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Katie Van Ark
Passion on the page

Waiting on Wednesday - I'll Meet You There and Losing the Ice

1/21/2015

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As I've been discovering new book blogs during my own book's tour, I've decided I just have to get in on some of the fun. So this week I'm jumping in on the tradition started by Breaking the Spine and spilling what books are topping my when-is-that-going-to-be-out-already list. And to any family members reading this, yes, these would make excellent birthday gifts next month. :-)

The first is Heather Demetrios's I'll Meet You There, and I've been wanting to read this one since Heather read us a section of it at VCFA last July. Here's a description of the book from Heather's website:

If seventeen-year-old Skyler Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage-months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.

Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings them together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.

As a bonus, there's a special promotion with this book. Order by Valentine's Day and get your own handwritten love letter from Josh, a signed bookplate, and a bookmark! Get the details here.

The second is Jennifer Comeaux's Losing the Ice, her second book about Courtney and Josh. The cover reveal is scheduled for February, so stay up to date on the release news here.

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The Boy Next Door "Shelfies" - Celebrating a Book Birthday

1/6/2015

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So not actual selfie shelfies since my husband took these, but all the same this is one ecstatic author at Barnes & Noble. Many thanks to Grandpa for watching two little girls and putting them to bed - and back in bed - and back in bed again - so my husband and I could go out to celebrate. And also to Grandma for knowing that a poem is an awesome way to celebrate a book birthday and for treating for dinner. Love you, Mom & Dad!
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Real Life Skating Love Stories: Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim

1/2/2015

4 Comments

 
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Alexa Scimeca adores her cat, Scarlet, who has an entire feline wardrobe including a pink boa. Chris Knierim digs driving and working on cars, especially his 1999 Chevy Camaro. They both love skating and each other and these U.S. pairs skaters are beginning their third season together with a special twist: they're engaged.

Here's the Swoon Index for this real-life skating couple:

Heat: Alexa confesses to being instantly attracted to Chris. In the November 2014 issue of Skating magazine, she remembered seeing him climb on her shuttle bus at a competition and said, “I noticed him. Definitely. I always thought he was the cute pairs guy.” Coach Delilah Sappenfield, who matched the pair, added, “I thought their styles of skating were perfect for each other, and in their first tryout, it was just instant.”

Tears: Sappenfield was not hoping for a romantic pairing off ice as well, but Alexa and Chris maintain that their off-ice partnership helps them get through the tough times on ice. The two have faced some recent tears, including an injured foot for Alexa and a broken ankle for Chris during the past Olympic year. Alexa admits that she cried on Chris's shoulder for days after their fourth place finish at Nationals kept them from Sochi. Chris says, “It was hard but it made it easier because we had each other.”

Laughs: Alexa loves to tease Chris about his car, texting him messages such as “Hey, bro, you still got those wheels?” So we'll forgive Chris for never letting her drive it!

Thrills: This year, they're skating to sultry Moulin Rouge music for their short program and excerpts from Gerschwin's An American in Paris for their long. Their impressive split triple twist, which they honed with video-assisted practice, has earned up to Level 4 credit. They are also developing two new lifts, one of which requires Alexa to be completely upside down.

And their most swoon-worthy moment? Chris proposed to Alexa with the help of her cat, Scarlet. He tied an engagement ring onto a white dress that was custom made for Scarlet, then threw a ball into Alexa's room. A minute later, he followed the cat in and got down on one knee. Of course Alexa said yes!

Visit Alexa & Chris online at:
http://figureskatersonline.com/scimeca-knierim/ and follow them on Twitter
@Scimeca_Knierim.

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Let the Launch Fun Begin!

1/1/2015

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Just a few short days and The Boy Next Door hits the shelves. I'm so excited that my book debuts during National Skating Month and I'll be posting some fun skating extras here on the blog, including some real life skating love stories. I'll also be guest posting on several different blogs during the month of January. The bloggers have sent some great topics and questions so be sure to check them out. There will be spoilers about my own high school dating experiences - thanks to my then boyfriend and now husband for being a great sport about this! - as well as the greatest skating spoof ever (IMHO) and even some thoughts on Twilight. :-)

January 5: Q&A at http://toofondofbooks.com

January 6: Q&A at thecompulsivereader.com

January 7: Q&A at http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com

January 8: Romance advice at http://cuts-of-paper.blogspot.com

January 9: Favorite ice skating movies and books at http://nicksbookblog93.blogspot.com

January 10: Q&A at rainydayramblings.com

January 11: Figure skating experience at www.trippingoverbooks.com

January 12: The friends-to-more trope at http://booksandwhimsy.com

January 13: Fave romantic books and movies at starryeyedrevue.blogspot.com

January 14: Going from skating to writing at http://macteenbooks.com

January 15: Q&A at bibliophilesoprano.blogspot.com
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    Reflections on Writing

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    I love few things better than a bottomless to-read list of books and firmly believe the world has room for all the stories we want to share. This blog is intended to provide resources and spark discussion about improving writing. Opinions are my own and not intended to discredit anyone else's work, only to open conversation. Thanks for reading!

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