Cesar Chavez's Words Of Wisdom Are All The Inspiration You'll Need Today

Today is Cesar Chavez Day. Here's some words of wisdom to remember the civil rights leader and co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association.

"In this world it is possible to achieve great material wealth, to live an opulent life. But a life built upon those things alone leaves a shallow legacy. In the end, we will be judged by other standards."

"When we are really honest with ourselves we must admit that our lives are all that really belong to us. So, it how we use our lives that determines what kind of men we are. It is my deepest belief that only by giving our lives do we find life."

"Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures."

"Kindness and compassion toward all living things is a mark of a civilized society. Conversely, cruelty, whether it is directed against human beings or against animals, is not the exclusive province of any one culture or community of people. Racism, economic deprival, dog fighting and cock fighting, bull fighting and rodeos are cut from the same fabric: violence. Only when we have become nonviolent toward all life will we have learned to live well ourselves."

"There are many reasons for why a man does what de does. To be himself he must be able to give it all. If a leader cannot give it all he cannot expect his people to give anything."

Fragile Simplicity by Tara Neideffer book blitz

Fragile Simplicity  

by Tara Neideffer  

(Sweet Haven #2)  

Publication date: January 29th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense

Synopsis: 

It only took one letter to make every painful memory resurface. But it took Kyleigh Helton thirteen years to bury those memories. The question in that letter will force her to make a difficult decision. Forgive, or continue to let resentment and anger consume her fragile core.

The simple life she craves seems miles away when she’s dealing with an ex who won’t let her go and a boyfriend whose problems mimic a past she’d rather forget.

She realizes it’s time for things to change. But every decision and change she makes has a consequence, and she begins to wonder if she’s strong enough to handle them.

David Madison has been struggling with guilt and grief since his brother’s death and finds comfort in the one thing Kyleigh despises. When a phone call pushes him over the edge and guilt consumes him even more, he breaks a promise to Kyleigh that threatens to tear them apart.

As quickly as things fall back into place, his world shatters again, pushing him to the breaking point, and he begins to wonder how much more he can take before he turns to the one addiction that started it all.

But he can’t. He promised. He needs to stay strong for Kyleigh. Because now she needs him more than ever, and he won’t let her down again.

***This is book two in a trilogy but each book can stand-alone***
***Due to sexual content and language, this novel is intended for audiences ages 18+***

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Purchase:

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Excerpt:

Bringing her gaze up to his, the smile she wore took away all the pain from a few moments ago. “I love you, David.”

Clasping her cheeks in each hand, he gave her one last look as he pressed his lips against hers. His kiss was slow, his tongue moving against hers in a rhythm that mimicked a slow dance, where the music that played was the sound of their racing hearts and rapid breathing.

With one hand gripping the small of her back, the other tangled in her brown waves, he began taking small steps forward, directing her backwards to the couch. Once the back of her legs hit the cushions, they found themselves falling onto the black leather. He leaned back on his legs, staring down at the heavy rise and fall of her chest, and finding it hard to take his eyes off the fullness of her lips. He touched the outline of her cleavage that was peeking out of her shirt, and as he slid his finger along the crease, he watched her eyes momentarily close. Pulling his bottom lip into his mouth, he thrust her shirt down with both hands, giving him the access he craved. The whimper that escaped her mouth teased him even more, and she arched her back, begging him to take her. A low growl rumbled deep in his throat as he bent down and pulled her breast into his mouth.

The urgency in her touch as she gripped the back of his head pushed him along, and before he knew what he was doing, he was yanking the rest of her clothes off, along with his own.

As their bodies folded together, their desire ignited even more, and before long they were in a seamless rhythm as each breath, each kiss, and each gasp conveyed the feelings that they couldn’t find the right words for. They spoke with their bodies and it was a feeling David had feared he’d never experience again.

AUTHOR BIO: 

Tara Neideffer was born and raised in Indiana with a love for animals, especially horses. As a child, she could always be found in the saddle, running her horse at full speed through open fields. She also has a love of ghost stories and a morbid fascination with watching murder mystery shows. When she's not busy writing, she's taking care of her animals, spending time with her family or reading. She still lives in Indiana with her husband, daughter, and stepson, on twenty acres, with too many animals to name.

Connect with me online!

• Website: http://taraneideffer.com/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/taraneideffer
• Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomtaraneideffer
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/taraneideffer

GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)

A surprise swag pack
5 ebook copies of Fragile Simplicity
A signed paperback of Fragile Simplicity
Ends April 2nd:

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Royal Date by Sariah Wilson book blitz

Royal Date  

by Sariah Wilson  

Publication date: March 3rd 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

This Cinderella didn’t plan on a prince . . .

Kat MacTaggart is a girl who has a plan for everything—including her holiday ski trip to Monterra with her best friend. Everything is going according to plan until she finds herself careening out of control down a mountainside and being rescued by a guy who looks like Superman’s hotter Italian cousin.

HRH Prince Nico is intrigued by the woman he saved on the slopes and her refusal to date him. He offers Kat a deal—let him show her his country and he’ll pay her to write articles that will help Monterra’s tourism industry. Kat agrees, but given her past and lingering distrust of men, she has one condition—absolutely no kissing.

Thanks to the claims of a jealous British noblewoman and the schemes of a meddling paparazzo, Kat’s rule doesn’t seem to be a problem at first. But the more Kat gets to know Nico and the people around him, the harder it is to remember her keep-your-distance plan. Should she stick to it or risk everything for a chance at happily ever after?

Goodreads

Purchase:

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NOTE that the book is currently 50% off with the discount code ScoutOne!

EXCERPT 

“A little light reading?” His accent was faint, and I couldn’t quite place it. Italian-ish. But I didn’t care enough to ask. I felt him standing next to my stuffed armchair, hovering, and sighed. What was it with European men? American guys didn’t give me the time of day. But over here I was like some kind of dude catnip.

I didn’t take my eyes off of my book. “Sorry, not interested.”

He moved away from me, sitting in an armchair next to mine. Well, I suppose this was what I got for hanging out in the lodge’s lobby. I should have stayed in my room until my best friend, Lemon, was ready to leave.

“You’re not interested in Shakespeare?” he asked. I could hear the amusement in his voice.

“I’m not interested in you.”

“Why not?” This guy just could not take a hint. I turned to look at him, ready to tell him off, and nearly choked.

Gorgeous was an understatement. Tall, athletic, high cheekbones, black hair, and blue eyes. Like Superman’s hotter Italian cousin. He was dressed for a day of skiing—a black turtleneck with an unzipped royal-blue winter coat. And he topped it off with a smile, a blinding, unbelievable smile that nearly did me in.

He leaned in conspiratorially, and I got a whiff of his cologne. He smelled as good as he looked. His glacier-blue eyes were full of intensity and fun, and I wanted to sit and stare into them all day. “I’ve been told I’m very charming.”

I didn’t doubt it. I would never have admitted it out loud, but I was very charmed. Like I was the snake and he was playing a hypnotizing tune that only I could hear.

And I didn’t like the way that made me feel.

Plus, I had to consider reality in this situation. No way could this guy really be hitting on me. He probably dated supermodels and I . . . didn’t date at all. Like, ever. He was so out of my league.

I’d never been so tongue-tied before. I was typically handy with the quips and comebacks. But I couldn’t respond. I had to look away from him and back at my book. The words on the page swam around in front of me, and I was unable to focus on a single one. I needed him to leave so I could regain my equilibrium. “Nothing personal. Italian men don’t do it for me.”

I was the lyingest liar who ever lied.

“How fortunate for me then that I am Monterran.” He had a deep, rumbly, smooth voice that felt like honey and laughter mixed together. I wasn’t immune, and he hadn’t been kidding. He really was disgustingly charming.

My mouth twitched, wanting to smile. I turned a page, pretending to be entranced. I was on Christmas break, I reminded myself. I was here in Monterra to ski with Lemon. It was the last time we would be together before getting our master’s degrees in a few months. I had priorities and plans, and SuperHottie was not on the list.

And if I were being truly honest—he kind of scared me. A guy like that would have expectations, and I wasn’t like other girls.

“I’m Nico, by the way.”

“That’s nice for you.”

But he again failed to parse out the subtext here (and I wasn’t being very subtextual). Short of blatantly telling him to get lost, what else could I do? Would I have to be rude? Because instead of realizing that I was a lost cause, he laughed. He laughed and it did funny things to my insides. I wanted to laugh with him. And crawl into his lap and beg him to be mine.

“And you are?” he prompted.

“Still not interested.” It was becoming a bigger lie as time passed. If some other guy had pursued me this way, I would have thought it was creepy and called for security to have him escorted off the mountain. Instead, I secretly hoped he would keep talking to me.

I thought he’d finally gotten the message as an entire minute of silence passed between us before he reached over to look at my book’s spine to see the title. I gulped in response—his hands were large and masculine, and I wondered how his long fingers would feel interlaced with mine.

I shook my head and let out a shaky breath. I had gone seriously crazy. Like jumping-on-Oprah’s-couch crazy.

“Macbeth? I would have guessed Romeo and Juliet.”

I couldn’t help myself. I had to look at him. “Two fifteen-year-olds who kill themselves in the name of love after only knowing each other for three days? No thanks.”

That smile. He was killing me. “You don’t find it romantic?”

“I don’t find anything romantic about suicide.”

“You don’t think love at first sight is romantic?” he persisted.

I’d never believed such a thing possible before this moment, but now I was sort of getting where Romeo had been coming from. Nico was literally the most handsome man I’d ever met in real life. If anyone could convince me to believe in love at first sight, he was the guy.

“Nope,” I finally managed. He smiled like he didn’t believe me.

“Nico! Andiamo!”

Nico looked over his shoulder at a group of guys who were waving and calling out to him. He shouted something back to them, and they headed out the door, hooting and hollering as they went.

He stood up. He was taller than I’d first thought. Yummy tall. Way taller than me tall, and that wasn’t easy to find. “How long will you be in Monterra?”

It was such a personal question my gut reaction was to tell him to mind his own business, but to my surprise, I found myself saying, “For the next couple of weeks.”

“May I see your phone?”

I didn’t actually own a cell phone. I could barely afford food.

“No phone, and I’m not phone adjacent.”

Nico smiled again, and I wanted to melt into my chair. He reached inside his coat, pulled out a small white business card, and handed it to me. “If you do ever find yourself adjacent to a phone while you’re here, please call. I would love to take you to dinner before you leave.”

When I reached out he took my hand and turned it over, leaning down to kiss my knuckles. A lightning arc exploded inside my hand and zoomed around my entire body, all the way down to my toenails. I might have gasped, but I decided to pretend that I would never do something so lame.

He straightened back up to put the card in my shaking hand, closing my fingers around it. “I look forward to your call,” he said as he walked backward toward the exit. “Ciao, bella.”

He left and it took my eyes a second to adjust. Like I’d been staring at the sun and now had third-degree burns on my retinas. Who did that? Who just kissed people’s hands like that? This wasn’t the fifteenth century. So weird. And exciting. But weird.

The business card was white and thick. Obviously expensive. There was only a series of numbers, presumably his telephone number. I flipped the card over. Blank. Who had a card without a name on it? Just their phone number?

I’d tell you who. A guy who kissed your hand.

I closed my book and put it on the coffee table in front of me. I looked at the card again, turning it over a couple of times as I considered my decision.

I didn’t need this while I was here. And I couldn’t let Lemon see it or she’d hogtie me and force me to call him. I was here to relax, forget about my school troubles, and enjoy time with my best friend. Boys were not part of the equation.

A massive fire burned in the fireplace across the room. Decision made, I walked over and before I could change my mind, threw the card into the fire.

And informed myself that I absolutely, totally and completely did not regret it.

AUTHOR BIO: 

Sariah Wilson has never jumped out of an airplane, never climbed Mt. Everest, and is not a former CIA operative. She has, however, been madly, passionately in love with her soulmate and is a fervent believer in happily ever afters--which is why she writes romance. She has published five happily ever after stories. She grew up in southern California, graduated from Brigham Young University (go Cougars!) with a semi-useless degree in history, and is the oldest of nine (yes, nine) children. She currently lives with the aforementioned soulmate and their four children in Utah, along with three tiger barb fish, a cat named Tiger, and a recently departed hamster that is buried in the backyard (and has nothing at all to do with tigers).

Author links:

• https://twitter.com/sariahwilson
• http://www.sariahwilson.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/sariahwilsonauthor
• https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6471623.Sariah_Wilson

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M9B Friday Reveal: Chapter Three of Hunted (Sinners #2) by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki with Giveaway #M9BFridayReveals

Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!

This week, we are revealing Chapter 3 of

Hunted (Sinners #2)

by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

HUNTED is the electrifying sequel to the bestselling debut BRANDED, A Sinners Series, by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki.

It’s been three months since the revolt against the Commander’s fifty-year-old regime failed.

Under a new ruler, things were supposed to change. Get better.

But can anyone really be trusted?

Lexi and Cole soon find out, as life takes an unexpected turn for the worse.

In this ever-changing world, you must hunt or be hunted.

Lives will be lost.

Dreams will be crushed.

Fears will be realized.

Secrets will be exposed.

When Cole is once again faced with losing Lexi at the hands of a monster, one encounter will change everything.

Forever.

Connect with BRANDED fans on Instagram at:
#abiandmissy
#Sinnersfandom
#Sinnersseries
#Colexi
#Sinnersseriesbranded
#Brandedofficialfanpage
#Brandedfandom
#Lexihamilton

Title: Hunted (Sinners #2)
Publication date: March 31, 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

Available for Pre-order:

You can read Chapter Three HERE!
Happy Reading and Enjoy!

Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredible adventure.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumbler

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Grand Finale for The Accidental Wife by Simi K. Rao

A themed tour through Prism Book Tours.

We're blitzing the Grand Finale for the TRAVELING INDIA TOUR for

The Accidental Wife

By Simi K. Rao

LAST DAY to get Inconvenient Relations for FREE!!

Shaan Ahuja found himself bowing to tradition and agreeing to an arranged marriage to the beautiful Ruhi Sharma. He went through the motions but had no intention of carrying through on his vows. His last foray into matters of the heart with an American girl had left him scarred and unwilling to try again. Thoroughly disillusioned and disgruntled he wasted no time in making his intentions clear to Ruhi on their wedding night. But, he was completely unprepared for what his new wife had in mind.

This multi-cultural contemporary romance story of an arranged marriage is a beautiful blending of showing the Indian and American cultures. Readers will learn more about the Indian heritage and the romance that happens behind closed doors in an Indian relationship in Simi K. Rao's Inconvenient Relations. This coming of age story about true love explores multi-cultural issues.

Grab your FREE copy from AMAZON. Only through March 23rd!

Did you get a taste for India as we explored a little bit of the culture? 

If you missed any stops, go back and check them out now!

The Written Adventure - Excerpt

He frowned, straining to decipher her features obscured by deep shadow. “Deepika?”

“Naa…, not Deepika.” She stepped forward into the light, a bright smile illuminating her strikingly graceful features.

His heart sank. Not Deepika.

“I am Naina—the girl you married. Goodbye, Rihaan.”

Coffee Books & Art - Sarit: Traditional Costume or Functional Attire?

The image of a woman wearing a sari conjures up both the remarkable beauty of women and the exquisite artistry of textile and embroidery. The sari is a garment created from a single piece of fabric five to nine yards. Its ingenious design allows for wrapping around a woman’s body in different ways. This allows for a variety of effects: stunning traditional gown, alluring eveningwear, or simple utilitarian work attire.

Mythical Books - Sensual Spices & Excerpt

It is one thing to prepare food for ourselves because we need to eat. It’s mealtime, we’re hungry, what do we have in the cupboard? But it is a whole different thing to cook a special dish or an entire feast because we want to shower someone we love with a caring gesture.

Rihaan stepped into the tiny kitchen to find it dwarfed by his lanky frame. Folding wiry arms across his chest, he leaned gingerly against the wall and watched as she went about her task in a haphazard fashion. Her attempts at putting on a show of neatness and method were failing hopelessly.

My Life Loves and Passion - Excerpt

Rihaan gave a wry shrug.

“Okay, then let your mom choose your wife and live happily ever after with my blessings,” Rudy said, grinning widely.

“No! Never! I can’t!”

A Thousand Words A Million Books - Review

It's like I can't describe it- but The Accidental Wife had me HOOKED! I loved how Naina and Rihaan slowly fell for each other, how things kept happening thatnmept them from being together, it was so realistic, how they let their pride get in the way of things, how they decided to stick to their stubborn ideals despite the obvious love and desire they were feeling! . . . All I can say is- for an insight into Indian Society- READ THIS!

Sarah's StoryLines - Indian Elephants + Excerpt

Inside it, she found some clothes just like the oversized ones hanging in the closet. They were of no interest to her. What caught her eye was a beautiful silk sari, tie-dyed in a rainbow of colors with decorated elephants marching along the borders and tiny shiny mirrors that caught the light and sparkled like diamonds. She flung it around her neck like a shawl and felt deeply comforted by the strong fragrance of sandalwood.

Deal Sharing Aunt - Excerpt

He soon found himself engaged in the activity of browsing through the huge databanks of boys and girls seeking potential life partners. He was shocked at the variety he saw and equally surprised at the way they presented themselves, especially how particular they were about the kind of mate they wanted. It was just as Rudy had described—a huge marriage market.

Finally after having amused himself for a few hours, Rihaan fell asleep thinking there might just be a solution to all his problems.

Underneath the Covers - Excerpt

“I’m getting married. Time to celebrate.”

His mother, as he’d guessed she would, immediately dismissed him. “Rihaan, if that’s supposed to be a joke then it is a very bad one.”

“Maa… I’m telling the truth,” Rihaan said. “I’ve found a suitable girl and the deal is set.”

alwaysjoart - Heroines in Literature and Real Life & Excerpt

Who is your favorite heroine? With so many incredible women in literature who are often trailblazers for women in real life, it is hard to choose just one.

He emerged a few minutes later with a Wonder Woman pin that he fastened to her coat.

Mary Terrani - Review

The Accidental Wife had me hooked from the start. I love reading about different cultures and this is a perfect example of it. The depth of the characters and how real they came across had me wanting more. I couldn’t put it down.

Beck Valley Books - The Tradition Behind Arranged Marriages

Marriage is a sacred relationship. It is not just the meeting of two individuals but of two souls. Its purpose is for the continuation of family and to practice one’s Dharma. There is no concept of divorce. Once married, a couple is wedded for life. Divorce is a modern concept introduced through the Hindu Marriage Act of India.

The Accidental Wife

Simi K. Rao

Adult Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 270 Pages

March 4th 2015

Some accidents are meant to happen…

Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his 'requirements'. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead?

Amazon

Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. Inconvenient Relations is her first published novel.

The inspiration for this book, and her other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.

Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.

Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world. A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family.

Website - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter

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Justice For Katie by Linda Crowder

In 1985, budding author Jeb Cannon discovers the decomposed body of a young woman while riding fence with his father on their wind-swept Wyoming ranch. The case quickly goes cold but her memory haunts his imagination.
Thirty years and a number of best-selling thrillers later, Cannon asks Detective Matt Joyner to help him finally find justice for the woman, whom he has dubbed "Katie."
Joyner has his hands full investigating the modern-day murder of an Assistant County Attorney so Jake and Emma Rand step in to take a fresh look at the decades old case. When they uncover a link between Katie's death and the murder of the Casper ACA, they may finally unmask the mysterious "Boss" that has been orchestrating a campaign of murder and deception.

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About the author:

Linda grew up in Loveland, Colorado as the sixth of six children. She moved with her parents to California when she was 16 and spent the next 16 years of her life in the Bay Area before moving home to Colorado.
Linda devoted 20+ years to nonprofit human services before deciding to take a new direction in her life. She founded Focus Forward, LLC to do the things she most enjoys - management consulting for small business owners and nonprofits and career coaching.
In 2012, Linda realized a life-long dream when she published her first book, "Life Isn't Just Luck: Getting from where you are to where you want to be." In it, she explores what keeps us from achieving our goals and identifies strategies to overcome these roadblocks.
In 2013, Linda published her first mystery novel, "Too Cute to Kill." This was followed by "Main Street Murder" in 2014 and "Justice for Katie" in 2015. Linda lives outside Casper, Wyoming with her husband, ten cats and one incredibly patient dog.

Find the author:

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I Love Cozy Mysteries

I write cozy mysteries because I love to read them. A cozy mystery is one where the focus is on the relationships of the protagonists and the puzzle of solving the mystery, usually a murder. Cozies often have amateur sleuths who find themselves confronted with a murder and set out to solve it either because the police suspect the wrong person or because they are simply driven by their own curiosity. Today, cozies often include more humor than suspense and many showcase dog or cat companions. What they don’t have is gory detailed descriptions of the murders that take place, graphic depictions of violence or language that would make your grandmother blush. They may have romance but the physical contact will be no more than PG rated.

The grand dame of the cozy mystery is Agatha Christie and she is my personal favorite. I have read every book and short story she published, along with her stunningly successful play, The Mousetrap. She is the master of hiding her clues in plain sight while diverting the reader’s attention away from the solution by taking us down blind alleys and littering the path with attractive red herrings. I don’t know that I could choose a favorite of her works. Hercules Poirot, Miss Marple, Tommy and Tuppance – how can one choose between them?

I’m also fond of Lilian Jackson Braun’s The Cat Who series, especially the early books both before Quill inherits his fortune and the first few books afterward. The first entry in the series, The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, is my favorite as starving journalist Quill dives into the seedy side of the art world and meets Koko, the cat who will become his lifelong companion and partner in investigative journalism. Sadly, there will be no more adventures with Koko and sweet little Yum Yum since we lost Braun a few years ago.

There are also many independent authors whose writing I follow. Deborah Garner writes a lovely series of Paige and Jake books set in the West, which is what attracted me to her books initially. Her two main characters are a delight and keep me coming back for more. I’m now anxiously awaiting the release of the third book in that series.

Steve Demaree writes Christian police procedurals with the most laughs I’ve found in a cozy mystery. Cy and Lou, his detective duo, are a rotund riot who never fail to miss a meal – or solve a murder. I’m on book 5 of this series now and Lou has been steadily working out and changing his eating habits, dropping 50 pounds. Cy’s reaction to Lou’s lifestyle change is the center of much of the humor in book 4, Murder at Breakfast, but by book 5, Murder at the High School Reunion, Cy is faced with having to lose some weight of his own or give up being a semi-retired homicide detective.

These are only four of my favorite authors. Check out my cozies here. My newest, Justice for Katie, releases March 20. I’d love to hear who you love to read.

 

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Cover Reveal Media Packet: Between Dreams by Cynthia Austin

Between Dreams

by Cynthia Austin

The Pendant Series #1

Publication Date: April 28, 2015

Genres: Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult


Synopsis:

Sidney Sinclair was living the dream of any eighteen year-old girl...

A handsome rock star boyfriend, a closet full of designer clothes, a limousine service at her beck and call, and a mansion in the hills of Los Angeles.

Even will all of that glamour and excitement at her fingertips, she still feels as if she's been missing something in her life so she decides to leave.

While trying her best to put her dysfunctional romantic relationship aside and tend to her beloved Granny, Sidney unexpectedly stumbles upon an intriguing emerald pendant boxed away in her grandmother's closet.

Soon she learns it once belonged to her long-lost mother who committed suicide when she was just a baby. Suddenly feeling emotionally connected to the woman who had birthed her, Sidney begins to wear the necklace.

This sends her on a whirlwind journey that alternates between fantasy and reality...

Almost immediately, she starts having dreams linked to the mysterious pendant. As danger begins to seep into her life, Sidney refuses to remove the necklace and instead documents each dream to help her further understand them. However, she soon begins to wonder if they are dreams meant to bond her to a mother who she never knew?

Or a subconscious warning that threatens her very life?

About Cynthia Austin

Cynthia Austin lives in Northern California with herhusband, two boys, and Olde English Bulldogge named Count Dogula. They love all things horror, gothic, and Victorian which prompts her friends to dub them as “The Adams Family.”

She is an avid reader who may be slightly obsessed with music. She hears music in a way that she believes the artist intended it to be heard: visually, with a storyline that follows. Listening to the songs by her favorite artists, she was inspired to write her first series titled “The Pendant.”

Cynthia has been published twice in The Writer’s Monthly Magazine as well as the online news site, Yahoo! Voices. She currently attends Diablo Valley College, in Pleasant Hill, California, where she is working to achieve her degree in English.

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