All posts tagged: To Die Once

~Five Differences Between Stefano & Rodrigo. Also, A Giveaway!~

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On Saturday’s post, we mentioned the similarities between Rodrigo and Stefano, which added to the drama in To Die Once. Today, we’ll be looking at the differences! Here they are! 1. Stefano loved to nurture and grow plants; he especially had a love for a certain rosebush. Rodrigo, on the other hand as Jennifer put it, “would never go on all fours on soil.” 2. Stefano showed he was willing to exercise some patience in waiting for Jennifer; Rodrigo, on the other hand, loved to play “Lord of the Manor” and have his way as often as he could. 3. Stefano, from his intro into the story, was a Christian. Rodrigo was not. 4. Stefano had Chidi’s trust and support from the get-go. Chidi didn’t like, trust, or approve of Rodrigo. 5. Rodrigo liked to wine and dine in rich style. Stefano didn’t seem to have a problem with simple living–he seemed more on a mission! 😉 … now you know! For a chance to win an ecopy of To Die Once and be featured …

Sunny Sunday Poetry Special Feature ~ Jacob’s Soliloquy & Grace Race (To Die Once, Part 7&8)

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Unfortunately, I couldn’t post a special poetry feature last Sunday, so I’m lumping the two poems in this post. I apologize for that! I decided it would be nice to write a poem for Jacob, one of the secondary characters in To Die Once. I thought it would add flavor to the poetry series hearing his reasons for his actions poetry style. Here it goes! ~Jacob’s Soliloquy~ How do I get it Right? I won’t give up the Fight Or let my prey out of Sight It is the only way to Light   I will sink hard with a mean Bite When I get him in the right Site Whether it’s a million or a Mite I’ll secure it with any Rite   I dream of a home that’s a Loft With cushions, settees—round and Soft One that’ll make me feel like I’m Loft Whatever the cost, I’ll pay—hard or Soft   ~The Grace Race~ Tis the season for Grace So get in the Race In line with God’s Pace And be laced with …

~Five Similarities Between Rodrigo & Stefano. Also, A Giveaway!~

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There came a time in the story when Jennifer started to compare Rodrigo and Stefano. She noticed some mind-boggling differences and similarities, and even discussed them with her friend, Chidi. Of course, I, the author intentionally designed it that way! Today, I’ll feature the similarities between these two! 1. They both love horses–immensely, too!–and won the loyalty of Sebastien, the horse. 2. They were both determined to win Jennifer at any cost. It went crazy and dramatic sometimes! 3. They were experts at winning the hearts/favor of the people around them; Jennifer found it quite disturbing. *chuckling* 4. They both loved to watch the early morning sunrise, and a lot of times, tried to persuade Jennifer to accompany them. 5. They both liked to picnic by a certain stream that ran across the Montello property. And, yes, they liked to persuade Jennifer to come along, too! … now you know! For a chance to win a copy of To Die Once and be featured on my blog in June, leave a comment! This giveaway is …

Five Similarities Between Chidi, The Character, & I, The Author! Also, A Giveaway!

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Chidi is a character that I’m glad I discovered and kept. She actually turned out to be a hit, as some reviewers mentioned her as their favorite and, that her role blessed/inspired them. That made me truly happy, as I once contemplated removing her POV (point of view) from the story. Like Jennifer, she has a part of me, too. Here are our similarities! 1. We both have a deep sense of loyalty to God and our faith, and, place good sense over emotions most of the time. 2. We take care in whom we call friend and, believe in being loving, loyal, and supportive to anyone we call ‘friend’. 3. We both believe in telling the truth, especially to our loved ones, even when it’s not sweet. 4. We both had to come face-to-face with God’s grace to learn to be better gracious to others, and even with ourselves. I still struggle a lot of times to be gracious to myself. 5. We both find it really hard to trust someone who has had …

~Five Similarities Between Jennifer, The Character, & I, The Author! Also, A Giveaway!~

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Every author will tell you that their characters always have something of them inside, especially the characters that are dearest to them. I’m no different. While creating Jennifer, the heroine in To Die Once, I found it easy to build her personality with a lot of my likes and dislikes. Here are a few! 1. We both have a thing for red roses. Gotta love those! 2. We both love red, juicy, non-alcoholic wine. You guessed it–Macnellis’ our favorite! 3. I’ve had few encounters with horses. But those few times, I fell in love with them and hope to own some someday. Just like Jennifer did! 4. I’ve never visited Paris. But Jennifer did! I hope to someday. 5. When I travel, I love to take in the view. Hence the reason I made sure Jennifer and Rodrigo took a train trip from Rome to Anguillara Sabazia, just to enjoy the view! … now you know! To win a copy of To Die Once and get featured on my blog, simply leave a comment! This …

Nine Things About Anguillara Sabazia, Italy, Seven About Lagos City & A Giveaway! ~ Did You Know …

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Friends! Today marks the first of the last seven days of the Child of Grace blog tour, apart from Sunday, which I set aside for a special poetry feature for the book. These seven days will be dedicated to exposing more of To Die Once. Also, to win an ecopy of To Die Once, that is, apart from the weekly ten winners, all you have to do is leave a comment on this blog or on my facebook. Everyday, a winner will be selected, and they will be featured on my blog in the month of June–seven winners, seven features! Today, we’ll talk a little bit about Anguillara Sabazia and Lagos, two of the four settings in To Die Once. Here it goes! Did you know … 1. That even though Anguillara Sabazia is just a town, it has it’s own coat of arms like a country? 2. That it is on a beautiful lake called Bracciano, as well as another called Mantigno. The two lakes and the surrounding area have been declared a Regional …

Sunny Sunday Poetry Special Feature ~ Chidi’s Psalm (To Die Once, Part 6) & The Giveaway Winners!

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Hello Friends! Hope you had a lovely weekend? Mine was quite eventful. Whoever said being a published author is easy pie? No, it’s not! Anyway, in case you haven’t heard, To Die Once is now available on Amazon. Readers, I would truly love to hear from you if you’re interested in contacting me! And now, on to the reason for this post. Today, I’m presenting to you Chidi’s Psalm. I call it a psalm because Chidi tells the story from her point of view as a story/song/prayer. I love it!–because it depicts her character on a deeper level. Here it is! What do you do when you find it’s winter And the hurt on your finger was caused by a splinter It seemed small, but it left a huge damage litter Because like gold, it shone with a brilliant glitter I have a friend–her joy I’d never hinder Or cause to fall to pieces like cinder It is my hope she receives true love that’s tender Jenny, my friend, trust me I’m no offender You …

To Die Once is Officially Released!

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Hello Everyone! I’m so glad to offer this wonderful news! With all joy, I here by declare May 1, 2014, as the official Release date of To Die Once, Child of Grace, Book #1! You can get it here on Amazon. Hopefully, it will be available on other book sites soon. Please, be sure to leave an honest review. Would certainly love to hear from you, too! You can follow the twitter hash tag #ToDieOnce to follow the tweets/comments, or visit the book’s pinterest board and have the book come alive to you in pictures! Also, you can request an autograpgh for your book if you want one. It’s easy, simply find the “authorgrapgh” button on my sidebar or on my facebook. To locate it on facebook, click on the drop-down menu reading “TimeLine”, right beside the “Miranda’s To Be A Person” button, and select “authorgraph” to send your request, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Giveaway! The giveaway is still open! You can be one of ten winners of …

Sunny Sunday Poetry Special Feature ~ Stefano’s Narrative (To Die Once, Part 5)

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Folks! It’s the fourth Sunday of the blog tour, and I’m always excited when I have to release another special feature poem! This time, it’s the story of To Die Once from Stefano’s point of view. Sit back and enjoy! For the reviewers who have read the book, they’ll surely understand each poem. Feel free to let me know your thoughts on it, and readers, you can join the fun by following the twitter hash tag #ToDieOnce. There’s a wealth of conversation there! Don’t miss it! First Lost, then found, I see the morning Bright This goodness shown to me by God’s own Light Was not because I was wise or clever with Foresight Or because of anything I’d ever done Right My hope soars so high like a Kite And I pray my past wouldn’t come and Bite— –Me in the back or play like a Cite As joy remains my peace’s Site I’ve traveled so far to the ranch to Camp –A place called home so I can put away the Damp I’m …

Sunny Sunday Poetry Special Feature ~ Rodrigo’s Tale (To Die Once, PArt 4)

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Hello Everyone! It’s a blog tour stop! First of, let me say, “Happy, happy Easter Sunday!” I personally believe it’s no coincidence that this Sunday is found within the period of the blog tour for my book, To Die Once, and more especially, Rodrigo’s story written in poetry style. To Die Once is a story of grace–God’s healing power and redemption. To all my readers, I hope you enjoy this piece!   ~ Tales of a Cunning Man Redeemed by Grace ~ Swiftly and deftly, I move as fleet It’s fun, it’s groovy when I can’t be beat I’ll make my name, take my place, and carve my seat High up in the sky despite the race’s heat It has been this way for as long as I know To win, to conquer wherever I go Come rain, come shine, hail or snow I will have my way, I won’t take no So why, then does this beautiful woman–Jenny–think that She’ll turn me away and fling me like a hat With one glance, a cold …