tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32988095899279942622024-03-05T20:50:53.689-08:00Melissa Ohnoutka - Where Love and Danger CollideMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-83305248510340538912021-02-26T12:16:00.000-08:002021-02-26T12:16:50.102-08:00The Edge of Insanity<p> Started writing again after a long break.</p><p>Let's see where this goes....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAkm4ltBwCV5O8NqsiE7SsLE9q1p9bR6oFU92CC9GQzeFj8rHMidcOo0McCEbqLha-42iOuMe7lCC8Xeb4g5aOAf21dfIo5qBQhmkdcP_GUm8dOE1fChAyNOTJpNxLWdnqrRhIcX2Z4Q/s1606/The+Edge+of+Insanity.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="1106" height="942" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAkm4ltBwCV5O8NqsiE7SsLE9q1p9bR6oFU92CC9GQzeFj8rHMidcOo0McCEbqLha-42iOuMe7lCC8Xeb4g5aOAf21dfIo5qBQhmkdcP_GUm8dOE1fChAyNOTJpNxLWdnqrRhIcX2Z4Q/w648-h942/The+Edge+of+Insanity.PNG" width="648" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-44244763308633019382020-09-14T15:23:00.001-07:002020-09-14T15:23:14.378-07:00Time to Pick a Side!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is no middle ground here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><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/AVvXsEiEIIUhATnLaBgc4xZGYdUPyTrfbRwzIHyb5sUaL5EUrqWnQkI9TvcrzhCOaSCiPF4N3YbMoCNgzzGig3Kl8mYhwHuyZJ-gy3NyvNqrHM4W8YiqeDd69U0OjJrsP1_hMKSnNnykBghyiqs/s800/America+Pray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIIUhATnLaBgc4xZGYdUPyTrfbRwzIHyb5sUaL5EUrqWnQkI9TvcrzhCOaSCiPF4N3YbMoCNgzzGig3Kl8mYhwHuyZJ-gy3NyvNqrHM4W8YiqeDd69U0OjJrsP1_hMKSnNnykBghyiqs/s320/America+Pray.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-87075441229596004322017-09-09T07:55:00.000-07:002017-09-09T07:55:08.624-07:00Praying for Florida!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-5054978736298408872017-09-05T11:41:00.000-07:002017-09-05T11:41:32.236-07:00Hurricane Harvey Relief<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good Afternoon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope you are enjoying a bit of sunshine where you are. The clouds have lifted and the sun is finally shining bright here in Houston, Texas. But it's been one crazy, unimaginable ride this past week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My heart goes out to ALL those affected by this nasty storm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as we go forward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although I've lived in the Houston area for over 20 years now, Victoria,Texas will forever be my home. I've also made many wonderful lifelong memories with family and friends in Rockport, Port Aransas and Corpus Christi over the years. And there were many other beautiful cities that felt the brunt of Harvey's destruction as well. No power. No water. No homes to return to. The media may be focused on the flooding in and around Houston, which has been heartbreaking, but please don't let the other cities and small towns be forgotten. My heart aches at the pictures I've seen of Harvey's destruction. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not being able to be there in person to help out is so frustrating and one of the reasons I've joined this great group of writers wanting to help out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the next two weeks, we will all be donating our royalties to charities across the affected areas of Texas. I'll be donating all royalties from the sales of my books from September 4th - September 17th to United Way Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">( <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.unitedwayvictoria.org%2Fcivicrm%2Fcontribute%2Ftransact%3Freset%3D1%26id%3D16&h=ATP3WYSZcugP2tFkOiqT45xHsWaLdpkbsWvpglWuPT-kkRVWS0N4Iy0kH9VCW50xj_ZgX_LijYKeMNbFDOIiClOLJJeXY5gg4kdwVTg6WWpyX6Ty6WOgpXS2HANHrSanXoFcn0mB7hv22mrdaoDAEQpJ0e_KscQC8ZRxbSkBNQCJCX3u1zWdK3yN8OHPO1SfI0hvlqnZXl5IlQtfbhQu7wbsuiJDOqExbFyQrnO34Qx2fjkUAfweGJaR15pjkOpwhERDuzrHTI_mbWYA3PXIy69V068bhL3afND5QgIyvP98_2rwC3JC6qVR" href="https://www.unitedwayvictoria.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=16" rel="noopener" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">https://www.unitedwayvictoria.org/civi…/contribute/transact…</a> )</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please click the link below to find out more about the participating authors and charities. Find a new author, read a great book, and help those who've lost so much due to this devastating catastrophe! Gifting the books to others works too. Thank you!</span></span><br />
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<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.carriepulkinen.com%2Fauthorshelpinghouston%2F&h=ATMoDGuYthmjnWJ6D2N8lUi7R0s_BdHLIzhtsxEFbAcTOGLxk5DkhDmSqHMRtsZPJkD4XmB2Otcgo3ZXHA_Fud6-48dQsHYEYAA4pi-rL_Ys8fjBN8Tv9OlrbF_MOogwWi1jUfUY3nW2_j7RUdsUREh0YcuRm-PdKsVpQWK0Fs7cJB0Gk2s-VJBXYptoOCK0eRO9ka9M2EAgLGa3O1qEn5R6X8QsprRFQCzkdA2MwXcJt8YnVmIzggSM5WPX55UDCVNmuT-PunyMpbBkdHXDJ_QVXj-_hxruDGBbQWuTpeEftEDcZBBIpbfK" href="https://www.carriepulkinen.com/authorshelpinghouston/" rel="noopener" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">https://www.carriepulkinen.com/authorshelpinghouston/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although only Betrayals of the Heart is listed on the Authors Helping Houston page, I will be donating the royalties from all my books during this time. Click link below to find my books and links to the different retailers. </span><br />
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<a 100="" 16px="" font-family:="" font-size:="" helvetica="" href="http://www.melissaohnoutka.com/" target="_blank" text-size-adjust:=""><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">www.melissaohnoutka.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wishing you all the Best!</span><br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-72039789260278428132017-07-26T10:08:00.003-07:002017-07-26T10:08:56.319-07:00July Romantic Suspense Contest and Giveaway!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Today, I have a fun surprise I’d like to share with you.</span></span></div>
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<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">I’ve teamed up with 20 romantic suspense authors to give away
a huge collection of novels to 2 lucky winners, alongside a number of bookstore
gift cards, PLUS a Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet to the Grand Prize winner!</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">You can win my novel <b>BETRAYALS OF THE HEART</b>, plus books from authors like <b>AVERY FLYNN, </b> <b>LINDZEE ARMSTRONG</b> and <b>AUTUMN JORDON</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Enter the giveaway by clicking here: </span></b><a href="http://bit.ly/2tfsN70"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">bit.ly/2tfsN70</span></a><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Good luck, and enjoy! ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-52941585130373331322017-04-26T08:48:00.000-07:002017-04-26T08:52:21.759-07:00Cover Makovers!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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New year, new adventures on the writing journey. And it's only April! </div>
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Love these new cover redos now available in ebook format for 2017! :) </div>
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Same suspenseful stories, just with a fresh new look.<br />
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All are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc.</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Ohnoutka/e/B004QJQE5G/" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Melissa%20Ohnoutka%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=Melissa%20Ohnoutka&fcsearchfield=Author" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div>
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Money dictates the rules of this game and the victim could be anybody— regardless of sex, age, or race. <br />
When high-end antiques dealer, Hailey Devlin, discovers her business partner's boyfriend has bankrupted their company, she sets out to expose the thief. Unknown to Hailey, her target is involved in a brutal trafficking ring where human lives are sold off to the highest bidder and she fits the next customer's order perfectly. She awakens to a world she can't remember. An alluring man claims to be her husband-a man who seems both to want and reject her. Is this amnesia or something much more sinister? </div>
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Target of Betrayal</h3>
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Kathleen Landon thought her life would finally get back to normal after the bizarre death of her husband. But a "chance" meeting with an old boyfriend throws her and her family on a dangerous and emotional journey full of secrets and betrayal. Her husband's death wasn't an accident, but an attempt to cover up a horrendous crime spree being operated by a traitor inside the FBI. Now she and her children are running from a cold-blooded killer. Can she trust the U.S. Marshal sworn to protect them. Or is he using her as bait to capture her husband's killer?</div>
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Betrayals of the Heart</h3>
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Makayla thought she'd fallen in love with the man of her dreams. But after the honeymoon, a horrifying reality sets in. She is a prisoner, a slave, a pawn for a malicious man’s games. When her precious son is born, the need to escape intensifies. Little does she know that the man who helps her escape is working undercover with orders from the FBI to bring her in—a sure method to end not only her life, but her young son’s as well. Can she survive the lies and betrayals?<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-3166616203790997982017-03-09T12:00:00.000-08:002017-03-09T12:00:10.684-08:00Goals - Why Make Them?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So, I was going though old post on Facebook and found this one from 2012.<br />
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Talk about surprise the heck out of me. Looks like I've been slacking off for a few years now. LOL Now of course two of the books were already written and only had to be edited before publishing. But I did write a short story as well as a full length novel and 50,000 words for NaNoWriMo in that same year. Sheessh...<br />
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Makes me wonder where all my time is going these days. But it also makes me want to get my bootie in gear and be more productive. So even though I might night achieve all the goals I set out to do, looking back and seeing what I did accomplish is a great motivator. So much so here's a brief summary of what I did get done for 2016. :)<br />
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** Submitted and received a contract with Entangled publishing for Sinful Secrets. (YEAH!) Finished writing the first draft of Wicked Games in June, which now sits awaiting edits. Attended the RWA National conference in San Diego. Survived the many rounds of edits on Sinful Secrets over the summer. Went on a wonderful writing retreat with three awesome writers. Wrote 50,000 words during NaNoWrio on Sam's story, the next one I'll be presenting to Entangled. Sinful Secrets was released November 16, 2016 and I learned all kinds of new promotional ideas. And then finished off the year going through some really tough health issues with hubby, but all is well now.<br />
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Looks like I did get quite a bit of writing done. Just need to tackle those pesky edits and I'll be in business again. Sigh.... Wish I knew how to like this stage more.<br />
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What about you? How did your 2016 play out?<br />
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<a href="https://entangledpublishing.com/sinful-secrets.html" target="_blank">Entangled Publishing</a></div>
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Wishing you all a happy and blessed weekend!<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-40051688732840370182017-02-14T12:33:00.001-08:002017-02-14T12:33:38.195-08:00Giveaway Alert!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Celebrate your love of Romantic Suspense! <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" aria-hidden="1" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v7/fa5/1.5/16/1f642.png" width="16" /></span></div>
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Have you read my novel BETRAYALS OF THE HEART? </div>
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For a limited time, you can enter to win my book and 40 of these Fantastic ROMANTIC SUSPENSE novels from an amazing collection of authors, PLUS a BRAND NEW KINDLE FIRE!! </div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-37656434648514354272017-01-22T15:42:00.000-08:002017-01-22T15:42:11.019-08:00The Art of Craft - Characters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So it's a new year. A time to try new things. And I'm going to hit while the iron is hot! LOL You know, while I'm in the mood to change and be adventurous.</div>
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As a writer on a mission to fill those blank pages with words, I find the learning curve never stops. There will always be a better way to say something, a new and creative way to describe a scene, or action and still be true to your unique voice. This is another part of the journey I like. Watching my words turn from mediocre to gut wrenching, emotional charged prose warms my little heart. Writing is, after all, feeling on a deeper level, right?</div>
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I'm so excited! A few of my new craft books I ordered arrived today. Can't wait to get started! </div>
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First up:</div>
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Writing the intimate Character - <i>Create Unique, Compelling Characters through the Mastery of Point of View.</i></div>
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Yes, please!! :)</div>
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Let me devour the knowledge within these pages and I'll get back to you!</div>
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Have a Happy Week Ya'll!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-45865970454764126432017-01-16T15:00:00.000-08:002017-01-18T15:49:06.263-08:00Wait! I'm not Ready!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
2017 has arrived!<br />
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How did this happen? I just finished Nanowrimo, like yesterday. Seriously. I need a huge kick in the pants to jump start this year that has taken off without me. So not fair.<br />
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Wishing everyone a Wonderful New Year filled with love, laughter and many blessings!!<br />
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And in case you've been living under a rock like me, in hopes it might somehow slow down time, here's another look at my latest release from Entangled Publishing.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><em>All Joanna McNamee wants is to make her event planning business a success, but someone keeps sabotaging her events. The last thing she expects is to see Ryker Kane, the man she’s been crushing on since college, show back up in her life. Talk about awkward. She decides acting as if they’ve never met is the best option. But when a man tries to kidnap her in order to get his hands on her father’s secret formula, she must put the past behind her and trust Ryker. Or lose everything.</em></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Click here to read the first chapter and order your copy: </span><a href="https://entangledpublishing.com/index.php/books/sinful-secrets.html" target="_blank">Entangled Publishing - Sinful Secrets</a><br />
<span style="background-color: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" />
<span style="background-color: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Or visit <a href="http://www.melissaohnoutka.com/" target="_blank">www.melissaohnoutka.com</a> to find out more about my other books and what's in the works. If you've already snatched up a copy and enjoyed it, please leave a review. Not only do I love hearing from my readers, but you'll be helping me out with marketing as well. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Thank you all so much!</span><br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-48497141701662194002016-11-11T07:46:00.000-08:002016-11-11T07:46:02.656-08:00Giveaway Alert!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Click on link to enter for your chance to win a $25 Gift card and a free ebook copy of <a href="http://entangledpublishing.com/sinful-secrets/" target="_blank">Sinful Secrets</a>! You can read the first chapter by clicking on the Sinful Secrets link. :)<br />
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Enter Contest Here:<br />
<a href="https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Sinful-Secrets-Giveaway-by-Melissa-Ohnoutka" target="_blank">Night Owl Reviews - Sinful Secrets Giveaway!</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfOk7B3_ofzSn49VWtN0zEVYIq7tgJi-4xcw_JjlRKp6Dr0cxWw5jEsZo7FL4ZR2XkcF_9klNZ76ZzhW5T-5itfNz1jCv9YSZdqiZg1CLg6baqdrMP5-6UsiPxXi9MLve5-j9N8uLpNU/s1600/SS_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfOk7B3_ofzSn49VWtN0zEVYIq7tgJi-4xcw_JjlRKp6Dr0cxWw5jEsZo7FL4ZR2XkcF_9klNZ76ZzhW5T-5itfNz1jCv9YSZdqiZg1CLg6baqdrMP5-6UsiPxXi9MLve5-j9N8uLpNU/s320/SS_500.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://entangledpublishing.com/sinful-secrets/" target="_blank">Read First Chapter</a></td></tr>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-82898373478956869582016-10-31T17:40:00.000-07:002016-11-01T14:34:31.096-07:00National Novel Writing Month 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yep, it's that time again!!! </div>
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Halloween, you may ask? Well, yes that, too. But while all the neighborhood kiddos are running around in the dark, all decked out in costume on my front lawn, and wondering why the heck no one is answering the door, I'm getting ready for a month of awesome writing! </div>
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Of course I have candy. But it's all mine! I'm going to need every last piece to survive. And since all my kids are grown, too old to Trick or Treat, I'm giving myself permission to ignore the chaos this year. Trust me. They'll live. LOL</div>
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So who's doing NaNoWriMo?</div>
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Come on. I highly recommend it! It's fun! And any progress is well worth the time, effort and stress of trying to get that word count in. I've participated since 2007, have several published books under my belt, as well as others that will someday get the attention they deserve. (Note to self. Add this promise/goal to calendar.) In some form or fashion, NaNoWriMo helped me get on track, stay on track, and move forward. The accountability is priceless!</div>
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Join me and let's watch those word count trackers move!</div>
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My username: mdohno</div>
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Good Luck!!</div>
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It just so happens, Sinful Secrets is a NaNoWrimo creation. :) It's due to release from Entangled Publishing on November 14, but you can pre-order it today!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
<a href="https://entangledpublishing.com/sinful-secrets/" target="_blank">Pre-order Here!</a></h2>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-63862901319363547432016-10-28T12:57:00.002-07:002016-10-28T12:57:37.624-07:00Goodreads Book Giveaway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_new">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32671905"><img alt="Sinful Secrets by Melissa Ohnoutka" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476738607l/32671905.jpg" title="Sinful Secrets by Melissa Ohnoutka" width="100" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32671905">Sinful Secrets</a>
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by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4673281.Melissa_Ohnoutka" style="text-decoration: none;">Melissa Ohnoutka</a>
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Giveaway ends November 14, 2016.
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See the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/208723" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a>
at Goodreads.
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<a class="goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink" href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/208723">Enter Giveaway</a>
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Enter NOW for a chance to win a<b> FREE Print Copy</b>!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-23607560805261202722016-10-04T13:23:00.000-07:002016-10-04T07:16:10.280-07:00Sinful Secrets Due out November 14!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So excited! Sinful Secrets is up on Goodreads and available for request on Netgalley!! Please feel free to share, add to your lists and request a copy to read from Netgalley!<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32316574-sinful-secrets" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32316574-sinful-secrets</a><br />
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As promised, here's the cover!</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32316574-sinful-secrets" target="_blank"><img alt=" Add to Goodreads" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhV-eBdTLsZyiIaIpoM80VLsjI4XwO5Puv77neQ0UXtbJIEClo9nDqzlyxzkNsVCRgyC9r2jtb_QAnsIuo3xQpQVR0p1QGD3wZGraXAnqDGylDl-HDS0mVxnVr7MK9MU4poqAsvarilw/s320/SS_500.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Blurb:<br />
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Event planner Joanna McNamee is scrambling to ensure her father’s
company Christmas party goes smoothly, but one disaster after another has her
convinced someone is trying to sabotage her career. With the help of a man from
her past who she’s still not sure she can trust, she puts the pieces together and
realizes her business is the least of her problems—a cold-blooded killer is out
to destroy her father and take <i>her </i>as his prized possession. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The last thing Deputy Ryker Kane
expects is for a simple truck hijacking to throw him back into the middle of
the Black Widow case he’d been forced to abandon, not to mention right into the
arms of the sweet woman he’d let walk away ten years earlier. When he finds Jo
Jo kidnapped and drugged, he has to use all his wits and skills honed from
years as a detective to save them both. Despite the secrets between them, Ryker’s bound and
determined to give them a second chance at love.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-19962197679477111152016-09-03T16:07:00.000-07:002016-09-03T16:07:42.338-07:00Sinful Secrets Coming Soon!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Mark those calendars for November!! </div>
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I'm over the moon excited to report I have a release date for my next book! Happy dancing all over the place. So cool!</div>
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Sinful Secrets is on track to release with Entangled Publishing on November 14, 2016!! That's two days after my birthday! Yay! What a great gift! :)</div>
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As soon as I get the cover, I'll share I promise! </div>
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Even though I've self-published four full length novels on my own and two short prequels, this has been one thrilling ride. Not having the control I'm used to was tough at times, but all in all, it has been a great experience. And I've learned so much in the process thanks to my wonderful editor, Robin. :) The story is still heavy on the suspense, but has more romantic elements than I'm used to writing. Honestly, I'm so proud of the way it turned out.</div>
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You can't beat this wonderful feeling!</div>
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Now on to the next one!! LOL</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-84969179641509433612016-08-05T15:11:00.002-07:002016-08-05T15:15:31.876-07:00Progress is Golden!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As summer winds down, the brutal heat trying to wear me down and zap what energy I have left, I find myself scrambling to catch up and get all the things done before the kids head back to school. Surprisingly, the last two months have been quite productive and I'm happy with the tasks I've managed to accomplish despite this crazy weather and my hectic schedule.<br />
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The RWA Conference in San Diego was a blast! What a beautiful city! And the people there were all so nice. I didn't get to do much sight seeing though. And due to a mishap with my darn phone, which we will not discuss on the internet, I lost most of the pictures I'd taken. Of course I left my real camera at home. You know, because my cell phone has transformed into my everything all in one gadget and is way too attached to my hip. Talk about a great lesson! LOL I now know I can live without immediate communication with family and friends for at least four days! Ha!<br />
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Thank goodness for my great friends and the best roomies ever (for a ton of numerous reasons) for sharing and helping me salvage some of my own pictures. I'd texted them copies!!! LOL :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMTCnUyqcRob3F8Zf85TSZ_YlITUUZWgPGcO1HAAQDalbOKi47yWfMgIOj40wGxtZs_UIzcw39vsU1OOSxY3aZhGjgnPs3LEYbYU8s8aifAgKVRdUDx_uicaNOH6peRVgiSYerA07Dg0/s1600/and-we-are-here-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMTCnUyqcRob3F8Zf85TSZ_YlITUUZWgPGcO1HAAQDalbOKi47yWfMgIOj40wGxtZs_UIzcw39vsU1OOSxY3aZhGjgnPs3LEYbYU8s8aifAgKVRdUDx_uicaNOH6peRVgiSYerA07Dg0/s320/and-we-are-here-1.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Walking Our Path to the Main Hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZkMQCo8fO_kP36D0YcncnzlG4uhcmZGXg7EuG_FAD9-RVbrqDMBvksX9FgKJDGZiJy2ubAYgi3nVbygafRdx2fpewvNWI50lq6HBGw08ye5fq2y1tNgLkTpIl_mBBbfyf7CncuIT0Ow/s1600/arita-gh-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZkMQCo8fO_kP36D0YcncnzlG4uhcmZGXg7EuG_FAD9-RVbrqDMBvksX9FgKJDGZiJy2ubAYgi3nVbygafRdx2fpewvNWI50lq6HBGw08ye5fq2y1tNgLkTpIl_mBBbfyf7CncuIT0Ow/s320/arita-gh-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">RWA Awards Ceremony </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N2Qr6E47219SC57VWLpu71gSqGdcjpP30NC80iuF_R2nl6NutR8AYhRZEfR3sjYJGXWFoGw-4uZvsqkIiNAF44sL2CbcyxBZ7yKouwCGxMe_7fX4lOGsRjd7E7HECoVIvVhXzTH7qhg/s1600/aseaport-village-8+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N2Qr6E47219SC57VWLpu71gSqGdcjpP30NC80iuF_R2nl6NutR8AYhRZEfR3sjYJGXWFoGw-4uZvsqkIiNAF44sL2CbcyxBZ7yKouwCGxMe_7fX4lOGsRjd7E7HECoVIvVhXzTH7qhg/s320/aseaport-village-8+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Having Way Too Much Fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWQG5wFYpJCQ4S9pilI42g6aG_m7xJutnNVMTOEV_ZXbj1MXkFTWgQkNbDVKPKW8WQcxSvPuXUXPH6PlVoutW90NLALLtFhzom0oldvgx3UX0ofMelatXDEAfVhxLEo2ZGyaGcYDDIDM/s1600/amissy-and-christy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWQG5wFYpJCQ4S9pilI42g6aG_m7xJutnNVMTOEV_ZXbj1MXkFTWgQkNbDVKPKW8WQcxSvPuXUXPH6PlVoutW90NLALLtFhzom0oldvgx3UX0ofMelatXDEAfVhxLEo2ZGyaGcYDDIDM/s320/amissy-and-christy.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Book Signing Madness<br />
with some Pretty Awesome Authors!</td></tr>
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I so needed a week to recover, but my edits for the next book came the Monday after I got home. Back to work you slacker!! No breaks for you! LOL<br />
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Finished up this last round yesterday. Shouldn't be long now. Hope to have a cover to share real soon!!</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-34091807546058868822016-07-11T11:57:00.000-07:002016-07-11T12:00:52.771-07:00San Diego Here I Come!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Looking forward to catching up with old friends and making new ones. Oh, yes. And learning some new tricks to improve my writing and marketing strategy from all the wonderful workshops. :) </div>
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This will be my first time in San Diego, so I'm hoping to get some sight seeing in as well. So much to do, so little time. LOL</div>
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Hope to see you there!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-39739032077237798632016-06-03T15:10:00.001-07:002016-06-03T15:13:43.425-07:00It Is Done!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy to report I typed those two little, but oh so rewarding words today!</div>
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Let the real celebration begin!! :)<br />
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And then the edits! LOL</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-44105523836037873142016-05-13T14:01:00.000-07:002016-05-13T14:20:25.297-07:00The Downhill Slope - It's a Great Thing!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Crossing the 70,000 word line on the work in progress really makes me want to celebrate! :)<br />
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I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. Still have quite a ways to go to finish and tie up all the lose ends, but at least I can breathe again. My goal of finishing by the end of this month is looking more promising by the minute. The muse, as well as my characters, is playing nice, which is a rarity.<br />
<br />
A scene that took me be surprise this week and had me questioning my heroine's state of mind has really become a turning point in the story. Thought I'd share a snippet. Now it's first draft quality so be warned. LOL<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Ella
fought to keep breathing. Her head hurt. Her chest ached. And her brain felt
like mushy oatmeal. What Darien did to her parents would haunt her for life.
What he’d almost done to her might be the last straw to do her in for good.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>She
stared passed the man who’d stolen her childhood, stripped her of her dignity
and made her feel dirty and immoral. Like she’d been to blame for her uncle’s
lustful ambitions. She stared on into the kind blue eyes of a stranger. The man
who’d rescued her not once, but three times. She stared on trying to figure out
what to do next. Did she dare trust him? Was she capable of letting a man be
her whole world? Did she dare give him that much power over her?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Hand
trembling, her finger so damn close to the trigger if she drew in a deep breath
the gun would go off, she fought for clarity. Fought for the answer that would
set her free. Heaven help her she wanted this to be over. All of it. And she
now held all the cards. She looked down at the gun and then back at the man in
front of her. If she pulled the trigger, the last of her problems would
disappear. Without an army of minions, her uncle couldn’t come after her. He
wouldn’t be able to track her. To find her. To hurt her ever again.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>“Ella?”
Seth’s face crinkled in that cute way she found so appealing and her heart flip
flopped before lodging between her ribs.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>She
choked back a whimper. Who was she kidding? She loved this man. Every single
inch of him. Heart and soul she was lost to him and him alone.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>So
weak and disoriented from her near drowning experience, her tortured body needed
relief. She too collapsed to her knees, dropping the gun to the ground.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Seth
was there in an instant, kneeling down in front of her. His strong arms
embraced her smaller frame, holding her upright and for the first time in so
many long, lonely, unrelenting years she felt at home. He was her family now.
He was the one who could heal her brokenness.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>“You
had me scared shitless there for a minute.” He stroked the hair away from her
face, lifting her chin with his forefinger.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>“I’m
so sorry.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>“After
what you’ve been through, little lady, I don’t blame you one damn bit.” He plopped
down beside her and pulled her into his lap, his kisses feathering the hair on
top of her head. “You saved my life.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>“How
about that.” She tried to laugh and coughed instead, reminding her how close
she’d come to death herself.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>“I
thought I’d lost you,” he said, his voice tight, raw. Increasing his grip around
her waist to keep her from turning around to look at him, he pulled her closer,
his breathing unsteady. She snuggled in closer, the racing beat of his heart tattooing
all kinds of promises deep into her soul. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>And then
she dared speak the words that would change her life forever.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>“I
love you, Seth.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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Love these surprises along the way. Although this one had me more than a little worried. I mean, how can you have a "happy ever after" in a romance if the heroine ends up shooting the hero. ACK!! Maybe it had something to do with it being Friday the 13th?</div>
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Oh, well!! It's all good now! :)<br />
Onward to the finish line!</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-11678038446942444382016-04-06T19:16:00.001-07:002016-04-06T19:18:45.399-07:00Tricks of the Trade - Writing Locations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Never fails.<br />
<br />
I swear the minute I reach the middle of a new book my muse becomes uncooperative and takes a vacation. I've been plugging away on this new book with little trouble for weeks and loving the way the story is playing out.<br />
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Then wham! Muse decides to play hard ball. Almost 50,000 words in. Okay. Let's put on the breaks, shall we?! Make her work for it!<br />
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Geesh...what'd I do to piss you off this time? LOL Was it me thinking I actually might finish by June?<br />
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Well, I've learned a few tricks of my own on this oh so twisted journey. One of which is switching the locations I write in to stir things up. Sometimes more than three times in one day when times get really tough. So far, the muse appears clueless to my antics, so I'll keep using this trick till it doesn't work anymore.<br />
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This afternoon, I stepped outside into my new office. A beautiful sunny day greeted me with a cool breeze, the sound of leaves rustling peacefully overhead as the steady trickle of the pond echoed in the background. I'll be honest, all I really wanted to do was lay back in the hammock and nap the afternoon away. But wouldn't you know, the crazy muse had other ideas. Sneaky thing that muse.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8zy2SlQQM2G5elCzFq4wltQBF367Gvxs_MsW7JXFLGHonRJE1uGrVzZKxbt_5ZNjHC5F2fkCoRfAGaKx9KDt0ZPGIruc83pFMgr7eE-51SovCPXqE3oeI1aGkzo3uJ7IJutDZNsCWyw/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8zy2SlQQM2G5elCzFq4wltQBF367Gvxs_MsW7JXFLGHonRJE1uGrVzZKxbt_5ZNjHC5F2fkCoRfAGaKx9KDt0ZPGIruc83pFMgr7eE-51SovCPXqE3oeI1aGkzo3uJ7IJutDZNsCWyw/s320/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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Crossed the 50,000 mark and still going strong. Shhhh.... Let's keep this our little secret. :) No reason to test fate.<br />
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I also received a cool new coffee mug full of goodies from my publisher this week!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
"Professional Author at Work". Love it!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAcA_KBlK6sJcXv9ZnBUXZjs7wkA_wPOgXJAgxhZXjA7T5v863wi2Id1zDE49ZFZvgfkiA6O-W2SLhNJ_K2DmY8Jj46S9E-ESyhJG-8hbqa8OVfwjIrW35i9v641BH4pzma0EYBoANxE/s1600/Entangled+cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAcA_KBlK6sJcXv9ZnBUXZjs7wkA_wPOgXJAgxhZXjA7T5v863wi2Id1zDE49ZFZvgfkiA6O-W2SLhNJ_K2DmY8Jj46S9E-ESyhJG-8hbqa8OVfwjIrW35i9v641BH4pzma0EYBoANxE/s320/Entangled+cup.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new favorite cup! :)</td></tr>
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Yes, it was a really great day!<br />
Here's hoping there's many more to follow.<br />
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Would love to hear how you get those creative juices flowing again. You know, in case I need a new strategy after this post. LOL<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-38264673112835024772016-03-21T10:00:00.000-07:002016-03-21T10:00:29.583-07:00A Shot of Creativity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The weather has been really wacky here lately. Beautiful spring like weekend only to wake up this morning to a chilly 48 degrees. Of course we will be warming up to around 67 degrees later this afternoon. Texas weather! You've got to love it! :)<br />
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All these sunny days have me wanting to be outside working in the yard, when I should be cranking out words on the new manuscript as I patiently (not) await my edits on the last one. But creativity is funny this way. At least for me. It seems like the more I get out and enjoy God's beautiful creations and discover other's masterpieces, the more ready I am to work on creating works of my own.<br />
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My youngest has started the college search. Gulp. So we've been taking fun trips to visit the different campuses. Lots of inspiration to found there. A few photos from our latest visit to the University of Texas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG-tPPmQjEXzM4-uXolN1khJY8mOhyphenhyphenjSmlE-CuBeE9foQvuLrYnFDWAKcQjobPS_Co2C9KgW3p8cGpojdbS3K8JpjG7rBHl5QBWBEF_pEZV_P85hLc2tXmzFt6nSPLZoUxSlKg8yUql8/s1600/IMG_4120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG-tPPmQjEXzM4-uXolN1khJY8mOhyphenhyphenjSmlE-CuBeE9foQvuLrYnFDWAKcQjobPS_Co2C9KgW3p8cGpojdbS3K8JpjG7rBHl5QBWBEF_pEZV_P85hLc2tXmzFt6nSPLZoUxSlKg8yUql8/s320/IMG_4120.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canoes all tied together.</td></tr>
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So much history and knowledge on all of these campuses I can barely wrap my brain around it all. But it's the idea my youngest has made it to this milestone that blows my mind. Decisions, decisions...which will he choose? Hopefully one close to home so his mom won't completely lose her mind. LOL<br />
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No matter how hard we try to drag it out, ignore the reality and pretend time doesn't affect us, life moves on, doesn't it. Better not blink or we'll miss the blessings and opportunities laid out before us.<br />
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Nothing rings truer than this as I get older. And there is nothing like a good ol' shot of creativity to help me see the meaning behind all this madness.<br />
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Life is, and will continue to be, what we make it. ;)<br />
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So Happy Spring, Ya'll!!<br />
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Get out there, create, live, love and laugh till your belly hurts! :)<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-1203620491032219052016-02-08T16:37:00.000-08:002016-02-08T17:55:37.679-08:00New Beginnings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span id="yiv6451337805yui_3_16_0_1_1454885818703_3292" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The sweet month of February is finally here! Yippee!</span></div>
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<span id="yiv6451337805yui_3_16_0_1_1454885818703_3298" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Can you tell I favor this month? LOL </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Yes, it has to do with chocolate, strawberries dipped in it, and boxes filled with the delicious morsels. But it’s also my oldest daughter’s 21 birthday. She’s my Valentine Baby, and I must say the sweetest gift I’ve ever gotten on Valentine’s Day!</span></div>
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<span id="yiv6451337805yui_3_16_0_1_1454885818703_3303" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">This February is turning out to be a month of new starts for me, too! I’ve just signed a contract with <a href="http://www.entangledpublishing.com/" target="_blank">Entangled Publishing</a> for my newest manuscript! Yeah! And I get to work with an amazing editor, who I know will get my creative juices flowing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">So excited to see where this new path takes me. It’s a lot different from the self-publishing. And I’m still learning the ropes. But I hope this course will free me up to write more as someone else deals with the formatting, covers, blurbs and other tedious parts of the publishing process.</span></div>
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<span id="yiv6451337805yui_3_16_0_1_1454885818703_3309" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Not that I don’t plan to self-publish when I get the chance or have a story that won't fit their line. I love the control too much to just let it go. LOL Control issues! Big time!</span></div>
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<span id="yiv6451337805yui_3_16_0_1_1454885818703_3315" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">So my new journey begins. And I'll keep you posted on the details as they pop up. As of now, I've already turned in my first round of revisions on the manuscript, so now I can sit back, eat chocolate, drink tequila, and wait. Right?</span></div>
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<span id="yiv6451337805yui_3_16_0_1_1454885818703_3321" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">No! Ha! Ha! I’m only kidding! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Time to turn to the next project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Going to get back into routine, meet up with special writing friends each week and crank out those new words. </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Accountability</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> is a must for me. Otherwise the procrastination wins out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">So happy Birthday to my sweet first baby girl!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">And Happy Writing/Creating to All! :)</span></span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-20538748264809825022016-01-26T14:26:00.000-08:002016-01-26T14:27:02.245-08:00Life's Journey Awaits<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So the New Year has come and gone, and January 2016 is
already winding down. I’m shocked. How am I supposed to enjoy these moments
with my kids while they’re home if time keeps zipping along at warp speed?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think someone is trying to tell me something. Something
very important. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Cherish the moment. Every single one of them. The good. The
bad. The quick. The slow. Quit saying “if I can just make it till….” Because
doing so only speeds up the very thing I’m trying to slow down. Time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidivoROn1AJHYX7K40aN95N6xOTALy9t1XKmeoY41uMb53hRP_PP5hIVabEiuOuZxdnUF-A1TbFFrEnk4kkitQHfH7Vg_f1IMGFQCDI4gVnS3xKVOef0NtriBpmQOXcvqDmByaD8oXHLc/s1600/hot+writer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidivoROn1AJHYX7K40aN95N6xOTALy9t1XKmeoY41uMb53hRP_PP5hIVabEiuOuZxdnUF-A1TbFFrEnk4kkitQHfH7Vg_f1IMGFQCDI4gVnS3xKVOef0NtriBpmQOXcvqDmByaD8oXHLc/s320/hot+writer.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new Work shirt! LOL</td></tr>
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I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I look at them as new year challenges instead. My first one is going to be a commitment to live in the moment.
All of them. Regardless of what’s going on at the time. Regardless of what I
might be dreading to do, or have happen or how hard it might be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You see, both my sweet girls have already left for college a few years ago. I
still can’t wrap my brain around it. And my son is a junior in high school this
year. I’ve got one more year before the dreaded empty nesting starts. LOL<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, I’m dreading it with a passion. But I’m not going to
let it steal my joy or all the precious moments and chances to make memories before it
gets here. Nope, not gonna do it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bring on the tennis tournaments, the trips to and from the two
different colleges my daughters attend for visits, the birthdays, the
graduations, marriages… gulp. I’ll stop there. No need to get too far ahead of
myself, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the meantime, I’m happy to report I’ve been writing up a
storm. Editing along the way, too. I didn’t make the goal I’d set for myself last
year as far as writing went. Sometimes those goals are just not meant to
be. Wishful thinking on my part. But I did finish a new book. Yeah! And I hope to
have some very exciting news to share really soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2016 is going to be a Terrific Adventure and one wild crazy ride
for sure!</div>
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Even if it drives me to drink! Ha! Good thing I found out tequila can help you lose weight. No really! I read an article! LOL</div>
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A win, win situation as far as I'm concerned!</div>
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Bring on the Margaritas!! Let's celebrate!!</div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-28593102111299670282015-12-22T10:06:00.001-08:002015-12-22T10:14:08.631-08:00Merry Christmas!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I can't believe how quickly the year has flown by. So many wonderful memories in 2015, along with hurdles and heartbreaks that test your sanity. But when it's all said and done, I find peace in knowing that God is still in control. His plan trumps ALL others.<br />
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So look for the positives every day!</div>
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Enjoy the sunrises! </div>
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And sunsets!</div>
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Make memories with family and friends and enjoy every second God has given.<br />
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And remember.<br />
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God is good! All the time!<br />
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Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298809589927994262.post-91327645174296220702015-11-21T19:17:00.000-08:002015-11-21T19:17:59.674-08:00Alone Time is Magical<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Such a peaceful weekend.<br />
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Girls didn't come home from college this weekend since they will be home for Thanksgiving. (Miss them terribly!) And hubby and son took off on a hunting trip for the weekend. So that means I got some much needed and treasured "me" time. Magical Me Time!<br />
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Unlike most of my family, extroverts on steroids, I enjoy my alone time. Don't get me wrong. I love my family with all my heart and all the chaos we have created together. But for this introvert there is nothing like these rare moments when I have no one to answer to but myself. Well, there is still the dog and cat. But that's a different story. Another blog post maybe. LOL<br />
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During this time, I've finished reading several books I had started over the summer, revamped my newsletter, found a cool Progress Counter called <a href="http://www.languageisavirus.com/nanowrimo/word-meter.html#.VlEpHXarTIV" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo Word Meter </a>and added it to my blog, and got the Christmas tree all ready to put up after Thanksgiving. Even managed to get a few words down for NaNo. Whew...<br />
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Now I'm sitting back under a warm blanket with the puppy and enjoying the Hallmark channel and all those wonderful sappy Christmas stories I never get to watch when hubby or kids are home. I can sniffle and laugh and go awe... and no one will make fun of me. Priceless!<br />
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Gosh, I love this time of year. :) Cooler weather, spending time with family & friends, making new memories, eating good food and sharing lots of love and laughter. So much to be thankful for.<br />
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Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving filled with many wonderful blessings! May you Enjoy and Cherish every single moment!<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12960493353454007017noreply@blogger.com