Romance Novel Giveaways - Freebies and Giveaways of All Things Romance Romance Novel Giveaways: Friday Evening, Eight O'Clock by Nino Gugunishvili ♥ Book Tour & GIVEAWAY ♥ (Contemporary Romance)

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Friday Evening, Eight O'Clock by Nino Gugunishvili ♥ Book Tour & GIVEAWAY ♥ (Contemporary Romance)



Tasha is a dreamer in search of a new dream.

She's bored with Pilates. She's never tried yoga. She doesn't even have a driver's license. She lives a pretty ordinary life as a freelance writer who battles the occasional flow of melancholy with the regular flow of martinis. Nestled into her couch, her television remote in one hand and a cold adult beverage in the other, she's found a favorite way to pass the hours on a Friday evening. It's comfortable and familiar, but it's not exactly an exciting way to live. With two of her closest friends, a bossy mother, an eighty-two year old grandmother, and Griffin, her fat yellow Labrador at her side, she knows that there has to be something better out there. But where?

When she gets an unexpected offer to relocate to France to write a magazine column, she thinks her circumstances are improving. But life in a new country isn't all pêches et la crème. Now far away from her comfort zone, Tasha must find the inner strength to start a new career and navigate the bizarre and unknown world of professional jealousy, intrigue, and conflicting personalities in a very foreign land.

It's enough to make a girl yearn for those quiet nights on the couch.



• It almost began like a game. I just came from a trip to a winter resort with my closest friend, where we caught a terrible flu. We both stayed at our homes and she texted me saying, she was working from home, just like Carry Bradshaw and wouldn’t mind reading something to entertain herself. I jokingly suggested writing something for her and that’s how it all started. Every single day I wrote several pages on a certain topic and sent them to her. Then, another friend joined and we even created a closed group on facebook where I posted each and every day. I remember standing on my apartment balcony when a phrase came out of nowhere to me: “Balthazar Hamish woke up in a grumpy mood that morning” which eventually became the first sentence of my future book.

• I kept my writing in secret for quite long. Very few people knew about it. When finally I decided to reveal it, it was a huge surprise for many people around me, even my family members and especially to a friend of mine who had absolutely no idea what was going on. Totally unaware, one evening she invited me out for a coffee and that was the moment when she saw the book for the first time. I will never forget her bewildered and shocked impression. I agree, it was unfair and too cruel from my part, but I have to confess, when it concerns my writing, I’m getting superstitious. Countless times I’ve been horrified by the thought of some cyber-hackers getting into my laptop and stealing my work from me. I was super-hyper cautious, changing my email password every week, forgetting it and changing it again. Oh, and I forgot about sticker notes! They were my best friends! Yellow Stickers in particular!

• Long after I finished working on the first draft I didn’t have a title to my novel. I wanted something simple and easy to remember, the kind of title that would give a certain feel of the story, catch an atmosphere and keep the readers intrigued. Actually, I almost stole it from a friend of mine who whenever we decided to dine out, always suggested Friday Evening, Eight O’Clock for our gathering so it hit me, that this should be the title of my novel. By the way we still meet every Friday at eight.

• During the period of writing, I started long morning walks in the park with my cocker spaniel whose name is Figu. Without any permission from me, he somehow popped into the story in my book and transformed into a Labrador -retriever Griffin.

• I really do not know why Tasha - the main character of the book, a young freelance journalist whose life changes one ordinary evening after an unexpected phone call, has no last name. Every other character has a first and a last name; Balthazar Hamish, Liz Foster, Fabien Blanchard, Darren O’Keefe... Tasha has not. That happened unconsciously, irrationally, I don’t know the reason why. Weird isn’t it? But then again, isn’t the whole writing process irrational?



Balthazar Hamish woke up in a grumpy mood that morning. He had a terrible headache. His nervous young assistant, Clarissa, and a fashion editor, Chloe, were looking down at the magazine layout, spread out in huge sheets on his office desk. Clarissa always seemed to be a little afraid of him and his fat old cat, Baltimore.

Where did she get that awful velvety coat and ankle boots? She apparently is not at all a fashion addict, or a shopaholic, he thought. Still, she worked in a fashion magazine. What the hell is that? He looked down at one of the headlines printed in bold.

“A True Tale from an Unromantic Goddess”! Balthazar felt suddenly irritated. It’s a sophisticated magazine, for god’s sake. I don’t need more sentimental or feminist crap out here. That title sounded artificial and kitschy to him, as did the whole idea of aspiring foreign authors working for a magazine on a regular basis. It was Liz’s brilliant hunch, of course.

Liz Foster, his deputy! Stubborn and selfish! The whole damn thing about this magazine project was a total waste of time and possibly money. Shark heads in the top management of the publishing house were longing for Balthazar’s blood. He knew it from the very beginning of it all.

“Clarissa, could you please send reminders to all for our meeting later?” Balthazar tried to say it louder word by word. Clarissa looked at him and blinked. She was terrified by his presence and wanted to leave the room—the sooner the better.

“Tea maybe?” she asked, grabbing an opportunity to leave this uncomfortable place. She had to make tea for her new boss, make notes, organize staff meetings, and be optimistic about her new life and brand new dream job as a secretary at this damn, hellish magazine!
Working with Balthazar made her feel dizzy. She tried hard to overcome her nervousness and pretend to be confident, but her hands were almost always shaking.

“Tea would be great, thank you!” he responded quickly.

Clarissa walked out the door, leaving Chloe and Balthazar alone. Chloe, stylish and cute, looked at Clarissa, amazed but silent. A while later Chloe left, too.

Balthazar’s headache was getting intense. He opened the locker and took out a painkiller, swallowing it without water. Baltimore sat in his lap lazily. All Balthazar wanted was a cup of a dark tea, but his eyes were already glued to the printed text.


      
       



Nino Gugunishvili holds an MA in arts and has worked in film and television industries. Friday Evening, Eight O’Clock is her first published work of fiction. She lives in Tbilisi, Georgia.


    


Win a $10 Amazon or B&N gift card!


@GoddessFish @NinoGuguni @ArchwayPub http://goo.gl/10oToJ

162 comments :

  1. Thank you so very much for hosting and presenting my debut novel Lauren! I hope readers will enjoy the excerpt and the fun facts about me and the book!

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  2. Thanks for the excerpt and giveaway, greatly appreciated

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  3. What character in any book would you like to be best friends with?

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    1. Thank you so much for your question Mai T.
      I would definitely be friends with Aureliano Buendia from One Hundred years of solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, with the great Gatsby of course, I'd love to attend even one of his fantastic parties, and Rhett Butler, or Scarlet O'Hara. Actually, both of them!

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  4. thank you for the chance to win :)

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  5. Really enjoyed reading the excerpt, thank you!

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  6. Thank you sooooo much Nikolina! I'm happy you enjoyed reading the excerpt, there are many funny, quirky moments in this book!

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  7. Thank you Rita, knowing that you enjoyed it makes me feel happy and somehow accomplished!

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  8. Enjoyed your fun comments on how you wrote this book. It really does sound like a fascinating story.

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    1. Thank you MomJane! I don't know how exactly to describe that feeling of wanting to go through the writing process of the book again and again, sometimes part of me misses that period of time in my life, it really was so much fun!

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  9. Sounds great,thanks for the chance!!

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  10. Thanks for sharing this giveaway.

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  11. Sounds like a great read thanks for the chance....

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  12. Thank you Diana! It's an immense pleasure to read all these wonderful comments!

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  13. A job offer in France? Plus ca change....

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  14. Thank you, the book sounds good.

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    1. Thank you Sonya, I hope it's an enjoyable, light read with some quite unpredictable twists and humor.

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  15. Change is scary! Tasha has an opportunity to drastically reduce the humdrum in her life. Will the move bring her happiness?

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    1. Thank you so very much Jeanna for your question! There will be so much happening, even before she moves to Paris that Tasha will hardly have time to catch her breath and then there's this great move to France, which changes her as a person a lot. She becomes more mature in a way and of course,in the end, she finds success, love and lasting friendship!

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  16. Oui, ca change, and yes, you may want to know why Paris? Well, simply because I think it's one of the most beautiful place in the world to live in:)

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  17. Wow, this promisses to be a great story! I love France, though I've never been there. What a major change, I'm curious about the adventures she will have :)

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    1. Thank you for commenting Kirsten! I totally agree, it is a major change that comes quite unexpectedly and Tasha is not at all ready for it... in a way, all of the characters in the book have changes in their professional and personal lives, they all have ups and downs, falls, fails, fights with their own insecurities and challenges that they'll have to face... I hope when you read this story it will make you want to buy a ticket and go to Paris and maybe stay for a little while there. Please, let me know if it happens! :)

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  18. The premise of this book reminds me of my own situation.

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    1. Caitlin, how interesting! Actually, although this book is not autobiographical it has many things I've experienced in my own life. Quite often I had a chance to relocate and start a new career in a foreign country, but I never did, maybe it's a missed opportunity who knows... I wish you all the good luck with your journey!

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  19. What is the best joke that you heard recently? Thanks for the giveaway. I hope that I win. Bernie W BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com

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  20. What is the best joke that you heard recently? Thanks for the giveaway. I hope that I win. Bernie W BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com

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    1. Thanks Joseph, the thing is I'm not very good at remembering jokes, I love them but in an instant I can't remember any. That's really strange why my brain blocks the "text" and all I remember is emotion or an impression. Weird... I wish you good luck with winning the giveaway!

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  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. Thanks for sharing with us the excerpt.

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    1. You're very welcome Chiara! Thank you for stopping by!

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  23. Thanks for sharing the Fun Facts. I totally understand your concern about hackers stealing your work but, I agree, your cautiousness was extreme. I love the way you came up with your book title! It's great!

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  24. Jo-Anne, Thank you!!! My cautiousness was indeed closer to craziness. My worst nightmare at that time was sending the entire manuscript draft to a wrong person who'd then steal it from me! Of course I was freaked out:) and as for the title, I'm really happy with it and I wouldn't change it for any other, because, I hope, it catches the story, fits into it and makes reader (well, hopefully) know what happened at that time.

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  25. I enjoyed reading the excerpt, thanks for the chance!

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  26. Thank you so very much Betty, and good luck!

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  27. I would like to thank all of you for your engagement, wonderful comments and of course I would like to say a very special thanks to the host of this lovely blog for giving me an opportunity to be here and talk about my book! THANK YOU!!!

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  28. Replies
    1. That's great to know Beth, do you have a dog right now?

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    2. Yep, we have a boxer pup. She's 10 mths old. She a doll / great personality.

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  29. I enjoyed the excerpt and am looking forward to reading more. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you Ree Dee, there are many unpredictable twists in the story, believe me:)

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  30. Have a Blessed Sunday and thank you for the chance to win

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  31. I love the red/maroon background of your website. Very pretty indeed.

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  32. Puppies are so cuteI'm thinking of getting akita Inu puppy someday, so that my dog would have a great company!

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  33. Congratulations! on your first book.

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  34. Hope you're not tired of hearing from me but thank you for this opportunity

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  35. Relocating to France would be a grand adventure.

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  36. Oh, what is better than a crispy croissant and a coffee for breakfast in a little cafe on a warm and sunny morning, somewhere near Luxemburg garden?

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  37. Thanks again for the giveaway and excerpt

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  38. Getting some much unwanted snow here today. Thanks again an Congrats on this book

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  39. Thank you Teresa, I think your comment is the best compliment to the author!
    Have a wonderful day!

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  40. Thanks again for the chance at winning.

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  41. Good Luck James Robert! How' the snow?:))

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  42. Snow was not too great at the time. We had enough of it for sure Good thing I went a bought a small electric blower, it saved me. Thanks again for the chance Nino!

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  43. Enjoy your Saturday and thank you again for this chance

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  44. Great blog, giveaway and excerpt. Have a blessed Sunday!

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  45. Thanx for hosting the giveaway. i love to read and collect books.

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  46. Thank you, Donna and good luxk with a giveway!

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  47. Thanks again and have a great Tuesday

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  48. Replies
    1. The moment I saw this image of a girl with a suitcase, I fell in love with it,and I think it perfectly matches and catches the story inside...
      Thank you Lysa!

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  49. Thanks once again for this chance to win

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    1. Bon Chance, as the French say! meaning good luck to you, James Robert!

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  50. Thank you Nino - Looking forward to reading your book

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    1. Thank you so much Beth! I'm thrilled to know that there is a reader for my book!

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  51. Kids had 2 snow days off school and now they are back. Thanks again for the chance at winning and all you do

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  52. Have a great weekend and thanking you again on this great Friday

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  53. Thanks! I love weekends and especially Fridays!

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  54. Thanks for this opportunity and have a terrific Saturday

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  55. Good Morning! Thanks again for the opportunity to win

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  56. I am late again but still wanting to give you thanks for this chance

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  57. You're very welcome Kirsten, I wish you good luck!

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  58. Thank you again for the excerpt and for so many opportunities to win.

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  59. Hope you're not tired of me but back thanking youagain

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  60. what is the best place for you to hide and write?

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  61. Thank you Samantha! usuallymy hiding place is my home, but I've been secretly dreaming of going to some kind of writer's retreat, somewhere by the sea:))

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  62. Thank you once again for this giveaway

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  63. Looks good, thank you.

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  64. Thank you so much Sonya! Good luck with a giveaway!

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  65. YES! Made it to the weekend and my kids had 1/2 day so they were happy about that. Thanks again for giveaway and all you do

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  66. Have a wonderful weekend James Robert!

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  67. Thanks again for giving us all the opportunity at winning and all you do for us. The longer I am entering giveaways, the more work I see you all put into these so this is greatly appreciated.

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  68. These words mean so much! Authors won't exist without readers.... So, thank you James Robert!

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  69. Sounds like a great read - thanks for the giveaway

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  70. Thank you so much Mary!
    That's so thrilling to know!

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  71. Thank you so much for the giveaway!!!

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    Replies
    1. It's so much pleasure and I'm enjoying the whole experience so much! Thank you, Beppe!

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  72. You're hearing a lot from me these days but very thankful for you giving us the opportunity to win.

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  73. Thank you James Robert for being so involved!

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  74. Here I am again, thanks for giving us all the opportunity at winning

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  75. Thanks again for all you do and giving us the opportunity to win many giveaways

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  76. At the hospital with my mom after surgery but saying thanks

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  77. I wish your mom a fast recovery and a good health! Please send her my best wishes! Thank you foe finding time to comment!

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  78. looks like a good read. Thank you.

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  79. Have a fun Saturday and thanks again

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  80. Wishing you a blessed Sunday and thanking you for the opportunity to win

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  81. Thank you James Robert, It's been a pleasure! I wish you too a winderful Sunday and a nice week ahead!

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  82. i really liked the excerpt and the synopsis. thank you for sharing

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  83. Monday already but still here with you entering to win. Thanks again!

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  84. I appreciate you taking us the time to bring us giveaways such as this, thank you

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  85. How exciting it would be to relocate to France. A friend's daughter is spending a month is Paris for a university class. I envy the idea!

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  86. Oh I totally agree Kathy! It is a wonderful opportunity, which I myself had luckily, while i spent time on lenguage courses in Paris and Vichy and it was one if the best experiences I've ever had.

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  87. Have a great Wednesday and saying thank you ce again for this chance to win

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  88. Thank you! A lovely and sunny day to you too!

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  89. The excerpt sounds great and I hope to read this!

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  90. Thank you so much Deanne! You made my day with your comment!

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  91. Thanks for the great giveaway, the excerpt and wishing you a wonderful weekend

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  92. Thank you,James Robert! It's been a pleasure!

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  93. Have an awesome weekend and thanks again Nino

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  94. Thank you for the giveaway :)

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  95. You're very welcome Dovile, good luck to to you and thanks for stopping by!

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  96. Happy Easter and thanks for this chance to win

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  97. Happy Easter to all of you and to the host of this lovely, wonderful blog!

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    1. Thank you, Nino! You are welcome here anytime!!! Happy Easter!!!

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  98. Thank YOU Lauren, it's been such a joy, fun and pleasure!

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  99. Thanking you for this opportunity to win on this fine Monday

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  100. Thank you for this opportunity to win, greatly appreciated

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  101. Thanks once again for another great giveaway.

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  102. Thank you James Robert! Have a wonderful day!

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  103. Great giveaway and I appreciate the chance to win, thank you

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  104. Thanks! Have a lovely Friday and a nice weekend James Robert!

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  105. It is now Friday, and I plan on reading all weekend. Yeah me! (jozywails@gmail.com)

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  106. Hello Misty! Fantastic to see you here! Happy reading! Lazy weekends with a book are an absolute joy aren't they?

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  107. Thanks one last time for this opportunity to win

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  108. What a huge change for Tasha. Moving to France and getting a new job would definitely be hard for her. I can see myself in her shoes. I've got to get out more.

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    1. Thank you Jo-Anne,
      I agree, it's a huge one, difficult, very challenging, dramatic even, but she gets along quite well!

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  109. I've always lived cautiously, so reading about taking on challenges like moving to a foreign country is about as far as I'll get to doing something so risky.

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    1. Thanks Sue, Well, never say never, maybe one day you''ll find yourself travelling around the globe, who knows?

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