tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42046349337835146522024-03-05T06:49:12.132-08:00The Shells of MersingSharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-58244128447235319902019-04-26T00:51:00.000-07:002019-04-27T13:19:26.953-07:00Book Trailer! The Shells of Mersing<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-50551815566774664792019-03-30T10:07:00.000-07:002019-04-01T10:24:56.311-07:00"Reckless" the English Springer Spaniel<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZSzNGxHXh_YSbVHMvJGsAgMIrnqOCwHa9P4RSQPIqdbn460Wo2U8Ts2WwM2ugR0IdLp41HJ5ldCc6uwmchhgfnJo3gHzQfqaBaR1-HHQPe_DmtYpZQgfPSsM7oN7yQqF5WuUaF2EuDM/s1600/PublicDomain-Sawrey_Gilpin_Englischer_Springer_Spaniel_auf_Kissen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1324" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZSzNGxHXh_YSbVHMvJGsAgMIrnqOCwHa9P4RSQPIqdbn460Wo2U8Ts2WwM2ugR0IdLp41HJ5ldCc6uwmchhgfnJo3gHzQfqaBaR1-HHQPe_DmtYpZQgfPSsM7oN7yQqF5WuUaF2EuDM/s400/PublicDomain-Sawrey_Gilpin_Englischer_Springer_Spaniel_auf_Kissen.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Wikipedia. Public Domain </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />For me, it's hard to write without including at least one animal in a story. Until moving to a fence-less yard in 2014, I have always had a pet. In <i>The Shells of Mersing</i>, you will find monkeys, an intrusive parrot, a screeching cat, a large bull with horns, frogs that moo, a noisy gecko, and one very adorable brown and white English Springer Spaniel named "Reckless." <br /><br />It was easy choosing a Springer Spaniel as my lead pet, the male dog that sails with Callie and Lucas to Hawaii. Those dark brooding eyes and floppy ears just melt the heart. Springer Spaniels are extremely affectionate and bright. They also adore the water and love a good hunt. It's how "Reckless" ends up overboard in the water. In fact, both "Reckless" and his master (Clancy) end up in the water, but I won't tell you what happens here. You will have to read the book!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">[Love the oil-on-canvas painting above, <br />"English Springer Spaniel on a Cushion."<br />It's painted by English artist, illustrator and <br />etcher, Sawney Gilpin (1733-1807). His <br />specialty was painting dogs and horses.]</span><br />
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<tr align="left"><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNMMP-outs2CiqknXNKmiBnG_RR_K-8gWurxdABdYq3mehmqoC1KaM8lD9wFpdVGb7bDDehPDkr9vzyqvNuyndnZMZmkNsKf0wdMLaBqP1MUf1gutu8dclDgIFOWJEq9mRwqKWY1XoQgD/s1600/shell+image.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNMMP-outs2CiqknXNKmiBnG_RR_K-8gWurxdABdYq3mehmqoC1KaM8lD9wFpdVGb7bDDehPDkr9vzyqvNuyndnZMZmkNsKf0wdMLaBqP1MUf1gutu8dclDgIFOWJEq9mRwqKWY1XoQgD/s200/shell+image.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sharon M. Himsl, Writer / Author</b><br />
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<b> Published: Evernight Teen</b></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shells-Mersing-Sharon-Marie-Himsl-ebook/dp/B07345Z3GB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>The Shells of Mersing</b></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-76668035715797983492019-02-21T14:54:00.000-08:002019-03-30T09:58:32.478-07:00Pearl Trees - A Useful Research Tool<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hi, some thoughts on researching a novel and other writing.....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Research methods and tools are all over the internet, and if you want you can purchase these ideas and tools for large and small sums of money. I have only invested in one: Pearl Trees. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Below is an example page (from my <b>Pearl Trees</b> site) on how I am researching my latest novel, <i>Finding Juliah</i> (sequel to Shells ...). I show two categories, but you can create as many categories as you like. You'll notice I am also researching 'church history' for my genealogy blog. My grandmother had a jail ministry, I've been told, so I'm learning about early Tacoma ministries.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For 'Finding Juliah' I have a lot to learn about Thai culture. Pretty daunting to be honest, because I want to be as authentic as possible in my writing. <a href="https://www.pearltrees.com/" target="_blank"><b>Pearl Trees</b></a> helps a lot and is easy to use. If you find a website of interest, just copy the link into Pearl Trees. Easy-peasy. There is a yearly fee (can't remember exactly how much), but it doesn't break the bank. Worth it from my perspective. So, to sum up, Pearl Trees is reasonably priced (or try a free version), easy to use, stores your research, and is a tremendous help with organization. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sharon M. Himsl, Writer / Author</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> Published: Evernight Teen</b></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shells-Mersing-Sharon-Marie-Himsl-ebook/dp/B07345Z3GB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>The Shells of Mersing</b></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
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<br />Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-36423270617771033202018-10-28T19:05:00.005-07:002023-02-04T20:54:01.640-08:00Memories Shape Our Lives and the Stories We Write - Remembering a Father's Love<div style="text-align: left;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nene - Hawaii's state bird (taken by author in Maui)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the novel's opening fourteen-year-old Callie Davis lives in a foster home with her little brother Lucas. Their mother is missing in Thailand and their father has been dead for </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>two years. Yet the sounds of the hospital equipment and their dad's final words as he lay dying on a hospital bed still affect Callie deeply. When she escapes with Lucas and stows aboard a sailboat, they become quite close with the captain's elderly mate Clancy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Missing their father more than ever, both warm to his affection and Norwegian charm as they would a grandfather. When Clancy nearly dies in the shark attack, Callie can barely cope with the possibility he just might die....let alone his dog too. Callie struggles to stay strong for her brother's sake and knows she must focus on finding her mother above all, but it's a tall order for a fourteen-year-old girl. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was not hard for me to imagine how Callie and her brother felt. I lost my father suddenly in my early 30s and later a favorite uncle in his late 80s. </span><span style="font-size: small;">I drew upon the loss and feelings I had back then to tell Callie's story in particular. As the oldest of three siblings in my family I understood the responsibility of being the oldest. Below are some brief remembrances of my own father. I could write more about him, but when drawing upon your emotions as a writer, it helps to define things simply.... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Remembering A Father's Love </u></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I was young my father and I </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">did gymnastics in the living room with barely a care. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Slapping his knees, he flipped me high in the air.</span></span></div>
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When I was young my father waited <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">patiently below, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">smiling and calling out to me to let go.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">High atop the tall slide I let my fingers slip, oh, oh, oh. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I was young my father built me a scooter </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">with old scrap wood and roller skates. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pushing off with one foot, I raced to show my playmates. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I was young my father turned an army blanket</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">into a beach trampoline. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyone took turns riding the wild horse machine.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I was young my father </span></span></span></span>sanded the rust, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">pounded out dents, and painted a bicycle blue. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So I could have a bike that was fresh and new. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I was young my father b</span></span></span></span></span></span>uilt a wooden swing set</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">in the backyard for my brother and me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There we pumped our legs to our heart's content, wild and free.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> When I was young my father drove a van to work </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">but around town drove a big fat Buick.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where I sat in the back and always got carsick. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I was young my father l</span></span></span></span>oved to go fishing </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">in the bay with my grandfather in his boat. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They caught plenty of fish, both liked to gloat. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I was young my father relaxed to</span></span> the beat of Tommy Dorsey.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He snapped his fingers, smoked, and drank lots of whiskey. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But mostly, he took time to love and recognize me. </span></span></div>
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~~<i>Sharon Himsl</i><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjej4IBpXBY74k87yujStmBwtme3oxT53PZQPSKSYbjofsfJw3VeIrsnqyUwUD6S9ZOPk6pjQFkfkk13SDfemtTx84MeZQYS9T8pVaZ44Teifa4e47ARFjO_6uAVdAlKf3Ql7WKb9QkxN8/s1600/bobhammond-commodore-ps.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="949" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjej4IBpXBY74k87yujStmBwtme3oxT53PZQPSKSYbjofsfJw3VeIrsnqyUwUD6S9ZOPk6pjQFkfkk13SDfemtTx84MeZQYS9T8pVaZ44Teifa4e47ARFjO_6uAVdAlKf3Ql7WKb9QkxN8/s320/bobhammond-commodore-ps.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My handsome Daddy, Robert P. Hammond - Tacoma</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Commodore, Day Island Yacht Club) </span></span></div>
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<tr align="left"><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNMMP-outs2CiqknXNKmiBnG_RR_K-8gWurxdABdYq3mehmqoC1KaM8lD9wFpdVGb7bDDehPDkr9vzyqvNuyndnZMZmkNsKf0wdMLaBqP1MUf1gutu8dclDgIFOWJEq9mRwqKWY1XoQgD/s1600/shell+image.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNMMP-outs2CiqknXNKmiBnG_RR_K-8gWurxdABdYq3mehmqoC1KaM8lD9wFpdVGb7bDDehPDkr9vzyqvNuyndnZMZmkNsKf0wdMLaBqP1MUf1gutu8dclDgIFOWJEq9mRwqKWY1XoQgD/s200/shell+image.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sharon M. Himsl, Writer / Author</b><br />
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<b> Published: Evernight Teen</b></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shells-Mersing-Sharon-Marie-Himsl-ebook/dp/B07345Z3GB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>The Shells of Mersing</b></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
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Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-70601319704138927582018-06-03T13:29:00.001-07:002018-06-03T13:29:12.522-07:00The Rewards of Old Files - Historical Goldmine<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I spent the morning looking at all the unpublished stuff I've written over the years. So
much I still like and will continue </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyHh-IpCl55G7v1LEJcSMInMyAJyqwFAaWuzlALt4i-Px48gO5xNZJkUpqaP2JYGVMA_L9qoraeaAQDmBpeGonilKSmw_0fXxPFcHO_4umN4soaFx4Yoob4s72BMHraLM0pq3_bwe9ug/s1600/hug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyHh-IpCl55G7v1LEJcSMInMyAJyqwFAaWuzlALt4i-Px48gO5xNZJkUpqaP2JYGVMA_L9qoraeaAQDmBpeGonilKSmw_0fXxPFcHO_4umN4soaFx4Yoob4s72BMHraLM0pq3_bwe9ug/s1600/hug.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">to fine tune and tinker with as you would a beloved car or home, but the majority I guess, will stay buried from most eyes.
Probably best. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">However, I did rediscover an old email file from the
1995-2000 period and once again realized I had a goldmine of personal communication for a memoir
someday, beginning with 1995 at the onset of Email and the Internet, and my amazing year in Southeast Asia. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Historically,
1995 is when the information highway online exploded and took off worldwide. Nothing in the computer world has been the same ever since. How we read, how we purchase books and other merchandise, how we research, how we access the news, how we communicate at work and home were all affected, so much so, that the 'before period' is almost unbelievable today. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">BTW, 1995 is also the year <i>The Shells of
Mersing</i> is set. It's neat when life comes together in the real and fictional
world and makes you part of history <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/feb/2/16/1f642.png?_nc_eui2=AeGG_f0lYmTK-0RLdpRcD6f_BlY9tcTQw2AkvtxLn74ORkwvdFlIq7EpAyt4ga4EW6FxsGGOzJuIHBJ2zcZPYm-qdomIqN7riAxi_6e_c7Y1Mg" width="16" />.</span> Just had to mention that because I am forever fond of the characters and settings in this book. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cleaning old files has its rewards (in my case, keeping), but with it, comes some responsibility. Taking time to relate your experience during historical periods to family members can be meaningful and helpful to future generations, especially those studying history. Not everyone is a history buff, but trust me, there is at least one in your family. Honestly, I'm sorry I didn't have the history bug when I was younger. I missed some fabulous stories, I'm sure. </span></span><br />
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Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-21114634743372965742018-04-22T10:19:00.001-07:002019-02-21T20:57:59.775-08:00Catching a Moment in the Garden - Working on Sequel to Shells<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOnWXG1osROG2pmaryvDFPzTtAACtulZeXwAPhJ_p_c2HfSSEb29McB0I05evSUveZeQo5pAL9HPUU1KPR9lWzhnHi8kc1e7lskGw_nhNDIqk43J5E8-kMsSdIv9woZWOsaYcIzoIqEk/s1600/DSC02629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOnWXG1osROG2pmaryvDFPzTtAACtulZeXwAPhJ_p_c2HfSSEb29McB0I05evSUveZeQo5pAL9HPUU1KPR9lWzhnHi8kc1e7lskGw_nhNDIqk43J5E8-kMsSdIv9woZWOsaYcIzoIqEk/s400/DSC02629.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Where I sometimes go to walk</b></span></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have been gardening and plotting a sequel to <i>The Shells of Mersing.</i> So far, the working title is <i>Finding Juliah</i>. I want Callie and Lucas to meet their sister, and their mother Marsila is desperate to find her. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Are you curious about anything else? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Gardening is a wonderful exercise. </i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fKZc3d5BqliFUmiuvFMkLTN1yu3nPE0SUAfFXI70EayGzOEGVysfzjarQH1jlhADp0AvYzpzP5wGR73ExoLsa4vCMdMQ49SURZjVrlOqhIMDHK8wBwMV7GgTjvLvX1RwC4OYKOECTBY/s1600/ducks-garden-sm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="421" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fKZc3d5BqliFUmiuvFMkLTN1yu3nPE0SUAfFXI70EayGzOEGVysfzjarQH1jlhADp0AvYzpzP5wGR73ExoLsa4vCMdMQ49SURZjVrlOqhIMDHK8wBwMV7GgTjvLvX1RwC4OYKOECTBY/s400/ducks-garden-sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I create stories in the garden</b></span></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gift plants from friends...</b></span></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Beautiful forsythia in full bloom....</b></span></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFYmfCJFi1U1vIvx3DqPkdMCykOjfq0QaDblgYLzkPjCqBM1Zq-6voJS_wJyYPbyxiVe_2dtonE_BkN9h8Y3XHViYlFo6c-2TQ7GoJO2T8nvNplBw6mWlE_E-cMuHAEusgYE3bqOkeB8/s1600/claypots-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="448" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFYmfCJFi1U1vIvx3DqPkdMCykOjfq0QaDblgYLzkPjCqBM1Zq-6voJS_wJyYPbyxiVe_2dtonE_BkN9h8Y3XHViYlFo6c-2TQ7GoJO2T8nvNplBw6mWlE_E-cMuHAEusgYE3bqOkeB8/s320/claypots-sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pots waiting to be potted...</b></span></i></span></td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gardening exercises the body and soul. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Most of all, it gives me time to think about what I want to write next. </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMY3GkaJuEAbezc9gyDVaj0My80t66GUe5eMX-MPoQrzAhefGsbuZ2hPpdiVY9XNjeNy8sy9YW5OQGq30MilyyymE1WlQWfcl3ncOrVa2XvaQc7nm27br9Sz75JTjo6P9Hk769iuTfGO0/s1600/DSC02639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMY3GkaJuEAbezc9gyDVaj0My80t66GUe5eMX-MPoQrzAhefGsbuZ2hPpdiVY9XNjeNy8sy9YW5OQGq30MilyyymE1WlQWfcl3ncOrVa2XvaQc7nm27br9Sz75JTjo6P9Hk769iuTfGO0/s400/DSC02639.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Don't be afraid to be yourself</b></span></i></span></td></tr>
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<br />Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-90365636523387344722018-01-06T16:31:00.001-08:002018-06-03T13:53:42.034-07:00Sharon M. Himsl - Shells, Tales and Sails: Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Exposed Once ...<a href="http://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com/2017/02/human-trafficking-and-modern-slavery.html?spref=bl">Sharon M. Himsl - Shells, Tales and Sails: Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Exposed Once ...</a>: (Video no longer available of Kutcher's speech; more can be learned at "THORN" Website) (posted on main blog Feb. 2017)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhixdZkyB2MgoMCSXeC6hiDWW7-LCdBu28CevausXuE-Q49emCUlRVGLnR_v71NS22GD67EW7b0RO4ckcu3xXXhhvDPSXEdnax92S88acp4J4Ar_9iX4bVnrL0wKm_wm3__njWeRHtDZo/s1600/feather+as+writing+tool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="141" data-original-width="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhixdZkyB2MgoMCSXeC6hiDWW7-LCdBu28CevausXuE-Q49emCUlRVGLnR_v71NS22GD67EW7b0RO4ckcu3xXXhhvDPSXEdnax92S88acp4J4Ar_9iX4bVnrL0wKm_wm3__njWeRHtDZo/s1600/feather+as+writing+tool.jpg" /></a></div>
I have new respect for Ashton Kutch<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.84px;">er as an actor who up till now I had only seen in a comedic light, but now see as a brave crusader for human rights. Bravo! Let's end modern slavery in our lifetime. Let's fight with our words and actions, and not turn a blind eye to this terrible evil that lives on in our modern age. Fight for the innocent lives that are forever changed and scarred, but with tender counseling and love can be rescued. Fight! Human trafficking is a topic I have strong feelings about and address in my new novel, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84px;">The Shells of Mersing,</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.84px;"> the story of a girl and her brother who suffer the consequences of a crime committed against their mother when sold in her youth. Consider this a promotion of my book, if you must. Fictional characters, yes, but based on what is happening to unprotected youth in foster care and elsewhere today. Consider too where you stand on this topic. </span>Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-56454595836712889792017-12-17T22:33:00.002-08:002017-12-17T22:36:13.710-08:00The "Things We Collect" Inspire and Impact Our Lives <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbDTea2fv0_U2TyXwlWZ5rFb7OUvHXVkvZGE3PXcYuUCWxF_iivB6mV3QbjVcs2bpKBTEENqbxMVR2kHf07H8Lskuhv40P6pY6lxsCNLjInAKa_QMd2bf06Wtc0vFQjq71ogA-tUt15l2/s1600/114607876%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbDTea2fv0_U2TyXwlWZ5rFb7OUvHXVkvZGE3PXcYuUCWxF_iivB6mV3QbjVcs2bpKBTEENqbxMVR2kHf07H8Lskuhv40P6pY6lxsCNLjInAKa_QMd2bf06Wtc0vFQjq71ogA-tUt15l2/s1600/114607876%255B1%255D.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>WISHING YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND WONDERFUL HOLIDAY!</b></span> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Had wanted to write the IWSG December post and share a holiday series similar to last year's 'Words of Old at Christmastime', but couldn't fit it in, so sharing an interview of me instead and the latest news, Mom's Big Move. Two gifts along the way this season! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We're buried, truly buried right now in minute by minute details. I've been helping my mother move into a retirement home this month and it's been pretty darn time consuming for the family. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The move is still underway as my husband and I (and others in family) help her downscale the furniture and get rid of <b><u>a lifetime of stuff--the things we collect</u></b> over time. Helping her say goodbye to favorite things and finding treasures in the mix hasn't been easy. The good news is Mom will be living only 45 minutes away. For most of my married life, I have lived a good day's ride or more away. Mom is doing fine, I might add, a bit frazzled with the change but eager to get some semblance of her life back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know some of you have shared similar moves. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Did any of you do this over Christmas? What a delight it was to see the retirement home beautifully decorated for the holiday when we arrived. Being we were all borderline nervous with the pending change, the decorations were a bonus in helping with the transition. After hanging a Christmas wreath on the balcony railing and displaying Mom's lighted tabletop Christmas tree, her tiny studio apartment began to sparkle with charm. Turns out December isn't a bad time to move. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If I may indulge, below is an interview of me that took place in November, published on Jennifer Macaire's blog, but </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">few read. Kind of proud of my answers because they explain why I wrote this book. There is a Christmas scene in the book I happen to adore, where Callie and Lucas find <b><u>a tiny Christmas tree ornament</u></b> in the Mersing market. They secretly display the tree on Lucas's red T-shirt surrounded by gifts for their newly found Muslim family. It was risky on their part, given the family doesn't celebrate Christian holidays, but the gesture turns out well for both sides of the family. I won't tell you what happens :-) </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The ornament in the scene is based on one from my collection. <b><u>Love how the 'things we collect' inspire our writing, don't you?</u> </b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYg8dJZcJjf1KnpreNRGVMqIqFj-6BoG3fuNm9Zq2BenUZ881MUGCO8K4YKvag_9-VxdUJNYemC514M12JPr7_omPZJK3V_mLSxEJpgz6tSm9DwYZ-29G96yAPQBWEKQ49Y4L-GRO41UPY/s1600/xmas+ornamentTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1386" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYg8dJZcJjf1KnpreNRGVMqIqFj-6BoG3fuNm9Zq2BenUZ881MUGCO8K4YKvag_9-VxdUJNYemC514M12JPr7_omPZJK3V_mLSxEJpgz6tSm9DwYZ-29G96yAPQBWEKQ49Y4L-GRO41UPY/s320/xmas+ornamentTree.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Christmas tree ornament from collection.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(As first published...</span><a href="http://jennifermacaire.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-shells-of-mersing-by-sharon-himsl.html?spref=bl" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jennifer Macaire: The Shells of Mersing by Sharon Himsl</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">: "Today I'd like to welcome Sharon Himsl, whose debut novel, "The Shells of Mersing" will interest young adult readers")</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me: You begin with a sailing journey from Seattle. Was there a reason for this?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sharon: Yes. I wanted </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to know there are people in the world she can trust. Her father is dead, her mother is missing, and she has just witnessed a grisly murder. She has her little brother to take care of, but she has never felt more alone. The captain (</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eric</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) becomes a father figure who proves valuable in locating her lost mother. In Hawaii, </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> faces the gray areas of trust with </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Uncle Azman </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and his questionable forgiveness.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why is the second half of The Shells of Mersing set in Malaysia and Thailand?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s hard to say which had more impact. My stay in Malaysia in 1995-1996 or the novel that resulted. I only know that when my husband accepted a teaching position at a Malaysian polytechnic in 1995, nothing would ever be the same again. I joined him three months later, following a job lay-off at the telephone company where I had worked for fifteen years. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was it like becoming an expat?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huge learning curve. I received travel specifics and instructions for expats from my husband’s stateside employer about what to wear and what not to do in a Muslim run country. For instance, knee length skirts and tops with capped sleeves (no bare shoulders, please) were recommended. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your main characters Callie and Lucas travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia alone. Are their impressions yours as well?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some of the sights, sounds and smells they experience are straight from my diary. Malaysia was over 50% native Malay (Muslim), 35% Chinese (Buddhist), and 15% Indian (Hindu) in 1995. Each ethnic group has their own language and dialect, but they use English to communicate publicly. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie and Lucas</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are relieved to hear English spoken at the market in Kuala Lumpur when they lose their way. The Muslim girl </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hayati</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is based on a teen girl I met on the bus in Kuala Lumpur. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie and Lucas meet their Muslim family in Mersing, Malaysia. Do they experience any religious conflicts?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes. Malaysians are a religious people. In 1995, expats were warned not to share their Christian faith or pass out bibles if so inclined. It was likewise illegal for Chinese and Indian Christians to do so. I couldn’t resist putting </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in a situation where she accidentally gives a cousin a Christian flyer handed to her at the market. She has a brief falling out with her Muslim family. As Muslims do not celebrate Christmas, </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie and Lucas</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> then find a way to give gifts to their aunt and uncle, and cousins. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where did the idea for The Shells of Mersing come from?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was volunteering at a local orphanage in Kluang, Malaysia. I learned that one of the boys (aged 7) had been rescued from domestic slavery. I was aware of human slavery, of girls mostly, but my shock level jumped to a new level. This was the little boy I had made yarn dolls with at Christmastime. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My heart was melting.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I then learned that human trafficking and slavery did indeed exist in Malaysia and more so in Thailand to the north. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From this experience a story grew</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Thailand, Callie and Sam kiss for the first time and learn to trust each other. Did you find inspiration anywhere?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes. I imagined Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens when I wrote about </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie and Sam</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The innocence of first love portrayed in </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q30yFZz4J8" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Highschool Musical 1</span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">was my go-to source. I must confess also, that my husband and I very much relate to their romance. We were high school sweethearts♥♥.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Excerpt: Floating Market scene in Bangkok: </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“…The air buzzes with the din of boat engines winding down and taking off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sam takes my hand when it’s time to board. Eric beams at us from across two rows, noticing</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. That obvious, huh. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Earlier he was worried about the prison arrangements tomorrow, but I’d rather think about this cool guy holding my hand. I can’t think about Mom right now, because every time I do my thoughts go dark and I’m instantly depressed. Not today, not now.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Sam squeezes my hand. “You okay?” he shouts over the engine.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He always seems to know. “I’m fine.” And I am, just gazing into his light brown eyes.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UAI4rX081YlNcd0q2ZhLEycXItvALvIbs4TLGBy9ozwgEjhH30bmyCPA8Hm8-lIDKOAdX4wtjjX3oMIHMu1sqFY0gmMD0tjT39U06uRpUnyOY_pXKjZW9K6mDpFggJ0JAfAkqVc_vA/s320/zac-efron-and-vanessa-hudgens+split+main.jpg" height="193" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/lrvc3TbAeoIuv4uxFMgDsMYiD8HU3lsl_Nql7-xNkTDgFJ94OF-Es0LnpFmGJy8PRyw_qQZVvXTApqqmwgCisypL5iNGyps9LtoRuWIRlo2TrWyQRrsvzfYtl5ZxfAaB6XNibcqbiOAlfXV_Yw" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="168" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who is your ideal reader?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teen girls primarily (13 up), and anyone who identifies with a teen’s point of view in an otherwise out of control adult world. The choices made at the brink of adulthood can have a powerful effect on one’s future, even when the odds are against success. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie’s</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> experience ranges from losing a father and mother and being placed in a disreputable foster home, to fending off smugglers and human traffickers, and then finding favor with the King of Thailand. On the other hand, a seventy-plus year old male relative of mine said he identified with the characters and cried at the ending. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="144" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zr4BaGrvnmrWdHtLppXJNxvH1KGIvOGf0-hkpef-mXzpHQqrWEEUIezJMkt1_5yP1OHPiSWlpsd21QBvB-5hMqAz9x2PpSatraZMBuxUhBlV0tlyVde13fGBfVeEnN0b65M6-znWiYnLvTDuaA" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="173" /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Print &amp; E-Book) (Suspense, Mystery &amp; Romance)</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shells-Mersing-Sharon-Marie-Himsl-ebook/dp/B07345Z3GB/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.evernightteen.com/the-shells-of-mersing-by-sharon-marie-himsl/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Evernight Teen</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-shells-of-mersing-sharon-marie-himsl/1126682610?ean=2940154439746" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Barnes &amp; Noble</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Short synopsis: </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When notorious Uncle Azman disobeys orders, and secretly sends Callie and her younger brother Lucas to meet their mother's sisters in Mersing, Malaysia, 14-year-old Callie hopes their troubles are over. After all they have endured, what more could go wrong? Their American dad is dead, Mom is missing, and their foster dad in Seattle was murdered, with Callie falsely accused. Pawns in a crime operation gone awry, Callie and Lucas barely escaped being targeted by their uncle's sinister boss for sale in Thailand’s human trafficking market. Although Uncle Azman's turnaround was a miracle, Callie knows that real safety lies with family in Mersing, where they can begin searching for Mom, but a shell box, a ruby, and a boy named Sam from Chicago are about to change everything.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Short Bio:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="91" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_tl5xuvVHPPnYxZF7cBpBXqfApV9h8NZCOzAzNLv4mTU9XS-avOIesovhJR7T5dTESb4j7mb9cRp5lnSdRzh0eQ6JCV-OPonbSnS_M736-Il74Nrhs5EFvTAGdrmYJmgUfE-IVxjWp-Kf_6s6w" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="91" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sharon spent more than ten years developing </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Shells of Mersing</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a story first outlined in Malaysia in 1996. With a B.A. in American Studies, she has a soft spot for history and other cultures. Malaysia is a rich storehouse of culture, with its Malay, Chinese and Indian populations. Today she is working on a second novel (a sequel to </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shells</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">…) at her home in Eastern Washington, where she lives with her husband on the edge of a desert runway . . . but that’s another story! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blogs: </span></div>
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<a href="https://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com/</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://sharonmhimsl.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">http://sharonmhimsl.blogspot.com/</a></span><br />
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Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-80825833761295705462017-12-17T22:22:00.001-08:002017-12-17T22:23:43.148-08:00Evernight Teen: Microwave Chocolate Drops Recipe from Sharon Marie...<a href="http://evernightteen.blogspot.com/2017/12/microwave-chocolate-drops-recipe-from.html?spref=bl">Evernight Teen: Microwave Chocolate Drops Recipe from Sharon Marie...</a>: Evernight Teen authors are serving up the sweet stuff this week. Check out this easy-peasy, no stovetop recipe for Microwave Chocolate Drop...<br />
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This really is good. Check it out...<br />
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<br />Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-74509668453379624772017-11-16T16:57:00.001-08:002017-11-18T18:41:06.311-08:00Interview by Jennifer Macaire: The Shells of Mersing by Sharon Himsl(Click link to Jennifer's blog) <a href="http://jennifermacaire.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-shells-of-mersing-by-sharon-himsl.html?spref=bl">Jennifer Macaire: The Shells of Mersing by Sharon Himsl</a>: Today I'd like to welcome Sharon Himsl, whose debut novel, "The Shells of Mersing" will interest young adult readers. Me: ...<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me: You begin with a sailing journey from Seattle. Was there a reason for this?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sharon: Yes. I wanted </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to know there are people in the world she can trust. Her father is dead, her mother is missing, and she has just witnessed a grisly murder. She has her little brother to take care of, but she has never felt more alone. The captain (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eric</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) becomes a father figure who proves valuable in locating her lost mother. In Hawaii, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> faces the gray areas of trust with </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Uncle Azman </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and his questionable forgiveness.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why is the second half of The Shells of Mersing set in Malaysia and Thailand?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s hard to say which had more impact. My stay in Malaysia in 1995-1996 or the novel that resulted. I only know that when my husband accepted a teaching position at a Malaysian polytechnic in 1995, nothing would ever be the same again. I joined him three months later, following a job lay-off at the telephone company where I had worked for fifteen years. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was it like becoming an expat?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huge learning curve. I received travel specifics and instructions for expats from my husband’s stateside employer about what to wear and what not to do in a Muslim run country. For instance, knee length skirts and tops with capped sleeves (no bare shoulders, please) were recommended. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your main characters Callie and Lucas travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia alone. Are their impressions yours as well?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some of the sights, sounds and smells they experience are straight from my diary. Malaysia was over 50% native Malay (Muslim), 35% Chinese (Buddhist), and 15% Indian (Hindu) in 1995. Each ethnic group has their own language and dialect, but they use English to communicate publicly. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie and Lucas</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are relieved to hear English spoken at the market in Kuala Lumpur when they lose their way. The Muslim girl </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hayati</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is based on a teen girl I met on the bus in Kuala Lumpur. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie and Lucas meet their Muslim family in Mersing, Malaysia. Do they experience any religious conflicts?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes. Malaysians are a religious people. In 1995, expats were warned not to share their Christian faith or pass out bibles if so inclined. It was likewise illegal for Chinese and Indian Christians to do so. I couldn’t resist putting </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in a situation where she accidentally gives a cousin a Christian flyer handed to her at the market. She has a brief falling out with her Muslim family. As Muslims do not celebrate Christmas, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie and Lucas</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> then find a way to give gifts to their aunt and uncle, and cousins. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where did the idea for The Shells of Mersing come from?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was volunteering at a local orphanage in Kluang, Malaysia. I learned that one of the boys (aged 7) had been rescued from domestic slavery. I was aware of human slavery, of girls mostly, but my shock level jumped to a new level. This was the little boy I had made yarn dolls with at Christmastime. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My heart was melting.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I then learned that human trafficking and slavery did indeed exist in Malaysia and more so in Thailand to the north. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From this experience a story grew</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Thailand, Callie and Sam kiss for the first time and learn to trust each other. Did you find inspiration anywhere?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes. I imagined Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens when I wrote about </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie and Sam</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The innocence of first love portrayed in </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q30yFZz4J8" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Highschool Musical 1</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">was my go-to source. I must confess also, that my husband and I very much relate to their romance. We were high school sweethearts♥♥.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Excerpt: Floating Market scene in Bangkok: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“…The air buzzes with the din of boat engines winding down and taking off.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sam takes my hand when it’s time to board. Eric beams at us from across two rows, noticing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. That obvious, huh. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Earlier he was worried about the prison arrangements tomorrow, but I’d rather think about this cool guy holding my hand. I can’t think about Mom right now, because every time I do my thoughts go dark and I’m instantly depressed. Not today, not now.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Sam squeezes my hand. “You okay?” he shouts over the engine.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He always seems to know. “I’m fine.” And I am, just gazing into his light brown eyes.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UAI4rX081YlNcd0q2ZhLEycXItvALvIbs4TLGBy9ozwgEjhH30bmyCPA8Hm8-lIDKOAdX4wtjjX3oMIHMu1sqFY0gmMD0tjT39U06uRpUnyOY_pXKjZW9K6mDpFggJ0JAfAkqVc_vA/s320/zac-efron-and-vanessa-hudgens+split+main.jpg" height="193" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/lrvc3TbAeoIuv4uxFMgDsMYiD8HU3lsl_Nql7-xNkTDgFJ94OF-Es0LnpFmGJy8PRyw_qQZVvXTApqqmwgCisypL5iNGyps9LtoRuWIRlo2TrWyQRrsvzfYtl5ZxfAaB6XNibcqbiOAlfXV_Yw" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="168" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who is your ideal reader?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teen girls primarily (13 up), and anyone who identifies with a teen’s point of view in an otherwise out of control adult world. The choices made at the brink of adulthood can have a powerful effect on one’s future, even when the odds are against success. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Callie’s</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> experience ranges from losing a father and mother and being placed in a disreputable foster home, to fending off smugglers and human traffickers, and then finding favor with the King of Thailand. On the other hand, a seventy-plus year old male relative of mine said he identified with the characters and cried at the ending. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shells-Mersing-Sharon-Marie-Himsl-ebook/dp/B07345Z3GB/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.evernightteen.com/the-shells-of-mersing-by-sharon-marie-himsl/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Evernight Teen</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-shells-of-mersing-sharon-marie-himsl/1126682610?ean=2940154439746" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Barnes & Noble</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Short synopsis: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When notorious Uncle Azman disobeys orders, and secretly sends Callie and her younger brother Lucas to meet their mother's sisters in Mersing, Malaysia, 14-year-old Callie hopes their troubles are over. After all they have endured, what more could go wrong? Their American dad is dead, Mom is missing, and their foster dad in Seattle was murdered, with Callie falsely accused. Pawns in a crime operation gone awry, Callie and Lucas barely escaped being targeted by their uncle's sinister boss for sale in Thailand’s human trafficking market. Although Uncle Azman's turnaround was a miracle, Callie knows that real safety lies with family in Mersing, where they can begin searching for Mom, but a shell box, a ruby, and a boy named Sam from Chicago are about to change everything.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="91" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_tl5xuvVHPPnYxZF7cBpBXqfApV9h8NZCOzAzNLv4mTU9XS-avOIesovhJR7T5dTESb4j7mb9cRp5lnSdRzh0eQ6JCV-OPonbSnS_M736-Il74Nrhs5EFvTAGdrmYJmgUfE-IVxjWp-Kf_6s6w" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="91" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sharon spent more than ten years developing </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Shells of Mersing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a story first outlined in Malaysia in 1996. With a B.A. in American Studies, she has a soft spot for history and other cultures. Malaysia is a rich storehouse of culture, with its Malay, Chinese and Indian populations. Today she is working on a second novel (a sequel to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shells</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">…) at her home in Eastern Washington, where she lives with her husband on the edge of a desert runway . . . but that’s another story! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blogs: </span></div>
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<a href="https://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com/</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://sharonmhimsl.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://sharonmhimsl.blogspot.com/</span></a></div>
Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-10004514876560821222017-10-10T13:31:00.000-07:002017-10-10T13:31:42.907-07:00Nice Article by Local Newspaper <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our local newspaper highlights members of our small community on a regular basis, and it's an honor to be included. Never forget how important community is, whether it's the public, your family and friends or a professional group. Always be grateful and never take this kind of support for granted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fhyphenhyphensbyeLcL-Aml0cp0h0wKG2pyrkmGamwqAvzle83eA4xsg18ax0iR5JeaI_Hls1h9EINpKW9oO4sm_yo0G_TvxLydRrwePr30VB-IcwLnFobh0pEQNRjmcNiK6pllioDFfpmDsLh4E/s1600/Newspaper+article3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fhyphenhyphensbyeLcL-Aml0cp0h0wKG2pyrkmGamwqAvzle83eA4xsg18ax0iR5JeaI_Hls1h9EINpKW9oO4sm_yo0G_TvxLydRrwePr30VB-IcwLnFobh0pEQNRjmcNiK6pllioDFfpmDsLh4E/s1600/Newspaper+article3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-59069645301359706202017-09-11T19:48:00.001-07:002017-09-26T18:08:44.395-07:00Interview: How 'The Shells of Mersing' Came to Be<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipA9LG88U9aJW-luH7J9Pit7ULM4h7fgpQhoCX0FiUm94bR376L6UaW9FszdEh3cP4xBhyR0zgs-IiQ-uhRYG1FIvfLN1Vt8XBBR2C6r87mZS__Xx4kaZMIiPKyTTHXjoAbSeihjJZ8VQ/s1600/monkeys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="146" data-original-width="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipA9LG88U9aJW-luH7J9Pit7ULM4h7fgpQhoCX0FiUm94bR376L6UaW9FszdEh3cP4xBhyR0zgs-IiQ-uhRYG1FIvfLN1Vt8XBBR2C6r87mZS__Xx4kaZMIiPKyTTHXjoAbSeihjJZ8VQ/s1600/monkeys.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Following is from an interview </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">of me</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(March 2013) by author </span></span><a href="http://www.marycronkfarrell.net/" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mary Cronk Farrell</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> in the "Next Big Thing" Blog Hop! </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">This traveling blog hop began in Australia, and each author was asked ten questions about a Work In Progress. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What is the working title of your book?</b></span></span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></u>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The Shells of Mersing</i></span></span><br />
<u><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></u>
<u><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Where did the idea come from for the book?</b></span></span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></u>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My husband and I lived in Kluang, Malaysia for nine months in 1995-96. I was volunteering at a local orphanage when I learned that one of the boys (7) had been rescued from domestic slavery. I was aware of human slavery, of girls mostly, but my shock level jumped to a new level. This was the little boy I had made yarn dolls with at Christmas time. I then learned that human trafficking and slavery did indeed exist in Malaysia and even more so in Thailand to the north. From this experience a story grew.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I began to ask a lot of what ifs. What if a Malay girl and her sister had been sold in Thailand? What if an American G.I. later met and fell in love with this girl, and took her to America as his bride? What if he then died and left his Malay wife alone with two children? Would she miss her family, especially her sister in Thailand, and try to rescue and bring her to America? And finally, what would be the fate of her children, if she disappeared in Thailand?........which is where my story begins.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The idea for the title came from my travels. We sometimes meandered up the east coast of Malaysia along the South China Sea. The views were incredible. We would stop to gather shells or just walk along the beaches. Mersing was the first stop, and I fell in love with the colorful boats in its fishing harbor and a section of beach. I decided to make Mersing the childhood home of my Malay mother, and the shells a special collection her daughter inherits.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What genre does your book fall under?</b></span></span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Adventure/Mystery - Young Adult </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">[also - Multi-cultural, Romance]</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?</b></span></span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-Only two actors so far. They may be too old for the part, but I have always imagined Vanessa Hudgens as my main character Callie (15), who is half Malay; and Zac Efron for Sam (16), the American boy she meets in Malaysia.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-Lucas (8), Callie's brother (also half Malay), plays an important role, but I'm not familiar with younger child stars. He needs to be smart and confident.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=vanessa+hudgens+and+zac+efron&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=xtZcYLVkyVPngM&tbnid=ma4mNol-12ngjM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealitybyrach.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fzac-efron-and-vanessa-hudgens-are-so.html&ei=_DQ8Uf6OOITvrQHiioCgAw&bvm=bv.43287494,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNG8XZ113Ma_KFpP9G3j_CIGSisyxg&ust=1362986365486052" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img height="320" id="irc_mi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UAI4rX081YlNcd0q2ZhLEycXItvALvIbs4TLGBy9ozwgEjhH30bmyCPA8Hm8-lIDKOAdX4wtjjX3oMIHMu1sqFY0gmMD0tjT39U06uRpUnyOY_pXKjZW9K6mDpFggJ0JAfAkqVc_vA/s320/zac-efron-and-vanessa-hudgens+split+main.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="273" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens; realitybyrach.blogspot.com)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">[Here is the song from <b>High School Musical I</b> that really inspired me. Both my husband and I love this movie, and we were reminded of our own sweet romance in high school.]</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?</b></span></span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After witnessing the murder of her Seattle foster dad, a teenage girl runs away with her eight-year-old brother and sets off on a journey to find their missing mother in Thailand and family in Malaysia.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?</b></span></span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I hope to find an agent. <span style="color: #990000;">[I did not find an agent. Instead I found a small publisher in Canada, Evernight Teen, which I was thrilled to find]</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?</b></span></span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One year. I have since written several drafts and changed the tense twice.<span style="color: #660000;"> </span><span style="color: #990000;">[Note: this was 2013. It took until 2017 to be published, but I always believed in this novel]</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?</b></span></span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To some degree the following:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-Patricia McCormick's <i>Sold</i>, the story of a thirteen year old girl from Nepal, who is sold into sexual slavery. (There is a tragic back story of human trafficking and slavery in my book that becomes a live threat to my main characters, Callie and Lucas).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-Wendelin Van Draanen's <i>Runaway</i> - Holly is abused by her foster dad. (My main character is afraid of her foster dad when he drinks, especially the night she and her brother run away).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-Heidi Ayarbe's <i>Compromised - </i>A father goes to prison and his motherless daughter is left to fend for herself, and ends up in an orphanage; She runs away to search for an aunt in New Mexico. (My main characters’ mother is missing and their father is dead; they are placed in a foster home and then run away to search for their missing mother and Malaysian relatives).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?</b></span></span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-Callie and Lucas stowaway on a large sailboat called the <i>Meli Ann</i> and cross the Pacific to Hawaii.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-The Mersing shells are stored in a wooden box with a beautiful dragon carving on top, but there is a secret compartment and much more in this "dragon box."</span></span><br />
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<br />Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-33834186480189698162017-07-23T14:03:00.000-07:002019-03-12T20:05:54.005-07:00Floating Market - Bangkok 1995<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photos from author's visit <span style="font-size: x-large;">....</span></span></span></span></b> <b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Callie, Sam, and Lucas would have seen this at Bangkok's famous Floating Market. </span></span></b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They toured the canal in a long boat</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Thai spirit house </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View inside a Thai home. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The market where goods, fruits, and vegetables are sold</span> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Time to eat!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Selling hats to the tourists above. </span></td></tr>
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<br />Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-52550979156693394932017-06-22T17:17:00.002-07:002017-06-23T16:41:28.761-07:00Fun Facts - Durian: One Funky-Looking Fruit in Malaysia<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN52QXW1e92X0JdJOWIHDmJ_WNGdeR06FVKnyDnAUtFKmhEs9kek6lXT8IW-COkPoYeGyLicvshPnGhqKxlFhWuniJRFT5pU4fRySm31zK5PcN1SpEiplvfXCeH55pw_YX12C_wr9EwQ5O/s1600/Durian2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN52QXW1e92X0JdJOWIHDmJ_WNGdeR06FVKnyDnAUtFKmhEs9kek6lXT8IW-COkPoYeGyLicvshPnGhqKxlFhWuniJRFT5pU4fRySm31zK5PcN1SpEiplvfXCeH55pw_YX12C_wr9EwQ5O/s1600/Durian2.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Durian has long been known for its pungent odor. Descriptions range from rotting fruit, dirty gym socks, stinky armpits to even sewage. True, true, it is all true! While living in </span><span style="font-size: large;">Malaysia, I could smell this fruit a block away when ripe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Callie and Lucas in <i>The Shells of Mersing</i> taste their first durian in the Kluang market. Sam and Josh have a fun time watching their reactions.</b> Eating durian in Malaysia is almost a rite of passage. It's just something you have to do, if only the one time. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still remember the truck heaped with durian that lumbered through our neighborhood one afternoon, the driver honking his horn, the neighbors gathering with excitement as he approached. Malaysians love durian. </span><span style="font-size: large;">At twelve inches long, six inches wide on average, and with a thorny husk as hard as a nut, durian is one funky-looking fruit. Definitely one of a kind.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Durian is native to southeast Asia, dating back to prehistoric times, but it has only been known to the western world for about 600 years. Durian trees can grow anywhere from 60 to 164 feet tall. One fruit alone can weigh about 3.3 pounds and fetch a surprisingly high price. A high quality durian purchased in Singapore, can cost as much as $50 U.S dollars. It has long since earned a reputation as the "King of the Fruits." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Durian is eaten fresh, </span><span style="font-size: large;">cooked as a vegetable,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">boiled, roasted and fried. It's added to various dishes and sometimes sugared as a confection. Nutritionally, durian is a good source of dietary fiber, thiamine, vitamin B6, Manganese, and vitamin C. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">There are plenty of myths surrounding durian, among them its </span><span style="font-size: large;">aphrodisiac qualities and lethality when consumed with alcohol, neither of which has been proven. But one myth is indeed a fact. The damage done to one's head by a falling durian could be deadly. It's best to heed the posted warning signs when the fruit is ripe for picking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Popular recipes in Malaysia include combining durian</span><span style="font-size: large;"> with chilies in a spicy Sambal sauce, and durian mixed in </span><span style="font-size: large;">curry sauce served over fish and vegetables, but many Malaysians prefer eating durian freshly cut as is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another popular form is Durian Ice Cream. I sampled some once, thinking, <i>How bad could it be? It was ice cream after all.</i> Let's just say, it's not my favorite!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> You can imagine my surprise when I then discovered it was recently on the menu </span><span style="font-size: large;">at "Pink's Ice Cream" shop in Seattle. </span></div>
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<b style="color: #660000;"><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Durian Jokes</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69D6U-wZETsKAEJkAJGT5VTD29Ma1VaocS4no0YQCHwUr3ST7WC95eFyQ4yZPkQT8ZGDEQF_rsHcayygVGIJXbbMAZRO525qmMgcvtN1sm32BeRA5XARsDqGtXuAuP4h-xW8YbV6ZEcm2/s1600/puffer%2526durian.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69D6U-wZETsKAEJkAJGT5VTD29Ma1VaocS4no0YQCHwUr3ST7WC95eFyQ4yZPkQT8ZGDEQF_rsHcayygVGIJXbbMAZRO525qmMgcvtN1sm32BeRA5XARsDqGtXuAuP4h-xW8YbV6ZEcm2/s1600/puffer%2526durian.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Said the Puffer fish to the Durian: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"I'm in love, I'm in love!"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPN-JGJnUQq4ltb2-6bp88bu2QcMhFJssC-J_WG97Y0Kv2dblcOXrFpqbx4jpONwYzVvoStXmOHcdfqop4ZWILlEet-i1050cfWokk0urG7wfbw4H3sGPvTEKeIbatLPztnuTOVTdGSMh/s1600/duriansign2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPN-JGJnUQq4ltb2-6bp88bu2QcMhFJssC-J_WG97Y0Kv2dblcOXrFpqbx4jpONwYzVvoStXmOHcdfqop4ZWILlEet-i1050cfWokk0urG7wfbw4H3sGPvTEKeIbatLPztnuTOVTdGSMh/s1600/duriansign2.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size: x-large;">No joke!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">We saw signs like this </span><span style="font-size: large;">at upscale hotels in </span><span style="font-size: large;">Singapore </span><span style="font-size: large;">and Malaysia.</span><br />
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<u style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Durian Books</span></b></u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDJdg1foTpf7V9eWOz5BDhWdrObBN0akTAUQVM6InE3R9RE-D0PrmbWuxXzRBs9hP771IYhGRXjx373iP0Z5Z6QC8Psr5QS8xf8U2Nj2o8LIEZO4NWUNsn1q0d7YEqBzSvj3hEgGkSsaM/s1600/Durian+cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDJdg1foTpf7V9eWOz5BDhWdrObBN0akTAUQVM6InE3R9RE-D0PrmbWuxXzRBs9hP771IYhGRXjx373iP0Z5Z6QC8Psr5QS8xf8U2Nj2o8LIEZO4NWUNsn1q0d7YEqBzSvj3hEgGkSsaM/s200/Durian+cover.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6B5GjKpb5RDcNS-nJ88HCdv_7sqpTd0Opsgxc-NItUz9q12OFznbkUeBr4fLuDNMCuyFYmMyuMORrXDPAHrheCxnTkm2sV69236lQ32VhWPSeYa0OtHcIgOKA_BpNmxMkEuCgpCsnzNk/s1600/Durian+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i><i>Durian: King of Tropical Fruits</i> </i>by S. Ketsa (2001) (nonfiction)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Durian</i> by Kelly Weisheit (2010) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">(With her family murdered, young Shekrah </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">escapes to the Kingdom of Durian, </span><span style="font-size: large;">where she meets the prince of Durian, Torian)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>So How Smelly Is Durian?</u> (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQj-hFfmYkQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">video link</a>)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u></u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Durian Song</u> (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQfj6-ZeFbU#t=13" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">video link</a>)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Durian" by Zainal Alam (1950)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Zainal Alam (1926-1991) was born in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. A popular performer in his day, he has been called the 'Bob Hope' and 'Bing Crosby' of Malaysia. (Song is in Malay).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Sources: </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://</span>zainalalam<span style="font-size: x-small;">-memoirs.</span>blogspot<span style="font-size: x-small;">.com/; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/DietandNutrition/Pages/durians-8-myths-and-facts-about-the-king-of-fruits.aspx; </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/2088/2</span><br />
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Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-36156426396693066002017-06-16T23:20:00.001-07:002019-03-12T19:56:36.066-07:00Almost There: Teaser Excerpt and Release Date<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>The Shells of Mersing</i> is ready for release June 23</b>. Next</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">F-R-I-D-A-Y! It's really going to happen! I dreamed </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">a story and <i>POOF</i>....a book is born. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A teaser excerpt - The Shells of Mersing:</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #660000;">Groaning, his eyes flicker open. “What happened?” <br /><br />“Don’t move, Mr. Pirone. I’ll get Judith.” <br /><br />He grabs my wrist. “You’ll do no such thing. Help me up.” His face softens. “Please, I hurt my back.” I pull him to his feet. <br /><br />He
staggers to the door and stops mid step at the threshold, hanging there
for the longest time. “What are you doing here?” he finally says. <br /><br />“Benjamin, my old friend,” a male voice replies. <br /><br />Benny
inches backward. Glancing back at me, he speaks in a low deliberate
voice, “Run, Callie.” He mumbles something else, but all I really hear
are his first words. <i>Run, Callie. </i><br /><br />A muffled pop pierces
the air. Benny falls to his knees and collapses face down. I cover my
mouth, stifling a scream, afraid to move as blood gushes from a bullet
hole in Benny’s temple. A crimson pool forms on the floor. <br /><br />A
flashlight beam travels over his face and the wound. I gasp, recalling
the glowing moon eyes in my dream. The beam of light shines on my face
next and goes out, blinding me at first. <br /><br />“Who’s there? Please. Who are you?” <br /><br />A
cold, unmistakable chill travels down my spine, and then I see him, a
man clad in black. He steps over Benny’s body, entering the room. A gun
hangs loose at his side in his black gloved hand. I step backward. He
flicks his black hair away from his face and moves closer. Two sunken
cheeks dominate his long face. A red scar zigzags across his nose. He’s
young, in his twenties, maybe thirties. He eyes Benny’s body, snickering
to himself. <br /><br />A toilet flushes upstairs. <i>Please let it be Judith.</i> I step to the side, eyeing the door and the stairs behind him. I can run for it. I can do this. <br /><br />He
snatches my hand. “Not so fast.” His steely eyes are those of a
cobra’s. I can almost hear the hiss when his bony fingers clamp down,
pinching me. He forces my palm over the gun handle, curving my index
finger around the trigger. “You tell anyone about me, and I’ll kill you.
Your mama too.” <br /><br />My mouth goes dry. “My mother?” <br /><br />He smiles, a cruel deliberate sneer. “That’s right, your mama in Thailand.” <br /><br />My heart rips apart, a scream building inside. This horrid man knows my mother. <i>He knows her!</i> <br /><br />His cobra eyes gloat. “Yeah, that’s right. I think you understand. Now don’t forget.” <br /><br />I
struggle to move the gun wedged in my hand. No, I’ll never forget your
warning and cruel voice, or your snakelike stare and jagged scar. <br /><br />He snorts. “Tell them it was self-defense.” He kicks Benny’s body as he leaves. <br /><br />My
knees shake as I watch him disappear. The soles of my feet are molded
to the floor. I have a gun frozen in my hand, and a scream welling up
inside. No one would believe me in a million years if I told the truth,
because the only truth I could fabricate is an outright lie. Tell them
it was self-defense, he said. But I can’t lie, nor can I live with the
deadly consequences of the truth. <br /><br />Judith rushes into the room. I
have no idea when. Seconds, minutes, hours could have passed. I’m
standing where the stranger left me.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmxGgsuXRMCii8RE1T_u49HSNCmWZR-zIboIg90ZXWMuD11HpuBFXsk6tenkdcXsHCDVoyJsErLPV8vfqSnfuTVSNoGXFMizC5yTatmPWixnZJhxmAPGFh-J4mpNsXHX5KEAQIIoHDls/s1600/HeartFrame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="407" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmxGgsuXRMCii8RE1T_u49HSNCmWZR-zIboIg90ZXWMuD11HpuBFXsk6tenkdcXsHCDVoyJsErLPV8vfqSnfuTVSNoGXFMizC5yTatmPWixnZJhxmAPGFh-J4mpNsXHX5KEAQIIoHDls/s320/HeartFrame.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-73986095259679799742017-05-31T07:00:00.000-07:002019-03-12T19:53:39.653-07:00Cover Reveal - The Shells of Mersing by Sharon Marie Himsl<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Live now! Cover Reveal at Tonja Drecker's blog: <a href="http://bookwormforkids.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BOOKWORM FOR KIDS</a></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HtnFdb-kECPWtOFbujIqKC-SrZ0sPNOVOuBzJNC0ZUrHJlwwWvt8EpL1Drg0ommyNZCBw-Zyc8gLUzNj4f3_bTklHzYUFDI2WYl0zd_3Ue7P_X4Mlu0I0acHkrnLIMKrKFz_kwP-FXc/s1600/The-Shells-of-Mersing-evernightpublishing-JayAheer2017-smallpreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HtnFdb-kECPWtOFbujIqKC-SrZ0sPNOVOuBzJNC0ZUrHJlwwWvt8EpL1Drg0ommyNZCBw-Zyc8gLUzNj4f3_bTklHzYUFDI2WYl0zd_3Ue7P_X4Mlu0I0acHkrnLIMKrKFz_kwP-FXc/s320/The-Shells-of-Mersing-evernightpublishing-JayAheer2017-smallpreview.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Very
pleased with the novel's book cover. Evernight Teen's digital artist
(Jay Aheer) did a fabulous job capturing the heart of the story. The
most important setting, shells on a beach in Mersing, Malaysia, is where
the family's story begins.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">SO.....Is it possible for a fourteen-year-old girl on the run with her eight-year-old brother to find their missing Malay mother? And a family she has never met before? Their American dad is dead, and up until now, Callie Davis has only known Seattle where she and her brother were born. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But a foster dad's murder is about to change all that. <i>Run, Callie, run,</i> her mother warns in a dream, and run she must, because now it's a matter of life and death. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35238805-the-shells-of-mersing" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ADD TO GOODREADS “READ LIST” </span></a><br />
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Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204634933783514652.post-21065150500752596782017-04-26T06:12:00.001-07:002017-05-30T12:30:18.179-07:00Young Adult Novel Coming Soon <div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_293376837"></span><span style="font-size: large;">Release Date July 2017</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Shells of Mersing</span></span></b> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-7DYd23q8ZZCxleLVClxQedU-039IXh_FNiqTc3xvQ5ZRxK-2ZA7LQ1JQfrV7ZXNEKTbo9MW6MsdHS5snIPQ_AeyFvrweq16zCHfKAbDLiHS472AkeFoYLraLBFdBAUUjSZRk2TtTO8/s1600/ET+coming-soon%255B10003%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-7DYd23q8ZZCxleLVClxQedU-039IXh_FNiqTc3xvQ5ZRxK-2ZA7LQ1JQfrV7ZXNEKTbo9MW6MsdHS5snIPQ_AeyFvrweq16zCHfKAbDLiHS472AkeFoYLraLBFdBAUUjSZRk2TtTO8/s1600/ET+coming-soon%255B10003%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Evernight Teen</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Suspense, Adventure, Romance, and Mystery</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A sister and brother travel from Seattle to Hawaii, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Malaysia, and Thailand to find their missing mother.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Shells of Mersing</i></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When notorious Uncle Azman disobeys orders, and sends Callie
and Lucas Davis to meet their mother's long lost family in Malaysia, fourteen-year-old
Callie hopes their troubles are over. </span><span style="font-size: large;">After all they have endured
what more could go wrong? Their American dad is dead, Mom is missing, and their
foster dad in Seattle was murdered with Callie falsely accused. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If that wasn't
enough, Callie and eight-year-old Lucas stow aboard a sailboat to escape,
only to be targeted by their uncle’s boss in Hawaii upon arrival for immediate
sale in Thailand’s human trafficking market. What more could go wrong?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Disguised in Muslim dress in case Azman’s boss sends
someone after them, Callie believes it’s simply a matter of time. Find safety
with family in Mersing and begin the search for Mom, but a shell box, a ruby,
and a boy from Chicago named Sam are about to change everything. </span></div>
<span id="goog_293376838"></span><br />Sharon Himslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.com