tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60296419185937874612024-03-27T20:41:29.069-05:00Alexa BourneAlexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.comBlogger563125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-52594625128967607572013-11-15T23:41:00.000-06:002013-11-15T23:41:06.294-06:00THE END...SORT OF....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hi there! It's been a while since I posted last, but here I am. This will be my final post here, but I'm not getting rid of this blog. There are loads of interesting stories in the blog archive. Feel free to wander through them and see how I went from an aspiring author to a writer with several books under her belt and many projects in the works for the next few years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I've had my website redone and I've created a new "pub" for readers to visit for updates of my writing life. One of my favorite characters (of my own), Meggie MacDougall, does all the talking in the pub. Come on over and hang out! And while you're there, have a peek at the rest of the new website. I look forward to your visit!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.alexabourne.com/"><span style="font-size: x-large;">www.alexabourne.com</span></a></div>
Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-21491025685960858902013-09-20T00:00:00.000-05:002013-09-20T00:00:00.971-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">GUESS WHAT?????</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> It's time for us to celebrate again because...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have ANOTHER contract! Whooohoooo!</span> </div>
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This is for BROKEN ROAD, another contemporary romance novella from Decadent Publishing. It is set in my beloved fictional village of Glenhalish in the Highlands of Scotland. The heroine is Cat, the best friend of Meggie MacDougall. Readers who have read my Honor Guard stories will be familiar with the hero, Ian MacKenzie. I hadn't planned on the two of them getting together, but they made it clear to me that I had to follow their story instead of my own!<br />
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Here's the unofficial blurb:<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #00000a;">Catriona MacGregor has been in the wee village of
Glenhalish, Scotland since she turned eight. She leads a quiet life, working in
the local school and spending time with close friends. She’s content to sit
back and be an observer of the life around her. </span><span style="color: #00000a;">Until a recently deceased family friend leaves her
a flat in Edinburgh and challenges her to spread her wings.</span></em></strong></div>
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #00000a;"><strong><em>With his work as an international bodyguard, Ian
MacKenzie has no time for a serious, committed relationship. But when he comes
home to Glenhalish for a visit and to clear his mind, he is drawn to the down-to-earth
lass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00000a;"><strong><em>As they begin to spend more time together and
embark on a friends-with-benefits arrangement, Cat soon discovers exactly what
she wants for herself and it involves all of Ian- body, mind and soul. Ian
admits to a comfort with her he’s never experienced before, but truthfully it
frightens him. He’s not ready for the intensity they share.</em></strong></span></div>
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<strong><em> </em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #00000a;"><strong><em>Can this Highland lassie steer her lad back onto the right path to a love that will last a lifetime?</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00000a;">This is my FIFTH book contract this year! I'm feeling kinda generous, so if you leave me a comment today or through the weekend, I'll draw a couple of winners on Monday for some UK swag.</span></div>
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Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-13102480829836147882013-09-06T05:00:00.000-05:002013-09-06T21:11:53.473-05:00Have A Peek!<div style="text-align: center;">
Celebrate with me, folks! Here is the cover of my very first FULL-LENGTH romantic suspense book! It will be coming to you in a few months from <a href="http://www.fateddesires.com/">Fated Desires Publishing</a>.</div>
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Well? What do you think? Leave me a comment and you'll be in the running for a swag prize from me! The contest runs through the weekend, with the winner(s) chosen and announced on Monday.</div>
Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-18931893265084558062013-08-06T15:56:00.000-05:002013-08-06T15:56:23.854-05:00Wanna Help?Okay, folks! I need a hand! I've got TWO series coming up that need a title. I've got titles for the individual books, but I'd like each series to also have a cool title too. So, here's what I've got so far:<br />
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Series 1: This is a trilogy of soccer stories. The titles have soccer terms in them. They are not related to professional soccer players, but have people that are involved or are fans of the game. <br />
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Series 2: This is a set of stories that revolve around a bounty hunting agency. There are 5 siblings, with the last name Owen, and each person will be getting his or her own story.<br />
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If you have any ideas, leave them in the comment section. If you have questions that I can answer, leave those in the comment section too and I'll add that information in the comments or on here in bold. <br />
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If I use your suggestion or your suggestion leads me to coming up with my own, you will win a prize! Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-33840900086523743532013-08-04T21:47:00.002-05:002013-08-04T21:47:47.149-05:00SOLD Again!!!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Last week turned out to be a GREAT week for me! Why? Because Friday I received ANOTHER contract for another full-length romantic suspense story! DANCE AWAY, DANGER will be coming to you through <a href="http://www.fateddesires.com/">Fated Desires Publishing</a>! Here's the unofficial blurb for the book:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>Dance Away, Danger</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>Book 1 in the Hanover Haven Series</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>Coming Soon!</strong></em></span></div>
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<strong><em>Sensible dance instructor Jessa
Gage likes her life organized, risk-free and on her own terms. But she’s thrown
out of her comfort zone when her cop brother goes missing, his crooked partner
tries to kill her, and a handsome stranger claims he’s come to protect her.
With more dance and business sense than survival skills and no idea who to
trust, Jessa has no choice but to rely on this man who’d rather be anywhere but
by her side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>When carefree carpenter Matt Rylan
gets a late night call from an Army buddy who once saved his life, he finds
himself where he never again wanted to be, responsible for someone else. Honor
demands Matt cooperate, but he never expects his simple babysitting job to test
the limits of his self-control. Nor does he expect it to explode into a race
against time for his very freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>As Jessa and Matt get closer to the
truth, and to each other, Jessa learns to step outside the safety of her world
to help set the wheels of justice in motion. For Matt, supporting this
courageous woman suddenly becomes everything to him. But his biggest challenge
remains sharing his closed-off heart with her and convincing her to trust him
before the danger silences them both forever.</em></strong></div>
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Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-36860510908283987482013-07-30T14:35:00.000-05:002013-07-30T14:35:08.344-05:00SOLD!!!!!
Celebrate with me! Today I signed my 3rd contract for the year with Decadent Publishing! I'm so excited I'll finally be able to share this story with you! Have a peek below at the unofficial blurb and then visit the <a href="http://www.alexabourne.com/Cuan_MacDougall_Pub.html">Cuan MacDougall Pub</a> for more details about the contract and why this book is special!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Liar, Liar</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Unable to protect her mother from her father as a child,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Devin McQueen has made it her mission as an
adult to protect as many abused women and children as she can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rare moments she’s not consumed with work
as a victims' advocate, she involves herself with safe, predictable accountant-
type men. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE;">Everything is as good as it can be…until she meets bounty hunter Grady
Cooper. He is big, bold and brash, and has no problem speaking his
mind. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Growing
up in a broken home, Grady realizes early on that every good deed has a
price. To survive with as few scars as possible, he learns to weigh every
decision by what he can gain.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>But
the successful, solitary life he’s worked so hard to create spins out of
control when demons from his past shake his confidence and Devin rocks all parts of his world. His boss gives
him one last chance- bring in Devin's latest client quickly and quietly and
maybe he'll still have a job. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly, Grady must make the
ultimate decision: follow his career or follow his heart?</span></span></div>
Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-23241620754529352442013-07-29T13:47:00.004-05:002013-07-29T13:47:53.569-05:00CARRY ME HOME Blog Tour<div class="yui_3_7_2_18_1364492281621_75 yui_3_7_2_51_1369314734495_101 yui_3_7_2_53_1371663296993_77" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: garamond, "new york", times, serif; margin: 0px;">
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Folks, we're back for the last few stops on my blog tour for one of my favorite of my books, Carry Me Home! I've put the dates and places I'll be "guesting" in case you want to drop by.</div>
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15th: <a data-mce-href="http://www.apassionforromance.blogspot.com/" href="http://www.apassionforromance.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Krista Ames</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">16th: </span><a data-mce-href="//www.snifferwalk.org" href="http://www.snifferwalk.org/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1b8be0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Snifferwalk Books </a></div>
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18th: Melissa Mackinnon</div>
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19th: <a data-mce-href="http://readersedyn.blogspot.com" href="http://readersedyn.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Reader's Edyn</a></div>
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20th: <a data-mce-href="http://mkendallauthor.blogspot.com.au/" href="http://mkendallauthor.blogspot.com.au/" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Melissa Kendall</a></div>
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22nd: <a data-mce-href="www.harliesbooks.com" href="http://sizzlingpr.com/wp-admin/www.harliesbooks.com" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Harlie's Books</a></div>
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23rd: <a data-mce-href="http://markofthestars.com/wp/" href="http://markofthestars.com/wp/" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jessica E. Subject</a></div>
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29th: <a data-mce-href="http://www.stormgoddessbookreviews.blogspot.com/" href="http://www.stormgoddessbookreviews.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Storm Goddess Book Reviews </a></div>
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30th: <a data-mce-href="http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com" href="http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Book Reviews and More by Kathy</a></div>
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31st: <a data-mce-href="http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/" href="http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Deal Sharing Aunt</a></div>
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Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-60905383071087263422013-07-24T00:01:00.000-05:002013-07-24T00:01:00.454-05:00Winter In July Blog Hop<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FJD6Ymrk_8UxKfvCXcejM_0KqsLIje96IMDGb2Z-_f3JTDqYZsRefpeu4WFzc1pQG9nPBf529WtB3ECQqpoVKU7I74YO06finNOiEgPjQLTCUO-8h0yDUMzFDiYDgBF5mi9rZUylHUGf/s1600/WIJ+Button+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FJD6Ymrk_8UxKfvCXcejM_0KqsLIje96IMDGb2Z-_f3JTDqYZsRefpeu4WFzc1pQG9nPBf529WtB3ECQqpoVKU7I74YO06finNOiEgPjQLTCUO-8h0yDUMzFDiYDgBF5mi9rZUylHUGf/s400/WIJ+Button+2.jpg" width="366" /></a>I'm taking a break from the <strong><em>Carry Me Home</em></strong> blog tour to participate in the Winter in July Blog Hop! 5 other authors and I are traveling around to talk about our books set in winter. Mine is <strong><em>Simple Treasures</em></strong>, my 3rd Honor Guard novella that was released in December 2012. Here's the list of places we'll be visiting in case you want to tag along. Plus, we're giving away SIX prizes!</div>
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blog- </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">: </span><a href="http://www.sarabrookes.net/2013/07/24/winter-in-july-event" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.sarabrookes.net</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">July 26th- Get Lost in a
Story Blog- </span><a href="http://getlostinastory.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">http://getlostinastory.blogspot.com</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">July 27th- Pink
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">July 28th- Happily Ever After Thoughts blog- </span><a href="http://www.happilyeverafterthoughts.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.happilyeverafterthoughts.com</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-8082365737644666482013-07-13T18:19:00.001-05:002013-07-13T18:21:55.035-05:00Carry Me Home Tour Coming Soon!<div class="yui_3_7_2_18_1364492281621_75 yui_3_7_2_51_1369314734495_101 yui_3_7_2_53_1371663296993_77" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: garamond, "new york", times, serif; margin: 0px;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-x97rIXQFlRwpR9Vlh0eA1RAWUHRPcepKi-Tfnxl94FAC2FsjIMZcHLR5fgwOqc1Ce1gLSE2Ant5ZUoLTfvmQEsGUMbEXLDp1L_OdsvyXeqs0Usi7dWLL8GnroTH-NOY1K6Tsx9FxDEs/s1600/Carry+Me+Home+-+Alexa+Bourne+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-x97rIXQFlRwpR9Vlh0eA1RAWUHRPcepKi-Tfnxl94FAC2FsjIMZcHLR5fgwOqc1Ce1gLSE2Ant5ZUoLTfvmQEsGUMbEXLDp1L_OdsvyXeqs0Usi7dWLL8GnroTH-NOY1K6Tsx9FxDEs/s400/Carry+Me+Home+-+Alexa+Bourne+3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Folks, Monday, July 15th starts my blog tour for one of my favorite of my books, Carry Me Home! I've put the dates and places I'll be "guesting" in case you want to drop by.</div>
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15th:
<a data-mce-href="http://www.apassionforromance.blogspot.com/" href="http://www.apassionforromance.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Krista
Ames</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">16th: </span><a data-mce-href="//www.snifferwalk.org" href="http://www.snifferwalk.org/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1b8be0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Snifferwalk Books </a></div>
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18th:
Melissa Mackinnon</div>
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19th: <a data-mce-href="http://readersedyn.blogspot.com" href="http://readersedyn.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Reader's Edyn</a></div>
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20th:
<a data-mce-href="http://mkendallauthor.blogspot.com.au/" href="http://mkendallauthor.blogspot.com.au/" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Melissa Kendall</a></div>
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22nd:
<a data-mce-href="www.harliesbooks.com" href="http://sizzlingpr.com/wp-admin/www.harliesbooks.com" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Harlie's Books</a></div>
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23rd:
<a data-mce-href="http://markofthestars.com/wp/" href="http://markofthestars.com/wp/" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jessica E. Subject</a></div>
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29th:
<a data-mce-href="http://www.stormgoddessbookreviews.blogspot.com/" href="http://www.stormgoddessbookreviews.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Storm Goddess
Book Reviews </a></div>
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30th:
<a data-mce-href="http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com" href="http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Book Reviews and More
by Kathy</a></div>
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31st:
<a data-mce-href="http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/" href="http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Deal Sharing
Aunt</a></div>
</div>
Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-59610774656265027832013-07-05T16:05:00.001-05:002013-07-05T16:05:19.321-05:00Carry Me Home Review!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRatYx79dp699AJivdSFZ0dCL9U6js13jWpjMCP1ma2uhCa-7RVBfA7zTlFSuILq-WJ_iiH2lIsz2romZHRNu_RZIEUXTCwNCG650vtYN_nWt2TLrWed_RYKwnL9mNfJsz4CwYbi_wz1u/s1600/CarryMeHome_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRatYx79dp699AJivdSFZ0dCL9U6js13jWpjMCP1ma2uhCa-7RVBfA7zTlFSuILq-WJ_iiH2lIsz2romZHRNu_RZIEUXTCwNCG650vtYN_nWt2TLrWed_RYKwnL9mNfJsz4CwYbi_wz1u/s400/CarryMeHome_medium.jpg" width="266" /></a>I recently got this review for my June book, CARRY ME HOME:<br />
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"Ms. Bourne packs a lot of punch in short page length. I really cared about these characters and rooted for them to find love again!"<br />
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Thanks, Rebecca Grimaldi!!<br />
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Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-41190174794824294852013-06-27T14:48:00.000-05:002013-06-27T14:48:01.483-05:00Coming July 10th!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-U2fbZT-3AKxutEhSIPSjpzEope4X2bFpRsbAeLXEhOu1nUmqdaWtHsrbJJgGldPDbiP2BLB-IxgFiuTxmE7qX5jTFj_7rXo0I9BnG99mkmn00hGt14sYCSkX1NM0L68DSp5GmNd72DK/s450/Silent-Surrender300x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-U2fbZT-3AKxutEhSIPSjpzEope4X2bFpRsbAeLXEhOu1nUmqdaWtHsrbJJgGldPDbiP2BLB-IxgFiuTxmE7qX5jTFj_7rXo0I9BnG99mkmn00hGt14sYCSkX1NM0L68DSp5GmNd72DK/s1600/Silent-Surrender300x450.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong><u>BLURB</u></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Meggie MacDougall often dreams of Quinn O’Connell,
the sexy Irish football coach who swept her off her feet in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dublin</st1:city></st1:place>. But what happened in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dublin</st1:city></st1:place> must stay there.
She has responsibilities at home, and she refuses to fuel the gossip fires in
Glenhalish.</span></em><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Quinn has never forgotten Meggie and the explosive
weekend they shared. Overwhelmed by memories of her passion, beauty, and zest
for life, he jeopardizes his cushy career to find her and test the connection
between them.</span></em><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When Quinn arrives in her <st1:place w:st="on">Highland</st1:place>
village, Meggie is determined to ignore him. However, she isn't prepared for
the claim he lays on her heart with his sexy charm and his tender soul.</span></em><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></strong></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><strong>Will pride and fear keep Meggie from embracing
possibilities, or will Quinn's gentle persistence break down her defenses and lead
her to a silent surrender?</strong></span></em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>Quinn
came toward her, the ball juggling between his feet. “Get him, Miss Meggie!”
someone called from across the pitch.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>Her
heart rate, already soaring, tripped at the sight of her man. Her nerves
tightened, her muscles clenched. She rocked on the heels of her feet. She’d
steal the ball for her team.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>He
closed the distance between them. Meggie pushed against his rock-hard abs and
tangled with his feet. He tugged on her ponytail, slid his foot between hers,
and sent the ball to his teammates.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>Meggie
yelped, her arms flailing to her sides. Her feet remained tangled with Quinn’s,
and she lost her balance.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>Quinn’s
arms circled her waist and twisted her so his body took the brunt of the impact
with the dirt-packed earth. She rolled to the side, still cradled in the crook
of his arm and with the pressure of his delicious body over every inch of hers.
“Are you all right?” He propped himself up and brushed her hair away from her
face.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>“Aye.
Thank you for taking the fall for us.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>“You’re
down here with me, aren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>“Aye,
but you protected me. Thank you, my Irish knight.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>“My
pleasure, my lady.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>Aye,
she was his lady and she decided she rather liked it.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>He
leaned down and claimed her mouth.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>“Is
she hurt?” one of the lads yelled. The ground trembled beneath their feet.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>“Aye,
ye daft fool. He’s giving her mouth-to-mouth,” yelled another.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>Together
they both giggled and ended the kiss. “You should probably let me up before
they call for an ambulance.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>“Right.”
He jumped to his feet. “No worry, boys. She’s fine.” She missed the feel of him
against her body. As she propped herself on her forearms, he reached down and
pulled her to her feet.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<br />Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-8394668850923451692013-06-20T16:51:00.001-05:002013-06-20T16:55:20.904-05:00CARRY ME HOME TOUR<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hi, folks! Still no word on the release date of my next Tease book, <strong><em>Silent Surrender</em></strong>, but in the meantime, mark your calendars! The <strong><em>Carry Me Home</em></strong> Blog Tour will be happening next month!</span></div>
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Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-63292110235683285142013-06-14T10:12:00.002-05:002013-06-14T10:12:34.090-05:00To Blog Or Not To BlogHello! Yes, it's been almost a week since I last blogged. I've been on a "mini-vacation", trying to relax a bit and read other people's books in order to refill my creativity well. I've also been thinking.....<br />
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When I started my blog YEARS ago, I did it as a way to get my name out there, to interact with readers and other writers and as a journal of sorts for me and my writing journey. I've thought, every once in a while, about stopping my blogging and I always end up with keeping it going because even though I don't get a lot of visitors or comments, I like it.<br />
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BUT....I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I want to focus on the fifty million stories whooshing around in my head. With my new day job in August, I want to focus on prepping myself for that. With the amount of promo work I'm doing, I want to work on that. I'm also teaching online writer classes a lot. I mean, I'm teaching 2 right now and I'm scheduled for 1 a month for the rest of the year AND I'm already scheduled for 5 for 2014.<br />
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AND....I'm planning to start a "blog" on my website that will be random posts from the point-of-view of my characters. I'm really excited about doing that. Plus, I'm still part of a group blog and I've got a couple more I'll be a random blogger for.<br />
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SO.....with all of that stuff going on, something has to go. I'm thinking it's going to be this blog. I have a hard time prepping the blogs I have been posting and frankly, I'm thinking I'd rather spend that time writing. I miss writing. I'm thinking I could still post here every once in a while and then tweet about it. I could still give updates about what's happening in my writing world. I could still post book covers and I could still have online parties here when those books come out. So it wouldn't be gone forever.....<br />
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OR....it could.<br />
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BUT....I'm torn. What do you think? Help me decide what to do here.<br />
Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-39550210022366373472013-06-08T00:23:00.000-05:002013-06-08T00:23:37.799-05:00Thank You!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First off, I want to thank everyone who came out, commented or tweeted about my CARRY ME HOME Release Party! I had a great time sharing my latest book, and my future plans, with you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgWmC7ybFzsBOaURxWGgdObayBntgSva_HcPeuKM-YX7O0YCYqDDdihVsNatORb2nTgb5-0Aqf6_Gd_MI7AKarHan5uU6gK__QWtRGZfsAjBV7rVlsBXEY0Muh8qVTc5YzHPja_ppicBk/s1600/CarryMeHome_medium.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/AVvXsEisgWmC7ybFzsBOaURxWGgdObayBntgSva_HcPeuKM-YX7O0YCYqDDdihVsNatORb2nTgb5-0Aqf6_Gd_MI7AKarHan5uU6gK__QWtRGZfsAjBV7rVlsBXEY0Muh8qVTc5YzHPja_ppicBk/s320/CarryMeHome_medium.jpg" width="213" /></a>As promised, I have the list of winners. I compiled a list of names from each day's blog posts and used random.org to find my winner for that day. <br />
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Without further ado, the winners are......<br />
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MONDAY- REBECCA ROYCE<br />
TUESDAY- EVA LEFOY<br />
WEDNESDAY- AMI WEAVER<br />
THURSDAY- EVELYN BERRY<br />
FRIDAY- KATHLEEN GALLAGHER<br />
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Winners, I'll be emailing you later today with details of what you've won and asking you for your snail mail address. Or you can beat me to the punch and email me at alexa @ alexabourne . com (without the spaces)!Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-3898575796820695442013-06-07T00:01:00.000-05:002013-06-07T00:01:01.058-05:00Last Day of the CARRY ME HOME Release Party!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello again! Today I'm again on the <a href="http://getlostinastory.blogspot.com/">Get Lost in a Story Blog</a> sharing details about what's next for me and the people of Glenhlish, Scotland. PLUS, I've revealed the cover of my next Tease book, <strong><em>Silent Surrender</em></strong>! Check it out and let me know what you think of all my plans!<br />
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PLUS.....<br />
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Today I'm also hanging out on <a href="http://www.xxxxmyworldxxxx.blogspot.com/">Elizabeth Morgan's Blog</a> and we're playing 20 questions! <br />
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AND.....<br />
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I also stopped by <a href="http://laureybuckland.blogspot.co.uk/">Laurey Buckland's Blog</a> too!<br />
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Remember, commenting in any (or all) of these blog posts will give you an extra chance at winning one of the FIVE prizes! Winners will be chosen and posted tomorrow. For more chances, you can go bakc and comment on any of my blog posts for any day this week! Check Monday's post for the deets. AND if you tweet about it, which will give you MORE chances to win, make sure to include me @AlexaBourne and #CMHReleaseParty!Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-16550470481239542532013-06-05T23:01:00.000-05:002013-06-05T23:08:42.175-05:00Party On!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome back to the party for my latest book release! Today I'm blogging in a different place and I hope you'll join me!<br />
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On the <a href="http://getlostinastory.blogspot.com/">Get Lost in a Story Blog</a>, I'm sharing about the song that inspired my book,<strong><em> Carry Me Home</em></strong>. I'm also sharing some pictures of Scotland so you can hopefully see why I love setting books there! Remember, for every comment you leave wherever I am this week you'll be in the running for the FIVE prizes I'll be sending out! AND if you tweet about it, which will give you MORE chances to win, make sure to include me @AlexaBourne and #CMHReleaseParty!Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-62623286882772204922013-06-05T00:01:00.000-05:002013-06-05T16:42:40.520-05:00Happy Book Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm so excited to have <strong><em>Carry Me Home</em></strong> on sale now! I hope you'll pick it up and enjoy it and then let me know! Today I'm out celebrating so I won't be on here too much, but I did want to tell you this. The excitement of the day your book goes on sale doesn't go away. I'm still as giddy today as I was with the very first book release. I want to run around the city shouting to anyone passing. I want to stand on the corner by the stoplight with a sign sharing my book cover. I want to dance around the house each time a friend or relative calls me and I downright want to lift a glass of Glenfiddich whisky when a new friend or reader emails. <strong><em>Carry Me Home</em></strong> is my 4th ebook and so far these feelings haven't diminished. Will they in time? I hope not!</div>
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Okay, while I'm out celebrating, here's the blurb, an excerpt and the buy links in case you want to pick it up right now! And when you're done here, visit the <a href="http://decadentpublishing.blogspot.com/">Daily Dose of Decadence blog</a> for a closer glimpse into the struggles Jamie and Mary have.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76J5mlSAYz037oFg37zgtGGuMvEiV3YDsWyad66LasMm0OjCm_ahulJi1-twdi8aQ-1cPjKFzEl1E9u8W3t3-i2JxVfT2ZLtqz39U_6ppbS-Aa6zTfjdta7TUFX4-wqd15jsukgYh6MWm/s1600/CarryMeHome_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76J5mlSAYz037oFg37zgtGGuMvEiV3YDsWyad66LasMm0OjCm_ahulJi1-twdi8aQ-1cPjKFzEl1E9u8W3t3-i2JxVfT2ZLtqz39U_6ppbS-Aa6zTfjdta7TUFX4-wqd15jsukgYh6MWm/s400/CarryMeHome_medium.jpg" width="266" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Book
Blurb:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">After six months in the
city, Mary MacDougall returns to the Scottish Highlands to finalize her
divorce. Because of a past tragedy, she doubts her husband Jamie can possibly
love her with the same unbridled passion as before and insists ending the
marriage is best for both of them. But Jamie has other ideas….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Jamie MacDougall has no
intention of letting his bonnie lass go. At least not without a fight. Aye,
they’ve suffered heartache, and she may be ready to call it quits, but he<span style="color: #17365d;"> </span>refuses to throw away the partnership they’ve
built since they were children. Instead, he’ll remind her they were meant to be
together, forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Can this marriage
survive pride and grief to allow love to carry them home?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></u></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Excerpt:</span></span></span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>“What do you want,
Jamie?” She’d not get caught up in his soulful amber eyes. No, she would not.</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>“You’ve had your bit of
fun, but I want you to come home.” He tilted his head to one side and drifted
his fingertips along her bare arm.</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>She yanked away. “I’ve
come to get my papers from you, to say good-bye to those I love, and to move on
with my life.” She stepped around him and continued down the path to the center
of Glenhalish. “I’ll be at the Kierlain House until Sunday. Please bring the
forms and leave them with the front office.”</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>“I don’t have them.” He
nearly shouted with glee. “I tossed them out.”</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>“I thought you might
say that.” Smiling on the heels of another small victory, she fished through
her handbag and pulled out another copy of the divorce papers. She’d come armed
with a half-dozen copies just in case he chose to be difficult. She strode back
to him with her chin held high and slapped the papers against his chest.
“Here.”</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><em><strong>Jamie stared at the
lass’s fine arse strutting away from him. Her hair had been cut, straightened
and the summer dress with the flowery print accentuated all the curves he’d
fallen for so many years ago, the curves he knew so intimately. And those
heels, for the love of St. Bridget, Mary hadn’t worn high heels like that since
she left school. They’d brought her closer to his height, yet she still only
reached his shoulders.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><em><strong>She’d left Glenhalish
in January, a cold, distant housewife, and come back this alluring woman. For a
moment, panic set inside his gut. He’d intended to convince her to come home so
they could face their grief and move on together,
but seeing how much happier, sexier, and sophisticated she was, perhaps
Edinburgh was good for her, better than he could be.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><em><strong>But he wanted her back,
wanted to get through this rough patch they’d strayed onto after the lad’s
death, and return to the partnership they’d shared since primary school. They
had too many years left. She couldn’t leave him. He wouldn’t survive without
her.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><em><strong>The lass may have plans
to leave him forever, but Jamie MacDougall wouldn’t give her up without a
fight.</strong></em></span><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Reviews Are Already Coming In!</span></strong></div>
"It's rare that a book actually brings me to tears and even more rare that I can both laugh and cry in the same book, but this deeply moving story of a couple on the verge of ending their marriage did just that....This is a must read!" ~~~~~~~~ RITA Award Winning Author <a href="http://janhudson.com/">Jan Hudson</a> <br />
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"This book was a short-sweet-happy ending type of book that was just perfect to read before bedtime! These are cool characters in a cool setting and all I can say is I could have kept reading." ~~~~~~ Artist and Web Designer <a href="http://cheryl-rae.com/">Cheryl Rae</a><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-carrymehome-1216756-149.html">All Romance Ebooks</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">AND.....Remember I'm also on the </span><a href="http://decadentpublishing.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Daily Dose of Decadence Blog</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> today discussing the impending divorce of my main characters.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>(Remember, any comments you make to any one of my blog spots this week will put you in the running for five different prizes! Check out the list of places on the Monday post of where I'll be each day! AND if you tweet about it, which will give you MORE chances to win, make sure to include me @AlexaBourne and #CMHReleaseParty!)</o:p></span></div>
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Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com276tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-35598209993694149022013-06-04T00:01:00.000-05:002013-06-22T18:29:33.559-05:00A Few Words From Meggie...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JdVhzZgM6pswHQqFqriS1hXfI9qh-S4WsYmO4KkLKjpqE_Gn2Nqu6tzBg5MJwnVKbG8c-PipT0lvTJO4l5jCxqRofRFE367VsLklPYnwq4lTp3sDdDcyJbYbU1O0ZhnBjMFsx83PcAss/s1600/Tease_EnticeBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JdVhzZgM6pswHQqFqriS1hXfI9qh-S4WsYmO4KkLKjpqE_Gn2Nqu6tzBg5MJwnVKbG8c-PipT0lvTJO4l5jCxqRofRFE367VsLklPYnwq4lTp3sDdDcyJbYbU1O0ZhnBjMFsx83PcAss/s1600/Tease_EnticeBanner.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YJMuOpRQkQDhQfIWCh_BFkFZP3f2o0bkIxmhtUh1CJgmalY88wTgQIoILw5wBHFIUYrcYQEE0edOi7wIMAOMNmVMv8139Kcv-hXZ_ONRh7LO9UO5PsfLFc3RosNjrTu3pVBVKnTZjmgJ/s1600/CarryMeHome_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YJMuOpRQkQDhQfIWCh_BFkFZP3f2o0bkIxmhtUh1CJgmalY88wTgQIoILw5wBHFIUYrcYQEE0edOi7wIMAOMNmVMv8139Kcv-hXZ_ONRh7LO9UO5PsfLFc3RosNjrTu3pVBVKnTZjmgJ/s200/CarryMeHome_medium.jpg" width="133" /></a>Hiya! Alexa and I are so glad you've stopped by to join us. We're so excited to celebrate the release of Alexa's new book, <strong><em>Carry Me Home</em></strong>, that is part of the new Tease line. Oh, wait. I suppose I should tell you who I am. My name is Meggie MacDougall. The hero in <strong><em>Carry Me Home</em></strong> is Jamie MacDougall, me oldest brother. (Aye, I talk with an accent. I'm Scottish, after all!)</div>
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Do you want to know how this story came about? Aye? Well, one of Alexa's grand editors emailed and asked her to be a part of <a href="http://decadenttease.com/">Decadent Publishing's new project, Tease</a>. Naturally she was honored and excited and a bit nervous. But how wonderful to be asked!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3-BsVy0ujFf20gJpq0gdsg2saOb2apbev-X0Ez20YjymUhR4ztZk6TV8WlZ0h7Kr7JCUruqnJIlgFSoIw6mcgU9HRwfCQ7uI1PK6NP-vvAdvC6t9DfbJFMTZTv8nrOP_5tGdyMC3Y4ug/s1600/7638b280ec85a065d214385750c4c7bc_1s3z%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3-BsVy0ujFf20gJpq0gdsg2saOb2apbev-X0Ez20YjymUhR4ztZk6TV8WlZ0h7Kr7JCUruqnJIlgFSoIw6mcgU9HRwfCQ7uI1PK6NP-vvAdvC6t9DfbJFMTZTv8nrOP_5tGdyMC3Y4ug/s400/7638b280ec85a065d214385750c4c7bc_1s3z%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a>Straight away Alexa knew she had the perfect couple for this lovely little story- Jamie, and his wife, Mary. You see, all three of us are a part of Alexa's very first book, <strong><em>Her Highland Champion</em></strong>. After Alexa finished that story, she knew all we MacDougalls had a lot more to say and do. So, after the editor asked her to write for Tease, Jamie and Mary's impending divorce took over Alexa's mind and she went to work writing <strong><em>Carry Me Home</em></strong>. It was a whirlwind of a story, although a heartache for us all. I mean, me daft brother was about to lose the only lass he'd ever loved and if.... Och! I cannit share anything else. I promised Jamie, Mary and Alexa I'd not say too much. For some reason they all think I talk too much!</div>
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All right. All I'll say now is if you want a good cry and a good laugh, then get on your way to buying this book as soon as you can. You'll not be disappointed.</div>
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Now, since this is part of Alexa's Release Party for<strong><em> Carry Me Home</em></strong>, let's get to the question you need to answer for a chance at a prize. Have any of you come across a secondary character you definitely wanted to learn more about?</div>
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(Remember, leaving comments on any of Alexa's blog spots this week can put you in the running for one of the FIVE prizes she's offering! Scroll down to Monday to see the list of places you can read more about <strong><em>Carry Me Home</em></strong>! AND if you tweet about it, which will give you MORE chances to win, make sure to include me @AlexaBourne and #CMHReleaseParty!)<br />
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Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-69700427425932833342013-06-03T00:01:00.001-05:002013-06-03T09:40:25.575-05:00LET'S PARTY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to my party for the release of my latest book, <strong><em>CARRY ME HOME</em></strong>! The book went on sale yesterday. I like to party so we're celebrating ALL WEEK! Below you'll find the links to all the places I'll be celebrating this week and what prizes I'll be sharing with lucky commenters! There will be a prize for each day!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monday, June 3rd-</span> We're celebrating here AND on the <a href="http://decadenttease.blogspot.com/">Decadent Tease blog</a>. Come join me there for a quick and fun Q & A!</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday, June 4th-</span> We'll be right here for a special visit from one of my favorite characters. She'll give us the scoop on <em>CARRY ME HOME</em> from her perspective.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday, June 5th-</span> We'll be right here, where I'll share an excerpt, some reviews, and my own feelings about release day. Ooooh, AND I'll be on the <a href="http://decadentpublishing.blogspot.com/">Daily Dose of Decadence blog</a> talking about the main challenges my hero and heroine face.</strong></span> </span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday, June 6th-</span> We'll be on the <a href="http://getlostinastory.blogspot.com/">Get Lost in a Story blog</a>, where I'll share the song that influenced and ultimately made me finish the story.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friday, June 7th-</span> We'll be back on the <a href="http://getlostinastory.blogspot.com/">Get Lost in a Story blog</a>, where I'll let you know what's happening next with me and the folks in my fictional Highland village. Oooh! I'll ALSO be on <a href="http://www.xxxxmyworldxxxx.blogspot.com/">Elizabeth Morgan's blog</a> for 20 questions! AND I'll be posting on <a href="http://laureybuckland.blogspot.co.uk/">Laurey Buckland's blog</a> too!</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now make sure to visit several (or all!) of these places because one person will win a prize each day out of all the comments for that day. So the more comments you leave each day the more chances you have to win a prize that day! PLUS....if you tweet about the party and include me (@AlexaBourne) and #CMHReleaseParty, you'll gain even MORE chances to win! All of the prize winners will be announced on here on <strong><u>Saturday, June 8th</u></strong>. Some of the prizes you can win for commenting and tweeting are copies of my books, Amazon gift cards, books (by other people), and a few other British treats!</span>Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-85598900479752241122013-06-02T00:01:00.000-05:002013-06-02T11:36:47.806-05:00Sneak Peek Sunday!<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
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Welcome back to <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>Sneak Peek Sunday</strong></span>, where authors post 6 paragraphs of a published work or a work-in-progress for your enjoyment! To see who else is participating, <a href="http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/">visit here</a>!<br />
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It's almost here! In just THREE more days<strong><em> Carry Me Home</em></strong> will be available for purchase! I'm so excited! I hope you enjoy this next excerpt from the very first Decadent Tease Entice book! I hope you like it enough to put the book on your To Be Read list.</div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: small;">He hurried to block her path. "Lass." Grabbing her forearm, he said…nothing. Instead, his gaze traveled along the length of her. Twice. <br />
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"What do you want, Jamie?" She’d not get caught up in his soulful amber eyes. No, she would not. <br />
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"You’ve had your bit of fun, but I want you to come home." He tilted his head to one side and drifted </span><span style="font-size: small;">his fingertips along her bare arm. </span></em></strong><br />
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She yanked away. "I’ve come to get my papers from you, to say good-bye to those I love, and to move on with my life." She stepped around him and continued down the path to the center of Glenhalish. "I’ll be at the Kierlain House until Sunday. Please bring the forms and leave them with the front office." <br />
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"I don’t have them." He nearly shouted with glee. "I tossed them out." <br />
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"I thought you might say that." Smiling on the heels of another small victory, she fished through her handbag and pulled out another copy of the divorce papers. She’d come armed with a half-dozen copies just in case he chose to be difficult. She strode back to him with her chin held high and slapped the papers against his chest. "Here."</em></strong> </span><br />
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<strong>SQUEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Carry Me Home is available EARLY on the <a href="http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=789&osCsid=9j1t10kgsaobb0v2kurg7ccop1">Decadent Publishing website</a> and the <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html">All Romance Ebooks website</a>!!!!</strong></div>
Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-76459435266710493742013-05-31T00:01:00.000-05:002013-05-31T00:01:00.642-05:00Non-Fiction Friday!<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy <strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Non-Fiction Friday</span></strong>! </div>
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Today I'm out celebrating. What am I celebrating, you ask? The end of the school year! I've been at my school since January, have made new friends and have secured a spot on staff for next year. I'm excited to start plotting and planning my 6th grade classroom for 2013-2014 over the summer. </div>
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At the moment, I'm more excited to celebrate this year being over! I've learned a lot, I've helped a lot of students and I've pitched in to assist wherever I was needed. I'm proud of our accomplishments and of getting a chance to get some kids excited about learning. But EVERYONE is ready to be on vacation! We all, kids and staff, need to be away from each other. We all need a break to relax and reorganize our brains.</div>
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Yesterday I went out to lunch with one of my new friends to celebrate and today I think a bunch of us might also be going out for lunch (since both days have been half days). THEN tonight I get to celebrate all over again with my writing happy hour group! Whoohoo! Who knows? Maybe I'll continue celebrating all weekend!</div>
Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-78959946503396821522013-05-30T00:01:00.000-05:002013-05-30T06:34:12.388-05:00Hot Summer Nights Winner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nKFLolSDAJEfBoKVWxGHubWkfVJesVQPgeoMj5D7a_4kK0gqWN3TbWi4BdMfk_qAgi2OqAnoCbEsc2VOFNM_9H9YZ42ThOCL97LIVMEEE306BC9o690BYZqlJFHNw7R0CMOponxwiEnc/s1600/HotSummerNightsMay%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nKFLolSDAJEfBoKVWxGHubWkfVJesVQPgeoMj5D7a_4kK0gqWN3TbWi4BdMfk_qAgi2OqAnoCbEsc2VOFNM_9H9YZ42ThOCL97LIVMEEE306BC9o690BYZqlJFHNw7R0CMOponxwiEnc/s1600/HotSummerNightsMay%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
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Thank you to everyone who stopped by and left comments during the Blog Hop! Using random.org, I've unveiled the winner of my prize. The winner is......</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Veronica Vaughn</strong></span></div>
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Veronica, congratulations! Look for an email from me shortly about getting your $10 Amazon gift card and other book swag items out to you!</div>
<br />Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-77694809561327037152013-05-29T00:01:00.001-05:002013-05-29T00:01:00.083-05:00Way Back Wednesday!<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to <strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Way Back Wednesday</span></strong>! With the end of the school year only 2 days away, I thought I'd share a memory from my professional, "real world" career.</div>
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In 2002, I finished my first year of teaching. At the time, the school was new and most of the teachers were as well. In all we had 5 teachers, 2 staff members and about 50 kids. Needless to say we were a lot like a family. </div>
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On the last day of school, the staff decided to go out for drinks. Most of went, including our super cool principal who, I think, bought us a round of drinks. We stayed, talked, patted each other on the back. We drank and drank....and drank some more. At one point, we glanced out the window in the restaurant and saw the traffic and decided to stay for dinner...and more drinks. </div>
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By the end of our night, the sky was dark and the staff at the restaurant had stopped coming to our table. Much of a hint? </div>
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It was a great time with great people and I'm so thankful I started my teaching career where I did. The following year things changed, the school grew and although it was still a great place to be, nothing could compare to that last day of our first year.</div>
Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-17253729928592389722013-05-26T00:01:00.000-05:002013-05-26T00:01:00.451-05:00Sneak Peek Sunday!<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Welcome back to <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>Sneak Peek Sunday</strong></span>, where authors post 6 paragraphs of a published work or a work-in-progress for your enjoyment! To see who else is participating, <a href="http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/">visit here</a>!</span><br />
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Now, for my sneak peek.....<br />
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Over the last 2 weeks I've shared snippets from my June 5th book, <em><strong>Carry Me Home</strong></em>. This story is set in the Scottish Highlands and is a contemporary romance. This sneak peek picks up from what I posted last week. Mary MacDougall has only been back in the Highlands for seconds and she's already struggling with herself and her husband. To read the opening of the book, <a href="http://alexabourne.blogspot.com/2013/05/sneak-peek-sunday_12.html">click here</a>. To read last week's snippet, <a href="http://alexabourne.blogspot.com/2013/05/sneak-peek-sunday_19.html">click here</a>.<br />
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And now, for this week's 6 paragraphs.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVluvsU2mzWeYeUK73h54WLfL6wbHVvqr-O6Uju9ikuQMcmD0bM2W0z680SnL9xNZJDhHHqcyUjSY8cLyKPX0NPJ7oScUQsZjonoMyiq6SIDXBxUgrTPCfnQaLTpZ29pkZ_TxwuCYv3Jt0/s1600/Tease_EnticeBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVluvsU2mzWeYeUK73h54WLfL6wbHVvqr-O6Uju9ikuQMcmD0bM2W0z680SnL9xNZJDhHHqcyUjSY8cLyKPX0NPJ7oScUQsZjonoMyiq6SIDXBxUgrTPCfnQaLTpZ29pkZ_TxwuCYv3Jt0/s1600/Tease_EnticeBanner.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddurfw1pmGLOA74zQj2su9FnSqbwj89IWxKOdoawRDg4A1OrrHPQkh77z_JHIxT7SUkFNMRfpTsTsfl0x0EOBHRgldCwHB7vHDagPtR6AGgze6ozQksSUd6wRA_YORmwHa6OQs4o-_bcX/s1600/CarryMeHome_medium.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/AVvXsEiddurfw1pmGLOA74zQj2su9FnSqbwj89IWxKOdoawRDg4A1OrrHPQkh77z_JHIxT7SUkFNMRfpTsTsfl0x0EOBHRgldCwHB7vHDagPtR6AGgze6ozQksSUd6wRA_YORmwHa6OQs4o-_bcX/s320/CarryMeHome_medium.jpg" width="212" /></a><em><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Nothing had changed. Making this trip had been the right decision. The sooner their marriage was over, the sooner she could move on with her life. <br />
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"Thank you, but I’d rather you brought me the signed divorce papers." She flexed her fingers around the suitcase handle and started down the stairs. <br />
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With the flowers still in Jamie’s hand. <br />
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A small smile crossed her lips. She’d take any victory she could. This would be a fierce battle. <br />
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"Mary, wait." His work shoes clumped down the wooden stairs.</strong></span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><u>Please keep me strong.</u> </strong>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,Georgia; font-size: small;"><em></em></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span>Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029641918593787461.post-11392020245731134502013-05-24T00:01:00.000-05:002013-05-24T00:01:00.123-05:00Non-Fiction Friday!<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome back for another installment of <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>Non-Fiction Friday</strong></span>! This is where I talk about my "real world" adventures.</div>
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So, a while back I told you I signed my new contract at the day job for the 2013-2014 school year. What I didn't mention was during the conversation about my salary and my teaching duties, the principal also signed me up for some "extra" duties. </div>
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At first, he tried to get me to agree to be involved in the Quiz Bowl. Um, no. Not gonna happen. I vaguely remember Quiz Bowl from my high school days and I have no desire to be involved. So I played dumb and asked what it was and what I'd have to do. I don't think he really knew because we went back to the drawing board. He started listing off all the duties and I was worried I wouldn't find anything I liked or would be remotely qualified for. </div>
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In the end, I agreed to be the Spelling Bee coach. I was a great speller when I was in grade school and I remember the spelling bees I was involved in. THEN, I later found out my buddy, the music teacher who started at the school the same time as I did, signed up to also be involved in the Spelling Bees. She and I will have a GREAT time!</div>
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I also agreed to be involved in the Gifted & Talented Program. I chose that because usually the GT kids are cool kids and well-behaved. Plus I love challenging kids to be life-long learners. There is someone else involved so at least I won't be completely on my own for that. </div>
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In the end, I think I made good choices! Now, though, I'm thinking that I probably should have asked if there was a newspaper or a creative writing group. Those would be more up my alley. Oh well. There's always the following year! </div>
Alexahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671871950908006851noreply@blogger.com0