tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23491245325045693582024-03-13T15:46:47.473-04:00A Writer's RushWriting and Real Life with Award Winning & USA Today Bestselling Romance Author, Rula SinaraRula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-54621622194424404862021-01-06T13:48:00.000-05:002021-01-06T13:48:29.915-05:00Second Chance Christmas Blitz & Giveaway<center><a href="https://www.prismbooktours.com/2021/01/were-blitzing-about-second-chance.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jd3dN4QeQZs/X6LXDUIPhBI/AAAAAAAAiAY/CvvuuhuObTkhEgeD0RXraA-DPpvWbM79QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h200/Banner%2B-%2BSecond%2BChance%2BChristmas.png" width="400" /></a></center>
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On Tour with <a href="https://www.prismbooktours.com/2021/01/were-blitzing-about-second-chance.html" target="_blank">Prism Book Tours</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kye8xGxQD7Q/X6LXDWJj_tI/AAAAAAAAiAc/sJo8TLSSv6oE9zRTKtn7DH2Or2oeEYUbQCLcBGAsYHQ/w253-h400/Second%2BChance%2BChristmas%2Bcover.jpg" style="text-align: start;" width="253" /></center><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Second Chance Christmas</i></span></b></div>
<b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>(Turtleback Beach #3)</b></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>By Rula Sinara</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Contemporary Romance</div><div style="text-align: center;">Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages (Large Print)</div><div style="text-align: center;">January 1, 2021 by Harlequin Heartwarming</div>
<br /><b>A beachside Christmas<br /><br /><i>Brings unexpected gifts!</i></b><br /><br />A second chance. That’s what former navy SEAL Damon Woods asks for when Zuri Habib comes to Turtleback Beach with a nephew who looks just like him. After her sister’s death, Zuri believes Caden deserves to know his father—even if he did break her teenage heart. Can Damon and Zuri forgive each other and give a grieving boy the family he needs this Christmas?<br /><br /><i>USA TODAY</i> Bestselling Author<br /><br /><b>Turtleback Beach</b><br />Book 1: <i>Almost a Bride</i><br />Book 2: <i>Caught by the Sheriff</i><br />Book 3: <i>Second Chance Christmas</i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Affiliate links include.)</i></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53487905-second-chance-christmas" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2I3Bmi4" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/second-chance-christmas-rula-sinara/1137210777?ean=9781488074417" target="_blank">B&N</a> </b><b>| </b><b><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Second-Chance-Christmas-RULA-SINARA/9781335179739/?a_aid=tresswishendi-20" target="_blank">Book Depository</a> | <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488074417_second-chance-christmas.html" target="_blank">Harlequin</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781335179739?AID=10747236&PID=7651142&cjevent=43ff2a9a1ebd11eb823400cc0a1c0e0b" target="_blank">BAM</a></b><b> </b><b>| <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335179739" target="_blank">IndieBound</a></b><b> </b><b>| <a href="https://goto.target.com/zWE7r" target="_blank">Target</a></b><b> </b><b>| </b><b><a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Turtleback-Beach-3-Second-Chance-Christmas-A-Clean-Romance-Paperback-9781335179739/400906324" target="_blank">Walmart</a></b><b><a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Turtleback-Beach-3-Second-Chance-Christmas-A-Clean-Romance-Paperback-9781335179739/400906324" target="_blank"> </a></b><b>| </b><b><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/second-chance-christmas/id1514931969?id=1514931969&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">Apple</a></b><b> | </b><b><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/second-chance-christmas-23" target="_blank">Kobo</a></b><b> | </b><b><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rula_Sinara_Second_Chance_Christmas?id=23bmDwAAQBAJ" target="_blank">Google</a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Excerpt</span></b><br /><br />DAMON FELT LIKE he’d had the air knocked out of him. Vera was dead? He was a father? He wasn’t sure which fact was tripping him more. He glanced over at the boy playing with Duck. The kid reminded him so much of his late, younger brother it hurt. He looked a lot like Damon, too. He knew it. The second he saw the boy and Zuri he knew in his gut something was wrong. She’d mentioned bringing a kid along, but Damon had assumed that meant she’d had a child in the years since he last saw her. He’d assumed that maybe she had a recent breakup and needed to get away. Lots of people came to the Outer Banks as an escape. His chest felt numb. He was a father and had been for the past twelve years and the truth had been kept from him? He’d been slammed and pulled under by monstrous waves before, but none had left his lungs feeling as useless as right now.<br /><br />Throughout his training as a SEAL, through every covert operation overseas, through the past four years here as head of Turtleback Beach’s Ocean Rescue and Beach Patrol division...and all along he’d had a son. He muttered a curse and turned his back on her. He looked over the rough waters of the Atlantic, familiar with every square inch of the shoreline he lived on, yet fully aware that it never stayed the same. The ocean ebbed and flowed and changed its sands every day. He’d come to believe that he’d finally found stability in his life. What a lie. He should have known. He was trained to expect the unexpected. He just never thought it would involve a kid. Nor was he expecting it to involve the death of someone else from his past. He’d never quite gotten over the loss of his own brother. Or so many of his SEAL brothers in the line of duty.<br /><br />“Are you sure?” The question sounded pathetic considering the boy’s looks. He had Woods in him all right. Those dark eyes, full lashes and the way his lips quirked and revealed dimples when he smiled were how everyone could always tell that Damon, Leo, Shawn and Lucas were brothers.<br /><br />“That you’re the father? Absolutely. But you’re free to get tested.”<br /><br />He might have to get tested if Vera didn’t have him listed on the birth certificate, but the boy was definitely a younger version of him...or more so, Lucas. He looked so much like a Woods that the sight of him opened an old wound. Lucas couldn’t have been much older than Caden when Damon had gotten word, while overseas, that he’d drowned. The memory still haunted him. Lucas had been the youngest of four. Damon, the oldest. And he still couldn’t get past the belief that, had he not escaped his home life the first chance he had, he’d have been around to save his little brother.<br /><br />A lump rose in his chest and he tried rubbing it away but it grew and hardened when he turned and caught Zuri wiping her cheeks. She’d lost her older sister. He knew the pain she had to be going through. He sucked in a breath of salty air and tucked his hands in the pockets of his windbreaker to keep himself from wrapping his arms around her. There was a time when doing so would have felt natural and expected, but not anymore.<div><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Other Books in the Series</span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><a href="https://amzn.to/3esSp8R" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYwxfOLZVEw/X6LoXFLIsiI/AAAAAAAAiA0/iaBYGlkaaNEZ2H7PQiSfwmxi3xuh012EQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Book%2B1.jpg" style="display: inline;" /></a><a href="https://amzn.to/3mS1wmz" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyVxMJDJU_4/X6LoW6yOwoI/AAAAAAAAiAw/4PuFblvr99cNplUQf_C3fiplUG894AgvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Book%2B2.jpg" style="display: inline;" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Linked to Amazon affiliate links.)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gq2-i3ESmZg/X6Ln9L6sNQI/AAAAAAAAiAo/J2czF8tUcKUBgD9FUOVxRv-XlZjcQB_VACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Rula%2BSinara.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></center><br />National and <i>USA Today</i> Bestselling author <b>Rula Sinara</b> lives in rural Virginia with her family and crazy but endearing pets. She loves organic gardening, attracting wildlife to her yard, planting trees, raising backyard chickens and drinking more coffee than she'll ever admit to. Rula's writing has earned her a National Readers Choice Award and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, among other honors. You can discover more about Rula at her blog <a href="http://awritersrush.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>A Writer’s Rush</b></a>, on <a href="https://twitter.com/RulaSinara" target="_blank"><b>Twitter</b></a>, on <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RulaSinaraAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </b>as RulaSinaraAuthor or on her website <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/" target="_blank"><b>www.RulaSinara.com</b></a>, where you can also sign up for her <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/newsletter.html" target="_blank"><b>newsletter</b></a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/home.html" target="_blank">Website</a><span style="text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="http://www.awritersrush.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a><span style="text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7350913.Rula_Sinara" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RulaSinaraAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/RulaSinara/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a><span style="text-align: center;"> | </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/RulaSinara" target="_blank"><b>Twitter</b></a></div><a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/home.html"></a>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Blitz Giveaway</span></b><br />
<br /><center><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bqEK-6RhtY/X-Do-rUSy2I/AAAAAAAAi0Y/1eamitLWgic_zYXGSnho9R5ahks2Cr1RwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/Giveaway%2B-%2BSecond%2BChance%2BChristmas.png" style="text-align: start;" width="400" /></center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>One winner will receive a Kindle gifted copy of <i>Almost a Bride</i> OR <i>Caught by the Sheriff </i>(winner's choice)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>US only</div><div>
Ends January 10, 2021<br />
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</div>Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-23427982491283898142021-01-01T14:30:00.000-05:002021-01-01T14:30:03.527-05:00Welcome 2021!<p>It's hard not to say 'Happy New Year!' without a giant sigh of relief. I know the end of the pandemic and the rest of the tragedies and heartaches of 2020 aren't fully behind us, but a new year brings new hope. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. </p><p>My heart goes out to all who have suffered and my sympathy to all who have lost a loved one. I truly hope that 2021 brings happiness and good health to all.</p><p>Wishing you peace and love,</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Rula</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p>RELEASING TODAY (may it offer you a bit of an escape):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CIFjbuBnTDk/X-92vYJZHOI/AAAAAAAADx8/TwU8X7DY3KQSSd3Os9_-DIoj2yZyJtXtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9781335179739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1294" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CIFjbuBnTDk/X-92vYJZHOI/AAAAAAAADx8/TwU8X7DY3KQSSd3Os9_-DIoj2yZyJtXtgCLcBGAsYHQ/w253-h400/9781335179739.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br /><p></p><i><b>A beachside Christmas</b><br /><br />Brings unexpected gifts! A second chance. That’s what former navy SEAL Damon Woods asks for when Zuri Habib comes to Turtleback Beach with a nephew who looks just like him. After her sister’s death, Zuri believes Caden deserves to know his father—even if he did break her teenage heart. Can Damon and Zuri forgive each other and give a grieving boy the family he needs this Christmas?</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0893H7V28?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_mng_calw_2&storeType=ebooks">Amazon</a></i></div><div><i><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/second-chance-christmas-rula-sinara/1137210777?ean=9781335179739">BN</a></i></div><div><i><a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488074417_second-chance-christmas.html">Harlequin</a></i></div><div><i><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/second-chance-christmas/id1514931969">iBooks</a></i></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53467093-second-chance-christmas">Goodreads</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Plus a Prism Book Tour Blitz with a giveaway coming soon! January 6-10!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zH_fR3zT1oM/X-931VtIliI/AAAAAAAADyI/hLvPqtpwBEMkObQUlvvC6vl3LpVik2SmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/Banner%2B-%2BSecond%2BChance%2BChristmas%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zH_fR3zT1oM/X-931VtIliI/AAAAAAAADyI/hLvPqtpwBEMkObQUlvvC6vl3LpVik2SmwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h200/Banner%2B-%2BSecond%2BChance%2BChristmas%2B%25281%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-57349140194971172020-03-09T08:46:00.002-04:002020-03-09T08:46:08.006-04:00Book Blitz with Prism Book Tours!<center>
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On Tour with <a href="https://www.prismbooktours.com/2020/03/were-blitzing-about-newrelease-for.html" target="_blank">Prism Book Tours</a></center>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ldSXzRHg9OY/XmQ0u0q2nwI/AAAAAAAAcsA/AfCf_-Krx5Ynn3XBEB7INyDKhDBs09WPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/9781335889645%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ldSXzRHg9OY/XmQ0u0q2nwI/AAAAAAAAcsA/AfCf_-Krx5Ynn3XBEB7INyDKhDBs09WPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/9781335889645%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="252" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Caught by the Sheriff</i></span></b><br />
<b>(</b><b>Turtleback Beach </b><b>#2)</b><br />
<b>By Rula Sinara</b><br />
Contemporary Romance<br />
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages<br />
March 1st 2020 by Harlequin Heartwarming<br />
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<b>If she follows her heart…</b><br />
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Will he follow the law?<br />
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Turtleback Beach, North Carolina, would be paradise—if Faye Donovan wasn’t on the run. With her sister’s life in danger and her small niece to protect, Faye tries to avoid handsome town sheriff Carlos Ryker. But Carlos offers her a refuge, and Faye feels she’s finally found home. And yet he’s still the sheriff. Can she trust him with the truth…even if it means risking everything?<br />
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<i>(Amazon affiliate link included.)</i></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47186973-caught-by-the-sheriff" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2vOCDDp" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/caught-by-the-sheriff-rula-sinara/1132648659?ean=9781335889645" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488061943_caught-by-the-sheriff.html" target="_blank">Harlequin</a> | <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/caught-by-the-sheriff/id1474109126" target="_blank">iBooks</a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Other Books in the Series</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3yJTcavsy4/XmQ0vN37kSI/AAAAAAAAcsE/myE5VJZ_mmY5yqfoLjGYUtbX2eY8Yx8SACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Almost%2BA%2BBride%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3yJTcavsy4/XmQ0vN37kSI/AAAAAAAAcsE/myE5VJZ_mmY5yqfoLjGYUtbX2eY8Yx8SACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Almost%2BA%2BBride%2Bcover.jpg" width="202" /></a><b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Almost a Bride</i></span></b></b><br />
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<b>(Turtleback Beach #1)</b></div>
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<b>By Rula Sinara</b></div>
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Contemporary Romance</div>
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Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages</div>
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June 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming<br />
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<b><b>Can he love her…</b></b><br />
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And keep her safe?<br />
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No one in Turtleback Beach knows that veterinarian Grayson Zale is in the witness protection program—not even the woman who left him at the altar. When a joint inheritance brings Mandi Rivers back to their small seaside town, Gray can’t deny that their connection is as strong as ever. But his mysterious past remains between them; can he reveal the truth without endangering Mandi—and their future?</div>
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<i>(Amazon affiliate link included.)</i><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42639984-almost-a-bride" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3cEU3TA" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/almost-a-bride-rula-sinara/1129729230?ean=9781335510716" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488039775_almost-a-bride.html" target="_blank">Harlequin</a> | <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/almost-a-bride/id1438733008" target="_blank">iBooks</a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b><br />
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National and <i>USA Today </i>Bestselling author <b>Rula Sinara</b> lives in rural Virginia with her family and crazy but endearing pets. She loves organic gardening, attracting wildlife to her yard, planting trees, raising backyard chickens and drinking more coffee than she'll ever admit to. Rula's writing has earned her a National Readers Choice Award and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, among other honors. You can discover more about Rula at her blog <a href="http://awritersrush.blogspot.com/">A Writer’s Rush</a>, on <a href="https://twitter.com/RulaSinara">Twitter</a>, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RulaSinaraAuthor">Facebook</a> as RulaSinaraAuthor or on her website <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/">www.RulaSinara.com</a>, where you can also sign up for her <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/newsletter.html">newsletter</a>.</div>
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<b style="text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/home.html">Website</a></b><b> | </b><b style="text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.awritersrush.blogspot.com/">Blog</a></b><b> | </b><b style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7350913.Rula_Sinara">Goodreads</a></b><b> | </b><b style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RulaSinaraAuthor">Facebook</a></b><b> | </b><b style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://twitter.com/RulaSinara">Twitter</a></b><b> | </b><b style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/RulaSinara/">Pinterest</a></b></div>
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<br />Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-66632537523455900132020-03-03T15:10:00.000-05:002020-03-03T15:10:34.896-05:00Release Day! Caught by the SheriffIt's release day for <i>Caught by the Sheriff</i>, the second book in my Turtleback Beach series for Harlequin Heartwarming! I'm also over at the Heartwarming blog today talking about the Outer Banks beach setting for the series, complete with a few pics I took on my last vacation there. <a href="http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-outer-banks-romance-on-beach-by.html">'The Outer Banks-Romance on the Beach'</a>.<br />
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I've included the info on books 1 and 2 below for anyone just starting the series or stocking up on summer reads!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Caught by the Sheriff</span></b></div>
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Book 2 Turtleback Beach</div>
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Harlequin Heartwarming</div>
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March 2020</div>
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<b>If she follows her heart…</b><br />
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Will he follow the law?<br />
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Turtleback Beach, North Carolina, would be paradise—if Faye Donovan wasn’t on the run. With her sister’s life in danger and her small niece to protect, Faye tries to avoid handsome town sheriff Carlos Ryker. But Carlos offers her a refuge, and Faye feels she’s finally found home. And yet he’s still the sheriff. Can she trust him with the truth…even if it means risking everything?<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Caught-Sheriff-Clean-Romance-Turtleback/dp/1335889647/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1579707811&sr=8-1">AMAZON</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488061943_caught-by-the-sheriff.html">HARLEQUIN</a></div>
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<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/caught-by-the-sheriff/id1474109126">iBOOKS</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Almost a Bride</span></div>
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Book 1 Turtleback Beach</div>
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Harlequin Heartwarming</div>
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June 2019</div>
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<b>Can he love her…</b><br />
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And keep her safe?<br />
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No one in Turtleback Beach knows that veterinarian Grayson Zale is in the witness protection program—not even the woman who left him at the altar. When a joint inheritance brings Mandi Rivers back to their small seaside town, Gray can’t deny that their connection is as strong as ever. But his mysterious past remains between them; can he reveal the truth without endangering Mandi—and their future?<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Almost-Bride-Turtleback-Beach-Sinara/dp/1335510710/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1555518352&sr=8-10">AMAZON</a>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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Rula</div>
Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-44971389089393277642020-02-14T14:13:00.001-05:002020-02-14T14:13:58.945-05:00Books over blooms & puppy love. Happy Valentine's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Valentine's Day! Consider giving books instead of blooms this year! A romance novel makes a sneeze-free, super romantic gift! You can inscribe it with a love note or, if you don't have a romantic someone in your life, then give it as a sign of friendship :). This day should be for all forms of love and a reminder to let people know you appreciate them. And don't forget to treat yourself with some love, too! Maybe a little snuggle 'me' time with a book ;).<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtleback Beach book 2<br /><a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488061943_caught-by-the-sheriff.html">Harlequin</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Caught-Sheriff-Clean-Romance-Turtleback-ebook/dp/B07VQM57CZ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1579707811&sr=8-1">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/caught-by-the-sheriff-rula-sinara/1132648659?ean=9781335889645">BN</a></td></tr>
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For missed my 'Puppy Love' post with Catherine Lanigan over at the <a href="http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2020/02/puppy-love-by-rula-sinara-catherine.html">Heartwarming Author's blog</a> earlier this month, I've included it below. I'd love to hear about dogs who have filled your lives with love! My Turtleback Beach series includes dog 'stars' in every book. In fact, book 2, <i><b><a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488061943_caught-by-the-sheriff.html">Caught by the Sheriff</a></b></i>, is out now on <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488061943_caught-by-the-sheriff.html">Harlequin.com</a> and releases in March everywhere else! The Harlequin site has a preview up as well and they have a Valentine's Day sale going on that ends at 11:59pm ET tonight, February 14, 2020. </div>
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<br />And here's the post as it appeared on the Heartwarming Authors Blog Feb 4th...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine's Golden Retriever pups</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">RULA:</span> </b>I bet that with Valentine’s Day around the corner, you all assuming that by ‘puppy love’ we’re talking about first romantic crushes. Nope! We’re literally talking about dogs or puppies who’ve stolen our hearts (in person or in books/TV/film), become family members or best friends and even heroes. Any fellow dog lovers out there?<br />
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The thing about Valentine’s Day is that not everyone has a romantic partner to celebrate it with and, because of that, a lot of people feel left out or downright depressed when the official day of romance rolls around. The pressure and stigma of not having a date can be stressful! As romance writers, we’re all about falling in love, but I say we should turn Heart Day on its head and push for it being associated more and more about LOVE in general. All kinds of love, including that of our furry friends. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Rula's two labradoodles</td></tr>
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Dogs of different breeds play a big role in my Turtleback Beach series for Harlequin Heartwarming. In my upcoming March release, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Caught-Sheriff-Clean-Romance-Turtleback-ebook/dp/B07VQM57CZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=rula+sinara&qid=1580753496&sr=8-1"><b>Caught by the Sheriff</b></a></i> (book 2), the residents of the small town have a traditional beach bonfire celebration on Valentine’s Day, where there’s no pressure to have a date and everyone can celebrate the day regardless of relationship status. Many of the folks do bring their dogs along, though. I mean think about it…no matter where you are in life a beloved dog will always stand by your side and give you unconditional love. There’s a bit of dog romance going on in the story too ;). </div>
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I’ve always had dogs growing up, from mixed breeds/rescues to cocker spaniels and labradoodles. I love dogs (cats too, but this is about puppy love). I used to be terrified of them when I was little, but watching the show “Lassie” growing up changed all that. One of these days I hope to have a rough collie (Lassie’s breed) of my own. In fact, the first book of my Turtleback Beach series, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Almost-Bride-Clean-Romance-Turtleback-ebook/dp/B07J6B94VD/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr="><b>Almost a Bride</b></a></i>, stars a rough collie like Lassie who plays a role in bringing my hero and heroine back together again, years after she left him at the altar. Oh, and the book has kittens too, for cat lovers ;). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough Collie...just like 'Lassie'!<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(image credit Clarita on Morguefile.com)</span></td></tr>
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<i>Caught by the Sheriff </i> includes the hero’s part Great Dane/mixed breed rescue (he takes in elderly dogs who are less likely to be adopted), a bulldog, the same rough collie, a Newfoundland puppy and many other breeds, since my heroine is a dog trainer/groomer who is on the run and hiding out in Turtleback Beach with a toddler who isn’t her own (yep…suspense!). Anyone love Great Danes or other ‘gentle giant’ breeds? What about bulldogs or toy breeds? </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Dane <br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(image credit Palomino at Morguefile.com)</span></td></tr>
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What about water loving, giant Newfoundland dogs? I have a small flock of ducks and when they say a duck can turn a drop of water into a mud puddle, they’re not kidding. Well, the same is true of Newfies. They love water! I mean LOVE it. I’ve never owned a Newfie but I’ve met a few. They are great water rescue dogs, which is why the hero in the third book of the series (I’m currently writing)…who runs the beach water patrol/rescue…has a Newfoundland who’ll play a big role in the story.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newfoundland<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(image credit Terranovesca at morguefile.com)</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>So do you have any favorite breeds or pets who’ve brought unconditional love into your lives? Any funny dog stories or situations you’ve run into? Or favorite dog characters in movies? What about you, Catherine?</i></span> </b></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>CATHERINE</b></span>: I, too, bless our furry family members who add so much to our lives and remind us every day that life is about so much more than just working, paying the bills, and struggling with family issues and illnesses. Life is about loving. All kinds of loving. One of the endearing qualities about Heartwarming novels is this all-encompassing perspective on love that pervades our stories. We write about family, friends, community in addition to the romance. </div>
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Not only am I a puppy and dog lover, (cats, too as I’ve had several in my life), but I have the most adorable photos to share of my 8 Golden Retriever puppies who manage to make their way into more than half my novels. All my Goldens now live on the Rainbow Bridge waiting to be reunited with me, but the thing I love about being an author is that their loving spirits and antics have always added so much to my stories. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine's Golden Retriever pups eating dinner at Christmas</td></tr>
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My “babies” were born on December 1st making them Christmas babies and believe me, the videos of my then, 14 month old granddaughter playing in the pen with 8 Golden puppies on Christmas Eve is right out of a Hallmark movie. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine's Golden pups</td></tr>
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In my latest release for Heartwarming, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Home-Christmas-Romance-Shores-Indian-ebook/dp/B07RF78SWL/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=catherine+lanigan&qid=1580753599&s=digital-text&sr=1-1">HOME FOR CHRISTMAS</a>, Titus and Adam Masterson are masters to a very pregnant Angel who gives birth to her puppies on Christmas Eve. Though I helped “midwife” my puppies into the world, I didn’t go into that much detail in the book. Some of you may remember that Sarah Jensen Bosworth’s Golden, Beau, was featured in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Shadows-Shores-Indian-Lake-ebook/dp/B00GPDYH7I/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=catherine+lanigan&qid=1580753620&s=digital-text&sr=1-3">LOVE SHADOWS</a> and returned for encores in several subsequent stories. He’s always been a hit with the kiddos of Indian Lake. </div>
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And of course, in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sophies-Path-Shores-Indian-Lake-ebook/dp/B01C2OQ5JG/ref=sr_1_24?keywords=catherine+lanigan&qid=1580753652&s=digital-text&sr=1-24">SOPHIE’S PATH</a>, was adorable tiny “Frenchie” the Yorkie Poo who stole everyone’s heart, especially when I tweeted about the real life, Piper, and her antics when she came to visit me here at home. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frenchie the yorkipoo star of Sophie's Path</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkpUWam0loo/XjhdrI-HzpI/AAAAAAAADjo/1glae9wp4Zo-nKjah2HmOC9Thk06hak1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkpUWam0loo/XjhdrI-HzpI/AAAAAAAADjo/1glae9wp4Zo-nKjah2HmOC9Thk06hak1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3123.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frenchie the yorkipoo </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44-q2wlF1EI/XjhftPO2MsI/AAAAAAAADkI/6Njn069hicAk2kSll1V6EtbRBQLWt8hoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44-q2wlF1EI/XjhftPO2MsI/AAAAAAAADkI/6Njn069hicAk2kSll1V6EtbRBQLWt8hoACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3893.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scout...a German shepherd who belongs to Catherine's friend</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>So, everyone, what ARE your favorite breeds? Do you like writing about dogs and puppies? What are your favorites? Share your puppy love!</b></i></span></div>
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<i>Caught by the Sheriff</i><br />
(Turtleback Beach Book 2)<br />
March 2020<br />
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<b>If she follows her heart…</b><br />
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Will he follow the law?<br />
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Turtleback Beach, North Carolina, would be paradise—if Faye Donovan wasn’t on the run. With her sister’s life in danger and her small niece to protect, Faye tries to avoid handsome town sheriff Carlos Ryker. But Carlos offers her a refuge, and Faye feels she’s finally found home. And yet he’s still the sheriff. Can she trust him with the truth…even if it means risking everything?</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Caught-Sheriff-Clean-Romance-Turtleback/dp/1335889647/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1578319417&sr=1-3">Amazon</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/caught-by-the-sheriff-rula-sinara/1132648659?ean=9781335889645">BN</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335889645_caught-by-the-sheriff.html">Harlequin</a></div>
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<i>Home for Christmas</i><br />
(Shores of Indian Lake Book 12)<br />
Nov 2019<br />
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<b>Can a magical Christmas under glass…</b><br />
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…bring them back together for good?<br />
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Widowed dad Adam Masterson still doesn’t understand why Joy Boston left Indian Lake and broke his heart all those years ago. Now she’s returned to sell her grandfather’s beloved poinsettia greenhouse—and Joy and Adam’s connection is as strong as ever. But Joy has a life in New York. And Adam has only until Christmas to convince Joy that she belongs in Indian Lake—with him.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Home-Christmas-Romance-Shores-Indian/dp/1335510923/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">Amazon</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/home-for-christmas-catherine-lanigan/1131470155?ean=9781335510921">BN</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335510921_home-for-christmas.html">Harlequin</a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Sending everyone our love this Valentine's Day!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Rula & Catherine</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.catherinelanigan.com/">www.CatherineLanigan.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/">www.RulaSinara.com</a></div>
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Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-42834118544859398912019-06-04T11:32:00.002-04:002019-06-04T11:43:07.619-04:00New Release! Beach Romance, Runaway Bride & Witness Protection...<br />
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Happy June! I'm celebrating the release of the first book in my new series that's set in a small, fictional beach town along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. In fact, I'm over at the <a href="http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2019/06/runaway-bride-small-beach-town-witness.html">Harlequin Heartwarming Authors blog</a> today talking about the setting...the fictional town of Turtleback Beach, located somewhere between the real towns of Rodanthe and Avon on the more pristine southern end of the Outer Banks. Yep, the same town made famous by Nicholas Spark's <i>Nights in Rodanthe</i>. I do promise that, although there's a dose of suspense and danger in <i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Almost-Bride-Turtleback-Beach-Sinara/dp/1335510710/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=rula+sinara&qid=1559661918&s=gateway&sr=8-1">Almost a Bride</a></b></i>, the romance does have a happy ending.<br />
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The Outer Banks are one of my favorite places to visit. Follow me over the Heartwarming blog to see some photos of the area from a family vacation (<a href="http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2019/06/runaway-bride-small-beach-town-witness.html">HERE</a>). I didn't have any of the Hatteras lighthouse we climbed, but you can see the stunning lighthouses along the Outer Banks with a quick Google search. Or look closely and you'll spot on on the cover of my book! My inspiration for the hero and heroine were actors Eric Bana and Jessica Alba. The art department at Harlequin did a fabulous job!<br />
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From the runaway bride, witness protection, sea turtle rescue, a dog just like the famous Lassie, kittens and more...I hope you embark on this new series journey with me and enjoy the ride!<br />
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Oh...and in other news, I found out last month that <i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twin-Test-Kenya-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B075QV482F/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1559662706&sr=8-3">The Twin Test</a></b></i> (book 5 of 6 in my From Kenya, With Love series) is a <b>National Reader's Choice Award finalist</b> for Contemporary Series!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dK3p5goa9D4/XPaQ7M3WkkI/AAAAAAAADYc/D3vphMjo7m0pIjs8srDlgWp1eY-zv4-ZgCLcBGAs/s1600/NRCA%2Bfinalist.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dK3p5goa9D4/XPaQ7M3WkkI/AAAAAAAADYc/D3vphMjo7m0pIjs8srDlgWp1eY-zv4-ZgCLcBGAs/s320/NRCA%2Bfinalist.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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For those who haven't read the series, it has an almost family saga feel that takes place over two generations and is filled with romance and adventure in Kenya's Serengeti and Masai Mara region. The 6 book series is now complete and can be found at your favorite online store. You can find it on Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075V1VBPT/?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&ref=series_rw_dp_labf">HERE</a>.<br />
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As for my latest...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-okGpjyoPjoE/XPaMz3RzVnI/AAAAAAAADYE/s_a2MhY3MBcTgPICMUnaop9iAdsDm_48wCLcBGAs/s1600/Almost%2BA%2BBride%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-okGpjyoPjoE/XPaMz3RzVnI/AAAAAAAADYE/s_a2MhY3MBcTgPICMUnaop9iAdsDm_48wCLcBGAs/s400/Almost%2BA%2BBride%2Bcover.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
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S<span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">eries: Turtleback Beach</span></div>
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Book 1: Almost a Bride</div>
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Release dates: June 1, 2019 ebook/ June 4, 2019 print</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Can he love her…</i><br />
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<i>And keep her safe?</i><br />
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<i>No one in Turtleback Beach knows that veterinarian Grayson Zale is in the witness protection program—not even the woman who left him at the altar. When a joint inheritance brings Mandi Rivers back to their small seaside town, Gray can’t deny that their connection is as strong as ever. But his mysterious past remains between them; can he reveal the truth without endangering Mandi—and their future?</i><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Almost-Bride-Turtleback-Beach-Sinara/dp/1335510710/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1555518352&sr=8-10">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/almost-a-bride-rula-sinara/1129729230?ean=9781335510716">B&N</a><br />
<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488039775_almost-a-bride.html">Harlequin</a><br />
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/almost-a-bride/id1438733008">iBooks</a><br />
and other online retailers<br />
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ebook ASIN: B07J6B94VD<br />
Paperback ISBN-13: 978-1335510716<br />
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Find it on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42639984-almost-a-bride">Goodreads</a><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Happy summer reading!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Rula</span></i></div>
Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-85405654963450565182019-02-04T20:26:00.000-05:002019-05-12T12:29:19.599-04:00Book Tour Grand Finale for The Marine's Return<center>
<a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2019/02/its-grand-finale-for-marines-return-by.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVWHATRJVBY/XCcIodeCz3I/AAAAAAAAW-s/BPlateP02A4tA-3m2ayf2KDQm5ObizcrgCLcBGAs/s400/Tour%2BBanner%2B-%2BThe%2BMarine%2527s%2BReturn.jpg" width="400" /></a></center>
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On Tour with <a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2019/02/its-grand-finale-for-marines-return-by.html" target="_blank">Prism Book Tours</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Book Tour Grand Finale for</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The Marine's Return</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">By Rula Sinara</span></b></div>
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<b><i>We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops</i></b></div>
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<b><i>you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:</i></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2019/01/were-launching-book-tour-for-marines.html">Launch</a> - Note from the Author</b></div>
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Thank you for stopping by my book release tour for THE MARINE’S RETURN, the sixth and final book in my ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series for Harlequin Heartwarming. I’ve loved everything about writing this series, from the romance and characters, including the endearing orphaned baby elephants, to ‘traveling’ to the breathtaking setting of Kenya’s Serengeti ecosystem and Masai Mara regions every time I sat down to type. You can read my Dear Reader letter from the Prism Release Blitz that took place the first week of January and find out more about the series as a whole <a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2019/01/were-blitzing-about-release-of-marines.html">HERE</a>...<br />
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<b><a href="https://christyscozycorners.com/2019/01/marines-return-heartwarming-book/">Christy's Cozy Corners</a> - Review</b></div>
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"The Marine’s Return is so well written. I love the characters, and reading about the familiar characters from the other two books I read was so enjoyable. Chad and Lexi’s interactions are so much fun to read. In fact, you’re going to love how two other characters come together too! . . . I highly recommend The Marine’s Return because of the amazing characters, descriptive setting, exciting story line, and sweet romance."<br />
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<b><a href="http://underneaththecoversblog.com/2019/01/28/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara/">underneath the covers</a> - Excerpt</b></div>
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<i>A single, lonely acacia tree graced the top of it like one of those paper umbrellas used for decorating fancy drinks. Only there was nothing fancy about this place. He hadn’t seen the hill from the camp. The view would have been blocked by the trees flanking the exam tent, but he did recall seeing a hill and some outcroppings from the chopper. The rest of the area spread into farmland and savannah prairies, with the occasional tree dappling the landscape. He had to admit, Lexi was smart. She knew exactly where he’d want to go.</i><br />
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<i>“A vantage point,” he called out over the engine noise in acknowledgment of her plan.</i><br />
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<i>“A sensible starting point. Some people get so obsessed with the details that they lose sight of the big picture.” She pressed her lips together and gave him a quick side glance.</i><br />
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<i>No comment.</i><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/adult/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara-book-tour-giveaway-ends-2619">Rockin' Book Reviews</a> - Review</b></div>
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"This novel addresses some of the many sacrifices made by those in armed forces and their families. Additionally it address, illegal poaching, and the inner strength individuals fin within themselves. . . The characters feel very real and the background scenes are vividly portrayed in script. The reader will, truly, feel herself/himself connected to the characters and the African terrain."<br />
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<b><a href="https://christyscozycorners.com/2019/01/marines-return-heartwarming-book/">Hearts & Scribbles</a> - Excerpt</b></div>
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<i>A thorny acacia-branch fence formed a protective thicket around each of the homestead villages. The Masai women, men and children, dressed in their famously vibrant colors, dotted the earthy hues of the drought-stricken landscape like precious gems. The stark opposite, it occurred to him, of the camouflage he’d been accustomed to in the war-ravaged regions of Afghanistan. </i><br />
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<i>His sister, Maddie, who used her position as a lawyer to fight for the human rights of Kenya’s indigenous tribes, had used that word. Precious. She’d said that the Masai and other tribes were precious, and the beauty of their culture and the people were in danger of being lost to the greedy. His mother had devoted her life to helping the Masai, too. As was Lexi. And here he was, ready to get in the way. Who was the enemy here? He’d grown up in this place and everything—from the people to the surroundings—was a part of him. But whose side was he on now? Protecting Lexi would mean taking critical care away from others. She was right. </i><br />
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<b><a href="https://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/2019/01/29/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara/">Splashes of Joy</a> - Review</b></div>
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"I really did enjoy this story. This is the first book in the series that I have read and I hope to read more from this author. I enjoyed the creative characters and the way they seem so realistic. I have not read very many books set in Kenya, so this part of the book was very interesting to me. I enjoyed the scenes at the clinic as well as the surrounding areas. The talk about the wildlife, and especially how they could he at the sounds of the wild."<br />
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<b><a href="http://amongthereads.net/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara-book-review-preview">Among the Reads</a> - Review</b></div>
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"Kenya is a country on my list of places I would love to visit. And I enjoyed being able to do that vicariously through The Marine’s Return."<br />
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<b><a href="http://booksmusicandlife.blogspot.com/2019/01/review-tour-giveaway-marines-return-by.html">The Power of Words</a> - Review</b></div>
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"Compelling and emotionally gripping, The Marine’s Return concludes the epic six-book series that will live on in my memory and that I highly recommend. . . . Romance fans will be delighted with Chad and Lexi’s story, but The Marine’s Return is so much more than a typical romance. Sinara’s writing flows easily across the page, conveys rich and vivid characters and scenes, and captured me emotionally from the first page."<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara_29.html">Deal Sharing Aunt</a> - Review</b></div>
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"This is a book that everyone should read. . . . This was a fun book to read, and I liked there was a lot of family in it. Even though it is part of a series, I did not feel as though I was missing any information, and was a great stand alone for me. . . . The ending was a great fit, and I enjoyed it"<br />
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<b><a href="https://baronessbooktrove.com/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara/">Baroness Book Trove</a> - Review</b></div>
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"The Marine’s Return by Rula Sinara is fabulous. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters, the setting, and family. Lexi and Chad are such beautiful characters, their story adds splendidly to the others in the From Kenya, With Love Series. I haven’t read the first five books but if I find the time I will be reading them. We are given a glimpse of the others throughout the story, and I fell in love with all of them."<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://eromancenews.blogspot.com/2019/01/spotlight-marines-return-by-rula-sinara.html">E-Romance News</a> - Excerpt</b></div>
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<i>Lexi’s footsteps stopped suddenly. He turned and caught her wincing and touching her side. For a moment he was in Kabul, on one of his early missions, not far from the embassy. A car bomb had detonated and shots were being fired. Screams pierced the air. A woman was running down the street, trying to find shelter. He saw the bullet hit her. She grabbed her side and crumpled to the ground.</i><br />
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<i>In less than five seconds he was at Lexi’s side with his arm around her back, helping her to ease down onto a small boulder.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>“What’s wrong? Are you in labor?” He quickly dried his forehead against his shoulder.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>“What? No! I’m okay. I just need to sit a minute.”</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://empowermoms.net/2019/01/the-marines-return-from-kenya-with-love-book-6-by-rula-sinara.html">EmpowerMoms</a> - Review</b></div>
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"I enjoyed reading about the culture and way of life and the different struggles and dangers they face there. . . . Good story line and characters! Clean romance. I enjoyed reading it!"<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://beckymmoe.com/new-release-review-and-giveaway-the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara-from-kenya-with-love-6/">Becky on Books</a> - Review</b></div>
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"Another winner! . . . I love each story in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/146680-from-kenya-with-love">From Kenya…with Love</a> series–not only do the characters feel like old friends (a feat that they manage even if you haven’t read all–or any–of the other series books) but the setting is absolutely amazing. Even though I’ve never been to Kenya, I almost feel as if I have once I finish one of these books. The Marine’s Return is no exception to this rule! . . . I really enjoyed Chad and Lexi’s story. It’s a solid blend of relationship drama (past and present romantic relationships, as well as family ones) and situational."<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://www.harliesbooks.com/posts/review-of-the-marines-return-from-kenya-with-love-6-by-rula-sinara-w-a-rafflecopter-giveaway-prismbooktours-rulasinara-harlequinbooks/">Harlie's Books</a> - Review</b></div>
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"The first book that I have read by this author; last book in the series; the setting is in Africa, and I really didn’t know what to expect. Well, let me tell you this book surprised me in ways that I never saw coming. Seriously. I read a lot of Heartwarming books but this one just grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. . . . I tell you this every time I read a Harlequin Heartwarming story, please read this line. Its character heavy, sweet/slow building romance that anyone can read and in the end finish with a smile on their face. I do every time and this time, I’m still thinking about it."<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com/2019/01/30/9140/">Book Reviews & More by Kathy</a> - Excerpt</b></div>
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<i>She was too aggravating and stone-headed.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
And she thinks you’re good-looking.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Why did that matter? It didn’t. It shouldn’t. It was just that she’d never mentioned the scars on his face, his limp or his missing arm. She seemed to look right past all of it, and that got to him. Did he want her to notice? Did he need her to acknowledge what he’d been through and how he was suffering? He abhorred pity yet, at the same time, did he want it? Expect it?</i><br />
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<i>He closed his eyes and exhaled. She wasn’t like everyone else. Something about her unsettled him. Perplexed him.</i><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.remembrancy.com/blog-tours/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara-review-giveaway/">Remembrancy</a> - Review</b></div>
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"With a touch of mystery, a second romance thread, and appearances from characters from the other books, Rula Sinara brings her series full circle while displaying the beauty and dangers of life in Africa."<br />
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<b><a href="https://amybooksy.blogspot.com/2019/01/blog-tour-and-giveaway-marines-return.html">Locks, Hooks and Books</a> - Review</b></div>
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"Chad and Lexi were great characters that I enjoyed getting to know. The story is one that was sweet, clean and heartwarming. It did tug at my heart at times, too. . . . Great read!"<br />
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<b><a href="http://thoughtsofablonde.com/blog-tour-review-the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara/">Thoughts of a Blonde</a> - Review</b></div>
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"A great ending to the From Kenya, With Love series! . . . The story line was quickly entrenched in emotions and intrigue, and watching Chad and Lexi connect was rewarding. Getting to catch up with so many of the past members of the series was a wonderfully fitting ending. Absolutely loved it and sorry to see the series end!"<br />
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<b><a href="http://thoughtsofablonde.com/blog-tour-review-the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara/">Reading Is My SuperPower</a> - Review</b></div>
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"If you haven’t read this series yet, you simply must. Start at the beginning for full effect, though each book can be read as a standalone. The Marine’s Return engages readers from start to finish, and Chad and Lexi’s multi-dimensional stories tug at the heart."<br />
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<b><a href="https://pagebypagebookbybook.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-marines-return-book-review.html">Hallie Reads</a> - Review</b></div>
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"Take a trip to Kenya with Rula Sinara’s final From Kenya, With Love book, The Marine’s Return. It’s an adventure, full of romance and danger, that contemporary-romance readers shouldn’t want to miss."<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.wishfulendings.com/2019/02/another-great-addition-to-this-series.html">Wishful Endings</a> - Review</b></div>
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"THE MARINE'S RETURN takes readers to remote Africa as a woman tries to bring medical help to indigenous tribes and as a man tries to come to terms with his new reality after losing a limb serving in the military. The story is full of heart, conviction, friendship, family, and sweet romance. Recommended to fans of the series and of sweet romance. . . . This was a sweet story that tugged on my heart. An excellent ending to the series. I'm looking forward to more from this author!"<br />
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<b><i>Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SCk8qBC2aE/XCaxuvCCrEI/AAAAAAAAW9s/l_jp7o8I6F0KN3xJmlGMLN6jomVFdB4GwCLcBGAs/s1600/9781335510501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SCk8qBC2aE/XCaxuvCCrEI/AAAAAAAAW9s/l_jp7o8I6F0KN3xJmlGMLN6jomVFdB4GwCLcBGAs/s400/9781335510501.jpg" width="252" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Marine's Return</i></span></b><br />
<b>(From Kenya, with Love #6)</b><br />
<b>By Rula Sinara</b><br />
Contemporary Romance<br />
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages<br />
January 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming<br />
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<b>He can’t be her hero…</b><br />
<br />
But he made a promise to keep her safe<br />
<br />
Wounded marine Chad Corallis just wants to be left alone. Until he discovers his best friend’s very pregnant widow is in danger. A dedicated nurse, she refuses to leave her Serengeti medical clinic when it’s threatened by poachers. Chad is honor-bound to protect her, but who will save him from falling for his best friend’s wife?<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40334283-the-marine-s-return" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>│<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marines-Return-Kenya-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B07D4HC9ZZ/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>│<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-marines-return-rula-sinara/1128718107?ean=9781335510501" target="_blank">B&N</a>│<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335510501_the-marines-return.html" target="_blank">Harlequin</a>│<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-marines-return/id1386141463?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">iBooks</a></b><b>│</b><b><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-marine-s-return" target="_blank">Kobo</a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Other Books in the Series</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D8ZQM24/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzt6ZA8cv-k/XCa6idG8VMI/AAAAAAAAW94/VEyRHjqYBo08kRmpvEpTcm96QZunJF6aACLcBGAs/s400/From%2BKenya%2Bwith%2BLove%2BSeries%2BImage.jpg" width="320" /></a></center>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></div>
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National and <i>USA Today</i> Bestselling author <b>Rula Sinara </b>lives in rural Virginia with her family and crazy but endearing pets. She loves organic gardening, attracting wildlife to her yard, planting trees, raising backyard chickens and drinking more coffee than she'll ever admit to. Rula's writing has earned her a National Readers Choice Award and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, among other honors. You can discover more about Rula at her blog <a href="http://awritersrush.blogspot.com/">A Writer’s Rush</a>, on <a href="https://twitter.com/RulaSinara">Twitter</a>, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RulaSinaraAuthor">Facebook</a> as RulaSinaraAuthor or on her website <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/">www.RulaSinara.com</a>, where you can also sign up for her <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/newsletter.html">newsletter</a>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/home.html"></a><a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/home.html">Website</a>│<a href="http://www.awritersrush.blogspot.com/">Blog</a>│<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7350913.Rula_Sinara">Goodreads</a>│<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RulaSinaraAuthor">Facebook</a>│<a href="https://twitter.com/RulaSinara">Twitter</a>│<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/RulaSinara/">Pinterest</a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tour Giveaway</span></b></div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YlVGCA1Bd44/XCcLoD3yYZI/AAAAAAAAW_E/0qpDjPpxmMQi9t5oNh8tgJE0_t3hDjZcQCEwYBhgL/s400/Tour%2BGiveaway%2B-%2BThe%2BMarine%2527s%2BReturn.jpg" width="400" /></center>
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<b><b>1 WINNER WILL RECEIVE:</b></b></div>
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- Autographed print copies of the first three books of the ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series – <i>The Promise of Rain</i>, <i>After the Silence</i> and <i>Through the Storm</i>.</div>
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- A set of three, 15x15in canvas tote bags featuring the first 3 covers of the ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series.</div>
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- A 12x18 Harlequin Heartwarming tote bag</div>
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- A ‘Teenie Beanie Baby’ (TY trademark) elephant named ‘Peanut’</div>
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- Bookmarks</div>
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Open internationally</div>
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Ends February 6, 2019</div>
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Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-45736671857497005952019-01-28T12:36:00.000-05:002019-02-01T10:49:50.272-05:00Book Tour & Giveaway!<center>
<a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2019/01/were-launching-book-tour-for-marines.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVWHATRJVBY/XCcIodeCz3I/AAAAAAAAW-s/BPlateP02A4tA-3m2ayf2KDQm5ObizcrgCLcBGAs/s400/Tour%2BBanner%2B-%2BThe%2BMarine%2527s%2BReturn.jpg" width="400" /></a></center>
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On Tour with <a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2019/01/were-launching-book-tour-for-marines.html" target="_blank">Prism Book Tours</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Book Tour Launch for</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The Marine's Return</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">By Rula Sinara</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Note from the Author</span></b></div>
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Thank you for stopping by my book release tour for THE MARINE’S RETURN, the sixth and final book in my ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series for Harlequin Heartwarming. I’ve loved everything about writing this series, from the romance and characters, including the endearing orphaned baby elephants, to ‘traveling’ to the breathtaking setting of Kenya’s Serengeti ecosystem and Masai Mara regions every time I sat down to type. You can read my Dear Reader letter from the Prism Release Blitz that took place the first week of January and find out more about the series as a whole <b><a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2019/01/were-blitzing-about-release-of-marines.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>. Many of you have been journeying with me since the series began with THE PROMISE OF RAIN and some of you (I’ve heard) are binge reading the series to catch up or catch books you missed. Thank you so much!! I’ll admit that, over the holidays, I spent time binge reading/watching several book and TV series that I fell behind on. It was a great way to decompress and ‘get away’ on an inexpensive vacation. Our imagination is a wonderful thing and I’m humbled and grateful for all who have welcomed the setting and characters of my ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series into theirs.<br />
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Also, although my ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series is coming to a close, I’m embarking on a new series for Harlequin Heartwarming that will take you from rescuing elephants in Africa to saving sea turtles along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. My ‘Turtleback Beach’ series is set in a fictional beach town along the more southern Hatteras Island of the Outer Banks and the first book, ALMOST A BRIDE, which involves a runaway bride and an ex-military hero in the witness protection program, releases June 1, 2019.<br />
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— Rula</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SCk8qBC2aE/XCaxuvCCrEI/AAAAAAAAW9s/l_jp7o8I6F0KN3xJmlGMLN6jomVFdB4GwCLcBGAs/s1600/9781335510501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SCk8qBC2aE/XCaxuvCCrEI/AAAAAAAAW9s/l_jp7o8I6F0KN3xJmlGMLN6jomVFdB4GwCLcBGAs/s400/9781335510501.jpg" width="252" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Marine's Return</i></span></b><br />
<b>(From Kenya, with Love #6)</b><br />
<b>By Rula Sinara</b><br />
Contemporary Romance<br />
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages<br />
January 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming<br />
<br />
<b>He can’t be her hero…</b><br />
<br />
But he made a promise to keep her safe<br />
<br />
Wounded marine Chad Corallis just wants to be left alone. Until he discovers his best friend’s very pregnant widow is in danger. A dedicated nurse, she refuses to leave her Serengeti medical clinic when it’s threatened by poachers. Chad is honor-bound to protect her, but who will save him from falling for his best friend’s wife?<br />
<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40334283-the-marine-s-return" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>│<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marines-Return-Kenya-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B07D4HC9ZZ/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>│<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-marines-return-rula-sinara/1128718107?ean=9781335510501" target="_blank">B&N</a>│<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335510501_the-marines-return.html" target="_blank">Harlequin</a>│<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-marines-return/id1386141463?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">iBooks</a></b><b>│</b><b><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-marine-s-return" target="_blank">Kobo</a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tour Schedule</span></b><br />
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<b>January 28th:</b><br />
<b><a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2019/01/were-launching-book-tour-for-marines.html" target="_blank">Launch</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://christyscozycorners.com/2019/01/marines-return-heartwarming-book/">Christy's Cozy Corners</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://underneaththecoversblog.com/2019/01/28/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara/">underneath the covers</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://jenniferfaye.com/hearts-scribbles/2019/1/28/guest-post-the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara-romance-books">Hearts & Scribbles</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/adult/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara-book-tour-giveaway-ends-2619">Rockin' Book Reviews</a></b><br />
<b>January 29th:</b><br />
<b><a href="https://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/2019/01/29/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara/">Splashes of Joy</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://amongthereads.net/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara-book-review-preview/">Among the Reads</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://booksmusicandlife.blogspot.com/2019/01/review-tour-giveaway-marines-return-by.html">The Power of Words</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara_29.html">Deal Sharing Aunt</a></b><br />
<b>January 30th:</b><br />
<b><a href="https://baronessbooktrove.com/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara/" target="_blank">Baroness Book Trove</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://eromancenews.blogspot.com/2019/01/spotlight-marines-return-by-rula-sinara.html" target="_blank">E-Romance News</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://empowermoms.net/2019/01/the-marines-return-from-kenya-with-love-book-6-by-rula-sinara.html">EmpowerMoms</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://beckymmoe.com/new-release-review-and-giveaway-the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara-from-kenya-with-love-6/">Becky on Books</a></b><br />
<b>January 31st:</b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.harliesbooks.com/posts/review-of-the-marines-return-from-kenya-with-love-6-by-rula-sinara-w-a-rafflecopter-giveaway-prismbooktours-rulasinara-harlequinbooks/">Harlie's Books</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com/2019/01/30/9140/">Book Reviews & More by Kathy</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.remembrancy.com/blog-tours/the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara-review-giveaway/" target="_blank">Remembrancy</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://amybooksy.blogspot.com/2019/01/blog-tour-and-giveaway-marines-return.html">Locks, Hooks and Books</a></b><br />
<b>February 1st:</b><br />
<b><a href="http://thoughtsofablonde.com/blog-tour-review-the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara/" target="_blank">Thoughts of a Blonde</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://readingismysuperpower.org/2019/02/01/book-review-and-a-giveaway-the-marines-return-by-rula-sinara/" target="_blank">Reading Is My SuperPower</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://pagebypagebookbybook.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-marines-return-book-review.html">Hallie Reads</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.wishfulendings.com/2019/02/another-great-addition-to-this-series.html">Wishful Endings</a></b><br />
<b>February 2nd:</b><br />
<b><a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2019/02/its-grand-finale-for-marines-return-by.html" target="_blank">Grand Finale</a></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Other Books in the Series</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D8ZQM24/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzt6ZA8cv-k/XCa6idG8VMI/AAAAAAAAW94/VEyRHjqYBo08kRmpvEpTcm96QZunJF6aACLcBGAs/s400/From%2BKenya%2Bwith%2BLove%2BSeries%2BImage.jpg" width="321" /></a></center>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfi6PV6Js8g/XCa6_tMWeqI/AAAAAAAAW-A/rvCc_FmFcwwAHUvHgTYSZWLcJ53uyY9wACLcBGAs/s1600/Rula%2BSinara.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfi6PV6Js8g/XCa6_tMWeqI/AAAAAAAAW-A/rvCc_FmFcwwAHUvHgTYSZWLcJ53uyY9wACLcBGAs/s1600/Rula%2BSinara.jpg" /></a></center>
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National and <i>USA Today</i> Bestselling author <b>Rula Sinara </b>lives in rural Virginia with her family and crazy but endearing pets. She loves organic gardening, attracting wildlife to her yard, planting trees, raising backyard chickens and drinking more coffee than she'll ever admit to. Rula's writing has earned her a National Readers Choice Award and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, among other honors. You can discover more about Rula at her blog <a href="http://awritersrush.blogspot.com/">A Writer’s Rush</a>, on <a href="https://twitter.com/RulaSinara">Twitter</a>, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RulaSinaraAuthor">Facebook</a> as RulaSinaraAuthor or on her website <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/">www.RulaSinara.com</a>, where you can also sign up for her <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/newsletter.html">newsletter</a>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/home.html"></a><a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/home.html">Website</a>│<a href="http://www.awritersrush.blogspot.com/">Blog</a>│<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7350913.Rula_Sinara">Goodreads</a>│<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RulaSinaraAuthor">Facebook</a>│<a href="https://twitter.com/RulaSinara">Twitter</a>│<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/RulaSinara/">Pinterest</a></b></div>
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<b><b>1 WINNER WILL RECEIVE:</b></b></div>
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- Autographed print copies of the first three books of the ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series – <i>The Promise of Rain</i>, <i>After the Silence</i> and <i>Through the Storm</i>.</div>
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- A set of three, 15x15in canvas tote bags featuring the first 3 covers of the ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series.</div>
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- A ‘Teenie Beanie Baby’ (TY trademark) elephant named ‘Peanut’</div>
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Open internationally</div>
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Ends February 6, 2019</div>
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Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-67664800530529715682019-01-01T09:53:00.000-05:002019-01-01T09:53:11.347-05:00Happy New Year Release Day & Giveaway!<center style="text-align: left;">
Happy 2019, everyone! I hope you had a safe and fun New Year's Eve and that 2019 holds only wonderful things for you. I haven't been online (or blogging) much the past few months but I'll be back soon with a flock update, recipes and more! For today, I wanted to let you know that the final book in my 'From Kenya, With Love' series just released and the celebration blitz and giveaway is open internationally! You'll find the Rafflecopter at the end of this post (put together and hosted by Prism Book Tours). I'm also blogging today at the <a href="http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2019/01/liminal-moments-in-life-by-rula-sinara.html">Heartwarming Authors Blog</a> and I'll be there this weekend as well. Hope to see you there! Happy New Year!</center>
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<a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2019/01/were-blitzing-about-release-of-marines.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dcxeutHKUpI/XCaxuOAv4qI/AAAAAAAAW9o/NzKWdHxaF0gfCPbATt98tozj9gcp44SawCLcBGAs/s400/Blitz%2BBanner%2B-%2BThe%2BMarine%2527s%2BReturn.jpg" width="400" /></a></center>
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On Tour with <a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2019/01/were-blitzing-about-release-of-marines.html" target="_blank">Prism Book Tours</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Release Blitz for</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The Marine's Return</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">By Rula Sinara</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SCk8qBC2aE/XCaxuvCCrEI/AAAAAAAAW9s/l_jp7o8I6F0KN3xJmlGMLN6jomVFdB4GwCLcBGAs/s1600/9781335510501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SCk8qBC2aE/XCaxuvCCrEI/AAAAAAAAW9s/l_jp7o8I6F0KN3xJmlGMLN6jomVFdB4GwCLcBGAs/s400/9781335510501.jpg" width="252" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Marine's Return</i></span></b><br />
<b>(From Kenya, with Love #6)</b><br />
<b>By Rula Sinara</b><br />
Contemporary Romance<br />
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages<br />
January 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming<br />
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<b>He can’t be her hero…</b><br />
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But he made a promise to keep her safe<br />
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Wounded marine Chad Corallis just wants to be left alone. Until he discovers his best friend’s very pregnant widow is in danger. A dedicated nurse, she refuses to leave her Serengeti medical clinic when it’s threatened by poachers. Chad is honor-bound to protect her, but who will save him from falling for his best friend’s wife?<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40334283-the-marine-s-return" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>│<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marines-Return-Kenya-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B07D4HC9ZZ/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>│<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-marines-return-rula-sinara/1128718107?ean=9781335510501" target="_blank">B&N</a>│<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335510501_the-marines-return.html" target="_blank">Harlequin</a>│<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-marines-return/id1386141463?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">iBooks</a></b><b>│</b><b><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-marine-s-return" target="_blank">Kobo</a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Special Note from the Author</span></b><br />
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Dearest Readers,<br />
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Thank you for joining me in celebrating the release of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D4HC9ZZ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i2">THE MARINE’S RETURN</a>, the sixth and final book in my ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series for Harlequin Heartwarming. No words can express how much I have loved writing this series, from watching the children in the first three books grow up to face their own romantic hurdles in books 4 through 6, to endearing orphaned baby elephants and other captivating wildlife, to the famous, breathtaking setting of Kenya’s Serengeti ecosystem and Masai Mara regions. <br />
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The stories in this series take on issues such as ivory poachers, loss of loved ones, selective mutism, fracking and other environmental issues, human rights and those of a country’s indigenous people, man vs nature conflicts, education for young girls/women who have little access, medical care in rural populations and the life-changing challenges our war veterans face, from PTSD to physical injuries.<br />
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The books <i>do </i>stand alone, although readers who have been following the series have said that, since it has a rich family saga/miniseries feel and characters from the first books play significant roles in the later stories, reading them all makes for a deeper experience. For example, Pippa Harper, who everyone meets as a spunky, adorable four-year old being raised at a remote, rustic elephant rescue camp in the Serengeti by her single-mom wildlife vet in book 1 (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E1V5VU8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7">THE PROMISE OF RAIN</a>), is a young adult in book 4 (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZLXH4C/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i6">EVERY SERENGETI SUNRISE</a>), gets her own romance in book 5 (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075QV482F/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i10">THE TWIN TEST</a>) and even plays a role as the series comes to a close in book 6 (THE MARINE’S RETURN). We also see Haki, a childhood friend of Pippa’s in book 1, and Maddie, a ten-year-old who can’t speak in books 2 (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OY9JF7C/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i9">AFTER THE SILENCE</a>), get their hero/heroine stories in EVERY SERENGETI SUNRISE. Mac Walker, a rugged bush-pilot with an Indiana Jones air to him is seen throughout the series and gets his own adventure in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018EEEW84/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i11">THROUGH THE STORM</a>. And we first meet the hero of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D4HC9ZZ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i2">THE MARINE’S RETURN</a>, Chad Corallis, as a rambunctious, hyperactive and very cute toddler who is clearly destined to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a marine (book 2). He does just that, but his future ends up coming to a dark stop and he’s faced with a challenge he’s convinced he can’t overcome. <br />
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But, despite the seemingly impossible romantic obstacles, heart-gripping situations and, even, danger in the books, there’s always the promise of a happily ever after in a Harlequin Heartwarming romance. I hope you enjoy the series and this final story! Be sure to also check out my novella (which is linked to this series), THE SWEETHEART TREE, in the anthology <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JZ4K73G/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i3">A Heartwarming Thanksgiving</a>.<br />
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Although my ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series is coming to a close, I’m embarking on a new series for Harlequin Heartwarming that will take you from rescuing elephants in Africa to saving sea turtles along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. My ‘Turtleback Beach’ series is set in a fictional beach town along the more southern Hatteras Island of the Outer Banks and the first book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J6B94VD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p2_i1">ALMOST A BRIDE</a>, which involves a runaway bride and an ex-military hero in the witness protection program, releases June 1, 2019. <br />
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Many thanks to all of my readers. I wish everyone a peaceful and happy New Year!<br />
<br />
Rula Sinara<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Other Books in the Series</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></div>
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National and <i>USA Today</i> Bestselling author <b>Rula Sinara </b>lives in rural Virginia with her family and crazy but endearing pets. She loves organic gardening, attracting wildlife to her yard, planting trees, raising backyard chickens and drinking more coffee than she'll ever admit to. Rula's writing has earned her a National Readers Choice Award and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, among other honors. You can discover more about Rula at her blog <a href="http://awritersrush.blogspot.com/">A Writer’s Rush</a>, on <a href="https://twitter.com/RulaSinara">Twitter</a>, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RulaSinaraAuthor">Facebook</a> as RulaSinaraAuthor or on her website <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/">www.RulaSinara.com</a>, where you can also sign up for her <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/newsletter.html">newsletter</a>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/home.html"></a><a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/home.html">Website</a>│<a href="http://www.awritersrush.blogspot.com/">Blog</a>│<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7350913.Rula_Sinara">Goodreads</a>│<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RulaSinaraAuthor">Facebook</a>│<a href="https://twitter.com/RulaSinara">Twitter</a>│<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/RulaSinara/">Pinterest</a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Blitz Giveaway</span></b></div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-imijr4oAfV4/XCcL2_l5cXI/AAAAAAAAW_A/ZgcFuKl-_y4ondAb0rKi25ktBHR0KZ98wCLcBGAs/s400/Blitz%2BGiveaway%2B-%2BThe%2BMarine%2527s%2BReturn.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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- Autographed print copies of the first three books of the ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series – <i>The Promise of Rain</i> (Mills & Boon Duo copy, including <i>The Weather Girl </i>by Amy Vastine), <i>After the Silence</i> and <i>Through the Storm</i>.</div>
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- A 15x15 canvas tote bag featuring the cover of <i>Through the Storm</i>.</div>
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- A 12x18 Harlequin Heartwarming tote bag</div>
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- Bookmarks</div>
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Ends January 6, 2019</div>
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Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-81627216353670761762018-05-12T08:05:00.001-04:002018-05-12T08:05:57.204-04:00A childhood experience in Africa & behind-the-scenes details for THE TWIN TEST<br />
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Just popping in to let everyone know that I'm over at the Heartwarming Authors blog today for a 'Sit Down Saturday'. I'm sharing photos from when I was a kid in Algeria and a scary experience I had there that I worked into my latest release, <i>The Twin Test</i>. I give some other behind-the-scenes details too, so I hope you get the chance to stop by! Warning: ground shaking involved!<br />
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<a href="http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2018/05/sit-down-saturday-with-rula-sinara.html">http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2018/05/sit-down-saturday-with-rula-sinara.html</a><br />
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And Happy Mother's Day weekend!<br />
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Rula :)Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-85566550641384063342018-05-01T11:19:00.000-04:002018-05-01T11:19:09.865-04:00Release Day for THE TWIN TEST!<div>
It's release day!<br />
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I know I've been MIA, but I wanted to pop in and let you know that book 5 in my 'From Kenya, With Love' series is out today and that I'm over at the Heartwarming blog talking about summer reading and this latest release: http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2018/05/may-madness-by-rula-sinara.html.<br />
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I also promise that I'll be back soon with photos and an update on my flock of geese, ducks and chickens! Those goose eggs are big! Stay tuned...<br />
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But today I'm celebrating a book birthday. THE TWIN TEST is available now in ebook format (May 1, 2018) and paperback (May 8, 2018)!<br />
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You might recall that my last book involved a love triangle. Well, this story is all about Pippa finally finding her soul
mate. It wasn’t easy finding the right man for this free-spirited, rule-hating,
yet incredibly big-hearted heroine. Turns out, earthquake expert and widower,
Dax Calder, comes with enough ‘double trouble’ to shake Pippa’s world. Getting
two broken hearts to open up to love again can be close to impossible. Luckily,
Dax’s mischievous, identical twin girls don’t know the meaning of the word…a
fact that also ends up putting all their lives in danger.</div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>His twins might be wild..</i>.</strong><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">But she knows just how to tame them—and their father</span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Earthquake expert Dax Calder brings his eleven-year-old twins to the Serengeti to fulfill a promise to his late wife—never leave the girls. Meeting free-spirited teacher Pippa Harper feels like serendipity. She’s the perfect nanny for his mischievous twosome, even if her definition of rules is slightly different than his. But there’s one rule Dax never expected to break…falling in love again.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twin-Test-Kenya-Love-ebook/dp/B075QV482F/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1525179933&sr=1-11">Amazon</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-twin-test-rula-sinara/1127118559?ean=9781488085048">BN</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488085048_the-twin-test.html">Harequin</a></div>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-twin-test/id1286723599?mt=11">ibooks</a></div>
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You can also find it on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36760495-the-twin-test">Goodreads</a> :)</div>
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I'll also be popping by this blog on Saturday, May 12th for my 'Sit Down Saturday'. Hope to see you then!</div>
Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-46217573117316634172018-02-06T13:16:00.001-05:002018-02-06T13:17:01.719-05:00First Harlequin Heartwarming book to become a Hallmark Channel movie: Heart's Desire<br />
I have some sweet news and a first for lovers of Harlequin Heartwarming books and <a href="http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/">Hallmark Channel</a> movies!!<br />
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My friend and Heartwarming blog partner <a href="https://www.facebook.com/catherine.lanigan.3?fref=gs&dti=1621205281235202&hc_location=group">Catherine Lanigan</a>'s Harlequin Heartwarming, HEART'S DESIRE, will air as a Hallmark Channel movie March 17, 2018 at 9pm EST/ 8pm CT! This is the very first Heartwarming book to movie event so mark your calendars and plan on celebrating a fabulous St. Patrick's Day with popcorn, Hallmark Channel, Harlequin and friends. Or you may opt for gourmet cupcakes! If you've already read the book, you'll know why ;).<br />
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We have a blog post up at the <a href="http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-first-heartwarming-novel-to-become.html">Harlequin Heartwarming Authors</a> blog today where you can catch behind the scenes pics, movie and tour details and the truly heartwarming, romantic, real life story of Catherine's journey from book to movie. I hope you can stop by!<br />
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<a href="http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-first-heartwarming-novel-to-become.html">http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-first-heartwarming-novel-to-become.html</a><br />
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You can also catch the USA Today HEA interview I did back in 2014 that featured the book and 'revealed' the real Joan Wilder of Romancing the Stone (aka Catherine Lanigan!) <a href="http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2014/08/01/catherine-lanigan-interview-hearts-desire-romancing-the-stone/">HERE</a>.<br />
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In other news, if you haven't seen my May cover (book 5, From Kenya, with Love...Pippa's story), it's out and the book is up for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075QV482F/ref=s9u_simh_gw_i2?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pd_rd_i=B075QV482F&pd_rd_r=5211a648-0b69-11e8-8608-8970f4803fc8&pd_rd_w=N5eQt&pd_rd_wg=2pOXF&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=PP34RV35EWH23S64GSMK&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1dd2ffc3-992f-4bde-81b0-de270e0ead5a&pf_rd_i=desktop">pre-order</a>!</div>
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Blurb:</div>
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<i><b>His twins might be wild...</b></i><br />
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But she knows just how to tame them—and their father<br />
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Earthquake expert Dax Calder brings his eleven-year-old twins to the Serengeti to fulfill a promise to his late wife—never leave the girls. Meeting free-spirited teacher Pippa Harper feels like serendipity. She’s the perfect nanny for his mischievous twosome, even if her definition of rules is slightly different than his. But there’s one rule Dax never expected to break…falling in love again.<br />
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Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-28054579180916548402018-01-01T22:28:00.000-05:002018-01-02T09:49:50.164-05:00Happy New Year & Flock Update!Happy 2018! I wish everyone a year of peace, love and good health.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">No matter what weather is in store, may you always spread your wings and soar! </span></td></tr>
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I must admit my New Year was bittersweet. There were many wonderful things about it, but I also lost a beloved hen. She was from my original flock of day old chicks from spring of 2014. She went from totally fine to all puffed up on New Year's Eve. I tried all the first aid I could, from warmth to Nutri-drench etc...but by this morning she was gone.<br />
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Her name was Moon and she passed away on the Full Wolf Moon/Supermoon...right on that cusp between New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The passing of one year gives rise to the beginning of another. The end of something...even life...means the beginning of something new...even life. I couldn't help but see the symbolism and significance of her passing. Or maybe it just made me feel better.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RIP Moon</td></tr>
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She was an easter egger and she laid the most beautiful light olive green eggs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The green egg in the middle is Moon's.</td></tr>
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On a brighter note, the rest of the flock is doing well. We've had some cold weather and the chickens will eat, drink and hide back in the coop (or in the duck house), but the ducks and geese are loving the light snow we've had.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Look! I swear I see ice crystals forming in the water!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caption anyone? Ostrich complex?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caption now? Maybe they won't see me if I stick my head in here...</td></tr>
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You might recall that I thought I had one gander and two geese when they were goslings...and then I got confused with one of them (Galadriel). Well, in the photo above, Gandalf is in front, Galadriel is in the middle (still thinking male now...unless she lays an egg come spring) and Tauriel is dunking her head in the bucket. <span style="color: #660000;">[Edited on 1/2/17 to add that Galadriel is most definitely a guy. You'd think he'd keep 'it' tucked in with temps below zero, but nope, right after I carried water out, he tried to mount Tauriel in a small tub of water and I saw the evidence. Guess I'll have to rename...Gondor? Galdor? Gimli? Gamgee?] </span>You'll notice I started to build a secure run for times when I can't free range (like when the fox comes around every spring), but it's nowhere near complete.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our 3 Welsummer hens (she'll be a year this spring)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone's getting along!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More than happy to chill in the snow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"A fluffy butt like that and she still denies eating all the food."</td></tr>
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That's all for now. I'll post more pics of the run when it's finished this spring. For now, here are a couple to give you an idea of what we're doing. Our coops are on a slope, so we needed to build up one end to create a level base for the metal dog run (2 packs) we decided to use. Using dog runs and cinder blocks was the solution for not using pressure treated wood. You all know that I like to garden organically :).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rula's chicken coop up front with the duck/goose house attached to the back. The run half-way through the building process.</td></tr>
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I have rolls of rubber coated welded wire waiting to be attached to the lower part of the dog run (a couple of feet up) and skirted out/buried several feet out from the run to deter digging predators (including where the block wall is). This will be done around the outer base of the chicken coop too, of course. We also need to frame the inside of the run doors and attach predator proof locks/bolts...and cover the top with wire too. There's still a lot of work to be done. I free range but if I need them locked up, the run needs to be very secure. Of course, at night, I lock them in their coops for extra security.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zmm-9l1s8Ck/Wkr2AUlJ8kI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/uCo6n08MH1EhIns2An9SSnJwbhEYMGLJACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4777.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zmm-9l1s8Ck/Wkr2AUlJ8kI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/uCo6n08MH1EhIns2An9SSnJwbhEYMGLJACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4777.PNG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rula's incomplete run project</td></tr>
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You'll notice the dog run is set to the outer side of the cinder blocks. The reasons for this are 1) it'll allow for a straighter outer wall on which to attach welded wire from the run, over the blocks and skirted out (buried) and 2) having the hollow parts of the blocks to the inside will allow me to fill them with soil and plant herbs, lavender, flowers or grasses for the chickens to munch on or hide behind (plus it'll look pretty).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the fence gaps will get covered in wire for security, including gaps purposely left between some cinder blocks for drainage</td></tr>
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A level was used to make sure the wall didn't lean out (in fact it's graded a couple of degrees in) and rebar was hammered in for extra support on the taller, downhill side. In fact, in areas where the dog run isn't on blocks (ie hits dirt uphill), rebar was hammered into the ground and the run frame was inserted on it (threaded in the frame pole) for extra support. Gaps were also left for drainage...very important...especially with ducks and geese! Again, I'll try and take photos when the project is complete. For now, the ground is frozen and the temps are too cold.<br />
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So that's it for now.<br />
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Happy New Year!<br />
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Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-91193557355338284112017-12-09T11:43:00.000-05:002017-12-09T11:43:08.255-05:00What's happening?Happy Belated December, everyone!<br />
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I thought I'd pop by and give an update as to what's happening in my neck-of-the-woods. Actually, I just looked outside the window at our wooded creek and...it's snowing! Yep, our first snowfall of the season :). You can bet I'll be having hot cocoa today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fuZbhwOmpC0/WiwSQ8_sXDI/AAAAAAAAC0M/aSuDGo7FY80dHpc2CJr_G4Qh5ku0BmmdQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%252825%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="640" height="210" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fuZbhwOmpC0/WiwSQ8_sXDI/AAAAAAAAC0M/aSuDGo7FY80dHpc2CJr_G4Qh5ku0BmmdQCLcBGAs/s320/FullSizeRender%2B%252825%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flashback to a snow we had Jan 2016. Still wondering how much we'll get this year!</td></tr>
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On the writing front, I disappeared into my writing cave over the past week or two because I had line edits to finish up on book 5 in my From Kenya, With Love series. It's titled <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twin-Test-Kenya-Love/dp/1335633618/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1512836198&sr=8-7&keywords=rula+sinara"><span style="color: #38761d;">THE TWIN TEST</span></a> and this one is Pippa's story (in fact I just saw the blurb go up on Amazon!). The edits got turned at the end of the week. Whew! You don't want to know just how sleep deprived I was this week. Kind of scary. Doesn't it always seem like, when we're super busy or on a deadline or something else major is going on, crazy things happen. I was drowning in edits (and coffee) and within the same few days one of my dogs dislocated her hip (the one pictured above), the other got to a histiocytoma that had appeared on her leg, one of my cats started peeing outside the box and had to get screened for urinary tract crystals and diabetes (he's almost 20lbs), my smallest duck got trampled (or something...not sure...the geese do pick on her) and had to spend the night in my tub (I really thought she wasn't going to make it but she sprang to life by morning and is fine) and my middle kid had a college application due and needed help. And those were just some of the things that were going on. Let me tell you, sitting here now and watching the snow fall outside is so nice and relaxing! Snow always makes things look like a fresh start lol.<br />
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And in the spirit of holiday giving, I wanted to make sure (in case you missed all the social media announcements) that you all know about the huge giveaway the December release Heartwarming authors are hosting. That's Catherine Lanigan, Beth Carpenter, Liz Flaherty and myself. Pop by this <a href="http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2017/12/ho-ho-ho-its-sleigh-full-giveaway-by.html"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">POST</span></b></a> at the Heartwarming blog to check out the prize package and entry details. Only a week left!<br />
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In the meantime, it's SIT DOWN SATURDAY on the Heartwarming blog today and I'm up! I think it's a fun post and I hope you do too. I'm pointing out the 'elephant in the room'...the fact that EVERY SERENGETI SUNRISE is the only December Heartwarming without a holiday cover lol...and why the story actually began with a holiday romance. Those of you who've read the series, might know what I'm talking about. In any case, here's the link for today's post: http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2017/12/sit-down-saturday-with-rula-sinara.html<br />
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Hope to see you there!<br />
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Happy Holidays to all! Wishing you peace and love.<br />
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<i>Rula</i><br />
<br />Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-19686867287574712832017-11-27T12:22:00.000-05:002017-12-09T00:25:06.823-05:00Book Tour Grand Finale for Every Serengeti Sunrise!<center>
<a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2017/11/its-grand-finale-for-every-serengeti.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGMqJbFnOA8/WgT6OhPvK3I/AAAAAAAAPxo/ArCAutNewlMtZ5blkSJLmW5KIFhdoN72QCLcBGAs/s400/Banner%2B-%2BEvery%2BSerengeti%2BSunrise%2B1000px.jpg" width="400" /></a></center>
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On Tour with <a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2017/11/its-grand-finale-for-every-serengeti.html" target="_blank">Prism Book Tours</a></center>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Book Tour Grand Finale for</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Every Serengeti Sunrise</i></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">By </span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Rula Sinara</b></span></div>
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<b><i>We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops</i></b></div>
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<b><i>you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:</i></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2017/11/were-launching-book-tour-for-every.html">Launch</a> - Note from the Author</b></div>
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I hope you enjoy this book (and series)! I’m currently working on book 6 and you can find out more about all of my books and sign up for my newsletter at <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/">www.RulaSinara.com</a>. In fact, you can also find links to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heartwarming-Thanksgiving-Baby-Wedding-Along-Falling-Cowboy-ebook/dp/B01JZ4K73G/">A Heartwarming Thanksgiving</a>, a Harlequin Heartwarming collection of short Thanksgiving romances, including mine, The Sweetheart Tree, which is also connected to my ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series.<br />
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Wishing you all Peace & Love this holiday season and always,<br />
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– Rula<br />
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<b><a href="https://burgandyice.blogspot.com/2017/11/excerpt-on-tour-every-serengeti-sunrise.html">Colorimetry</a> - Excerpt</b></div>
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<i>Kamau left the screen door creaking to a close behind him and Haki caught a glimpse of his younger brother, Huru, sketching in the family room. At fifteen, an age when most kids wallowed in hormones and angst, Huru was as mellow as they came. Maybe he channeled it all into his artwork—there was no doubt he had a gift—but sometimes Haki had to wonder if names carried enough power to define a person, or if it was the emotional state of the mother at the time of naming and rearing the child that made all the difference. Huru had always had a carefree way about him. Free, just as his name meant in Swahili, or perhaps how their mother felt at his birth: married, happy and loved, unlike how she’d been when Haki was conceived in an act of violence. Haki meant justice. And there had never been a time when he didn’t find himself wanting it. Wanting those who caused pain and harm to be held accountable, wanting to be sure he’d always be the kind of honorable man Kamau was…and not like the criminal whose blood he shared.</i><br />
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<b><a href="https://mellojune.com/booktour-every-serengeti-sunrise-bookboost-contemporary-romance-giveaway-iartg-prismbooktours-rulasinara/">Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!</a> - Is Love Always Enough</b></div>
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Those of you who have read books in my ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series know that the series includes anti-poaching/anti-ivory themes. Every Serengeti Sunrise takes that conflict to a new level with the hero and heroine finding themselves on opposite sides of a humanitarian vs animal rights case in Kenya. Both Haki, a wildlife vet, and Maddie, a lawyer, have valid, compassionate grounds on which to fight for their causes...<br />
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<b><a href="http://readingismysuperpower.org/2017/11/15/book-review-giveaway-every-serengeti-sunrise-rula-sinara/">Reading Is My SuperPower</a> - Review</b></div>
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"Every Serengeti Sunrise by Rula Sinara will make you smile, chuckle and – yes – shed a few tears. The characters become your friends, and the Serengeti setting feels like home. For those of us who will probably never venture across the world for the breathtaking experience of life among the giraffes and elephants and lions, we can live vicariously through Haki and Maddie and Pippa while we’re immersed in the pages of their story. Along the way, we also get a taste of important human rights and animal rights issues, as well as a reminder to be the person we were created to be – not someone living solely to meet everyone else’s expectations. A thoroughly enjoyable and engaging story in every way!"<br />
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<b><a href="http://jenniferfaye.com/hearts-scribbles/2017/11/15/giveaway-excerpt-every-serengeti-sunrise-by-rula-sinara-romance-books">Hearts & Scribbles</a> - Excerpt</b></div>
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<i>“Do whatever you need to do. If it’s too much work, just cut my pant loop,” Maddie said. </i><br />
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<i>He slipped his fingertips barely below the waistline of her pants and pressed his palm against her, so that the belt loop and jagged end of the piece of wood were against the back of his left hand. With his right, he broke off the shard in one quick move. </i><br />
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<i>“All done. I’ve got you. Let go of the ladder.” He held her by the waist, set her feet on the ground, then immediately let go and took several steps back. </i><br />
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<b><a href="https://kimberliweb.wordpress.com/2017/11/16/book-tour-every-serengeti-sunrise-by-rula-sinara/">Kimber Li's Cowboy & Fairytale Book Reviews</a> - Universal Truths: 5 Heartwarming Facts About Kenya & the Masai</b></div>
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One of the things I love about writing a multicultural series set in an exotic, off-the-grid locale is that it has given me the opportunity to show love and family values are universal. For many, world-wide travel, exploration and simply experiencing life outside the bubbles in which we live is only possible through books…and more often than not, it happens through a romance novel. So, with Every Serengeti Sunrise, book 4 of my ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series due out in December, I thought I’d share some heartwarming facts you’ll discover in the series.<br />
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<b><a href="https://harlequinreader.blogspot.com/2017/11/every-serengeti-sunrise-by-rula-sinara.html">Inside the Mind of an Avid Reader</a> - Review</b></div>
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"Overall the book has some very heart felt emotions and can be an emotional roller coaster as we read the story of Maddi, Haki, and Pippa. Three childhood friends. . . . This was the hardest part of the book for me. I don't do triangles well. Other than that I enjoyed the read. "<br />
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<b><a href="http://backingbooks.blogspot.com/2017/11/every-serengeti-sunrise-tour-giveaway.html">Backing Books</a> - Review</b></div>
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"It is not everyday that a novel set in Kenya pops up in my review feed. Most American authors stick to the US of A, or else some of the more "romantic" countries of Europe. So it was a joy to find something that was a little more unique. And since I had read an anthropological study in college that dealt with Kenya and the tribal laibons, I was excited to see where the author took this story. . . . To begin with, Sinara did a great job of depicting Kenyan culture. . . . I think that if I had read the rest of the series beforehand, that I would have enjoyed the romance in this one much more. "<br />
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<b><a href="https://bookloverfl12.wordpress.com/2017/11/20/blogtour-giveaway-every-serengeti-sunrise-by-rula-sinara/">Book Lover in Florida</a> - Excerpt</b></div>
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<i>Keep your enemies closer. That was essentially manipulation. The word had such a negative connotation, but what if it harmed none? Mosi got what he wanted by tapping into a human’s emotions with one harmless look. Nature was full of lessons, wasn’t it? And Jack was right. Spending time with Maddie meant having the chance to sway her. He needed to find the old Maddie, the girl who’d once dreamed of visiting Kenya and going on safari, and had had that dream come true in spades…then abandoned it. He needed to find the Maddie who used to love tagging along with the keepers and begging them to let her bottle-feed the baby elephants. He needed to save her from that high-achieving, put-together, lawyerly facade.</i><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.wishfulendings.com/2017/11/every-serengeti-sunrise-by-rula-sinara_21.html">Wishful Endings</a> - Review</b></div>
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"EVERY SERENGETI SUNRISE is a story of protection, compassion, loss, and love. Set mostly in the Kenya Savannah among a battle between people and wildlife and the families who have invested time to save and protect, comes the story of three close friends who are trying to find their path to love. At moments it's deeply heartbreaking, some moments are full of family and laughter, while others are endearing sweet. Those who enjoy heartwarming stories and who have enjoyed this series so far will find much to love here."<br />
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<b><a href="http://booksmusicandlife.blogspot.com/2017/11/review-tour-giveaway-every-serengeti.html">The Power of Words</a> - Review</b></div>
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"Every Serengeti Sunrise, a clean romance in Harlequin’s Heartwarming line, will certainly appeal to romance fans, but this story is so much more. I’m not naturally drawn to Kenya as a setting and love triangles don’t really appeal, but I wanted to read this story because the author had been recommended – and I was blown away. Rich characterization, breathtaking setting, and poignant storyline all combined into a compelling, epic read that captured me emotionally from page one and never let go. The writing of Rula Sinara is impressive and I love her gentle warmth and humor."<br />
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<b><a href="https://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-tour-excerpt-giveaway-every.html">Heidi Reads...</a> - Excerpt</b></div>
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<i>They passed the thorny gateway and came to a clearing lined with small huts.</i><br />
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<i>“You were here recently? Because of the same incident I’m investigating? Why didn’t you say so? No wonder you weren’t checking any maps.”</i><br />
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<i>“Makes me a good guide, doesn’t it?”</i><br />
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<i>She was trying to establish a boundary between the two of them. He could feel the wall going up.</i><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2017/11/every-serengeti-sunrise-by-rula-sinara-guest-post-giveaway.html">I Am A Reader</a> - The Love Triangle</b></div>
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Have you ever been in a situation where you were dating or even engaged to someone you’d been with for so long that family and friends had come to expect you to get married? Perhaps you or your love interest had also fallen under the comforting spell of routine…and maybe you truly cared for them…and had mistaken it for true love...<br />
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<b><a href="http://beckymmoe.com/new-release-review-and-giveaway-every-serengeti-sunrise-by-rula-sinara-from-kenya-with-love-4/">Becky on Books</a> - Review</b></div>
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"This is only my second read from it, but I am loving this series! The unique setting and wealth of well-developed characters in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/146680-from-kenya-with-love">From Kenya, with Love</a> series make these books so much fun to read–and Maddie and Haki’s story is not an exception. . . . you’ve got one heck of a heart-wrenching story. There were times when I thought that a HEA would be impossible, but Ms. Sinara brought everyone through to a satisfying–though a little teary–conclusion."<br />
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<b><i>And don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1taKqLxntlI/WgT6PEfHhoI/AAAAAAAAPxs/za3HNUdOECQ6ldHGPShU3E21CBo1Cyo9ACLcBGAs/s1600/Ever%2BSerengeti%2BSunrise%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1taKqLxntlI/WgT6PEfHhoI/AAAAAAAAPxs/za3HNUdOECQ6ldHGPShU3E21CBo1Cyo9ACLcBGAs/s400/Ever%2BSerengeti%2BSunrise%2BCover.jpg" width="252" /></a><b><b><b><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Every Serengeti Sunrise</span></i></b></b></b></b></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">(<b>From Kenya, With Love #4</b>)</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Rula Sinara</span></div>
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Contemporary Romance</div>
Paperback & ebook, 368 pages</div>
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December 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming</div>
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<b>Elephants, Africa’s wild savannah and three best friends…</b><br />
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When attorney Maddie Corallis returns to Kenya to fight a humanitarian vs animal rights case, the last thing she expects is for her childhood friend, wildlife veterinarian Haki Odaba, to be the very man she’s up against. Loyal and protective, Haki would never turn his back on the elephants he’s devoted to saving, any more than Maddie could abandon the native tribes she’s come to protect. An impossible battle…but nothing compared to the fight they face when old feelings surface and the soul-deep connection they’ve always shared threatens the worst kind of betrayal...that of their dearest friend Pippa. The one Haki is expected to marry.<br />
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Denying their feelings is torture, but giving in is not an option. Not with the suffering it would cause. Besides, Maddie left Kenya once and she’ll be leaving again soon. An ocean, a case and a friend between them. Maybe love can’t always find a way…or can it?<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36133745-every-serengeti-sunrise" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>│<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Every-Serengeti-Sunrise-Kenya-Love-ebook/dp/B06ZZLXH4C/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>│<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/every-serengeti-sunrise-rula-sinara/1126244082?ean=9780373368648" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>│<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/every-serengeti-sunrise" target="_blank">Kobo</a></b><b>│</b><b><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Every-Serengeti-Sunrise-RULA-SINARA/9780373368648" target="_blank">Book Depository</a>│<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488012501_every-serengeti-sunrise.html">Harlequin</a></b><b>│</b><b><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rula_Sinara_Every_Serengeti_Sunrise?id=YsWvDgAAQBAJ&hl=en" target="_blank">Google Play</a></b><b>│</b><b><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/every-serengeti-sunrise/id1227474449?mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Other Books in the Series</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Promise-of-Rain-ebook/dp/B00E1V5VU8/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pImRRztAGVE/WgT6PtiBlgI/AAAAAAAAPx4/V_cA8Z-n8bA1fxf2JlktYSLUVYbuL_YKwCLcBGAs/s250/The%2BPromise%2Bof%2BRain.jpg" style="display: inline;" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/After-Silence-Rula-Sinara-ebook/dp/B00OY9JF7C/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="202" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Mb7Synrkt0/WgT6Ni5ylhI/AAAAAAAAPxk/6GVawkFtLLkfhgG_7upfSe4qujbLmqXzQCLcBGAs/s250/After%2Bthe%2BSilence.jpg" style="display: inline;" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Through-Storm-Kenya-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B018EEEW84/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="253" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N5l46togaB0/WgT6PUImf9I/AAAAAAAAPx0/X4I0TrcdOpEuEffg2lWm9xPAqfiCDar1ACLcBGAs/s250/Sinara_Through%2Bthe%2BStorm.jpg" style="display: inline;" /></a></center>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FrKVTA6VT3w/WgT6PKVrBaI/AAAAAAAAPxw/yZEZkKr_dGEDH4-HmFj4e4WzXLUCxg7FgCLcBGAs/s1600/Rula%2BSinara.jpg" /></center>
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National and USA Today Bestselling author <b>Rula Sinara</b> lives in rural Virginia with her family and crazy but endearing pets. She loves organic gardening, attracting wildlife to her yard, planting trees, raising backyard chickens and drinking more coffee than she'll ever admit to. Rula's writing has earned her a National Readers Choice Award and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, among other honors. You can discover more about Rula at her blog <a href="http://awritersrush.blogspot.com/">A Writer’s Rush</a>, on <a href="https://twitter.com/RulaSinara">Twitter</a>, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RulaSinaraAuthor">Facebook</a> as RulaSinaraAuthor or on her website <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/">www.RulaSinara.com</a>, where you can also sign up for her <a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/newsletter.html">newsletter</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/home.html"><b></b></a><b><a href="http://www.rulasinara.com/p/home.html">Website</a>│<a href="http://www.awritersrush.blogspot.com/">Blog</a>│<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7350913.Rula_Sinara">Goodreads</a>│<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RulaSinaraAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a>│<a href="https://twitter.com/RulaSinara">Twitter</a>│<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/RulaSinara/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tour Giveaway</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DsLvrWFVas/WgT_udcu3aI/AAAAAAAAPyI/KNjVP10VvYE-WTLj_Gym3NMxlLOuecRzgCLcBGAs/s1600/Giveaway%2B-%2BEvery%2BSerengeti%2BSunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DsLvrWFVas/WgT_udcu3aI/AAAAAAAAPyI/KNjVP10VvYE-WTLj_Gym3NMxlLOuecRzgCLcBGAs/s400/Giveaway%2B-%2BEvery%2BSerengeti%2BSunrise.jpg" width="400" /></a></center>
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<b>Prize Pack #1:</b> (one winner, U.S. residents only)<br />
- A set of three, 15X15 in cotton canvas ‘From Kenya, With Love’ tote bags<br />
- A handmade wooden ‘Believe’ star ornament<br />
- A set of 3 plush wild animal TY Teeny Tys (great stocking stuffers!)<br />
- An autographed copy of <i>A Heartwarming Christmas Craft & Cookbook</i><br />
- An autographed copy of <i>After the Silence</i><br />
- An autographed copy of <i>Through the Storm</i><br />
- <i>Every Serengeti Sunrise</i> bookmark<br />
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<b>Prize Pack #2:</b> (one winner, open to U.S. and International residents)<br />
Amazon Kindle (gifted) copies of <i>The Promise of Rain</i> and <i>After the Silence</i> (Winner may substitute a different backlist book by Rula Sinara, if one of the above titles is already owned. No other substitutions apply.)<br />
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Ends November 29th</div>
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Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-44959122389150055752017-11-13T09:49:00.000-05:002017-11-14T11:38:18.752-05:00Book Tour Launch & Giveaway for Every Serengeti Sunrise<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-khvk_EGa_48/Wgmr4EZHIoI/AAAAAAAACu4/5S1asQJo7uwpAMPkOvVYYlAcIFcGJ3HxQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Banner%2B-%2BEvery%2BSerengeti%2BSunrise%2B1000px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-khvk_EGa_48/Wgmr4EZHIoI/AAAAAAAACu4/5S1asQJo7uwpAMPkOvVYYlAcIFcGJ3HxQCEwYBhgL/s400/Banner%2B-%2BEvery%2BSerengeti%2BSunrise%2B1000px.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hey everyone! My book tour for <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Every-Serengeti-Sunrise-Kenya-Love/dp/037336864X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510583803&sr=8-1&keywords=rula+sinara"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Every Serengeti Sunrise</b></span></a></i> launched today over at <a href="http://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2017/11/were-launching-book-tour-for-every.html"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Prism Book Tours</span></b></a>! It runs today through Nov 25th and involves a giveaway package (see below for details and Rafflecopter entry). I also have multiple tour stops scheduled with never before seen excerpts, blog posts and reviews. You can see the full schedule at Prism Tours <a href="http://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2017/11/were-launching-book-tour-for-every.html"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">HERE</span></b></a>. Links will go live on the days posts are scheduled. I hope to see you during the tour!<br />
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Oh, and this past Wed, Nov 8th, I saw Every Serengeti Sunrise hit the top 100 on Amazon's fiction with animals category again! This time it was the mass market paperback version and I caught it at #84. I didn't have time to keep track, so that's the only rank I saw. It made my day!<br />
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Here's a look at the giveaway prize packs. For more details, book background etc...head over to <a href="http://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2017/11/were-launching-book-tour-for-every.html">Prism Book Tours</a>!<br />
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Also, don't forget the huge <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/198819854010901/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Starry Nights & Romance Facebook Party</span> </a>coming November 29th! Lot's of giveaways (that can count as early holiday shopping too) involved!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MaKuMge-YNk/Wgmv4H0hGgI/AAAAAAAACvA/NCemGObILac9yCUzwa-G1jURJ0kaCQgKACLcBGAs/s1600/Rula%2527s%2BPrism%2BBook%2BTour%2Bfor%2BEvery%2BSerengeti%2BSunrise%2Bgiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MaKuMge-YNk/Wgmv4H0hGgI/AAAAAAAACvA/NCemGObILac9yCUzwa-G1jURJ0kaCQgKACLcBGAs/s320/Rula%2527s%2BPrism%2BBook%2BTour%2Bfor%2BEvery%2BSerengeti%2BSunrise%2Bgiveaway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Prize Pack #1</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">:
(one winner, U.S. residents only)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A set of three, 15X15 in cotton canvas
‘From Kenya, With Love’ tote bags<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A handmade wooden ‘Believe’ star ornament<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A set of 3 plush wild animal TY Teeny Tys
(great stocking stuffers!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An autographed copy of <i>A Heartwarming Christmas Craft &
Cookbook</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An autographed copy of <i>After the Silence</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An autographed copy of <i>Through the Storm</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Every
Serengeti Sunrise</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> bookmark<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Prize Pack #2</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">:
(one winner, open to U.S. and International residents)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amazon Kindle (gifted) copies of <i>The Promise of Rain</i> and <i>After the Silence </i>(Winner may substitute
a different backlist book by Rula Sinara, if one of the above titles is already
owned. No other substitutions apply.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-35948312839066090232017-11-06T18:59:00.000-05:002017-11-07T16:37:23.999-05:00No more patio poop!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloudy November day in Rula's yard</td></tr>
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Those of you who have followed my chicken keeping journey know that the one thing that has driven me nuts has been chicken poop on the patio. I'm a bit of a neat freak and the poop was driving me insane. And then I went and got ducks and geese and droppings reached astronomical levels. I couldn't take it anymore.<br />
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Over the past few years, I've tried many things, including motion detector sprayers, which of course couldn't tell the difference between a hen and a human. This got very annoying so, when the mechanism froze over that winter and cracked, I didn't bother replacing it. I've tried everything from fake owls to whirligigs and ribbons. None of them worked. I also tried temporary, ugly, plastic mesh fencing and bird netting to protect my patio flower beds. The ugliness kind of defeated the point of saving my beautiful flowers from hungry chickens. Plus, the chickens always managed to find a loose spot to squeeze under or over. Where there's a will, there's a way.<br />
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Last year, I planted comfrey under our fruit trees and down by the creek beyond the chicken coop. Comfrey is great for them and all livestock are supposed to love it. They snacked and made their way right back onto our slab of comfy concrete. I figured they were smart chickens and knew that food and scraps came through the patio door (big mistake on my part), so I began trekking around the house the long way to take them scraps. They snacked and came right back up to the patio door. In fact, whenever the sun came close to setting, instead of heading to their coop, they came up to the door, parked their fluffy butts and waited for their escort. Yes, I've been nicknamed Mother Clucker around here. Sigh. Apparently, my chickens are easier to train than my dogs.<br />
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Did I mention that my dogs have very robust, healthy vocal cords? They have the kind of bark that rattles bones and shatters eardrums. Barks they loved to use right when I would be cooking and carrying a glass jar of tomato sauce or a cup of hot tea. You get the picture. My chickens (and the geese and ducks too) seemed to get a kick out of it. Oh they loved standing at the glass patio door, taunting the dogs and knowing full well those giant beasts couldn't get through the glass. I told you...smart birds. I, however, feared the day my dogs would shatter the glass, along with my eardrums. And once the flock got locked up for the night, I would have to wash off the area around the door (or entire patio) to keep the dogs from walking through the poop and tracking it around. Very gross. The dogs, however, loved it. They seemed to enjoy eating all those droppings (lovely lumps of probiotics, to them) as much as any other type of chicken nugget. Especially frozen in the winter. Chicken poopsicles. Yum.<br />
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But this selfish, mean Mother Clucker has ended all their fun.<br />
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Last week, we finally invested in a nice patio fence. It's the more affordable aluminum, iron-look-alike and has gates on both sides, including one to my herb garden. I chose the style with spears at the top because I didn't want to give the chickens a nice landing surface. So far, they haven't tried to fly up or over. Right now, things look a bit plain, but we plan to landscape with some shrubs, flowers and crape myrtles on both sides of the fence to create a softer look and nice outdoor room space.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HW37dHN58Co/WgDwAXXdQsI/AAAAAAAACt0/nxAmC1vOVg4jrIrRD1MjoKtzSFnolX_bQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HW37dHN58Co/WgDwAXXdQsI/AAAAAAAACt0/nxAmC1vOVg4jrIrRD1MjoKtzSFnolX_bQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_4531.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the fenced area. The self-closing gate is propped open for the dogs after the flock is put to bed. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look who can't get in.</td></tr>
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Needless to say, my chickens, ducks, geese and dogs aren't happy with me. I don't care. Call it tough love kiddos.<br />
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You all have no idea how relieved I am. The day this fence was put in last week was like an early Christmas for me! I can't wait to plant around it come spring.<br />
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In the meantime, don't forget that I, along with many of the other Harlequin Heartwarming authors, have early holiday giveaways for all of you! Not chicken fences, but tons of other cool stuff ;).<br />
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I'm on tour with <a href="http://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Prism Book Tours</b></span></a> next week, starting Monday the 13th through the 25th! Yes, following the tour and commenting on posts will get you entered in a giveaway. I'll post details and the schedule soon.<br />
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Nov 7th, I have a fun post up at the <b><a href="https://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-thanksgiving-personality-test-by.html">Heartwarming blog</a> </b>with Catherine Lanigan.<br />
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Nov 10th is the last day to enter my <i>Every Serengeti Sunrise</i> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/260726-every-serengeti-sunrise"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Goodreads Giveaway</span></b></a> (this book won't be included in any other giveaways so enter while you can).<br />
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Nov 29th is the huge <i>Starry Nights & Romance </i>Facebook release party, featuring all of the Oct/Nov/Dec Heartwarming authors and two special guests. Check out the link for discussions at the bottom (if signed in) for sneak peeks at some of the giveaways in store (including mine): <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/198819854010901/"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">HERE</span></b></a>!<br />
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Dec 2nd the four Heartwarming December authors will launch yet another giveaway on the Heartwarming blog, so stay tuned for those details!<br />
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Dec 5th <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Every-Serengeti-Sunrise-Kenya-Love-ebook/dp/B06ZZLXH4C/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1500481283&sr=8-5"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Every Serengeti Sunrise</span></a></i> and the other Dec HW books officially release in print format, though I believe ebook format is available on the 1st!<br />
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There's more to come in December, but I'll leave it at this for now.<br />
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I have much to do, but I think I'll steal a few moments to enjoy a hot cup of tea on my clean patio.<br />
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Peace,<br />
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Rula<br />
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Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-54278840343530893462017-10-31T06:36:00.002-04:002017-10-31T06:36:17.437-04:00Happy Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Halloween, everyone! I conjured up a little poem to get your day brewing :). Here it goes:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Something witchy this way comes,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>by hats and brooms and bubbling cauldrons.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Spirits in the mist and bats are seen,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>a haunting sign it's Halloween.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Potions are conjured as black cats stare.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A cackle is heard.</i></span><br />
<i style="font-size: x-large;">Beware! Beware!</i><br />
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(by Rula as your Halloween treat ;)<br />
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Have a sweet and safe haunting & trick or treating!Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-69150568171736145582017-10-04T06:35:00.001-04:002017-10-04T06:35:46.419-04:00Halloween Memories & Decor<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNzSaxv94Zk/WdS3KCQpzkI/AAAAAAAACrI/Kth_K3eWjjk1lhBnu7J23KMqS8DTsqzsQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%252823%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNzSaxv94Zk/WdS3KCQpzkI/AAAAAAAACrI/Kth_K3eWjjk1lhBnu7J23KMqS8DTsqzsQCLcBGAs/s320/FullSizeRender%2B%252823%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Happy October! I was over at the Heartwarming Authors blog yesterday with Catherine Lanigan blogging about spooky Halloween memories and sharing some pics of our Halloween decor this year. Mine includes a real black cat :). The comments on the post were really fun and interesting too. Pop on over and check out the comments and photos <a href="http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2017/10/halloween-memories-by-catherine-lanigan.html"><b><span style="color: #990000;">HERE</span></b></a>!<br />
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We also announced our upcoming Facebook party that's going to be loaded with chances to win fabulous prizes. You can get details on which authors will be there and sign up to come <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/198819854010901/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">HERE</span></b></a>.<br />
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Hope to see you both places!<br />
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Rula :)<br />
<br />Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-61328591489896226542017-09-28T12:11:00.001-04:002017-09-29T11:52:05.020-04:00Flock & Flowers Backyard Update<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflower in Rula's garden wrapped in Cardinal Climber</td></tr>
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Happy Fall! This is my favorite season and I thought I'd post some of the garden and flock photo updates. This year's chicken flock additions are doing great, as are my ducks and geese. In fact, we've been getting a very small duck egg every few days. I'm not sure who is laying, but I suspect it's my Khaki Campbell female, Amber, who is the smallest (dainty young lady) of my ducks. As for my Brown Chinese Geese, you'll recall that their size and behavior as goslings had me almost certain that I had a male and two females. Well, now the middle sized one (as a baby), Galadriel, has caught up in size to the one I'm sure is a male, Gandalf, and her behavior has changed. Her knob is much bigger than Tauriel's too. Now I'm thinking I might have two males. I'm not sure, but we'll see. I may have to get more females, although my Pekin duck female, Spirit, has a total crush on Galadriel. Yes, romance in the flock. :) Scroll through the pics below! I included a few flower pics that I'd posted on Facebook, for those who don't FB. Sorry about spacing between pics in this post. Blogger wasn't cooperating.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of Rula's flock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rula's geese...Tauriel on the left, Galadriel in the middle and Gandalf to the right</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rula's Brown Chinese Geese</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rula's geese: Tauriel (I'm sure a female), Galadriel (sure was a female when younger, now I think she's a male based on new behaviors, knob and 'she's' so loud), and Gandalf (was the largest gosling, always on guard and I'm pretty sure is a male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="422" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0yGrW-pjLJQ/Wc0SKbms_DI/AAAAAAAACn0/I4kgiqoRpSgcDgZtiaECAGc9lfrq2t-_wCLcBGAs/s320/FullSizeRender%2B%252813%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="211" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rula's sunflowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cardinal Climber that wraps around Rula's sunflowers. The hummingbirds LOVE it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rula's butterfly garden</td></tr>
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And some may have seen my harvest last month on FB...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asian pears and apples from Rula's trees.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cool frog on Rula's window, backlit by an outdoor light at night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Budding zinnia in Rula's garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinnia in Rula's garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinnia in Rula's garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinnia in Rula's garden. I love that name. I might need to call my next hen 'Zinnia'.</td></tr>
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And a recent sunset...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September Sunset at Rula's</td></tr>
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I also have a little public service announcement regarding cats. You may not have a lot of feral or stray cats around your place, but I'm surrounded by farms with barns. Recently, a mommy cat and her two kittens, plus a cat I think was dad, took up residence in our garage. The only problem is that we already have a TNR'd feral calico living there and she wasn't too happy about this. The new kitties were strays (very friendly), as opposed to feral. TNR refers to 'Trap, Neuter, Release'. We have a program in our county where you can trap feral cats, have them neutered/spayed and vaccinated, then re-released in the same place they were trapped. They get to live out their live this way, while also controlling the population (litter prevention). This also keeps them out of kill shelters. Since 'mine' were strays, I took them in to check for microchipping (they weren't) and they were put up for adoption. Mama has already been adopted! I would have kept them myself, but I already have 3 indoor cats and one outdoor. Please look into TNR in your area, especially if you don't have 'no kill' shelters. And if you want a pet, adopt!<br />
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On another note, for those who don't see my announcements on FB or Twitter regarding giveaways, I also try and post them under 'news' on my website. Currently, I have a Goodreads Giveaway going on for <i>After the Silence </i>(Sept 22 - Oct 9). Details <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/255333-after-the-silence">HERE</a>.<br />
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Oh, and before I get back to writing, I have my next title to share! This is for book #6 in the 'From Kenya, With Love' series..the one after <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZLXH4C/ref=series_rw_dp_sw"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Every Serengeti Sunrise</b></span></a></i>. No cover yet, but the title is...<span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075QV482F/ref=series_rw_dp_sw"><span style="color: #990000;">The Twin Test</span></a></b></i><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span></span> Something tells me there might be twins on the cover, but we'll see ;). Cover or not, it's already up for pre-order (release date May 1, 2018)!<br />
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The next time I post, we'll be enjoying October...my favorite month. See you then!Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-10923607812996469672017-08-30T13:36:00.001-04:002017-08-30T13:36:27.484-04:00Amazon Top 100 Bestseller List - Every Serengeti SunriseThe title of this post says it all and I had to share! Yesterday, my upcoming release, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Every-Serengeti-Sunrise-Kenya-Love-ebook/dp/B06ZZLXH4C/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1504110780&sr=1-3"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Every Serengeti Sunrise</b></span></a>, hit the <b>Amazon Top 100 Bestseller list</b> for Literature & Fiction with Animals, rising to #33 on a list filled with famous bestsellers (seriously...here's the link to the list: <a href="http://amzn.to/2wJS3rj">http://amzn.to/2wJS3rj</a>). I'm not comparing my book...just saying that I'm blown away and both humbled and honored...and extremely grateful to my loyal readers who pre-ordered the book and spread word of the series to others. I'm truly, truly grateful and hope you'll love this next story.<br />
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I just slipped off the list today, but I've included screenshots of my rank below because...well, you know...when crazy stuff like that happens to you, you take photos as souvenirs because lists fluctuate. My moment of fame was relatively brief, but I'll take it! It lasted longer than I expected! Of course, if you haven't purchased a Kindle copy yet but plan to, if you do so now, it might pop me right back onto the list :). Of course, you don't have to, but if you do, thank you in advance.<br />
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A bit of backstory on my day yesterday...I was under a deadline to turn in the full manuscript for the book that comes after Every Serengeti Sunrise, so I had been averaging no more than 3 hours of sleep a night. Sunday night, I only got 2 hours and then woke up to being #99 on the list. One up from the bottom but I didn't care. The adrenaline had me going before I made it to the coffee maker! You don't want to know how much coffee I've had this week. The number of cups alone would give you heartburn.<br />
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Then, after telling my fellow Harlequin Heartwarming authors (because those gals are an incredibly supportive sisterhood), they took it upon themselves to spread the news to their readers! I'm telling you, these authors are truly 'heartwarming' and generous. The next thing I knew the book was at #63...then #41...then it hit #33! If it got any higher, I missed it. But here are a few screen shots to celebrate :).<br />
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At #33:<br />
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When it was at #63:<br />
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And let me tell you, I was a mess (I'm a scary sight in those last days of a deadline). But when friends celebrate with you and cheer you on, it's energizing. And when your book loving kids get super excited because they see one of their favorite dinosaur books on the same list (my 13 yo kept pointing it out lol), you laugh and dance and give him a hug. And then when your high schooler doesn't drive home right after school and you're about to get upset but he pulls the cutest elephant figurine out from behind his back because he went to the store to buy you a celebratory gift (and you all know my books include elephants and anti-poaching themes)...you cry and give hugs.<br />
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My kids are keepers ;).<br />
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My cats are too. I had to get back to finishing my deadline book, so one of my cats, Nimbus, picked his favorite place in my office to cheer me on. Okay, he cheered cat-style. As in his dreams while napping. But at least he likes sleeping next to my books and trophy. My loyal cat fan ;).<br />
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I did turn in my book yesterday and know I'll get revisions soon. In the meantime, I caught up on sleep last night and need to clean/restock the fridge and change the kitty litter. Ah, the glamorous life of a writer :).<br />
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I hope tomorrow kicks off a wonderful September for you. And for those of you in south Texas and Louisiana, I've been keeping track of Hurricane Harvey's devastation and am sending you prayers. I used to live in Texas, including in Houston, and have a lot of friends there and some of my friends have family there. Prayers and hugs to you all.<br />
<br />Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-79284480841514440292017-08-17T11:27:00.001-04:002017-08-17T18:17:45.999-04:00Another teaser & limited time deal!Don't worry...not every one of my posts between now and December will be about my upcoming release. Promise! Besides, you all know how much I love autumn and I won't let it pass by without posting fall pics from my garden. But I just noticed that the second book in my From Kenya, With Love series, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/After-Silence-Kenya-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B00OY9JF7C/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502981392&sr=8-1&keywords=rula+sinara"><span style="color: #cc0000;">After the Silence</span></a></i>, is on sale for only $1.99 (Kindle version) on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/After-Silence-Kenya-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B00OY9JF7C/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502981392&sr=8-1&keywords=rula+sinara"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Amazon</span></a>! I have no idea how long the sale will last but I really wanted to mention it for those who may not have read the book yet.<br />
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Why? Well, all my books can stand alone, although the setting and characters are connected and appear in each one...and the next three in the series will feature the children from books 1-3 all grown up and facing their own obstacles to their happily ever afters. In <i>After the Silence</i>, you'll get to meet Maddie Corallis...the heroine in my upcoming <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Every-Serengeti-Sunrise-Kenya-Love-ebook/dp/B06ZZLXH4C/ref=la_B00FLU8X2G_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1502982445&sr=1-9"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Every Serengeti Sunrise</span></a></i>...when she's a ten year old girl struggling to cope with a traumatic experience. In fact, you'll get to Haki Odaba and Pippa Harper (first appearing in <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Promise-Rain-Kenya-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B00E1V5VU8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr="><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Promise of Rain</span></a></i>, book 1) all grown up too.<br />
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I must say that writing a character as a child and then as an adult is an amazing experience that involves digging into their psychology, the events in their lives that changed them and seeing how it all shapes who they are as adults.<br />
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I know I shared the back cover blurb in my last post, but here's a more detailed teaser for <i>Every Serengeti Sunrise</i>:<br />
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<i><b>Elephants, Africa’s wild savannah and three best friends…</b></i><br />
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<i>When attorney Maddie Corallis returns to Kenya to fight a humanitarian vs animal rights case, the last thing she expects is for her childhood friend, wildlife veterinarian Haki Odaba, to be the very man she’s up against. Loyal and protective, Haki would never turn his back on the elephants he’s devoted to saving, any more than Maddie could abandon the native tribes she’s come to protect. An impossible battle…but nothing compared to the fight they face when old feelings surface and the soul-deep connection they’ve always shared threatens the worst kind of betrayal...that of their dearest friend Pippa. The one Haki is expected to marry. </i><br />
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<i>Denying their feelings is torture, but giving in is not an option. Not with the suffering it would cause. Besides, Maddie left Kenya once and she’ll be leaving again soon. An ocean, a case and a friend between them. Maybe love can’t always find a way…or can it?</i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
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And for those who haven't read <i>After the Silence</i> yet, here's its blurb:<br />
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<i><b>Does following her passion mean losing her way? </b></i><br />
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<i>Marine Ben Corallis is an expert at facing death, but nothing comes close to the terror that grounds him when his wife is killed in a car accident the day he returns from duty. He's left to raise an infant, a toddler and a ten-year-old girl who hasn't uttered a word since her mother's death. <br /><br />It's hard not to care for the widowed marine with three young children. Yet he's still grieving, too burdened with guilt to fall in love again. And Hope Alwanga's future as a doctor awaits her on the other side of the world, in Nairobi. If two such opposites can't agree on a common country, how can they ever create a safe place to call home?</i><br />
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Also, apart from fall pics and backyard flock updates, stay tuned for big giveaways this fall. All four Harlequin Heartwarming December release authors (myself included) have lots of fun planned! <br />
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And now I'm off to take care of back-to-school errands (my kids start next week) and get more writing done for book 5!<br />
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Have a wonderful rest of August!</div>
Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-76242660629325643122017-08-11T15:41:00.001-04:002017-08-11T16:16:11.434-04:00Cover for Every Serengeti Sunrise!Those of you who are signed up for my newsletter got a sneak peek at the cover for my upcoming December release EVERY SERENGETI SUNRISE ('From Kenya, With Love' book 4, Harlequin Heartwarming). However, at the time, I had not yet seen the back cover blurb, so I couldn't share it in the newsletter.<br />
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Well, guess what I woke up to this morning? The email with my official photo files! So here it is...cover and blurb. I'm writing this post just after 3pm and as of a few seconds ago, the blurb wasn't up on Amazon yet, so you may be getting a first look at it here!<br />
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And for those of you who have been following the series and wondering which young characters from the first three books are all grown up in this one...and which three are involved in an impossible love triangle...this blurb will be your big clue ;).<br />
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<b><i>Elephants, blazing skies and her two best friends… </i></b><br />
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Maddie can’t wait to return to Kenya! Until she learns the bill her law firm has sent her to fight is the same one her friend Haki helped write. At first, her work feels disloyal to Haki, but soon the sparks flying between them aren’t anger…but something more. Much more. Which is another kind of betrayal. Her cousin Pippa has been counting on a proposal from Haki for years. But to Maddie, denying her love for Haki also means betraying herself.<br />
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<b>Available for pre-order at</b>:<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Every-Serengeti-Sunrise-Kenya-Love/dp/037336864X/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1500481283&sr=8-5"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Amazon</span></a><br /><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/every-serengeti-sunrise-rula-sinara/1126244082?ean=9780373368648"><span style="color: #0b5394;">B&N</span></a><br /><a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9780373368648_every-serengeti-sunrise.html"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Harlequin</span></a></span><br />
or your favorite online bookstore!<br />
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Paperback - ISBN-13: 978-0373368648<br />
ebook - ASIN: B06ZZLXH4C<br />
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I must admit that my inspiration for Haki was a young Chiwetel Ejiofor with a little stubble and a bit of a outdoorsy/rugged look...like in this <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/chiwetel-ejiofor/"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>article</b></span></a> (or really any of the actor's image searches...one of my favorite actors) and the cover model looks much younger, but the cover does have a romantic feel that I love. My inspiration for Maddie was inspired by a young Ashley Greene like <a href="http://www.twilightlexicon.com/2010/04/30/people-magazine-twilight-stars-beautiful-without-makeup/"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>here</b></span></a> (not with her Twilight makeup lol)...and they got her spot on. Overall, I can't resist a gorgeous sunset. Such a romantic time of day.</div>
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So what do you think? And for those of you who have been following the series, I have to ask...Team Maddie or Team Pippa?</div>
Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-49121383378262227182017-08-01T10:41:00.002-04:002017-08-01T11:31:49.033-04:00RWA 2017 Conference PhotosI'm back from the Romance Writers of America 2017 conference and, as promised, I have pictures to share. In fact, too many pics for one post, so I've split them up. My friend and blog sister over at Harlequin Heartwarming Authors blog, Catherine Lanigan, and I just posted a photo recap of the conference and it includes TONS of pics, from casual gatherings to the famous Harlequin Party held at the Waldorf Astoria! I'll post a few of those, plus additional photos here, but rather than duplicate the posts, here's the link to that one...which we can call RWA17 pics part 1 :). Please check them out because I was up well after midnight putting those photos and the post together!<br />
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<a href="http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2017/08/2017-rwa-national-conference-photos-by.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>RWA 2017 PHOTOS PART 1 OVER AT THE HEARTWARMING AUTHORS BLOG</b></span></a></div>
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And we can call the pics here, part 2 ;). These pics will include a few of my faves (you might see both places), as well as some with my author friends who aren't with Heartwarming (but they're just as special to me of course).<br />
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Let's start with the fact that I finally got to meet my extraordinary editor, Claire Caldwell, in person! Every time we've tried to meet over the past year or two, something has happened. I had to leave the New York conference early in 2015 because of a death in the family...then when she attended my chapter's annual retreat the following spring, I couldn't make it because it coincided with my eldest's Senior Prom and my husband was out of town. Well, this year it finally happened! I knew she was super nice, patient, smart and plain brilliant as an editor, but she was even more so in person!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine Lanigan (also one of Claire's lucky authors) and amazing editor Claire Caldwell. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire Caldwell and me at the Harlequin Party. Sorry for the red photo. Mood lighting!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire, myself and Catherine</td></tr>
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Okay, I'm posting a little backwards here, since the party wasn't until Friday night, but my other post on the Heartwarming blog goes in chronological order, I promise.<br />
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One of the best parts of my conference was getting to see my close friends and annual roomies, Harlequin author Jeannie Watt and her daughter, author Jamie Dallas. Jeannie received an award for reaching 25 books with Harlequin and Jamie had just found out she'd won a Stiletto award (Contemporary mid-length for <i>The Wrong Brother</i>) at an event right before the party! You go girls!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeannie Watt, me and Jamie Dallas</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeannie Watt and Jamie Dallas in front of the Harlequin sign honoring their award recipients. Beautiful ladies!</td></tr>
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Jeannie has written for Harlequin Superromance and American in the past...in fact she was my favorite cowboy author long before I got published and, for those of you who follow my posts, you'll remember her as my mentor and the author who made me pitch the book that ended up being my first sale and debut :). I'm so excited that she'll be bringing her cowboys to the Heartwarming family!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeannie on the end with her 25 book award. There were more awards afterwards...all the way up to 150 books!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeannie and Jamie with her Stiletto contest award.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely and sweet Miranda Indrigo, who is always there to answer any questions we Harlequin Authors have.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, this one's on the other post too, but I had to tease you with how gorgeous the room and dessert set up is at the Harlequin Party. More pics if you follow the post link above!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Authors Cari Lynn Webb, Amy Vastine, Jennifer Snow and Carol Ross at the party.</td></tr>
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See that giant screen in the back? Well, Harlequin had book covers rotating through. See my other post of the Heartwarming covers that made it on the big screen. Here's one of Jeannie Watt's 25th book.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine Lanigan and me on our way to the Harlequin Party.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine Lanigan and Kate James. We shared a taxi to the party :).</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our traditional pic! See the other post for the one we took back in 2014!</td></tr>
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And then there was the Reader's For Life Literacy Autographing which is open to the public and raises funds for literacy. Check out the other post for pics of all the Heartwarming authors signing. I didn't this year because my next book release isn't until December. Here's a shot of Cari and Jeannie who sat next to each other last year too. These two are a riot. They had me laughing so hard and readers loved them. One reader even brought Jeannie a specially made gift with her book cover on it!<br />
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Always great to see Donna Alward at the conference!<br />
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And I was excited to see Nancy Holland. It's so fun to run into people you usually see online.<br />
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I ran into so many friends and I don't have pics of them all. Some have been shared on Facebook and Twitter though, if you hang out there or lurk. Gosh, if I try and post names, I know I'll miss someone, but a few were Karen Foley, Cathryn Parry, Barbara Wallace, Tanya Agler and so many more! If I forgot to list you, it's from sheer exhaustion...not because I don't love you.<br />
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Again, I posted many more pics at the above link to the Heartwarming blog, so I'll leave you with this last (somewhat blurry one). I love it because, although we attend the conference to learn at workshops, meet with our editors/agents and find out about publishing trends, the conference is also about getting to see friends (sometimes only this once a year) who understand what it means to be a writer and who are always supportive and giving.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate James, me and Catherine Lanigan</td></tr>
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So now that I'm back home, I'm feeling recharged and inspired (albeit tired from travel). I'm working on book 6 in my From Kenya, with Love series, due at the end of the month. Book 5, Every Serengeti Sunrise releases in December (and is up for preorder). I just saw the cover for it and it's very romantic. I'll be doing a cover reveal in my newsletter by tomorrow, so anyone who wants to get an early look at it, sign up soon on my website!<br />
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I hope you all get a minute to check out the pics on the Heartwarming blog too. Thanks for visiting and checking the ones I posted here!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
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Rula :) (who really, really missed getting to see Victoria Curran. Wish you were there!)<br />
<br />Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349124532504569358.post-27456112324950282772017-07-24T00:21:00.000-04:002017-07-24T00:45:41.522-04:00Ducklings, Goslings & Coop AdditionHey, everyone! I'm sorry that it has been awhile since my last update, but I hope this post makes up for it. A ton of pictures are involved but there's no such thing as too much cute. Right?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Are you my mommy?' (One of my Brown Chinese Goslings)</td></tr>
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I've had a lot going on this year...family stuff, medical (though everyone's fine now), deadlines etc...and that's largely why I was missing from social media for awhile. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that when life gets crazy and you don't have enough time in a day and you're physically and emotionally exhausted, that's when stopping...even for mere minutes...to do something you love...something that brings you joy and a sense of peace...is so important. If you don't recharge, you won't be able to help others (you all know the airplane oxygen mask rule about putting yours on first). For me, raising backyard chickens isn't just about having organic, pasture raised eggs, organic pest control, an endless supply of compost and the satisfaction of knowing I'm taking steps towards permaculture. Chickens make me happy. They have funny personalities and watching them free range is a beautiful sight. It's bucolic and serene and grounding.<br />
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So, naturally, I added 6 ducklings and 3 goslings to the family. What? You don't see the twisted logic in all that? I'm betting some of you backyard poultry keepers out there totally get it lol.<br />
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Oh, and I got Jersey Giant and Welsummer chicks too (3 of each) because I'm dying to try the breeds and eventually narrow down to a few favorites. As for the quantities, that in part had to do with minimum ordering laws around here. Bottom line is I had a lot of babies brooding in the basement in March/April!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'You know I'm irresistible'. (One of my Pekin ducklings)</td></tr>
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I know you're wondering why I'd go and add more work to my schedule when I'm so busy as it is. For one thing, I've been wanting to try my hand at raising ducks and geese. I have so many pics to post that I'll have to leave all the reasons why they're great to raise for another time, but suffice it to say, I'M IN LOVE! I wish I'd gotten them years ago. Now, I still love my chickens, but I have to say ducks are flat out hilarious, geese are like puppies and both are incredibly smart and easy to train. I still struggle to get my chickens in their coop for the night, but all it took was 3 days to train my waterfowl and they caught on. Now, all I have to say is, "Go home. Go to bed." In fact, the ducks/geese are so smart that when they see me urging the chickens in their coop, they get in their house on their own and wait for me to lock the door (my birds free range but get locked up at night for safety).<br />
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Anyway, I won't keep you waiting on the pics. I've included some of the duck/goose house we built too. I'll go in chronological order, so first up are the chicks I got (all female). I did post some pics back in May on the <a href="http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/2017/05/are-you-my-mommy-by-rula-sinara-and.html">Heartwarming blog</a>, if you want to check them out too (not nearly as many as here though).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleopatra...one of 3 Jersey Giant chicks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of 3 Welsummer chicks </td></tr>
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I had to order the ducks through my local farm store and (after much breed research and not being able to decide) I got 2 Pekins, 2 Rouens and 2 Khaki Campbells. These were unsexed so I had no idea what I'd end up. Turns out I have a boy and girl from each breed! I picked up the ducklings on April 12 (they were about 2 days old).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pekin and KC napping</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love how they make eye contact. Remember, ducklings and goslings imprint (something I didn't experience with chicks.) You can see the rouens in the background.</td></tr>
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So here they are in a giant plastic tub brooder. I have a giant dog crate that my birds graduate to before the tub gets too snug. Let me tell you, ducklings and goslings grow much faster than chicks! Like, freakishly fast.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So the Pekins were named Spirit and Karma. The Rouens are Lapis and Lazuli (because of the color they get on their wings) but my kids insisted on naming one Nathan Drake, so Lazuli is only his middle name. The Khaki Campbells are Amber and Topaz (because of the gem color but also because of the 'top'...he ended up being crested). </td></tr>
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The pic above gives you an idea of how I set up the dog crate as a brooder. I had read up on all the different methods folks use to keep them dry (ducklings + water = mess) and went through a series of trial and errors. This first set up used old towels (reserved for pets). The water is on a foil covered pan with paper towels. I got tired of taking the real towels out two-three times a day to hose off and hang dry. Plus, it was kind of gross. The thing is, I'm very smell sensitive so I tend to keep my brooders/coops very clean. Also, to waterproof the crate and to keep the little ones from escaping or getting their heads caught, I cut up an old box in strips (vacuum box) and taped it around the crate then lined the bottom and a few inches up the walls with empty feed bags.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mommy, play with us, please!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here they graduated to drinking from a plastic container with holes cut in the top. It's weighted down with a few river rocks. I think I read about this idea on <a href="http://www.backyardchickens.com/">www.Backyardchickens.com</a> and it worked great to keep the kids from jumping in for a swim.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy ducklings! They're about 1.5 weeks old here. See how fast they grow in just a week?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very soon I switched to a jug with holes (again, not my original idea). The marker around the holes seemed to help them see where to stick their heads (at least 'till they caught on). Notice how they all started pairing up by breed? They're about 2.5 weeks old here. Same crate. Much less room.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming outside at about 3 weeks</td></tr>
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So remember how I got tired of using towels? I ended up using pee pads. I got the largest 'human' sized ones on sale (cheaper than puppy pads) and changed them out as often as needed. Now, I'm all about recycling and composting and minimizing what goes into landfills, but the towel washing situation was just more than I had time or energy for after awhile. Plus, we're on well water so all that washing was using water and electricity (pump). I hated using disposable pads, but I was desperate and OMG did it make life easier. More expensive, but a huge time and labor saver. And btw, I did try pine shavings (which I use in my chicken coop), but they kept eating them. I mean, really eating them, so I stopped.<br />
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Confession: I had convinced myself that I could wait until next year to try geese. I flip flopped a bit, but I missed the ordering date and figured that was that. But then my farm store went and posted on FB that they had some extra goslings. I needed to pick up bedding anyway for the chickens and figured I'd just take a look at the babies while I was there.<br />
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I came home with three.<br />
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I'm sorry but I couldn't resist. I figured the fact that I missed the order date, yet the store still ended up with a few and I just happened to see their post about it...was a sign. I was meant to take them home. Don't you love backyard poultry keeper logic? My husband hates it lol.<br />
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Anyway, these were Brown Chinese goslings and I'd read about how they're guard and weeder geese. There was one who I immediately suspected was a male. He was so much bigger than the rest (but still a baby based on no feathers)...bigger head and acted bolder and more curious. He would not take his eyes off me. He had me at hello. That imprinting thing is powerful both ways. So I got him along with two of the smallest, dainty looking goslings (presumably female). Now that they're older, I can tell you I got the sexes right. The goslings were less skittish than both the chicks and ducks from the start. In fact, they begged to be held and wanted nothing more than a lap cuddle. I'm telling you, feathered puppies!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SlN21tnqcS8/WXVgNwvwNYI/AAAAAAAACUs/Qz5azr0HM9Q9O480CytaQoAyFps4jOtIQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="618" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SlN21tnqcS8/WXVgNwvwNYI/AAAAAAAACUs/Qz5azr0HM9Q9O480CytaQoAyFps4jOtIQCLcBGAs/s320/FullSizeRender%2B%25289%2529.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's my boy right up front. Can you tell? I named him Gandalf and his two ladies are Galadriel (the larger female, who he's bonded with the most) and Tauriel (who's very attached to me...she's on the right).</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I started them in the plastic brooder, but this time I have a pee pad in there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gandalf on the left, Galadriel on the right and little Tauriel in the middle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only about a week old and you can already tell who's boss.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They're so fluffy but feel completely different than chick fluff. They feel dense like a my kid's stuffed animal dolls (had to clarify there;).</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They literally would try and climb out of the brooder to get to my lap. You know you're doomed when you start singing the 'Goosey, goosey gander. Where shall I wander?' nursery rhyme to goslings in your lap.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day outside! Notice the cage? It's an old rabbit cage I got when we had guinea pigs. I use it for transitioning chicks outside, so the older birds can watch without pecking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gandalf on the left, Galadriel up front and Tauriel in back. Notice I put a hole in the lid of a butter tub for water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum! Clover!</td></tr>
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By the way, even before they went outside, I was clipping clover, grass and dandelions etc...and putting them in their brooders. I give all my babies (meaning chicks too) fresh greens from outside, along with dirt (as well as some chick grit), crumbled eggs and other nutritious foods. I'm not one to stick with just bagged feed. I also use things like oregano, other herbs and organic apple cider vinegar in the drinking water for gut health and to help prevent parasites (since I raise them organically and don't use chemical wormers).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ducks on the same day. They're about a month old here. Notice the crest on Topaz's head? It's also really easy to tell boys from girls at this point. The girls quack loudly and the boys sound raspy like they want to quack but they've been smoking for too many years ;)...or like they have laryngitis.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The goslings in the back are two weeks old here. They all get along. The ducks were sweet and welcoming from the start! So different than my chickens who are ready to attack newcomers. I read somewhere that ducks have a 'let's party, the more the merrier' attitude. So true!</td></tr>
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Sooooo....big piece of advice. These Brown Chinese are a swan goose. They get tall very fast. I had to move them to the big dog crate, only I still didn't have the duck/goose house done. But the ducks were too big for the crate. Which meant I had to get creative for a week with the ducks in the basement. The pee pads helped but I still ended up bleaching the area/floor when they moved out at the end of that week! These guys can make a swimming pool out of a single drop of water.<br />
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Advice? Have their outside home ready to go before you get them!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJiUKkvIl_g/WXVovh7kuUI/AAAAAAAACWQ/ggSIcvZWNlcD3kW_QeQaXxeHzsR19rouACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJiUKkvIl_g/WXVovh7kuUI/AAAAAAAACWQ/ggSIcvZWNlcD3kW_QeQaXxeHzsR19rouACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2756.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The good thing is ducks are easy to contain. Chickens would have flown out of this in a flash. I had left over bubble wrap insulation and taped it into a 'play pen'. I was constantly giving them water (they drink tons) so I used the jugs in waiting to help brace the walls. The red bin on the right is the bottom of the old guinea pig cage. It helped contain the water a little.</td></tr>
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We did finally get the house done. It's attached to our chicken coop, which we also built from scratch. you can see some of that process in this old post <a href="http://awritersrush.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-backyard-chickens-coop-building-and.html">HERE</a>. The area is on an incline, hence the concrete blocks for leveling. It's also screwed into the back of the coop, which sits securely on 4x4's in the ground.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The steps aren't made yet, but they've been getting in by hopping on this plastic platform and some cinder blocks.</td></tr>
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I had coated the floor of the chicken coop with Blackjack 57 roof sealer (another tip from www.backyardchickens.com). It made washing the coop out so much easier. So I coated the entire inside of the duck/goose house so that I can easily hose it out if needed. Keeping their water outside really makes a difference with keeping things clean. I also started with straw, but found out what's available has herbicide in it. I switched to the same pine shavings we use in the chicken coop and it has worked out well. I compost and I don't want my birds or my garden beds getting an herbicide dose.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One thing I did this time around is that I don't have a lip at the front. This way, when I wash the house out, everything can flow right out or get raked out (the compost is a few feet in front of it, which makes that easy). I don't have to worry about much bedding falling out because these guys don't scratch like chickens. Also, since this house is lower to the ground (the way ducks and geese like it), I didn't put big windows like the coop has because I didn't want my dogs looking in at night. Instead, I used corrugated roofing sheets that let light in.</td></tr>
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Also, note that I had not drilled/cut the extra side and door ventilation in this pic but they were done before the kids moved in.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roofing sheets on top of hardware cloth. I put hardware cloth first for predator proofing. The corrugated sheets allow extra ventilation along the edges as well. The window in the back is part of the 8x8 chicken coop. The duck/goose house is 8x4 but I also put a mesh divider in the middle to keep the ducks and geese separate. It only took a few minutes for me to see that the geese would trample the ducks if I didn't (not on purpose, but because of size). They can see each other and chit chat though ;).</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All vents are covered with hardware cloth attached with washers and screws.</td></tr>
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And a few more pics...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gandalf the Great</td></tr>
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BTW, although my geese are named after Lord of the Rings characters, sometimes I refer to them as 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. After all, they're guard geese ;).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wing color coming in!</td></tr>
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Taken recently...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geese eat grass like nobody's business. They love weeds too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite shots when they were getting their feathers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Don't you dare forget about us!'<br />
(Baldy...who is finally growing new feathers)</td></tr>
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Sorry, I know that was a ton of pics, but I hope you enjoyed them. If anyone has questions about any of the above, feel free to ask in the comments. I'm not an expert, but I'm happy to share my experiences or what I've tried. I will add, for those thinking about waterfowl, you don't have to have a pond or lake. I have a creek, but they haven't been there yet. They do, however, need to be able to wash up, submerge their heads, preen and just have the kind of water fun they deserve to have. I bought a plastic kid pool on sale (less than ten dollars and now I saw some for less than five) and have another tub that I rinse/refill three times a day (they muck the water up). I move them around so that no particular area ever gets muddy. So far, so good.<br />
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That's all for now! I need to get back to working on book 5 in my 'From Kenya, with Love' series. Book 4 releases December 2017! It's titled '<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Every-Serengeti-Sunrise-Kenya-Love/dp/037336864X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1500869730&sr=8-5&keywords=rula+sinara"><span style="color: #990000;">Every Serengeti Sunrise</span></a>' (my working title stuck) and is up for preorder. I haven't seen the blurb or cover yet, though. I will say that these next three books revolve around the kids from the first three...all grown up.<br />
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I'm also headed to RWA Nationals 2017, so I'll post pics soon. I'll be posting some on the Heartwarming Authors blog on Tues, Aug 1st with my friend, the lovely <a href="https://catherinelanigan.com/">Catherine Lanigan</a> too.<br />
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Stay tuned and take care :)!<br />
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Rula Sinarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.com4