tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45400589368880431212024-03-13T17:39:26.021-04:00Brenda Corey DunneOn writing, books, and the military lifestyle. Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.comBlogger170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-8101833432453329822021-03-15T09:14:00.001-04:002021-03-15T09:14:48.648-04:00Not a Dog Person<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Er3EfhGWMAAQl35?format=png&name=small" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="680" height="225" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Er3EfhGWMAAQl35?format=png&name=small" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Like pretty much everyone connected to the internet, I’ve
been thinking a lot about gender equality lately. You can see it in my last few
posts. It’s hard to miss the undercurrent that’s become a torrent of discontent
on any social media platform. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Women do not feel safe.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I can’t find the tweet (please do comment if you have the link), but a few weeks ago I read a thread from a university professor who had
put two columns on the white board—one for the men and one for the women in her
class. Then she (or he?) basically asked her male students this question:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>W</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">hat everyday things do you do to protect yourself from sexual assault?
<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She was met with silence. They’d never thought of it before.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re a woman, you already know many answers to that
particular question… because you’ve been practicing them since you were old
enough to know what it meant. As you can guess, so did her female students. The list was
long: I pretend I’m calling a friend. I put my keys in between my fingers. I
wear modest clothing. I walk toward other people if I’m nervous. I stay in well-lit
areas. I avoid going out at night.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The women’s white board column was full, while the men’s
side? Empty. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sigh.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This post hit a chord somewhere deep inside of me, and I
started to think about my own experiences in self-protection. I’ve always
thought of myself as an independent woman. I don’t mind travelling alone. I
push against the boundaries placed on my freedoms. But I’ve also done <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">every single one</b> of those things. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And then, as I thought more, I realized that female military
spouses have an even higher level of alertness added to their lives. Our
husbands (or wives) go away. A lot. Far away. For extended periods of time. And
although there’s a lot said about OpSec (Operational Security—don’t tell people
where your husbands are as it might affect the mission), there’s not a whole
lot said or done about security for those left at home, and often the units
depart to great fanfare and local publicity. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eleven years ago, this fact came crashing home to me. My
husband was deployed to Jamaica, flying relief missions into and out of
earthquake-stricken Haiti. I was working at my physiotherapy clinic in sleepy
Brighton, Ontario. My kids were at school. And I listened in horror as the news reported
that my husband’s boss—the man directly responsible for my husband’s career,
and a man I’d had dinner with and spoken about our children with—had been arrested
and charged with the rape and murder of two women. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of these women he had murdered <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">in her own home</b> just a few blocks from where I was working. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think I’m still figuring out how that has affected my life.
Especially as I was unknowingly writing a story at the time (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dependent-Novel-Brenda-Corey-Dunne-ebook/dp/B01N1MUZ5Z" target="_blank">Dependent</a>) that disturbingly described
almost the exact occurrences that were happening in real life. And even worse, this villain was someone I knew. Someone who knew where I lived and when I was alone.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Later that same year, my husband was deployed to the Middle
East while Mr. Williams’ trial was going
on. For the first time in my time as a military pilot's wife, I was uncomfortable being alone. I avoided the news. I triple checked the locks of our country home every
night. I slept with a baseball bat under my bed. Although I love a starry
night, I stopped going outside at night to admire the view. I left lights on in
rooms at night to make it look like I was still awake.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And I thanked the Good Lord Above for our large and very
loud dog every time he barked at someone coming too close to our house. I kept
him near if I was outside. I paid attention if he looked uneasy. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before that point in my life if you had asked me, I would
have said I was a cat person, not a dog person. But since that point I will
admit, I’d rather have a dog than a cat. Why? Because a dog is love and loyalty
and snuggles, but a dog is also protection. A dog is an early warning system. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A dog may have prevented that monster from breaking into
Cpl Comeau’s house, raping and murdering her.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who knows, maybe Mr. Williams—who knew all of our family details—also knew we had a large, protective dog, and that
fact saved us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have had this conversation with many military spouses
since then. About why we replaced our beloved Golden Retriever so quickly after
he passed from cancer. About why our new rescue dog had to be big enough to be a
deterrent. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Why I, as a military spouse and professed cat-lover, will NEVER
be without a dog.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are so many aspects of this that make me angry. I hate
being weak. I hate being vulnerable. I hate that I even have to think about being safe <b>in my own home.</b> But there is so much about being a military
spouse that puts us in a place of vulnerability. I’m not sure how to even start
fixing this, but I feel that the current conversations about gender, equality
and the military are a start.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Society has taught us hundreds of ways to prevent ourselves
from being raped. But it has failed to teach men the simple opposite: <b>DO NOT
RAPE WOMEN.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s time to change that.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><o:p><i><span style="font-size: large;">Brenda</span></i></o:p></h3>Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-26203864487515547302021-03-07T19:13:00.001-05:002021-03-07T19:22:20.705-05:00For International Women's Day<p><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHLhWQ8Mktw/YEUZi2PZrLI/AAAAAAAACEc/IdUZ8i82SWchkzprRC3aDeUkd-NnkicCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/EvpwbcEXMAkXtcs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHLhWQ8Mktw/YEUZi2PZrLI/AAAAAAAACEc/IdUZ8i82SWchkzprRC3aDeUkd-NnkicCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/EvpwbcEXMAkXtcs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-size: small;">Graphic from the UN Women Twitter Feed for International Women's Day</span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few years ago I was at a evening party with my husband. It was like any military community party--we were at the home of a military couple, surrounded by other military couples. All of the couples at the party were the statistical norm, the man was the military member, and his wife, the female military spouse, was there with him. I'd known everyone there for all of maybe a year. As postings tend to do, we had been thrown together with people who worked with my hubby, and somehow I had built friendships with complete strangers. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm an extroverted introvert, and this particular party was just at the point in my life when I was starting to recognize that I can enjoy these events best by finding the people (generally women) I connect with, and not worrying so much about 'working the room'. In a small, loud house party, this is hard...and in this particular party, I found myself stuck, completely sober (as the DD) standing in the kitchen beside an older man who was there without his spouse and was already quite drunk.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">With very little preamble he commenced a long and loud monologue, expounding on how good it was that I was there, supporting my husband at this party. And then, slurring his words as he spoke, he told me that every military leader he knows (himself included) has a supportive wife, and that was the secret of their success. The man succeeds because his wife keeps the home fires burning.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was not wrong. I am one hundred percent sure that military leaders do better with a supportive, loving family beside them.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What rapidly turned the party from one that was enjoyable to one that I was ready to leave was the patronizing man-speak he used--completely oblivious to the fact that I had worn a uniform myself and was a professional in my own right--to let me know that I was in my place and should stay there.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was the wife. He cared not one whit who I was, but was more than willing, as he swilled back another swig of whatever pompous drink he was swirling in his glass, to congratulate himself for being forward thinking (bravo! military spouse!) while he was, in fact, being just another chauvinistic man in a male-dominated world.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I listened, looking frantically for a way out of the conversation, nodding in the correct places (not that he would have noticed), and basically just taking his offensive tone until the opportunity arose to politely move away.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was so angry. And so polite.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So politely angry.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And because I truly am a supportive spouse, I made no scene. I attempted to continue on with the party like I was fine. I drank my fancy soda and moved on.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">It is time for me to stop being politely angry.</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love my husband. So very much. I've loved ninety percent of my journey as a military spouse. As mentioned in my <a href="https://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2021/02/fifty.html" target="_blank">previous blog</a>, no one forced me to wear my many hats. I chose them. I chose to be a military spouse, and every step of my husband's military journey has been a partnership between us. I have profited in so many ways from the military lifestyle and I own it as part of what has made me who I am today.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">But that man at that party is one of hundreds who've come along in my journey. I'm weary of the one-sided conversations at events, where the questions are focused on what my husband does and the conversation is basically mansplaining about the world I live, work and and breathe in...and have done so for most of my life. I'm weary of standing and smiling and listening politely while my insides are boiling with rage. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thankfully there have also been many male friends at many events that were and are not that drunken jerk. If you are a man and have made it this far in this blog, thank you. On this International Women's Day I salute you for being open minded. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I challenge those few of you here to think about the small talk you make with female military spouses. Ask them about their work. Ask them about their aspirations. Discuss their leadership and their worlds. You'll find that they are fascinating. They are passionate and hard-working and worth your effort.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And for my female readers, military spouses and otherwise, you have every right to be angry--without politeness. It's time to challenge the misogyny. You deserve respect. Your service does help your spouse to succeed but the converse is also true--their support helps you to be successful in your own endeavors. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a military spouse does not give anyone the right to treat you without decency.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be angry. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Demand respect.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And be proud of who you are.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Brenda</i></span></span></p>Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-52473227645882280102021-02-18T17:05:00.001-05:002021-02-18T17:05:44.676-05:00Baby toe<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SG-6yjwvVu8/YC7jYCd7gKI/AAAAAAAACEA/5NOzyYnPVxEyo0qrJ7FuHI4QLj_J3Iz-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Baby%2Btoe.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="332" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SG-6yjwvVu8/YC7jYCd7gKI/AAAAAAAACEA/5NOzyYnPVxEyo0qrJ7FuHI4QLj_J3Iz-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w332-h332/Baby%2Btoe.png" width="332" /></a></div> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I am so filled with emotion these days.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Filled.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Overflowing.<br /><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every single pore seems to be seeping something. Like, my
guts want to explode outward. My heart and brain are working overtime and there
is no room in my ever-softening body for another ounce of emotion. It is coming
out all over the place. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am brimming with joy. I am in the depths of despair. I am
anxious about everything. I am absolutely boiling over with rage. Oh, the rage
is real.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, three days ago, I stubbed my baby toe.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Like, SLAMMED that poor sucker into the extremely solid leg
of our coffee table. </p><p class="MsoNormal">HARD. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In a true feat of timing, I carried out this perfect
exposition of awkwardness while ALL of the inhabitants of our household were in
the same room. It hurt so bad I felt faint. I laughed—what else could I do?
<i>Hahaha, I’m all fine, nothing to see here</i>—and carried on with less spectacular
awkwardness. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That toe is so many beautiful colors right now. It’s
probably cracked but I’m not heading out into germ-land to get it x-rayed just so
that they can tell me that it is, indeed, cracked and… sorry, there’s nothing
they can do for a cracked toe. I AM a physiotherapist, remember.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So yeah, the irony? I can walk all over the place in my bare
feet with zero pain, but the minute I put on my brand-spanking new Peloton
shoes to work that ever-softening body out on said very-expensive Peloton my baby toe shoots agony right up to my diaphragm, settling somewhere just behind my
bladder (another peri-menopausal story altogether), bringing tears to my eyes
and allowing a little more emotional leakage (thankfully, NOT other leakage). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My multi-coloured toe is taunting my tenuous stopper on my
emotional Old-faithful.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(aside…Peloton folks, one can only do so many meditations—gotta
keep up that streak—when one is sitting on a fault line.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anyhow. My toe will heal. But wow, that tiny stressor adds
so much more to the pressure within. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m sure I’m not alone. We’re all dealing with a gazillion
little stressors right now. Texas is frozen solid. There’s a new strain of
COVID each day. In the Canadian Armed Forces family world, posting season is
looming. So much to poke at our emotional strongholds.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Did I let that toe open the floodway? You bet I did. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Had a good old melt-down—privately, in the comfort of my own
bedroom—and then kept going.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Emotions are there for us to feel them. They are
normal reactions to abnormal situations. I firmly believe in letting them out.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re feeling, FEEL. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Feel it ALL. It’s yours to feel, friends. Keeping it inside
will not help. And if you need help, talk to someone.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Only once you have felt it, can you strap on those shoes and
get moving. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brenda</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-26174666167125668942021-02-09T17:26:00.000-05:002021-02-09T17:26:14.271-05:00Fifty<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Hi, my name is Brenda and I am fifty years old. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Midlife.
Five freaking decades old.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The thing about turning fifty in pandemic is you have a lot
of time to think. Maybe too much time. Fifty is a turning point. A reckoning.
Not only was this the year I turned fifty, but it was supposed to be the stepping
off point for our youngest—the third of three—and the year my husband and I
rediscovered our relationship. After twenty-four years of marriage, far too
many moves, and a whole lot of chaos and sacrifice, this was going to be the
year the roller coaster levelled out. A return to stability. A year of
rediscovery and growth.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ha.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hahahaha.<br /><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Hahahahahaha!</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>HA!</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yes, the universe had other plans.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What happened instead was a blessing in very questionable
clothing. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not only did we get to spend a bonus year with our youngest,
but we got to see our middlest grow into his own skin while studying and
working under our roof. We watched our oldest live up to the challenge of
living apart from us as an adult. We had family suppers again. We talked on the
phone. We Zoomed. Like so many others we stayed home, looked inward and relearned some
family boundaries. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But while we were re-exploring our family <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">we</b>, something else was happening.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fifty year old <b>me</b> was flailing. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4AJIs9n7oNw/YCMIiGk29_I/AAAAAAAACDw/XQ1xchrMgHoTHLmMfr7nwaYJUucHSn4WwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/island%2Bgirl.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="303" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4AJIs9n7oNw/YCMIiGk29_I/AAAAAAAACDw/XQ1xchrMgHoTHLmMfr7nwaYJUucHSn4WwCLcBGAsYHQ/w227-h303/island%2Bgirl.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>If you follow me on any of my social media pages you’ll have
figured out that I spent a big chunk of the past year with my daughter(s) looking
out over the edge of the earth from our cottage on Prince Edward Island. Before
I go any further, I want to say that I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">know</b>
how lucky I am to have had this refuge, and even more lucky to have the ability
and the cross-border approval to get there. I truly, truly wish others could
have the same option.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, in March when the world was going to crap, my
daughter and I drove the eighteen hours to our cottage, stopping only for gas
on the way, and got across the Confederation Bridge just hours before they shut
it down for weeks. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">March at our little beach cottage on the Island is about as
isolated as it gets. It was just me, my youngest, the foxes and the crows, with
a quiet (but lovely) neighbor who kept to herself. There was snow, wind, rain
and worry. Worry that I’d made the wrong choice to come there. Worry about my
husband and son who were far, far away in a different country in a pandemic.
Worry for my other daughter and my parents and family and friends. Worry that
someone would judge our American license plates and, in their very real fear,
act violently against myself or worse—my daughter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So much worry.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a Canadian who has given almost two thirds of my life to
my country both in my own uniform and in support of my husband and others in
uniform, living there on the edge of the world, as I approached the end of my
forties brought on huge crisis of identity. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If I’m not <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">from here</b>…where
am I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">from</b>? What do I want to do with
my life? Where is home?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Who am I</b>?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then one of those days, after a long week of working
virtually and dealing with the worry, I started reading Brené Brown’s 10<sup>th</sup>
Anniversary Edition of <u>The Gifts of Imperfection</u>. In her Preface, she
talks about her own reckoning with mid-life. She says:<o:p></o:p></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People may call what
happens at midlife “a crisis”, but it’s not. It’s an unraveling—a time when you
feel a desperate pull to live the life you want to live, not the one you’re “supposed”
to live. The unraveling is a time when you are challenged by the universe to
let go of who you think you are supposed to be and to embrace who you are.</i></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">I read that sentence and burst into tears.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Really. I’m not kidding. Full on meltdown.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the silent, hidden way that a mother cries knowing her seventeen-year-old
daughter is upstairs doing virtual schoolwork in a pandemic, I sat there and
bawled. Ugly-cried. I wanted to yell out loud like Charlie Brown—“That’s IT!” I
wanted to call Brené Brown and tell her thank you for putting it so clearly,
and for reading my emotional temperature better than I can myself.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was unraveling. I AM unraveling.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oh my god, I’ve been living how I’m supposed to be for sooooo
long. My hats are my own but I’ve been wearing them because that was what I thought
I was supposed to do. No one forced me to wear them. At any time I could have
said, no thank you…I don’t think that’s me. But I’ve been wearing them anyway
and they are freaking heavy. My shoulders are weary.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And I’m just…tired. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sitting there in that quiet cottage overlooking the ocean I
realized it’s up to me to examine each and every hat I wear. Some of them will
stay on my head. Some of them will be put aside, in case I need them again. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And some of them I will unravel, and build something different.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The hat that I am showing you now is one I’ve dusted off now
and again, but I realize, after a year of thinking and reading and doing, that
I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">need </b>this hat. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am a writer. And I need to write. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I am a creator. And I
need to create.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes my military spouse hat has meant that I have not
been true to that need. For some reason in the past, I thought my opinions would
be harmful—for my husband’s career, for my family, for me. I was afraid to show
my true self because it might be construed the wrong way.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the thing is, after more than thirty years of serving my
beautiful country in the best way I think I can, there are very few people that
have that foundation—that reality. And if I’m going to be true to myself,
sometimes my opinions will be different. That’s okay. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As long as I’m authentic, and honest and true, I know now
that writing—even difficult, controversial writing—is what I need to do. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Unraveling isn’t easy. I’m a knitter and I hate ‘frogging’
something I worked on. It’s painful. And the past few months have been hard for
me, and for everyone. They’re still hard. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the good thing is now I have a ball of yarn to create something beautiful with. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m starting with this blog. It’s been forgotten. As I lost
myself under the weight of my hats and life in general, I’ve found that writing
is super hard. Finishing my latest manuscript has been a long slog.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So I’m starting here. Just a few words when I can. A few
thoughts as I journey forward.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope you'll continue to join me here as I do. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Brenda</i></span></p>Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-48128473695698439162020-03-19T11:34:00.000-04:002020-03-19T11:34:36.456-04:00Month of the Military Child<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Celebrating our OUTCAN Military Children<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
April is the Month of the Military Child.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had a completely different post written to celebrate our
OUTCAN (Posted OUT of CANada) kids. A fun, positive, upbeat piece about how fabulous our OUTCAN
children are (and they are!) and how we can celebrate their resiliency.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then…this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coronavirus. COVID-19. Pandemic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I mean, how do we even begin to fathom what our OUTCAN
military children are going through right now, when we can’t even fathom what
we are going through ourselves?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s mind boggling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kids who don’t know what ‘home’ is, living far from the general
area they associate as their home, watching almost everything they know and
care about evaporate into thin air…invisible, like the virus that is
threatening us all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friends. School. Practices, games, competitions,
extra-curricular activities, proms, spring break plans, school trips, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>concerts, birthday parties, playdates,
graduation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All gone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They are being robbed of the things that make their already chaotic
lives livable, and we, as parents and caregivers can only watch while we try to
cope with the ever-changing reality of life in lock-down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a mom of three, I’m having difficulty even sitting here,
writing this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How can we celebrate military children when the world is in
a state of emergency?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess the best place to start is at the beginning. Take a
few steps into their world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Talk to them. If you’re a friend or family member back in
Canada, acknowledge their hardship in a text, message or call.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They’re scared. If they’re not old enough to understand what’s
going on, they understand that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>
are scared. They know that something is different. Older kids know that the
border just closed. They know that this is serious. They know that they or
someone they love could get sick. They’re worried about what this means for
their grades and their future post-secondary plans. If this is a posting year,
they’re worried that they may never see their friends again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They’re angry. OUTCAN High school seniors quite possibly are
in their fourth or fifth school, and have spent the last 12 years preparing for
this moment…the moment when they can finally have some control over their
lives. They want to celebrate, and there is a very real possibility that every
part of their graduation celebrations could be cancelled. They still have
school work or classes without the benefit of hanging out with their friends,
or the physical outlet of sports and extra-curricular activities. There is no
way to control what is happening to them right now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And they’re sad. They are grieving the loss of all of these
things. It’s a lot to take on when you’re already on shaky ground. Their hopes
and dreams are on hold, maybe cancelled altogether. Even though life before
wasn’t normal, they want to go back to life before. And if they see mom or dad
is sad, they are sad too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To celebrate our kids, we can take these emotions seriously.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whatever their age, validate their feelings. This is real.
Their emotions are real. And make time in the day to appreciate their
struggles, even if it’s just talking while supper is cooking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Clearly, they are anxious and simplistic assurances
rarely work. So that is not the thing to do. It's to take their fears seriously
and then address them,” says Dr. Peter Silverstone, a professor of Psychiatry at
the University of Alberta in Edmonton. “Never use, ‘Oh don’t worry about that.
Everything will be fine.’”*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Help them move forward in these difficult days. Celebrate
the simple things. Do your best to maintain a structure to your day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because, in the end, OUTCAN military children are resilient.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll admit, I’ve grown to dislike the word resilient. It’s a
word often overused to generalize the ability of military children and spouses
to uproot their lives over and over and over again, and still be successful. I
feel it’s truly inadequate to describe how strong military family coping skills
are, and how much they have to put up with. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It isn’t enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it’s less pop culture than ninja warrior, and less
cutesy than super-kid or wonderchild. Really, it is the best word. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ntahvhKt3gY/XnOOzWAzn3I/AAAAAAAACBQ/osbqwM3-5Kc5Y1KzJNepPV6aKOg18mZfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/segway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="960" height="279" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ntahvhKt3gY/XnOOzWAzn3I/AAAAAAAACBQ/osbqwM3-5Kc5Y1KzJNepPV6aKOg18mZfACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/segway.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dunnes adventuring in DC over the Christmas holidays.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OUTCAN Military children are so very resilient.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My nest is almost empty, and—even though they are almost all
adults—my kids continually amaze me as they cope with whatever life throws at
them. This crisis is no exception. They are carrying on, taking it day by day,
making the most of their new normal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Celebrate that. Tell them how proud you are of them. Tell
them they have the ability to do this. That you are there for them. Each day is
a new day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you want, tell them they are ninja warriors, super-kids
and wonderchildren.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Celebrate each and every day of this crisis with the
applause it deserves. Let them control the few things that they can control—what
they wear, what they have for supper, what time they get up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And lastly, if you reach the point where you are beyond your
scope of care, reach out for help. There are so many resources out there. Websites,
literature, apps, lists of educational resources, and other people in the same
boat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Help is only a phone call, text or email away. And I am
always here as a listening ear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stay safe,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Brenda</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other Resources:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.anxietycanada.com/">https://www.anxietycanada.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Family Information Line (For Canadian Military Families
OUTCAN) 1-800-866-4546<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MFS Outreach Social worker Tel: 867-873-0700 ext. 6845<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/children-anxiety-pandemic-1.5497338">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/children-anxiety-pandemic-1.5497338</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-6513101517972631962019-05-01T12:09:00.001-04:002019-05-01T12:16:08.265-04:00Words to Live By<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Military Spouse Appreciation Month</b></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve all heard the buzz words. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUtsJHFO9Ds/XMnCkCkbkqI/AAAAAAAAB-M/ItHVR6u7ztUISh-9Z5IGgVHboxkLuR5xACLcBGAs/s1600/Academy%2Bphoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUtsJHFO9Ds/XMnCkCkbkqI/AAAAAAAAB-M/ItHVR6u7ztUISh-9Z5IGgVHboxkLuR5xACLcBGAs/s200/Academy%2Bphoto.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a><b>Resilient. Loyal. Hard-Working.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words used to describe the ‘typical’ military
spouse. Military Family Services uses them regularly (check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=217&v=hgX_YXx9HIM">video</a>
for more) and they most certainly are not wrong. We are ALL of those words.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the truth is, most military spouses start off just as <b>a
person in love with their spouse</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
upcoming hardships are not really important, are they? In fact, they’re kind of
exciting. New adventures! Opportunities for travel! It’ll be romantic! Even as
an officer in the military with eyes wide open, I had great big stars in my
eyes when I married my husband. I didn’t really care what it meant and how it
would affect my career, my mental health, my entire existence. I was ready for
the roller-coaster ride ahead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then, sooner or later in the first five years (more or
less), it happens. Maybe more than once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That moment when the reality sinks in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alone in a new location, with an interrupted career (or no
career), no family, no friends and a spouse that is <b>AWAY</b>…the washing machine
breaks, the basement floods, the car dies and your two-year old (or dog, or
cat, or…), throws up all over your last set of clean sheets. The moment when
some people (like me) sink down in the midst of the still-unpacked boxes and
have a darned good cry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>That’s when the REAL words happen.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gritty. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tough. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Inventive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gutsy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Persistent.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Kick-a**, baby-wearing, puke-cleaning, duct-tape slinging SUPER
HERO.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The words that don’t often go on a resumé. Words that find
us when we are at our lowest, that help us get up and push through the bad
times to the many, many good times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Words that speak truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Military spouse-hood is not all smiling faces at the end of
deployments, nor is it weeping faces at the beginning of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s embracing the difficult, long hours of
going it on your own, and coming out okay at the end. It’s molding your
personhood around the ups and downs of the military lifestyle, and carving out
something that is uniquely you. Words that ADD to the resilience and loyalty
and hard-working professionalism that we celebrate this month, Military Spouse
Appreciation Month.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
And to the almost 35,000 Canadian military spouses, they are
the words that count.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Brenda</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xvv_bkwC1aY/XLD-7O-qCvI/AAAAAAAAB98/CwjPGf65pA8mj2pKU-D-LvMyHvIg4XaugCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Brenda%2BAir%2BForce%2BSpouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xvv_bkwC1aY/XLD-7O-qCvI/AAAAAAAAB98/CwjPGf65pA8mj2pKU-D-LvMyHvIg4XaugCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Brenda%2BAir%2BForce%2BSpouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brenda and her spouse of 21 years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-78587131698207939072017-03-21T11:03:00.001-04:002017-03-21T11:03:54.375-04:00LFB Reviews: Hope for the FlowersOne of my jobs at the Library Friends Bookshop is to sort donated books onto the appropriate shelves. It's a small task, but I really enjoy it because you never know what you are going to find in the donation bin. We get everything from recent bestsellers to thirty-year old textbooks, mint-condition vintage hardcovers to well-loved picture books.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzH0ZReV2eY/WNE8fYnW04I/AAAAAAAAB7k/6-XsW-3jHmMJR2ygZkaI2LBhW_Ugc1H9QCLcB/s1600/IMG_0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzH0ZReV2eY/WNE8fYnW04I/AAAAAAAAB7k/6-XsW-3jHmMJR2ygZkaI2LBhW_Ugc1H9QCLcB/s200/IMG_0709.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope for the Flowers<br />Available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Flowers-Trina-Paulus/dp/0809101742/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">Amazon Here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I work with people who have such varied tastes in literature that sometimes someone pulls out a beloved favourite that I've never even heard of. <i>Hope for the Flowers</i> (words and pictures by Trina Paulus) was this sort of book.<br />
<br />
It's an unassuming little yellow hardcover that has a very seventies look about it (published in 1972 by Paulist Press), and the back cover heralds it as:<br />
<br />
<i>a different sort of book for <u>everyone</u> except those who have given up <u>completely</u> (and even they might secretly enjoy it)</i><br />
<br />
I probably would have shelved it under the children's picture books, as that what it looks like; art and colour and a hand-written font throughout. But my coworker recommended it as something everyone should read, and on the front cover it mentions that it is<br />
<br />
<i>a tale—partly about life and partly about revolution and lots about hope for adults and others (including caterpillars who can read)</i><br />
<br />
I'm not a caterpillar who can read, but I gave it a try.<br />
<br />
<i>Hope for the Flowers</i> is a very quick read, about a caterpillar named Stripe who sees a giant tower of other caterpillars climbing to some unknown destination, crawling all over one another to get to the top. None of the caterpillars know why they are climbing, none of them know what's at the top, and at some point the climb becomes nasty. The striped caterpillar meets another caterpillar (Yellow) on his way up and they both decide it's not worth it and climb back down. They fall in love, and spend many days just being in love, always in the shadow of the tower of climbing caterpillars.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJUwMW51Omc/WNE8-e1VybI/AAAAAAAAB7o/_MI0BWLNLsQzPBVyxWCNstd0fUMpwdigACLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJUwMW51Omc/WNE8-e1VybI/AAAAAAAAB7o/_MI0BWLNLsQzPBVyxWCNstd0fUMpwdigACLcB/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stripe and Yellow in the column (page 32)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Stripe becomes restless, still wanting to know what's at the top...and in spite of Yellow's encouragement to stay, he sets off again, leaving Yellow to make her own way in the world.<br />
<br />
Obviously this is a book about life...about the rat-race to succeed and the things we give up in order to reach the summit, and even thought it's 45 years old, it's a book that's just as relevant today as it was when it was written. It's so easy to look at someone else, see them running in an unknown direction, and think, "Why are they running that way? Shouldn't I be running that way too?". You see it at theme parks and at businesses, a large group of people hurrying toward an unknown destination is like a magnet. None of us want to miss an opportunity to experience something extraordinary.<br />
<br />
But just like Stripe, we have to be aware of our own motivations, and stay true to who we are. Stripe, as a caterpillar, has no idea why he wants to be up in the sky...and his character suffers as a result. Often if we are patient and observant, we can figure out a better way.<br />
<br />
This little yellow book was a pleasant surprise in the donations pile. I'm so happy I got to read it. I'll be taking it back, not because I didn't enjoy it, but because this is a book to be shared, and loved and passed along.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', times, freeserif, serif; font-size: 16px;">Total Keeper (10) to Back to the Library Friends Bookshop Post-Haste (1)?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', times, freeserif, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', times, freeserif, serif; font-size: 16px;">10/10. You should come to the LFB and buy it. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', times, freeserif, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', times, freeserif, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Brenda</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', times, freeserif, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
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<br />Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-11570697495494736872017-03-17T13:50:00.002-04:002017-03-17T13:50:58.037-04:00Happy St. Patrick's Day!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8ZWvGKvhN4/RwDHNamfR6I/AAAAAAAAABM/yPmSO36-jK8b5X8hGaei2rGRfS1KhaiPACPcB/s1600/First%2BWeeks%2BUK%2B037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8ZWvGKvhN4/RwDHNamfR6I/AAAAAAAAABM/yPmSO36-jK8b5X8hGaei2rGRfS1KhaiPACPcB/s320/First%2BWeeks%2BUK%2B037.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Powerscourt, Ireland 2007</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Are you wearing your green? Happy St. Patrick's Day!<br />
<br />
I love Ireland! 🍀<br />
<br />
I've only visited twice, but both times were amazing, and I hope to go back again soon. The folklore, the green hills and steep cliffs, the AWESOME sweaters (my favourite writing sweater was made in Ireland) and of course a few of my favourite people (ah-hem, DUNNE) make it the perfect basis for my latest novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Brenda-Corey-Dunne/dp/0988156229/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489758488&sr=8-1&keywords=skin+by+brenda+corey+dunne"><span id="goog_333019646"></span>SKIN<span id="goog_333019647"></span></a>.<br />
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<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wN2EY7Cej84/WMwgf54bQ0I/AAAAAAAAB7U/X9uqUoU6feYJKDsxP7ezx_33_jexFp6pwCLcB/s1600/skin%2Bsweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wN2EY7Cej84/WMwgf54bQ0I/AAAAAAAAB7U/X9uqUoU6feYJKDsxP7ezx_33_jexFp6pwCLcB/s320/skin%2Bsweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aran sweater and a selkie story...a great combination!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope you are having a fantastic St. Patrick's Day, and have a great weekend! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Brenda</span></i></div>
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Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-70402090637210507952017-02-06T07:32:00.000-05:002017-02-09T21:47:34.274-05:00Julie and Julia: LFB ReviewsWeek 4:<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Julie-Julia-Year-Cooking-Dangerously/dp/031604251X" target="_blank">Julie & Julia, My Year of Cooking Dangerously</a><br />
Adult Memoir/Cooking/Humour<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHe30IVBf2E/WJIMG7ijFKI/AAAAAAAAB68/FWsN89nphs8jdRflzqWDfty90x4e65kyACLcB/s1600/Julie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHe30IVBf2E/WJIMG7ijFKI/AAAAAAAAB68/FWsN89nphs8jdRflzqWDfty90x4e65kyACLcB/s200/Julie.jpg" width="114" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Movie Adaptation<br />
Cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
by Julie Powell<br />
<br />
<br />
I was putting some cookbooks away at the Library Friends Bookshop and I came across <i>Julie & Julia</i>.<br />
<br />
Firstly, it caught my eye because it isn't really a cookbook, and in my humble and unschooled library-bookshop-volunteer opinion, it shouldn't have been shelved with them. There are no real recipes in the book, although there are lots of references to Julia Child's <i>Mastering The Art of French Cooking</i>. The Memoirs are shelved very close to the Cookbooks in our wee little shop, and I guess I can see how the mis-shelving could have happened.<br />
<br />
Secondly, I'm a purist when it comes to book-to-movie adaptations and I've passed by the <i>Julie & Julia</i> movie many, many times on Netflix or On Demand because I hadn't read the book. Why would I want to ruin the book? In my humble and unschooled movie-connaisseur opinion, book-to-movie adaptations are so much more enjoyable when you've read the book first and have a bit of background info...although sometimes the screenwriters/director fail miserably at bringing my mental picture to life. It's a problem.<br />
<br />
The original cover (not the movie version) of this copy made it even more appealing and I may be one of the only book lovers on the planet who hadn't read this book...Soooo, into my bag of goodies it went.<br />
<br />
Now I have to say that this book is the reason why I started LFB reviews. I picked this book up just after New Years, and I was looking for a project. Something to energize my writing. Something to push me forward and make me see alternative ways of doing things. Similarly, Julie Powell was feeling a trifle stagnant in 2004, when she picked up <i>Mastering the Art of French Cooking</i> and for some insane reason decided to spend 365 days cooking up every single recipe in the book and blogging about it daily.<br />
<br />
If you've seen Mastering the Art..., you'll recognize that this was no easy undertaking. Julia cooks with calves hooves, with freshly-scraped bone marrow, with quails eggs and pigeon and any number of bizarre ingredients that are not readily available, even in modern-day New York City.<br />
<br />
On top of all of this, Julie is in a dead-end job (sorting through the aftermath of 9/11) and still in love with her patient high-school sweetheart while all of her friends are having crazy-exciting affairs<i>. </i>She has a tightly-wound biological clock with incoming pressure from her parents, and is moving to another (under ventilated and mouldy) apartment. She deals with black-out power outages and unexpected blog popularity, and even the death of Julia Child, herself.<br />
<br />
Being a rather lackadaisical blogger, I am in awe of Julie Powell's determination to not only cook something crazy every day, but to <b>blog about it EVERY DAY.</b> That's insane. Seriously. Who does that? All while dealing with all of the other things that life threw at her, and while maintaining her sense of humour. It's pretty amazing.<br />
<br />
Her writing is humorous, poignant and un-pretentious...all three things I need right now in a book. We all could use a good laugh in today's world climate. It's a book you can put down for a few days and not feel lost when you pick it up again--although you won't want to put it down in the first place.<br />
<br />
I loved it. It inspired me. The result is my tiny commitment to read and review books from the LFB, and share them with you. Heck, if Julie can write a blog while cooking calves hooves in a New York City loft, I can put a few words down more regularly.<br />
<br />
So there you go.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Total Keeper (10) to Back to the Library Friends Bookshop Post-Haste (1)?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;">A good, solid <b>9.5/10</b>. If you haven't read it yet, you should go get it. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Incidentally, I searched for Julie's original blog, and although there are lots of references, I couldn't find it. But you can my other LFB reviews here:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2017/02/my-name-is-memory-lfb-reviews.html" target="_blank">My Name is Memory</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;">The <a href="http://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-bar-code-tattoo-and-lfb-reviews.html" target="_blank">Bar-Code Tattoo</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Brenda</b></i></span></span>Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-58574897317064413172017-02-01T10:18:00.000-05:002017-02-01T10:22:28.824-05:00My Name Is Memory: LFB ReviewsWeek 2 and 3:<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-Name-Memory-Ann-Brashares/dp/1594485186/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">My Name is Memory</a><br />
Adult Action/Adventure/Romance<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1sK_dhcrmkc/WJH61oVF5pI/AAAAAAAAB6o/gmSBifGoQmMlTkW4-jCtxwlD9OubunQXwCLcB/s1600/Memory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1sK_dhcrmkc/WJH61oVF5pI/AAAAAAAAB6o/gmSBifGoQmMlTkW4-jCtxwlD9OubunQXwCLcB/s200/Memory.jpg" width="133" /></a>by Ann Brashares<br />
<br />
I loved the <i>Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants</i> books. LOVED them. My copies have been read and re-read and passed on and passed back. And I'm always curious how an author with a well-known series of YA books moves on to something else afterward--like J.K. Rowling after <i>Harry Potter</i>. <i>My Name is Memory</i> came into the Library Friends Bookshop three weeks ago, and I hadn't read it, so into my bag of goodies it went.<br />
<br />
Although <i>Sisterhood</i> is considered YA, this book is not. It is, however, an adult book with a YA bent, as the book opens up with two high school kids around the time of graduation. Daniel 'remembers' Lucy from a previous life...in fact from many, many previous lives...but she does not remember him.<br />
<br />
It's a cool concept, starting their relationship in ancient civilizations, and then following their connections from life to life, never quite connecting in the right age-level or circumstances. Always close enough that he could be with her, but not close enough that they could be together as a couple. Though the concept is fantasy, the lives are told in very real terms, and the two fall in love in various ways throughout many different centuries and settings.<br />
<br />
But then there's the evil older brother Joaquim, who also remembers, and who has made it his purpose through time to hurt Daniel through his infatuation with Lucy.<br />
<br />
The story dances through time until modern day, when the three come together a final time to determine their fates.<br />
<br />
I very much enjoyed this book, but the ending...not so much. I don't think it can be compared to the <i>Sisterhood</i> books, as it's such a different premise, but Ms. Brashares still writes with a quiet, lyrical style. I loved how the stories mixed and mingled, with different situations each time, but I felt the ending did not suit the intensity of the story. I hope that's because Ms. Brashares is setting it up for a sequel, but I'm not sure the storyline warrants it. I guess we will all have to wait to find out.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;">On a scale of Total Keeper (10) to Back to the Library Friends Bookshop Post-Haste (1)?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;">I give it a 6/10. I'll keep it, but would have liked a better conclusion to what was a fabulous love story through time. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Brenda</i></b></span></span>Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-60644100435435214022017-01-17T07:09:00.000-05:002017-01-17T07:09:04.689-05:00Teaser Tuesday: SKIN Sequel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PA8RN0h58I/WH1ZHgeSoqI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/Tut9enHHmOcOa7xtwiy_ehEoYse8OO8DgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PA8RN0h58I/WH1ZHgeSoqI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/Tut9enHHmOcOa7xtwiy_ehEoYse8OO8DgCLcB/s400/IMG_1048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've been typing away at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Brenda-Corey-Dunne/dp/0988156229" target="_blank">SKIN</a> #2, tentatively called SWIM, and it's going surprisingly well. This sequel thing is not my forté, but I hope to keep picking away at it to get the sequel out this year. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We'll see. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ocean and Sam are back, but there's all sorts of trouble in selkie-land, A.K.A. Prince Edward Island. Starting with Ocean's mom. Here's a sneak peek: </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“What is the problem tonight?” <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">He’s beautiful sitting there in the dim porch light, freckles barely
showing. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“You,” I say.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“Me?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“Yes, you. It seems she’s having second thoughts about my
‘involvement’ with a nasty Black.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">His grin stays, but the corners of his eyes shift. He doesn’t like to be associated with his father. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“Well, that is a problem.” He faces the water, the lilt in his voice
coming out more because he’s upset. Like Irish music playing to the tune of his
emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“I told her I wasn’t an ‘involvement’,” I say.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">This catches him, and he turns back to face me again. “No?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">I try not to smile. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“No. Involvement is too businesslike. I told her it was lust.” </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If only life could stay that simple, huh? Don't worry, things don't stay fun and simple for long. I'm 165 pages in, and Ocean and Sam are in a lovely mess. Unfortunately you'll have to wait to find out what that means. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Enjoy your day!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Brenda</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-4318930513825676492017-01-16T18:02:00.000-05:002017-01-16T18:02:13.790-05:00The Bar Code Tattoo and LFB ReviewsOne of the nasty (or beneficial, depending how you look at it) things about following my military husband from place to place in what seems like a <a href="https://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2016/09/changes.html" target="_blank">never-ending sequence of moves</a> is that sometimes it takes a while to re-employ myself. Being a physiotherapist by trade, usually this is just a matter of filling out the paperwork for the local licensing board, putting my name out to a few places looking for PTs, and voila! I have a job. Often it's faster than I'd like it be, sometimes it's not. Being a Canadian in a different country, I need a little more than proof of my degree and experience. I need THE CARD. This card is not easy coming. In fact, it's been a bit of a challenge.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZWH90PyXAo/Uu-XlzFR88I/AAAAAAAABik/po-gWuaQQ7oeMhWmMWZDk3HGI1qSrhviQCPcB/s1600/hourglass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZWH90PyXAo/Uu-XlzFR88I/AAAAAAAABik/po-gWuaQQ7oeMhWmMWZDk3HGI1qSrhviQCPcB/s200/hourglass.jpg" width="127" /></a>So, to make a long story short, five months into our new living arrangements, I remain unemployed.<br />
<br />
Don't take this as I'm sitting around twiddling my thumbs. I'm not. I'm writing. I'm social-mediaing. I'm still spending several hours a week on Canadian volunteer positions I haven't given up. The social obligations of being married to my husband are not to be taken lightly. I drive a mean SUV in the high school kiss and go lanes, and am an avid supporter of extra-curriculars. I am the opposite of a twiddler.<br />
<br />
But still, I need something to focus my days and the extra funds in our bank account do not hurt. So I wait.<br />
<br />
In my quest to fill my days with unpaid meaningful things while awaiting the chance at doing paid meaningful things, I sort of fell into a volunteer position. I was dropping off books at the local library's donation box (by necessity, not by desire--there was literally no room on any of our bookshelves), and the lovely woman who was in charge of the Library Friends said they were looking for volunteers and gave me their info.<br />
<br />
Books, organization, self-determined hours? What's not to love about that? My junior high school-day friends will remember the wonders of being a library helper (oh, the power of charging a late fee! Getting first dibs at new books! And first looks at the Scholastic book fair!) and my librarian friends (I have a surprising amount of friends with Library Science degrees) will appreciate the joy of putting a book on a shelf exactly where it belongs--well, in my current situation, where I THINK it belongs. Library Friends Bookshop is only slightly picky about things like alphabetization.<br />
<br />
So starting two weeks ago, I walked into a room full of crazily disorganized donated books and began my journey as a Library Friend Bookshop (LFB) volunteer.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PDcKXDj8QOU/WH0rwTCSJAI/AAAAAAAAB58/Rr30Xj33w9comerjiDg6LpHyq9uA32-IwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PDcKXDj8QOU/WH0rwTCSJAI/AAAAAAAAB58/Rr30Xj33w9comerjiDg6LpHyq9uA32-IwCLcB/s320/IMG_9983.jpg" width="240" /></a>Now I will preface what I hope will be many blog posts by saying that I had no idea, when I signed up, that one of the perks was an honour system of hours worked = books. I just thought the act of organizing and selling donated books would provide me with a different view of the book world, introduce me to other bibliophiles, and perhaps expose me to books I had never noticed before, later to be signed out or purchased (very cheaply) for my personal reading pleasure. Imagine, doing something you enjoy, and getting 'paid' in something else you enjoy?<br />
<br />
There are just SO. MANY. BOOKS. What is a girl to do, but read them? So I've vowed to bring home a few a week (and likely return them, as there is still no room on my bookshelves) and challenge myself to read differently. To read books I wouldn't normally pick up. To expand my brain, while waiting for meaningful employment.<br />
<br />
I figure the least I can do is tell you my thoughts about them.<br />
<br />
And so...thus begins the LFB Reviews*.<br />
<br />
<b>Week 1</b><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bar-Code-Tattoo-Suzanne-Weyn/dp/0545470544/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">The Bar Code Tattoo </a><br />
YA Dystopian<br />
by Suzanne Weyn<br />
<br />
It's no secret that the world is a wee bit shaken up right now. 2016 was a year of bizarreness. And this week is, without a doubt, going to go down in history. How that history will play out has been wildly speculated, and I am not the one to discuss the pros and cons of any side. But the last few months have felt mildly dystopian. And with one of my yet-unsold finished manuscripts dealing with similar world-gone-crazy scenarios, this book jumped out at me on the shelf as I was trying to cram two <i>Harry Potter</i> books and a <i>Maze Runner</i> book in beside it. I've seen it before, and was curious...but not curious enough to buy it. Yet there it was, in the pile of crazy mixed up MG and YA. Not hugely out of my comfort zone, but not something I would normally have purchased. And then, SURPRISE!, it jumped into my pile and came home with me.<br />
<br />
I wish I could say I loved this book. I really do. I wanted to love this book, I wanted it to be the first of a love affair with Library Friends Bookshop literature. The premise is so real right now--adults (over 17) being forced to be tattooed and DNA typed and having their entire lives dictated by said tattoo and the company which administered it. It could happen. It's a strong storyline.<br />
<br />
But the book got mired in relationships and when the main character, Kayla, started having visions and speaking telepathically with a mystical leader of the Resistance. At that point, I found it increasingly hard to follow. And it seemed less and less realistic. There were some deep questions--Should our genetics dictate our employment, our livelihood, our existence? And some scary possibilities, including that of a society which 'euthanizes' its elderly. Frightening and thought provoking. But the writing did not highlight those issues, and sadly I had to fight to finish the book.<br />
<br />
On a scale of Total Keeper (10) to Back to the LFB Post-Haste (1)?<br />
<br />
I give it a 4/10. I'll take this one back for someone else to enjoy. <br />
<br />
Enjoy the week, folks. From where I sit, it's bound to be a doozy.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Brenda</i></b></span><br />
<br />
*Please note, the views on this blog are my own, and do not, in any way, indicate opinions of the Library Friends, the Canadian Forces or anyone. They are mine. Also note, I tend to be perfectly awful at regular blogging. You probably know this already, but I warn you in advance that there will likely be weeks I miss. Maybe months I miss. So I apologize in advance.<br />
<br />
<br />Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-48853436650271698552017-01-12T07:07:00.000-05:002017-01-12T07:34:40.038-05:00Book Release! All the Way Home <div style="text-align: center;">
Adult romance BY KIM MILLS</div>
<br />
So a while back (five years ago? Maybe more?) I started following a sassy Canadian soldier's wife <a href="https://twitter.com/reccewife" target="_blank">(@reccewife) on Twitter</a>. She shot from the hip, and told it like it was, and I liked her style. Her resolution to treat people to dinner while her husband was deployed was intriguing. And her blog posts were poignant and real.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a few years, and Kim and I have become virtual friends through several other platforms, including a group of Canadian military bloggers on Facebook. She recently MC'd a national event to mark the <a href="http://www.sheisfierce.net/2016/11/stand-military-families-caf/" target="_blank">25th Anniversary of Canadian Military Family Services</a>. And her name has been mentioned more than once since I arrived in the US--she had spoken the year before to Canadian military families here in the US National Capitol region.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jm7L2JfP0Wo/WHUZ0kQ4LjI/AAAAAAAAB5k/dN0oyeJpPW05aVRelbd6S1oaETFV83c8ACLcB/s1600/FB_IMG_1473209868834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jm7L2JfP0Wo/WHUZ0kQ4LjI/AAAAAAAAB5k/dN0oyeJpPW05aVRelbd6S1oaETFV83c8ACLcB/s200/FB_IMG_1473209868834.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">While managing a busy family, a well-visited blog, speaking engagements and a meaningful life as a military spouse, Kim has </span><span style="font-size: large;">written a novel--a Canadian military romance novel, to be exact. And I'm so happy to be able to support her as she releases it to the public today. In her words:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>"I w</i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>rote this book because I wanted to read a story about average Canadian combat soldiers and the people who loved them during the war in Afghanistan.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>I’m hoping that maybe there’s a few others out there who were looking for stories like that, too."</i><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Kim's bio:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Kim Mills intended to grow up to be a psychologist with a loft apartment and 3 cats. Instead she dropped out of college and married a teenage soldier and had babies. No one ever asks her to speak on career day.</span><br />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">After working and volunteering in Social Services for years, Kim began writing in 2011 on what is now the Canadian military family blog She is Fierce. Somehow, that led her here. No one is more surprised than she is.</span><br />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You can find Kim with the childhood sweetheart she's been married to for over 15 years, along with her 3 kids and their border collie Trooper, making home wherever the army sends them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">ALL THE WAY HOME is book one of a series of books (The Way Home Series), and today is it's <span style="color: #cc0000;">Book Birthday!</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">More about the book (from Amazon):</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vY72ykgvro/WHUZ20CyfTI/AAAAAAAAB5o/yWGWEUwExwwUarI9bPFd8fgkRMm6NCgGQCLcB/s1600/All%2BThe%2BWay%2BHome%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vY72ykgvro/WHUZ20CyfTI/AAAAAAAAB5o/yWGWEUwExwwUarI9bPFd8fgkRMm6NCgGQCLcB/s320/All%2BThe%2BWay%2BHome%2BCover.jpg" width="207" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Juliette has been walking through life broken and hurting for years, always relying on her friend Tavish to be there for her when she needs him. As soon as he met her, Tavish knew he would do anything for her, that is, until he enlists in the infantry and leaves town, and possibly Juliette, for good.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Soon the events of 9/11 change everything, and an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan prompts him to reconnect with Juliette 5 years later. Despite the time apart she soon finds herself leaning on him again as their reunion leads to something much more. That’s when tragedy strikes during his deployment, and Tavish comes home shattered. Is Juliette strong enough to offer him the support he has always given her? Will it be enough for both of them to find their way home?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">All The Way Home is a Canadian-based military love story, the first in the Way Home series but is a stand-alone with it's own HEA. </span><br />
<br style="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;">This book is intended for audiences 18+. For those dealing with combat related PTSD, some scenes may be triggering. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can purchase ALL THE WAY HOME on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kim-Mills/e/B01NBSQYG0" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. And find out more about Kim on her blog: <a href="http://www.sheisfierce.net/" target="_blank">She is Fierce</a> which is well worth a read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Congratulations Kim!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Brenda</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-70287825932721708722017-01-10T09:19:00.000-05:002017-01-10T09:19:21.608-05:00Teaser Tuesday: SKINAhhhh. Coffee by my side, warm golden retriever at my feet, kids at school, hubby at work and a whole day of writing and organizing things ahead of me. Nice.<div>
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Step one is to get some blog posts up and running. I spent most of the pre-Christmas build up getting <i>Dependent</i>'s 2nd Edition back up and online, so I thought I'd give my new release some love today. </div>
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Here in Virginia it's cold and snowy and as much as it's nice to see the snow, I'm missing warm days on the beach. I love my golden retriever foot-warmer, but hot sand is so wonderful! And a nice cold lemony drink....sigh. I'm also working on the sequel to <i>Skin</i>...and the northern Atlantic beaches aren't so warm in October and November. Brrr! No wonder I need that coffee.</div>
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<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_fZCjRPlCU/WHTsTNq2StI/AAAAAAAAB5U/ZGsKwT5k5Wo0jW9UNHY_VE5F_-o4-UKsACLcB/s1600/peilastdays%2B103%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_fZCjRPlCU/WHTsTNq2StI/AAAAAAAAB5U/ZGsKwT5k5Wo0jW9UNHY_VE5F_-o4-UKsACLcB/s400/peilastdays%2B103%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PEI in summertime...</td></tr>
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To fortify you on the cold, dark days of winter, here's a little beachy teaser from Chapter 1 of <i>Skin</i>:</div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;">...<span style="text-indent: 36pt;">When I get to the edge, Declan’s puny frame is already knee deep in one of the pools, and all I can think about is how good the water will feel on my toes. Wet sand is not satisfying at all. I want the real thing.</span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Then, like it’s some big event that I’ve been waiting my whole life for, I step in. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>The water </i>reacts<i>. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjOeiB2fbGw/VzDVDeuQ_0I/AAAAAAAAB0I/FbyxPRCwQKASM_FZUCGzUrEycFxUnM29wCPcB/s1600/Skin-300x200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjOeiB2fbGw/VzDVDeuQ_0I/AAAAAAAAB0I/FbyxPRCwQKASM_FZUCGzUrEycFxUnM29wCPcB/s200/Skin-300x200.jpg" width="133" /></a><span lang="EN-CA"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">It’s like a brain slap. A sense of recognition hits me, and a roll of emotion I’m not ready for swells up from under my feet, shocking me right to my chest. I gasp and step back, almost tripping over my own feet in my haste. </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Hmmm...what's happening there? If you want to read more, and haven't already purchased my latest YA, you can find Skin on Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Brenda-Corey-Dunne-ebook/dp/B01FE75CT2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Don't forget to review it when you've finished!</div>
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Happy Tuesday!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Brenda</b></i></span></div>
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Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-80532777861870497032017-01-06T17:43:00.000-05:002017-01-06T17:43:55.507-05:00New Year, Same Me.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSEtUBCkZMo/WHAKhpFBvBI/AAAAAAAAB4g/2K1nVXvpCLE2O5YHPDqoFS0QZzTCoGdLgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSEtUBCkZMo/WHAKhpFBvBI/AAAAAAAAB4g/2K1nVXvpCLE2O5YHPDqoFS0QZzTCoGdLgCLcB/s200/IMG_9532.JPG" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snapchat improved me</td></tr>
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My kids have gotten me onto Snapchat. So, I suck at it...forget to send things, send them to the wrong person, navigate the wrong way... I'm not a teenager anymore and the whole thing boggles me a bit. But it's a great way to connect with my three teens--especially the one in college. I was 'snapping' her on New Years Day, and on<span style="text-align: center;">e of the filters that came up said. "New Year, New Me!", all bubbly and smiley and celebratory--like it was super-cool to change everything up about my life and show it in one bizarre deer-faced picture.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iTC41KT2V0Q/WHAKhqo5LXI/AAAAAAAAB4k/_ydCB9U4eYcB3y55hE_EXJ4zbe7hhGebwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iTC41KT2V0Q/WHAKhqo5LXI/AAAAAAAAB4k/_ydCB9U4eYcB3y55hE_EXJ4zbe7hhGebwCLcB/s200/IMG_9528.JPG" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so improved.</td></tr>
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I cringed. Really. I should have used it and saved it and shared it here like a super-cool snappy mom, but I was so weirded out, I flipped on and forgot to send the snap in the first place. I get that the idea was to change all of those horrible things about myself...starting right then. Um, no. I am not a fan of New Year's resolutions. I've mentioned it before here on the blog, and my dislike hasn't changed. Why set yourself up with unattainable lists of distant possibilities? The NEW ME is skinny and organized and goes to the gym and has a spotless house and makes a five-layer cake every Tuesday! Even if I liked baking five-layer cakes, I could never eat the whole cake and stay skinny. ;)<br />
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I am, however, a huge fan of making goals and ATTEMPTING to stick with them, recognizing that circumstances change, and sometimes it's just not possible to reach those goals in a year.<br />
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What I also love about New Years is the opportunity a new year brings to reflect upon the previous one, and recognize just how much has been accomplished. When things get busy I forget to celebrate the smaller achievements, and they add up! 2016 was a crazy year, that's for sure, but a lot of good and exciting things happened in the many aspects of my somewhat crazy life. Here's Dunne-central's list of good things from 2016 in rough chronological order...<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1L2T46353FY/VyezNEuBWOI/AAAAAAAABzw/iLyj5MydBLUKMPLXLuqR79Zxc7oYvqGEgCPcB/s1600/Cover%2BARC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1L2T46353FY/VyezNEuBWOI/AAAAAAAABzw/iLyj5MydBLUKMPLXLuqR79Zxc7oYvqGEgCPcB/s200/Cover%2BARC.jpg" width="146" /></a><br />
*Watched as the wonderful <a href="https://canadianmilitarywiveschoircomox.wordpress.com/about-us/" target="_blank">Canadian Military Wives Choir Comox </a>celebrated it's 1 year anniversary.<br />
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*Recieved my rights back to <a href="https://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2016/09/changes.html" target="_blank">DEPENDENT</a><br />
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*Published <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Brenda-Corey-Dunne/dp/0988156229/ref=la_B00JA7VUQW_1_2_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483742107&sr=1-2" target="_blank">SKIN</a>, my third novel with an amazing launch party surrounded by friends and family. 💙<br />
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*Supported my eldest daughter as she graduated High School with many awards and scholarships<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qce6JEp0Y4/V5EPdzZ0DTI/AAAAAAAAB14/MmHt-8wiJmge7Sr0rZAHhRbV52AETYorQCPcB/s1600/13700061_10208975871606369_1129193878107648968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qce6JEp0Y4/V5EPdzZ0DTI/AAAAAAAAB14/MmHt-8wiJmge7Sr0rZAHhRbV52AETYorQCPcB/s200/13700061_10208975871606369_1129193878107648968_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea turtles!!</td></tr>
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*Had an incredible family <a href="https://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2016_07_01_archive.html" target="_blank">trip to Oahu</a> for two weeks during which I had a VIP tour of the USS Stennis (aircraft carrier), swam with sea turtles and visited the Pearl Harbour memorials.<br />
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*Packed up another home, and drove for 10 days from Vancouver Island, Canada to Northern Virginia, USA--visiting Mount Rushmore, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Old Faithful and Devil's Tower.<br />
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*Dropped eldest daughter off for her first year of university (back in Canada)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWJvPWtcDZI/WEC1EA2QcAI/AAAAAAAAB4I/2RutvraFqYQlX0GacIGVZx5kin9qB_krgCPcB/s1600/Dependent_800%2BCover%2Breveal%2Band%2BPromotional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWJvPWtcDZI/WEC1EA2QcAI/AAAAAAAAB4I/2RutvraFqYQlX0GacIGVZx5kin9qB_krgCPcB/s200/Dependent_800%2BCover%2Breveal%2Band%2BPromotional.jpg" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dependent: New and improved!</td></tr>
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*Was privileged to take part in a three state west coast military tour, visiting Arizona (Grand Canyon), Nevada (Las Vegas) and California (Napa Valley and San Francisco).<br />
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*Published <a href="https://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2016/12/new-cover-design-by-streetlight-graphics.html" target="_blank">DEPENDENT's second edition</a>.<br />
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*Continued work as the President of the <a href="http://www.canadianmilitarywiveschoirs.com/" target="_blank">Canadian Military Wives Choirs Association</a> while working part-time as a physiotherapist and writing in my spare (?) time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SYcDwy5-YHc/WHALQYwArTI/AAAAAAAAB4s/CF-ZNEr9rO83YNy4x8vnU70nrEzjW993wCLcB/s1600/IMG_9826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SYcDwy5-YHc/WHALQYwArTI/AAAAAAAAB4s/CF-ZNEr9rO83YNy4x8vnU70nrEzjW993wCLcB/s200/IMG_9826.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Years, Ottawa</td></tr>
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*Visited a grand total of <b>24 states and 3 Canadian provinces</b> in one year--not to mention the many embassies and international events I've been privileged to attend.<br />
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*Had a wonderful New Year's Eve on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.<br />
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See? At the time, it didn't feel like I was doing that much. But as I write it down, it's like, WOW. I did all that. How did I manage to get it all done and still stay relatively sane? <br />
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<b>2016 was a busy year. </b><br />
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So now, looking ahead, I see how much can be accomplished, merely by picking small goals (publishing a new book, republishing another, enjoying our move, <b>sucking the marrow out of life</b>)<br />
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Just being me, <b>without the new</b>, is more than sufficient.<br />
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My New Years goals? I've got four right now. Start small, right? But they are serious goals.<br />
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1. FINISH at least one manuscript. All of these crazy things have meant less time at the keyboard, difficulty focusing and difficulty putting words down on the page. I don't even care how much I write. I just need to write. At least a few days a week.<br />
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2. ORGANIZE my inbox. And my writing area. And my basement. Okay, maybe not the basement. That's hopeless. But I have over 7000 unread emails that need to go (not kidding), and I need to unsubscribe from those hotels I stayed in 8 years ago in Austria (also not kidding). And if I'm going to do goal number one, I need to have a place to work that is not looking like a disaster zone.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qBg3b6TUPFs/WHAYmp3bcyI/AAAAAAAAB5E/e0LMM7jucgI34_RR9huF7Dx_VCjjbzgxwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qBg3b6TUPFs/WHAYmp3bcyI/AAAAAAAAB5E/e0LMM7jucgI34_RR9huF7Dx_VCjjbzgxwCLcB/s200/IMG_8785.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">X-scream. Insanely<br />high up. Why do I do this<br />to myself? </td></tr>
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3. LIVE healthier. I know, this is bordering on the new year, new me mentioned above, but I did okay in 2016. I actually did a gym-organized health challenge last year and felt soooo much better. I don't need crazy diets, just healthier choices and a more active lifestyle. As I write this, I'm eating chips (also not kidding), so I've got a way to go.<br />
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4. SUCK the marrow out of life. It takes effort for me to leave that comfort zone and get out there and live. My comfort zone is so comfy! Why would I leave it? But 2016 has proven to me that life doesn't always turn out the way I planned, and I need to enjoy it anyway. I'm going to love more. Get up earlier. Hug my kids. Ride the roller coaster (unless it's X-scream. I'm never doing that again). Read the book. Take the chance and recognize that big changes start small.<br />
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So there you have it. New Year, same me, but with goals.<br />
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What are your New Years goals? Are you looking for a complete change? Do any of the above sound familiar? Let me know below!<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><i>Happy New Year!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Brenda</i></span><br />
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<br />Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-46202979354254544382016-12-08T07:00:00.000-05:002016-12-08T07:00:24.447-05:00Dependent Giveaway!To celebrate Dependent's re-release, I'm offering up paperback proof copies to two lucky winners!<br />
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Head on over to Goodreads and enter by clicking below!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Brenda</i></span><br />
<script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/214502" type="text/javascript"></script>Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-43766597054994333992016-12-01T20:28:00.000-05:002016-12-01T20:28:56.954-05:00Dependent Re-release<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWJvPWtcDZI/WEC1EA2QcAI/AAAAAAAAB4E/MPuqIkPOz7IiYwWA8gbRVW2gp_4qlxPfACLcB/s1600/Dependent_800%2BCover%2Breveal%2Band%2BPromotional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWJvPWtcDZI/WEC1EA2QcAI/AAAAAAAAB4E/MPuqIkPOz7IiYwWA8gbRVW2gp_4qlxPfACLcB/s640/Dependent_800%2BCover%2Breveal%2Band%2BPromotional.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New cover! Design by Streetlight Graphics.</td></tr>
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<i>Dependent</i>'s second edition is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dependent-Novel-Brenda-Corey-Dunne-ebook/dp/B01N1MUZ5Z/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480641603&sr=8-1&keywords=dependent+brenda+corey+dunne" target="_blank">now ready for pre-order</a> and will be available December 9th! </div>
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It's been a few complicated months of rights discussions, editing, cover art and formatting work, but the Fortunate Frog Fiction edition of <i>Dependent</i> is ready to go and will release next week. This story is darker than my YA writing, and deals with some heavy issues. Sexual assault in the military setting, the culture of rank, deployments, moving...many of the things our military spouses deal with every day. </div>
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If you haven't read it yet, please consider it for your reading list. There will be a <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33219818-dependent" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> giveaway posted here next week and you could win one of two copies of the new edition. I'm also part of small blog tour to celebrate the re-release.</div>
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If you have read it, please share your thoughts in a review (Amazon and Goodreads are very easy platforms...), and don't forget to share with your friends!</div>
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Thank you to all who have supported me through this transition. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Brenda</i></span></div>
Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-71701729150673663662016-11-19T16:05:00.000-05:002016-11-19T16:05:51.306-05:00Dependent updateA few weeks ago you may have seen that Dependent's original publisher, Jolly Fish Press, was closing its doors.<br />
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Jolly Fish Press is closing its doors - <a href="https://t.co/7ut97xR47I">https://t.co/7ut97xR47I</a></div>
— Jolly Fish Press (@JollyFishPress) <a href="https://twitter.com/JollyFishPress/status/788035467597996032">October 17, 2016</a></blockquote>
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They later followed up by an announcement, stating that they weren't really closing, but instead were being purchased by North Star Editions. </div>
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North Star Editions Acquires Jolly Fish Press - <a href="https://t.co/2bnTWZGOn7">https://t.co/2bnTWZGOn7</a></div>
— Jolly Fish Press (@JollyFishPress) <a href="https://twitter.com/JollyFishPress/status/792104671439716354">October 28, 2016</a></blockquote>
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As can be imagined, it was a relatively turbulent time for other JFP authors, as information was limited, and their writing dreams were pinned on some shaky ground. I'm happy for those who stayed the course and have moved with JFP to the new publisher, but many of my writing friends had their rights reverted, and are moving on either by seeking a new publisher for their stories, or by self publishing. </div>
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I was one of the lucky ones, as I had already moved on, <a href="https://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2016/09/changes.html" target="_blank">receiving my rights back in the spring</a>. Dependent is no longer available as a JFP title. As I began the process of publishing Dependent under my teeny-tiny press, Fortunate Frog Fiction, I was saddened to see others dealing with the same issues, only not by choice. As their new editions become available over the next few months, I'll be promoting them whole-heartedly here on the blog and on my other social media channels!</div>
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<b>Regardless, the time has come to announce that Dependent will be re-released BEFORE CHRISTMAS. </b></div>
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I'm in the process of finalizing the cover and formatting, and hope to be ready to upload as early as next week!</div>
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I will be revealing my cover in the next week or so, so <b>stay tuned</b>. Things are moving fast! </div>
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If you haven't read Dependent, please consider purchasing the new edition, either in ebook or paperback format. It brings up some very real issues.<br />
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Now, more than ever.<br />
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Women should not have to fear men in power. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Brenda</b></i></span></div>
Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-26056673952504011142016-10-31T12:49:00.000-04:002016-10-31T12:49:50.717-04:00NaNoWriMo Take Five (?)<table 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;">All decked out, and no <br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Happy Halloween! </i></span></div>
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Hope you are ready for the influx of ghosties and superheroes and Harry Potter lookalikes! :) I'm going through a bit of nostalgia as this will be the first Halloween we have spent without a full cadre of dressed-up Dunnes. With my eldest away at university and my other two teens in a new city with busy lives, I'm not sure any of them of will dress up. The witches brew and mummy dogs will still be cooking up in the kitchen, and I'll be wearing my favourite purple and black striped tights.<br />
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So. October 31st also means preparation for one of the busiest months of my year... November. Remembrance Day. Diabetes Awareness Month (one of my teens is a juvenile (Type 1) diabetic). Christmas preparations. American Thanksgiving. And--when I'm feeling particularly crazy--<a href="http://nanowrimo.org/about" target="_blank">National Novel Writing Month</a>.<br />
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And this month I'm feeling particularly crazy.<br />
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The truth of the matter is, with all that's been going on, I'm in a bit of a writing rut. Not blocked (I'm not a believer in writer's block), but significantly decelerated. My mojo needs some gojo. There is nothing better than a month designated to not just pick away at, but to FINISH a project when you're an author. A suspended inner editor and a permission slip to let the laundry pile up...with several hundred other crazy nut-bars write (miss-spell intended) there along with you.<br />
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If you've followed me since the beginning, you'll know that <a href="http://thismomisoverdunne.blogspot.com/2012/06/stepping-onto-self-publication-road.html" target="_blank"><i>Treasure in the Flame</i> started out</a> as a NaNo project in 2010.<br />
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<a href="http://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2012/07/meanwhile-back-at-ranch.html" target="_blank">I</a><a href="http://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2012/07/meanwhile-back-at-ranch.html" target="_blank">n 2011</a>, a little idea I'd titled <i>Red Sand Selkie</i> battled it's way through to becoming <i>SKIN</i>. <br />
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<a href="http://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2012/10/work-in-progress-update.html" target="_blank">2012 was </a><i><a href="http://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2012/10/work-in-progress-update.html" target="_blank">Dependent</a>'</i>s year.<br />
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<a href="http://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2013/01/wintery-wednesday.html?m=0" target="_blank">2013 I worked on <i>Off Grid</i></a> (currently under sub).<br />
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In fact, just about every year since I found NaNo, I've used November as a month to do something with my writing.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjOeiB2fbGw/VzDVDeuQ_0I/AAAAAAAAB0I/FbyxPRCwQKASM_FZUCGzUrEycFxUnM29wCPcB/s1600/Skin-300x200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjOeiB2fbGw/VzDVDeuQ_0I/AAAAAAAAB0I/FbyxPRCwQKASM_FZUCGzUrEycFxUnM29wCPcB/s200/Skin-300x200.jpg" width="133" /></a>This year for NaNo I'm HOPING to barrel through and finish at least one of the sequels I've got on my laptop... And I'm starting with the much requested sequel to <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Brenda-Corey-Dunne-ebook/dp/B01FE75CT2/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D416X3F20JJNDZWHT3A9" target="_blank">SKIN</a></i>, tentatively titled <i>SWIM.</i><br />
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Ocean and Sam are in trouble. Deeeeeeep trouble. And I have to get them out of a very nasty mess. I'm about 25k words in, making it a perfect 50k+ word winning NaNo project.<br />
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And that's the great thing about NaNoWriMo. You can't really 'lose'. Any words down at this point will be winning words. And in the end, you get a sequel. Wish me luck!<br />
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And now, back to my regularly scheduled Halloween candy pilfering... ;)<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Brenda</span></i><br />
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*Nano Image Courtesy of National Novel Writing Month<br />
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<br />Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-48947178155158673602016-10-09T09:47:00.000-04:002016-10-09T09:47:43.363-04:00Happy Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! </span></div>
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What am I thankful for? A whole day to spend with the people I love...My husband has the day off, my eldest is home for the weekend from her university, my two live-at-home teens have no activities, and the fridge is full to the brim of goodies for us to eat (although I had a bit of a time trying to find a turkey in the US in October...). My cup continually runs over, and I am so blessed to have all of the opportunities I do. </div>
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To celebrate all of this largess, and as a toke of my gratitude to you, my readers, I've lowered the price of both SKIN and TREASURE IN THE FLAME Kindle ebooks for a whole week! Just $2.99! This week is also #TeenReadsWeek, and yesterday was #IndieAuthorDay, so what better time to have a sale on my indie YA's? If you haven't read them, now is your chance.</div>
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If you are in the US, click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&text=Brenda+Corey+Dunne&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Brenda+Corey+Dunne&sort=relevancerank" target="_blank">here</a>. In Canada? Try <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&text=Brenda+Corey+Dunne&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Brenda+Corey+Dunne&sort=relevancerank" target="_blank">here</a>. Elsewhere in the world? Check out your local Amazon. :) </div>
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Hope you all have a good book to read, a comfy couch to snuggle into and a thankful heart today. </div>
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With love,</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Brenda</i></span></div>
Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-77534465727091382072016-10-04T09:32:00.001-04:002016-10-04T09:47:12.794-04:00From Here (Part two)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This time of year two years ago, I was in a new place with boxes all around me, squishing a big house's contents into a much smaller military residence, and trying to support my kids as they started new schools.<br />
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Only the schools didn't open, and the kids didn't start.<br />
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Grown adults were unable to sit in a room and compromise, and their employees and their students suffered for it. I was FED UP, and I wrote <a href="https://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2014/09/military-monday-lifeinterrupted.html" target="_blank">this blog</a>, stating how important that first day of school was to our military kids.<br />
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And then someone commented on said blog, implying that because I wasn't FROM HERE I didn't get an opinion.<br />
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OH. EM. GEE.<br />
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Seriously.<br />
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If you follow my blogs, you'll know I LOST IT. What the frigging heck? Not FROM HERE? No, I'm not FROM HERE. I went against my usual rule of DO NOT ENGAGE, and responded to said comment. Nicely, of course...I AM Canadian and all. I posted my muted outrage on Facebook, and had a tremendous outpouring of support from friends and readers alike, and then posted another<a href="https://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2014/10/military-monday-from-here.html" target="_blank"> blog response here.</a><br />
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Anyway, why I've brought this moment in my blog history to the table today is that --guess what?-- my family is now in a different house, with kids in a different school (which, thank heavens, started on time), and we are all experiencing the NOT FROM HERE in a whole different way, because we actually AREN'T. Considering several of us were born here, and we've vacationed here, lived here, worked here and played here before...it should be pretty easy to transition. But the questions outlined on my first blog are the same...only multiplied now that the kids are teens: </div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;"><i>"Will I like my teacher? Will I be able to play the trombone in band? Will I make the soccer team? Will I be behind or ahead in Math? Will I have too much homework? Will the kids on the bus be mean or nice? Will they tease me because I'm new? Did I get the course selections I asked for? Will I have enough time to get between classes? Are there good books in the library? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;"><i>And the most important question for kids... Will I meet a new best friend?"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Add new things like the fact that this time we are living in a city (our first in ten years), one of us is missing (off to university), American high school culture (holy cow, different), a completely new curriculum (yes, the Math is VERY different), and different brands at the grocery store (no Kinder eggs here, folks...but there's WINE) it's been an eye opener. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The good thing about this posting, though, is that it's ABOUT not being FROM HERE. We're here because we are different. We are here to learn and to share and to expand ourselves. And other than some, um...<i>interesting</i> political postulating (oh, boy), it's GOOD that we are here. It's exciting. It's scary. It's educational and enriching.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And we are not alone. America, like Canada, is a country of others. Especially here, in the capital region, there are many, many people not FROM HERE. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There have already been hiccups, and we've already changed (my laid back Canadian driving skills have had to go--it's every driver for themselves on these roads), but I hope the end result will be positive. Especially once those boxes are all empty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We'll see. I'll keep you posted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Brenda</i></span></div>
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Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-59899263532342445732016-09-07T10:48:00.000-04:002016-09-07T10:48:09.122-04:00Changes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ah, the first week of September.<br />
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Kids are back to school, days are getting shorter, and yes, that wonderful concoction we call the Pumpkin Spice Latte has made it's reappearance at Starbucks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NvfvVLz73Bw/V9AknS_DmTI/AAAAAAAAB2g/rXOfIY5lh5wxWsr2Who3jnCw06cPM1SBwCEw/s1600/IMG_8064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NvfvVLz73Bw/V9AknS_DmTI/AAAAAAAAB2g/rXOfIY5lh5wxWsr2Who3jnCw06cPM1SBwCEw/s200/IMG_8064.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, yeah....</td></tr>
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After an amazing (and exhausting) few months of fun and excitement, it's time for moms (and dads) everywhere to sit down, grab their PSL, reflect on their summer bucket lists, reorganize their lives and get back to a routine. You know it's been a particularly good summer if that routine is happily anticipated and that first PSL comes with a sense of profound relief.<br />
<br />
Ahhhhh.<br />
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For me, the relief is particularly intense, as the past few months have brought one heck of a lot of changes. If you've been following me on my social media, you'll have seen the occasional post indicating things were in flux, but sitting here thinking about the scope of change this summer has seen is rather mind boggling.<br />
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Here's a short list of what's gone on just since June...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1L2T46353FY/VyezNEuBWOI/AAAAAAAABzw/iLyj5MydBLUKMPLXLuqR79Zxc7oYvqGEgCPcB/s1600/Cover%2BARC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1L2T46353FY/VyezNEuBWOI/AAAAAAAABzw/iLyj5MydBLUKMPLXLuqR79Zxc7oYvqGEgCPcB/s200/Cover%2BARC.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New book-baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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* said goodbye to not one, but TWO beloved day-job workplaces (both of which paid well and had amazing coworkers),<br />
<br />
* had the rights for <i>Dependent</i> revert back to me from Jolly Fish Press (more on this later),<br />
<br />
* published my new book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Brenda-Corey-Dunne/dp/B01FE75CT2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473255999&sr=8-1&keywords=skin+brenda+corey+dunne#nav-subnav" target="_blank">Skin</a>,</i><br />
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* watched my firstborn graduate from high school,<br />
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* went on a house hunting trip for next posting,<br />
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* hubby left for an out-of-country post for five weeks,<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S_i-ppwKIH8/V5EOIpCAKEI/AAAAAAAAB1w/7ucFYIKtgMcCURpWVPNesONM5V-sq_s7wCPcB/s1600/DSCF3565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S_i-ppwKIH8/V5EOIpCAKEI/AAAAAAAAB1w/7ucFYIKtgMcCURpWVPNesONM5V-sq_s7wCPcB/s200/DSCF3565.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking lovely in the shark cage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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* visited Hawaii and SWAM WITH SHARKS,<br />
<br />
* packed our household into a moving truck,<br />
<br />
* drove almost 5000km (3000) miles, across an entire continent (1 province and 16 states) over 10 days on the Great American Road Trip from the Pacific Coast in Canada to the Atlantic Coast in America,<br />
<br />
* watched our moving truck fill our new, empty house with piles of boxes and junk (sigh),<br />
<br />
* drove an additional 4 states and 1 province to drop my firstborn for her first year of university (sniff, sniff!) and returned, (Making a grand total of TWENTY STATES AND TWO PROVINCES this summer!!)<br />
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* began current existence in the Washington, DC area which mostly consists of trying to find the bottom of the boxes and figuring out how to transfer my physical therapy license while driving kidlets places and trying not to get frustrated at each small item that comes out of a box bent, dented or broken.<br />
<br />
As mentioned a few months ago <a href="http://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2015/02/7-reasons-why-military-wives-are.html" target="_blank">here</a>, we military families deal with many of life's major stressors on a regular basis. It's part of the job description. But wow, it's been a busy summer, and yes, that PSL is tasting mighty good right now.<br />
<br />
So. Details.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEU05-w5hg8/V9AdiSN1j1I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/OU96CFNqyvAdE7a2CDydTej-a2Jkj19MgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEU05-w5hg8/V9AdiSN1j1I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/OU96CFNqyvAdE7a2CDydTej-a2Jkj19MgCLcB/s200/IMG_9841.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me...and Old Faithful</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dx-pwghr61I/V9Ad8DEamSI/AAAAAAAAB2U/ldF6Dj1M3IsDymw7bZV3qdhBlyjH3RnNgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dx-pwghr61I/V9Ad8DEamSI/AAAAAAAAB2U/ldF6Dj1M3IsDymw7bZV3qdhBlyjH3RnNgCLcB/s200/IMG_0123.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Presidents and some Dunnes<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>Re: Moving...</b></span><br />
<br />
America is huge. Not as big as Canada, but still...huge. And driving across it is an amazing adventure. There is so much to see, and then so many miles of vast nothingness. It was quite a trip. I've attached a couple of my favourite pictures...but nothing can capture the feeling of driving in the centre of a continent with absolutely no lights but your headlights and the stars for miles and miles. It was quite a trip.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately the downside of the adventure are the struggles of setting up shop in a brand new place. I find pulling my third very squished seasonal wreath out of a box frustrating. Or the curtain rods with their finials lost or broken off. Or the lamp that came in one box on the second floor of the house, with the shade in a box in the basement of the house...and the harp/shade attachment is still nowhere to be seen... sigh. Luckily we've found this move to be a bit easier (although it's never easy) as our children are older and huge helpers. And, as compensation, the DC area is filled to the brim with museums, cultural events and things to see. I think we'll like it here.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>Re: SKIN</b></span><br />
<br />
I am so pleased with this wonderful little book. My <a href="https://brendacoreydunne.blogspot.com/2016/06/its-here.html" target="_blank">launch</a> was so much fun and I've seen some top 30 moments on Amazon. If you haven't bought it yet, what are you waiting for? :) And don't forget to review!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>Re: DEPENDENT</b></span><br />
<br />
As mentioned above, Dependent is no longer being published by Jolly Fish Press. There are many reasons for this, but after much deep and soul-searching thought I asked for, and received, my legal rights back this past spring. If you have tried to buy an e-copy lately, you should have found that it was out of print, although there are still some paper copies for sale in various places. I am not sure, at this point, where I will go from here. The rights are available, if a publisher expresses interest. I may also publish a new edition via Fortunate Frog Fiction. Decisions to be deferred for a later date.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>What's next?</b></span><br />
<br />
I love fall. I love almost every part of it...the leaves, the smells, the re-established routines, the quiet in the house...<br />
<br />
Other than continuing to unpack, I hope to find some well-earned time at my keyboard over the next couple of weeks. I have three manuscripts on the go, all of which could be finished in a month or so with dedicated time on my laptop. SKIN has a sequel in the works, as does TREASURE (slow going, but still plodding away) and a new contemporary YA as well. On top of that, I hope to give my social media presence some love, and tidy up my blog.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Lastly...</span></b><br />
<br />
I just wanted to say <b><i>thank you</i></b>. If you are reading this, you are supporting my passion. You are supporting indie authors, and you have been an important part of my success to date. Thank you so very much for reading, sharing, buying and reviewing my books. I couldn't do it without you. You rock.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Brenda</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<br />Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-70400973467903793792016-07-28T13:41:00.000-04:002016-07-28T13:41:56.062-04:00SALE!!<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9qce6JEp0Y4/V5EPdzZ0DTI/AAAAAAAAB1o/YjnJy8IOAnsjbx-gc6sEV6ABCSMk_4zwgCEw/s1600/13700061_10208975871606369_1129193878107648968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9qce6JEp0Y4/V5EPdzZ0DTI/AAAAAAAAB1o/YjnJy8IOAnsjbx-gc6sEV6ABCSMk_4zwgCEw/s320/13700061_10208975871606369_1129193878107648968_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea turtles! On the northern shore of Oahu!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iiqLzH40LlI/V5EOIYl4HSI/AAAAAAAAB1w/jkp1Krj1p48qy0XJhsUzXdwRBxLBNTfnACEw/s1600/DSCF3622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iiqLzH40LlI/V5EOIYl4HSI/AAAAAAAAB1w/jkp1Krj1p48qy0XJhsUzXdwRBxLBNTfnACEw/s200/DSCF3622.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those sharks are right under my feet!</td></tr>
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Wow! Summer is flying by! My Goodreads Giveaway was a huge success, with winners from Louisiana, Saskatchewan and Quebec! Congrats to the three lucky winners!<br />
<br />
So I've just spent two weeks on an entirely different island... Oahu! And it was AY-MAY-ZING!<br />
<br />
Not only did I get to spend two weeks in a tropical paradise with four of my favourite people in the world, but I also had the privilege of being a military spouse during <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RimofthePacific/?fref=ts" target="_blank">RIMPAC 2016</a>, met some wonderful military folk from all over the world and...<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">I SWAM WITH SHARKS</span></b>!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S_i-ppwKIH8/V5EOIpCAKEI/AAAAAAAAB1w/c33xol4xsPQcfKgkwQiHddTW5wetZ6V_wCEw/s1600/DSCF3565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S_i-ppwKIH8/V5EOIpCAKEI/AAAAAAAAB1w/c33xol4xsPQcfKgkwQiHddTW5wetZ6V_wCEw/s200/DSCF3565.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking HOT in my snorkel gear.</td></tr>
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I know. Insane. Waaaay out of my comfort zone. Like, in a different galaxy. At one point, I counted twelve sharks swimming beyond the bars of our very flimsy cage. It was AWESOME.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8j3uWIr7Ns/V5EPyN8y99I/AAAAAAAAB14/bmi5SFwUUg44z7n7O5EikiWLo1-YLV63ACKgB/s1600/IMG_6661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8j3uWIr7Ns/V5EPyN8y99I/AAAAAAAAB14/bmi5SFwUUg44z7n7O5EikiWLo1-YLV63ACKgB/s200/IMG_6661.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at me at the helm!</td></tr>
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I also got to stand at the helm of a HUGE aircraft carrier-- The USS John C Stennis, had Brie (My FAVORITE) on the deck of a French war ship, and kimchi on a Korean ship while watching a very interesting rendition of Gagnam Style. So many adventures! It was a great trip.<br />
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But now, because my giveaway was such a success (thank you to all who participated!), and it's the long August weekend (yay!), and we're moving in less than two weeks to the other side of the continent (gah!)...SKIN IS ON SALE!<br />
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That's right!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> From now until August 2nd you can get SKIN's Kindle edition for a mere $2.99!</b> </span></div>
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<br />
That's less than the price of a latte! So what are you waiting for? :)<br />
<br />
If you live in the US... go <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Brenda-Corey-Dunne-ebook/dp/B01FE75CT2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1469719022&sr=8-1#navbar" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
<br />
Canadian? Go <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Skin-Brenda-Corey-Dunne-ebook/dp/B01FE75CT2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1469727325&sr=1-1&keywords=skin" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
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And when you're done, don't forget to review!<br />
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Have a super weekend!!<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Brenda</span></i></b><br />
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<br />Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-80964940835369453472016-06-27T07:37:00.000-04:002016-06-27T07:37:03.214-04:00Summer of Selkies GIVEAWAY!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's time! </span></div>
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Summer is here, school is out, the beaches are warm and it's time for a giveaway! And you know what book would be great to take in your beach bag? SKIN! You could put it there for free! All you have to do is go to Goodreads and follow the links to register. Offer available in both Canada and the US.<br />
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And you have a whole month to enter! Giveaway ends on July 27th.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">GOOD LUCK!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29997106">Skin</a></div>
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by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6537784.Brenda_Corey_Dunne" style="text-decoration: none;">Brenda Corey Dunne</a></div>
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Giveaway ends July 27, 2016.</div>
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See the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/192509" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a></div>
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at Goodreads.</div>
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<br />Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540058936888043121.post-24741699354325257502016-06-25T07:35:00.000-04:002016-06-25T07:35:03.205-04:00Coming soon: SKIN Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's almost time for another GIVEAWAY! </span></div>
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Summer is here and starting Monday I'll be hosting a giveaway for THREE books through Goodreads to celebrate!<br />
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Enter between June 27th and July 27th. And yes, Goodreads patrons in both CANADA and the U.S. can apply!<br />
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It's easy...just click on the links to enter. Don't forget to add SKIN to your to-be-read shelf. Share with your friends! Good Luck!<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_new">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29997106"><img alt="Skin by Brenda Corey Dunne" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1461606788l/29997106.jpg" title="Skin by Brenda Corey Dunne" width="100" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29997106">Skin</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6537784.Brenda_Corey_Dunne" style="text-decoration: none;">Brenda Corey Dunne</a><br />
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Giveaway ends July 27, 2016. See the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/192509" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a> at Goodreads.<br />
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<a class="goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink" href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/192509">Enter Giveaway</a><br />
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<script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/192509" type="text/javascript"></script>Overdunnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11182123910081050259noreply@blogger.com0