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Guest Post by Author MJ Smith
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Guest Post by Author MJ Smith

The writing process is pretty long; especially for a historical romance. From the first draft to the final book, there’s a lot of editing and rewrites. I write all by hand first. Then I type it on my computer, print it out and then make corrections. I rewrite a few times before I’m satisfied with the final draft.
The most fun is doing the research. I watch WWII movies and read so many nice stories on the net.
The hardest part about writing is the editing and re-editing. Sometimes I think I would never finish writing a manuscript. But, I’m writing my fourth.

Here’s a few links I’d like to share with you
http://jmsmithromanceauthor.blogspot.com/
http://jackiemsmith.weebly.com/
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xbz8tg_forever-yours-book-trailer_creation
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xbz9vv_a-soldiers-vow-book-trailer_creation

My second book, a historical romance called A Soldier’s Vow. Its a love story set in World War I France and Belgium(book trailer link included).

February 6, 2010
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Solution for Chapped Lips
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Solution for Chapped Lips

Living in Iowa during the looong (and never ending) winter months can really cause havoc on a person- especially a girl! My hair gets brittle, skin is dry and cracked, and I have to go through tube after tube of Carmax because my lips are so chapped. I started deep conditioning my hair once a week, slathering on moisturizing lotion immediately after stepping out of the shower, but couldn’t figure out a way to get over my chapped lips dilemma.

Luckily, a co-worker overheard me complaining about my problem (waking up to dry bloody lips is not fun!) and suggested for me to try putting Vaseline on my lips before going to bed. And it works! Just dabbing the Vaseline over my lips helps prevent them from cracking in the middle of the night, and even helps keep them softer throughout the day, causing me to use less chapstick. I would try out this little trick if you are suffering from chapped lips!

February 5, 2010
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In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner
Chick Lit Review

In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner

Sisters Rose and Maggie Feller couldn’t be more different. Rose is the “Plain Jane” responsible sister, working as a successful lawyer with a lackluster love life, while Maggie is the wild child, using her good looks and sexuality to get whatever she wants. When Maggie is evicted from her apartment and loses another job, Rose feels she has no choice but to take her little sister in- a choice she highly regrets after Maggie starts “borrowing” money and credit cards, ruining Rose’s expensive designer shoes, and sleeping with her boyfriend. Rose has had enough of Maggie’s inconsideration for other people, and kicks her out after the boyfriend incident, but after weeks of not hearing from her, begins to worry what exactly could have happened to her baby sister.
Maggie goes on the run, first finding refuge at Princeton while posing as a student, stealing money and credit cards from the other students to get by. She learns about her long-lost grandmother that is living in Miami and decides to take a trip to visit the woman she never had a relationship with. After Maggie and Rose’s mother died when they were young in what they believed to be an innocent car crash, all ties with their mother’s mother was cut off by their father and his new demanding wife. While Maggie is learning that she actually has a brain though she has been plagued with dyslexia all her life, Rose is going through her own struggles with her career. She had been dating her boss that slept with her sister, and decides to take an indefinite leave of absence from her high paying career and become- a dog sitter.
In Her Shoes, the best seller turned feature film by Jennifer Weiner takes on more than sister rivalry. I found this novel to be a wave of emotions, especially with Maggie’s case. I was furious with her because of the way she carelessly lived life, but then felt incredibly sad for her because of the curveballs that was throw her way. Some of the plot twists- Rose’s giving up her law career for a dog sitter- seemed a little unbelievable, but with Weiner’s gifted way with words, made me understand why someone would make that choice. I enjoyed following each girls’ path and being able to somewhat relate to their struggles, but In Her Shoes wasn’t a favorite for me. Still a fun read and I enjoyed the movie as well.

February 5, 2010
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Jeff Gordon Expecting 2nd Child
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Jeff Gordon Expecting 2nd Child

Nascar driver Jeff Gordon and wife Ingrid Vandebosch are expecting their second child in August, People.com has reported. Gordon expressed his happiness on his website, saying, “Ingrid and I wanted to be the first to tell you … the exciting news that Ingrid is 12 weeks pregnant and expecting our second child. We’re very excited and can’t wait to expand our family to four. Ella is also very excited and can’t stop talking about how much she’s looking forward to being a big sister.” The couple, who have been married since 2006, have a two year daughter Ella.

February 5, 2010
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Casey Johnson’s Cause of Death
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Casey Johnson’s Cause of Death

A Los Angeles coroner has ruled the death of heiress Casey Johnson was of natural causes. People.com reports the coroner’s statement as reading the specific cause of death was “diabetic ketoacidosis,” a condition caused by a shortage of insulin. Johnson had suffered from diabetes since she was a chid. The Johnson & Johnson heiress, 30, is survived by her 3 year old adopted daughter, Ava.

February 5, 2010
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Brittany Murphy’s Cause of Death
Chick Lit Plus

Brittany Murphy’s Cause of Death

People.com has reported the official cause of death of actress Brittany Murphy. The coroner concludes the 32 year old died from multiple drug intoxication, pneumonia and iron deficiency anemia. Murphy was found dead at her Hollywood Hills home on December 20th. She is survived by her mother Sharon, and husband Simon Monjack.

February 5, 2010
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Carrie Underwood Lands Movie Role
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Carrie Underwood Lands Movie Role

Carrie Underwood has landed her first movie role! People.com reports the country superstar will be headed to Oahu to play a supporting role in an inspirational feature film based on the teen surfing sensation Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm in 2003 after it was bitten off by a tiger shark. Underwood will be portraying Sarah Hill, a youth counselor at Hamilton’s church. The cast also includes Anna Sophia Robb as Hamilton, and Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt as her parents.

February 5, 2010
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Fitness Craze: Kettleball Workouts
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Fitness Craze: Kettleball Workouts

There is a new craze going on among workout lovers, and I am sad to say I am not on trend yet. Have you been working out with kettleballs? I haven’t and I am apparently missing out! What is a kettleball? It looks like a bowling ball with a handle attached to it, and comes in a variety of different weights. Why are they so effective? High rep ballistic (fast) exercises and circuit training with kettlebells really boost your metabolism, helping women to lose weight, get toned, and feel more energized. Kettleball workouts can be done from your home or in the gym and you can get a great workout in a short amount of time. Even 20 minutes of swings, windmills, and mountain climbers can be a high cardio workout that will burn fat and begin to tone the body quicker than other workout routines. I found a great website, Squidoo.com, that helped me learn about kettleballs and gave some great workout tips for both beginners and the more advanced. I recommend buying your own kettleball and following the suggested workouts. I hope to post my progress with my own kettleball in a few weeks!

February 4, 2010
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Healthy Snack: String Cheese
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Healthy Snack: String Cheese

Since my New Year’s Resolution was to eat healthier, I realized that meant not only my main meals but my snacks as well could use a change. I’ve been trying to cut down the amount of Kit-Kats and Cheez-It’s that I consume on my breaks at work, but I couldn’t figure out another snack that would be filling enough to hold me until lunch, yet healthy enough to make me feel like I wasn’t cheating on my healthy food goals. The answer I found? String cheese! Specifically, Sargentino’s Light String Cheese- only 50 calories per serving and 15 percent of your day’s requirement for calcium and 6 grams of protein. I don’t even feel guilty if I eat two during my break- I know I’m still consuming less calories than I would with my candy bars and chips. Other good ideas for healthy snacks would be fruits and vegetables, almonds, or baked chips.

February 4, 2010
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