romance novella. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://amzn.com/B006XVD53O">http://amzn.com/B006XVD53O</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">But enough about that. It's ME we should be focusing on. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">Go download "Confucius Cat Says..." The most important book of our generation!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-19302234118406984732012-05-07T07:08:00.002-04:002012-05-07T07:11:46.013-04:00A Cat Cameo: IN DEEP SHITAKE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2TIAv3ievgZ1nml8uKqhC5ULdMFTOG7fbJ8lZ3LFHAugjXUlg6Axdh6_GE06DYaRmGAFR7X024qqgtrbAiGYXYV58S_zEfp6l2MtSPQgtqFDO-0iuGAQFR_hlcONzl44J6sqIO_q/s1600/Zuzu&Alley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2TIAv3ievgZ1nml8uKqhC5ULdMFTOG7fbJ8lZ3LFHAugjXUlg6Axdh6_GE06DYaRmGAFR7X024qqgtrbAiGYXYV58S_zEfp6l2MtSPQgtqFDO-0iuGAQFR_hlcONzl44J6sqIO_q/s320/Zuzu&Alley.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm a STAR!!<br />
Well, you all knew that already. Or at least as my friends you humor me and let me think I'm a star. But my Mummy just released a book and I have a cameo. (The photo is me and my sister Zuzu).<br />
ZuZu was rescued from where she was living in a bush at a nearby park. It took mummy six weeks to make her comfortable enough for mum to catch her. Now she never wants to leave us.<br />
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By the way, mummy's book is FREE, FREE, FREE, at Amazon.com MAY 7-9th, so I hope you'll check it out! And look for the bits about me!<br />
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The book is called IN DEEP SHITAKE. It's a humorous romantic suspense. Here's the blurb telling you a bit more about it.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N9_maWMHVUK5jTiMSA5FF3QWnPaO_qVe4As7k9ogANXN1WP9IxR2upMc7XyVPUqdHTFtfswmt3f66kEb1LC_yO-uuzRoZZ-_b6fkd8UgK2l-FekYMESLf6761EEJAyuBlvma_2kF/s1600/InDeepShitakeMason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N9_maWMHVUK5jTiMSA5FF3QWnPaO_qVe4As7k9ogANXN1WP9IxR2upMc7XyVPUqdHTFtfswmt3f66kEb1LC_yO-uuzRoZZ-_b6fkd8UgK2l-FekYMESLf6761EEJAyuBlvma_2kF/s320/InDeepShitakeMason.jpg" width="211" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Take one devastatingly handsome movie star.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Add in one outrageously sexy female private eye with a penchant for food-word obscenities.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Mix in a dose of mistaken identity and a handful of Russian mobsters. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">And they're all In Deep Shitake.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Amazon - U.S. <a href="http://amzn.com/B007VDZ0JA">http://amzn.com/B007VDZ0JA</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"> </span></b><br />
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</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Amazon - U.K. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007VDZ0JA">http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007VDZ0JA</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><br />
Back to my favorite subject - ME! Notice the cat on the cover. I love it!!!!! Looks just like me!!!!<br />
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My cameo is about a third of the way through the book and it's a very important turning point in the action...if I do say so myself....Which I do! I put the hero through some very torturous moments while he's trying to save me. I don't want to spoil anything by telling you more. Only that mummy named the cat character Talley. Very crafty of her to disguise my name so well. Ha ha.<br />
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Mum also has a story featuring the In Deep Shitake heroine in Bullets, Brass and Babes: A Thriller Anthology. It's also FREE May 7th-9th at Amazon.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnn6NWA6spWW7C2lnXduN0tPfYF9nTON79ecx2P3EPdJDDLR2zBcCdg4yW44cFD4bc2B0joPR1NTowZfcwyvi79u0HScX6dDENzusqo7GbL1uLqAZjhtvKYxZPJIiTTiaBWueYBnpK/s1600/BulletsBrassandBabesAnthology.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/AVvXsEhnn6NWA6spWW7C2lnXduN0tPfYF9nTON79ecx2P3EPdJDDLR2zBcCdg4yW44cFD4bc2B0joPR1NTowZfcwyvi79u0HScX6dDENzusqo7GbL1uLqAZjhtvKYxZPJIiTTiaBWueYBnpK/s320/BulletsBrassandBabesAnthology.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bullets-Brass-Babes-Anthology-ebook/dp/B007V69ZKC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334852428&sr=8-1">http://www.amazon.com/Bullets-Brass-Babes-Anthology-ebook/dp/B007V69ZKC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334852428&sr=8-1</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dozens more books are also going to be FREE as part of the Spring Fling FREE Par-Tay. So check out <a href="http://www.freepartay.com/">www.freepartay.com</a> for more details on how to get those books and win prizes!</div><br />
Let's Par-Tay!!!!!!!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-34138323246122828052012-04-29T13:30:00.000-04:002012-04-29T13:30:24.701-04:00Purrs 4 Peace Thank You: April 2012<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFwNgSn2M57YStpClxuZed6BurDhi_LDnMH4lPZNArQ4OfusgAhzPMhkyLfPL6xmmKyVCfzYYzqrb8NZay15lR749DSS_nn8qrneesRd-nH_YJEP00rtE4OZcpA48zBmXxLjSx-jl/s1600/cheshireK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFwNgSn2M57YStpClxuZed6BurDhi_LDnMH4lPZNArQ4OfusgAhzPMhkyLfPL6xmmKyVCfzYYzqrb8NZay15lR749DSS_nn8qrneesRd-nH_YJEP00rtE4OZcpA48zBmXxLjSx-jl/s320/cheshireK.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">I am so pleased to introduce you to a fantastic supporter of purrs 4 peace and a lovely twitter pal. I know you'll love the story of Cheshire Kitten:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;">"Thanks for coordinating purrs4peace. I've been involved since the beginning, and I think it's great! Also, thanks for asking me about my story, Confucius!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;">By some divine mechanism, I ended up in the very best house and family for me. I was just a month or so old when the kitties noticed me making a huge racket under the house in the crawl space. The humans finally noticed the sound and tried to see under there. All my human saw was a tiny orange blur moving fast between the piers of the foundation. I found a hole that led into the garage and would sneak in to eat. The humans couldn’t get near me or I would run and hide.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;">Then one of the humans sat down a few feet from my food bowl. I had to get up the courage to eat while she was there because she sat there for so long. That was my introduction to meditation. She kept moving the sitting a little closer to my food bowl for the next month or so. Finally, I got really curious about her and her clothes. I would go over to her and whack her while she sat there quietly. When she stretched out on the floor face-down, I decided it was safe to check her out more closely and climbed onto her to explore. Of course, I always ran to a hiding place among the boxes in the garage or under the house. One day, I climbed right onto her while she was sitting there wearing a brown skirt with sequins.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;">Next thing I knew, I was surrounded by her hands. I ended up in a tiny little room and then we went in a car to the vet. I still dislike the car and the vet; I sing the entire time I’m dealing with either.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;">I was scared at first, but I got to know the other cats. At them time there were the wise kitties Niki and Matilda, who have gone to the RB, Becket, Belle, and Karma. The humans still freaked me out. I wrote a book about how hard it is to understand human culture, too. It’s called <i>Please, Send Money</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, by Cheshire Kitten. Reggie and Nutmeg came later.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;">Before I was even two years old, I started looking really puny. So, of course, I kept getting jammed in a carrier and taken by car to the vet. Finally, they diagnosed fungal pneumonia, which isn’t supposed to happen around here but does for some reason. Our vet had done the research to figure out why he was seeing it. The fungus that’s supposed to only be in a pocket in West Texas turns up in potting soil. I let my human hold me while we were looking at my chest x-ray. That was the first time and she was afraid it could be the last. I also sat on her lap once or twice and even purred while I was at my sickest. I took my pills every day for more than a year, and I recovered! I didn’t let my human touch me all that time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;">I’ve had some trouble with anxieties and occasional coughing, but I came through pretty well. In October, I started cuddling with my human regularly, which made her cry at first. Now, it just makes her take pictures that you can see on my blog, Cheshire Kitten Loves Karma. I have my own suite now and I get to cuddle with my humans and play with Nutmeggy when I want to. I live in peace, meditate with Robin, and practice my courage.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;">I love purrs4peace! It’s a great opportunity to share mindfulness with other animals and humans. We try to stay peaceful at home and to share peacefulness with our pals."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">What an awesome anipal! And what wonderful humans. They are truly role models for us to follow. Bringing light into the darkness of the world. Thank you so much for being my friend and for all you do for the Purrs. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">You can follow CK on Twitter @CheshireK</span></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-62108384451575851062012-03-26T06:53:00.003-04:002012-03-26T15:54:41.069-04:00Cat Treat Monday: Lizzie Starr and Noid<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">I have a sweet cat treat for you today: Fabulous author Lizzie Starr and the handsome and inspirational boy Noid:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CXtnnPNmoPBL-objS7RC4qB0MLHRhzPJl1l_49XmLPetah_2oTaz0pNP7o8c0lSiZQNC-i8vCldnK8BGHpSoE_KVZg0LKuhuCZiLBJO6o5z41_k4GRy2Jse3uFbFCvMOqX08T7uJi1-2/s1600/noidx4-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CXtnnPNmoPBL-objS7RC4qB0MLHRhzPJl1l_49XmLPetah_2oTaz0pNP7o8c0lSiZQNC-i8vCldnK8BGHpSoE_KVZg0LKuhuCZiLBJO6o5z41_k4GRy2Jse3uFbFCvMOqX08T7uJi1-2/s200/noidx4-2.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">photo collage by John Shaver</span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Thank you, Confucius Cat, for having me here today! I'd like to share a bit about this beautiful fellow. Noid was my brother's dog (he's crossed the Rainbow Bridge) and shared my home along with the bro. Noid was half black lab, the other half the result of a fence jumping black chow named Bear. Even though he was the runt of the litter, he grew into a strong, big fellow, who had nothing but love for his people. Luckily, I was easily included in his family.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">You may wonder about Noid's name...the bro worked for a pizza chain at the time and their advertising icon was 'The Noid'. In my tales, Noid is named by his young human who is learning to write. He laboriously puts down letters then ask what they spell. The closest the adults could come was Noid. (As a side note--I did this when I was little, only I named a horse Cyclops. He was a great horse.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisH7xmTf4Ocqz897GNRp7ljVuvlp2nlFxPCuc25nPcHqtXNAxwuXA2A_oF35rDHfa8HQlKINCHl2RDbAtqJKU-5uoKJIBLtJEIf1q5_X_IBRhcS-0jt1ppg6vBzzjz1vdsELmIfN4RYh69/s1600/two+stupid+dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisH7xmTf4Ocqz897GNRp7ljVuvlp2nlFxPCuc25nPcHqtXNAxwuXA2A_oF35rDHfa8HQlKINCHl2RDbAtqJKU-5uoKJIBLtJEIf1q5_X_IBRhcS-0jt1ppg6vBzzjz1vdsELmIfN4RYh69/s1600/two+stupid+dogs.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you seen the cartoon <i>Two Stupid Dogs</i>? I also had a miniature dachshund and Ruatha and Noid became best buddies, just like the pups in the cartoon. Noid was pleasantly slobbery and Ruie loved chasing a ball. In fact, there were times I wondered if the cartoon creators had a camera in our house!</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBHQNQqAdcb-sMt8h3OkE1SSPSFBLrDVAEPuImxLuAwWlQ_W4q3E7wPfUybx2o5a_zVcJ1LWJiW-tPqmGP4KoF11FLoDMmjpXd3agY96Zb5lncvGSiBfWvkULqErMmVPK0_aNGBDbe2zm/s1600/Picture+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBHQNQqAdcb-sMt8h3OkE1SSPSFBLrDVAEPuImxLuAwWlQ_W4q3E7wPfUybx2o5a_zVcJ1LWJiW-tPqmGP4KoF11FLoDMmjpXd3agY96Zb5lncvGSiBfWvkULqErMmVPK0_aNGBDbe2zm/s200/Picture+011.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">But even more than a great friend, Noid was inspiration for a character in my fantasy romance series. In my first book <i><b>By Keltic Design</b>, </i>Noid helps his human find a way into the Faerie Otherworld so they can join the faerie hunt. When Stephen falls in love and wishes to remain in Faerie, Noid stays with him. And becomes the brave hero many times over through the series. Sometimes I think he's the most intelligent being populating my fantasy worlds. I had a great source of inspiration!</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Having an animal character gives my story people another chance to show the stuff they're made of. How they interact with an animal says so much about them--both the heroes and the villains. And a challenge to my writing skill--I had to show Noid's emotions and reactions in a realistic manner.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We miss Noid, and Ruatha who have both crossed the Rainbow Bridge, but now the household has another mini-doxi named Lessa and an aloof, tuxedo cat named Goku. And I'm pretty sure they, as well as many other past feline and canine friends, will all make it into my stories. Besides adding so much to a tale, having them on the pages to read again and again helps keep their memories in my heart."</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOliC57kBqjNAGxG5FBU4DQeKIuiV0YwV9MQA9LCH4quG_orW_0t_d6PTV3RSqbbeQM3rxcoodeQ_8w1sBXUmSTP6EGCCtwdm1Ja5vR-q4dCxwQ-LoHHzXq_ZBkFfRsDG_Lb036Lf_Vn9b/s1600/ByKelticDesign_Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOliC57kBqjNAGxG5FBU4DQeKIuiV0YwV9MQA9LCH4quG_orW_0t_d6PTV3RSqbbeQM3rxcoodeQ_8w1sBXUmSTP6EGCCtwdm1Ja5vR-q4dCxwQ-LoHHzXq_ZBkFfRsDG_Lb036Lf_Vn9b/s200/ByKelticDesign_Front.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>By</i></span></b></div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Keltic Design <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="font-size: x-large;">Allyn</i> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Keely, Celtic artist and friend of Faerie, finally finds a man she can love. </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But she’s older than he is and faces the insurmountable task of helping him </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">realize his destiny in the Otherworld.</span></i></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Successful businessman, Jaye Zeroun prides himself on his realistic, but lonely, view of life. Until Allyn knots her way around his heart and fills his life with a fantasy he refuses to believe. Then danger threatens their love, forcing him to either accept a deadly battle or lose the very things he never included in his life, a family and a love beyond his wildest imagining.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Amazon: </span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057XJX8U"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057XJX8U</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"></div><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Smashwords: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/68513">www.smashwords.com/books/view/68513</a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Barnes & Noble: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/by-keltic-design-lizzie-starr/1019363936">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/by-keltic-design-lizzie-starr/1019363936</a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*lizzie starr's blogs: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://starrwords.blogspot.com/">http://starrwords.blogspot.com</a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://creativityforhappyendings.blogspot.com/">http://creativityforhappyendings.blogspot.com</a></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*lizzie starr is on Twitter: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/lizziestarr">www.twitter.com/lizziestarr</a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and on Facebook; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/lizzie_starr">www.facebook.com/lizziestarr</a></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-88180233208731444262012-03-12T05:47:00.001-04:002012-03-12T09:08:56.612-04:00Cat Treat Monday: Alicia Street and Wallace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTZy4w_LSkuT6nDhR-4D3wqH1SWTUNhb25X_QfuvSDYmckSE1hmFELmKrXULmET-EjgXx8IoC3eiRdMPeSO2uZlqxbcD-JJVRWCb1y_gaxt_PZmWlrwKg7pEJJxh8l3Y7UtFUp5_B/s1600/WallaceStreet.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/AVvXsEgeTZy4w_LSkuT6nDhR-4D3wqH1SWTUNhb25X_QfuvSDYmckSE1hmFELmKrXULmET-EjgXx8IoC3eiRdMPeSO2uZlqxbcD-JJVRWCb1y_gaxt_PZmWlrwKg7pEJJxh8l3Y7UtFUp5_B/s320/WallaceStreet.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Fantastic Cat Treat today: Alicia Street and her fascinating cat Wallace. I already knew what a great author Alicia is, but I didn't realize she had such a handsome and interesting furry one. Now let's hear from Alicia:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Thanks, Confucius, for having us as your guests today.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7284946368671626238&postID=8818023320873144426&from=pencil" name="_GoBack"></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">In the past we’ve had more than one cat, but with Wallace, well, that just isn’t allowed. He simply will not tolerate any other furry critter in his domain. He’s one of those cats who takes over and tells you what to do. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">If we’re working at the computer for too long and not paying attention to him, he’ll parade in front of the screen. Or sometimes he’ll start pulling on a kitchen cabinet door, letting it slam repeatedly until we get the message. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Wallace was a lost, little stray searching for food when we took him in many years ago. Because of that he has a slight eating disorder. Wild and stray animals have to master the art of “eat and run.” So Wallace has problems with speed eating and non-stop eating. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">We think that is also why he likes so many different kinds of foods. He likes pizza, tofu and lima beans and even Mexican food. That’s why Roy decided to immortalize him on a peso. (He also likes to watch Mexican boxers on HBO with Roy.) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">If we leave the kitchen before he’s satisfied, he’ll chase us down and swat our legs. And when we remind him that he’ll vomit if we feed him more, Wallace goes into the front bathroom — his complaining room — and launches into some throaty chants you’d swear were coming from his five hundred pound tiger cousins in Siberia. By the way, cats can make over one hundred different kinds of vocal sounds.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Our heroine in KISS ME, DANCER has three cats that live with her in the dance studio she runs. We’ll be releasing a Book #2 in our Dance ‘n’ Luv series plus a short story later this month."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">KISS ME, DANCER (Book # 1) is a roller coaster of a romance between a divorced dad and a dance teacher. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">Ballet instructor Casey Richardson takes an immediate dislike to the brash, arrogant Drew Byrne when he pulls his nine-year-old son out of her “silly” dance class. Still, she cannot help noticing his smoking hot body and bedroom eyes. A working class girl raised in the small fishing and farming community on Long Island’s rural North Fork, Casey knows all too well how easily a girl can get hurt by the notorious womanizing hunks that flourish on the South Fork in the Hamptons. Men like Drew Byrne.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0066DU0NC/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=prmasautofyau-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0066DU0NC"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B0066DU0NC&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=prmasautofyau-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=prmasautofyau-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0066DU0NC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">The last thing she needs is for him to be the only one who can save her from losing her dance academy, the dream she has worked so hard to turn into a reality.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Unlike Casey, who’s had so many failures she calls herself “Calamity” Richardson, winning comes naturally to Drew Byrne. As head of a Fortune 500 company, he enjoys his wealth and has no problem keeping it a game with some of the world’s most beautiful women. So why should his son’s challenging, straight talking dance teacher get under his skin in a way no other female has? He tells himself it is because Casey is the only one able to bring his shy, uncommunicative son out of his shell. Or is it because he has finally met his match?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">Add in a stint on a hit TV dance-off series, a cozy local coffee shop, a narcissistic rock star and a protective big brother for a sexy, heartwarming and fun read.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">In addition to being part of today’s Indie movement, Alicia and Roy Street are traditionally published authors. In 2009 they received a Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. They both share backgrounds in the arts. Alicia spent years as a dancer, choreographer and teacher; Roy in theater, standup comedy and visual arts. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">HERE’S AMAZON -</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0066DU0NC">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0066DU0NC</a><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;">B&N nook - </span><a href="http://bit.ly/vn7mDm"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://bit.ly/vn7mDm</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-35921151423568588462012-03-05T06:08:00.001-05:002012-03-05T06:10:00.364-05:00Cat Treat Monday: Vijaya Schartz and Jasmine<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></b></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-TPKtSLTs8essRBPf5sUlp4C5Ln8WpQ5_CXBZpz5oOxK15gkUwOj-kxCbiSS-fuMwrauSQYwbNgSbnP528g7q01dSwEhZn_xYjnsnYiG1ajJGSI7AEZt82ZmVnaUdwBiqxxSa0hj/s1600/Jasmine+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Cool Cat Treat Today: Author Vijaya Schartz and</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">her furry baby Jasmine. Take it away Vijaya: </span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">"FURRY TAILS (pun intended) LEAD TO CATS IN BOOKS - by Vijaya Schartz<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-TPKtSLTs8essRBPf5sUlp4C5Ln8WpQ5_CXBZpz5oOxK15gkUwOj-kxCbiSS-fuMwrauSQYwbNgSbnP528g7q01dSwEhZn_xYjnsnYiG1ajJGSI7AEZt82ZmVnaUdwBiqxxSa0hj/s1600/Jasmine+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-TPKtSLTs8essRBPf5sUlp4C5Ln8WpQ5_CXBZpz5oOxK15gkUwOj-kxCbiSS-fuMwrauSQYwbNgSbnP528g7q01dSwEhZn_xYjnsnYiG1ajJGSI7AEZt82ZmVnaUdwBiqxxSa0hj/s320/Jasmine+small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cats have a way of invading our lives. It’s very difficult (for me at least) to have only one cat. After I adopted Jasmine (on the picture) from a no-kill shelter, I feared the poor thing would feel lonely when I leave the house. So I adopted a kitten from a friend author who’d discovered a feral litter in her yard. I thought little Spunky would make a good companion for Jasmine to play with. Of course, she hated the darn kitten at first sight. By the time the two learned to tolerate each other, here came a poor little orphan who desperately needed a home. We named him Bandit.</span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, I have three cats in the house. But when many homes in our neighborhood went into foreclosure, an increasing number of cats came to feed on our back porch, where we always keep water and dry food for the occasional thirsty or hungry visitor. The summers are hot in Phoenix Arizona, so water is critical. The newcomers liked the shade and the bushes of our large backyard, which constitute a cool jungle. They feel safe there, in the company of other cats. And so, the number of feline visitors increased... and increased... to about fifteen.</span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mktivrpyy99YuUxA2MEqxLvOAgMfL5DFtnDsr1B6Lj1t-Fv3GAT3LFh05PvBl31mGlT4UwPZEpu1orFpOG9SfpB3Y5cdyrg4DwEALoTCxzRTO7IkFQN7uNtaKvVHw7p_Y3H0ytNV/s1600/vjrtebookexpo2011LA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mktivrpyy99YuUxA2MEqxLvOAgMfL5DFtnDsr1B6Lj1t-Fv3GAT3LFh05PvBl31mGlT4UwPZEpu1orFpOG9SfpB3Y5cdyrg4DwEALoTCxzRTO7IkFQN7uNtaKvVHw7p_Y3H0ytNV/s320/vjrtebookexpo2011LA.jpg" width="311" /></a>Unfortunately, most of these cats, by the time they found our backyard, were weary of people and behaved more like feral than tamed. At first, most were fixed, and some even declawed, but soon the females attracted tom cats with a very healthy libido. One of these tom cats belonged to a known and uncooperative neighbor. The feral males we couldn’t catch to have them fixed, and that was a problem... a growing problem.</span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The next spring we discovered three litters of new kittens almost two months old, that the mothers had carefully kept hidden in the chicken pen and in the wood pile. The mothers had taken good care of them. When these kittens showed up on our back porch, Jasmine, the queen of the house, grew very upset. She hated the little upstarts who gamboled and chased butterflies on the other side of the window. Invaders had requisitioned her backyard. We quickly found homes for the kittens, and our little sanctuary seems to have found a harmonious balance, but we keep getting new litters... so if you are looking for a cat...<br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Now you understand why I have cats in my stories. Sometimes they are house pets, sometimes savage man killers, even alien feline monsters. You may have noticed the covers of my CHRONICLES OF KASSOUK series, with all the feline heads. WHITE TIGER won an award for the best eBook cover of 2009. In that series, a group of humans marooned on a far away planet have grown into a society that keeps large felines as pets and train them for warfare. The books are WHITE TIGER (Book One), RED LEOPARD (Book Two), BLACK JAGUAR (Book Three), and BLUE LIONESS (Book Four). The prequel, NOAH’S ARK, the story of how it all began, is scheduled for release on April 1, 2012. Each book can be read separately, but it’s more interesting to read them in the right order.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm119HGZ4Dl53wxVoq_kt1sC-l2lmcfb2AY2SRypBYBxDFSFUsRvFp7dZ-GSliGBAApGIsgI9_bKtiohaQ8TVL0X_dKyE20iGyI-0iiqRIRM5reC5BN_TAGmI7b1vPbFGq9fsZuNHD/s1600/bluelionessmedium2.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/AVvXsEgm119HGZ4Dl53wxVoq_kt1sC-l2lmcfb2AY2SRypBYBxDFSFUsRvFp7dZ-GSliGBAApGIsgI9_bKtiohaQ8TVL0X_dKyE20iGyI-0iiqRIRM5reC5BN_TAGmI7b1vPbFGq9fsZuNHD/s320/bluelionessmedium2.jpg" width="213" /></a>A few of these books won awards, along with their felines. The Leopard in Red Leopard won the best animal character award in 2010 for bravery and loyalty.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here is what the latest book, is about:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">BLUE LIONESS - Chronicles of Kassouk Book Four</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In the face of Human slavery, Black Sword Captain Ariela of Kassouk must do the unthinkable. Rebel against the Mutant regime. But she cannot do it alone.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Ariela suspects the king’s death is no accident. And the tyrant who usurped the throne looks guilty as hell. As leader of the Human rebellion against the Mutant rulers, Ariela is desperate for help, and Lord Starro, the handsome Crown Prince of the Star Children, offers the technology the Human faction lacks. But can Ariela trust a spoiled, arrogant foreign prince who never fought a battle, and thinks he is destined to rule the universe? Is she trading one tyrant for another? No matter how kind, handsome, or fascinating, Starro has frightening mental abilities. And this alliance is not safe, especially for Ariela’s heart.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Blue Lioness REVIEWS:</div></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Wow! Talk about a real page turner! I absolutely Adored Blue Lioness. Ms. Schartz is an incredible storyteller with a very big imagination...The world building is so imaginative in this story that it just kept me turning the pages late into the night, because I was desperate to see what happened next and to see if Ariela and Starro were going to get their happy ending. If you love science fiction romance with stellar world building, and a beautiful love story, oh, and sentient big cats, then you do not want to miss this one. I for one am going to go out and buy the rest of the books in this series, and I encourage you to do so as well, Ms. Schartz is not to be missed!" - Coffee Time Romance</div></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong></strong><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>"Ms. Schartz's</strong> new book Blue Lioness is a fast paced and compelling story that held me spellbound from the start. I for one can't wait to read Noah's Ark, the next book in the Chronicles of Kassouk series." Fallen Angels Review (5 angels<i>)</i></div><i></i><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>"<em>Blue Lioness </em></i>rips along at a great pace, and keeps you scrolling through pages on your e-reader, as fast as you can. Although it is part of a series, this one stands alone very well. Schartz has a very active imagination, reminiscent of JD Robb’s 2060 way of life." Manic Readers - 4½ stars</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If you leave a comment, you’ll get a chance to win a pdf copy of the book of your choice in the CHRONICLES OF KASSOUK series. So please leave a comment and good luck.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">*CC note: Very generous giveaway. Thank you Vijaya. The series looks fantastic! I'm going to go now and check it out!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Oh and you can find all my books in kindle, most of them in nook, and at All Romance eBooks and a few at Smashwords. Just follow the links under my signature line.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Vijaya Schartz<br />
Blasters, Guns, Swords, Romance with a kick<br />
<a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Vijaya's books at Amazon.com:<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Vijaya's eBooks at ARe:<br />
<a href="http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Vijaya+Schartz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Vijaya+Schartz</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Vijaya's nooks at:<br />
<a href="http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=vijaya+schartz&STORE=EBOOK&SZE=100&SRT=SA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=vijaya+schartz&STORE=EBOOK&SZE=100&SRT=SA</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Vijaya's books at Smashwords:<br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Schartz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Schartz</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></span></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-44894870051658778692012-03-04T13:43:00.000-05:002012-03-04T13:43:03.523-05:00Purrs 4 Peace - March 2012 - Thank You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rXiTo4hitTnP2Tf3EiCD8MPpgbcjpsGM5byQmh5XOynT2mN2GDcTRypH8lhyGoZlIlsYrl_2WV0kUqDvA51l_e3JFVxO_UNIcefdL8BQsca0CKLaMno31S41y96vXObBQbu5RCP5/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rXiTo4hitTnP2Tf3EiCD8MPpgbcjpsGM5byQmh5XOynT2mN2GDcTRypH8lhyGoZlIlsYrl_2WV0kUqDvA51l_e3JFVxO_UNIcefdL8BQsca0CKLaMno31S41y96vXObBQbu5RCP5/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HL41mButC5M00s-O5PpjgW2FbWG174TMF7qi6_DOcFVqXsw-KZwMmMxoWw3U4ly17WYMZDcQC_x_nOBNN09T1lusICnX_NMg72fmy-_Afv6_jNuD04dDirMJdRD8xTTibk0LVJMd/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">This month I would love you to meet some very special friends and who have been very devoted to purring for peace. The peaceful effect of their purrrrs is strong. These wonderful friends are much appreciated by Confucius Cat and all their Twitter friends. Meet the Mooshies:</span></span></span></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8wnlOzHm1Cqi7proN5KzHjVNqI2oLM1mW6Y7ywKOIZw8GqW7JPl9BzHz3i5HrcnylwWPSyeS_omQumSLcZ3YU4KjNKHGPNmnNsTLqUp6T3RcGPol1brZdVKDJSKTxn3CewA3gR89/s1600/photo+3.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/AVvXsEhr8wnlOzHm1Cqi7proN5KzHjVNqI2oLM1mW6Y7ywKOIZw8GqW7JPl9BzHz3i5HrcnylwWPSyeS_omQumSLcZ3YU4KjNKHGPNmnNsTLqUp6T3RcGPol1brZdVKDJSKTxn3CewA3gR89/s1600/photo+3.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">"We’re two sister cats living in the Washington, DC area. We were born on April 7, 2004. Our mommy adopted us from Alley Cat Allies. We live in a very cool neighborhood and love to look out the window to catch the latest action. We enjoy going outside, watching birds, napping, playing with toys, and getting massages. We like to eat human food even though vets say that’s not a good thing for animals. Sometimes, when we’re really good, our mom will give us a little turkey or fish. Otherwise we usually eat dry cat food (boring!). And, we have fun socializing with all our anipals on Twitter."</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You can find the Mooshies on Twitter @themooshies and visit their fabulous website www.themooshiechronicles.com<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvOisr23-tp8SjHhUGlaX4AmPzt0I05Gm9KInlaKXkMSCfPRxUwdM0esq8Yw27uwr-Bi0B7B7fBwyEChRs_XNCqX1bykqWZSN9yIUZjK2mkM8u4FHyLZhFGq6dNsOgBW6-6eAGPZF/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvOisr23-tp8SjHhUGlaX4AmPzt0I05Gm9KInlaKXkMSCfPRxUwdM0esq8Yw27uwr-Bi0B7B7fBwyEChRs_XNCqX1bykqWZSN9yIUZjK2mkM8u4FHyLZhFGq6dNsOgBW6-6eAGPZF/s1600/photo+4.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank you my dear friends. Purrrs of love and appreciation to you. You make the world a better place every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcPa7bm1iSY8Iqo4AeLYZAo_9kodTbkCb6MgsNOG9hWqw-CaohzwsiDLjKpyQMty1r6iyB8qY6XGJmBDtRlKh160aEbUgoQKMhboi18AcAYPtSBxHwTCG0oyCG_P3nVjz4-CNa6vh/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcPa7bm1iSY8Iqo4AeLYZAo_9kodTbkCb6MgsNOG9hWqw-CaohzwsiDLjKpyQMty1r6iyB8qY6XGJmBDtRlKh160aEbUgoQKMhboi18AcAYPtSBxHwTCG0oyCG_P3nVjz4-CNa6vh/s1600/photo+5.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-88360246697394812122012-02-27T07:40:00.002-05:002012-02-27T07:43:08.997-05:00Cat Treat Monday: Linda Andrews, Peaches and Bear<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Hi all, Today I have a fantastic cat treat for you: Linda Andrews and her furry babies Bear and Peaches. I always knew Linda was a fantastic author but now you'll see what a great human she is. Take it away Linda.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCw0uNxeVi8OIgoSYq4yEW1Sf6aedE3_m1NkzmUOaJWVLwnL4Yib2Rb42xQEZI0qLP8bFndEbRnGWWE52V8b071uvoI6laNaCE9JF8KpMEQuoAaqDqsbxNIT3KBC2Neb_-KiZLHD8/s1600/Bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCw0uNxeVi8OIgoSYq4yEW1Sf6aedE3_m1NkzmUOaJWVLwnL4Yib2Rb42xQEZI0qLP8bFndEbRnGWWE52V8b071uvoI6laNaCE9JF8KpMEQuoAaqDqsbxNIT3KBC2Neb_-KiZLHD8/s1600/Bear.jpg" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"People don't own cats. Cats own people, if you're deemed worthy, that is. I am happy to be the caregiver of 4 cats and the protector of one very large, very scared dog. We all get along mostly well, until the dog decides he wants to play with one of his smaller siblings. The sibs don't appreciate a 80 pound beastie charging after them or slobbering on them, so they cry out and low and behold soon the dog is trapped under the table with four cats growling at him.</span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately, all the animals like to sleep A LOT so it doesn't happen as often as it could. </span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DMBPe-4LnnTOH2EzyBsNxxMQ9pcujEdN3LzaUoUmwIjlexI4uMgQWdVkWxKzPs9Nl3klqQIxMBxvu9QziDSXk4DvLV9Td2JC3e7IafZHIy5gCot5T967H5SBaXYMNe2R7ZgBPF23/s1600/Peaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DMBPe-4LnnTOH2EzyBsNxxMQ9pcujEdN3LzaUoUmwIjlexI4uMgQWdVkWxKzPs9Nl3klqQIxMBxvu9QziDSXk4DvLV9Td2JC3e7IafZHIy5gCot5T967H5SBaXYMNe2R7ZgBPF23/s1600/Peaches.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">While I could talk about the pets antics for a long, long time I thought I'd just introduce you to Peaches. Technically, Peachy belongs to my daughter but she has set herself up as the alpha cat in the house. She is the only animal in our house that was purchased and maybe that makes her the most normal. In case, you were wondering--our other animals including the fish were rescued--one from being crushed by a forklift at my husband's work, two from being coyote kibble after their mother was eaten (they were 1 1/2 weeks old) and one was given away after the owners moved out leaving the pregnant mother locked in the back yard. The fish came from a neighbor whose tank started leaking.</span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now back to Peaches. </span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">She is the only cat I know that comes when you call her. And she does love my daughter, preferring to sleep on her bed. Of course, my daughter also dressed the cat in a ballerina tutu and pushed her around in a doll stroller for the first two years of her life. They are both 9 years older, so that rarely happens anymore. </span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">But aside from my daughter, I am Peaches preferred companion. (Which irritates the dog as he thinks I am his property.)</span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Peaches likes to sit behind me when I'm on the couch, takes a nap on my hip when I nap and plumps my belly to see if I'm soft enough to curl up on when it is cold. She also loves to groom those in her pride. If she sits behind you and you don't offer up an arm for her to sample, she'll bite your head. Not fun. Ask my dad, he's bald. After a few licks, she hunkers down and keeps an eye on the other lesser animals of the house. Which is pretty much everyone except me.</span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">She does not like the printer as she is not allowed to play with the pages when they come out. But when I'm printing out pages, she perches on it as it is warm so they have reached a truce. She also gets very jealous of the time I spend on the computer. Should I spend too much time, she casually walks across the keyboard inserting lots of weird characters and sometimes hits the power key to turn it off. Not fun. </span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She hasn't quite figured out how to turn off my iPad, but she does like to rub her cheeks against the edges. So I think she is plotting and thinking. Now I have to go. Four cats are staring at me, subliminally telling me that it is time to feed them. Must obey cats. Whoops. Here comes the dog. He gets to lick the cats' bowls clean."<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Linda has a wonderful knew book called Blue Maneuver: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> The extraterrestrials have landed and they're human. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Rae Hemplewhite didn't believe in aliens until a close encounter with</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOO1XLBpDnUyKeACA4kOx86fVlMDT0reMf8LsKNlYHjF6cYGn6is27kJP2BQI26xc9XAyj6huAHxLzsl7MsnKc9KHedkHdvH-z7Uyax-0YXfBbk2eZk4TDRimZlU85VkaeDZRTL1E/s1600/Blue+Maneuver-BNcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOO1XLBpDnUyKeACA4kOx86fVlMDT0reMf8LsKNlYHjF6cYGn6is27kJP2BQI26xc9XAyj6huAHxLzsl7MsnKc9KHedkHdvH-z7Uyax-0YXfBbk2eZk4TDRimZlU85VkaeDZRTL1E/s320/Blue+Maneuver-BNcover.jpg" width="213" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">out-of-this-world technology drags her into the extraterrestrial security </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">program. Helping alien refugees adjust to life on Earth is difficult enough, but </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">her first clients have a price on their heads. Plus, her new partner seems torn </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">between the urge to kiss her or kill her. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">And that's the good news. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">The bad news: Alliances are forming in deep space. If Rae doesn't keep her </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">witnesses alive long enough to transfer their top secret information to the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">right faction of humanity, Earth will become a battlefield. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You can find Blue Maneuver at the usual outlets including Amazon.com: <a href="http://amzn.com/B006VOKXME">http://amzn.com/B006VOKXME</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Linda Andrews lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, three </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">children and a menagerie of domesticated animals. While she started writing a </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">decade ago, she always used her stories to escape the redundancy of her day job </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">as a scientist and never thought to actually combine her love of fiction and </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">science. DOH! After that Homer Simpson moment, she allowed the two halves of her </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">brain to talk to each other. The journeys she’s embarked on since then are dark, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">twisted and occasionally violent, but never predictable. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You can follow Linda on Twitter @LindaAndrews and visit her blog <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://lindaandrews.wordpress.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://lindaandrews.wordpress.com/</span></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-37750267016200677822012-02-13T18:15:00.001-05:002012-02-13T18:17:37.893-05:00Cat Treat Monday: James Hatch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2nU4ukv1GvUwOG1wWKGLRb08hbvRYaD74_qMk4fpUPUmUm7w6tCljR-1EAlz3qRcpj7wzn-U6IV4zP_-kWg4mvHRsvuHtQKEuaFogzA2YgwPzn-_ul7Gk5Ry6vUnya2NRogyp_03/s1600/CIMG1946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2nU4ukv1GvUwOG1wWKGLRb08hbvRYaD74_qMk4fpUPUmUm7w6tCljR-1EAlz3qRcpj7wzn-U6IV4zP_-kWg4mvHRsvuHtQKEuaFogzA2YgwPzn-_ul7Gk5Ry6vUnya2NRogyp_03/s320/CIMG1946.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">I have a very cool cat treat this week: James Hatch and his fascinating cat with four names. Here's James and NMC (that's my favorite of the names...lol)</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">"Cats! You gotta’ love ‘em. I’ve had at least one cat for a long as I can remember. Not that I’ve wanted one necessarily, but because they are drawn to me. In fact, when I first started writing, a <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">polydacts cat with six toes showed up at my back door. It seemed an omen, like one of Hemmingway’s cats had arrived to watch over me. I fed that one until my pile of rejection slips exceeded one-half inch, and then determined the cat wasn’t helping at all. It had a home; it just liked to beg. My current constant cat companion showed up a little later. She was a pregnant “teenager,” scrawny and hungry, and had probably been dumped in our neighborhood by someone who didn’t want a cat in that condition<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7284946368671626238&postID=3775026701620067782&from=pencil" name="_GoBack"></a>. The cat seemed to know I was a soft touch and, on spotting me, immediately ran up and began rubbing on my leg, purring loudly.</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: large;">I weakened. I fed it. It never left. That’s her in the picture. She has four names. I used to call her “NMC” for Not My Cat, until she had been here for five years. Then I started calling her “RC” for rotten cat because she’s not friendly to anyone except me. My wife calls her “Limestone” because her mix of colors looks like that type of rock, or “Blue” because of her beautiful blue eyes. I kept her six kittens until they were eating ham and soft cat food on a regular basis, and then took them to a pet store for sale. They were tame and healthy and are making some child happy even now. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Ever wonder how cats process data? I made a stab at it in my paranormal comedy released last week by Solstice Publishing. Here’s an excerpt from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh, Heavens, Miss Havana! </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b>: </b></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Advice columnist by day, assassin by night, Miss Havana’s spirit wrongly considers itself the Angel of Death, but is brought to task by God. </span></i></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Thank you for reading, and thank you for having me here.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">James L. Hatch</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Author for: xoxopublishing.com, Solstice Publishing and Eternal Press "</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Oh Heavens, Miss Havana sounds great. Here's the blurb:</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Oh, Heavens, Miss Havana!</i> Blurb:</b> Having performed a single selfless act, Miss Havana finds herself on probation in heaven. After many missteps, she discovers she still retains the powers she had as The Queen of Darkness, and realizes she’s on probation as much to keep her from joining forces with her daughter, The Princess of Darkness, as anything else. The Brazilian, a large black man with a dreadlocks beard who waxes regularly, is her “guide”, but she ignores his advice until he’s taken off her case. Guideless and in a foreign environment, she consorts with evil spirits from her former realm, especially Waldo, a shadow creature so named because he’s so hard to find. She acquires a copy of “The Angels Guide to Earth”, comes to believe she is the Angel of Death, and returns to the surface as an advice columnist and assassin. She wreaks havoc before God intervenes for a final showdown...which, as it turns out, isn’t as final as most would hope.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">James has even given us an excerpt so read on!!!!!!!!</span><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Oh, Heavens, Miss Havana!</i> Excerpt: </b>I mentally review the Reaper’s rampage, remembering the wad of cloth he stuffed in the girl’s mouth. As loud as he was bellowing when I left him with Waldo, it’s no wonder he did that … just in case she woke from unconsciousness as he cut her throat. The only solace here is that it will never happen again. Not My Cat, the scruffy yellow stray I’d seen when I was here last, lurks just beyond the edge of the underbrush, and I wonder if such an animal can be inhabited by a spirit on probation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2XFhfQ45ifuvOR1p6a9NKgmUo33XRxYzewhJYw5ly7ICan24syD4nRSVV4Xpv1bnf63-scac7jzSbOx2xVC59rginH279hKQ_bgaxzujKm0bbu0jgAueJ6HhsHP_ZpaqAotAU-aO/s1600/OH_HEAVENS_MISS_HAVANA_COVER+adj1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2XFhfQ45ifuvOR1p6a9NKgmUo33XRxYzewhJYw5ly7ICan24syD4nRSVV4Xpv1bnf63-scac7jzSbOx2xVC59rginH279hKQ_bgaxzujKm0bbu0jgAueJ6HhsHP_ZpaqAotAU-aO/s320/OH_HEAVENS_MISS_HAVANA_COVER+adj1.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I drift over, slither in and am surprised by what I find. The cat thinks in images. It remembers what it sees, but doesn’t assign moral judgments. It remembers where food can be found, and where warm places to sleep are located during the frigid Denver winters. The imagery is a hierarchy relative to survival, with the most easily available water, food and shelter at the top of its memory, hunting areas next, female cat locations and, finally, miscellaneous—things to do with humans, most of which are ignored or inconsequential.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The cat looks out at a Canadian goose basking near the water, but recalls an image of a severe beaking for trying to get one. It doesn’t care about humans in general, but is human-like in its longing. It wants what it can’t have, even when threatened with pain. Its tail twitches in anticipation, but caution prevails. I’ve always been amused by cats, and find this one as interesting from the inside as others are from the outside … until I come to a very disturbing image in its inconsequential and fading memories of human interactions.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The cat watched the Reaper’s fourteenth victim being slaughtered, but the Reaper was not alone. What in Lilith’s Realm is this? I exit the cat, project myself to the Reaper’s home and interrupt Waldo’s fun. “We need to pry a little information out of him before we kill him, Waldo. He had an accomplice.”</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Waldo beams with delight. “Does that mean we get to do this again?”</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I nod. “Get the muriatic acid; let’s get his attention.”</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*****</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You can also find reviews and additional excerpts at <a href="http://cookinwithmisshavana.blogspot.com/">http://cookinwithmisshavana.blogspot.com</a>. </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">I hope you'll check out James' book and his fun blog. </span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-85682089309763475102012-02-06T07:01:00.001-05:002012-02-06T07:02:27.974-05:00Cat Treat Monday: Lynn Crain, Jasper and Harry aka Snarky Boy<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Big excitement today as we have a fantastic cat treat: Lynn Crain, her handsome dog Jasper and the cutie-pie, Harry. I hope you'll enjoy their story. Here's Lynn</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"My Snarky Boy</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> When we moved to Vienna, Austria, last year, we were all set to bring our dog, Jasper. He’s a lab mix of some sort and I missed him dearly as the first months rolled by. I went home for a couple of months to get him ready to go when the realization came that he could not be crate trained in the two months I had to do so. I was devastated as this was the first dog who was all mine. Most of them had bonded with my husband more than me but not Jasper. He was my baby and I was heartbroken.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; clear: right; color: black; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">Trying to trudge along being in a foreign country where I knew no one and didn’t speak the language was wearing on me. There were days that I missed my kids and grandkids horribly and all my animals. We’d also left behind three cats who weren’t good candidates for foreign travel either. Still, I tried my best to adjust but after the second time my husband went on travel, I told him that I desperately needed to get Jasper over here or find another dog.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At first, he wasn’t happy about it but I finally convinced him just how lonely I was being away from everyone. I needed something I could rely on when he wasn’t around. Sure, I had the phone numbers of people I could contact who were acquaintances from his work but I didn’t really know any of them. I knew an animal would somehow make me feel less alone and more safe when he was away.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> We scoured the internet and other sources to find someone who could crate train Jasper. We had no luck and those we did find were so expensive I could come home from Europe two or three times. After a visit to the vet where we talked about me taking him back with me, it was decided that since he was terrified of the crate it would be in the dog’s best interest not to bring him with us. Jasper would stay home with my youngest son. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> This was in August 2011 and I started looking for a way to get another dog while I was in Austria. I looked at the shelters and found that it was extremely hard to qualify for an animal here. The best chance I would have would be to go to a breeder. I started looking into dogs that I could carry on the plane with me, as I never wanted to get another dog I couldn’t take with me when I traveled. After a couple of weeks looking on line relentlessly, I discovered Parson Russell Terriers. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I had known about Jack Russells and loved the breed but they could get hyperactive...that wouldn’t do on an airplane. I looked at the miniature Jack Russell but the nearest breeder was in England and I really didn’t want to go out of Austria to get a dog. While perusing the internet, I came across a Parson Russell Terrier site and checked them out. They had a list of breeders and I started to contact them regarding puppies. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> While doing that I came across the cutest puppy I’d ever seen in my life. His name was Harry Potter and he was just adorable. First, I had to convince my husband that it was worth it to take a train ride six hours just to get a dog. Once that battle was done, I had to make sure the breeder approved of us as well. Some have very strict guidelines and we’d already failed one or two as one breeder only sold his animals to owners who planned to use them for hunting. Another refused to sell to people who lived in the city. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The breeder and I had conversations via phone and email for a whole week before we decided to make the trek as the pup would be quite expensive. Nevertheless, I told my husband my peace of mind would be worth every cent. Then there would be the added benefit that the puppy would force me to exercise every day. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The day finally arrived and we missed our train. We had to wait just a short time for a different train and a slightly different route. We contacted the breeder and told her we’d call when we arrived. It was a godsend to find someone who spoke English as we had few communication issues. Finally, we arrived at our destination just outside of Salzburg. Birgit picked us up from the station and asked us a lot of questions on the way. We answered the best we could because we were just learning the city ourselves and didn’t know everything. Once we arrived at her place, she took us to where the puppies were and I was in love. Here’s one of the first pictures we took of our new puppy boy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpncC51dr-Jh9-szV1Q81xVv9d8Udsn57V8Zw9S7mBBdilp0FDUc-I50muWL3a9vVV7gVYtDlIUmNmxsAagRKMeohQQ_oqu_lbl0WzOo6XCungzQW0W9_cCwPzD1_SzURKM4ddu9b/s1600/Pup+Harry+%232+533x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpncC51dr-Jh9-szV1Q81xVv9d8Udsn57V8Zw9S7mBBdilp0FDUc-I50muWL3a9vVV7gVYtDlIUmNmxsAagRKMeohQQ_oqu_lbl0WzOo6XCungzQW0W9_cCwPzD1_SzURKM4ddu9b/s320/Pup+Harry+%232+533x768.jpg" width="222" /></span></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> This dog has been a lifesaver in more ways than one. I have exercised more and will continue to do so. Since he’s been around, I’ve lost over 30 pounds...this is a great thing...very good. He’s provided companionship to me every day and is a joy to be around. He helps me to feel safe when the husband’s away. Because of him, I now have an entry into the Austrian way of life because they love puppies and adore dogs. We have gotten more comments because of him and I’ve made more friends since he’s been around.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Now, you’re probably wondering why I’ve taken to calling him Snarky Boy. Harry is not your normal terrier and I’ve had many comments on that. We have a very calm household and he doesn’t do any of the normal behaviors of his breed. Most actually tend to be nippy, snarly and a variety of other terrier habits. Not so with Harry and when he does, I’ve started calling him Snarky Boy. When he hears that, he actually stops and occasionally changes his attitude, something that the dog trainer we’re working with was amazed about. He is generally a very happy dog with a sunny disposition, he greets all other dogs as friends and wonders why not everyone thinks he’s the cutest pup in the world!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9yxZ9_akHs2Zgls-u6ifgTg1_u61BdHGdsW5coiiTP4V2vOc-d0wjNilm9lEqLp9Kzk8t6h6WAlt0TlZDQXx6IxwMcAzmI-dl9Jve9ZXpwW-QqrEtspvr5qYKzhyphenhyphenZ82Z8JyVJAAo/s1600/Pup+Harry+800x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9yxZ9_akHs2Zgls-u6ifgTg1_u61BdHGdsW5coiiTP4V2vOc-d0wjNilm9lEqLp9Kzk8t6h6WAlt0TlZDQXx6IxwMcAzmI-dl9Jve9ZXpwW-QqrEtspvr5qYKzhyphenhyphenZ82Z8JyVJAAo/s320/Pup+Harry+800x600.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Here’s another picture of Harry today at six months old. We’ve had him for four months now and wouldn’t trade him for anything! Matter of fact, he will soon have his own blog and twitter account. Just look for Snarky Boy and his picture. Thanks for letting me share with you one of my best friends ever."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDM0w-gpf2FbdhUIeBXI8_orr7NjiqdUHT5XNsBD2Ewah5krx1XHNaEhg6x0YjZVWu20vpkzcukQ1OHsFjUJDMEFlndmpIA6Uuv7JPvSy6uWibX2HBssREod9TrWUeH6gSihq_EfS/s1600/ECoverL1-ALoverForRachel+600x900.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/AVvXsEjQDM0w-gpf2FbdhUIeBXI8_orr7NjiqdUHT5XNsBD2Ewah5krx1XHNaEhg6x0YjZVWu20vpkzcukQ1OHsFjUJDMEFlndmpIA6Uuv7JPvSy6uWibX2HBssREod9TrWUeH6gSihq_EfS/s320/ECoverL1-ALoverForRachel+600x900.jpg" width="213" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Lynn Crain</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> realized at an early age she wanted to write. She took the long way to being published by doing a variety of things like nursing assistant, geologist, technical writer and computer manager all of which have added to her detail-oriented stories. Now she’s a full-time storyteller and weaves fantasy, futuristic, and paranormal tales, as well as erotic stories for various publishers. She normally lives in the very hot southwest with her husband, son, two dogs, three cats, and she’s gotten rid of her snakes. Don’t ask. Other members of her clan live nearby and include another son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons, plus various long-time friends. She is a past national board member of the RWA; founding president of Las Vegas Romance Writers Chapter of RWA; has held the positions of president, vice-president, secretary and contest chair of EPIC. Her latest adventure has taken her to Vienna, Austria with her husband as he works for a UN-affiliated organization. You can find her hanging out at A Writer In Vienna Blog (<u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.awriterinvienna.blogspot.com/">www.awriterinvienna.blogspot.com</a></span></u>) and various other places on the net (<u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.theloglineblog.blogspot.com/">www.theloglineblog.blogspot.com</a></span></u>; <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/oddlynn3;%20www.lynncrain.blogspot.com">www.twitter.com/oddlynn3; www.lynncrain.blogspot.com</a></span></u> ). Still, the thing she loves most of all is hearing from her readers at <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="mailto:lynncrain@cox.net">lynncrain@cox.net</a></span></u>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Lynn has a great new book called A LOVER FOR RACHEL, which is available through Smashwords and Amazon.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rachel Hamilton comes to Stonehenge to celebrate her birthday on Summer Solstice, only to find herself trapped beneath the massive rhyolite bluestones with sexy wizard, Dewin Kingston, who convinces her that she is the key to their escape.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/116658">A Lover for Rachel Smashwords Link</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Lover-for-Rachel-ebook/dp/B006QYWQHO/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1325328077&sr=8-15">A Lover for Rachel Amazon Link</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-9095135800959580702012-02-05T14:36:00.000-05:002012-02-05T14:36:52.987-05:00Purrs 4 Peace - February 2012 - Thank You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EPyhzvFLsYzG54w9OX9CwrV6TFCiRh0-p8iKhsp2xAZekUHWhMVIjX4Hczfxo_nv3SAKLDMQRbMSRkr7Gv8nMKGWzYge1UsrZyi7BenrTmL6k0eGu0Olrx2JLXBrtdaOem3-Nnua/s1600/Shayna+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EPyhzvFLsYzG54w9OX9CwrV6TFCiRh0-p8iKhsp2xAZekUHWhMVIjX4Hczfxo_nv3SAKLDMQRbMSRkr7Gv8nMKGWzYge1UsrZyi7BenrTmL6k0eGu0Olrx2JLXBrtdaOem3-Nnua/s320/Shayna+1.png" width="276" /></a></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">This month I'd like to extend my heart-felt gratitude and appreciation to a devoted supporter of Purrs 4 Peace. A mighty purrrrrrrr warrior who has helped mightily to inject love and compassion into the universe. So without further ado, here's @ShaynaCat</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"So far I'm an only fur-child - I would love a sisfur, but Mom insists she's far too busy to take on any more responsibility at the moment. I chose my Mom because I thought she looked like the kind of human who wouldn't chase away a crying kitten from her doorstep in a rainstorm, and also that her long hair would be fun to play with - and I'm glad to say that I was right on both counts.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I'm the first kitty she's belonged to, so she still needs lots of training, but she tries hard and is making quite good progress. I think I can make her into a fairly decent human if I just keep working on it.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I like to start the day by grooming her. I generally start by washing her face with my tongue, then I get behind her on the pillow and start combing her hair with my claws. She shows her appreciation by making a very high-pitched squealing sound and jumping out of bed.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We have breakfast together – at least, <i>I</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> have breakfast while she drinks coffee. </span><i>Lots</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> of coffee. After that, I go searching for a sun-puddle to nap in while Mom fires up the laptop.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She makes her living on the Internet, so her office is at home, and if she spends too long working on her own stuff when she should be typing out my tweets or helping with my Zazzle store I can easily reclaim her attention by jumping on her desk and walking straight across the keyboard. That <i>always</i> works!</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We live out in the country, and although I'm mainly an indoor kitty I love to explore the riverbank and woods close to the house. This time of year there are lots of spring flowers hidden among the trees, and I sometimes think that I'm the only one who ever sees them.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There are quite a few trees lying on the ground after the big storms a couple months back, so there's always something interesting to climb on!</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">During the winter we have fieldfares and other Scandinavian birds taking shelter with us. At the moment there are a lot of blackbirds singing in the woods, and this morning I was watching a woodpecker drilling a hole in an enormous tree, really high up. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We got a lake close by, too, with lots of swans and geese, as well as ducks, coots and all sorts of other water birds.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I only go there in good weather, 'cos I hate to get my paws all cold and muddy, and I make sure I'm home before dark, 'cos there are some scary-sounding critters out there. We often hear owls calling and foxes barking, and then I snuggle close to Mom and purr to let her know I'm glad I'm safe and warm inside!</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I have a tortie friend called Shelley, who lives next door. We often play together in the garden, or just hang out in sun-puddles when the weather's fine.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I know that I'm a very lucky kitty to be living in such a beautiful place, with someone who loves me, a good friend next door, and lots and <i>lots</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> of pawesome friends online.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I'd love for efurry anipal and human to live in peace and happiness, with a roof above their head, as much as they want to nom in their bowl or on their plate, pleasant folks to live among, who don't judge them for their species or the color of their fur, and someone to love and snuggle with, especially when it's cold!</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">That's why I so much love taking part in #purrs4peace each week, 'cos I believe the harder we all purr for it, the sooner it'll happen.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Purrrrrrrr..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">What a sweet, adorable kitty with a marvelous human mummy. Thank you, sweet friends. I hope 2012 brings every possible blessing to you and your family. Purrrrrrrrrrr. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Bravo and thank you to all who purrrticipated this week. You are much appreciated and loved. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-61038941919781521222012-01-30T07:00:00.002-05:002012-01-30T07:02:24.920-05:00Cat Treat Monday: Lisa Mondello and Nike<div id="cg_msg_content" style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; text-align: left;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrxbcJWfPwTAa8DUd6h3Xn4bBQVQAIcad3ek41G4FNKIR4pDHU2QWNuXjsHWKYxeF_TrlwfW8Z6_hd7iTkuPeuUD8AGlr-ra3Ltnur2Qq5qXMaWouhrzYid0HWuWP2aPF6KlPTekz/s1600/Nike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrxbcJWfPwTAa8DUd6h3Xn4bBQVQAIcad3ek41G4FNKIR4pDHU2QWNuXjsHWKYxeF_TrlwfW8Z6_hd7iTkuPeuUD8AGlr-ra3Ltnur2Qq5qXMaWouhrzYid0HWuWP2aPF6KlPTekz/s320/Nike.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Today we have a fabulous Cat Treat: Lisa Mondello and her adorable beagle, Nike. I can't wait for you to hear about their big, loving family. Here's Lisa:</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; text-align: center;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="font-size: large;">"I've had dogs and cats as pets my entire life, so being without one seemed a bit odd to me after my husband and I got married. But since we started out in an apartment (nearly 21 years ago), we had cats because that was all that was allowed. It wasn't until my two daughters were very little and my husband and I became guardians to my niece and nephew (all 4 kids just a little over 3 years apart oldest to youngest) that we decided life just wasn't complete without a dog to add to the chaos. Yes, with 4 kids then ages 7-10, a puppy was going to make life oh, so-much-more special. And crazy. And Nike did. Especially with my mix of cats running around, looking at me as if I was a traitor for bringing this loud-mouthed hound into the house.</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="font-size: large;">I could talk all day about my cats, because over the years I've had (and still have) a few of them. They have magnificent personalities. But Nike is king. At least he thinks so. Although he's now 10 years old, he's hasn't quite figured out that the cats can kick his butt. I think they let him think he holds rank and yet I know he wouldn't dare go near the water bowl if my eldest cat, Keturah (18 years old) was sitting there presiding over it. </span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="font-size: large;">We decided to get Nike at 9 months old when the kids were small because he needed a home, just like my niece and nephew did. They had that in common. And Nike is a snuggler. Why snuggle up in bed with a stuffed animal when you can have a warm beagle? When the kids were young, Nike used to make the rounds at night. I'd hear his paws on the floor as he went from one room to the next, just to check on his kids. A half hour later he would move on to the next child until he eventually ended up at the foot of my bed. To this day Nike makes his nightly rounds."</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Awwwwww. So sweet. I love the idea of Nike checking on his human family at night. What a little darling! Lisa has written a wonderful book with a gorgeous cover. </span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><strong></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: black;">THE KNIGHT AND MAGGIE'S BABY</span></strong></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"></div><div style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77ofs1aCFvjlu2bgwBKxohU2kp8g88n687LSu8vHcZnI0iMtj7Z-R_UoqP3ZXBNalM3yafMcdMO-iHNEwulb7Olw5r-0znMZOdWQ40YG9uYiRse8uxdcZQFo3Ff7yaWYA3u5x4huN/s1600/KnightandMaggie'sBaby_500x750.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/AVvXsEg77ofs1aCFvjlu2bgwBKxohU2kp8g88n687LSu8vHcZnI0iMtj7Z-R_UoqP3ZXBNalM3yafMcdMO-iHNEwulb7Olw5r-0znMZOdWQ40YG9uYiRse8uxdcZQFo3Ff7yaWYA3u5x4huN/s320/KnightandMaggie'sBaby_500x750.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif;">Sometimes fate needs a little help…<br />
<br />
Jonah Wallace knows what it’s like to grow up without love. Despite having more money than the Queen of England, his childhood was cold and stale as he grew up in boarding schools. He’s dedicated his life to helping homeless and displaced children find the love and support they need by creating the Haven House Foundation, work that resulted in him being Knighted by the Queen.<br />
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Now that he’s living in America, his work is going along just fine…until his grandfather gives fate a little nudge by insisting he take a wife before he can inherit.<br />
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Coffee shop owner, Maggie Bonelli, is pregnant and the baby’s dad has gone AWOL. She knows too well the pain of growing up without a daddy. So when Jonah Wallace comes into her shop proposing marriage for a year, she takes him up on his offer, even if it’s only for a year. Live in a mansion and give her baby a name and a daddy to call his/her own. But can they keep their perfect arraignment strictly business…or will fate’s helping hand bring them love at last?</span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="role_document"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span id="lw_beacon_1327924127017"></span></span></span></div><div id="inline_attachments" style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"><hr class="messageHeaderDivider colorK2" noshade="" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-color: rgb(216, 216, 216) !important; border-top-style: dotted !important; border-top-width: 2px !important; clear: both; color: transparent; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; height: 1px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px;" /><span family="SANSSERIF" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div><span family="SANSSERIF"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can find The Knight and Maggie's Baby at the usual outlets. Please check it out:</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></div><br />
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<div><div style="color: black;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.com/B005K0ECFY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://amzn.com/B005K0ECFY"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1327924126_1">http://amzn.com/B005K0ECFY</span></a></span></span></div></div><div style="color: black;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-knight-and-maggies-baby-lisa-mondello/1105172661?ean=2940013088238" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-knight-and-maggies-baby-lisa-mondello/1105172661?ean=2940013088238"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1327924126_2">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-knight-and-maggies-baby-lisa-mondello/1105172661?ean=2940013088238</span></a></span></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1327924126_3"><a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Knight-and-Maggies-Baby/book-f8U0vyAmnUakGMlJJC5loQ/page1.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Knight-and-Maggies-Baby/book-f8U0vyAmnUakGMlJJC5loQ/page1.html">http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Knight-and-Maggies-Baby/book-f8U0vyAmnUakGMlJJC5loQ/page1.html</a></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span></span></span></div><div><span family="SANSSERIF" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Connect with Lisa on Twitter: </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif;"> @LisaMondello </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">and through her blog:</span></span></span></div><div style="color: black;"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com</a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-89827628069587222502012-01-23T06:43:00.001-05:002012-01-23T06:44:42.419-05:00Cat Treat Monday: Norah Wilson, Bandy and Chloe<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">What a fantastic cat treat I have for you today: Author Norah Wilson and her dogs Bandy and Chloe. I bet you'll be inspired by the story of these sweet dogs and their very special owner. Now, without further ado, here's Norah.</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Big paw prints to fill</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"I got Bandy immediately after my yellow lab Zack died. My kids’ young hearts were broken. Knowing the only remedy was to bring a new dog into our lives, we headed to the local SPCA. Going into this adoption, I already felt sorry for the new dog. How could it ever measure up to Zack, the most good-tempered, gentle, friendly dog in the world?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzq4hImuWjXsTnmjKeu-IbNQ-KrSzyVyi-yaqSttVqxF9sq3JpGzXlu8ITFcnNIK5Oa0RGctjRtJKD0vQXfEhek3jv6XmkYJBRaLmzr1ndFpuOfy4pS1-SaQVQBSdy4Q-106BJmE7n/s1600/Bandy+modelling+orthotic+brace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzq4hImuWjXsTnmjKeu-IbNQ-KrSzyVyi-yaqSttVqxF9sq3JpGzXlu8ITFcnNIK5Oa0RGctjRtJKD0vQXfEhek3jv6XmkYJBRaLmzr1ndFpuOfy4pS1-SaQVQBSdy4Q-106BJmE7n/s320/Bandy+modelling+orthotic+brace.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well, we got to the SPCA and there were cute little dogs. There were handsome big dogs. And there was one very odd-looking mid-sized model. It had the height and some characteristics of a Sheltie, but it was quite … um, rotund. Short-legged, it had a glorious, multi-colored hair coat that brushed the floor. He was missing several front teeth, probably from having been kicked (he’d been seized from his former owner) and staff estimated his age at 5 years. It was love at first sight for my daughter, if not for me. We leashed him and took him outside. The first thing he did was cock his leg and piddle on something, which my kids found delightful. (Zack, despite being a male, always squatted politely; clearly, he’d had no male role models in his puppyhood!) Then this funny little dog bounded up onto a picnic table. That sealed it, since that was something Zack loved to do.</span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, home we went with this dog, which the kids named Bandicoot (or Bandy for short). As the dog’s foibles became known to us, all I could do was shake my head and say, “He’s no Zack.” If I tried to jog, he bit my ankles. If the kids went sliding, he barrelled down the hill and bowled them off the toboggan. If the kids engaged in any kind of horseplay, he leapt in to break it up (usually biting the one that was shrieking the loudest, i.e., the victim). If my husband touched me, Bandy would go for his ankles. And he really didn’t like people with canes. I suspect he’d probably been beaten with something similar. (Whatever the source of his hostility, I’m here to tell you it’s embarrassing when your dog menaces octogenarians.)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But slowly, Bandy grew on us. While he was very close to my kids and fretted over their safety, he bonded primarily with me, the one who saw to his needs. Soon he became my shadow. I couldn’t move from one room to another without him padding after me. I wrote most of my books with him lying at my feet. And he was so incredibly loyal and protective. Even at the end, at the age of 16 – virtually toothless, nearly deaf and almost totally blind, his glorious hair coat reduced to mere wisps – he would have defended me to the death against any threat. When I finally had to euthanize him, it wrecked me. That was over four years ago, but I’m crying as I write this. Much as I’d loved Zack, Bandy was my heart.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Of course, in the midst of our grief, we went to the SPCA again. This time, we came away with a hulking adult female Rotti-Lab cross named Chloe. Of course, I was soon muttering, “She’s no Bandy.“ Unlike my fearless Bandy, Chloe is terrified of her shadow. At the first sign of a threat, she slips her collar and runs home! Of course, I realize that she, as another rescued animal, has had her own troubled history that made her so fearful. She’s also funny, goofy and no matter how old she gets, she’ll always be a puppy at heart. I expect when I get my next dog, I’ll be saying, “She’s no Chloe.” </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bandy may be gone, but he’ll never be forgotten. I ensured that by inserting him into my Golden Heart finalling <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZK5KS4/?tag=norwilsweb-20">GUARDING SUZANNAH</a>. All his idiosyncrasies are on display and are not embellished in the least. That’s one of the reasons that book will always be a favorite of mine. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">Norah Wilson lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada with her husband and two adult children, Chloe, and numerous rats (the pet kind). She has been writing romance a long while, and has finalled multiple times in the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest. She also won Dorchester Publishing's New Voice in Romance contest in 2003. Norah also writes paranormal YA stories with writing partner Heather Doherty, under the name Wilson Doherty. She and Heather also write the hilarious Dix Dodd mysteries under the name N.L. Wilson.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7284946368671626238&postID=8982762806958722250" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; line-height: 27px;">I knew Norah was an awesome multi-published author but now I know she's a wonderful and compassionate human to open her home to these sweet animals. Bravo. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">Guarding Suzannah is available at all the usual outlets including Amazon.com <a href="permalink:%20http://amzn.com/B003ZK5KS4">Permalink: http://amzn.com/B003ZK5KS4</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZK5KS4/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=prmasautofyau-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003ZK5KS4"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B003ZK5KS4&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=prmasautofyau-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" width="132" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=prmasautofyau-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003ZK5KS4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Criminal defense attorney Suzannah Phelps is the bane of the Fredericton police department (they call her She-Rex for her habit of shredding cops in the witness box). She is currently being stalked, but is reluctant to report it to the police, whom she half suspects of being the perpetrators. But when Detective John (Quigg) Quigley learns of it, he's determined to protect her, at considerable risk to his career. They've struck sparks off each other in the courtroom, and he's burning to do the same in the bedroom. When the danger escalates, he has the perfect excuse to pose as her boyfriend, but the closer they get, the more the lines between pretense and reality blur.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;">I hope you'll look for Guarding Suzannah and Norah's other titles. You can connect with Norah on Twitter (@Norah_Wilson) and on Goodreads</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1361508.Norah_Wilson">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1361508.Norah_Wilson</a></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-64592270385534573842012-01-16T06:32:00.001-05:002012-01-16T06:35:10.701-05:00Cat Treat: Christy Hayes, Snickers and Hershey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUzmD5VHHeM6R-rtUlAQWjkUc1NvXaUyis9P2Kr-kfv8IbbmPjH7KYilxl-Pq6BppMkxDJo2RluxF-VE8Hggqmycw9uAYEgfSziH1QAE6-8vzN79VKsC_pl_SdxBP1BklsJctCEDc/s1600/IMG_1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUzmD5VHHeM6R-rtUlAQWjkUc1NvXaUyis9P2Kr-kfv8IbbmPjH7KYilxl-Pq6BppMkxDJo2RluxF-VE8Hggqmycw9uAYEgfSziH1QAE6-8vzN79VKsC_pl_SdxBP1BklsJctCEDc/s320/IMG_1076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">I'm so happy to have another cat treat for you today: Christy Hayes and her sweet dogs Hershey and Snickers. Aren't they gorgeous! Here is Christy:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtrG0K9PHu_yb08Kz0dvAUxCEcfu0Cy1LlG_nYxG4o1IyYRodqVkDWVFuqUAca61GsyK_SvtfgBEnY10-Vf6luOTvbqu5G3ap1c9EtkYmozkDLMPXnpBqx4tcotE-O8nOdEwnOgaB/s1600/IMG_0408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtrG0K9PHu_yb08Kz0dvAUxCEcfu0Cy1LlG_nYxG4o1IyYRodqVkDWVFuqUAca61GsyK_SvtfgBEnY10-Vf6luOTvbqu5G3ap1c9EtkYmozkDLMPXnpBqx4tcotE-O8nOdEwnOgaB/s320/IMG_0408.jpg" width="240" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;">"Hershey and Snickers Hayes are three-year-old mutt sisters adopted by Christy Hayes andfamily. When our elderly dog passed away, we went to a dog adoption just to “look” at the dogs. We came home with dark brown Hershey. Less than an hour later, we were back at the pet store for a crate and some supplies when we realized her sister was still available (she had been cuddling with prospective adoptive parents the entire time we were in the store). Hershey and Snickers were so happy to see each other again, we just had to adopt Snickers, too. And thank goodness we did!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">Hershey and Snickers absolutely love one another. They sleep together, play together, beg for food together—they do everything together. Hershey is more of a loner than Snickers. Snickers always wants to be where her people are. Hershey likes to hang out under the dining room table and in front of the window so she can protect the homestead. Snickers loves to play and often attacks Hershey whenever she can. She loves tennis balls, chew bones, and an occasional stuffed animal or two.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">Hershey and Snickers love to lay outside in the sunshine. When not playing with each other or napping, they adore their twice-daily walks through the neighborhood. Hershey and Snickers love to swim, chase squirrels, and go to the dog park. The Hayes family wouldn’t be complete without these two adorable mutts!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">My twitter handle is @SeaHayes. My website is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.christyhayes.com/"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; text-decoration: none;">www.christyhayes.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"> and my blog is</span><a href="http://www.womenunplugged.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; text-decoration: none;">www.womenunplugged.wordpress.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">.</span>"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">Christy has written a new romance:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">Heart of Glass: When magazine writer Kate Donovan is assigned to profile the building and architectural firm of her first and only love, she heads back to the South Carolina Low Country to face the demons she left behind. Nothing about Danny Flannery’s life is what Kate thought it would be, and as the truth is revealed she longs for a big fat do-over. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimU3CJxmKc88DDB5EDOVklEiblWIvHKbCnQdlXmiSF0-v8aYqSEFgGvE2k7R31WDPQNX1xzkoWxZ3WJydu3556BXai_YEoNLPI1kNkUMx_gAoAhPE0YidOTV1vDY5Pz2txqXsfeB_s/s1600/Heart+Of+Glass+600X900+72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimU3CJxmKc88DDB5EDOVklEiblWIvHKbCnQdlXmiSF0-v8aYqSEFgGvE2k7R31WDPQNX1xzkoWxZ3WJydu3556BXai_YEoNLPI1kNkUMx_gAoAhPE0YidOTV1vDY5Pz2txqXsfeB_s/s320/Heart+Of+Glass+600X900+72dpi.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">Danny’s made a success of his building firm but is hesitant to participate in a flashy magazine spread. He’s dead-set against it when he realizes the journalist sent to interview him is the only woman he’s ever loved and lost. Under pressure from his business partner, Danny agrees to sit down for an interview with the girl he once knew as Kat Fordham and realizes her name isn’t the only thing that’s changed. Everything he thought was true about the past is a lie. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">When Danny discovers Kate still wears the heart shaped sea glass necklace he made for her years ago, they clear the air and their passion reignites. But Kate’s still keeping secrets to protect their fragile new relationship. With her family estranged and her career on the line, will she come clean before Danny finds out the truth, and can Danny risk his heart again for the only woman he’s ever loved?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">(*Gorgeous cover! I'm definitely going to check it out and I hope you will to)</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">You can buy Heart of Glass at your favorite outlets. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Available at Amazon: </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://amzn.com/B0054576HG">http://amzn.com/B0054576HG</a></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">Barnes and Noble: </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heart-of-glass-christy-hayes/1102967683?ean=2940012922113&itm=4&usri=christy+hayes&workid=1031405981"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt; text-decoration: none;">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heart-of-glass-christy-hayes/1102967683?ean=2940012922113&itm=4&usri=christy+hayes&workid=1031405981</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">Smashwords: </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/63962"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/63962</span></a></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-30737075126711151792012-01-09T07:15:00.000-05:002012-01-09T07:15:28.099-05:00Cat Treat Monday: Jennifer Lynne & Cleo<div style="font-family: Garamond, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZvyWlpkSeJexpcQOUpoK2yiUh1_F7MxDfqn_WgoIAZf9n0gJUPRk7efEuxkVUP3vFM4v3jcyCHE-anm5FpSdALhiNYlb8UATRJXRvGmPy6Pul2piSSyX9A2eLvxfIZqvBumhKxLZ/s1600/Cleo%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZvyWlpkSeJexpcQOUpoK2yiUh1_F7MxDfqn_WgoIAZf9n0gJUPRk7efEuxkVUP3vFM4v3jcyCHE-anm5FpSdALhiNYlb8UATRJXRvGmPy6Pul2piSSyX9A2eLvxfIZqvBumhKxLZ/s400/Cleo%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Today's cat treat comes to us all the way from Australia:</span></div><div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Romance author, Jennifer Lynne, and her feline friend, Cleo<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: magenta; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">I hope you'll enjoy meeting these two interesting friends. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">"Thanks so much for having us here today at Confucius Cat.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Writing wouldn't be the same without Cleo by my side. As I write this post, she sits in her usual spot on the desk beside my laptop, purring and staring at me. It's really disconcerting, at times, but I wouldn't be without her. Every so often she tries to climb onto the keyboard, just to get some attention, I think, and at other times, especially if I'm on the computer first thing in the morning before breakfast, she just keeps tapping me on the shoulder with one of her paws – over and over – until I get up and feed her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Cleo is a seven year old ginger cat, and as a female I believe she is quite rare. Apparently only one in 100 gingers are girls, or so I've been told by our vet. So she was special from the moment she was born, and of course, she knows it!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Cleo doesn't like to be held, but she loves company and no matter where we are in the house or garden, she'll be there, too. She loves sitting on our laps, but it has to be her choice to get up there and down rather than being lifted there by any of us. Independent little miss. This may have to do with her having had a double knee reconstruction when she was three and being a bit tetchy about being squished in someone's loving arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Yep, I did say a double reconstruction! Recuperation was not fun, to put it mildly, as she was not allowed to jump in any way for at least three months. The only room in the house without a surface to jump on was my walk-in wardrobe. So she lived in there for several weeks. Awful, but we didn't have a choice. Her knees kept dislocating all the time and it got to the point where it was do the reconstruction or…yep. We won't voice the other choice aloud. That decision was a no brainer! Unfortunately that operation damaged her kidneys, so she is now on a special kidney diet (dry food only), and in our house, if you have a glass of water and put it down for more than a few seconds, better watch out. She'll be there to drink it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">We know she may not be with us for the full range of years that she might have been without the kidney disease, but for now she is well, very happy and extremely spoilt! We love her to bits."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Jennifer Lynne is multi-published in the erotic romance genre, including her latest release, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Platinum Passion</i></b> (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gods of Love</i></b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">#1</i></b>), focusing on a long term relationship that has gone off track and needs a helping hand from Pothos, one of the ancient Greek gods of desire. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Here's the book summary for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Platinum Passion</i></b> (M/M/F erotic paranormal romance):<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-SYemjd_Jt9TjUP7EcaQlX5g2awE9t1TRe88drPCua_gvs_MtRDNRF2Xh77yPB8TmjA_aKyiCXnE8_gY-vRQX32h3Zw7e4GUKytF9jItT-OBmfroBC2sJgqgiN029O9-0VW7t3wN/s1600/Platinum+Passion+Cover+800px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-SYemjd_Jt9TjUP7EcaQlX5g2awE9t1TRe88drPCua_gvs_MtRDNRF2Xh77yPB8TmjA_aKyiCXnE8_gY-vRQX32h3Zw7e4GUKytF9jItT-OBmfroBC2sJgqgiN029O9-0VW7t3wN/s320/Platinum+Passion+Cover+800px.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Three people. One erotic fantasy. And a twentieth wedding anniversary like no other.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Jeannie yearns for the return of passion in her marriage. Jake wants new excitement in the form of another man, in a way that won't upset the balance of his relationship with his wife. Pothos is one of the erotes and an aspect of Eros, the Olympian god of desire. This couple's distinctive yearning has called to him, and by the power of the erotes he intends to rekindle the flame of Jeannie and Jake's passion in a night of desire that could be the ultimate platinum anniversary gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">And when the gods of love decide your marriage needs a boost, they never do it by halves.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Mummy's Review: Hot with Heart. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This story is hot....did I mention hot? It's hot. But though this story involves some very spicy threesome action, the author does an artful job of establishing a believable and heartfelt romance between Jeannie and Jack. And throw in the intriguing paranormal premise that sets the story in motion and I was hooked. A thoroughly enjoyable erotic romance. If you like your romance hot, you gotta check this one out.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Find out more at Jennifer's website/blog </span><span lang="EN-AU"><a href="http://www.jenniferlynne.com.au/blog"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.jenniferlynne.com.au/blog</span></a></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> or friend her (she needs more friends!) at Twitter: </span><span lang="EN-AU"><a href="http://twitter.com/JenniLynnAuthor"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">http://twitter.com/JenniLynnAuthor</span></a></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> or Facebook: </span><span lang="EN-AU"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Lynne-Romance-Author/297504180262670"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Lynne-Romance-Author/297504180262670</span></a></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Buy Links for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Platinum Passion</i></b>: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Smashwords: </span><span lang="EN-AU"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/114249"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/114249</span></a></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7284946368671626238&postID=3073707512671115179" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All Romance ebooks: </span><span lang="EN-AU"><a href="http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-platinumpassion-652347-144.html"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-platinumpassion-652347-144.html</span></a></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Amazon: </span><span lang="EN-AU"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Passion-Gods-Love-ebook/dp/B006LUHIDK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323862259&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Passion-Gods-Love-ebook/dp/B006LUHIDK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323862259&sr=8-1</span></a></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-85955251663033562332012-01-08T15:10:00.001-05:002012-01-08T15:10:03.684-05:00Purrs 4 Peace - January 2012 - Thank You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dSTTF768Epvc9P3O-hkIOxcwtu2Jj5pehj2YGaaDdI-vNNz9hsqdkzX8zjr8mnq8LulPDBwFCKkgcClHaTjLrqjtJ2sB_iIgC3BzCu5fMlHCsVOt7FY6Kcdf7ocFedlze101xwYk/s1600/IMG-20111226-00246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dSTTF768Epvc9P3O-hkIOxcwtu2Jj5pehj2YGaaDdI-vNNz9hsqdkzX8zjr8mnq8LulPDBwFCKkgcClHaTjLrqjtJ2sB_iIgC3BzCu5fMlHCsVOt7FY6Kcdf7ocFedlze101xwYk/s320/IMG-20111226-00246.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, the first Purrs 4 Peace of 2012, I wanted to say a very special thank you to some wonderful friends. Aimee Vinciguerra and her five furbabies have been devoted purr warriors and supporters of Purrs 4 Peace as well as being sweet and supporting friends to me and mummy. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">So we wanted to give YOU a chance to get to know this great group. Take it away Aimee. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">"This is Karma. He will be 21 in March. He has lived with me since he was 3 months old. A friend of mine was convinced he belonged with me and every day came to my work to say that he needed me. She was right, he did. I needed him right back! He's been there for many moves and raised a number of kittens and cats for me. I've lost five other cats after he joined my house and added 4 more in the last three years and he still keeps on going and loving everyone.</span></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> *Confucius Cat says: this must be one of the sweetest cat in the world. Smooooches to Karma.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-RMGEQ6jXB0KQM7fAPHIj1wnnz6I7bvRmWsFgfMwUUOApsc11J4JSkiZ2r8M-PTCNQGDqcfwR9OJzHxTFM4qKRLvqCU0QYCH-HKWvVSmordSWii2FBeyMLZD8isFPoPrUY6YhdnZ/s1600/IMG-20111226-00215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-RMGEQ6jXB0KQM7fAPHIj1wnnz6I7bvRmWsFgfMwUUOApsc11J4JSkiZ2r8M-PTCNQGDqcfwR9OJzHxTFM4qKRLvqCU0QYCH-HKWvVSmordSWii2FBeyMLZD8isFPoPrUY6YhdnZ/s320/IMG-20111226-00215.jpg" width="236" /></a> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
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</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span">This is Kismet. She joined us in August 2009 after I lost my little girl Psyche just shy of 6 years old (she had cancer). I went into our local shelter and she was watching me through the window from the cat condo. She looked so much like my Psyche that at first I said I couldn't bring her home. After going through all the cat rooms, I went back to her room and as I opened the door she reached over and licked my hand.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">She hopped off the cat condo, twined around my feet, grabbed a bite of food, and came back to me, three times. She won. Her name had been Chubbs, I promptly renamed her Kismet as she was “fated” to be with us.</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**CC says: Awwww. What a lucky and adorable tuxedo cat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9hTFWw9U9dSrUwoOkIcVLPhrgvyjX1HwaJD1oPGh4axhe9Rid7LpcuYS40oKVyan2RWSms_lJsPVEYuQw_O89x1tLRd4wbGxmulcgYi7ZEeJuZOZh_IYlPF2n5tSV-ApnuIwLSIt/s1600/IMG-20111213-00183.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/AVvXsEgB9hTFWw9U9dSrUwoOkIcVLPhrgvyjX1HwaJD1oPGh4axhe9Rid7LpcuYS40oKVyan2RWSms_lJsPVEYuQw_O89x1tLRd4wbGxmulcgYi7ZEeJuZOZh_IYlPF2n5tSV-ApnuIwLSIt/s320/IMG-20111213-00183.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;">This is Sadari. She joined us last June 2010. I thought we were about to lose Karma and I didn't want Kismet to be as lost as Karma had been when he became the only cat so I went to the shelter I had gotten Kismet from and looked around. None of the cats I saw had that “spark” the one that says.. “yup.. we belong together.” I was about to give up when one of the volunteers called me over to meet this little lady. She twined around my ankles purring up a storm. I was petting her, talking to the volunteers and she nipped me. The poor volunteers were beside themselves. I started laughing. I had one JUST like her named Pixie that I had lost when she was 15 years old. Sadari saw that they were putting a cat carrier together and she hopped right in, looked at me, looked at the volunteer and said as plain as day. “let's go home” So we did! She's my little sheriff, keeping everyone in line! (Sadari loosely translates as a blessing of positive energy</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***CC says: What a gorgeous name....for a gorgeous cat. And you KNOW I love the black cats!</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvda7kXUPYEI0xeQ-P2tK0IX3c_pioSxSvLOvzgk3MQWe54xhfF4pqSrggRLq1qKnWW_qaz3hgcxtsYHKqtkGVLMaFTVtMVJWCpDM1Gu4EbvjViF3iKLhF2itP42IA-E5NYZJ528TF/s1600/IMG-20110506-00072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvda7kXUPYEI0xeQ-P2tK0IX3c_pioSxSvLOvzgk3MQWe54xhfF4pqSrggRLq1qKnWW_qaz3hgcxtsYHKqtkGVLMaFTVtMVJWCpDM1Gu4EbvjViF3iKLhF2itP42IA-E5NYZJ528TF/s320/IMG-20110506-00072.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="height: 228px; left: -2px; position: relative; top: 0px; width: 331px; z-index: 251658240;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: 15px;">On the left is Independence (Indy) on the right is Liberty (Libby). September 2010 my neighbors moved out. I didn't know them by name but knew they had cats. They moved out. The cats stayed. Libby was pregnant and gave birth two weeks after they moved out. I brought her in, found homes for the two kittens that survived, and after the kittens went to their new homes brought Indy in. They were both neutered and spayed just before Christmas last year. The plan was to find them a home but they had their own plans.. they WERE home. So I am a Foster Fail and here they stay. Both are incredibly sweet and I'm very glad they joined my family.</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*****CC says: Two little darlings. They are obviously intelligent... taking over the bed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I've had cats as part of my life for as long as I can remember. My first was Velvet Ann. I was six when I got her. Cats bring me so much love, and joy. Coming home to their sweet faces as they run from all parts of the house when I come home makes my day. Curling up in bed with the two that will, Kismet and Libby, makes my night. My life wouldn't be complete without my purrchildren."</span><br />
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What a wonderfully compassionate and loving human to open her home to 5 furbabies. Aimee is an example of what every human should strive to be. <br />
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Thank you Aimee, Karma, Kismet, Sadari, Indy and Libby. You are much appreciated and loved. Big Confucius Cat kitty kisses and four paws hugging.<br />
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Bravo and thank you to all the purrticipants in this month's Purrs 4 Peace. I appreciate and love you all. You are mighty purr warriors. I know the positive energy you all put into the universe has to be yielding results. And in a world where the need for the positive is so great, you are a vital force for good. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-45137124637670680172012-01-02T07:07:00.001-05:002012-01-02T07:07:41.463-05:00Cat Treat Monday: Marie Higgins and Jack<div id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_1325273367859499" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_1325273367859501" style="color: purple;">Happy New Year! The first Cat Treat of the year is a wonderful author, Marie Higgins and and her adorable fur baby called Jack. Here's Marie:</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></div><div id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678593567" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqpGn0DrylQ/TwGcSp1b0TI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/83VrbnapyNI/s1600/Jack+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqpGn0DrylQ/TwGcSp1b0TI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/83VrbnapyNI/s320/Jack+1.JPG" width="298" /></a><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678592722">"There wasn't a time in my life that I can't remember having a pet. When I was young, my parents got a cat. Within a few months we realized I'm allergic to their hair. Not long after that, we adopted a dog. They are so much fun for kids, in my opinion. When I grew up, married, and had my own family, we always had a pet. The dogs we had that lasted longer than the others were: Cocker Spaniel (my favorite), and Teacup Poodle. Cindy - our Cocker, must have had some kind of brain tumor and she died in our house. That was so sad. And Buddy - our Poodle - had seizures since he was small, but he still lasted for many years until he went blind and could hardly walk. We had him put down, and that was very hard on the family, too.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678593701">By this time, my kids were growing up and moving out. My husband and I worked full time and we didn't have time to raise another pup - so we thought. We went two years before my husband said he just HAD to get another dog. I let him pick one out, so he did. A Miniature Schnauzer he called Jack. (don't know why he named him that...)</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DmmqUncth7c/TwGcl_8yxHI/AAAAAAAAAjc/eLXS0OkjE5Q/s1600/Jack+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DmmqUncth7c/TwGcl_8yxHI/AAAAAAAAAjc/eLXS0OkjE5Q/s200/Jack+2.JPG" width="200" /></a><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678593770">Jack was such a cute puppy, it was hard not to love him. My grandchildren fell madly in love with him and cuddled him every time they came over. Now Jack is very protective of them, and doesn't like them to have friends over because Jack is worried they will get hurt. Jack is also very protective of my husband - and yes, even me. When I play and act like I'm growling at my husband, Jack gets upset and barks at me. lol</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></div><div id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678596511" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flenXg9IhsY/TwGc2i_EKVI/AAAAAAAAAjo/2XYxdFPX2hk/s1600/Jack+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flenXg9IhsY/TwGc2i_EKVI/AAAAAAAAAjo/2XYxdFPX2hk/s320/Jack+039.JPG" width="320" /></a><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678595140">Jack was such an easy dog to train, too. He doesn't dig in the yard, he goes to the bathroom outside, and he rarely every chews on my shoes. :) I taught him how to sit up and roll over. I wanted to teach him how to bark for a treat, but he does enough barking as it is when company comes over so I didn't want him barking anymore.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></div><div id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678596532" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></div><div id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678596613" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678596618">Although he's a great dog, we still have to stick him in the bedroom when company comes to visit. I'm afraid he'll bite them. If anyone could tell me what I can do to train him not to attack visitors, I'd greatly appreciate it!</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></div><div id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678596903" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kH6vtTaPzbw/TwGbVyWhDuI/AAAAAAAAAjE/ti-56kgg798/s1600/Hannah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kH6vtTaPzbw/TwGbVyWhDuI/AAAAAAAAAjE/ti-56kgg798/s320/Hannah.jpg" width="207" /></a><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678597376">In my newest release, "<b>Secrets After Dark</b>" I've written about a dog. Well...a werewolf, actually, but I made him different than other werewolves I've read about. Here is a little excerpt of the story -"</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"></span></span><br />
<div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598162" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Hannah clasped her hands to the material around her neck, bringing the garment closer together to ward off the coldness seeping in through her skin. With every step, she searched through the fog and strained to hear what was going on around her. Close by, bushes rustled and twigs snapped.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598100" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598212" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">She glanced at the trees, wondering if she should climb one to get out of the path of the wild animal. Hannah gulped. Another twig snapped, and the growl of an animal rumbled through the air. She froze in fear, afraid to even breathe.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598148" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598226" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Through the fog, yellow eyes floated toward her, and within seconds the outline of the wolf appeared. He bared his teeth as he stared at her, stalking closer.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598143" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598237" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Hannah whimpered. “Please, don’t.”</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598242" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598247" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The animal stopped and tilted his head, no longer threatening her with his nasty snarl. His eyes blinked. Against her ribs her heartbeat thundered, shaking her body even worse. Would he pounce on her and kill her immediately?</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598138" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">This was definitely the calm before the storm.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598133" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598261" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Even through her fear, she realized she’d never seen a more beautiful animal. Pure white fur covered the animal, and perfect ears stood straight on top his head. The long, bushy tail did not move at the animal stared at her.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598128" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598284" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Several minutes passed. She dared not move for fear of provoking the animal further. If the rapid speed of her heart didn’t kill her, the wolf certainly would. Silently, she prayed Morgan would save her as he did the last time. But as each minute passed, her hopes sank lower.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598120" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598298" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Finally the white wolf moved, taking a step closer to her. Clutching her shaking hands against her chest, Hannah squeezed her eyes closed and whimpered. The heat of his breath fanned her cold hands. She waited for his sharp teeth to sink into her skin, but instead she felt soft fur rubbing gently against her hand.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598106" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598312" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">She peeked at the wolf, keeping as still as she could. He looked up at her, his large, yellow eyes staring wondrously into her eyes for a moment. Then he whined and nudged her with his nose before rubbing his head on her hand again.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598323" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598339" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The beast seemed friendly, but how could that be? Hadn’t he already killed women, including Sarah, the Thorntons’ servant?</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598347" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598352" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The wolf sat in front of her and lifted his paw. Letting out a whine, he rested his paw on Hannah’s leg. Her heart leapt in terror. She had heard once that some animals play with their victims before they kill them, and perhaps this was the case now.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598363" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598368" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Keeping his eyes on her, the wolf touched her again. He let out a soft whine and tilted his head at her.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598373" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Hannah licked her lips. “Wh–what do you want?” she whispered.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598378" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598383" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The wolf rose to all fours and stepped in front of her as if he was leaving. He took a couple of steps then turned and looked back at her. He whined once more before turning and taking a few more steps, then stopping again to peer back at her, his eyes glowing.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598394" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598399" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Perhaps all the rumors of the white wolf had been false. Obviously, the animal wasn’t trying to hurt her, but help her. Hannah clasped her cold, shaky hands and walked toward him on quaky limbs. She kept a few steps behind him as he led her through the trees. Every so often, he turned and looked at her as if to make certain she followed.</span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598410" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="yiv1992881827MsoNormal" id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598418" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Soon, the lights from the manor shone through the night like a beacon in the fog. Tears gathered in her eyes. At last she was safe!</span></span></span></div><div id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598424"></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091">Check out book trailers for "Secrets After Dark" -</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><a href="http://youtu.be/w_XZYbKQ8VU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/w_XZYbKQ8VU</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><a href="http://youtu.be/rel71riDBnE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/rel71riDBnE</a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">You can find the links to buy the book at: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1325505060_0" style="color: #366388;">http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com</span></a></span></div><div></div><div></div><div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Marie Higgins is a multi-published author of romance; from refined bad-boy heroes who makes your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. Visit her website / blog to discover more about her – </span><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><a href="http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com</a></span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv1992881827yui_3_2_0_17_13252733678598091"><i>You can also find out more about her at her Amazon author page: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Higgins/e/B004O3WYQ2/ref=sr_tc_ep?qid=1325505921">http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Higgins/e/B004O3WYQ2/ref=sr_tc_ep?qid=1325505921</a></i></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-10148438753243331732011-12-26T07:21:00.004-05:002011-12-26T07:24:58.261-05:00Cat Treat Monday: Elysa Hendricks and Kyle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s77keTRx5TI/TvhjQ0H7fJI/AAAAAAAAAgM/G4pM9-tjzOk/s1600/Fall+2011+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s77keTRx5TI/TvhjQ0H7fJI/AAAAAAAAAgM/G4pM9-tjzOk/s320/Fall+2011+043.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm very excited today to introduce you to a lovely author, Elysa Hendricks and her sweet fur baby. Elysa is sharing a short story she wrote about meeting Kyle.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">HOME F</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">OR CHRISTMAS</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;">Christmas Eve my life changed.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"> The day started out about the same as the rest of the days during the last month.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"> Harsh fluorescent lights sputtered reluctantly to life; revealing stark cinder block walls, bare cement floors and steel bars. Plaintive cries echoed down long, empty halls. The acrid smell of urine mingled unpleasantly with the strong odor of pine disinfectant. My bones protested as I stretched out the kinks caused by sleeping on the hard metal ledge provided in place of a proper bed.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"> As far as prisons go, this one wasn't as bad as some and it was better than most: warm and dry, with three square, if bland meals a day. After spending most of the month of December on the streets of Chicago, my toes a mere half-degree away from frostbite, I almost jumped into the officer's wagon.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"> Almost. Life on the inside can be iffy. Two others, who came in with me that day hadn't been seen since.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"> Shortly after lunch, the cellblock door opened. I heard a brief snatch of the song I’ll Be Home For Christmas before the door clanged shut again. It had been a long time since I’d had a home, for Christmas or otherwise. Two strangers, a middle-aged woman and a teen-aged boy, walked into the room. In every cell the inmates sat up. They crowded against the bars, each crying his own sad song. One by one, the people checked them out.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"> Then they were there. Right in front of me.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"> This was my chance. Eagerly I arched my back and pressed my nose through the bars. I set my motor going. My whole body thrummed with the effort to be heard above the others, to be noticed. Excitement locked my vocal cords. All that came out was a strangled squeak.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"> "How 'bout this one?" the woman asked.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"> The boy peered at me. "He's kind of skinny," he said.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"> I held my breath. The cell door swung open. His hands gripped me behind my front legs and pulled me against his chest. "You want to come home with me, Kitty?" he asked.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"> Before he could change his mind I wrapped my paws around his neck and licked his chin. He grinned and nodded at the woman.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white;"> I was going home for Christmas.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you Elysa. I wish all people would consider adopting a homeless cat and bringing more love into their life. Elysa's book looks like a heartfelt romance <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4k3KmASx9A0/TvhlP9pahAI/AAAAAAAAAgY/3mB1w0GFquk/s1600/THE+BABY+RACE+-+600+X+900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4k3KmASx9A0/TvhlP9pahAI/AAAAAAAAAgY/3mB1w0GFquk/s320/THE+BABY+RACE+-+600+X+900.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Book Description: </div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Race Reed doesn’t want a wife, but to save his ranch he needs a baby. To gain custody of her stepsister, Claire Jensen needs a husband, but she wants love. Wants and needs are bound to clash when they run The Baby Race. </div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I hope you'll check it out and give it a try:</div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/thebabyrace" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1324901252_0">http://tinyurl.com/thebabyrace</span></a></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/77032" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1324901252_1">http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/77032</span></a></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-baby-race-elysa-hendricks/1104729049" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1324901252_2">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-baby-race-elysa-hendricks/1104729049</span></a></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1324901252_3">You should also visit Elysa at her website: <a href="http://www.elysahendricks.com/" target="_blank">http://www.elysahendricks.com</a></span></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
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</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-755270995549832492011-12-19T07:38:00.003-05:002011-12-20T20:53:21.720-05:00Cat Treat Monday: Cathleen Ross and Chicken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMOEH2FpPRJcMiISoZ81d3NhX1G90lu_VNb4NFArU974vIBgbol5xdGgYcHIKBCpe_ZzJqpgOyaHnlrR2n7NG6onjxKOEUuxJAorDVlAViBznwbg6Jpvgggva8WCWdb4XIPxPn8s7/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMOEH2FpPRJcMiISoZ81d3NhX1G90lu_VNb4NFArU974vIBgbol5xdGgYcHIKBCpe_ZzJqpgOyaHnlrR2n7NG6onjxKOEUuxJAorDVlAViBznwbg6Jpvgggva8WCWdb4XIPxPn8s7/s400/securedownload-1.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We have a fantastic cat treat this holiday week. Mum and I are pleased to introduce author, Cathleen Ross and her unusual pet. Without further ado, here's Cathleen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I adore animals and have had plenty. This is my pet chicken named CHICKEN. I've had her since she was a pullet and she's getting used to being patted by me. I found her in a pet shop in the country with lots of other pullets. The other pullets ignored me when I squatted to look at them but she begged me to buy her by jumping up and down and looking me in the eye, so I bought her. She's very spoiled and jealous in nature. If I walk my dog she tries to attack her by flying onto the dog's head and pecking out her eyes. She gave up laying over a year ago and now just rules the front garden. She sits outside my bedroom window and wakes me up with her constant calls for food and as you can see she is getting very fat as i buy her fresh corn on the cob. I think she gets lonely sometimes as she sits by the front door and watches me write. Once I left the front door open and found her sitting at my desk waiting for me.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">What a darling Chicken! I never knew they could have such personality. Thank you so much Cathleen for sharing your story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cathleen 's recent release is called Highlander. <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=prmasautofyau-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B005L388OG" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Arial;">About the book: Highlander is the second of the Forbidden Fantasy stories by best-selling erotic writer, Cathleen Ross. It is a 10,000 word erotic romance set in Scotland. When Sir James Bruce conquers enemy territory, his reward is the hand of beautiful virgin, Lady Isobel McLaird. Although Isobel has no intention of marrying Sir James, he intends to change her mind by taming her to his touch. Only James has the power to save her imprisoned brother and the stubborn tenacity to win her heart. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Mum's review: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 21px; line-height: normal;">I'm a sucker for stories of gorgeous Scots in kilts, so I found Highlander a greatly enjoyable read. Highlander has a dash of the period politics of Braveheart and a sassy heroine reminiscent of the Taming of the Shrew. Add in the flair of a contemporary voice along with a HOT romance and you have entertaining fun.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 21px; line-height: normal;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 21px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">You can follow Cathleen on Twitter @CathleenRoss . You can also sample Cathleen's work on Wattpad <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/user/CathleenRoss">http://www.wattpad.com/user/CathleenRoss</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 21px; line-height: normal;"> </span><br />
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</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-82421290379145704652011-12-12T08:37:00.000-05:002011-12-12T08:37:15.024-05:00Cat Treat Monday: Author Edie Ramer, Belle, Rose and Sky<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">We are very pleased to introduce you to our guests today. Mummy just finished Edie Ramer's book Cattitude and she loved it. She said she would like to give it more than five stars on Amazon but they only allow five. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Cattitude blurb:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">It's all in the Cattitude...</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">After Belle the cat switches bodies with a psychic on the run from a murderer, she wants her perfect cat body back instead of this furless human one. But she doesn't count on falling in love with her former owner. Or that a CEO and a beauty queen want to use up her nine lives. Now is her chance to prove anything a human can do, a cat can do better.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><!--EndFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Edie has some adorable babies to tell you about so I'll just turn it over to her with no further ado. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKMRcK237VMUUYb4Yuq18Ho5PjPlfqO2UaXuL6jfKPybLmw7V1axYvy48Y1ENJAWFPadkfhFZEOJS-AQ5aJhttJq08R5Ms-4suEiGgRaWr7L952VkFxPz3NT7ae08gKEtKtb9jzCd/s1600/sky.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKMRcK237VMUUYb4Yuq18Ho5PjPlfqO2UaXuL6jfKPybLmw7V1axYvy48Y1ENJAWFPadkfhFZEOJS-AQ5aJhttJq08R5Ms-4suEiGgRaWr7L952VkFxPz3NT7ae08gKEtKtb9jzCd/s1600/sky.gif" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"> CC said to write a few paragraphs about my fur babies. I could write a book about them, but I’ll restrain myself. The English setter came first. We’d lost Lulu, our beloved English springer spaniel a few months before, and I couldn’t stand being without another dog. We decided to go with a different breed this time to avoid comparing our new dog to Lulu. (Which didn’t work.) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKMRcK237VMUUYb4Yuq18Ho5PjPlfqO2UaXuL6jfKPybLmw7V1axYvy48Y1ENJAWFPadkfhFZEOJS-AQ5aJhttJq08R5Ms-4suEiGgRaWr7L952VkFxPz3NT7ae08gKEtKtb9jzCd/s1600/sky.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">After reading a half dozen books on dog breeds, we decided on an English setter. We got Sky from a rescue association. She was just under a year old. Beautiful. Super high energy. In great health. She even came with her original papers, including her vet information. (Which we really appreciated.) We knew she’d be energetic, but what we didn’t pay so much attention to was the part in her breed description that said “stubborn.” The books should say “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">super</i> stubborn.” Or “makes a mule look malleable.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguabTlh5RaTi4VnmdOTBvHevHjh_ceuT3LOrH-iFU7WYzhVQexmCOzOBCkrvZ2it-s8P18QmO_BosdolqLqCyOg-alsph4nAhwsAFCQhwy1LuigNhAh5TLJs7DvCS8ytT8IjoFmLeC/s1600/belle.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguabTlh5RaTi4VnmdOTBvHevHjh_ceuT3LOrH-iFU7WYzhVQexmCOzOBCkrvZ2it-s8P18QmO_BosdolqLqCyOg-alsph4nAhwsAFCQhwy1LuigNhAh5TLJs7DvCS8ytT8IjoFmLeC/s1600/belle.gif" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">But she’s a sweetheart. Great with children. Loves to be petted. Hates to be alone. Which is where the cat came in...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">My husband refused to get another dog, and I’d heard that cats had a calming effect on a dog. Sky had been dropped off with all her papers at a cat kennel, so we thought she must be used to cats. We got Belle from our local humane society. The minute I brought her home, Lulu sniffed the carrier and I could just tell what she was thinking.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">“Lunch!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">It took a couple of months before Belle got used to us. I quickly fell in love with her. I’d thought I was a dog person, but now I know I’m a cat person, too. It’s because of her that I wrote Cattitude. While on a break at a previous workplace, eight of us talked about what kind of animal we’d like to be if we could have our choice. The majority of my co-workers wanted to be a cat. That conversation stayed in my head and one day when Belle was purring on my lap, I wondered <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What if the opposite happened? What if a cat turned into a woman?</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">That’s when I knew I was going to write a book about a cat who changes bodies with a woman and keeps her cat attitude. I tried to give the cat in the book a different name—because she really isn’t my cat—but none fit as well as Belle. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQR7iWxyCYqSzhWQNyUwHGsCx19KBP4ZeNYb3JsAmVEkD1VSwJlfJ3xLG9pDTZiaAmY8cvxHv3vO7h_ZDslLWFDjneSJ9uCVtYIpm09KicYbJUleJEJneyN-2-TGKXTxdjIDN-7Wt/s1600/Rose+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQR7iWxyCYqSzhWQNyUwHGsCx19KBP4ZeNYb3JsAmVEkD1VSwJlfJ3xLG9pDTZiaAmY8cvxHv3vO7h_ZDslLWFDjneSJ9uCVtYIpm09KicYbJUleJEJneyN-2-TGKXTxdjIDN-7Wt/s320/Rose+small.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQR7iWxyCYqSzhWQNyUwHGsCx19KBP4ZeNYb3JsAmVEkD1VSwJlfJ3xLG9pDTZiaAmY8cvxHv3vO7h_ZDslLWFDjneSJ9uCVtYIpm09KicYbJUleJEJneyN-2-TGKXTxdjIDN-7Wt/s1600/Rose+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">We inherited Rose the beagle when my father-in-law died. She was 17; now she’s 19. Very old. It’s amazing because when we got her, she was obese. She could barely drag herself up the stairs. (She follows me everywhere.) Now she’s trimmed up nicely and she scampers, and I take her and Sky for long walks. Though she has arthritis and limps, she doesn’t let that stop her. My only regret is that we didn’t have her much sooner.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">I’ve exceeded my few paragraphs. It’s a pleasure to be here and I’m grateful to Confucius Cat and Patricia for letting me talk about my fur babies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Mum's Cattitude Review - Five Stars</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXCvXE6fJvoBBY9eGpzVnMkyO-SZ33dhXluSPLx2f4c2eUn9OvKa8i8-tzaMRZzC_rxHRgXF9da1V7If5k1KmQYbeaOnqBV4Byq5uVw5n11MzGiKHN1K2A1BQJ_UWYgx0cMFjZX8X/s1600/cattitude+cover186x301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXCvXE6fJvoBBY9eGpzVnMkyO-SZ33dhXluSPLx2f4c2eUn9OvKa8i8-tzaMRZzC_rxHRgXF9da1V7If5k1KmQYbeaOnqBV4Byq5uVw5n11MzGiKHN1K2A1BQJ_UWYgx0cMFjZX8X/s1600/cattitude+cover186x301.jpg" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">I LOVED this book. As a cat lover, I was drawn to the tagline: Anything a human can do a cat can do better. How perfect! That's a sentiment I see my cat thinking every day. *Confucius Cat says: darn right! * In her heroine, Belle, Edie Ramer has managed to capture the feline thought process and translate it into a humorous and endearing character who charmed me from the first page. The book is often laugh out loud funny, as when Belle is considering living life as a woman instead of a cat and decides she'd rather have a hairball in her throat. Or the passages on Belle's Harry Potter obsession. I could definitely relate to those and at one point had to take a drink of water, I was laughing so hard. The hero, Max, is loveable and relatable as well. He's so attractive and wonderful, ...well you'll have to read the book to know more. Ramer has also done a fantastic job with the relationship between Sorcha (who becomes a cat) and the little girl she grows to love. Cattitude is a must read for cat lovers...and everyone else.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">You can follow Edie Ramer on Twitter @Edie Ramer and check out her other books at http://www.EdieRamer.com</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-45342898321901234922011-12-05T07:56:00.000-05:002011-12-05T07:56:21.431-05:00Cat Treat Monday: Minna and Author Maree Anderson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpM6K0X-DBgxePZT5X2K_N2-a-3ErbSE4GBtyNhz4bEGXonoU8W24UI933yL96tdZvcPzbPhWW4Q71EoQERAyVo1UkD3fMq2kXCW3D4jglyABAstwjZmE8FUiyWbpK6SMsAkADzFmq/s1600/minna+asleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpM6K0X-DBgxePZT5X2K_N2-a-3ErbSE4GBtyNhz4bEGXonoU8W24UI933yL96tdZvcPzbPhWW4Q71EoQERAyVo1UkD3fMq2kXCW3D4jglyABAstwjZmE8FUiyWbpK6SMsAkADzFmq/s320/minna+asleep.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Today, I am so excited to introduce a fascinating cat and her owner. I don't think I've ever met an Ocicat before. What a beauty. Take it away Minna:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Name</b>: Minna (short for Minnaloushe, after the cat in a poem by William Butler Yeats.) I’m a purebred ocicat *buffs her claws on her Owner’s best couch cushion*</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrbonb6af76Db0kWGY5GJo0pBhbNfnEIV9wzNF2sHy1lqh1-PMT7owqt1R2-kGH14NnHnzTqVcATn2CKg-1oMl0CMLnwIXqHItcd2p3vXMUq_zy47a1fdMQZlXG_SIxlIvpSLXkjE/s1600/Minna+drinking+from+glass_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrbonb6af76Db0kWGY5GJo0pBhbNfnEIV9wzNF2sHy1lqh1-PMT7owqt1R2-kGH14NnHnzTqVcATn2CKg-1oMl0CMLnwIXqHItcd2p3vXMUq_zy47a1fdMQZlXG_SIxlIvpSLXkjE/s1600/Minna+drinking+from+glass_small.jpg" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Favorite Pastime</b>: Sleeping. Eating. Hunting for yummy things to eat that have been left out on the kitchen counter, like margarine containers (excellent to lick), cheese buns (crunchy cheesy toppings--yum), and muffins that have just come out of the oven (my favorite are banana choc-chip). Smooching my Feeder and acting all purry and adorable so my Feeder will feed me. Eating. Forgetting I’ve been fed 10 minutes after I ate. Eating. Sleeping.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Favorite Human</b>: My Feeder. Though I must say, she is a very frustrating creature at times. I’m doing my best to train her to my exacting standards, but oh, it’s such a chore. Sometimes I have to resort to jumping on her pillow and yowling in her ear while she’s sleeping before she’ll get up and feed me. Or even scraping my claws down her bedroom windowpane if I happen to be stuck outside. Goodness. I feel tired just thinking about it. *yawns* Must have a nap....</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrcDaIh4zxFIQ3t4As1rlyhMWf5v4MW6prgiKRCXIeNsNkF6G2vSLccRb-ngoyRnulaHeMKdnzhjKihcvHCG_3lkyUgBMpL8eEba_9v_GHtJasxtxgahRGmlPwK35FABAR2ZogWI4/s1600/Minna%2527s+Book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrcDaIh4zxFIQ3t4As1rlyhMWf5v4MW6prgiKRCXIeNsNkF6G2vSLccRb-ngoyRnulaHeMKdnzhjKihcvHCG_3lkyUgBMpL8eEba_9v_GHtJasxtxgahRGmlPwK35FABAR2ZogWI4/s320/Minna%2527s+Book+cover.jpg" width="224" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Most embarrassing moment</b>: When my Feeder’s sibling chose to write all about me for his school speech. I was flattered at first, until I realized it wasn’t a speech about my star-studded past as a feline cover-model and heroine of the bestselling book The Nine Emotional Lives Of Cats. No, it was a tell-all expose! All my little foibles—like the time I went hunting and brought home a delicious piece of stale Madeira cake from the neighbor’s front lawn—were revealed to a bunch of evil children. I was a laughing stock! To add insult to injury, he got a very good mark for delivering such an amusing speech. Oh, the shame..... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BTW: Since my Owner cooks all my food specially for me so I don’t get all itchy and scratchy and lick my fur off, I guess it would be nice to give her a mention. She has published a book called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Crystal Warrior</b>. It’s not anywhere near as fascinating as “my” book, but it’s won a writing award, and I’ve heard people say it’s not half bad. (And just between you and me, one day my Owner hopes to be famous as I am!)</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here’s a bit about my Owner’s book:</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Crystal Warrior by Maree Anderson<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She’s a dancer, and the most important thing in her life right now is the success of her new dance studio. He’s an alien Crystal Warrior with one big-ass curse hanging over him. In a moment of weakness she lets him seduce her. Now they’re magically bonded and his life is in her hands. (Winner of the Romance Writers of New Zealand Clendon Award for full-length romantic manuscript.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chalcedony (Chalcey) has given up on men. Who’s got time for all that angsty dating crap when she’s got a new dance studio to run? Then she’s given a piece of wulfenite crystal and Lord Wulfenite, Keeper of the Shifting Sands fief, literally pops out of the crystal and plants one on her. Wulf is the man of her dreams… or at least, dressed like an ad for We Love Leather, with killer abs and delectable pectorals, he sure looks like the man of her dreams. But if there’s one thing Chalcey’s learned: If it looks too good to be true, then it sure as heck probably is too good to be true! And Wulf proves to be no exception.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wulf doesn’t stop to wonder why he’s so attracted to Chalcedony. All he knows is he’s finally escaped from a centuries-long hell and he wants this woman – more than anything he’s wanted in his entire life. Chalcey doesn’t stand a chance. Before she realizes what’s at stake, she’s bonded with him and his life is in her hands. She knows she should walk away and leave him to his fate. No way is she planning on getting stuck with a guy who used to steal women for breeding stock! But the more she learns about Wulf and his past, the more conflicted she becomes.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6m-m0ihQ5jJBCkP27Va3f2FkVYw7ugrumU0IKCe9V0OV1rsT4gcBLHHVTNPQ2285tKMQIoWD5jKkepagjf2EXlm3c45XhRiY0Bk_Zm-6R8DE_sxWiMIW7QVKIkSbfylroQ5fLxMn/s1600/the-crystal-warrior-600x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6m-m0ihQ5jJBCkP27Va3f2FkVYw7ugrumU0IKCe9V0OV1rsT4gcBLHHVTNPQ2285tKMQIoWD5jKkepagjf2EXlm3c45XhRiY0Bk_Zm-6R8DE_sxWiMIW7QVKIkSbfylroQ5fLxMn/s320/the-crystal-warrior-600x800.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Only when the Crystal Guardian’s curse threatens everything Chalcey’s worked so hard for, does she finally realize what’s truly important. But even if she can figure out how to save Wulf from his fate, it might be too late.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Confucius Cat's mummy read The Crystal Warrior and gave it five stars. The sexy alpha male hero had us hooked from the beginning and we loved the sassy heroine who tamed him (just enough). The plot unfolded at a fast page-turner pace. Can't wait for the next book in the series. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">As an aside, we just started the Nine Emotional Lives of Cats. I'm not sure I want my mummy knowing so much about what I'm thinking and feeling. ..(MOL) But she's loving it.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Crystal Warrior by Maree Anderson </b>available now at:</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Smashwords: <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/80048">http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/80048</a></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Crystal-Warrior-ebook/dp/B005H6Y60M/">http://www.amazon.com/The-Crystal-Warrior-ebook/dp/B005H6Y60M/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Barnes & Noble: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-crystal-warrior-maree-anderson/1105098939">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-crystal-warrior-maree-anderson/1105098939</a></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-crystal-warrior/id458552017?mt=11">http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-crystal-warrior/id458552017?mt=11</a></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For more information, please check out Maree’s website: <a href="http://www.mareeanderson.com/">http://www.mareeanderson.com</a> or: <a href="http://www.thecrystalwarrior.com/">http://www.thecrystalwarrior.com</a> You can also follow on Twitter @MareeAnderson</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-36547638539633095562011-12-04T14:39:00.000-05:002011-12-04T14:39:15.518-05:00Purrs 4 Peace - December 2011 - Thank You<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">This month I am soooo proud and happy to present a sweet, adorable canine who has not only been a wonderful and supportive Twitter friend to Confucius Cat but also is an inspiration for helping others in this crazy would. As a side note, my sister Zelda who just passed OTRB was a ShithTzu and they are the sweetest most upbeat and happy dogs you can adopt. Anyway, here she is: Mattie.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">My name is Mattie, some of you may know me as I tweet on Twitter as <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mattiedog"><span style="text-decoration: none;">@MattieDog</span></a>. I'm a sweet little, golden Shih Tzu who brings joy and love to everyone I meet. My momma and dadz believe I am a reincarnated buddha because I help them recognize the truly important things in life. I know it is my mission to see the positive in all aspects of life..sweet life, it is such a blessing. I came in to this world a little sideways - I was found wandering around the city, approximately a year old, without a care in the world. My parents found me in an animal shelter, and it's been a joyous journey since then. If you'd like to read the full story of my adoption you can do so <a href="http://mattiedadog.blogspot.com/2009/12/mattie-sorta-like-boy-named-sue.html">here</a>. My days are filled with a peaceable existence where I share my family's love with my furry sister and brothers - a menagerie of adopted, mostly special needs Shih Tzu's and one crazy little Chihuahua; and once a week my momma takes me to <a href="http://mattiedadog.blogspot.com/2011/05/blessed-or-blessing-either-way-its-all.html">visit children who are receiving cancer treatments</a>. I am very grateful for my time with the little ones, they have taught me that the spirit is a powerful thing.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49S4Op4GMmJu_KSS7snykAEMJiyembPu6JRhrqYndRud4YM0CE_ORyY47RnZ2-DzwraCUJHMTSMmOkJARftIaRmhV1KBo9BHOaLGcWjSMYislLe2fNvhunYii47CnE9o1m_3J5S25/s1600/Mattie+86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49S4Op4GMmJu_KSS7snykAEMJiyembPu6JRhrqYndRud4YM0CE_ORyY47RnZ2-DzwraCUJHMTSMmOkJARftIaRmhV1KBo9BHOaLGcWjSMYislLe2fNvhunYii47CnE9o1m_3J5S25/s320/Mattie+86.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">That's me...MattieDog, a little dog making a big impact in this world!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">What a cutie pie! Thank you so much Mattie for sharing your story and for being you. And thank you to your human parents who's generosity and compassion are to be admired. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">And my appreciation and thanks to all the cats and honorary cats around the world who Purr 4 Peace. You add the vital positive energy of love to the universe. Bravo. I bow to you all. Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-15898872373935945412011-11-28T08:04:00.001-05:002011-11-28T08:07:26.492-05:00More Cat Treat: Author LJ Charles and Oliver Biscuit<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm very pleased with today's CAT TREAT: LJ Charles and her handsome cat Oliver Biscuit. You all know how partial I am to black cats and this one is clearly special. I love the little bell. Take it away my friends.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Oliver Biscuit came into our lives one snowy day in March. The air was crisp and filled with a gentle dusting of feathery flakes that melted as they touched the ground.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZEw6568q_Dd-i0LovlmZuJSXMQJrFcJ9eqSaaZHcEd4z4D0-L4EZaac7zTxx2eI6D_xR4FRO0YlpwV27z49BNOHLP1_jlUqJkYzSok0KL_K0h4EbbknTz2alUaui8ZMWIcUqjCRl/s1600/2011-04-26+18.00.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZEw6568q_Dd-i0LovlmZuJSXMQJrFcJ9eqSaaZHcEd4z4D0-L4EZaac7zTxx2eI6D_xR4FRO0YlpwV27z49BNOHLP1_jlUqJkYzSok0KL_K0h4EbbknTz2alUaui8ZMWIcUqjCRl/s320/2011-04-26+18.00.57.jpg" width="240" /></span></a><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The Hubby and I shrugged into winter coats, scarves, and gloves for the trip to the humane society. We often dropped off newspapers and plastic bags so the personnel knew us and let us wander about searching through Kitty City for the perfect addition to our family, and playing with the kittens. It wasn’t until we were ready to leave that my husband peeked into the quarantine area—where they isolate newcomers until they’ve been vetted healthy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">He spotted Oliver and marched right up to kennel. After spending a few minutes petting him through the openings in the door, we inquired about his history. He’d been deserted at the Air Base. Often we have military personnel who try and find homes for their animals before they’re shipped overseas, but occasionally the shelter is too full and there’s no one on base who can take in another animal. There’s nothing they can do be leave the animal to fend for itself. I believe the Base security personnel try to collect these animals and bring them to the humane society whenever they can. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">He’d been in isolation for six days so they let us spend some time with him in the adoption room. He curled up on our laps, it didn’t matter which of us held him, and purred like a truck with holes in the muffler. We immediately wanted to rescue this sweet, sweet boy, so what could we do but apply for adoption? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The Biscuit Kitty is black with green eyes, and two secret white spots on his belly—just wisps of white, barely visible, like big, fluffy snowflakes had landed on his tummy. I glanced out the window and smiled. There was no question the Fates had stepped in with the perfect kitty for us. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Oliver Biscuit has been immortalized in my Lifethread series—a Young Adult trilogy. Lifethread was my first published novel and the box Oliver Biscuit is sitting in—my first shipment of the print edition. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a lucky kitty to have found such a loving forever home after being abandoned....And he's a star! I do think his role in Lifethread is even bigger than my cameo in one of mummy's novels. I'm going to have to speak to her about that.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8eZjKAmp30JyIN1ZYlyEqFY7EKlsFNShuF455YFXuclhHnihWVs-o0OBzorTENNrzxEYxhLXY4PGtD_ePd0MsTb1Ob-mq300QJ7SAn_tqttE1ynZNh0h97BILFWU18I0OOH7RHi0/s1600/BookCoverImage.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/AVvXsEjm8eZjKAmp30JyIN1ZYlyEqFY7EKlsFNShuF455YFXuclhHnihWVs-o0OBzorTENNrzxEYxhLXY4PGtD_ePd0MsTb1Ob-mq300QJ7SAn_tqttE1ynZNh0h97BILFWU18I0OOH7RHi0/s320/BookCoverImage.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Tsx8uayXbAlKE8oD3RLu4hKNDzxMwl7x2hLLB5zfVL9Rk6SEoNTV7DwbyZFEJznzOG1PYjiRMovTqqekt5EykWTXb9HsWS9lGBPZD46_9oUtzMdZItxhE5AKDfc2TxazoMjlrBnu/s1600/BookCoverImage-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Tsx8uayXbAlKE8oD3RLu4hKNDzxMwl7x2hLLB5zfVL9Rk6SEoNTV7DwbyZFEJznzOG1PYjiRMovTqqekt5EykWTXb9HsWS9lGBPZD46_9oUtzMdZItxhE5AKDfc2TxazoMjlrBnu/s320/BookCoverImage-6.jpg" width="209" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LJ has released two books you should check out. Lifethread and Creation.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lifethread Description: </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">McKenna Fin is armed, dangerous, and in love for the first time. She'll do anything to earn her humanity... except the one thing the Fate's require.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 21px;">Stuck in her senior year of high school until she earns her humanity, McKenna Fin is responsible for cutting the lifethread of demons, and protecting teens from being possessed. To celebrate her fiftieth year of apprenticeship to the Fate Atropos, McKenna is given a new responsibility, and possibly a quick way to earn her humanity—severing the lifethread of deserving humans. Her first assignment: Nathan Quinn.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">When Nathan becomes a primary demon target and gets sucked into Tartania, McKenna’s duty as a Fated priestess demands she follow. McKenna can rescue him, no problem, but then she’d have to cut his lifethread. And he’s the one and only guy she’s been attracted to since forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">The demons consider Nathan one of their own and fight to keep him. The time limit on Nathan's life is about to run out, and McKenna has to make the decision: sever his lifethread, or battle demons, defy the Fates, and keep him for her own.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">Amazon: <a href="http://amzn.com/B004SV2NDO"><span style="text-decoration: none;">http://amzn.com/B004SV2NDO</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">B & N: <a href="http://goo.gl/oWfXv"> <u style="text-underline: #2368C5;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">http://goo.gl/oWfXv</span></u></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I recently finished Lifethread and it was fabulous with an intriguing premise that was engagingly executed. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"> It's not a standard paranormal. The mythology behind the plot was unique and the characters were multi-dimensional. Mum gave it FIVE STARS, and I gave it five paws. All in all, Lifethread was engagingly executed. I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy. In fact I've just started Creation and I'm hooked by the story already. </span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">Creation Description: A life-threatening secret.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">Possession by an uninvited entity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">And the Perfect Guy has a shapeshifting demon in his family tree.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">What’s a priestess to do?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">Amazon: <a href="http://amzn.com/B00630XAFS"> <u style="text-underline: #2368C5;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">http://amzn.com/B00630XAFS</span></u></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16pt;">B & N: <a href="http://goo.gl/PXJX8"> <u style="text-underline: #2368C5;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">http://goo.gl/PXJX8</span></u></a></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;">I hope you'll all check out these two great books, but first leave some lovely comments for the handsome Oliver Biscuit. You can follow LJ Charles on Twitter @LucieJCharles.</span></span></div></div><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284946368671626238.post-24927660923150075682011-11-21T06:14:00.005-05:002011-11-21T06:29:23.767-05:00Cat Treat Monday: Author Tori Scott and Blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUS9Tv43hK7ALvwG-m3yR5lsw-eFlnnKrDebtjFWMIrYp3n1ftsoroH81MbgHxndXgQzN-BAOBrxVw5WYsMgtQIV0vXTjCNZvrwdPMHM2wjklCq63CW1mbNgqELYA2OVvx7LFHT1R/s1600/Picture+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUS9Tv43hK7ALvwG-m3yR5lsw-eFlnnKrDebtjFWMIrYp3n1ftsoroH81MbgHxndXgQzN-BAOBrxVw5WYsMgtQIV0vXTjCNZvrwdPMHM2wjklCq63CW1mbNgqELYA2OVvx7LFHT1R/s320/Picture+050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's Monday morning! If you're anything like me, you need a treat. Our cat treat today is a gorgeous canine and his Mom. Take it away, my friends.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi! My name is Blue, and I'm a Blue Heeler owned by Tori Scott. My mom found me at a flea market when I was only four weeks old. She was so appalled that someone would try to sell a four week old puppy that she bought me and took me home with her. I've repaid her kindness many times over by protecting her and the rest of her pack, by getting so excited when she comes home that I fall all over myself trying to knock her down so I can lick her face, and by crowding her feet so I can lay under her desk when she writes (you never know when that computer might try to get her.) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Confucius Cat note: I think the same thing about my mummy's computer. My protection method is laying on top of the keyboard. Give it a try.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm almost </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">13 years old now, but I still let strangers know they aren't welcome </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">until Mom says they are, and I'm protecting </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">a new generation of pups she calls grandkids. I very nearly gave my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">life once to protect her two youngest kids, so I'm treated like </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">royalty and allowed to sleep by Mom's bed at night, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">and I follow her everywhere she goes. And best of all, she wrote a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">book about me that will be released in a month or so, called Blame it</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">on</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1321873208_0">Texas</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. Okay, it may not be about me, exactly, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">but I'm in it and so is my heroic protection story; fictionalized, of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">course. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">While you're waiting for that one to come out, be sure to read </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lone Star Justice which is set in our little country town </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1321873208_1">East Texas</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lone Star Justice</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=prmasautofyau-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B005RQ0NNQ" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></span><br />
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</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1321873208_3"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93281">http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93281</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="yshortcuts"><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Lone-Star-Justice/Tori-Scott/e/2940013241879" target="_blank">http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Lone-Star-Justice/Tori-Scott/e/2940013241879</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Description of Lone Justice: Judge Madelyn Cooper never shows signs of weakness, but when a killer </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">threatens her daughter's life, Maddie does what any mother would do.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Run to the place where her daughter will be safe. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">That place is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1321873208_5">Greendale</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">, Texas. Maddie left Greendale fourteen years </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">earlier, pregnant, broke, and without saying a word to Rand McCade. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">What could she say after her father killed his parents?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Rand McCade is determined to keep Greendale safe. As Sheriff, he</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">promised there would be no repeat of the horrible day when his parents</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">were murdered. Now Maddie is back, bringing trouble with</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">her once again. And this time, she has a daughter. His daughter.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">As a psychopath sets his sights on Maddie, Rand and Maddie must figure</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">out who is after her, and why, before someone else ends up dead.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm definitely going to be on looking for you in Blame it on Texas and Lone Star Justice sounds exciting. Thanks so much my friends for sharing your story.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can follow Tori on Twitter @ToriScott2 and visit her blog at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://toriscott.blogspot.com/" rel="me nofollow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://toriscott.blogspot.com</a></span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3