Random Thought Thursday - Awards and Wins!

It’s time to acknowledge a few people.

First, Judy Croome in South Africa, has gifted me her book, DANCING IN THE SHADOWS OF LOVE. Don’t you just love the title and the cover artwork? Check it out at Amazon.com here. Judy is a really sweet friend and I’m deeply appreciative of this gift.

In the haunting "Dancing in the Shadows of Love," three emotionally adrift women fight to heal their fractured worlds. Not everyone can be a hero. Or can they? After a decade in prison for a murder she did not commit, Lulu begins a new life at the court of St Jerome in the Old Sea City. An albino, abandoned as a young child at a Holding Camp for unwanted children, she has always been ostracized, for her difference to other makes her an easy victim of prejudice.

Once, she believed, she had a friend to love her. Then that friend betrayed her and Lulu learned that hate is safer than love. But, from Jamila to Granny Zahra, the people of St. Jerome's appear to accept her into their fold. AGainst a backdrop of never-ending war, the women of the court fight their personal demons: hatred, ambition and greed. As Lulu shares their victories and their losses, she learns to trust again, perhaps ever to love.

Nothing however, is as it seems and Lulu discovers that love does not always wear the face of the one you call beloved.

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Because of Danyelle Leafty and an interview with Shana Norris, I won a copy of Shana’s new book, THE BOYFRIEND THEIF. Thanks Danyelle and Shana! You can find Shana's book here.



Avery James has her life planned out: this summer she'll work with a humanitarian program in Costa Rica, next year she'll graduate at the top of her class, and after that, college and medical school. Perfect, planned total order.

The only problem: getting the rest of the money she needs for the trip before the deadline. Hannah Cohen, her biggest competition for the valedictorian title, makes an unexpected offer: If Avery can win over Zac Greeley and make him break up with Hannah before the end of the school year, a check for five hundred dollars is all hers. Faced with the prospect of spending yet another summer working as a giant hot dog, it's an offer Avery can't refuse. Zac is nothing like Avery expected. Within his chaotic world of midnight slushie runs and spontaneous dance parties, her total order is quickly falling apart while Hannah seems poised to get everything she wants. But just how much is Avery willing to give up for the perfect, planned life?

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Kelly Polark has new blog promoting literacy called BOOK RECS OF THE ROCK AND FAMOUS. Here she will tell us all about what the stars are reading. I hope you’ll go check it out.

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Mel, over at M. G. Higgins, as given me the Appreciated Follower Award. THANKS MEL!

I have to:

*thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it.

*reveal my top five and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

*copy and past the award onto my blog.

*have faith that my bloggers will spread the love to other bloggers.

*and most of all, have a BLOGGITY-BLOG good time!

It was hard to choose just five Random Followers, but here they are in no particular order.

Robyn Campbell

Tricia O’Brien

Angela Ackerman

Anne Gallagher

Mary Witzl

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And lastly, but not leastly, I was given this award from C. Lee McKenzie over at The Write Game.

She didn't say to passed it on, but I would like to give this to some bloggers I think you should follow, if you aren't already, which is what this award is all about. Blogs YOU my fellow bloggers should go check out.

Matt at The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment. Matt is really good at critiquing query letters along with giving wonderful support to our writing community.
Tabitha at Through My Eyes writes from her heart and therefore writes about all of us.
Lisa at Middle Passages shares her life and stories about food.
Marcia Hoehne, an ICL instructor and author offers the occasional free critique and writes book reviews.
Agela Felsted shows us who we are through poetry.

Happy blogging to all of you!