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Burndee Is My Fairy Godfather Men's Tee

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  • allisonteboauthor

    allisonteboauthor
    You’ve seen the game “draw this in your style. You’ve seen the game “draw this in your style.” Well today we’re doing the writer’s version!
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Pick a film or book and describe to us how it would look if YOU had written. I’ll go first as an example.
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I choose Lord of the Rings! If I had written LOTR, the hobbits would have definitely been American and full of chutzpah. Think Penguins of Madagascar, utterly unaware of how outmatched they are because they are bursting with confidence. They would be full of sauciness and sassing everybody left and right, charging the enemy single-handedly and somehow surviving because of an excess of idiot’s luck.
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There would be a lot more couples and a completely indiscriminate pairing between races. Elves and dwarves will tie the knot, wizards and hobbits will fall in love – WHAT THE HECK, maybe I’ll even redeem a goblin or orc and let them find true love. I mean, WHY NOT? 😝
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I’d probably have more female characters, too—but they wouldn’t be exclusively fair maidens of Rohan and Rivendell. Think cranky female wizards, a librarian lady in Rivendell who has to dig up research for the Fellowship. Or how about Beorn's great niece who, as a youthful bear girl, has grown up listening to stories of dwarvish quests and now yearns to have an adventure of her own? Only she has a tendency to bite the the more serious members of the Fellowship. 
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There definitely would be more development of the villains, running the gamut from Yzma and Kronk types to Emperor Palpatine types. But no matter what they’re like, the heroes wouldn’t be quite so frightened of them.
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Sure, there would be plenty of danger, peril, and even some sorrow—but there would also be an enormous amount of humor, irreverent love stories, and a mischievous subversion of expectations.  Middle Earth would probably wind up with a hobbit king and wizards would retire in disgust after taking care of so many stupid mortals and open up knitting shops in the Shire.
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It’s still sword and sorcery, but that’s Alli’s fingerprint—my own spin.  We all have our own unique writing voice that no one else can emulate. So share away! What does YOUR personal take on a famous story look like?
    This Saturday, you get to visit three fictional wo This Saturday, you get to visit three fictional worlds. Where would you spend your morning, afternoon, and evening?
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This is a tough one for me, because I want to see everything and go everywhere. But below are the three worlds I am most in the mood for. 
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I would like to wake up in Bag End, I think. Yes, I want to wake up in some old four poster in Bilbo’s guest room and see my hobbit hole window all covered in sunlit crystalline flakes. After helping Bilbo whip up a great big breakfast (and maybe entertaining a wandering dwarf or two), I’ll go outside to slide down the slopes (I might coax Gandalf to have a go on a toboggan) and then help the local hobbit children make a snow fort.
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I think I would like to spend the afternoon in Oz—it just FEELS like an eternal afternoon in Oz, full of midday sunshine and rainbow-colored adventures that keep me nice and toasty, even in winter. 
 
I would like to sail over the Emerald City on the Wizard’s hot air balloon, land on the roof of the palace where I shall take tea with my beloved Scarecrow. Then I’ll use Ozma’s infinitely unrolling carpet to take a quick detour to Winkie Country and the territory of Oogaboo—because this is where a young man named Files lives, with his orchard of BOOK-TREES. I think plucking a newly-grown story from its branch and settling down in a shady valley for a nice long read is the perfect way to wrap up an afternoon. 
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In the evening, I would travel via Wardrobe to Narnia to spend the night at Mr. Tumnus’s cave. I want to visit at the same time that Prince Corin was staying there. I like little boys and I think Corin and I would get on famously. We would start the evening off with a cozy dinner by the fire, and then Mr. Tumnus would play his pipe while we digested. Then I’d troop outside with Colin to have a snowball fight. Once the romp is over, Mr. Tumnus would come and point out the Narnian constellations to us. Then we’d go inside for cocoa and faun-ish fireside tales. Finally, it’s off to our respective cozy nooks—though Corin and I would probably stay up late talking and have a pillow fight (much to Mr. Tumnus’s alarm). 
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Your turn!
    QOTD: What historical time can you not resist? . . QOTD: What historical time can you not resist?
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I have had a smallish obsession with Vikings since I was little. The primal excitement and connection I feel to these towards these raiding rovers is so deep I am convinced that I must have a streak of Viking blood in me somewhere. 'Tis the only explanation for my infatuation.
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But whatever the reason, the infatuation runs deep. And, gratifyingly, this infatuation was fully satisfied in this marvelous book ICEFALL.
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I stayed up into the wee hours to read this novel: I couldn’t put it down. This is one of the most beautifully poetic writing styles I have read in a long time (similar to The Book Thief), each sentence structured like an individual work of art, creating images that we can see, touch, smell. I could feel the suspicion inside me, smell the scents of the stead, hear the moaning of the glacier.
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The lovely cadence of this book is like harp music: soft, enchanting, perfect, one melting into another. It is a book that is a true tribute to readers who want to relish words and rhythms. And SOLVEIG.  Solveig is one of the best female characters I have read in a long time. She was a strong woman without ever having to lift a weapon or beat-up a guy. I especially liked how Solveig sticks to the truth, no matter what ‘more experienced’ or ‘more successful’ people tell her to do. Her struggles and insecurities and how she overcomes them gripped me from the beginning. And that end scene . . . I won’t spoil it, but you can go ahead and insert “WOW” right here.
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There is some PG-13-ish content (DM me if you want more details) but it did not distract me from the overall mastery of this marvelous novel.
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 You had me at the word VIKING.
    QOTD: What book has made you cry in a good way? . QOTD: What book has made you cry in a good way? 
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Splinters of Scarlet by @emilybainmurphy was one of my favorite reads of 2020; from the first page to the very last, I was inescapably pulled-in, unable to set it down. It is magical, mysterious, and utterly intoxicating—as delicately plotted as a snowflake.
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This novel is full of breathtaking beauty—from the narrative to the worldbuilding—but what completely captured me was the themes.  The infinitely precious story of sisterhood was woven so tenderly throughout this novel that I found myself in a puddle of tears at the end.
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Marit’s constant sacrifice for her little sister, Eve, reminded me so much of MY older sister. Reading this book was like receiving the gentlest of hugs from my big sister, and feeling more deeply than ever the depth of her care for me.  And, of course, wouldn’t you know it, I had literally just finished and was sitting there in teary-eyed shock when Tor walked into my room. That really set me off.
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I don’t think I’ve ever read any other book that so captured the intensity of love I have for my sisters, and all the many facets of fun and frustration, struggle and sacrifice, beauty and botheration—a relationship so deep it makes me ache.
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Many people look for themselves in fiction, but I found something better than myself in Splinters of Scarlet: I found my sisters . . . and the love we share.
    Do you know what one of the keys are to an author' Do you know what one of the keys are to an author's success?
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Street teams! I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by readers and writers that support. Word-of-mouth through blogs and social media is imperative for an author, and I would be nowhere without my street team. They are pure magic. 
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I don’t know about you, but I’ve always wanted to be a fairy godmother, and that’s one of the reasons why my amazing street team is called The League Of Extraordinary Fairy Godmothers – because they have definitely been magical guardians to me! 
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I want to expand this incredible league, and I would love to add YOU to the group!
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The League of Extraordinary Fairy Godmothers is a group of readers that like my books and are interested in helping me promote them.  As a member of the league, you will get sneak peeks of my writing process, have some creative input, and be my go-to group for beta readers and arc readers!  You will also have access to exclusive giveaways. 
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The only official obligations you will have as a Fairy Godmother is to occasionally share information that I’ll send you, such as promotions about ebook sales, news about giveaways, or other various author updates. Not complicated at all! 
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You can find the link to sign up in my Instagram profile!
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 #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #streetteam #authorstreetteam #fairygodmother #theleagueofextraordinaryfairygodmothers #writers #thereluctantgodfather #burndee #talesofambia #thetalesofambia #allisonteboauthor #authors #supportindieauthors #supportsmallauthors #indieauthor #fairytaleretellings #fairytaleauthor #freebooks #Ilovereading #readmorebooks #authorsupport #yareader #launchteam  #readersofinstagram  #yafantasyauthor  #booksofinstagram
    QOTD: Have you read the Little House series? If so QOTD: Have you read the Little House series? If so, which book was your favorite?
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Goodness me, how I love this series. I have very vivid memories of my Mom reading dozens upon dozens of books to me, but one of my favorite memories involves the happy days when she read the Little House On The Prairie series aloud to me and my twin.
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Twin and I were so enamored with this series that I remember playing “Laura and Mary” with her. One scene in particular that we were always trying to recreate was the part where the girls use a pig bladder as a ball for a game of catch. Obviously, Twin and I had to improvise. And since we’ve already wandered into gross territory (please remember I was eight) I also vividly recall thinking that a roasted pig’s tail sounded extremely tasty.
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Oh, I have many memories of the Little House series, even though Mum stopped reading them aloud a little before or after the Shores of Silver Lake. Mum knew that her diminutive dog-loving duo would be crushed beyond all repair when Jack the bulldog died.
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Consequently, it was some years later that I finished the series. But I soon discovered the delightful fact that it doesn’t matter what age you are when you read this series. There is something about the Little House series that holds one enthralled, no matter what age you are. 
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And all these years later, I still think a roasted pig's tail sounds tasty.
    GOTD: Tell me about a book that simply DRIPS with GOTD: Tell me about a book that simply DRIPS with a specific aesthetic! A book that has such a strong sense of place you felt as if you were really there. 
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I’m going to be embracing a slightly different review style today, friends. Sometimes you read a book that has such a rich location and summons up such visceral smells, tastes, and sounds, words won’t do. So we have to paint.
 
ABSOLUTELY TRULY: An Aesthetic Review:

The polished floor of a dance studio / musty old book stores / soft and gentle dog hugs / bird-watching / owls gliding past a moon / slush melting on old carpet / snowball fights / mysterious messages / daring investigations / military talk / the shrill of a coach’s whistle at a swim meet / fathers and daughters / icy bridges / frozen waterfalls / the magic transformations of home improvements / the snap and pop of grease on a hamburger grill / the hum of a radiator / socked feet sliding over creaky wooden floors / cracked and worn letters / broken families mended together.
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Your turn!
    QOTD: What is one of your top non-fiction recommen QOTD: What is one of your top non-fiction recommendations?
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For me, it’s THE GENIUS OF ANCIENT MAN by Don Landis. Let me tell you a little about it.
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Evidences and commonalities explored from ancient man around the globe!

·         Why structures echoing the Tower of Babel have been recreated on almost every continent and major culture

·         What artifacts and archaeology, technology and innovation, really reveal about the origin of mankind

·         Why many biblical symbols (rainbows, human sacrifice, mountains, the Son/ sun worship) were, and continue to be, distorted in pagan religious practices

·         What the historical record reveals about Satan’s “counterfeit” of God’s plan for humanity
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All over the world there are similar findings of ancient religions, cities and towers, world travel, advanced astronomy, and civilized government. Over the course of two years, a team of researchers from Jackson Hole Bible College has worked to bring together the different pieces of the convoluted mystery and history of ancient man.
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Hours of researching, trips to various sites around North and Central America, visits to museums, and meetings with experts have provided the team with an overwhelming amount of evidence for the intelligence of these early innovators. A jumble of anomalies and magnificent structures continue to confound archaeology and anthropology today, yet as the dots are connected, one finds history as described in the biblical record.
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This is a truly unforgettable and deeply influential read and I highly recommend it!
    QOTD: What is one of your favorite fantasy novels? QOTD: What is one of your favorite fantasy novels?
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I know I run the risk of putting stones and rotten vegetables into the hands of the populace by saying this, but . . . I’m not always a fan of medieval fantasy. I am sometimes downright tired of it. *ducks the ensuing barrage of melons* I suppose it’s because I’m not really a Tolkien fan, and I feel that most medieval fantasy is trying to imitate Tolkien. *runs away as the populace upgrades from melons to stones*
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And that brings me to LETTER TO THE KING—for it is exceptional in every respect. Instead of imitating Tolkien, this book harks back to older legends and touches those beloved stories of King Arthur. What is it about those two magic words “King Arthur?” My fingers tingle, my ears prick up, and my nose comes up like a hunting dog scenting a legendary beast that I simply must follow.
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This is such a wonderfully, old-fashioned medieval fantasy story full of knights and kingdoms and quests and hazards. This book was recommended to me by my dear friend @karis.2018 – and it’s just as thoughtful and deep and noble-hearted as she is.
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This novel reminded me of some of my beloved childhood favorites such as The Red Keep and The Lost Baron. It’s full of beautiful descriptions and imagery, as well as noble and righteous characters that you can’t help but root for!
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I listened to this on Audible, and I think hearing it read aloud really added to the mythic quality of the story. It was as if a storyteller was telling me an ancient legend. He has the perfect voice for a knight and it served to pull me even deeper into this grand story.
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In a world that mocks goodness and sneers upon nobility, LETTER TO THE KING is just the read we need, as it is full of pure-minded heroes that face dangers without flinching, and who remind us that sacrifice is what makes a heart truly knightly.
    QOTD: Do you have any headcanons for Narnia? . . M QOTD: Do you have any headcanons for Narnia?
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My favorite Narnia headcanon involves the scene of the winter party of the Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe.  I am certain that Aslan breathed upon those stone squirrels, foxes, and satyrs, and the party picked right back up again.
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The first part of the headcanon involves the Witch. Even though she didn’t live long enough to see all of the joy that came about because of her downfall, I like to think that, in the split second before death, she KNEW. It all came rushing through her tiny, evil mind in a rush of fierce and joyous reality—all the tea parties, the picnics, the laughter and prayers and work. I imagine her ridiculous little tantrum as she realizes that her reign of terror was the mere blink in the eye, swallowed up by Aslan and all the happinesses instantly resumed. Particularly the happiness of that one little party in the woods that she thought she had squashed.
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And what a jolly time it would be. The best guest of all has arrived. Aslan has come to tea! He has breathed on them, and the winter party has turned into a spring picnic!
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The old fox would finally finish his toast, and no doubt would be talking about it for years to come, reliving the moment when he got to give a toast not just to his friends, but to Aslan himself. The excitable little squirrel could bang his spoon on the table as much as he wanted: Aslan wouldn’t mind. I’m sure Aslan sampled a few dishes, and a satyr mum could rejoice about her plum pudding for years to come because Aslan had liked it. 
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Dear creatures! That ordinary day suddenly turned into the worst moment of their life—but it only lasted for an instant. One second the Witch was standing there, and the next they were opening their eyes to see Aslan. The worst moment of their lives had been only the briefest of nightmares. But joy came in the morning.
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As they gazed upon Aslan, the memory of witches and winters were brushed away by a golden mane. Oh what joy! Aslan is a savior that not only breaks evil spells, He stays for tea afterwards.
    GIVEAWAY! THE RELUCTANT GODFATHER TURNS FOUR YEARS GIVEAWAY! THE RELUCTANT GODFATHER TURNS FOUR YEARS OLD TODAY. 
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To celebrate my impossible boy’s birthday, I am giving away a signed copy of my book, The Reluctant Godfather!  TRG is a rom-com fairy tale retelling of Cinderella and, if you’re looking for a little dose of sweetness, you might enjoy this novella
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Burndee is a young and cantankerous fairy godfather, who would rather bake cakes than help humans. A disgrace to the fairy order, Burndee has only two wards entrusted to his care…a cinder girl and a charming prince.
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A royal ball presents Burndee with the brilliant solution of how to make his wards happy with the least amount of effort. He’ll arrange a meeting and hope the two fall in love.
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THE RULES OF THE  GIVEAWAY
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# 1.  Follow me. Do not follow and then unfollow. If you do, Burndee will turn you into a skunk.
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# 2.  Share in your stories and tag me.
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# 3.  Tag your friends. Each tag counts as an entry. One tag per comment.
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# 4.  In the spirit of Cinderella – for each friend you tag, you must share something you like/love/appreciate about them!
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# 5.  Due to shipping costs, this is U.S. only. BUT, if you tag an international friend, they will be entered to win an ebook of The Reluctant Godfather!
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A Birthday Message:

Dear Burndee, you’re four years old today. You’ve gotten so big. From one tiny little ebook into a 14 + series of novella and novels. We have been through a lot together. Of all my characters, you are one of my favorites. You have brought me so much joy, and given joy to many others. You still have a lot to learn, and perhaps it’s because I’m learning it with you that the journey is so sweet to me. You’re a good friend: your stories are like home to me. Thank you for the magic.
    There are some new faces in this joint, so that me There are some new faces in this joint, so that means it's time for another meet and greet! 
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I am a Jesus loving, Bible believing, Spirit filled, tongue-talking Christian author in my late twenties. I am the author of the Tales of Ambia, a series of romantic comedy retellings of fairy tales. I have been published in several magazines and anthologies and I also write speculative action adventure under the name Al Thibeaux for @tspecfiction - a quarterly e-zine run by me and my two sisters. I studied at London Art College and received a certificate in Drawing and Painting, as well as Cartooning and I am also a singer (you can check out my YouTube channel by clicking through to my profile).
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And now for some RANDOM FACTS!
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I never stop loving: dance parties, elegant clothes, candles, making people laugh, and THE HOBBIT TRILOGY. (I also really enjoy annoying people by loving the things they hate 😁). 
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I never stop disliking: overly-serious people who don't have a sense of humor, turning left while riding a bicycle, and the fact that my library is now closed on Saturdays (what do they expect me to do with my weekends now?)
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Currently watching: the latest season of Death in Paradise! Even though I liked the first seasons best, it still a swell show.
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Currently reading: Bleak House by Charles Dickens. I finished a Tale of Two Cities last year and that inspired me to pick up this behemoth. 
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If I didn’t have my current job I’d be: a stand-up comedian for small select audiences . . . like Instagram. 😋
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Now, I want to get to know YOU better.  Fill out these random questions with your own answers or give me any random facts you want!
    QOTD: What is the strangest thing you’ve ever f QOTD:  What is the strangest thing you’ve ever found written inside an old or used book?
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Most of my books are bought second hand, so I find quite a few writings inside the volumes on my bookshelves. On the endpaper of Doomwyte by Brian Jacques, I found this peculiar row of words.
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Guy sells teeth for cigarettes
Resident evil
6Eureka7
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Clearly, someone was trying to convey something important - I just haven't figured it out. 
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Is the man who sells his teeth the resident evil? Or is the resident evil forcing another man to sell his teeth? Is 6Eureka7 the secret code that lets prospective cigarette peddlers know the man has a few more teeth to spare? Is it the password for the resident evil’s cigarette website? I doubt we shall ever know.
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Perhaps my most disconcerting discovery was when I was paging through an old copy of The Two Towers by J.R.R Tolkien. A speech by the Urak Hai had been carefully underlined, the way one does when you wish to remember a particularly good sentence.
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Naturally, this worried me. Who, besides other orcs, would find the speeches of the Urak Hai worth highlighting? Has our society been infiltrated by young orcs in human guise? Was this small orc writing a paper about inspirational speakers for some diabolical school for undercover orclings? Has this orc already grown up and taken his place in our world? That might explain the behavior of certain politicians that shall remain nameless: I always suspected they were really orcs in disguise.
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Of course, we could think positively and hope that this orc was caught, the school shut down, and all these creatures sent back to Middle Earth where they belong. In which case, why haven’t I heard of this orc-busting ring before? Are they rather like spies? Where do I sign up? Do I get a sword and uniform?
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Inscriptions inside of books leave me full of questions.
    QOTD: What is one of your favorite stories about a QOTD: What is one of your favorite stories about a male/male friendship? 
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For me, it is The Riddle of the Sands. This beautiful Edwardian-era espionage film features a fantastic buddy story that is infinitely better than the book it is based upon.
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In the year of 1901, a British yachtsman named Davies stumbles onto what seems to be a secret plan to carry out a terrible invasion and summons his Oxford chum Carruthers working for Secret Service to help him out. Set in the eerie desolation of the Frisian Islands, where shifting sands can cause men and their secrets to disappear without a trace. This is an atmospheric thriller with an eerie and subtle storyline that grips me every time.
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There are no high speed chases, explosions, or even shoot-outs. And yet the high-stakes and inexorable acceleration of the foreign plot gives the film a sense of claustrophobia that never fails to excite me. And if you like boats, this film is a visual feast, featuring a scrappy vessel named the Ducibella.
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TROTS is a spy thriller, but it's also a coming of age story. Carruthers starts out as a self-absorbed paper-pusher who transforms into a heroic man-of-action. Davies begins the story as a man content with messing about with boats who then begins navigating his way through evil schemes. I love their interaction so much. For some reason, they remind me very much of the heroes of a Rosemary Sutcliff novel. Perhaps it is because they are peppy, indomitable, intelligent, and willing to stand alone against a sleeping giant.
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Speaking of sleep giants, the original novel was a “story with a purpose" and written from "a patriot's natural sense of duty", which predicted war with Germany and called for British preparedness. This novel raised the public's awareness of the "potential threat" of Imperial Germany. Some say that Winston Churchill credited the book as a major reason why the Admiralty had decided to establish the new naval bases. While some debate this story, the fact remains that Erskine wielded his power as an author to cast light on the enemies of freedom, urging the most ordinary citizens to stand up for what is right.
    “I sometimes think that normal, everyday life is “I sometimes think that normal, everyday life is only a delusion. We walk on a thin crust of earth which we call peace; and every now and again we can hear a rumble below our feet; and sometimes the crust splits and we see that, underneath there is a glowing inferno ready to erupt. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't, but it is always there.”   ― Helen MacInnes, Decision at Delphi
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QOTD: Who is one of your all-time favorite authors, and what is your favorite book by said author?

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MacInnes is one of my favorite authors. Her books are spine-tingling and nerve-wracking from start to finish as we follow her likeable heroes into a tangled web of espionage and dark and deadly deeds. She drew on her extensive research and travel, and her marriage to a British agent to portray Cold War intrigue with a keen understanding of the machinations of Evil and power.
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This is a spy novel for the thinking man or woman, not someone merely interested in sensationalism. They are a blatant political call-to-arms only thinned disguised as escapist works. MacInnes pulls no punches and stares unflinchingly into the hideous faces of Nazism, Socialism, Communism, Nihilism and Terrorism, shining a light on the monsters and issuing forth a grim and clarion call to her readers to open their eyes and to fight back against "the barbarians” that tear the world apart beneath our very noses.
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Full of suspense, adventure, and truth, I highly recommend these incredible novels.
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#bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookaddiction #booksbooksandmorebooks  #booksofinstagram #booklover #bookmoments #readersofinstagram  #readerslife #booklove  #instabook #booknerd  #bibliophile  #readerofinstagram  #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks  #bookstagram #bookishcommunity  #spyfiction #thrillsandchillsbookchallenge #helenmacinnes #espionage #espionagefiction #espionagebooks
    I came for Spock, but I stayed for the spies. . . I came for Spock, but I stayed for the spies.
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I had heard about Mission Impossible for quite a while, but I never bothered looking into it until I watched Star Trek and came to love a certain Vulcan who also had a starring role in this classic espionage series.
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The moment those first thrilling opening strings are played and that mysterious hand strikes the match, you are hooked. The cold glamour and often chilling intellect of this show irrevocably grips you.
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A highly-detailed and flawless dance of intellect and improvisation ensues as computer-like minds are pitted against human psychology. There is very little characterization of the main core—and that is deliberate. The real star of the show is the mission of the week: the impossible mission that is planned to the smallest detail. The plotting is brilliantly complex, (some of them I’m still trying to figure out).
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They’re stylish, they’re smart, they’re classic. If you are looking for the ultimate salute to the spy genre: there are few shows more iconic than Mission Impossible.
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QOTD: Have you watched Mission Impossible? Have you ever started a show simply because you’re a fan of one of the cast members and then found yourself loving the show itself? 
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Note:  Not a real gun or fur coat in this photo. 
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#spyfiction #tvshow #missionimpossible #cosplay #myfavoritetvshow #tvcosplay  #television #televisionshows #moviesofinstagram  #vintagevibe  #vintagetv  #favoritetvshow  #moviesandtv #moviesilove #myfavoritemovies #moviesofinstagram
    “It is stupidity, rather than courage, to refuse “It is stupidity, rather than courage, to refuse to recognize danger when it is close upon you.”
― The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
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Well, guys, this is a serious post, but it still relates to bookstagram. I’m worried about it. I don’t want it to go away. But Big Tech Censorship is becoming a problem that none of us can ignore. It affects our hashtags, our growth, our stats—everything.
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But you know what? Big Tech might own these platforms, but this community belongs to US. WE built these friendships. Across technical glitches, across time zones, across borders, across age and background – we reached out and built this community. These friendships are ours . Books brought us together; we can’t let Big Tech bust us apart.
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It’s not right that we should have to fear that the community we have built could be shattered. They might control the platform, but they don’t have to control us or make us afraid. We can’t rely on Big Tech to keep allowing us to do our thing. We need to have a backup plan. We have worked too hard on this community to just hope for the best. We have to actively safeguard it. 
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Some may think I’m overreacting. Maybe it is doubtful that our entire community would be gone in a snap. But I don’t care if it’s just ONE person.  I know who is locked out or censored I would miss that person. We would feel the difference, and feel the gap their absence left behind.
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Bookstagram isn’t just a place for me to scroll when I’m bored. I care about you. I have found so much good here. It’s not only a happy place for me, in many ways, it’s my ministry. So I’m going to fight for my first Amendment AND play the separation of Church and State card and say:  “Back off, Big Tech! This community, these conversations—it’s ours.”
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Please sign up for my author newsletter (link in bio) so we don't lose contact!  I’m going to be signing up to a ton of blogs and newsletters myself.  The community that can pivot quickly is the community that doesn’t have to be afraid of being caught flat-footed or separated. 
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You can check out my new highlight "Defeat Big Tech" for more rambles. I will be adding more to it today, so stay tuned!
    QOTD: What is a book (or series) that you recommen QOTD: What is a book (or series) that you recommend over and over again?
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For me, it's the Mrs. Pollifax series by Dorothy Gilman!
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I absolutely love this heroine – she is relatable, iconic and a role model all at the same time. What is not to love about a soft and twinkly grandmother who is tired of volunteering at a community garden and decides to volunteer at the CIA instead?
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It is so nice to read about a heroine who feels real, someone who doesn’t fit into the perfectly 25-30 year old heroine. She’s in her 60s, she’s plump, she’s had a full life, her hair is white, she has eccentric taste in close—Mrs. P feels just like someone we know, or someone we could be.
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It’s the characters that really capture you in this series. It is chock-full of the most smashing platonic relationships. Mrs. Pollifax has a knack for loving those around her and an undying interest in humans that is guaranteed to make you smile.
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I am very weary of how our culture separates us according to our age. And, by doing so, we close ourselves off to the wisdom and joy that could be found by being together.
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There is none of that in Mrs.  She has the refreshing perspective that friendship can be found in the most unlikely places and across huge age gaps. Mrs. P’s heart connects with so many darling characters—whether they are Middle Eastern children, a peculiar Cambodian  criminal, a fuddly young Englishman, or a James Bond wannabe. There is simply no end to the human connections!
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And, aside from the characters, the stories themselves are nothing short of a romp. Full of exciting escapades, wild plot twists, and startling action and peril. They are some of the most adventure-filled stories I’ve ever met. The Pollifax series takes the espionage genre and fills it with humor, fun, and a zest for life in a deadly world.  It’s a fun, old-fashioned-spy novel that turns the genre on its head by having an unjaded heroine battling Cold War politics armed with an extravagant hat, resourcefulness, and persistent optimism. 
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If you’ve been looking for an escape, might I suggest Mrs. P? She doesn't disappoint!
    QOTD: What is one of your favorite stories that in QOTD: What is one of your favorite stories that involve SPIES?
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Oh my goodness, I LOVE a good espionage story. The Tebo's are aficionados when it comes to this genre. Use the word "spy" in a sentence and we come running. It's a storyline we just can't resist!
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I can't resist it anymore than I can resist playing a game with you. Let's launch our own mission right here on Instagram! Let’s assemble the cast and share the deadly results. 
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In the comments below, choose the 1st - 3rd person whose name comes up when you start to type the following: 
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Spy: I got @somelittlegood 
Sidekick. I got @elsiesadventuring 
Head of the Bureau: @h.s.j._williams
Femme Fatale: I got @elisabethgfoley 
Assassin: I got @aerelien 
Profiteer 1: I got @perryelisabeth 
Innocent Bystander: I got @ive_seen_a_new_world 
Super Villain: I got @songsofheroes
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Okay, those results were all that I could have hoped for. 😂 I think Mary as the assassin wins the cake. Or would that be a martini that is shaken and not stirred? 
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As usual, I cast myself as the bored and stylish socialite who is complicating the mission. Oh wait. I think I could be a pretty good evil minion too....
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Why don't those I tagged weigh in on this! Do you think the mission will be accomplished, the assassin foiled, and the super villain thwarted? 
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Don’t forget to tag your friends below using the method above- let’s keep the mission going!
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#bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookaddiction #booksbooksandmorebooks  #booksofinstagram #booklover #bookmoments #readersofinstagram  #readerslife #booklove  #instabook #booknerd  #bibliophile  #readerofinstagram  #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks  #bookstagram #bookishcommunity  #spyfiction
    I was talking to someone other day at an appointme I was talking to someone other day at an appointment about identity. She was wondering just who and what she is when her occupation is stripped away. I told her that I understood,; there were times when my identity as a creative was stifled and I was left wondering who I am when everything I do is gone.
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“The ultimate identity of everyone on Earth,” I told her at last, “is to have a relationship with Christ. That’s who we really are, what we’re really meant to be.”
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But my flesh struggles against this kind of humility and se!f-denial. And, sadly, The worship of self has been made alarmingly at home in so-called Christian teaching these days. Loving ourselves, discovering ourselves, being true to ourselves, doing what we want when we want it—it’s all taught as gospel.
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But “yourself” and “myself” aren't so important. One day, everything that makes us US will change. This life and our relationships, our job, our interests, will end and change forever. If we are true sons and daughters of Christ, it is only when this life is over that we shall truly become ourselves by becoming fully like someone else.
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Ultimately, who “I” really am doesn’t matter as much as I might have been led to believe. A character in a story might be loved and unique in their own way, but they are ultimately only an extension of the author. As we enter this new year, I am reminding myself that “He must become greater; I must become less.”
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 All of my goals and interests, my history, and every scrap of my personality is in existence solely by His discretion with the purpose of giving Him glory.
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2021 isn’t “my year” or “your year.” You, me, and 2021 itself belong to God—just like everything else. What He plans on doing with you or me or 2021 is completely up to Him.
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It’s so easy for me to let my goals become my identity, but I remind myself that my goals are not my true purpose and my work is not my true identity.
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It was never about me or about you. It was always about Christ.
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Praying that 2021 will be full of God's perfect purpose for all His creation🍾
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