Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The Progressive Book Club & a Visit with Ellie Garratt


http://elliegarratt.blogspot.com/p/speculative-fiction-writers.html

I am interviewed by fellow Untethered Realms author Ellie Garratt today as part of her Speculative Fiction Writers series. I really enjoyed answering Ellie's questions and am thrilled to be part of her series. Please come and visit with us here. Thanks for interviewing me, Ellie! :)



Also, today is my first time posting as part of Michael L. Swift's Progressive Book Club. I meant to join this club a long time ago but got sidetracked, so I figured since this is the group's first meeting for 2014 there was no time like the present to finally join in.

If you'd like to participate as well visit Michael's site here for all the details.

The book I am sharing today is Haunted by my friend Susan Oloier. I signed up for a review copy of the book last month and was so glad I did! This was a fantastic read, and if I didn't already know Susan was a gifted author this book would have definitely convinced me.

I had been remiss in getting my Goodreads review written but finally got it done today, so I am just going to share that review here.


Haunted is a touching and beautifully written story about loss, love, and figuring out how to live again after a single mistake brings about the unthinkable.

Teenage Hailey grows sleepy behind the wheel and crashes her car while driving home from a party with her boyfriend Jeremy. Hailey survives the accident while Jeremy does not. Hailey has to figure out how to go on without the boy she loves and how to forgive herself for the mistake which took his life. Needless to say, neither is easy to do.

The story also focuses on Eli, a boy Hailey meets who is struggling with his own demons, and on Jeremy himself, who is trying to figure out how to leave the land of the living behind and enter into the spiritual realm where he now belongs.

Oloier has a gift with language and her writing is so lyrical that at times it feels like poetry. This is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished the final page.
As you can tell from my review, I highly recommend this book. Now I'm looking forward to hopping around and seeing the books everyone else is sharing today. Thanks to Michael for hosting this group!

Hope to see you over at Ellie's!


154 comments:

  1. Such a sad beautiful story. Thanks for sharing this reading pick Julie.

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  2. Hey Julie

    Been so busy in 2014, I'm so behind on everything blog-wise.

    Love this cover! I'm hopping over and have to check out the group too.

    X

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  3. Beautiful cover! And by the way, Happy Blitz Day!

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  4. What a lovely review. I will look for that book and give it a try. I hope you enjoy your BLITZ day. I'll check out Ellie's interview.

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  5. What a nice review of what sounds like a very emotional read. Well done!

    BTW...you've been BLITZED! The first of 2014. :) L. Diane Wolfe is also a victim today, if you'd like to visit her as well.

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  6. I love when a story grabs at your heart like that!

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  7. I will visit Ellie today!
    Susan will be very happy to know you enjoyed her book.
    And yes - happy Blitz Day!

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  8. Hey, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book! Wanted to send a lil' Blog-Blitz friendliness your way. = )

    I also really like that cover. Do you know who was the designer?

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  9. I've been hearing lots of great things about Haunted. It's already on my TBR list. I'm off to read your interview! Happy Blitz Day! :)

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  10. Great review - sounds like an excellent read and the cover is very well done. Happy #Blitz

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  11. Susan's book sounds... erm, okay I'm going to say it... haunting!

    Popping over to Ellie's now :-)

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  12. Oh wow, what a great surprise!! Thanks for the Blitz! And Susan's book really is wonderful. @Petre, I'm sorry, I don't know the cover designer but I agree, it is fantastic.

    Thanks again, all! :)

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  13. Susan's book sounds amazing!

    Happy Blitz Day!

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  14. Blitz! Glad to meet you and enjoyed the review. Good luck in 2014 on reading and writing endeavors

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  15. Great review, Julie. That cover is truly haunting.

    Happy Blitz Day to you! :)

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  16. Julie,

    Now I have to get this book! It sounds really good, one with a topic that appeals to me...the afterlife. Life, love, loss, love, life...the neverending circle. It always makes for a good read!

    Thanks for your participation in the PBC this month! Great review. And congrats on your BLITZ!

    M.L. Swift, Writer

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  17. Nice review. A ghost story would be right up your alley. :))

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  18. Sounds like an intriguing book. Now for an intriquing BLITZ!

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  19. I have the perfect person to recommend this book to. Thanks for the review and happy blitz day

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  20. Heading over to Ellie's to read the interview!

    And Susan's book looks really good. Love that cover!

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  21. Oh that book sounds lovely! And the cover is haunting..
    Happy Blitz Day!

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  22. Sounds like a really good read, your review makes me want to read it! BTW, enjoy your blitzing today! :-)

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  23. Oh darn, I knew I was forgetting something!! I'll have to join the PBC next month. The review was great - thank you for sharing it!

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  24. Books that stay with you are the best! Happy Blitz Day, Julie!

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  25. Universal themes that aren't just in the realms of teens. I think it would be hard to deal with a situation like this. Nice review Julie. :-)

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

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  26. Wow, this Blitz thing is a nice gift!

    Thanks for sharing the book. I don't often read YA (I get a bit tired of teen romance, though if I get through the next 4 years without experiencing some at second hand I'll be very, very lucky!). But this sounds intriguing! I may take a look. After all, death and living with our mistakes aren't exactly issues limited to teens.

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  27. Happy Blitz Day!

    I'm so happy to see so much positive feedback for Susan's book, Haunted.

    See you at Ellie's!

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  28. This sounds like a great read and I'll definitely have to add it to my Goodreads "To Read" shelf!

    Happy Blitz Day!
    Lyre @ Lyre's Musings

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  29. Hi Julie - I really ought to sort my Goodreads out - I'll add it to the never-ending list LOL
    Happy blitz day :)
    Suzanne @Suzannes Tribe
    xx

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  30. Happy Blitz Day! Got to make my way over to Ellie's asap.

    What a great book! I will definitely have to check it out.

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  31. Sounds like a book I'd enjoy reading. Happy Blitz Day, Julie!

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  32. Looks like an interesting book and the cover is great. Have fun, busy blitzing blogger.

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  33. Hi Julie! I guess we both got Blitzed today.

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  34. Beautiful cover for that book - and a great review!
    Congrats on blitz day!!!
    I'll check out that interview

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  35. Sounds like a great read, but what really hooked me is your comment about her lyrical writing. I love books that sing in their prose. If the story is good and the writing elegant, I'm hooked. Thank you for sharing this book. It wasn't on my radar before.

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  36. Hey Julie, seems like today is your day! Happy Blitz Day! So well earned! Enjoy!

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  37. You've been blitzed!!! Happy Blog Blitzing Day!

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  38. Happy Blitz! These books sound intriguing . . .

    ~MPL
    PepperWords

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  39. This book sounds lie a good read. Happy blitz day!

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  40. Thanks again all for the Blitz!! What fun. :)

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  41. Gorgeous cover!

    Happy Blog Blitz Day!

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  42. Sounds like a great read. Happy blog blitz day!

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  43. BLITZING while I work.... Whistle here... LOL

    Happy BLITZ DAY, Julie!!!!!

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  44. Haunted looks awesome. Happy Blitz day!
    ~Summer

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  45. Haunted sounds like such a great book. Happy Blitz Day!

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  46. Haunted sounds sounds like such a wonderful book. I hadn't heard about it until now. I'm so glad you shared; I'm adding it to my TBR file.

    Oh, and you've just been blitzed.

    Michelle :)

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  47. Nice job--great interview and review!

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  48. Wonderful post. Enjoy Blitz Day.

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  49. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll have to check it out!

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  50. Hi Julie! Happy Blitz day! I just finished reading your new book. I really enjoyed it! I posted a review for you on Amazon, too.

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  51. Yay for Susan! An online book club eh? Goodness, do I have the precious minutes to sneak it in...?

    Hey, happy blitz day, woman! It was a blast to have you over for Writerly Wednesday.

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  52. Sounds intriguing. Most people would choose to follow the living, which is much simpler.

    You've been blitzed!

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  53. Sounds like a great read.

    Happy Blitz day!

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  54. Hi Julie. I was brought here as part of the Blog Blitz by D.L. Hammons. He has a great idea in doing this to keep people encouraged and feeling like people are looking out for them. I am happy to check out your blog for the first time. Wishing you well for 2014.

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  55. I love the cover for Haunted, looks great! Hop you're feeling the love today :)

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  56. It is great that you have so many ways of supporting other writers. Nice review of Haunted.

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  57. A lovely review Julie!
    Happy Blog Blitz Day!

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  58. Here Ye... Hear Ye! Happy Blitz Day, Julie! Great post, by the way!

    I would expect a visit to all who comment... me first! :)

    Jeremy

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  59. Hey Julie! I absolutely loved HAUNTED.

    Ooh, Happy Blitz Day! I was excited when I saw you were chosen.

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  60. Happy Blitz Day, Julie!!! Haunted sounds like a really great book. Thank you for sharing. :) And thank you so much for all of your support!!

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  61. Sounds like a haunting read, indeed! Happy Blitz Day :)

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  62. Happy Blitz Day! I hope you enjoy the much deserved attention!

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  63. Hi, Julie,

    I'll hop over later. Congrats to Susan. She has a winner in this book. I need to do my review too.

    Heard you were being blitzed! Can't think of a more deserving gal than you.

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  64. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing about it. And Happy Blitz Day!

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  65. Happy blitz day! That book looks really intriguing!

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  66. Very interesting book. I'll follow you to Ellie's but in the meantime...HAPPY BLITZ DAY!

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  67. It sounds like a great read. Happy Blitz, Julie!

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  68. Wow.. Haunted sounds interesting.
    Great review.

    Happy blitz day!

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  69. Happy blitz day, have fun with the new bookclub and thanks for the review.

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  70. Happy Blitz day! I'll have to check out the book.

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  71. Nice review, thanks for showcasing this one for us. I look forward to checking it out.

    Happy Blog Blitz! xxx

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  72. Happy blitz day, Julie! Love the cover for Haunted, best of luck to Susan!

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  73. Lovely post! Happy, happy, happy Blitz Day, Julie!

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  74. Thanks for the review and Happy Blitz day!

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  75. HAPPY BLITZ DAY, JULIE!!!! :o)

    As soon as I sign off here, I'm going to GoodReads and putting "Haunted" on my TBR shelf!

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  76. Congrats on your interview and great review! Happy Blitz Day!

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  77. I've seen this book making the rounds lately- I'll have to pick it up at some point.
    BTW, Happy Blitz Day!!! You rock, Julie!

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  78. That sounds like a lovely book! Too sad for me, but lovely just the same. :-)
    Happy Blitz Day!

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  79. Ha! I love blitzing you today!
    And thanks for the review. :)

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  80. Oh wonderful! I'm so behind on things I didn't even realize Susan had another book coming out. I've added it to my to-read list. It sounds fantastic.

    Now to visit you at Ellie's...

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  81. Happy Blog Blitz Day, and I have to say I love the cover on Polar Night. Very cool (no pun intended lol!) :)

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  82. Congrats on both the interview and on entering the Progressive Book Club Julie! It's great to do reviews on books that touch you so much. I'll check out your interview later. Happy Blitz to you!!

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  83. Happy Blitz Day, Julie! And thank you so much for reading Haunted and writing such a beautiful review. I am so humbled by your words. I'm off to check out Ellie's blog.
    I made the cover myself after learning how to properly use Photoshop over the summer.

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  84. Hi Julie, just stopping by for blitz day to say hello. Hope you're having a great day with lots of visitors.

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  85. Hello, dropping by for the blitz, but really happy I read your post, as you'd reminded me of the Progressive book club also - it's been on my list for ages too.

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  86. I love a lyrical style of writing...thanks for reminding me by pointing that out in your review. Enjoy your Blitz day! faith@pentozen.com

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  87. Wow! Looks like a great book! Happy Blitz day!

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  88. Looks like a fab read, hope you are having a great Blitz Day!

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  89. What a great review. Nicely done.

    BAZINGA!

    You've been blitzed!

    Enjoy your day!
    Heather

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  90. Hi Julie!

    Nice job here! Love it!

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  91. Nice sounding story. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  92. Sounds like an excellent book. I can't imagine what that guilt is like. And I don't want to.

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  93. Hi, congrats on your Blitz Day. I really enjoyed your review. I loved the sound of this story. It sounded so poignant.

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  94. Sounds like a fantastic read—definitely something I'd like.

    Hello from the Blitz!

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  95. Good on you Julie, for following up with your previous goals (I'm such a slacker... still working on what to do for Y2K :)

    Happy Blitz Day :)

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  96. Great review. Definitely on my to-read list.

    Happy Blitz day! :)
    With great respect!
    Ambrozya

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  97. Thanks for the review. Haunted sounds like a book I want to read, thanks to your review. Enjoyed visiting today. God bless, Maria

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  98. 'Haunted' sounds amazing. Thanks for a great and informative review. One more for my TBR list.

    Enjoy your day, because you've been blitzed.

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  99. This sounds like a great, if heartwrenching, read. Thanks for the review!

    And happy Blitz day :D

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  100. Happy Blitz Day! And all the best to you with your writing in 2014!!

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  101. Sounds like an extraordinary read, poignant and emotional. Thanks for sharing it with us!

    Oh, and happy Blitz! :)

    VR Barkowski

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  102. Happy Blitz Day!! I hope it's been a fabulous day! :)

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  103. Hi, Julie! Nice to meet you. Happy Blitz Day!

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  104. Hello, Julie! Hope you're having a great week, and happy Blitz Day!!

    Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

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  105. Julie, you have great book covers. A very happy blitz to you!

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  106. Haunted sounds like a beautiful story, I'm going to add that to my TBR list. :) Happy Blog Blitz!

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  107. Guess what? Happy Blitz! =) Also, I love the cover for Polar Night, very eye-catching!

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  108. So many books on my TBR pile. So little time. Writing reviews is a luxury. :) Enjoy your blitz!

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  109. Stopping by to Blitz. You wrote a very nice review.

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  110. I love Haunted's cover and the book sounds amazing! Good Luck to Susan!

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  111. Happy Blitz Day. The cover is wonderful. :-)

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  112. Happy Blitz Day. The cover is wonderful. :-)

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  113. This book club is a great initiative by M L Swift!

    My goal this year is to read more of my friends and fellow writer's books.

    Happy Blitz!

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  114. Happy Blitz Day! Great suggestions here.

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  115. Hello Julie. That was a very good review.

    ......dhole

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  116. Haunted sounds like a book not to miss, both for myself and my teenage daughter who is getting ready to learn to drive.

    Happy Blitz Day!

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  117. Well. shame on you Julie! You're totally blitzed... and it isn't even the weekend! HA! Happy Blitz Day! (Couldn't happen to a nicer person!)

    "Haunted" sounds super. Not sure, but I think I entered a Goodreads giveaway for it. Thanks for highlighting it with such a terrific review, Julie, and best wishes to you, Susan. (Such a lovely name...)

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  118. Thank you for letting me know about the Progressive book club and for your review. Not sure it's for me but at least I can make a more choice if I look at it.

    Oh, and #Blitz.

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  119. That book sounds like it requires a box of kleenex. Thank you for sharing your review :) I'll have to check it out for the future :) Happy Blitz Day!!

    Cassandra

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  120. What a powerful, emotive book Haunted sounds like. Great pick!

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  121. Oh the problems with living in an 8-hours off time zone. Sorry I'm late, but hope you have (had) a great blitz day, and thanks for introducing me to your amazing site!

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  122. I loved HAUNTED.

    Happy blitz day.

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  123. What an interesting idea! I think I might join it. I'm popping over from the Book Blitz.

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  124. Hi, Julie. Thanks for sharing about Haunted. I'm a little late, but HAPPY BLITZ DAY!

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  125. Thanks again all for this fun day! I love the Blitz team. :)

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  126. Doing something new, something you wanted for a while is always great! we're so easily sidetracked most of the times but breaking through, adding something new is great. Congrats!

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  127. I'm so late!!!!! Ok, great review, Julie :D

    Hope you had a great Blitz day!!!

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  128. I'm a bit late to the party, but I hope you enjoyed your blitz day :)

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  129. Hi Julie,

    I'm here to comment and wont make mention of that blitz day

    Indeed, it's very good of you to bring further awareness of Haunted by Susan. Your write up, compelling and thoughtful.

    I shall be heading over to Michael's link fairly soon.

    Take care, Julie.

    Gary :)

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  130. What a wonderful review for Haunted! I also loved your description of Susan's "lyrical" writing! Looking forward to seeing you over at Ellie's soon!

    Julie

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  131. I'm late to the party, but still wanted to stop by. Happy Blitz day (a day late)

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  132. What a great pick! I will have to visit Ellie~ Sorry I am late to the Blitz..I hope you and yours are doing well~ ATB

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  133. I'll stop in at Ellie's to say hi. Haunted looks great. Glad you shared it here.

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  134. Just checked out your interview at Ellie's! :)

    Also, great review for Haunted! I remember seeing the cover for it pop up around the blogosphere. It sounds fantastic!

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  135. This sounds like a gorgeous yet sad story. Thank you for bringing it to our attention!

    Jen

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  136. wow! look at all the comments! you are making people happy!

    i used to do michael's book club, but i'm such a slow reader i felt i was always behind.
    i'm glad you reviewed the book, now i get a snapshot! great!

    have a great weekend!

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  137. Happy belated blitz! Hope you had a great day!

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  138. Happy belated Blitz Day!

    That's a beautiful and very fitting cover for Haunted. It's always nice to see original cover art.

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