tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17447054441017951572024-02-20T23:06:07.816-08:00Notes from Nadir“Notes from Nadir” is an alternatively poignant and amusing story of life’s unforeseen journeys, sorrows, and rewards.notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-26060149105489589342024-01-28T15:43:00.000-08:002024-01-28T15:43:39.333-08:00Meeting Mel Gibson ~ Excerpt from "Diary of a Hollywood Nobody"<p>T<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px;">hursday, May 18</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5V_yv-rRk-0Q_I1N54-8ttVFVrbGRNJ5-Jyk014eM-2PR-AWT5j3IK-IqO2yT23bTwLcaLcAhCy4i4NMSkRzbcLiFceWXfZqMmKqK756ezomWPrZUQQ86SMMkmxwz16mQFfVd_lx7VeKhn-AjUTf6TfCeqcK1PnrCqUu5vPA_PeT9hr_PNpKTGaROAYs4/s1350/doantablet.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5V_yv-rRk-0Q_I1N54-8ttVFVrbGRNJ5-Jyk014eM-2PR-AWT5j3IK-IqO2yT23bTwLcaLcAhCy4i4NMSkRzbcLiFceWXfZqMmKqK756ezomWPrZUQQ86SMMkmxwz16mQFfVd_lx7VeKhn-AjUTf6TfCeqcK1PnrCqUu5vPA_PeT9hr_PNpKTGaROAYs4/w226-h248/doantablet.png" width="226" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Copyright 2011-2024 by Lisa Maliga<br />I was sentenced to eight hours in the legal department at Warner Bros. The lawyer’s secretary was pregnant and all she did was sit behind her desk and talk on the phone. The lawyer, Mr. Manic, was civil to me at first. He sauntered in around 10:30 and disappeared into his office on the other side of the suite. Preggers sat in the large reception area and I was squeezed into a file room with a desk on the other side of the secretary’s office. The water cooler was beside the desk and he came over to fill up a mug and hand me his car keys! Mr. Manic told me to go down to his car, a Jaguar convertible, and retrieve his briefcase.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I loped downstairs, glad to get out into the sunny day and check out his wheels. It was a white Jag. with a matching leather interior and it sure smelled clean and new when I opened the door. Then I saw the briefcase. It wasn’t the standard issue case made of imported leather; it was quadruple sized and HEAVY! As I lugged it out of the car, I almost dropped the damn thing. That it contained books was evident–but all 26 volumes of the <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Encyclopedia Britannica</em>? </span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The briefcase never left the ground. Having to go upstairs in the elevatorless Admin. building meant that the case rested on each step. Mr. Manic was having me, someone who was probably half his weight, play pack mule? Why? Did he hate temps?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The endearing Mr. Manic also had his car washed for him. A man stopped by and asked Preggers for the car keys so the Jag. could be washed and the gas tank filled. I’d happened to be in the reception area doing some file organizing so I witnessed the man pocketing the keys. I wanted to tell him to make sure he left the top down and hit every phone pole on the way back!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Preggers had me “run” to the mailroom to drop off some important letters. Just as I was rounding a corner, I barely avoided slamming into an equally surprised Mel Gibson! Those famous blue eyes were huge; we were just inches from a collision!</span></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">Book link: <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://www.lisamaliga.com/book-diary-of-a-hollywood-nobody1" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #6c6c8c; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">Diary of a Hollywood Nobody</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; text-align: center;"><i><b>Visually-Enhanced Book Excerpt</b></i></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; text-align: center;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CipsYfM--JQ" width="438" youtube-src-id="CipsYfM--JQ"></iframe></i></div><i><br /><b><br /></b></i><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-63281857759299827702023-03-12T14:42:00.002-07:002023-03-12T14:42:22.827-07:00"September Harvest" NEW Cover, Excerpt & Book Trailer<p>By Lisa Maliga<br />Copyright 2023</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1qZ3Ywxuf3mWQ1clqM-krfbQm2ilnFhbGdXGrHhKOMAm9MBDxOeOmCavqqvCGqbPqFVeZ6Kn06eO3xWh4mrwgm24SUdtd-xAa_yatvXH2W7mNSBfrDqsVUSxcTnnA1wkbL1BLldzZVoTkfDsuv5VdDISd8BSE9iWIKgw938Y4OQZtcr4PiLUSOhSdQ/s1532/SHfuture.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1qZ3Ywxuf3mWQ1clqM-krfbQm2ilnFhbGdXGrHhKOMAm9MBDxOeOmCavqqvCGqbPqFVeZ6Kn06eO3xWh4mrwgm24SUdtd-xAa_yatvXH2W7mNSBfrDqsVUSxcTnnA1wkbL1BLldzZVoTkfDsuv5VdDISd8BSE9iWIKgw938Y4OQZtcr4PiLUSOhSdQ/s320/SHfuture.png" width="209" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">March 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Online comment: If only someone would have warned these gullible
people about what was going on BEFORE they took the bioweapon. I warned people.
Did you? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">My reply: I didn't realize how bad it was until June 2021.
I spent all summer writing a novella about what I saw going on. Sadly, I don't
have a billion-dollar budget to bamboozle people with endless publicity. But I
did try...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After answering that question, I decided to put
together a book trailer to promote my eBook. And I changed the cover from one of
the watercolor illustration of the mall’s interior to a photo of a dead mall’s
exterior. Finally, I rewrote the book's description. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">New Book Description:</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s 1979 and
Laurie Caswell is working as a bookstore clerk at the Northbrook Mall. That
Saturday evening, she sees a movie with her boyfriend, Dennis Nolan. Instead of
dining at a restaurant, the teenage couple goes to her parents’ suburban house
for some adult beverages. He leaves, and in the early hours of the morning, she
has a horrifying nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A nightmare
of a future where the mall resembles a prison. It’s populated with overweight,
black-clad people wearing face masks, and lining up outside the former Sears
department store for mandatory Convict-21 injections.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Will the nightmare come true, or will the old book
she discovers the next day at a yard sale help change the course of humanity
forever?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMmKEAmzz47U2pZYPFNoKE6LiXYqCgpfWTO2gwczK1BvMOfzvaWYexg_doHQg1XKflUyqT7W_NIw917iwioTlAbYTNteGTkFhyOjmf_GgPb7W4ZPYeYUDZhbJbORXczDq5o4i1xSfbn37_mXgOExWGQXFm154zjj8s2NuQjzwDEMZZrSxP3bCOYTjEA/s1042/septharvestbooks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1042" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMmKEAmzz47U2pZYPFNoKE6LiXYqCgpfWTO2gwczK1BvMOfzvaWYexg_doHQg1XKflUyqT7W_NIw917iwioTlAbYTNteGTkFhyOjmf_GgPb7W4ZPYeYUDZhbJbORXczDq5o4i1xSfbn37_mXgOExWGQXFm154zjj8s2NuQjzwDEMZZrSxP3bCOYTjEA/s320/septharvestbooks.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><i>Excerpt:</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">“The signs on the door demanded that recipients of the Convict-21 vaccine must wear masks, be over the age of twelve and I stopped reading the sign after that. The cosmetics section of the once-thriving department store was minus its display cases. The Avon and Revlon makeup kits were gone. Vibrant young salespeople offering sprays of perfume were absent. No floral fragrances lingered in the air other than generous gusts of alcohol-based sanitizer from spray bottles being squirted by uniformed medical workers. It reminded me of some sort of pest-control team—and it appeared like we were the pests.”</span></p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Book Trailer:</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="312" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kClKRKNkPF0" width="535" youtube-src-id="kClKRKNkPF0"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Book Links:</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Amazon: <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HM58159?&linkCode=sl1&tag=lisaslibrarof-20&linkId=4d690c3ed0b4fed103e1e1965a28f54f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target="_blank">SEPTEMBER HARVEST</a></b><br /><br />Apple: <b><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1588397730" target="_blank">SEPTEMBER HARVEST</a></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">B&N NOOK: <b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/september-harvest-lisa-maliga/1140248284;jsessionid=674EA3CF84DA68E7D817D75EDE540FBB.prodny_store02-atgap15?ean=2940165252662" target="_blank">SEPTEMBER HARVEST</a></b><br /><br />Kobo: <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/september-harvest" target="_blank"><b>SEPTEMBER HARVEST</b></a><br /><br />Smashwords: <b><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1107319" target="_blank">SEPTEMBER HARVEST</a></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHopVUDsmjVJGgB9Qk3NuswH_EvPTwMX100RE8lAaUmSMpCVJvHkpb7ZjaKm4uPNzOK3PKkmXP-GwL39eFe4YRFnjQsAs2T4zGVoRNfSJKcniCU1dKgUJJPcMCA3lZcv-Gq9Q1kpaqEDeWjtdJIUQfRhAGCauh8RAd7ppkjoS85SW8G2d0oLGPAIOzg/s1080/septemberharvestwhere2buy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHopVUDsmjVJGgB9Qk3NuswH_EvPTwMX100RE8lAaUmSMpCVJvHkpb7ZjaKm4uPNzOK3PKkmXP-GwL39eFe4YRFnjQsAs2T4zGVoRNfSJKcniCU1dKgUJJPcMCA3lZcv-Gq9Q1kpaqEDeWjtdJIUQfRhAGCauh8RAd7ppkjoS85SW8G2d0oLGPAIOzg/w402-h353/septemberharvestwhere2buy.png" width="402" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-38680987819259224942021-10-02T15:15:00.002-07:002021-10-19T15:57:15.185-07:00September Harvest ~ Nightmare or Prophecy?<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px;">By Lisa Maliga</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Copyright 2021</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">I’ve finally returned to writing fiction. It’s a great feeling to have completed a novella. There was nothing to bake or melt and pour. In other words, no sweets were made and I only made a few batches of soap for an upcoming book.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">The first draft of <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">September Harvest</span> was written in a month. It was the easiest and hardest book I ever wrote. During it, I was doing online retail therapy. I’d watched many videos about malls, dying malls, dead malls and abandoned malls. I watched and listened to the soundtracks of the past. Whether you call it Muzak or elevator music, it was wordless and brought back memories. Yet listening to it made me write better and helped create that long ago and far away era. And as I wrote the Northbrook Mall section, I thought it should live up to its name with an exotic landmark center court area. The Palm Beach Mall was my inspiration. Although photographed circa 1968, I imagined being in that mall back then. People dressed more formally than they do nowadays. Salesmen and managers wore suits and ties. Customers and retail employees had a more stringent dress code than that of 2021.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Being able to use the photograph wasn’t an option as it wasn’t in the public domain, and I’d already decided to change the “wonderfall” fountain to a standard cascading type of fountain. But the bridge over the pond surrounded by tropical foliage was an element that had to be in the Northbrook Mall. It was the landmark centerpiece and most noted feature.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswl18Z_PiI1XERRZ2VfRD6IV6sn3p35xRWpWR1IWoc5ndoWYba8prLFyOrOgvfyA0LHo-x3TSz14s1Jm7dyIAqlUjgR3X_WgeHvgUJBV7XEaGzxsUHkYfE7f0MuMCL5Z8G8cGdWmxux3h/s2048/palmbeachmallmed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="palm beach mall wonderfall September Harvest model" border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="2048" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswl18Z_PiI1XERRZ2VfRD6IV6sn3p35xRWpWR1IWoc5ndoWYba8prLFyOrOgvfyA0LHo-x3TSz14s1Jm7dyIAqlUjgR3X_WgeHvgUJBV7XEaGzxsUHkYfE7f0MuMCL5Z8G8cGdWmxux3h/w400-h260/palmbeachmallmed.jpg" title="The photo that inspired the cover" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Finding a cover artist to recreate the mall wasn’t an easy task. The first person I found via a search had the promise that all emails were answered in 24 hours. To date, my email has been ignored. I contacted another cover artist, but my suggestion wasn’t deemed possible. I kept looking and found a talented artist who had several images of buildings and people in her portfolio. I had quickly learned that some artists specialized in drawing animals, others in portraits, and some in drawing fantasy landscapes. Would I like a watercolor, oil painting or colored pencil rendition?</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">I wrote out detailed instructions and even included an excerpt from my novella which described the fountain area. I asked that the ladies on the bridge be changed to the main characters in the novella. A few days later, I received the image and here it is…</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YwvXDkfm_9fn2yJtci4v-nPvbSrDHtCrufv9EfKNEo4zBBEuJY4ZNcfdh8Ro-ih1s2ncTuYs6Yq7F2_QRfcv53SbPP1VpAVLvrB0oigjXUnLj2z857e-oS-OJoaeSpK4iQ0PoSotrQyO/s1023/septharvestMU.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="September Harvest a novella" border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1023" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YwvXDkfm_9fn2yJtci4v-nPvbSrDHtCrufv9EfKNEo4zBBEuJY4ZNcfdh8Ro-ih1s2ncTuYs6Yq7F2_QRfcv53SbPP1VpAVLvrB0oigjXUnLj2z857e-oS-OJoaeSpK4iQ0PoSotrQyO/w320-h314/septharvestMU.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="has-text-align-center" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">What is <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">September Harvest</em> About?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.7pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Laurie
Caswell loves her life… but a nightmare leaves her terrified of the future… </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.7pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It’s 1979 and Laurie’s living a great life as a bookstore
clerk at the Northbrook Mall. She’s excited to go out with her boyfriend to see
a movie, have a drink, and spend a happy evening together. When he leaves,
she’s rocked to her core by a nightmare.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.7pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">A nightmare of a
future where her mall is dead, overweight, black-clad people cover their faces
like common criminals. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.7pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">People seem more focused on their
light-up book-like devices than her, but the year 2021 holds darker, more
sinister dangers. Dangers she desperately wants to wake up from and escape.
Laurie just wants her normal life back… but whatever she’s experiencing might
not be willing to let her go so easily.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.7pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.lisamaliga.com/book-septemberharvest" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="september harvest a novella by lisa maliga" border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="430" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgia7nTy7qZZwvTZbu_nHjkqJ99B95YTGv5JVtd9e_rGCIjwqrw5zVsNE_ioxQamYjmlYNy__1-6HPnYtiV3mLSTLzDTMgqNg0eGmj8lwiOT6G4xddy45yS7PbbThRZwNZJH5FWEXU9nsJn/w256-h400/septharvestmed.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Where to buy:</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Amazon: <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HM58159/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #6c6c8c; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">September Harvest</a></span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Amazon UK: <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09HM58159/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #6c6c8c; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">September Harvest</a></span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Apple: <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1588397730" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #6c6c8c; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">September Harvest</a></span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />B&N/Nook: <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/september-harvest-lisa-maliga/1140248284;jsessionid=674EA3CF84DA68E7D817D75EDE540FBB.prodny_store02-atgap15?ean=2940165252662" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #6c6c8c; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">September Harvest</a></span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Kobo: <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/september-harvest" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #6c6c8c; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">September Harvest</a></span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Smashwords: <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1107319" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #6c6c8c; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">September Harvest</a></span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Vivlio: <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://shop.vivlio.com/product/9798985044102_9798985044102_10020" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #6c6c8c; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">September Harvest</a></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-40509686586954030272020-12-04T19:31:00.006-08:002020-12-04T19:31:57.166-08:00BIG Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">By Lisa Maliga, copyright 2020</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYFwYZtJedOhGFdmsW1Us4febQ8SXOznVsPcLK2N2Xw4OA7WgYrO1gxSbfaaaY63-0CnTxFIrd7b9UI0AtLbECw8n7lUz0deTf_hIz2M6Ox47Tcl2dSbSZEQKRN3jaHVo_fqNPVQV7k7m/s940/doublechocchipcookiegroup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYFwYZtJedOhGFdmsW1Us4febQ8SXOznVsPcLK2N2Xw4OA7WgYrO1gxSbfaaaY63-0CnTxFIrd7b9UI0AtLbECw8n7lUz0deTf_hIz2M6Ox47Tcl2dSbSZEQKRN3jaHVo_fqNPVQV7k7m/w400-h335/doublechocchipcookiegroup.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Looking for easy-to-bake super double chocolate chip cookies? Double your fun with these big, thick, and chewy chocolate chip cookies.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><strong>INGREDIENTS:</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">1 cup unsalted butter cold, cut in cubes<br />1 cup coconut palm sugar <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.to/39MFE9b&source=gmail&ust=1607213027765000&usg=AFQjCNFXeOodmMibMsJzom2u-Wz63hbZBQ" href="https://amzn.to/39MFE9b" style="color: #2585b2;" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/39MFE9b</a><br />1/2 cup granulated cane sugar <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.to/2JLTRrX&source=gmail&ust=1607213027765000&usg=AFQjCNF67QqHDmRIxIwKgXGYBnxhp_487g" href="https://amzn.to/2JLTRrX" style="color: #2585b2;" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/2JLTRrX</a><br />2 large eggs, cold<br />2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.to/3qls56e&source=gmail&ust=1607213027765000&usg=AFQjCNGrrk3Hgi1f3tn3mwiqC1RQor1cDA" href="https://amzn.to/3qls56e" style="color: #2585b2;" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/3qls56e</a><br />2 cups all-purpose flour <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.to/3mJ8TNu&source=gmail&ust=1607213027765000&usg=AFQjCNHD4lylVXfqDjgQNCzwuJq1Vz6jbQ" href="https://amzn.to/3mJ8TNu" style="color: #2585b2;" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/3mJ8TNu</a><br />2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.to/3ol5gOi&source=gmail&ust=1607213027765000&usg=AFQjCNESDWcYgdYNAtrHwOnQjXhNVZHpOw" href="https://amzn.to/3ol5gOi" style="color: #2585b2;" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/3ol5gOi</a><br />1 teaspoon baking powder<br />3/4 teaspoon baking soda<br />1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.to/2Vymifl&source=gmail&ust=1607213027765000&usg=AFQjCNEFzrWNJ-FZX3xiM3ViQcX-LK602Q" href="https://amzn.to/2Vymifl" style="color: #2585b2;" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/2Vymifl</a><br />2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.to/39KAVEL&source=gmail&ust=1607213027765000&usg=AFQjCNGZdULl6HHEDsrH4Q_6DYQ6RsneHw" href="https://amzn.to/39KAVEL" style="color: #2585b2;" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/39KAVEL</a><br />chopped walnuts, optional</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><strong>EQUIPMENT:</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Stand mixer or hand mixer<br />Large bowls<br />Measuring cups/spoons<br />Whisk<br />Sifter<br />Spatula<br />Large baking sheet<br />Cooling rack<br />Parchment paper/Silpat<br />Measuring scale</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><strong>INSTRUCTIONS:</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Oven temperature: 350 degrees Fahrenheit/175 degrees Celsius</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">* In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk until combined.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">* In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter, and sugar until light and fluffy. You can also use a hand mixer or mix with a whisk or wooden spoon.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">* Add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Blend well.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">* Stir in the dry ingredients until well blended. It will feel quite stiff.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">* Mix in the chocolate chips.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">* Form into balls approximately 3.5 ounces [100 grams]. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat. Refrigerate for one hour.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">* Preheat oven.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">* Cookies should be at least 3 inches apart. Bake on center rack for about 15 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet for about 15 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><strong>NOTES:</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">This recipe made one dozen 3.5-ounce cookies.<br />I added a few walnuts to 2 cookies.<br />Store in an airtight container.<br />If serving the next day, heat in microwave for about 15 seconds if you want a melty interior.<br />I’ve added links to some of the ingredients. They are only suggestions, of course.<br />Chilling the dough in the refrigerator before baking helps to keep the cookies higher so they won't spread a lot.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Happy baking!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WJ6trmWxTKo" width="532" youtube-src-id="WJ6trmWxTKo"></iframe></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></blockquote><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-47825749127493033772020-02-26T15:34:00.001-08:002020-02-26T15:34:36.698-08:00Dessert Cookbook Series: A Beginner's Guide ~ New Boxed Set<div style="text-align: left;">
By Lisa Maliga, copyright 2020</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Includes 3 full-length dessert cookbooks and more than 50 recipes.</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><br /></em></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDktlgVN9qHyn_t5eoeax8YVZSKRQw8ZKmn8pcrgxJK-I5gZMyuTOPZZlEh9Hg37X82xHl_JoaTVeKP3QAyy2LFSgIIyqye7SjTK2vbfJCqpoi_fc9iacf_JWBvQFmhk-qWE3osXx-vGIC/s1600/Dessert+Cookbook+Series+Transparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDktlgVN9qHyn_t5eoeax8YVZSKRQw8ZKmn8pcrgxJK-I5gZMyuTOPZZlEh9Hg37X82xHl_JoaTVeKP3QAyy2LFSgIIyqye7SjTK2vbfJCqpoi_fc9iacf_JWBvQFmhk-qWE3osXx-vGIC/s320/Dessert+Cookbook+Series+Transparent.png" width="245" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px;">Learn how to make many different desserts, no matter what your level of baking experience.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
It’s easier than ever to bake decadent chocolate cupcakes and brownies. Get helpful tips about decorating and coloring cupcakes, recommended equipment, and loads of resources. Original and tested step-by-step recipes include Blueberry Brownies, Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes, Blue Velvet Cupcakes, Peppermint Swirl Cupcakes, and many more tantalizing treats.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
The book was written by someone who went from baking box mix brownies and cupcakes to discovering the joy of baking from scratch. With a photograph of each finished treat, the reader will be inspired to try baking these delicious recipes.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Baking Chocolate Cupcakes and Brownies: A Beginner’s Guid</span>e contains 50+ color photos.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Bake beautiful and delicious French macarons in your own kitchen. This collection of tried-and-tested recipes allows bakers to create these tasty and colorful confections.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
The author details what equipment and ingredients you need, offers numerous helpful tips, resources, and shares more than 30 recipes for you to whip up an array of elegant French delicacies.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Full of inspiring color photos, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Baking French Macarons: A Beginner’s Guide</span>, offers everything you need to bake stunning macarons that will impress anyone who tastes them.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Some of the flavors include Cinnamon Caramel, Tangy Orange, Key Lime, and Acai macarons.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Ruby Chocolate: A Beginner’s Guide</span> includes ten original and tested recipes using authentic ruby chocolate. From healthy granola bars to tasty ruby chocolate chip cookies to decadent fudge, chocolate lovers will be inspired to create their own desserts. The reader also receives gift packaging ideas, and many resources.</div>
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"></em></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Available exclusively at Amazon.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
U.S. link: <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085177S6S/">Dessert Cookbook Series: A Beginner’s Guide</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
U.K. link: <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B085177S6S/" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #6c6c8c; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">Dessert Cookbook Series: A Beginner’s Guide</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
CA link: <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B085177S6S">Dessert Cookbook Series: A Beginner’s Guide</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/60RRnZi_kp4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/60RRnZi_kp4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-43504631694841991392020-01-15T20:23:00.001-08:002020-01-15T20:23:28.968-08:00Ruby Chocolate: A Beginner's Guide ~ Excerpt<span style="font-family: inherit;">By Lisa Maliga, copyright 2020</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO_m24hwB0Je5rzAW_mP239AWLNkEWqoNx_-AEJFgl9eknL2hFfQuJJ_b6nhMOxBKG5erMi7vcvwZYEPoWzCGJopDf6DImXIm_2qoIA_iiaWbhgHbL1K8U1aiQ70K6HjUm26GEKCAXlOD/s1600/3DRubyChocolateebook.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO_m24hwB0Je5rzAW_mP239AWLNkEWqoNx_-AEJFgl9eknL2hFfQuJJ_b6nhMOxBKG5erMi7vcvwZYEPoWzCGJopDf6DImXIm_2qoIA_iiaWbhgHbL1K8U1aiQ70K6HjUm26GEKCAXlOD/s320/3DRubyChocolateebook.png" width="222" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I became aware of ruby chocolate when I was watching The Great British Baking Show. A contestant was baking biscuits [cookies] using ruby chocolate. Paul Hollywood, one of the judges, proclaimed that the new chocolate “has a nice kick to it.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Around this time, one of my baking buddies on Facebook posted a photo of her ruby chocolate truffles. Nancy Hoekman, the owner of Fancy Nancy Bites, is a talented baker and the photo she posted of her lovely pink truffles sparked my interest in trying the chocolate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I could trawl the search engines for days upon days, or I could buy some and find out for myself how great it tasted and what I could concoct with it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The best option was to buy it in bar form and order some wafers [callets] online. I called Trader Joe’s to find out if it was in stock and was informed that it had been discontinued, but I could buy it on Amazon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Callebaut, the company that is in charge of distributing ruby chocolate had many lovely photos on their website and was proud to point out that: “More than 10 years ago, one of our cocoa experts discovered that components of certain cocoa beans could produce a cacao taste experience with an exceptional flavor and color. Since then, we’ve been unraveling the secret behind this, leading to the discovery of the ruby cocoa bean and creation of a totally new flavor experience. Like grapes for fine wines, cocoa beans are influenced by the terroir in which they grow. Ruby cocoa beans grow under unique climate conditions and can be found in Ecuador, Brazil or Ivory Coast. Ruby contains no added flavors or colors.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What did I make with this big 5.5-pound bag of ruby red chocolate? Scroll down and check out my book trailer!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrALPH3hqqseY2iHzAFKBzn-FaaCpSoMOcglw_s6JIgX67CrkK_8DKbSSjxUCoHjhIKYDKazpUy7ybPSku1CAbkEPN4DwAHugedXmRI4Nar0c1sdRdS1F6RAeww88TMDdV-BIPeJUlpV5F/s1600/rubychocatebag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrALPH3hqqseY2iHzAFKBzn-FaaCpSoMOcglw_s6JIgX67CrkK_8DKbSSjxUCoHjhIKYDKazpUy7ybPSku1CAbkEPN4DwAHugedXmRI4Nar0c1sdRdS1F6RAeww88TMDdV-BIPeJUlpV5F/s320/rubychocatebag.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>THE FIRST BOOK ABOUT RUBY CHOCOLATE!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ruby Chocolate: A Beginner’s Guide includes ten original and tested recipes using authentic ruby chocolate. From healthy granola bars to tasty ruby chocolate chip cookies to decadent fudge, chocolate lovers will be inspired to create their own desserts. The reader also receives gift packaging ideas and lots of resources.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Chocolate-Beginners-Lisa-Maliga-ebook/dp/B082XKXYGF"><b>https://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Chocolate-Beginners-Lisa-Maliga-ebook/dp/B082XKXYGF</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Amazon UK: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruby-Chocolate-Beginners-Lisa-Maliga-ebook/dp/B082XKXYGF"><b>https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruby-Chocolate-Beginners-Lisa-Maliga-ebook/dp/B082XKXYGF</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The paperback edition will be available in late January.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Subscribe to:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Discerning Readers’ Newsletter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Win free books, gift cards and more!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/UZbE9">http://eepurl.com/UZbE9</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bR6lrIXKlqI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bR6lrIXKlqI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-29666185148657447642018-08-30T14:15:00.000-07:002018-08-30T18:18:54.100-07:00Baking Macarons: The Swiss Meringue Method ~ Excerpt<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By Lisa Maliga, copyright 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From the INTRODUCTION</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu0YQup3a8QB9ppd46X2PfV7wY5qe3ABZudfCF71JOVHP1VgM8nnWDE4ap3pcBF7o83WGHbK1Ut6MSBKEvqcO26Yja33arM4PJm4-72zvVA9am_O_OoZ5Do7ZVX-XfL5ANjEPwUCsgUuJ/s1600/3dBaking+Macarons+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu0YQup3a8QB9ppd46X2PfV7wY5qe3ABZudfCF71JOVHP1VgM8nnWDE4ap3pcBF7o83WGHbK1Ut6MSBKEvqcO26Yja33arM4PJm4-72zvVA9am_O_OoZ5Do7ZVX-XfL5ANjEPwUCsgUuJ/s400/3dBaking+Macarons+%252812%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br />Baking Macarons: The Swiss Meringue Method</i> covers the simple techniques you’ll need along with the best type of equipment you should have to bake lovely macarons. You’ll also learn how the weather makes a difference, why you should invest in a digital kitchen scale and oven thermometer. I’ve spent lots of time, money, and hard work to get these recipes right. They are all unique and some are more suited to those who like their macarons sweet and others who enjoy their macarons with a little less sugar and are more classically flavored.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Swiss method is for any level of baker providing you carefully read each recipe thoroughly along with the helpful suggestions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When you have the ingredients weighed and sifted, the egg whites separated, and the baking trays lined, it’s time to bake macarons, Swiss style.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Official Description:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Baking Macarons: The Swiss Meringue Method</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This unique cookbook is designed for bakers of all levels. Follow each carefully detailed recipe and bake stunning macarons that will impress any dessert lover.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZuiaQHsiTjaY0UP8oGfag0-QSnlPWchmLnz3Ly-dBAUayafGLFoDR-XZZaodSCHUPInKAQC8Oe8ZhnHQg6cr1JciFM35Qars6gh9UBu7OeGgcg2w2rrU_OqCM9hoT6mO4R_yFU5g_6e1/s1600/3DBakingSwisscover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZuiaQHsiTjaY0UP8oGfag0-QSnlPWchmLnz3Ly-dBAUayafGLFoDR-XZZaodSCHUPInKAQC8Oe8ZhnHQg6cr1JciFM35Qars6gh9UBu7OeGgcg2w2rrU_OqCM9hoT6mO4R_yFU5g_6e1/s320/3DBakingSwisscover2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Helpful information includes the best ingredients and equipment to stock your kitchen, resources, tips and troubleshooting, plus the easy macaronage technique that will save you time and energy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a photo of each recipe, <i>Baking Macarons: The Swiss Meringue Method</i>, offers everything you need to bake beautiful and delicious macarons. It features 20+ new tried-and-tested macaron recipes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some of the flavors include Minty Chocolate, Speculoos [Cookie Butter], Raspberry Cheesecake, and Apple Spice macarons.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Official release date is September 5, 2018.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Available at these fine bookstores for pre-order.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amazon link: <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GRJSFY8/">Baking Macarons: The Swiss Meringue Method</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red;">PAPERBACK</span>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Baking-Macarons-Swiss-Meringue-Method/dp/0692153993"><b>Baking Macarons: The Swiss Meringue Method</b> </a>[NOW AVAILABLE]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amazon UK: <b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GRJSFY8/">Baking Macarons: The Swiss Meringue Method</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red;">PAPERBACK</span>: <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Baking-Macarons-Swiss-Meringue-Method/dp/0692153993">Baking Macarons: The Swiss Meringue Method</a> </b>[NOW AVAILABLE]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">B&N/Nook: <b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baking-macarons-lisa-maliga/1129080657">Baking Macarons: The Swiss Meringue Method</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">iTunes: <b><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1433257438">Baking Macarons: The Swiss Meringue Method</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kobo: <b><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/baking-macarons-the-swiss-meringue-method-2">Baking Macarons: The Swiss Meringue Method</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Smashwords: <b><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/890052">Baking Macarons: The Swiss Meringue Method</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BOOK TRAILER</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/snab4Ext44U/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/snab4Ext44U?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<h5 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; font-family: Fondamento, cursive; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: 400; line-height: 21.5985px; margin: 50px 0px 1.5em; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black;">Subscribe to</span>:</span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: green; margin-bottom: 0px;">The Discerning Readers’ Newsletter</span></span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: red;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0px;">Win free books, gift cards and more!</span></span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/UZbE9" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: blue;">http://eepurl.com/UZbE9</span></a></span></h5>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-14600559032881135252017-06-28T14:44:00.001-07:002018-05-31T22:37:00.215-07:00Baking Chocolate Cupcakes and Brownies: A Beginner’s Guide ~ An Excerpt<b>Baking Chocolate Cupcakes and Brownies: A Beginner’s Guide</b><br />
<br />
by Lisa Maliga, copyright 2017, 2018<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My second cookbook has just been released after months of testing various chocolate cupcake and brownie recipes. It was so much fun baking these sweet treats and learning more cupcake decorating techniques. For example, I tried the swirl method and was able to come up with this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADAi6bEkKVbHZ_ZY1X6gp85CEicyR0xJ2aN3NYzMFa9poptEz86GLhItq0k1A2QMoakmXB0GwvA99Tjh09XmhQi45EtBBzBQRmGU7O8rlV5CmXPdqKi0cewnQ2jrJ46WYYpy87PoA2MHZ/s1600/peppermintswirlcupcakesgroup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="1200" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADAi6bEkKVbHZ_ZY1X6gp85CEicyR0xJ2aN3NYzMFa9poptEz86GLhItq0k1A2QMoakmXB0GwvA99Tjh09XmhQi45EtBBzBQRmGU7O8rlV5CmXPdqKi0cewnQ2jrJ46WYYpy87PoA2MHZ/s400/peppermintswirlcupcakesgroup.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Peppermint Swirl Cupcakes</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I’ve also learned how to make my own sparkling sugar and the various ways to core cupcakes. So, if you love chocolate goodness, keep on reading!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Chapter 1 ~ About the Ingredients</b></div>
<br />
Your cupcakes and brownies can look and taste better than any found in a bakery. What you put into your batch of cupcakes is up to you and your budget. Are fresh eggs and butter available to you? I’ve been able to use farm fresh eggs in many of my batches of cupcakes and brownies. Those hens are free ranging and while kept in a coop at night, during the day they amble around several acres of pasture and eat natural food from the ground as well as organic chicken feed.<br />
<br />
Use whatever ingredients you have in your pantry, cupboards and refrigerator for your first batches of brownies and/or cupcakes. Don’t invest a lot of money in ingredients or equipment if you only plan to make the occasional dessert. But once you make brownies and cupcakes from scratch, get creative and try new brands of chocolate, butter, or any of the other ingredients to learn if you can taste a difference. Oftentimes you’ll find some sweet [I couldn’t resist that pun] deals on the ingredients at your grocery store so you’ll spend less money on finding out what you like to add to your chocolaty desserts. Baking isn’t just science–it’s also art.<br />
<br />
As the recipes in this book are all about using the most natural ingredients, as well as the best tasting, virgin coconut oil is recommended. This tropical oil is easier to use in oil form rather than solid. Coconut oil is coconut butter at temperatures below 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on the weather, I can let it sit in the sun to melt or if it’s hot enough then measuring it is always easier. Virgin coconut oil gives cupcakes natural moisture and you won’t taste the extra coconut.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
As a Kindle Unlimited title, this eBook is FREE for subscribers!</h4>
Amazon Kindle: <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0739RJ452">Baking Chocolate Cupcakes and Brownies: A Beginner’s Guide</a></b><br />
<br />
Amazon Kindle UK: <b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0739RJ452">Baking Chocolate Cupcakes and Brownies: A Beginner’s Guide</a></b><br />
<br />
Paperback edition: <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1546435069">Baking Chocolate Cupcakes and Brownies: A Beginner’s Guide</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4amLjnrZqOblMeDdH6SGONuEIUpeqctOtd1b5P-eeTWchGzvpdhi2NqfBcI88GGCQrqaq-rtECbbo1nbODZhy11QuwGm3foghifafroeUFdX17ztFK6TMaFFqst7ughNCDw5WGn3n0_Eh/s1600/3DBakingcupcakes+book%2526Phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4amLjnrZqOblMeDdH6SGONuEIUpeqctOtd1b5P-eeTWchGzvpdhi2NqfBcI88GGCQrqaq-rtECbbo1nbODZhy11QuwGm3foghifafroeUFdX17ztFK6TMaFFqst7ughNCDw5WGn3n0_Eh/s320/3DBakingcupcakes+book%2526Phone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
BOOK TRAILER!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/roJwukLhM6c/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/roJwukLhM6c?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-76556608362150001342017-01-05T14:11:00.001-08:002018-05-31T22:37:26.948-07:00Baking French Macarons: A Beginner's Guide ~ Introduction<div class="MsoTitle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-outline-level: body-text;">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";">By Lisa Maliga,</span></div>
<div class="MsoTitle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-outline-level: body-text;">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";">Copyright 2016-2018</span></div>
<h4 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";">CHAPTER 1</span><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";">Introduction</span><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DFjccdcdUOOUjWmZqWWQ1m0AIKENAIqSX-rSpXD6GA_yvIhU6i8wlc_JmE6iwfhHRYzAsL80lzSdLGUOxornAQ3p_Pd4Br9CK7-0QDLIlvPo9QY-RGSvWEvY_4thX2jEdDWuj0q7t__0/s1600/Baking_French_Macarons_A_Beginners_Guide_Kindle.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/AVvXsEj9DFjccdcdUOOUjWmZqWWQ1m0AIKENAIqSX-rSpXD6GA_yvIhU6i8wlc_JmE6iwfhHRYzAsL80lzSdLGUOxornAQ3p_Pd4Br9CK7-0QDLIlvPo9QY-RGSvWEvY_4thX2jEdDWuj0q7t__0/s320/Baking_French_Macarons_A_Beginners_Guide_Kindle.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A
funny thing happened when I baked my first batch of French macarons. They
didn’t turn out the way I hoped they would. So I decided to make another batch.
And another. And another. I wanted macarons with those ruffled edges known as feet.
I wanted them to be brightly colored and light as air, and without hollows. In
other words, I wanted a perfect batch of macarons. And I kept trying until I
got it right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Making
a pound cake from scratch is the most advanced baking I’ve ever done. This
dessert contains the most basic ingredients found in your pantry and fridge:
eggs, butter, flour, sugar, vanilla extract and baking powder. As long as you
have a hand or stand mixer and measure your ingredients correctly, it’s not
difficult to bake.<br /> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Macarons
also require few ingredients: two types of sugar, egg whites, almond flour, and
color. That’s it as far as the cookies, a/k/a shells go. The fillings can be
diverse: jam or jelly, caramel, Nutella, butterscotch, lemon curd, etc. You can
make your own whether it’s buttercream, chocolate ganache, or a fruity homemade
jam.<br /> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’d
never used a piping/pastry bag before. In fact, I thought they were only used
for decorating cakes and cupcakes. It took me two dozen tries to get the
perfect macaron with a smooth yet slightly rounded top, little frilly feet that
are the hallmark of this delicacy, and without hollow insides. The filling was scrumptious
too – lemon butter curd. What’s that? You’ll find out as I’ve included the
recipe.<br /> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After
discovering local bakeries and stores that sold macarons, I didn’t have to
settle for a limited selection of colors/flavors. I didn’t even have to drive
to the nearest store that sold them in their freezer section. Nope, I could
have fresh macarons whenever I wanted. Well, whenever I had a few hours to
spare… </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I
took copious notes each time I baked a batch. I also took photos, though not
always of every step. Still, for the past eleven months, I’ve learned so much
and now want to share some tips and recipes with anyone who’s motivated to bake
these delicacies.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Baking French Macarons: A Beginner's Guide</i> is FREE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Amazon US: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M8QIIWI" style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M8QIIWI</span></a><br />
Amazon UK:<span style="color: #7030a0;"> </span><span style="color: #7030a0;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M8QIIWI">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M8QIIWI</a></span><span style="color: #7030a0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Paperback edition:<span style="color: #7030a0;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Baking-French-Macarons-Beginners-Guide/dp/1539636593">https://www.amazon.com/Baking-French-Macarons-Beginners-Guide/dp/1539636593</a></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Paperback edition [UK]:</b><span style="color: #7030a0;"> </span><b style="color: #7030a0;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baking-French-Macarons-Beginners-Guide/dp/1539636593">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baking-French-Macarons-Beginners-Guide/dp/1539636593</a></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here's the book trailer...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1IEJ9m_eOeI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1IEJ9m_eOeI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-39021925570489200122016-04-26T10:58:00.001-07:002016-04-26T11:08:10.899-07:00Ripping Readers Off: Kindle Unlimited Scam eBooks<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px;">Copyright 2016 by Lisa Maliga</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE3Xn8y74_FOZJBrTBR4y2g-XlXV3sO_SfOtoBUykw76x8jOMrLFsxGGmDYodT8-9dP1WqNnQ5alzyvkZN6o5rUAfS5DKXCa0VexoKxSqFcZXL5q5J_3MT0DQHyaiWvb8yFJ28TEKh1iL/s1600/Kindle-Unlimited-logo-220x86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE3Xn8y74_FOZJBrTBR4y2g-XlXV3sO_SfOtoBUykw76x8jOMrLFsxGGmDYodT8-9dP1WqNnQ5alzyvkZN6o5rUAfS5DKXCa0VexoKxSqFcZXL5q5J_3MT0DQHyaiWvb8yFJ28TEKh1iL/s1600/Kindle-Unlimited-logo-220x86.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px;">Last April, I wrote this article:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px;"> </span><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a href="http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/2015/04/how-to-avoid-kindle-unlimited-rip-off.html">Don’t Buy or Borrow Kindle Unlimited Rip-off eBooks</a>. </strong><br />
<strong style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><br /></strong>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">What’s changed since then?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">In July 2015, Amazon launched KU2, which pays authors by pages read. KU1 was a fluctuating amount of at least $1 per eBook borrow. The Amazonians have altered the system for their benefit and the amount per page is less than a penny –.0049 per page or less. If an author wants to make any money, they need to write longer books. And those books need to get read.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">Or do they?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">Nope, the author offers a free book or gift card or something for nothing and has that clickable link take the reader to the back of the book. Like magic, all the pages are read!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">With the KU program, Amazon is like long defunct author’s sites Themestream and the Vines – pay per click companies that went belly up. While some legitimate authors are doing quite well, others are faring far worse than they were in KU1.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">One of the main problems I’ve seen in the KU program, and this is in the nonfiction area, are foreign plagiarists stuffing books full of repetitive “information.” Or they upload their entire catalogue into one title. I’ve also seen books where the contents are available in a dozen different languages. Can you guess that the translation is run through an online translator resulting in hilarious errors?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">What inspired this article was a review request from an author: someone who had been “University” educated, and an expert in various fields dating back to the early 90’s. A quick search revealed nothing except the author’s books in various Amazon stores. Here’s the email:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px;">As an avid buyer and author on Amazon, I want readers to feel they are getting value for money and would recommend to their friends and family. I feel this book meets that requirement.</em></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px;"> I was hoping you could review a books and leave an honest review.</em></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px;">If you are interested I can send you the book as a gift free of charge.</em></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"> I saw that the title wasn’t unique and when looking at the author page I noticed:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">“She has a passion for sharing his experience…”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner? Nope, someone who just didn’t care about proofreading their bio or who wasn’t too fluent in English.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">There are many excellent titles in the KU program. But I’m going to point out potential rip-off titles that are often plagiarized from websites, blogs and Pinterest. By reading this article, you’ll learn how to avoid downloading or wasting your time and money on rip-offs and supporting scammers.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">If you’re a reader who wants to learn how to bake cupcakes, wouldn’t you want to read a book by someone who has baked the recipes and can provide photos along with helpful tips? I want that! A few weeks ago, I mistakenly downloaded a scam book. At first I thought, oh goodie, 600 pages of cupcake recipes and information—all for 0.00. Wrong! 600 pages of drivel, NO pictures, and recipe after recipe of things I didn’t want to bake. The few cupcake recipes were so generic that one of them listed cake mix. I deleted that eBook.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px;">Spot Those Scammy eBooks</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">Here are some things to look for when shopping at Amazon.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"> * No author biography</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">If there’s no bio, there’s no way of knowing how much knowledge they have pertaining to the subject they’ve written about. There won’t be an email address, website, Etsy page or social media information such as Twitter, Pinterest or Face Book. They have no blog or newsletter.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"> * Fake Author Biography</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">Some of the scammers have gotten smarter and include biographies and even pictures or illustrations of themselves. Read it carefully and you’ll see it’s false if no professional training is indicated. Or they might mention a school or university. How is the bio worded—in proper English or does it read as if it was translated from another language?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"> * Common American Names</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">This is another way to lure borrowers and buyers—by using familiar surnames like Thomas, Brown, Mitchell, White, etc. It’s also how those from other countries make names seem more acceptable than their own. Authors who use several pseudonyms may do so to avoid detection. It’s also a way of using a name like a keyword – to attract more borrows and sales.</span><span style="font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px;"> </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"> * Poor Translating</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">Foreign authors may have run the manuscript through an online translator resulting in unintentionally hilarious reading. My favorite was the one about heating your soap over a “weak fire.” Some of the faux fiction scam books have incredibly bad titles.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"> * Offer FREE Bonus/Gift at the BACK of the eBook</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">This encourages you to click the link and get the page reads. You won’t be able to miss this offer as it’ll be shown in very large and colorful fonts. It may appear more than once.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"> * Very LONG eBooks</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">KU1 featured scamlets of 50 pages or less. Now the less is more motto has been replaced with the more [pages] the merrier! One trick I discovered is seeing lengthy books enhanced by offering the book in a dozen different languages. You can also bet that a professional human translator doesn’t translate, as that would be very expensive and time consuming. Ultimately, no one benefits.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">Another method is for the scamming “author” to take several books and rearrange the order so the book becomes bloated with excess pages. You get a bundle of books you [probably] don’t care to read.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"> * LONG Titles Stuffed with Keywords</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px;">Example</em>: Homemade Body Butter: 25 Natural Body Butter And Lotion Recipes To Keep Your Skin Smooth And Feeling Moisturized! (How To Body Butter, DIY Body Butter, Natural Body Butter And Lotion Recipes).</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"> * Enticing Cover Photo of the Product[s]</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">A rip-off will be revealed if the featured product[s] recipe and photo aren’t included inside the eBook. For example, a stack of oatmeal soap on the cover, yet there is no oatmeal soap recipe in the rip-off title. Also, most rip-off eBooks won’t contain any photos.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"> * If recipes are included, they may be in a mixture of ounces, grams, tablespoons and teaspoons, which is very confusing for the reader.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"> * No medical or legal disclaimer. No safety precautions.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;"> * The name on the cover may be spelled differently than the name on the book’s Amazon page.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px;">In order to avoid being ripped off, please use this article as a checklist.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: 'PT Serif', serif; font-size: 17.85px; line-height: 30.345px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black;">Also, read what author Ann Christy has written about this topic. She includes in-depth analysis along with screenshots of some flagrant examples.</span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a href="http://www.annchristy.com/anatomy-of-ku-scams" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.annchristy.com/anatomy-of-ku-scams</span></a></strong></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-19917644853184204022016-03-23T11:50:00.001-07:002016-09-25T15:43:09.157-07:00Macarons of Love – Sweet Romance/Cozy Mystery Excerpt<div style="color: #3d596d; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By Lisa Maliga, copyright 2016</span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #3d596d; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;"><em><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love, Valentine's Day, Macarons, and ... Murder?</span></em></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiSivG4aOag95YvWBJHHa53-e7CM-ux3EWjtyMoFGwwL4XB_2xW41yNGQotojr8yNA8qoIbvONKrt_TNxgAKqXuHOe-YUM_D30PaANbMlmDOk_wfSWPFgiCmSWvLU0ZcXPTFzKkD4Wblf/s1600/yolandasyummery4COVERMEDIUM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiSivG4aOag95YvWBJHHa53-e7CM-ux3EWjtyMoFGwwL4XB_2xW41yNGQotojr8yNA8qoIbvONKrt_TNxgAKqXuHOe-YUM_D30PaANbMlmDOk_wfSWPFgiCmSWvLU0ZcXPTFzKkD4Wblf/s320/yolandasyummery4COVERMEDIUM.jpg" width="198" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: #3d596d; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yolanda Carter is preparing for Valentine’s Day as romance and macarons are baking in Yolanda’s Yummery. But things take a dark turn when the body of someone she knows is found dead in a nearby dumpster.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #3d596d; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Teaming up with Detective Winston Churchill to find the killer, some employees are suspects, including Yolanda’s boyfriend, Nigel Garvey.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #3d596d; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A February 14 appearance on the TV show, <em>America’s Best Bakeries</em>, and the yummery’s upcoming first anniversary are overshadowed as she strives to run her business and help the detective.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #3d596d; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em>Macarons of Love</em> also contains recipes for French macarons and cupcakes.</span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #3d596d; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">THE EXCERPT</span></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #3d596d; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the sun had finally shown its rays and brightened the day, she was about to return to the kitchen when the front door opened. There stood a handsome young man in his mid-twenties wearing an elegant hunter green jacket and tan corduroys. He beamed upon seeing her and she noticed that he was the one to initiate the first move by rushing across the store and behind the counter, where he greeted her with a big hug and kissed her gently on the lips. She felt the strong attraction and stared into his penetrating dark eyes. Beneath the light of the shelving units filled with bagged and boxed sweets, she saw that his natural golden brown wavy hair had more gold than brown. He had been in Miami for three days, which explained the difference.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #3d596d; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I missed you, Nigel,” she said as a way of greeting her boyfriend.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #3d596d; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Darlin’, you know I missed you. But I can’t wait to spend tomorrow night with you. There’s something very important I want to discuss with you—after we see ourselves on <em>America’s Best Bakeries</em>, of course!”</span></span></div>
<h2 data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #3d596d; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: center;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;">♥</span></h2>
<h4 style="color: #3d596d; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
</h4>
<div style="color: #3d596d; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Amazon Kindle:</span> <strong><a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Macarons-Love-Yolandas-Yummery-Series-ebook/dp/B01D0CYEGK" href="http://www.amazon.com/Macarons-Love-Yolandas-Yummery-Series-ebook/dp/B01D0CYEGK" style="color: #00aadc;">Macarons of Love</a></strong><br /><span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Amazon UK:</span> <strong><a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Macarons-Love-Yolandas-Yummery-Book-ebook/dp/B01D0CYEGK" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Macarons-Love-Yolandas-Yummery-Book-ebook/dp/B01D0CYEGK" style="color: #00aadc;">Macarons of Love</a></strong><br /><span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">B&N NOOK:</span> <strong><a data-mce-href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/macarons-of-love-lisa-maliga/1123527325?ean=2940157689223" href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/macarons-of-love-lisa-maliga/1123527325?ean=2940157689223" style="color: #00aadc;">Macarons of Love</a></strong><br /><span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">iTunes:</span> <strong><a data-mce-href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/macarons-love-yolandas-yummery/id1093652345?mt=11" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/macarons-love-yolandas-yummery/id1093652345?mt=11" style="color: #00aadc;">Macarons of Love</a></strong><br /><span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Kobo:</span> <strong><a data-mce-href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/macarons-of-love" href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/macarons-of-love" style="color: #00aadc;">Macarons of Love</a></strong><br /><span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Scribd:</span> <strong><a data-mce-href="https://www.scribd.com/book/304880565/Macarons-of-Love-The-Yolanda-s-Yummery-Series-4" href="https://www.scribd.com/book/304880565/Macarons-of-Love-The-Yolanda-s-Yummery-Series-4" style="color: #00aadc;">Macarons of Love</a></strong><br /><span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Smashwords:</span> <strong><a data-mce-href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/622810" href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/622810" style="color: #00aadc;">Macarons of Love</a></strong></span></div>
<h3 data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #3d596d; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: center;">
<strong><span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Subscribe to:</span><br /><span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;">The Discerning Readers’ Newsletter</span><br /><span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"> Learn more about upcoming releases and win free books & gifts!</span> <a data-mce-href="http://eepurl.com/UZbE9" href="http://eepurl.com/UZbE9" style="color: #00aadc;">http://eepurl.com/UZbE9</a></strong></h3>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-12734686104003314622015-12-09T11:54:00.000-08:002015-12-09T11:54:24.883-08:00The Crafty Writer<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">By Lisa Maliga, copyright 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX76NvYJ232PXNwt_B8mr-_0AOewCCp_8ss3vkeMR6fCzfriRV1Izo_xYFshI7GK80x5rqeXM7yCG5RSDzex4AhQOVq_3mAiAlZlHgswy6esW6OK7ueXIm2IX2NOVc9y4XLApVWin9_pp/s1600/giftbasket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX76NvYJ232PXNwt_B8mr-_0AOewCCp_8ss3vkeMR6fCzfriRV1Izo_xYFshI7GK80x5rqeXM7yCG5RSDzex4AhQOVq_3mAiAlZlHgswy6esW6OK7ueXIm2IX2NOVc9y4XLApVWin9_pp/s200/giftbasket.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I was once asked how have
crafts inspired your writing? Well, I can’t sew a straight line. I can’t knit
without dropping stitches. And I’m sure my signature dish of French Toast would
be laughed at by Gordon Ramsay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But I get creative in the
kitchen in a different way – by making soap! Even before Lush opened their
first store in Southern California, I was a huge fan of their products. I’d
ordered several of their soaps from Canada and eagerly awaited the package’s
delivery. I was impressed with the appealing chunks of goodness as they cut the
soft soap from a large cheese-like wheel. All were nasal bliss, and did the job
of cleaning and softening quite well. I’d never used glycerin soap before and
back in 1997 there wasn’t that much information about it online. A few
companies sold it in bulk and after making my first batch of soap with some
marigold [calendula] petals on top, I was hooked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I immersed myself in learning
how to make soap and found it easy to concentrate on what I was doing. I guess
I could compare it with writing. The soap base is the story. The shape of the
mold is compared to the characters and their motivation, the color equals
dialogue, and the fragrance corresponds with the tone of the story. Wrapping
and labeling is like the sense of location[s] found in a novel. Writing
involves sitting in front of the computer and staring at the monitor. In the
kitchen is where I decide what type of soap to make and I concentrate on that.
The creativity involved can be spontaneous…for my La Brea Tar Pits soap I used
a plastic cookie liner for a mold and the name came from the nearby tar pits.
Tea tree essential oil removes tar from the skin as does lavender, and it
enhances the aroma. Whole oats help clean and soften the skin, and cornmeal is
an exfoliant, removing excess dirt. Each element has its place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Gxfn1wR5L._SX373_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Gxfn1wR5L._SX373_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Taking the same creativity I use
when designing soap and other bath & body products, writing about
soapmaking is easy. I see it as sharing the joy of a fun and crafty hobby [tho’
it was a business for me for almost five years]. I hope to make everything easier for the
reader so they don’t make the same mistakes I did. The recipes I’d created over
the years were all handwritten. When I wrote <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Melt-Pour-Soap-Crafting-ebook/dp/B006BAE5YK"><b>The Joy of Melt and Pour Soap Crafting</b>,</a> I actually typed them out
for the first time. To this day, every product I make always involves writing
down all the ingredients so I know what fragrances I’ve blended, what oils and
butters I’ve used, the amounts, etc. I also remembered what it was like when I
made my first batch of soap using one page of instructions. I wanted more
information as I had many questions. And just like my writing, I’ve learned it
all by doing. By making hundreds of batches of soap, and by writing hundreds of
thousands of words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In the above photo, I was able
to put my creative skills to use by packaging some of my products in a little
gift box I found at a thrift store. Learn more about wrapping soap in </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><a href="http://www.lisamaliga.com/happybirthdaymeltandpoursoaprecipes.htm">Happy Birthday Melt and Pour Soap Recipes</a></b>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yJrOicg6L._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yJrOicg6L._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lisa Maliga is an American novelist and nonfiction author of several soap crafting books. She's recently released "Organic and Sulfate Free Melt and Pour Glycerin Soap Crafting Recipes" and "</span></span><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Nilotica [East African] Shea Body Butter Recipes [The Whipped Shea Butter Series], Book 1."</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"> Lisa's coming of age novel set in the 1970s and 80s is a book that took more than a decade to write. A reader wrote, "Out of the Blue: A Novel is a story about a young woman's journey to emotional maturity but there is an underlying thread. That thread is the connection between intuitives which will be familiar to anyone of an introspective bent." She is also working on the fourth book of the Yolanda's Yummery Series. When not writing, Lisa reads an assortment of books, watches movies, makes soap/bath and body products, and bakes late at night. Sometimes she manages to escape to a quiet park and photograph animals, especially squirrels.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;">You'll find more about her work at:</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.lisamaliga.com/"><b>http://www.lisamaliga.com </b></a></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://lisamaliga.wordpress.com/"><b>http://lisamaliga.wordpress.com</b></a></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/lisamaliga"><b>http://pinterest.com/lisamaliga</b></a></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;"><b><a href="http://eepurl.com/UZbE9">http://eepurl.com/UZbE9</a></b> [The Discerning Readers' Newsletter]</span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-45946706215957442622015-08-23T11:57:00.001-07:002015-08-23T11:57:28.200-07:0070% of Nothing: The Reality of Indie Publishing<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By Lisa Maliga</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Copyright 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lisamaliga.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/computerscreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lisamaliga.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/computerscreen.jpg" width="189" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I barely passed basic math in seventh grade, but I’ve learned a lot about numbers, percentages and book rankings since 2010.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On October 21, I released my $2.99 novel, Notes from Nadir, which I had serialized via this blog. The price was chosen because I would earn a 70% royalty rate. I sold four copies the first month, the same number in November, and soon the book was ignored.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By February 2011, I had five novels on Amazon and a few other stores. The titles were previously published online and I had regained my full rights. Sales in the dawn of e-publishing [2000-2004] were minimal and I noticed nothing had changed, except that I was now doing all the work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I self-published my nonfiction titles as I had extensive experience making soap and bath and body products. Over time, my eBooks were available on 12 other Amazon marketplaces like the UK, Canada, Australia, Italy, Germany, etc. I uploaded titles to B&N, Smashwords, Kobo, CreateSpace [paperbacks], iTunes, and Draft2Digital. I joined AuthorsDen, Manic Readers, Twitter, Face Book and WordPress. I’ve had my own website since 2001 and this year I launched a newsletter and offered free eBooks. I have two instructional videos and two book trailers on YouTube, and I joined Pinterest because I like photography.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When it comes to nonfiction books, I’ve discovered that it’s exceedingly difficult to get linkbacks/mentions from companies/sources that are listed. I revised one of my titles to include several photos and interview some suppliers. While I provide their links and contact information, they won’t add a link to my eBook on their website, nor mention it in a newsletter/blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why are those listed suppliers unable to provide a link? I’m asking for no money and in many cases have even spent money on their product[s]! I offered them a free copy of my eBook in their preferred format.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don’t these suppliers realize that they can make money from eBooks? Should a consumer read it and want to buy supplies, that supplier has just picked up some biz? Also, if a supplier has an Amazon or B&N affiliate link, they’ll get money for each copy sold from their website. [I realize that not all websites sell via Amazon/B&N].</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Indie writers are easy to ignore. They have no agents, managers or publicists to get the word of their eBooks out there. Ironically, while many of the bath and body suppliers are fond of the term FAIR TRADE, they won’t do a simple link exchange which would actually benefit their own company!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I kept writing until my titles increased from 1 to 32, almost evenly divided between fiction and nonfiction. Contrary to the myth that more books equal more sales, I’ve found the opposite to be true. As of August 2015, I have 7 more titles yet I’ve earned 30% less than I did in June 2014 on Amazon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Approximately 90,000 eBooks are released on Amazon every month. The chances of any book being seen are in the league of unlikely to very unlikely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How does a writer earn a decent living by writing eBooks? Four years ago, I saw a pattern. They wrote an eBook or two, especially a series or serial, blogged, went to other authors’ blogs and left comments. Those other authors had a larger following, so the neophyte eBook author sucked up to the “bigger authors” and dished out excellent book reviews, hoping to get the same treatment for their books. Even after that exhausting circle of writing, praising other writers, and occasionally having other writers praise you, they still hadn’t seen an increase in book sales. Others have speculated that at the start of the self-pubbing boom, some authors bought dozens of good reviews on Fiverr, thus launching their careers. A self-published author/blogger exhorted their followers to write a book, write a second book, a third, and repeat indefinitely. Unsurprisingly, that author wrote a book about how to write and market books.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After releasing my twentieth title, I thought there would be more sales. I uploaded a horror novella that had small blocks of white spaces appearing randomly throughout the book. No one contacted me about it because I never sold a single copy of the aptly titled <i>An Author’s Nightmare.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since then, I’ve changed how I perceive indie publishing. Whenever I upload an eBook, or even a paperback edition, it’s not publishing, it’s uploading a manuscript. I also uploaded three freebies; hoping readers would discover my other titles. Occasionally, they did.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, how does an “indie” author get noticed? By advertising?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Advertisers are popping up all over the place like psychedelic mushrooms. They’ll send your book’s links to the best potential customers — readers. Sometimes grand promises are made of thousands of readers willing to download or buy your book. I tried getting a $2.99 novel out to 106,000 Face Book fans. The result? Zip. I could have done that myself, as I’m a member of more than 50 book-related groups. In fact, I have. The result has been similar. With some advertisers, you’ll get a few sales or a few hundred downloads for a freebie. Then what? Not much. Your book plummets in rank, maybe you get a review or two, and the title rests in obscurity with hundreds of thousands of unread eBooks on Amazon, B&N and other online bookstores.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Getting lots of downloads of freebies is meaningless if no one buys your other titles. There’s another myth about more reviews attracting more sales. Sometimes it’s true, especially if they’re legitimate reviews by readers. Yet how many people actually read and review those freebies?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After my years in indie publishing, I’ve learned that only a few authors can make a lot of money. I’ve earned far less than I did when I was temping.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Being an author isn’t unique any more. Self-publishing is for anyone who can process some words, design a book cover or have one made for a few dollars. Many books aren’t even proofread, let alone edited. With the glut of available reading material, it’s almost impossible for an author’s book[s] to stand out. Most eBooks will plunge to the murky depths of internet bookstores far, far away from the best sellers. They’ll wind up with six or seven-digit rankings, doomed to obscurity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Most people don’t read. Most people don’t buy eBooks or prefer downloading freebies. And most readers don’t review books.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that’s what I’ve learned about selling eBooks [and paperbacks] for almost half a decade.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-68215749614095893922015-05-29T08:21:00.003-07:002015-05-29T08:30:43.684-07:00'I Almost Married a Narcissist' + Excerpt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyZ09Ez82yiQH8ExNuXcFUrM3PT7SfQBc-LREzLVET1zNnn7eop8H1hsmYNiGe0RybUVOfHtf06rpedgZI3qK4tKh_5LjaUHZQT5lOd17xdzYVJ90F1ZJIXPhv21ENmDy40u5RjjTS8nq/s1600/IAlmostMarriedaNarcissist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyZ09Ez82yiQH8ExNuXcFUrM3PT7SfQBc-LREzLVET1zNnn7eop8H1hsmYNiGe0RybUVOfHtf06rpedgZI3qK4tKh_5LjaUHZQT5lOd17xdzYVJ90F1ZJIXPhv21ENmDy40u5RjjTS8nq/s200/IAlmostMarriedaNarcissist.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By Lisa Maliga, copyright 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I Almost Married a Narcissist</i> is a new and updated story about a woman who learns the man she’s dating is more than conceited and hung up on his body image – he’s a narcissist.<br /><br />When I was going through some notes about a short story I’d written “Flipping Over Grigori,” I thought that exploring his personality disorder would make this a more moving story. From 12,000 words to nearly 23,000, the expanded version reveals more about both main characters and how they get to know each other. I also changed his name from Grigori to Andrei. His last name is still Antonescu, but A.A. are now his initials; it’s symbolic of him being a source of addiction to Charlotte White, the woman who falls in love with the gymnastics coach.<br /><br />Briefly, here’s what<i> I Almost Married a Narcissist</i> is about:<br /><br />Charlotte White falls in love with a younger Romanian gymnastics coach.<br /><br />Andrei Antonescu is a sexy and handsome foreigner who loves to have fun and flirt with the ladies.<br /><br />The more she gets to know him, the more red flags are unfurled. Once she’s able to see past his good looks and muscular body, Charlotte is unprepared for some shocking revelations.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Excerpt from Chapter Two</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Three of the coaches introduced themselves to me. I liked them right away. But there was this one, a real serious looking guy, who completely ignored me. Maybe it was his dark blond curly hair and the fact that he was so tanned and muscular. His T-shirt’s sleeves were rolled up, showing off his strong arms. He was so self absorbed that he didn’t even notice me.<br /><br />Later, I got to go out into the gym, and didn’t have to remove my shoes because I was a staff member. I had to give a message to Andrei, that serious coach. That was how I finally met the younger man – right next to the parallel bars. He had just dismounted from them after showing an element to his private student, a wiry adolescent boy. After handing him the message, he grabbed it with chalky hands and thanked me quickly, not even looking at me. But I was used to being treated like that.<br /><br />A few days later, I was in the coach’s lounge for my afternoon break. It was a dark, depressing day and it seemed like nothing was ever going to go right. Svetlana had yelled at me that morning for taking too long to do the reports and I wondered if I’d even last the week at the job. Andrei rushed upstairs, and I thought of how young and energetic he was. He didn’t smile at me, but he lowered his sunglasses as he asked about his schedule. All I saw were his Mediterranean blue eyes.<br /><br />I wanted to take the Tuesday or Thursday night adult gymnastics class he taught. I wondered how to go about asking Svetlana about it. I knew that Eastern European coaches were able to get excellent results from their students, and by taking the class, I’d get back into shape. That afternoon, I stood near the filing cabinet when Andrei walked in, went past me, and pinched my hip! There was no one else nearby. The gesture was something most American men wouldn’t do because they’d probably end up being sued for sexual harassment.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y9IA252"><b>I Almost Married a Narcissist</b></a><br />Amazon UK: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Almost-Married-Narcissist-Lisa-Maliga-ebook/dp/B00Y9IA252"><b>I Almost Married a Narcissist</b></a><br />B&N NOOK: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-almost-married-a-narcissist-lisa-maliga/1121995418?ean=2940151621540"><b>I Almost Married a Narcissist</b></a>iTunes:<b> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id998332982">I Almost Married a Narcissist</a></b><br />Kobo: <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/i-almost-married-a-narcissist"><b>I Almost Married a Narcissist</b></a><br />Scribd:<b> <a href="https://www.scribd.com/book/266532372/I-Almost-Married-a-Narcissist">I Almost Married a Narcissist</a></b><br />Smashwords: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/545506"><b>I Almost Married a Narcissist</b></a></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">WIN A VARIETY OF BOOKS!</span> Sign up for The Discerning Readers’ Newsletter at: </b><a href="http://eepurl.com/UZbE9">http://eepurl.com/UZbE9</a></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-49723061978345251542015-04-20T07:59:00.000-07:002015-04-20T08:02:43.611-07:00Don’t Buy or Borrow Kindle Unlimited Rip-off eBooks <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Copyright 2015 by Lisa Maliga<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNNsUtqytrJu4SdX7RkW-26UdO0XuPWLwLjqJQK6zlvUCszM0pUqLjO-q_qO0cw1OkCbfG4sevdeY3Hngkoyls54gyaDWhbwVwwHU9fYiTLJpowFm83MkcDy1jvfPfHg0CMl_GZXlzGJs/s1600/bookscomputer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNNsUtqytrJu4SdX7RkW-26UdO0XuPWLwLjqJQK6zlvUCszM0pUqLjO-q_qO0cw1OkCbfG4sevdeY3Hngkoyls54gyaDWhbwVwwHU9fYiTLJpowFm83MkcDy1jvfPfHg0CMl_GZXlzGJs/s1600/bookscomputer.jpg" height="200" width="183" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just after the July launch of the Kindle Unlimited program an
author of a soap making eBook emailed me asking for a review. After reading it,
I got the impression that everything within the 50 pages was regurgitated information.
There weren’t any resource links. The recipes weren’t coherent—add some of this
oil with some of this water and this amount of lye. Instead of getting a
review, the author received an email asking about her soap making experience. Unsurprisingly,
there was no response.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That was my introduction to a Kindle Unlimited eBook. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Books in Kindle Unlimited, KU for short, are only found on
Amazon’s website. None of the titles are available at Apple, Barnes and Noble,
Kobo, Oyster, Scribd, Smashwords or other online bookstores.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While free for authors, readers pay $9.99 per month for the
service that “…allows you to read as much as you want, choosing from over
700,000 titles and thousands of audiobooks. Freely explore new authors, books,
and genres from mysteries and romance to sci-fi and more. You can read on any
device.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoMcPaUEtYxJAO5ec9J95azeXp1W7qi8DePBQcSNDfirRLV8LAVotGNKqmEPJjKFxjGQ3lQuen34hLSUvv7UC46_GmQCKLXdp7rWKXGzT9phUDLO-ozKUU-jy_ZGp2kEln7bst3ifeywr/s1600/1KUbadge.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoMcPaUEtYxJAO5ec9J95azeXp1W7qi8DePBQcSNDfirRLV8LAVotGNKqmEPJjKFxjGQ3lQuen34hLSUvv7UC46_GmQCKLXdp7rWKXGzT9phUDLO-ozKUU-jy_ZGp2kEln7bst3ifeywr/s1600/1KUbadge.gif" height="33" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Read this title for free and get unlimited access to over 700,000 titles</span>.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Authors with books in the KU program generally price their titles
from $0.99 to $9.99. They can also give a title away for up to 5 days during
each 90-day period their title is enrolled in the KU program. If free, anyone
can download the book whether they are KU members or not. Another huge benefit
for the KU author is the borrowing part of the program. Whenever a KU member
borrows a title, the author receives up to $1.40. The amount varies every month
but it’s always more than one dollar. Even if the book is priced at 0.99, the
author still gets $1.40 [or whatever the amount is that month] PER BORROW. <b>That’s why every single rip-off title is enrolled
in this program.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are many excellent titles in the KU program. But I’m
going to concentrate on the rip-off titles that are often plagiarized from websites,
blogs and Pinterest. By reading this article, you’ll learn how to avoid
downloading rip-offs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">[For the record: I won’t tackle fiction because that’s a lot
different, especially with series, serials, billionaire romances, erotica, and
alphas.] <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A rip-off title is usually less than 50 pages in length. Of
course, regular nonfiction titles may also be brief, so I’ll point out the many
red flags that boldly signal a rip-off. Again, this is only for nonfiction books,
as that’s where I have the most experience as I write about soap crafting. I’m
going to expand it to include all bath and body/bath and beauty books. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However,
even if you read and write about real estate or farming, you still should find
this article helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* The Formula<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Soap making books begin with the history of soap making. For
other bath and beauty books, the opening pages will let you know how toxic
commercial lotions, lip balms, sugar and salt scrubs, bath bombs, etc. actually
are.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* LONG titles with up to 30 words. This is called keyword
stuffing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Example title: <i>Homemade
Body Butter: 25 Natural Body Butter And Lotion Recipes To Keep Your Skin Smooth
And Feeling Moisturized! (How To Body Butter, DIY Body Butter, Natural Body
Butter And Lotion Recipes).</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve only changed a few words, but this is how some rip-off
books are marketed. It’s not necessarily wrong but it’s clumsy!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*Nonexistent Book Contributors<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every author credits him or herself, but there are also other
contributors that can be added like editor, foreword, photographer,
illustrator, introduction, preface, translator and narrator. I’ve found books
that have ‘body butter’ as an editor, ‘lotion’ as a foreword, and ‘soapmaking’
as an illustrator. Doing this exploits the entire Kindle publishing program and
if found should be reported.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* Not crediting stock images. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* No author biography<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Interested in learning about the author? If there’s no bio,
there’s no way of knowing how much knowledge they have pertaining to the subject
they’ve written about. There won’t be any sort of email address, website, Etsy
page or social media information such as Twitter or Face Book. They have no
blog or newsletter. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The lack of an author bio may indicate a new to KU author who
is unaware that Amazon offers this free promotional tool. Alternatively, it
might be a deliberate omission. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An author bio should indicate the author’s experience in
making the products they are writing about, as they should be an expert in the
field. Do they include their company name and contact information? Whether or
not they own a business, or have owned a business in the past? How long have
they been making B&B products? If they don’t make and sell their products,
what qualifications do they have to write their book? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* Common American Names<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is another way to lure borrowers and buyers—by using
familiar surnames like Thomas, Brown, Mitchell, White, etc. It’s also how those
from other countries make names seem more acceptable than their own. Authors
who use several pseudonyms may do so to avoid detection. It’s also a way of
using a name like a keyword – to attract more borrows and sales.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* Reviews<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If a book has dozens of reviews, that might mean it’s often
borrowed/sold. All of the reviews may be legitimate ones, especially if the
reviewer indicates that they received a free review copy. To find a rip-off
title, look beyond lots of 5-stars or 1-stars, or even no reviews.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">eBooks may contain numerous 5-star reviews with only a smattering
of bad reviews. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Suggestion: read the bad ones. For example, a one star review
written by a soap maker noted the amount of lye in a recipe in one of the
rip-off titles was incorrect and the author had confused percentages and
ounces. In other words, some “author” with no knowledge of soap making is
presenting potentially harmful information. If a reader follows the
instructions, that soap would burn their skin. Additionally, they would have
wasted their time in reading the book and trying to apply the instructions, and
money on buying ingredients and equipment. The responsibility of the author of
any type of DIY book is to offer correct and accurate information. Sadly, the
author of the questionable amounts has also written a dozen other titles in
related fields.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A rip-off title may have garnered many positive reviews based
on review swaps. I’ll go on record and state that I did a few of them from
September to December 2014. Since then, I have completely stopped reviewing
books due to the numerous rip-off titles I was getting. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* Proofreading problems <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If the author is someone who is fluent in English as a first
language, the quality of authorship ranges from excellent to riddled with
grammar and “spell checkitis.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* Poor Translating<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Foreign authors may have run the manuscript through an online
translator resulting in unintentionally hilarious reading. My favorite was the
one about heating your soap over a “weak fire.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* Offer FREE bonus or gift in the beginning of the book. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* Enticing Cover Photo of the Product[s]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All book covers should be enticing, of course. However, a rip-off
will be revealed if the featured product[s] recipe and photo aren’t included inside
the eBook. For example, a stack of oatmeal soap on the cover, yet there is no
oatmeal soap recipe in the rip-off title.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* NO sample other than a table of contents or a legal
disclaimer. The reader has to purchase or borrow the book in order to read more
because there’s no actual writing sample.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* If recipes are included, they may be in a mixture of ounces,
grams, tablespoons and teaspoons, which is very confusing for the reader.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* No medical or legal disclaimer. No safety precautions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* The name on the cover may be spelled differently than the
name on the book’s Amazon page. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* Rip-off titles can be heavily promoted and reviewed by
bloggers. Unlike non-KU titles that only earn 4% commission on each title sold,
bloggers may get up to 8.5 % on KU titles sold and/or borrowed.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In order to avoid being ripped off, please use this article
as a checklist. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-10700104867140698472015-03-01T09:04:00.000-08:002015-03-01T09:04:21.272-08:00Memories of Bakery Bleu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By Lisa Maliga, copyright 2015</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEvg1ZUKpekEGgov3eYWM086yTMpF5crP8cThkdQoLDf1EioqsjVhGxtH9MLlpsxvQAZZz5yz3uyiHOQOIaNqUErCydYmO9_TmEXmdL_-226pq5tyrxesVS8q9Q_ApnQ3VdMWyMLF9Rvn/s1600/cherrypie2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEvg1ZUKpekEGgov3eYWM086yTMpF5crP8cThkdQoLDf1EioqsjVhGxtH9MLlpsxvQAZZz5yz3uyiHOQOIaNqUErCydYmO9_TmEXmdL_-226pq5tyrxesVS8q9Q_ApnQ3VdMWyMLF9Rvn/s1600/cherrypie2.JPG" height="148" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Consolidating my archived emails, I came across some that were labeled <em style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: blue; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bakery Bleu</span></em>. Ah yes, the first bakery I ever worked at, the one described in my novel, <em style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Notes from Nadir</em>. The one where I met Gordon, the owner and baker. A quick Google search revealed that things had changed since that interview back on a beautiful warm and sunny April day. No longer was the bakery there—it had vanished. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 19 ~ <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Boss of Bakery Bleu</em></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSnayjBI1_mfqt1HrSpjyBHBCi9Don0URUM_Eiyl23CLBDyzqOBwou-RYEYoRpmzTiINJg_9bJf8lEua3x2SSCR8KnfrtDK1rRDW6IIRDhGt6cdUe7S9KkVJdLExkLYCcH41qBA2IO8IM/s1600/NotesfromNadir2013Sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSnayjBI1_mfqt1HrSpjyBHBCi9Don0URUM_Eiyl23CLBDyzqOBwou-RYEYoRpmzTiINJg_9bJf8lEua3x2SSCR8KnfrtDK1rRDW6IIRDhGt6cdUe7S9KkVJdLExkLYCcH41qBA2IO8IM/s1600/NotesfromNadir2013Sml.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Upon entering the bakery, I noticed a bin of unwrapped baguettes on the counter. I saw a variety of rolls and sweet rolls on the shelves, and behind the man who stood at the counter, were rows of different kinds of breads.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I met Gordon, a tall auburn haired man bordering on pudginess. He wore a navy polo shirt with the golden-brown Bakery Bleu logo [a pair of crossed breadsticks] above one of his manboobs. He shook my hand and sat down across from me so he could see both me and all the baked goodies to the north.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Do tell me about yourself,” he said in a hearty voice. His accent wasn’t local, that’s for sure. He sounded English. Of course, I didn’t think he wanted to know about my personal history but about how valuable I’d be as a minimum wage slave, I mean, employee. I smiled, and for once, I wasn’t unhappy about sitting across from the man even though he could only offer a part time job. I pulled out a pale blue resume and handed it to him. He nodded and looked at it. I knew he was probably surprised when he saw the word Dreamweaver on the bottom where I listed a few web related things.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You had your own business,” he studied that piece of paper atop the black table. “You lived in Los Angeles…what’re you doing here?”</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Much as I want to, I couldn’t avoid that question. The man was scrutinizing me now. I looked at his dark eyes, then down at the table. “Cheap rent. I live with my mom.”</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He had a genuine, hearty laugh. It sounded so wonderful after not hearing much of it that year. And I laughed out loud myself. It was true, that cliché about laughter being healthy.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I did too when I first moved here from London.”</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not London, Kentucky?”</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He smiled broadly and I was feeling more comfortable with this man I had just met. “England.” He replied, though I knew the answer and he knew I knew that he was from across the pond.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The people are so boring here,” I said. Oops, not the kind of thing to say in a job interview, especially as I was applying for a job where I’d be waiting on those boring people. But this didn’t really feel like one. “I didn’t say that,” I said.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He leaned forward a bit, covered his ears and replied, “I didn’t hear that!”</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God, we were like teenagers on a first date.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He began speaking of the duties. The first date was over; it was a real job interview. He went over them: waiting on customers, taking calls, helping out with orders, mopping up… “It’s not General Motors,” he said. “We’ve all got to pull together.”</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like team spirit? I thought, but left that unsaid.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He complained about how slow business was. And the customers’ taste in bread. “The baguettes are too hard!” he mocked, using a higher pitched voice. He shook his head and in his sexily deep voice said, “I lived in France for eight years. A baguette is CRISP. Here they think it’s burned. I offered to sell them dough if they want soft baguettes.”</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I chuckled at that image.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Look, I only have one important question for you…” he paused with the drama of a stage actor.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hmm, this was getting interesting. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To read more, click <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Notes-from-Nadir-ebook/dp/B00486UDJA/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_2">NOTES FROM NADIR</a></strong>.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red;">WIN
AWESOME BOOKS</span>! Sign up for The Discerning Readers’ Newsletter at: <a href="http://eepurl.com/UZbE9">http://eepurl.com/UZbE9</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-50607644665860229142015-02-01T08:27:00.000-08:002015-02-02T08:25:40.856-08:00Wanna swap book reviews?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By Lisa Maliga, copyright 2015<br /><br />I’ve never been sought after as a book reviewer until I began posting on some Facebook book promotion groups. I’ve written book reviews in the past, but I don’t mention that on my website, blog or Facebook page. I also joined some groups where readers gave reviews. Soon I learned that 99% of those readers were also authors who needed their books reviewed. I was sent requests to swap reviews several times a day.<br /><br />“Hi, are you interested for a review exchange? My book is FREE on Kindle.”<br /><br />“Hi Lisa, can we swap for your book? let me know. thanks”<br /><br />“Hi Lisa, are you up for an honest review exchange? I have downloaded your book and if you’ll give me a go signal then ill leave a positive review for your book. I have two books for free right now and ill appreciate if you”ll choose one for this.”<br /><br />“Hi Lisa, I just downloaded your book.My book is also free today. Would you like to trade reviews?”<br /><br />“Hey There, Would you be interested in doing an honest review exchange for some free books? I have 4 free books.”<br /><br />“Hey would you be interested in an honest review swap? I have two free books today. Please download 1 or 2 and send me over your book (s) Free Books Only Today”<br /><br />“Hi Lisa . Do you have 99c books for exchange reviews? Please let me know . Thanks! Here’s my book :”<br /><br />This is my latest request that I had to include as it’s so blatant. “Hi Lisa, I saw that you have an ebook available on Amazon – . I have one too, and I want to ask you if you want to exchange some reviews? I’ll buy your ebook and review it on Amazon with a 5 star and you’ll do the same with mine? Let me know if you are interested” <br /><br />Whenever I got one of those review swap requests, the first image that came to mind was this: </span><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5dFJRY18xacGyrU9WulVe-2fpfdEX9GqeswvfSkiTPqK6Rd_kQroVqJrmnQ1gYJUIL7nkdbe1qHtlVbIrygMnnlbtu8up0DlwJT83ckp8m48q6s6roS2i2hMGyrAPd5kRmttUJ3_suAf/s1600/grumpycat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5dFJRY18xacGyrU9WulVe-2fpfdEX9GqeswvfSkiTPqK6Rd_kQroVqJrmnQ1gYJUIL7nkdbe1qHtlVbIrygMnnlbtu8up0DlwJT83ckp8m48q6s6roS2i2hMGyrAPd5kRmttUJ3_suAf/s1600/grumpycat.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Going by the casually written email examples, many of the free eBooks offered for review were of the same caliber. Worse than that, much of the information contained within the mercifully brief nonfiction titles could be found on Wikipedia and other online reference sites. <br /><br />I’m not saying that all nonfiction titles are scams, but the way you can tell if they are is to see if the author is an expert in their field. Have they written a soap making book and make and sell soap? If the book is about dieting and weight loss, have they utilized the diet plan they write about? I’ve discussed it in this post about <a href="https://lisamaliga.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/shopping-for-soap-making-or-bath-body-products-ebooks/"><b>shopping for soap making or bath & body products eBooks</b></a>, but it applies to all nonfiction titles. <br /><br />What made me stop this quid pro quo review shenanigans? 1. I felt like I was at a certain vanity publisher’s message boards circa 2005 reading about authors asking other authors to buy and review their books. 2. Review swaps aren’t appreciated at <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201077870">Amazon</a>. </b><br /><br />So, I’m officially done with swapping, trading or exchanging eBook reviews. <br /><br />If you want to put a stop to review swaps, feel free to share this photo! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_9U0iWtVQVF-Ov_jPr7C1Oaud-PFEu7r-HLms_lBk0NHHvlPbNCSYUAVWkFXsp8nDmflRUPCMmxQ2EAwJFVteGIw2j9SU9pBh3B61SUThBns97hGBSIg5eAO8AWQkTQ2WMOyWPvUaAJb/s1600/grumpyreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_9U0iWtVQVF-Ov_jPr7C1Oaud-PFEu7r-HLms_lBk0NHHvlPbNCSYUAVWkFXsp8nDmflRUPCMmxQ2EAwJFVteGIw2j9SU9pBh3B61SUThBns97hGBSIg5eAO8AWQkTQ2WMOyWPvUaAJb/s1600/grumpyreview.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-80609703482918391752015-01-06T11:26:00.000-08:002015-01-06T15:46:49.695-08:00The Aroma of Love (The Yolanda's Yummery Series, Book 3) + Excerpt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
By Lisa Maliga<br />
<br />
Copyright 2015<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAB9v5lel4sNgJtbZ5qYPIg1ieIlD0rqo5fAko4d5cSKmI9YUAWepyIGCeN26OVGYphNiX9vvAEfIFJLDDEOaATQ1hSJEpGRXXDDCZz5FVVVSCl3BUULIUHaFrvm9TYxlpUmoJG3uQWy1N/s1600/YY3Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAB9v5lel4sNgJtbZ5qYPIg1ieIlD0rqo5fAko4d5cSKmI9YUAWepyIGCeN26OVGYphNiX9vvAEfIFJLDDEOaATQ1hSJEpGRXXDDCZz5FVVVSCl3BUULIUHaFrvm9TYxlpUmoJG3uQWy1N/s1600/YY3Small.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a></div>
I wish I could write a book as fast as I read one, but that’s just not possible. Today, I’m launching the third book in the Yolanda’s Yummery series. Be prepared for sweet romance, pies, and a cold case dating back to the 1960s. Here’s the official blurb:<br />
<br />
Yolanda Carter is gearing up for a hectic holiday season at her bakery, Yolanda’s Yummery.<br />
<br />
The adjoining Beverage Bar is thriving due to owner Nigel Garvey’s expertise along with that of shift manager Quinn Hendrickson, a barista and a baker.<br />
<br />
Visiting her grandmother’s gravesite, Yolanda is surprised to see a woman putting pies into an old-fashioned station wagon. Her parents mention an unsolved murder of her grandmother’s best friend who was an amazing pie baker. The story of the 1960s crime touches Yolanda, along with her new friend, Detective Winston Churchill. Her growing sleuthing skills lead her to search for the killer.<br />
<br />
In between investigating and baking batches of pies in time for her latest product launch, Yolanda discovers more about the sweetness of love. And who is heating up the kitchen with Yolanda?<br />
<br />
Includes the recipe for Yolanda’s Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies!<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<b>CHAPTER 5 </b><b>Excerpt</b></h4>
<br />
That morning Nick was helping one of the older appreciated guests who was taken with both him and the Fancy Vanilla cupcakes. “Sonny, can I have that a cinnamon coffee Bundt cake with vanilla icing?” The woman with the white hair worn in a pageboy paused, then sneezed loudly. “No wait, how about butterscotch icing?”<br />
<br />
Nick’s grimace almost passed for a grin. Jeannie noticed it and shook her head slightly, not wanting the young man to insult the older woman. “I’m afraid we don’t have butterscotch but we have caramel.”<br />
<br />
“Oh goodie, I’ll have that.” The woman smiled broadly, focusing all her attention on Nick.<br />
<br />
After she shuffled out of the yummery, Nick shook his head and stared at the almost empty tips jar. “The least she could’ve done was leave me a tip.”<br />
<br />
Jeannie smiled. “Show her more attentiveness next time. Tell her how pretty her blouse is or something.”<br />
<br />
“Jeannie, I don’t want to encourage her. Geez, she’s old enough to be my grandmother.”<br />
<br />
“I’ll have you know that she’s the widow of one of the wealthiest real estate moguls in the city.”<br />
<br />
“So? That means she could afford to leave a big tip.”<br />
<br />
“Not necessarily. She’s frugal. She told me she frequents every 99 Cents Only store she drives by and hangs out at Big Lots in Culver City. She’ll drive out of her way to save money…” Jeannie helped herself to a fudge sample. “Just the way some folks are, I guess. Oh, and you didn’t offer her a sample. Next time make sure you offer every appreciated guest a sample – even the older ones who have a crush on you.”<br />
<br />
“I forgot to change the tips jar sign today,” he said.<br />
<br />
“That could be another reason, though I doubt it. Old widows are lonely, so just make her feel a little less lonely and you’ll get more tips.”<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Now available at:</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: inherit;">Amazon: </span><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aroma-Love-Yolandas-Yummery-Book-ebook/dp/B00RVYWNGC">The Aroma of Love</a></b><br /><span style="font-weight: inherit;">Amazon UK: </span><b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LU03D2Q">The Aroma of Love</a></b></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">B&N NOOK: <b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-aroma-of-love-lisa-maliga/1121003203?ean=2940149916269">The Aroma of Love</a></b><br />iTunes: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id955688411" style="font-weight: bold;">The Aroma of Love</a><br />Kobo: <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-aroma-of-love-1" style="font-weight: bold;">The Aroma of Love</a><br />Scribd: <a href="https://www.scribd.com/book/251781957/The-Aroma-of-Love-The-Yolanda-s-Yummery-Series-3" style="font-weight: bold;">The Aroma of Love</a><br />Smashwords: <b><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/508315">The Aroma of Love</a></b></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">For updates on free books, contests, and more, please sign up for</span> </b></span></span><b style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: inherit; line-height: 30.6000003814697px;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/UZbE9" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #8b681c; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;">The Discerning Readers’ Newsletter</a>!</span> </b></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-35197109974860208592014-12-29T16:52:00.000-08:002014-12-29T16:52:47.712-08:00"The Narcissist Chronicles: The WHOLE Story" plus an Arlen in Action Excerpt<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">By Lisa Maliga<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Copyright 2011-2015</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWigz-V0Zq7GqbjDLhXGRUU2QB13v2OWxPD9OEtkBGPboDFOZ5MY7_ftJlFgIyU05DeLg-sBkK34Nw9FH8WBMLKCQdL4ZHFt6HxIhdDPV6zjGf57kdGtpVzczTAB1pFQSGbqGzQwU7jUr3/s1600/narcissistchroniclesMED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWigz-V0Zq7GqbjDLhXGRUU2QB13v2OWxPD9OEtkBGPboDFOZ5MY7_ftJlFgIyU05DeLg-sBkK34Nw9FH8WBMLKCQdL4ZHFt6HxIhdDPV6zjGf57kdGtpVzczTAB1pFQSGbqGzQwU7jUr3/s1600/narcissistchroniclesMED.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Here’s a new excerpt from the eBook </span><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Narcissist
Chronicles: The WHOLE Story</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. Read </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> </span>about Arlen
Stevenson’s first meeting with a woman he met online. A woman who sent him naked
pictures of herself and is a fan of his zombie books. Mavis Preston, a lonely
divorcée who enjoys trash talking with Arlen via IM and email. How will their planned
weekend rendezvous turn out?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hello? Is
this Arlen?” asked a breathy high voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The one
and only. I’m at this address here, numbered 6656 Bel…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Arlen,
you’re here! Now!?” the phone clicked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I looked
up to see a stout woman with graying tightly permed curls and a pair of
oversized glasses popular during the Reagan era, rushing toward me, her powder
blue tracksuit emphasizing her undulating bulges and ripples. I pocketed my
phone and embraced her, as I knew that was expected of me. I hid my
disappointment beneath my pasted on smile—she looked absolutely nothing like
those pictures she had sent…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once I was
inside her recently built home, I was impressed enough with the two story
living room sporting a marble fireplace and walls containing built-in
bookshelves. There was a large deck outside and a brand new gas grill that
looked like it would cook lotsa steaks, burgers, hot dogs, and a few lobsters.
The biggest turn on was the master bedroom with the elaborate king sized bed
below a mirrored ceiling, plush beige carpeting which I wanted to test out when
I got to some of my advanced sexual techniques, and the whirlpool tub in the
adjacent bathroom made her look a whole lot better. Maybe ole Mavis was as good
as she’d wrote.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When we
went into her writing room, I saw that her computer was a laptop off in a
corner next to a sewing machine and for some reason that disturbed me. Other
than her bedroom, the suburban home seemed so normal and unsensual. Maybe it
was the presence of a teenager; a door that was decorated on the outside with a
poster of Hannah Montana, and remained closed because I doubted the woman
wanted me to see evidence of her offspring. “Jeffrey, my only son! He’ll be
spending the weekend with his father, like I told you earlier,” she assured me.
The 4,000 square foot home was all ours from Friday through Sunday afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I want
you to autograph some books,” Mavis declared, leading me back downstairs into
the living room. She immediately went over to a section and pulled out all
three of my hardcovers, and I reasoned she didn’t break the bank to buy ‘em. Naturally,
I always preferred it when they bought the more expensive and longer lasting
version, and she happily handed them over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why sure,
Mavis, I’d love to…” hell, I just loved the fact that people actually bought my
books and then wanted me to scribble in ‘em! I obliged her, thinking I was glad
I’d left my overnight bag in the truck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the
impromptu autograph signing, I pulled out my keys. “Mavis, I haven’t had a lot
to eat today. Let’s say you and me go pick something up…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">“Nonsense, I won’t hear of it, Arlen. Why don’t I fix you a
sub? I can make it to your liking…” she smiled suggestively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Amazon Kindle version: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Narcissist-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B0053YUBCK"><b>The Narcissist Chronicles: The WHOLE Story</b></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Amazon UK Kindle
version: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Narcissist-Chronicles-Lisa-Maliga-ebook/dp/B0053YUBCK"><b>The Narcissist Chronicles: The Whole Story </b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Barnes & Noble NOOK version: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/narcissist-chronicles-lisa-maliga/1102941036?ean=2940012919106"><b>The Narcissist Chronicles: The Whole Story</b></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">iTunes version: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id664385143"><b>The Narcissist Chronicles: The Whole Story</b></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kobo version: <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-narcissist-chronicles-the-whole-story-1"><b>The Narcissist Chronicles: The Whole Story</b></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Scribd version: <a href="https://www.scribd.com/book/230453823/The-Narcissist-Chronicles-The-WHOLE-Story"><b>The Narcissist Chronicles: The Whole Story</b></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Smashwords version: <b><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/86256">The Narcissist Chronicles: The Whole Story</a></b></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9adLwANBhcBEfjv51NUBTks_FcEd4pvqHx39vTfeYwIuMwtFGBzhe22o4vEP5MRIeo6xmBy-Id4yKt6pTU6HQ08xksbSAYc1Gsp3Oq-YSEX-F4RIVX_M4KEjFUfxqOYMKEi3apmU_xFm/s1600/narcissistchronicles3D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9adLwANBhcBEfjv51NUBTks_FcEd4pvqHx39vTfeYwIuMwtFGBzhe22o4vEP5MRIeo6xmBy-Id4yKt6pTU6HQ08xksbSAYc1Gsp3Oq-YSEX-F4RIVX_M4KEjFUfxqOYMKEi3apmU_xFm/s1600/narcissistchronicles3D.jpg" height="320" width="201" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-32416590268112271562014-10-24T16:30:00.001-07:002014-10-24T16:30:44.693-07:00"Notes from Nadir" 4 Years Later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSnayjBI1_mfqt1HrSpjyBHBCi9Don0URUM_Eiyl23CLBDyzqOBwou-RYEYoRpmzTiINJg_9bJf8lEua3x2SSCR8KnfrtDK1rRDW6IIRDhGt6cdUe7S9KkVJdLExkLYCcH41qBA2IO8IM/s1600/NotesfromNadir2013Sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSnayjBI1_mfqt1HrSpjyBHBCi9Don0URUM_Eiyl23CLBDyzqOBwou-RYEYoRpmzTiINJg_9bJf8lEua3x2SSCR8KnfrtDK1rRDW6IIRDhGt6cdUe7S9KkVJdLExkLYCcH41qBA2IO8IM/s1600/NotesfromNadir2013Sml.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On October 21, 2010,
the first eBook edition of <i>Notes from
Nadir</i> was published on Kindle. Written as a series of blogs, <i>Notes from Nadir</i> made its online debut
on March 3, 2010. My blog gradually began to attract readers. They seemed
interested in reading the forthcoming novel that <i>Notes from Nadir</i> would later become. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last year I published
the second edition of “Notes” and even with a book tour, sales and reviews
weren’t happening. The problem may be the title – nadir isn’t a common word. So,
if you’re curious, and haven’t already gone to Dictionary.com to check it out,
here’s the official description along with a hint about what <i>Notes from Nadir</i> is all about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If noon is zenith then nadir is 6:30. And it was 6:29 and
counting down. Way down. Merriam-Webster defines it as: "The lowest
point." Nadir – it was the place where I was inevitably going. Lots of
stuff got me headed in that downward direction. Decisions made too late. Unmade
calls. Calls made that weren't answered. Missed connections. Being at the right
place at the wrong time. Excuses. I was caught in the web of my own cause and
effect and the resulting karma was ripening. Ripening of karma meant that
payment was due pronto. And who paid for my own karma? Me. No checks accepted.
No credit cards. And there sure as heck weren't any I.O.U's. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Only one place left to go. Back east. Back to a place I no
longer called home. Back to a mom I hadn't lived with or seen in many years.
She had a new house in a quiet semi-retirement community. She had a spare room.
Two-car garage. Free internet. And a few conditions…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter 5 – Arriving in Nadir<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the morning, I awoke before sunup, knowing that it was my
last day on the road. I didn't want to hang around a motel room when I still
had a few hundred miles to go. Soon I'd cross the Mississippi River and be in
another state. I'd see things that hadn't been seen in years: Hardee's, Sunoco,
Steak 'n Shake, and White Castle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Driving into the rising sun. Crossing into a state that had
a top speed of 65. I saw more snow. When I was partially through the state, I
stopped and got gas. It was definitely colder and I stepped over some snow to
get to the pump. Being almost "home" was starting to suck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The end stretch of the 2,000-mile journey led through
flatlands and farmlands with intermittent groves of trees to eradicate the
geographical monotony. How dull and colorless compared to the dramatic scenery
of Arizona and New Mexico. Those miles rolled by as I reluctantly headed east
to a "home" I had never seen since Mom moved to her one-story
dwelling eight years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The miles vanished. My arrival was imminent. I glanced at
traffic heading west and recalled how it was when I was driving in that
direction—full of hope. Now, I was full of despair, full of failure. Each mile
led me closer to the "cornfield with lights" as my father, who had
escaped before me, referred to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I changed to a smaller two-lane road that would lead me to
within a mile of Mom's new house. I had long ago memorized her address and
she'd told me which streets to take and how easy it was to find. The new
subdivision was called Hampton Lake and it was for older people. She'd sent me
some pictures of her house and it was as generic as any modern one-story frame
house with neutral colors and a few windows offset by some shrubbery and trees.
Passed a place where I used to work and saw it had been replaced with a mart
type store. Couldn't help noticing the traffic signals were the old fashioned
kind that were strung on wires rather than posts that extended across the
intersection like they did in L.A. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I took a wrong turn and had to go another mile in some
suburban/country area before I found the right street. I drove slower than
normal until I saw the large wooden Hampton Lake sign. Next to it was an
American flag. As I drove to the end of the cul de sac I had reached the End
Point of my journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Amazon Kindle </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Notes-from-Nadir-ebook/dp/B00486UDJA"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/Notes-from-Nadir-ebook/dp/B00486UDJA</span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paperback </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Notes-Nadir-Lisa-Maliga/dp/1493519077/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/Notes-Nadir-Lisa-Maliga/dp/1493519077/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">B&N Nook </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/notes-from-nadir-lisa-maliga/1100144163?ean=2940012697790"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/notes-from-nadir-lisa-maliga/1100144163?ean=2940012697790</span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">iTunes </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id737543475"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id737543475</span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kobo </span><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/Notes-from-Nadir/du3hDkmS6ku7BTL-MCWctw"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/Notes-from-Nadir/du3hDkmS6ku7BTL-MCWctw</span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Scribd </span><a href="https://www.scribd.com/book/230453712/Notes-from-Nadir"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.scribd.com/book/230453712/Notes-from-Nadir</span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Smashwords </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/35983"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/35983</span></a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-14874040396698909862014-09-22T08:21:00.000-07:002014-09-22T08:21:11.487-07:00Out of the Blue: A Novel – Revised + New Excerpt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvN7UXNwYHqsUySmZrELjtmjYJUmerl_WH9EfHi8UyquOFfkHK74GROVmVXExsLg9yrrTcku6cWVM3AM0OMyeCEneBluBM8b5a7a1786JJYD9aV7tKB05xzChCyMsZs3LjfwXKq3M1Vvg/s1600/ootbSml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvN7UXNwYHqsUySmZrELjtmjYJUmerl_WH9EfHi8UyquOFfkHK74GROVmVXExsLg9yrrTcku6cWVM3AM0OMyeCEneBluBM8b5a7a1786JJYD9aV7tKB05xzChCyMsZs3LjfwXKq3M1Vvg/s1600/ootbSml.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Copyright 2014 <br />By Lisa Maliga<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Most of my newly revised novel, <i>Out of the Blue</i>, occurs in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Back then,
a person could board an airplane with a large bottle of shampoo in their
carry on bags. Back in the era where in-flight movies were shown on a pull-down
screen and they shut the lights off in the cabin. Back when they issued
silverware with meals, and you didn't have to pay extra for dinner as it was
part of the cost. Those days when people smoked on airplanes, although they
were confined to the back seats. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Customs consisted of being asked why I was in England, how
much money I had, they didn’t bother to look, and a kindly older gentleman
wished me a “happy holiday!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I visited Cornwall and saw Pendennis Castle. In Falmouth, I
was surprised to see supermarket cashiers sitting down on the job. Traveling to
a small Cornish town, I discovered the local Jigsaw Puzzle Club met every
Tuesday afternoon in the library's upstairs reading room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As London was too expensive, I took a train to the
Cotswolds. There I stumbled upon a small country inn that served as a model for
the Windrush Arms Hotel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve contemplated rewriting this book for over a year and
only got around to it this summer. This book has romantic elements, but I feel
it’s more suited to the coming of age/contemporary fiction categories. <i>Out of the Blue</i> contains scenes that
convey why Sylvia’s attracted to older men, and we see another side to Mrs.
Gardner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s a scene that describes main character Sylvia Gardner’s
burgeoning obsession with the English actor:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Having more information on Alexander, she was
relieved that she could see his current flick, <i>Up In the Air</i>. It was
playing in a second run movie theatre on the other side of town. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She made the trek to the Eastside Theatre, a
white brick building surrounded by an empty parking lot. Weeds sprouted from
cracks near the edge of the sidewalk. At noon on Sunday, the movie house looked
deserted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sylvia pulled her car into a space and got out.
The humidity was the same as the temperature. Her nervousness accelerated her
own perspiration; she was seeing a feature film starring her newly
beloved. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Up In the Air</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> was about the adventures of a
turn-of-the-century English balloonist who wanted to fly over the
Himalayas. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She gave her two bucks to the guy behind the box
office window. A hefty woman at the concession stand stared into space. The
enticing popcorn boiled from the trapdoor inside the machine, the sound and
scent permeating the lobby.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Inside the cool, dark theatre, third row back.
She rested her bare legs on the seat in front of her and waited for the event.
Minutes later, he appeared. In the cinema, she encountered Alexander Thorpe
looming several feet high. The stereo amplified his timbre. His British accent
sounded overly proper to her ears. Amidst the lightly populated movie house she
sat, her infatuation moving and speaking on screen expressly for her. The sight
of him enraptured her. Flying above a pristine landscape in a brightly colored
balloon, she soared along with him. Alexander Thorpe, the man who had appeared
out of the blue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sylvia was bathed in the reflected light from
the screen and watched him glide past the Swiss Alps as he watched the
magnificent scenery. She envisioned herself onboard. For a fraction of a
second, she really was there, her feet touching the basket’s bottom, his hand
reaching for hers. They were about to look into each other’s eyes when she was
back in the third row of the Richport cinema keeping cool on a quiet Sunday
afternoon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her fixation intensified over the months. In
October, she was working a few hours overtime at the drugstore. Her increased
wages were not enough to allow her to make a down payment on a plane ticket to
London, but if she saved her money, then the likelihood of meeting the actor
would increase. She realized the Englishman was not going to stop by Jenson’s
Drugstore and purchase a pack of Marlboro’s and a <i>Playboy</i>. The only way
to find the man was to journey to his homeland. Sylvia kept her desire to
herself, for who would understand her burgeoning obsession with an actor of
some renown? A man old enough to be her father; a man she had never met?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Official Description:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It all began in the summer of 1979 …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sylvia Gardner is a naïve library clerk who lives with her
dysfunctional mother in Richport, Illinois. Vivian tells her daughter not to
trust men because they only want to use her. After being dumped by her first
boyfriend, Sylvia falls in love with an English actor after watching him on a
PBS drama. Researching Alexander Thorpe’s life and career for two years, she
saves her money so she can visit him in his Cotswolds village. She stays at the
Windrush Arms Hotel, soon discovering they share a secret connection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Complications ensue when Harry Livingstone, the hotel’s
drunken proprietor, takes a fancy to the young American. As in her dreams,
Sylvia and Alexander get together – but with unexpected results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Amazon Kindle version: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Out-Blue-Lisa-Maliga-ebook/dp/B009AB2U2Q"><b>Out of the Blue</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Amazon Kindle UK version: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Blue-Lisa-Maliga-ebook/dp/B009AB2U2Q"><b>Out of the Blue</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">PAPERBACK version: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Out-Blue-Lisa-Maliga/dp/1480245461/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1354552945&sr=1-2"><b>Out of the Blue</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Barnes & Noble version: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-the-blue-lisa-maliga/1112865314?ean=2940015685060"><b>Out of the Blue</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">iTunes version: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id676752952"><b>Out of the Blue</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Smashwords version: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/235679"><b>Out of the Blue</b></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-1106337167610582412014-07-17T14:15:00.003-07:002014-07-17T14:15:46.689-07:00Magical Cakes of Love: (The Yolanda’s Yummery Series, Book 2) – Plus Excerpt<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">By Lisa Maliga<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Copyright 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J9z_kp-yt1c/U8gqr_hmNxI/AAAAAAAAAmo/LUOaS1xMYxY/s1600/yolandamagicMED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J9z_kp-yt1c/U8gqr_hmNxI/AAAAAAAAAmo/LUOaS1xMYxY/s1600/yolandamagicMED.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In <i>Magical Cakes of Love</i>, there is romance and mystery as one of
Yolanda’s regular customers has gone missing. For those of you who’ve read <i>The Great Brownie Taste-off</i>, you’ll know
that Yolanda Carter always refers to her customers as appreciated guests. In the
second book, appreciated guest Captain Angus, a homeless man who enjoys her
brownies and cupcakes twice a day, mysteriously vanishes. As the story unfolds,
the lead investigator thinks that either Yolanda or her best friend, Teagan
Mishkin, might know more about the missing man’s whereabouts. Way more as
they’re his suspects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Here’s the official
description:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With the successful launch of Yolanda’s Yummery in the
trendy Los Angeles suburb of Brentwood, Yolanda Carter is on a roll. Her fame
is starting to grow as news spreads about all her delicious desserts. An
accompanying Beverage Bar will open in three weeks. She’s involved in a budding
romance with sophisticated British tea baron, Nigel Garvey. Life is sweet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Complications arise when Captain Angus, a regular homeless
customer, disappears…and Yolanda becomes a suspect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Someone is framing Yolanda for the crime. Lead investigator
Detective Churchill is certain that she murdered the captain. Best friend
Teagan Mishkin is also a suspect and wants to clear both their names. Will
Yolanda’s relationships be derailed by the daily disasters she’s encountering?
Can those Magical Cakes of Love save her and the yummery?</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This is a clean romance/cozy
mystery, and not only was it fun to write, the cover was a joy to photograph.
Yes, I had to go to the yummery to pick up one of those Decadent Chocolate
Magical Cakes of Love and take almost 100 pictures of it. The day was warm and
sunny with a high of 85 and even though I’m cold blooded I had to lower the
temperature of the air conditioning unit from a comfortable 78 down to 70
degrees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was difficult to avoid
sampling the cake, and I thought about cutting a slice and putting it on some
fine china but I did that after I finished taking and previewing the pictures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’d like to stress that Yolanda
doesn’t ordinarily make wedding cakes but in this book she makes an exception, as
a favor to a good friend’s sister who’ll soon be tying the knot. Here is part of that scene:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Excerpt from Chapter 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Suddenly a
shorter woman with dyed black hair pulled into a stubby ponytail walked in,
looking around. She wore a shapeless mauve sundress paired with black sneakers.
“So this is the yummery,” Rosemary said. “Kinda on the small side…” She walked
over to the display case and saw only three Magical Cakes of Love and barely a
dozen brownies. “Did we come at a bad time?” Rosemary asked, her forehead
wrinkling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Rosemary!
So nice to see the bride-to-be,” Yolanda said to the disgruntled woman. “Well,
no, you came at the end of the day. I was just going to put everything in the
fridge, but I made sure to save you a Decadent Chocolate and a Fancy Vanilla
Buttercream Magical Cake of Love to test.” She gestured, moving towards the
back of the store. “Let’s go back to my office and we’ll sample them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Thirty
minutes later and they were still in Yolanda’s office with the two cakes cut
into several slices, and the chocolate cake had fewer of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Now I tried
on 128 wedding dresses before I found the perfect one…” Rosemary commented,
taking another bite of the chocolate cake slice on a paper plate. “It was a
nightmare trying to get one in my petite size and style because I wanted the
Sweetheart Serenade model. It’s ecru lace with puffed sleeves edged with
rhinestones and pearls and a silk crinoline skirt with a detachable
eighteen-foot lace train edged with pearls…oh you’d think I was looking for
something unusual!” She sighed and rolled her big watery blue-gray eyes.
Rosemary pulled out her iPhone and punched the screen a few times. “Here’s the
winning dress…” She turned the phone’s screen so it faced Yolanda and a blurry
shot of some off white creampuff meringue of a wedding dress was seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“That looks
nice,” Yolanda stated diplomatically, glad when the phone was removed from her
line of vision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Well it
should. And let me tell you about the sixty-one punch recipes before the right
one … and I think the florist is going to be changing again soon…” She enjoyed
another bite of her cake, paused, and took another. She sighed loudly. “You’d
think people could handle brides changing their minds occasionally.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magical-Cakes-Love-Yolandas-Yummery-ebook/dp/B00LU03D2Q"><b>Magical Cakes of Love</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">iTunes: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id899196515"><b>Magical Cakes of Love</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">B&N NOOK: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1119954964?ean=9781501438998&itm=1&usri=9781501438998"><b>Magical Cakes of Love</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kobo: <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/magical-cakes-of-love-1"><b>Magical Cakes of Love</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Smashwords:<b> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/456995">Magical Cakes of Love</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>The Great Brownie Taste-off is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Great-Brownie-Taste-off-Yolandas-Yummery-ebook/dp/B00K1HR4AG/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1405631723&sr=1-4">FREE</a>! </b></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-50330385950012674502014-04-27T14:15:00.000-07:002014-12-02T12:41:34.071-08:00Introducing…The Great Brownie Taste-off!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">By Lisa Maliga<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">Copyright 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">I've discovered
something funny about writing romance books – I like 'em sweet. Literally. In
my first, <b><a href="http://lisamaliga.wordpress.com/novels/sweet-dreams/">Sweet Dreams</a></b>, the cover art
shows an original photograph of brightly colored [and incredibly sweet and
fruity] French macarons. These sandwich-type cookies are small and delicate but
oh so worth it! Subtle hint: try one…or a few!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdSs_MWCA_S9Pw7JZQRRLcf9mTLYGjYR8a2Cu3HWZ5N1fjvC2EKWUCki0rplSoqXleX7vWXZQcDk4p0SjlEbxw1HdpqSjQvlkzteOu-AWV48HG2fMOX5OgjPCPpZLLpufxc7vrxmibJar/s1600/brownies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdSs_MWCA_S9Pw7JZQRRLcf9mTLYGjYR8a2Cu3HWZ5N1fjvC2EKWUCki0rplSoqXleX7vWXZQcDk4p0SjlEbxw1HdpqSjQvlkzteOu-AWV48HG2fMOX5OgjPCPpZLLpufxc7vrxmibJar/s1600/brownies.JPG" height="200" width="156" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">But how do I go
from macarons to the classic and better known dessert of brownies? Well, I didn't
plan it. In fact, I thought I was writing the first book of the romance series,
which is about cakes, not brownies. Even though I was following a detailed
outline, the brownie angle took over and so I went with it. The first book of
the Yolanda's Yummery series establishes how this yummery [bakery] came into
existence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">Here's what <i>The Great Brownie Taste-off</i> is about…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yolanda Carter comes from a family of artisans
and lives in her deceased grandparent's cottage in Sherman Oaks, California.
She works at a small cat shelter but dreams of owning a bakery. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Her friend from high school, Teagan Mishkin, knows that
Yolanda needs money and suggests better paying work as a cocktail waitress. The
interview takes an unexpected turn and she stumbles across a scheme to close
down the cat shelter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The plan Yolanda concocts may
be the only way to save the shelter. Helped by her parents, coworkers and
friends, a rising young blogger also takes an interest in her plight. Will she
bake the best brownies of her life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">BONUS ~
Includes the winning brownie recipe!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQksC-y_pgFgrmxHzhq1XHA1d6HAT3tUF0fAmY5WT9rh5cwf6mtYXvHXoD8NS3bTnyeX-Sdmo7y2lXQWM73K5Pkh3QimLT1Ku4eN0bLUZkiCpxbFBweR5W5m-cxa1pbbmK0mjH2DJiFyF/s1600/yolandayummery1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQksC-y_pgFgrmxHzhq1XHA1d6HAT3tUF0fAmY5WT9rh5cwf6mtYXvHXoD8NS3bTnyeX-Sdmo7y2lXQWM73K5Pkh3QimLT1Ku4eN0bLUZkiCpxbFBweR5W5m-cxa1pbbmK0mjH2DJiFyF/s1600/yolandayummery1.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">FREE at B&N Nook: <b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-great-brownie-taste-off-lisa-maliga/1119385033?ean=2940149262366&itm=1&usri=2940149262366">The Great Brownie Taste-off</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">FREE at Smashwords: <b><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/433510">The Great Brownie Taste-off</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">FREE at Kobo: <b><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-great-brownie-taste-off">The Great Brownie Taste-off</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">More links to sites and reviews: <b><a href="http://lisamaliga.com/greatbrownietasteoff.htm">The Great Brownie Taste-off</a></b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This book is now available in paperback format at Amazon: <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Great-Brownie-Taste-off-Yolandas-Yummery/dp/1499694512">The Great Brownie Taste-off</a></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-7319855429084651192014-03-02T10:17:00.000-08:002014-03-03T08:17:44.523-08:00Paid Blog Tours are a Waste of Time & Money<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuo_knzdoZVOX3PgTvj2b9gBYo8PryHd0BtPhNeDK3Aq8oCb1t9Uah9JvyrCBOAI1MxZNgggHu5bOTpQBGmIDEc-sbwci3iPF1wn_uZQWvohyphenhyphenWdQvPdIyNt0opza2TXfMNyP8gzmfgIvD/s1600/computerkick.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuo_knzdoZVOX3PgTvj2b9gBYo8PryHd0BtPhNeDK3Aq8oCb1t9Uah9JvyrCBOAI1MxZNgggHu5bOTpQBGmIDEc-sbwci3iPF1wn_uZQWvohyphenhyphenWdQvPdIyNt0opza2TXfMNyP8gzmfgIvD/s1600/computerkick.GIF" height="200" width="148" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By Lisa Maliga<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Copyright 2014<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've done two virtual blog
tours. Both were for different contemporary fiction titles. Tours lasted for 14
days and they were with two different blog tour companies. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The second blog tour
company has been around longer than the first, but longevity doesn’t mean
scrupulousness. For my second tour, my optimism was shattered after receiving
the interview questions. On five out of seven questionnaires, I was asked what
inspired me to write my book?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Guess the blog owners didn't
tax themselves when it came to thinking up questions. Copying the
questionnaires in a Word document, I read the rest of the prosaic queries. Then
it struck me: not one single question pertained to my book. They'd all gotten
free copies of it, had seen the cover, had received the blurb, and had ample
time to read or at least skim it. Yet there was absolutely no level of interest
in a novel that took me years to write and rewrite and have edited. I also
checked out the various bloggers' sites and noticed that most of them had a
boilerplate template where they asked the same questions repeatedly and only
the answers differed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While I was aware that
many of the bloggers preferred romance/YA novels and its subgenres, I also knew
that a contemporary novel wasn’t that far of a stretch for blog owners to
promote. As the second tour company allegedly had an extensive list of bloggers
I thought that they would be able to effectively match up my book to blogs that
were also contemporary fiction-friendly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah, right.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another problem was the
size of the blogs: some had as few as 20 followers while others had more than
2000. But how accurate was that? I'd once sent a nonfiction book to a blogger
to review who had 500 followers. Sales of my book increased and there were also
several comments on the book review and giveaway. But that never happened to me
on either novel tour. Admittedly, I probably wasn’t giving enough of an
incentive [bribe] for readers other than free PDF copies of my novels. No
Amazon or B&N gift cards, no free Kindles or Nooks, nothing of any
"value" other than my eBooks. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was told to provide
three excerpts and some of the interviewers asked for other excerpts making the
total seven plus one blog topic of my own choosing. As the second tour
progressed, I began seeing the excerpts repeating themselves. In some cases,
bloggers were adding two excerpts instead of just one. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blog tours are coordinated
several weeks in advance, yet more than once during the first tour, I had to
contact the blog tour owner and ask why my scheduled interview/excerpt/review
hadn't been posted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Instead of opting for a
review-only tour, I went for tours that featured interviews, excerpts, and
reviews. The first time I garnered four reviews, but in my second foray in
virtual booktourland I received one generic review.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll admit it: twice I
made time-killing mistakes. I spent a few hours answering the questions. I
wanted to be sure they weren't repetitive, which is tricky when faced with many
similar questions. I opted for lighthearted answers to keep the content
enjoyable for the reader. As a "veteran" of one blog tour with little
upsurge in eBook sales, I wasn’t expecting anything different the second time
around. As the tour limped on, I knew I was right but not in a good way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was paying to give
any available blogger the tour company lined up free material. My writing was
helping promote their blog. It was getting them page views, ad revenue and
touted their own books and/or products. They got fresh content that only
required them to format each post. Aside from the money and time spent on the
blog tours, the sheer lack of interest became apparent -- a blogger/reviewer often
won't bother to read your book. There are reviewers who'll read an entire book
and write a lucid review—but I have no idea what percentage that covers—it's
just the luck of the draw. Weeks after the second tour was over, I happened to
look up my book to see how it was doing on Google. Randomly clicking a link to
a blog where I'd contributed an excerpt, I saw the page was now blank -- the blog
owner had removed the post. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that summarizes how
I feel about doing a third paid virtual book tour…it's not an option I would consider
again.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744705444101795157.post-10389711592346713782013-10-29T15:31:00.000-07:002013-11-02T09:39:03.072-07:00Notes from Nadir ~ Manic Monday Excerpt<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By Lisa Maliga</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Copyright 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSnayjBI1_mfqt1HrSpjyBHBCi9Don0URUM_Eiyl23CLBDyzqOBwou-RYEYoRpmzTiINJg_9bJf8lEua3x2SSCR8KnfrtDK1rRDW6IIRDhGt6cdUe7S9KkVJdLExkLYCcH41qBA2IO8IM/s1600/NotesfromNadir2013Sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSnayjBI1_mfqt1HrSpjyBHBCi9Don0URUM_Eiyl23CLBDyzqOBwou-RYEYoRpmzTiINJg_9bJf8lEua3x2SSCR8KnfrtDK1rRDW6IIRDhGt6cdUe7S9KkVJdLExkLYCcH41qBA2IO8IM/s200/NotesfromNadir2013Sml.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">eBook cover</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%;">It’s
2009. Lisa Hansen is impacted by the great recession and can’t focus on her
writing career. She has to make the tough decision to stay in Los Angeles or
return to her former Midwestern home. Not having seen her mother in over a
decade, she moves back in with her in a suburban semi-retirement community. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;">Confronted with long forgotten memories, Lisa finds it difficult to adjust to
life in Nadir. She works a couple of dead end jobs, and meets Gordon, a sexy
British bakery owner. An opportunity to freelance for him and work as a
writer/photographer at The Factory ensures a better income. But how long will
she be confined in a lifestyle that she has long outgrown? “Notes from Nadir”
is an alternatively poignant and amusing story of life’s unforeseen journeys,
sorrows, and rewards.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Where is Nadir?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Merriam-Webster defines nadir as "the lowest point." And that
is where Nadir is located. It’s not a place that is found on any map. No GPS
will guide anyone there. Nadir is a state of mind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Notes from Nadir</b> is approx. 88,000 words/292 pages. The release date is Tuesday, November 5, 2013. Both eBook and paperback versions will be available on or around that date.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Chapter 47 ~ Manic Monday</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">[This is a brief excerpt from the chapter].</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Right before lunch one of the Packers came over
and announced: "Bakery donuts downstairs in the warehouse … main
door!"</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">On a Monday? Rita smiled and turned to me,
"That's great! They sometimes donate donuts from the bakery down the
street. It's really a great place…" she got up and was heading for the
stairs a lot faster than I'd seen her move since I began working there.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I followed her; I could walk faster than her as
I didn't wear a size 18. I knew her size because she saw a pair of large black
pants on my cart and said they'd fit her and placed a bid on them. She didn't
win them as some other fatso from Nebraska did.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Near the main door I saw a big flimsy pink
cardboard box on top of a dilapidated table. It was surrounded by red shirted
employees. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Most of the warehouse employees didn't wear
gloves. They spent the day handling pee-stained rugs and bedding, cast off toys
and games, old electronics, mildewed books, filthy furniture with chewed up
legs and torn upholstery; all manner of junk. And they were pawing through the
donut selection. Not a napkin or paper towel in sight. But that didn't stop
Rita or any of the other workers. A toothless worker wearing a faded, almost
pink shirt decorated with holes, licked his fingers. Free food, free dessert,
and free germs!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPthB4KWhVBdF3IfYVD7EmA4AcnYcuggZqx5bZlGPF130hpsB6X0ReEb4iHEFNR6Dln4wJ5mV6Jm-SS0-px6f-3PyQzSKHYvIA9IrCJzlHExX4IuhfvOfKbUA3ASmNg5JeNt1lD_DdMQM/s1600/BookCoverImageNFN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPthB4KWhVBdF3IfYVD7EmA4AcnYcuggZqx5bZlGPF130hpsB6X0ReEb4iHEFNR6Dln4wJ5mV6Jm-SS0-px6f-3PyQzSKHYvIA9IrCJzlHExX4IuhfvOfKbUA3ASmNg5JeNt1lD_DdMQM/s320/BookCoverImageNFN.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Notes-Nadir-Lisa-Maliga/dp/1493519077"><b>Paperback link</b></a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://notesfromnadir.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>notesfromnadirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.com0