November 2008 Book Selection (4)
Patriot Acts by Steven Clark Bradley
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Word Length: 108,400 words
Publisher: Write Words Publishers
ISBN: 1-59431-634-1
Rating: There is very little foul language, but there is some cataclysmic violence that would make it rated violent, so I would give it PG13 + to R. No erotic ideas in story.
Blurb:
Today, America faces enemies that make the world of the Cold War seem like much
brighter times. Islamic forces have declared Jihad on America causing the
greatest threat to the United States since World War II. In Patriot Acts,
America finds itself under covert nuclear attack from a unified force of the
Islamic Republic of Iran and radical American Militia groups; setting aside
their political and religious differences to carry out the widest and deadliest
attack on America in the nation's history. Only one person can effectively
retaliate against their aggression, Fisher Harrison, the best trained Special
Ops killer the military has who is in a federal prison, framed by his former
boss, now the President of the United States of America for a murder he did not
commit. From Alaska to the heart of the Islamic Republic of Iran, witness two
unified seek to bring down The United States of America, while two others bond
to save her. You will be amazed how plausible this story is and you will be
shocked by how close to reality it truly could be!
Author Bio:
Currently, Steven Clark Bradley has authored three dramatic thrillers novel titled "Nimrod Rising!" "Probable Cause" and "StillBorn!", which are published by Publish America. He speaks French and Turkish. He has been an assistant to a prosecutor, a university instructor and a freelance journalist.Steven attended Knox High School in Knox, Indiana and graduated in 1977. In that same year, he began his college studies in Theology and Human Awareness at Emmaus College in Dubuque, Iowa until 1980. Steven finished his degree at Bethel College, and earned his B.A. in Organizational Management of Human Resources. In 1985, while in France, Steven earned a Certificate of Fluency in the French Language at Cavilam Institute of the French Language in Vichy, France. Steven obtained a Masters Degree in Liberal Studies at Indiana University in 2001.
Steven worked a number of years in various countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. He has been to 34 countries and has worked extensively with Kurdish refugees from Turkey, Iraq, and Syria. Steven also established a school by correspondence for African students in the African countries of The Gambia and Senegal West Africa. He is the founder of a Cultural Center for refugees in France, where he lived for six years. Speaking fluently in French and in Turkish, Steven has been in 34 countries. Before returning to the United States in 1995, Steven worked as an instructor of English and Business skills for four years at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey. He was responsible for the supervision of ten tourism instructors, and supervised the development of syllabi, course outlines, and the development of pertinent materials for Tourism and Business courses. Steven had the opportunity of assisting in the development of a Masters of Business Administration and Public Presentation skills course. Developing a specialized course in Business translation, Steven helped students seek a diploma in Translation and Linguistics. He also developed materials and taught a Specialized Writing course to deepen students abilities in communication for business and writing purposes. He was also involved in several World Bank courses, which were offered at the University as well.
Reading this book reminded me of how real the REAL world is. I'm at work right now but I'll be back with a comment on Patriot Acts.
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If you like stories of war and the political surrounding it, this is a good read for you.
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The following is posted with permission from Steven Clark Bradley, Author of Patriot Acts:
Patriot Acts is a depiction of the probable results of inaction and the lack of resconcerning Iran?s lust for weapons of mass destruction. As you read it, I hope you will compare it to the times in which we live. I predict we will take out this rogue regime and the world and America will be far better for it. For the abscence of war does not equal peace. Refusal of war will most certianly spell defeat.
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Posted with permission from Steven Clark Bradley:
Today, America faces enemies that make the world of the Cold War seem like much brighter times. Islamic forces have declared Jihad on America causing the greatest threat to the life of the United States since World War II. Does the West love its freedom? Is America willing to take the measures that without which will render the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq useless?
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Posted with permission from Author, Steven Bradley:
In Patriot Acts, America finds itself under covert nuclear attack from the Islamic Republic of Iran which has linked up with radical American Militia groups. They have set aside their political and religious differences to carry out the widest attack to America in the nation?s history. Colonel Fisher Harrison, the best trained Special Ops killer the military has, is the only one person who can effectively retaliate against their aggression. The only problem is that Colonel Fisher is in a federal prison, framed for a murder he did not commit by his former boss who is now the President of the United States of America.
Added Note: there are quite a few video trailers associated with this book. If you google Steven Clark Bradley, you'll find them. They might inspire your interest as, from reading this novel, it's a different point of view...a little angry for my tastes but that doesn't make it bad by any means. I tend to like books that don't contain so much reality. I get enough of that in my real life and I use books as an escape but for those who like to read novels with strong reality content base, this might be one for you. I must add that this is fictional...a what if book.
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Hi Annette,
I really liked your added note. I think it is wonderful that you read the book so carefully and came away with a point of view that I think was full of honesty and grace. It is true that this book, like all of mine it seems,try to point out the dangers that surround us, of which in reality place us at far richer risk than Patriot Acts could portray. Thank you for your appraisal and your wisdom.
Steven
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I'm not a big fan of strong doses of reality I'd rather not give voice too, but I was compelled to keep reading once I'd started this book. Like most men, I like tension, aggression, adventure, and an impossible task to complete. Steven Bradley furnished them all. It's a man's book. Probably too much stark ugliness for most women readers I'd think.
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Hi Carson, Thanks for really getting into the book, as I see in your comment. I think you too noticed the eerie close to reality's edge feel about Patriot Acts. I think women are generally more aware of danger than we as men are. It is not as it once was and I hope Patriot Acts will instill once more in real men to take a more profound look at precarious things going on in this nation and feel the need to stand up and be counted amongst those who have faith, who insist on freedom and in league with those who are willing to fight for its preservation. Blessings!
S. C.Bradley
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So true for me Carson. I'm girly and I'm a passavist. Its in my nature to avoid conflict if at all possible. I'm the only person on the planet who doesn't like football either except for one kid on a US pro team Heaster or Heston??? Derek or Devin? Can't remember his name but he is fun to watch when he gets the ball and takes off and I like to watch how his team plays together when he controls the ball. Okay, that doesn't have much to do with Steven's book does it?
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No, but watching a woman's mind work is always interesting. By the way, I've enjoyed your perspective on some of these stories. I might even try another one, even though they are definitely - girly.
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Shattered Dreams has manly elements--action, war, adventure. Beats a Wild Heart involves motorcycles and wild animals. I do have to say, I write romance novels but some of my girl readers have husbands who wait their turn to read their wives copies of my books and then they tell me how much they liked the story and ask when their wives are getting another book. What I'm saying is, I know men like girly things too...the secret is out!
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And: I have an extremely girly girlfriend who cheers like a madman during football games so, girls like manly things as well.
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And: To be fair to all you manly men...I have an extremely girly girlfriend who cheers like a madman during football games! She's been known to lose her voice!
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I find it strange that the emphasis in Mr. Bradley's work is on the US being under siege by Islamic elements. Before 1945, the US was on rather good terms with the Mideast as a whole, until it assumed an imperial role in the region. For roughly 50 years, the Mideast has been manipulated in one way or another by Washington, DC, and only on 9/11 were the roles reversed. The Iran of today is largely a product of the CIA-sponsored coup in 1953. Had we left well enough alone, Iran would probably be a fairly vibrant democracy right now. So before we condemn Iran for desiring WMD - and who can blame them - we should perhaps take note of where we are at fault. This seems to be the reasonable, the adult, and the Christian thing to do. Iran has done nothing aggressive outside its borders in the modern era; can we make the same claim?
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Posted with permission from Author Steven Clark Bradley:
Here are a few other sites where you can read more of Steven Clark Bradley's material: Steven Clark Bradley - Published Authors.com Steven Clark Bradley at Blog Talk Radio.com Steven Clark bradley at Communati.com Steven Clark Bradley at Inspired Author.com
Annette Comments:
I couldn't tell you about war policies or anything having to do with war except that many of my family members are vets. This book is a work of fiction. Maybe some of the above links can help Eric out?
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It is wonderful to see people reading my book. Thank you so much! I hope you find that it makes you more aware of what is going on in the world the at should make us take notice. Thank you for your comments! -
Steven Clark Bradley
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Steven Clark Bradley has a very nice website. Just click his name and it'll take you there. I have to say, the artwork is great.
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Annette's comment that "The book is a work of fiction" doesn't seem to square with SCB's stated hope that his audience will, by reading his books, become "more aware of what is going on in the world." His message throughout seems to be that the US is under siege, but he fails to review even the basic facts about what the US has done in the Mideast, not to mention Central America, etc. If the US is in fact under siege, then why is that? Why isn't Denmark or Iceland under siege? If SCB wants us to be more aware, he should include some history in his fiction. I suspect the problem is that if he did, he wouldn't have a patriotic story to tell - which is his primary goal, apparently.
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Well Eric,
I wrote such a story of patriotism simply because I believe that the things we have don, in Central America, which is, by the way free now and prospering when they were under the grip of leftists, from whom you do not seem to see any wrong or evil. I would never say that all of America's actions are just, for like me and like you and like every country, America is populated by faulty people. Yet, America is nation that has defeated our enemies and has always rebuilt them better than when we took them on. You pretend that liberty is free, without cost and some thing that seems to hold together of its own free will. Sometimes, freedom demands sacrifice and yearning and struggle so we can ensure freedom for small-minded, wimpy and critical peons like yourself to never fail to criticize all of America's good deeds. The absence of war does not mean there is peace. I did not need to show our wrongdoings, since there seems to be an over abundance of such minions like yourself to do that. Have a very pleasant day.
Steven Clark Bradley
PS: I hear Denmark and Iceland are open to immigration. You might be happier there, since America is evidently too tough, to mighty, too secure and way too ready to fight for what we believe in for you. I think you'd fit in just perfectly. What ya say dude, go for it!
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I'm merely opening a discussion regarding the Why of this alleged siege the US is under. I made no comments regarding "liberty" and did not "criticize America's good deeds." It just seems rational that if the principal concern is the country being under siege (which it isn't), then one would, I think, be well advised to try to understand the source of that concern. Adopting a love-it-or-leave-it attitude doesn't seem to be constructive. Or maybe that's not your goal. Given your response to my posted comment, it appears to me that you're angry with and reactive to people asking basic questions. There are historical precedents of governments and societies assuming your kind of temperament; the consequences were typically frightening.
PS. Your comment about Central America doesn't correspond with history. The leftist leaders were the product of resistance to US intervention since the late 19th century. Any standard history book on the subject will suffice, if you're interested.
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What about moving forward when the new president takes over? Do you speculate that the direction will change at all? Is it even possible to adjust policies or whatever the new leaders want to do? I'm guessing there are policies in place?? I admit to knowing nothing about foreign relationships more than being thankful for the sacrifices our servicemen and their families provide so we can have candid discussions on every street corner of the USA and boards like these. I did get an email from a woman who sent her thoughts to everyone on her list...and apparently, I'm on it--who knew...and her thoughts were so hateful and fearful that I was afraid of her email--maybe her. Can there be that much hate from our own countrymen on our own soil? Maybe its because I've lived in my Midwest bubble for the past 20 years and people tend to get along for the most part. I've lived in many places and I'm fully aware that there is life outside of small town America though sometimes I have to stop and think of the big picture. Thank goodness for patriotism of the people who preserve our right to opinions. Without them, we wouldn't be having this discussion.
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Annette, I suspect that Obama will strike a rather centerline position. The W. administration was basically composed of Reagan people, and in the 12 years they were first in power (1981-1992) the results were pretty damaging. Obama could do this country a lot of good by simply being less harmful. Our foreign policy, as I understand it, has always been aggressive - and the people in government have always painted our victims as either threats or people we helped, much like SCB asserts, interestingly. But it doesn't need to be off-the-charts aggressive. I guess it does if you stand to benefit -arms manufacturers, et al. - but it definitely hurts our people in uniform. But I suspect that those who advocate military violence aren't too concerned about our men and women in the service. That's always been the case.
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A tidbit from Patriot Acts posted with permission from Author Steven Clark Bradley:
Take an amazing journey from Alaska to the Midwest and to the center of the Islamic Republic of Iran as two enemies unite to save the nation from two adversaries in league to bring the country to its knees. You will be amazed how close to home and to reality Patriot Acts could be!
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Annette, thank you for all you are doing. I have sent out some material to take readers to this site and you are a great help! Blessings to you!
Steven
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Thanks Steven. It's been a new experience for me. I'm going on a mini vacation until the 18th. I'm taking my work with me and hope that technology will prevail and I'll be able to keep up with the posts here. Think of me sitting on the beach sipping a margarita and with luck, I'll post from my ocean view veranda!
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Timely subject. As a work of fiction, plausible and interesting. Mr. Bradley writes succinctly. I'll probably look for another of his books.
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Hi Keetch,
I can see you drew the deeper meanings from the novel, and I appreciate your wanting to read other books I have written. That really encourages me and I thank you for that. I think you'd really find Nimrod Rising a ride that you have never yet taken. It is a bit larger read, 597 pages, and is, in reality, three novels in a series in one volume. I think, like Patriot Acts, it opens eyes to the things arriving, not so slowly, upon our world and way to close to home upon America's soil. I think you'd draw the finer meanings of the scenes that may well grip your soul. Have a great day, and thank you again.
S. C. Bradley
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This book blew me away. Way to go Mr. Bradley. A real eye-opener.
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Hi Ryan,
I am so happy you read this realistic story. I think it is an important read for our day. I feel we have so much now on our plate, as a nation, that we have our eyes off this situation that festers day by day. I did not vote for Obama, but I hope he succeeds in accomplish his goal of disarming Iran peacefully, but reality really bites the bullets of war more than the pounding of hammers beating weapons into plowshares. I think you'd find Nimrod Rising even more of a shocking burst of truth. One fellow writer reviewed Nimrod Rising and said:
"His characters show a depth and complexity that bring them to life in our world, and show an eerie similarity to many of today?s world leaders. Reading the newspaper will never be the same again" -Reviewed by Ronald W. Adams, author of Lake Effect, Key Lime Squeeze. That would be a book you may get wrapped up in for the storm of Nimrod Rising. Thanks for being a profound reader.
S.C. Bradley
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So, internet access everywhere in this town is $10 bucks a day. Today is my day to log on and catch up and to tell you all that the suite I'm staying in has a balcony overlooking the ocean and its high tide. The waves are rolling in and the sound is amazing. Years back, I lived near Galveston and I honestly forgot how much I liked the sounds, flora and creatures from the coastal regions. Yesterday I spent all day on a boat, picking shells on a very secluded beach and celebrating with lunch of salmon from the bow..I think it was the bow! I do now know the difference between Port and Starboard...and that those sides are always the same even if you turn around.
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Posted with permission from Author Steven Clark Bradley:
In Patriot Acts, America finds itself under covert nuclear attack from the Islamic Republic of Iran which has linked up with radical American Militia groups. They have set aside their political and religious differences to carry out the widest attack to America in the nation?s history. Colonel Fisher Harrison, the best trained Special Ops killer the military has, is the only one person who can effectively retaliate against their aggression. The only problem is that Colonel Fisher is in a federal prison, framed for a murder he did not commit by his former boss who is now the President of the United States of America. Len Garret is another of the well defined and emotional characters of Patriot Acts. He is introduced with his feet up on his coffee table and thinking about all he had lived through that had brought him to his point of departure, which was at hand. He had some visitors who?d be arriving shortly. For the moment though, Garret held a bottle of Tequila in his hand and stared straight up at the portrait of his father that was hung prominently over the Fireplace. Garret had commissioned the painting himself, as a tribute the man who had both beaten him on a regular basis and who had instilled in him a stiff determination to never give into the internationalists, globalists, traitors, fags or any other lowlife epitaph that he could recall hearing his father use for those who ran the country and contrary to his set of rights and wrongs. Though Len Garret?s father was a feared and respected memory, that painting over the fireplace served more as a constant reminder that he had unfinished business to conduct than as an act of true feeling for the old man about whom even Len Garret, himself had wondered, not a few times, if his father Russell Garret had gone mad.
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Today I'll post the same question to all our authors: What are your future plans for your writing career? Let us know if your staying on the same path or drastically changing direction. Whats up next?
also, sorry if this posted multiple times...I got a glitch!
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This book, though it was a little to real for me because-as I said-I'm girly, was a great read. The tense stayed the same. The POV stayed on track. The descriptiveness was well rounded. People who like the What If stories will like it also those who like to read more action and that sort.
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As we wrap up the final week of the premier of the WRDF Book Blog, I just want to thank Steven Clark Bradley for allowing us to read and comment on his novel , Patriot Act. Reading this book reminded me of what could be possible because of terrorism. I grew up in a small town at the time when people were constructing bomb shelters so, for me, this book was pretty realistic. For any information on Steven’s work that you didn't pick up on this blog, just drop by his website. All the information about his books, including a contact link, is there. I do have another question that I’m asking all our WRDF Book Bloggers for anyone interested. Some of our readers are authors wanting to get a break into the world of published books and some readers are interested in the business side of the process of putting together a book. How'd you go about getting published and all that?
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Patriot Acts by Steven Clark Bradley - Border Insecurity
April 14, 2009 7:20 PM
The City of Nogales is there and back again in the shear uniqueness of being a split city that spans the southern border of Arizona. Unlike Kansas City though that lived, worked and slept in two states, Nogales shared the borders of two countries, The United States and Mexico. The last time anyone had checked, the city comprised 20,878 people, 5,985 households, and 4,937 families residing in this mostly Spanish-speaking city. This place was cherished and even had its own folklore. It was said that in this crossroads of the Sonoran Borderland, Nogales, Arizona possessed a goddess for the journey through life and for the places which one encounters along the way. The name of this goddess was Hecate, the guardian of the crossroads, an ancient and powerful female deity who possessed the power to see in three directions at once. Apparently, she had been helping many people find uncountable ways of entering the United States because of her ability to see in so many directions, but not so much here in this city.
This city was not known as one of the major crossover points through which illegal aliens from Mexico came into the United States never to return to their country teaming with poor, bewildered people and corruption. This city was legit! Mexicans knew they could cross over into the States and buy goods, which were either scarce or nonexistent in their own country. As a result, officials looked the other way, most of the time, because the trade that went on in this desert city was far more important than the size of the city and its dry and resentful environment would indicate. Cars and those on foot crossed over and into the western state and returned filled with goods that were far too lucrative to let such an insignificant thing like National Security stand in the way! Consequently, the security presence was small and only slightly vigilant. In fact, security was so underrated that the safety measures at the United States Border Control Station had even been outsourced to Mexican officials who checked the vehicles that crossed into the coveted giant neighbor to the North.
~~~
Fifty-five miles north, two very tired men ducked their heads and climbed out of a private Jet that had landed on a dirt runway that didn’t exist officially on any map. They jumped into an awaiting small Ford Escort and in three minutes they were making tacks and headed south, cruising down Arizona 19 while also in minutes, the private jet was airborne again. The destination was this small but well-known city/town town of Nogales.
~~~
Sixty miles south another vehicle, loaded with office furniture and briefcases, was headed North on Mexico 15. The two highways converged on the US side of the border that ran through the middle of Nogales.
You can read the entire chapter at:
http://stevenclarkbradleyspatriotacts.blogspot.com/
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It is such a driving passion to tell stories that could make one pause and reflect on where we were and where we are, to gain a better understanding of where we are going. The only problem is that when we look at where we are and perceive of where we're going, then the story always, inevitably come out shocking and ... dare I say spooky. It is never my intention to paint a bleak picture, but the truth can set us free.
These are days when we have all heard that God should damn America, that we cling to God and guns because we are bitter and fundamentally ignorant and that we live in a mean country. It all means that we are fighting a real war abroad against Islamic terrorist who wish to destroy but can only wreak havoc. At home we are in a much more chronic and lethal war that threatens to rip the conscience from America and then to fragment her to death. The not too slow and not so hidden shift in the nation’s thinking and affection for their country has been evidenced by the nation’s readiness to elect a man has no experience in foreign affairs, has had dealings and friendship with a known, confessed domestic terrorist and who has been the center of every anti-American statement that was spoken in the 2008 Presidential campaign.
I wrote Patriot Acts for the express purpose of spinning a tale with so much clarity and realistic fervor that it might cause those who read it to understand the peril of seeing a transparent danger and refusing to do what is required to kill it before it is strong enough to kill us all. Today, America faces enemies that make the world of the Cold War seem like much brighter times. The Islamic forces that have declared Jihad on America have caused the greatest threat to the life of the United States since World War II. In Patriot Acts, America finds itself under covert nuclear attack from the Islamic Republic of Iran which has linked up with American Militia groups, which have set aside their political and religious differences to carry out the widest and most deadly attack on America in the nation’s history. The only person who can effectively retaliate against their aggression is Fisher Harrison, the best trained Special Ops killer the military has. The only problem is that he is in a federal prison, framed for a murder he did not commit, framed by his former boss, the President of the United States of America. You will take an amazing journey that will take you from Alaska to the Midwest and to the heart of the nation of Iran itself as two enemies unite to save the nation, while two enemies are unified to bring the country down. You will be amazed how possible this story is and may be shocked by how close to home and to reality that it could be! The main question is whether America is willing to do what may be necessary in order to preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States of America. You will read about actions that are not acts of terror, not acts of vengeance but in reality, Patriot Acts
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Thanks for participating in our first Book Club Blog. Your novel added a different perspective.
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I had a great time hosting the November Blog. Thanks for letting us share your book.
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Annette,
Thank you so much for an absolutely effective and interesting time together this month. I enjoyed the comments from readers and you were very great in representing our work. I wish you abundant success in your writing and hope you will truly live your dream. Blessings to you!
Steven Clark Bradley
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Thanks so much to Annette for being the best of discussion leaders.
To all our participating authors, we could not have enjoyed this discussion without your talent and your willingness to share with readers the story within.
Since this was our first discussion and a new online site as well, we had no way of forecasting our readership. However, I’m very pleased to say that we had a total of 1107 readers with several subscribing for future discussions. That is an excellent start.
As our inaugurating authors, WRDF would like to extend an invitation to return in the Fall of 2009. If you’d like to accept, just contact me with the new book information and I’ll reserve your spot.
We wish you all the best of success with your books, and hope that you will return as readers in the discussions to come.
“In order to succeed, at times you have to make something from nothing.” Ruth Mickleby-Lane
Lynda
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