Friday, November 4, 2011

K. C. Neal interview and giveaway!

We have a wonderful guest author with us today for the release of her e-book debut Pyxis!
Welcome K. C. Neal
and congratulations on the big day!


Tell us something about your book that we wouldn’t know just by reading the blurb:

Have you every wished you could read people’s thoughts or move objects with the power of your mind? Well, the Pyxis series has a fun mix of paranormal powers—ESP, pyrokinesis, and other similar powers. When I was a kid, I loved reading stories with these kinds of elements. The series also a strong element of magic that’s drawn from nature.

What’s your favorite non-essential item on your desk?

My plants! I love the way living plants influence the feel of a room, and how your eye is naturally drawn to them. I’d love to have fresh flowers on my desk, but I have terrible allergies!

What was the most challenging aspect of writing a novel?

I did a major revision of Pyxis over the summer, and it was tough. I'd never done such an extensive rewrite before, and it took me a while just to figure out where to start and what to do next. I spent a month just thinking and making notes on the things I wanted to change, before I even started doing the actual revision. I made major changes to over half of the book, but it's a much stronger story now, so I think it was worth it.

What's a typical day like for you?

During the week, I work as a Medical Writer. My company allows dogs in the office, so Oscar, my maltipoo, often comes with me. I write medical content for consumers—regular people who don’t have any medical degree or clinical background—on topics like quitting smoking, eating healthy, asthma, diabetes, just about any health topic you can think of. After work I go to the gym—I’m really into spinning right now. My husband and I eat dinner together, then it’s time to work on my books. My husband writes, records, and mixes music, so while I’m writing novels, he’s in his studio. Then I try to read for an hour or so before I go to sleep.

Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?

Spring through fall, I spend a lot of time outside in the yard. I love plants, and I even kinda like yard work. This past summer I planted my first veggie garden and grew over 30 different vegetables and herbs. I read every day, and I spend a lot of time online connecting with my friends, many of whom are writers or book bloggers. I’m really into Twitter, and I tweet throughout the day. I love to surf—I’m a longboarder—but I don’t get to do it as much as I’d like. I’m slowly learning to play the drums, but I don’t practice enough to get really good at it. Every once in a while my husband and I jam in his practice room—I play drums while he sings and plays guitar—which is a lot of fun.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned when creating your book?

I discovered—painfully, at times—that I really needed to come up with my own methods for writing and revising, and some of those methods are a little… unconventional. For example, the revision process was giving me fits as I tried to do it on my laptop. I finally started printing out chapters, cutting them up with scissors, and physically rearranging them and making notes on them. It went so much easier after that! It made me realize I just had to do what worked for me, even if I was the only one doing it that way.

Thank you for joining us and again, congrats on the big day!
If you enjoyed the interview and would like to find out more about KCNeal and her work she has a blog here:

You can find and order her debut here:
Two worlds... one 16-year-old girl must learn to protect them both. 

The nightmares haunting Corinne and her friend Mason hint at a universe that exists beyond the one they know. Her destiny is to protect a weakness between the two worlds, but the person who was supposed to teach her everything is dead. As Corinne and Mason search for answers, she tries to ignore the sparks igniting between them, but can't deny she feels safe only when he's nearby. Will they find help before their nightmares break free?


I decided to surprise K. C. with.... 
A GIVEAWAY!

I will be giving away a copy of Pyxis 
to one lucky commenter! 
 
All you have to do is leave a comment with a way to contact you. 
E-mail, twitter user name or your blog where I can find the info. <3
No other requirements needed! 
You do not have to be a follower, help us conquer the literary world or sell us your second child.


Next Friday (11/11/11)  TWV will be hosting Wendy Delsol for an interview and giveaway where the winner will get to pick any one of her novels as their prize so we are keeping the Pyxis giveaway up for two weeks to make sure everyone has a chance to enter! 


90 comments:

  1. Thank you so much! Im a GFC follower, email subscriber and huge fan of all of you! Pyxis looks so interesting! I would love to be entered to win :)

    Your garden sounds awesome! I always try to grow flowers or vegetables and it never works out.

    chelle2006 @ aol.com

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  2. Happy release day!!! It has very beautiful story and cover.
    Thank you for the giveaway!

    artgiote at gmail dot com

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  3. What a great interview! I really love reading what goes on in an author's head while writing. It helps me to know that my process is normal too!

    New follower...thanks for coming over to my blog and following there!

    cheers,
    Ems
    rosie.chic1@gmail.com

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  4. What a great contest! I just started following (yay ff), and I saw this contest. My friend got an ARC of Pyxis and loved it, so I was really happy to see this!
    Thanks!

    Kate @ Epic (Chocolate) Fantasy

    neverbakeinblack at gmail dot com

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  5. Oh how lovely! Thanks for dropping by sweetie!
    @pabkins on twitter

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  6. This book looks great! thanks for hosting this awesome contest :)

    sarah.catchingbooks@gmail.com

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  7. I saw the book around the blogosphere. It looks and sounds great!
    Thank you for stopping by my blog. I'm an old follower of The Writer's Voice.

    ivanaquick at gmail dot com

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  8. Fun-fun-fun!! Thx for sharing the Giveaway on the Friday hop!! I have tried to follow your blog before, but missed the link, so EXTRA thx for stopping back by! www.burgandyice.blogspot.com

    burgandyice at live dot com

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  9. What a fantastic interview. Thank you for hosting this giveaway!
    maryann at chapter-by-chapter dot com
    MaryAnn @ Chapter by Chapter
    @chapterxchapter

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  10. Great giveaway! I've heard of Pyxis and have been wanting to check it out!

    JesseBurgoyne@prettyinfiction.com

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  11. Looks like a great read... Love the cover!

    jj.bonds(at)live(dot)com

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  12. Sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway! :)
    New follower, btw.

    ashlynwilliams(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  13. Thanx for stopping by my blog! The second you said GIVEAWAY! I was so here! lol! Gotta love a good giveaway : )

    New follower!

    sarinana0309(at)yahoo(dot)com

    www.booklove101.com

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  14. I'm following you. Thanks for the giveaway! and for stopping by my blog today.

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  15. Thanks so much for the comment letting me know about this giveaway! I'd love to enter for sure!

    lostamongstshelves(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  16. I really want to read this book. I've heard good things about it!

    Kristina
    Krissy724(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. Thank you, Emma and TWV, for featuring me, and thanks all for the great comments!

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  18. I just found out about this book yesterday! :) And I think it's great. I enjoyed reading the interview. The author sounds like my mom - who also loves plants. :D

    Please include me if this is open internationally!

    precious_shusky at yahoo dot com

    Thank you!

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  19. this book sounds like a nice read ! I would love to participate. Thanks for the giveaway and the interview.

    I'm a new follower, Thanks for stopping by my blog too.

    ellana_(at)hotmail(dot)fr

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  20. Enjoyed reading the interview. I also like plants inside the house only I can't seem to keep the ants away which is annoying. True, they liven the room. If you're really still and quiet, one could feel the energy that's calming after a hectic day. Wow, love your garden. :D Old Follower. Pls include me if this is for international too. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Lorraine
    ossiriand10(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  21. Great interview! And thanks for the giveaway :)
    booksbiscuitsandtea(at)hotmail(dot)com
    Twitter: @alouetteuette

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  22. Very very fun interview :) Cute! Thanks for the giveaway - new follower!

    rachie2004 AT yah00 *d8t* c-m

    http://brunettelibrarian.blogspot.com

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  23. Hi! Thanks for following! I followed back =)
    I would love to enter your giveaway! This book sounds so interesting!
    You already know where to contact me =)
    ~Hira

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  24. Thank you for the giveaway!
    goonie4ever(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. Great interview:D

    I am now following:D

    Michelle

    tintinbrains@bigpond.com

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  26. Hi, Emma! Thanks for coming by my FF and letting me know about the giveaway! TWV site is awesome, loved it since you all started it.
    *Current Follower.

    Have a great week,
    Teresa
    The Duchess Mommy Reads
    email: duchess(underscore)mommy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  27. Thanks for visiting my blog, book looks great, thanks for the giveaway.
    email: becca9(at)gmail(dot)com

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  28. Thanks for the giveaway!

    shadowhunters_jace_clary@hotmail.com

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  29. This book sounds good! I love the cover. Thanks for the giveaway!

    natashajennex(at)gmail.com

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  30. Great! Love the book cover. :)

    New follower, and also entering the giveaway. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

    Twitter: @AuthorLanc
    email: alexandralanc@aol.com

    Alexandra~
    http://www.wordsoftheworlds.blogspot.com

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  31. GFC follower. Looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win.
    charissajackson@yahoo.com

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  32. Thanks for stopping by my Follow Friday post and letting me know about this giveaway.

    New follower
    thecharacterconnection@gmail.com

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  33. Sounds like a great book, thanks for the chance to win it.
    SarahS
    sarah_sal90(AT)yahoo(.)com

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  34. Great interview! I have not had the pleasure to meet K.C. but I have spoken to her via facebook and she is INCREDIBLE! Her book is EPIC!

    tfreidus@hotmail.com

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  35. Thx bunches I am dying to read this book. It sounds so good. I am a GFC follower @Anna Dase
    and I follow via email @ berrylicious_cutie(at)hotmail(.)com

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  36. Great interview! The book looks really good! Thank you!

    shygrumpychica1@hotmail.com

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  37. Awesome interview K.C. ~ I have been looking forward to reading Pyxis! Thanks for the giveaway!

    M.D. Christie
    mdcwrites@gmail.com
    http://mdchristie.com

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  38. Thank you so much Emma for the invite to the fun. I loved the interview and thought the puzzle process for the rewrite a work of genius K.C. You are so right in that we have to do what works for us in accomplishing our tasks. I am so looking forward to reading Pyxis. Congratulations on the release.

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

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  39. Thanks for the giveaway. This one sound really interesting.
    britneywyatt[at]gmail[dot]com

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  40. Thanks for stoppibg by, and thanks for the giveaway. my email is smleach5400[at] yahoo [dot]com

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  41. This book sounds great!! thank you for this giveaway :D

    @wovenMyst
    Hiba <3

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  42. Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to read it!

    mpg12345(at)aol(dot)com

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  43. Awesome giveaway! kathryn.kupanoff(at)gmail(dot)com.

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  44. Pyxis looks like quite an interesting book!
    mobius1974 [at] gmail [dot] com
    http://herscherproject.blogspot.com/

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  45. Sounds like a good book! Hope I win ;)
    jejoescienne@yahoo.com
    www.jennaelizabethjohnson.com

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  46. Great interview. Sounds like KC and her hubby are both very creative.

    geekgirl at comcast dot net

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  47. congrats on the release of Pyxis!!

    thanks for this giveaway, book sounds promising.
    mc.jay.jay(at)hotmail(dot)com
    blog: www.majibookshelf.blogspot(dot)com

    - juhina

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  48. Awesome giveaway!! I really want to read this book!!
    jwitt33 at live dot com

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  49. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    fantasybookchick@gmail.com

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  50. I would love to win this book thanks so much for the giveaway :D

    hernameisavril@yahoo.com

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  51. Congrats on the release K.C.!

    Tanya
    rockchick531 at gmail dot com

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  52. I would love to win a copy! msjlee333@yahoo.com

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  53. Congrats K.C.!! This book looks amazing!!

    moonlightbookreviews@gmail.com

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  54. Happy release day to K.C! Pyxis sounds amazing!!

    Thank-you for the interview and the wonderful giveaway :)

    scondous(at)tpg(dot)com(dot)au

    Sharon @ Obsession with Books

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  55. Great interview! I would love to read your book!

    bmkphone@gmail.come

    My blog is mylifeofcrime.wordpress.com

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  56. Awesome Giveaway! Thanks so much! Congratulations on the new release! I would love to read your new book! :)

    denaegibbs AT gmail DOT com

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  57. BOOK sounds awesome, good luck me I want to read!! hehehe;)) thanks for this!!

    bella;)

    coastiecolellas@hotmail.com

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  58. Thanks SO much!!

    jmluker at winco dot net

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  59. I love the YA Paranormal genre... I'd also love to win a copy of this book for my home library.

    NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com

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  60. It does look very awesome! maibyers at gmail dot com

    www.tattoogirlreads.wordpress.com

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  61. this was quite a reading :D
    sania.sandra@gmail.com

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  62. Thank you for the awesome chance to win! I've been dying to read this one. edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom

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  63. Great interview! I love learning more about authors, and as a writer myself, I love hearing about other people's writing process. I can't wait to read this book - thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    ~Marie
    irishstar_83(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  64. The book has really great cover, it's a pity I won't be able to put it on my bookshelf at home:/

    dusia[dot]koda[at]gmail[dot]com

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  65. This is awesome. I'm so excited about this book. I seriously need a new one! Thanks for doing this giveaway!

    miraitrunksgirl2[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  66. This sounds like a wonderful book that I would like to read. Thanks for surprising her with a giveaway. Even thought it is not required, I signed up as a GFC follower. Looking forward to following this blog.

    ke7yca at gmail dot com

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  67. I've been wanting to read this book :D Thanks for the giveaway! :))
    Email: mayabe23@gmail.com
    Twitter: MayAbe23

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  68. Awesome...Sounds like a great book! ;)
    Email: cameo@cameorenae.com

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  69. looks amazing Email: immierose4@yahoo.com

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  70. How cute - looks fun!
    layersofthought@gmail.com
    Thank you!

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  71. This looks like a great book, it's going on my "to read" list right now! Beautiful cover, too!
    Stephanie Green
    stephsgrn@gmail.com

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  72. This looks really good and interesting! Even if I don't win I'm gonna go out and buy it.
    Email: spanetta5@gmail.com
    Twitter: Munchkennina

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  73. That cover's amazing! Thanks for the giveaway.

    Email: shanaboo209 [at] YAHOO [dot] COM

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  74. Love pyxis! Thanks all! Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust
    email: steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com
    Twitter: @fangswandsfairy

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  75. Totally Awesome Giveaway K.C.!! I've been following you for a bit now, here and FB. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of Pyxis! Loved the interview!

    Patti

    Email: patti@bookcloseouts.com
    Twitter: @bookcloseouts
    FB: www.facebook.com/bookcloseoutscom

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  76. Thanks for the giveaway! This book looks great and the interview was very entertaining to read! :)

    sambella10@hotmail.co.uk
    Twitter: @SamBella10

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  77. "You do not have to be a follower, help us conquer the literary world or sell us your second child." Phew... I've only got one child anyways ;) Ty for the giveaway! :)

    brunettesarah@hotmail.com

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  78. Congrats on your release and thanks for the giveaway.

    sgiden at verizon.net

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  79. LOL I love it... conquering the literary world! This book sounds great. I can't wait to conquer it.

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  80. Great interview!! I'd love to win a copy :D my contact info is on my blog www.worddiaries.blogspot.com

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  81. Cover love! :)

    roniwalker7@gmail.com

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  82. Awesome! Sounds like a great book! I wish I could Garden, or even have a plant, but the one I did have, died within the first two days. :( I do not have a green thumb! But, I do revise the same way. I grew up writing with a pencil and paper, no computers, so it's better for me to revise that way as well. Congrats!
    raemcg89@gmail.com

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  83. Awesome! Thanks for the chance to win this amazing book! Ahhh! So excited :D

    Email: osnapitzAngiex3(AT)aol(DOT)com

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  84. I grew up in the world of ESP when I was in my teens. I always wondered if someone would write a series of books on those topics. Now someone has and to boot, made it fun to read about. I look forward to seeing your book on bookshelves at libraries as I can't buy any more books for my home bookshelves. We are downsizing but I still love to read books when I have the time. Thanks for stepping up and writing about a topic that is close to the heart.

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  85. Thanks for the giveaway. The book sounds really interesting.

    thenarcissuslibrary at gmail dot com

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  86. Cool post!

    starving4books@gmail.com

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  87. Wonderful thank you!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

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  88. The book sounds very good. I will probably buy the book if I don't win, which I probably won't anyway, because I love to read. Good luck everyone. And thank you for having this book give away. The book sounds amazing. I hope I get a chance to read it.

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  89. Chelsea thomas
    Chelseanicolethommas1996@yahoo.com
    Good luck everyone

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