If you want schedule next week's post, click here to find the next prompt question. To submit a question, fill out this form.

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

This week's question submitted by Elizabeth!

Are you in a book club? How does your book club choose books? How far in advance do you choose?

2. Enter the link to your post in the linky list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in removal of your link).


3. Visit other blogs in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new follower.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.

 

I've never been involved in a book club, other than Doubleday Book Clubs, which really doesn't count. I'm not even for sure how to get started in one in my area, not unless it is an online group.

Linky List:

Walt Disney is once again opening up their vault to release the animated classic The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD/HD Digital Combo Pack on October 1, 2013 for a whole new generation to watch over and over again.

Venture under the sea where Ariel, a free-spirited mermaid princess, longs to be part of the human world. After bravely striking a bargain with Ursula, a sneaky sea witch, Ariel embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. With Flounder and Sebastian at her side, Ariel will need all of her courage and determination to make things right in both her worlds. Learn more at http://movies.disney.com/the-little-mermaid. 

Giveaway Details:

Are you wondering if you are someone you love is in need of a test to see how much testosterone they have in their bodies? Is your child not developing or your husband losing interest in the bedroom? Testosterone plays a key role in our lives and is essential for healthy growth, muscle building, and a host of other things. If you decide to talk to your doctor and take a testosterone levels test and you discover that you or your loved one has low T don't worry there are lost of options for you to help increase testosterone options like taking zinc, vitamin D, or adaptogens that release testostereone bound in globulin proteins (often referred to as a testosterone booster). You can lose weight or decrease stress, or reduce your cortisol levels. There are a host of things that you can do to help get you testosterone levels back to normal.

Understanding Testosterone Level Tests

Performing a blood test can reveal a person's testosterone levels. This type of test is given to young boys who are suffering from delayed puberty or puberty is progressing slower than it should. In general, boys who have not started puberty by the time they reach the age of 10 are tested to determine what their testosterone levels are at that time.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects your movement. This disease doesn’t discriminate; there are many famous faces that are suffering from Parkinson’s around the world and in some cases it has helped raised awareness for this disease.

If you have risk factors that might increase your chances of developing this disease, you must seek medical help, especially if these symptoms manifest. Here are a few famous faces of people suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

• Michael J Fox: This actor, most famous for starring in the Back to the Future movies, was diagnosed with PD in 1991 at the age of 30. He went public with diagnoses in 1998 and later founded the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

I’ve been asked to write a biography of one of my characters from The Witch on Twisted Oak. This was harder than you might think. Not because I don’t know their history; I know the deep, dark secrets of all my characters.

The problem is picking only one. I love all my characters. It’s like asking me to pick my favorite child. So I decided to go with the one who gave me the most trouble.

A good story depends on two things: a good plot and strong characters. Many writers spend time and effort developing their hero and heroine, but they forget another character who is just as important. A hero can only be as strong as his opponent. The antagonist doesn’t have to be human. Many excellent novels use animals, or nature as the opposing force. Even human villains don’t have to be inherently evil. They just need to want a different outcome than the hero and try to prevail over him.

But no matter who or what the author uses as the antagonist, deep character development is a must. The villain can’t be bad, “just because.” There must be a logical reason behind his or her actions. I forgot this rule for a brief time while writing The Witch on Twisted Oak. Oh, I knew who the villain was and what he was going to do. I just hadn’t spent enough time thinking about why he was doing it.

About one third of the way through the book, I hit a brick wall. After pulling my hair and pacing the floor it dawned on me: I didn’t know my villain well enough.

First I had to figure him out, then I had to go back and do some major rewriting. After much deliberation, these are some things I learned about my villain.

Like so many people, good and bad and in-between, much of who he is now was shaped by his childhood. Through most of the book he’s called El Jefe, which means boss because that’s the way he likes to be addressed. “Can I get something for you, Boss?” “Where to, Boss?” He felt powerless as a child and now needs to be reassured of his importance by those around him.

Ultimate Cross Stitch Projects
By Maria Diaz
Publisher: Design Originals
Pub. Date: September 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1574214444
Pages: 128

Review:

Many of my readers probably don't know that one of my hobbies is cross stitching. Yes, I'm a guy, who knows how to thread a needle, though my own stitching projects have taken a slight pause this year, I still enjoy making gifts for my family and friends. It seems there are many quilt and sewing books released every year, but not very many focus on cross stitching. Luckily, Design Originals released the Ultimate Cross Stitch Projects featuring twenty-seven beautiful cross stitch patterns by designer Maria Diaz.

Feathered Friends

Some of people think cross stitchers only make "Welcome Home" stitches, but die-hard stitchers love making portraits, which the Ultimate Cross Stitch contains some of the greatest patterns I have never seen; with a variety of different projects, such as adorable animals, country landscapes, spring flowers, nursery accessories, and famous paintings.

I think everybody has at least one animal lover in the family and there are eight cute projects that they would love to have. The projects are: "Petals and Purrs," "Holly & Whiskers," "River Birds," "Chirpy Visitors,"  "Feathered Friends," "Two Little Pigs," "Crisp Winter Morning," and "Autumn Gatherer."

The five landscapes projects would make a great addition to anybody's living room or bedroom. The projects are: "Remembrance Fields," "Spring Lambs," "Sunset Trail," "Bluebell Wood" and "Wisteria Cottage."

Being stylish is important for any man or woman. Your style is something that will be judged by every person you meet. First impressions are very important when trying to build relationships. Relationships are the most important things in life. Your time spent enjoying the company of other people is what you will remember when you are lying on your deathbed contemplating the life you have led. A person’s first look at you can determine whether or not they consider being friendly. You want to make that first impression count. Build your style up from the ground. The shoes you walk on will be noticed by the people you meet. Women are especially crazy about shoes. Keep a pair of shoes ready and clean for any situation. If you’re a man, wear dress shoes with jeans and slacks and have some sneakers ready to go for more sporty occasions. If you’re a woman, you can never have enough shoes.

How to Look Confident and Approachable

Embroidered shirts are all the rage right now for both men and women. They’re not too flashy and not too trendy, and you can wear them for any occasion. Next, make sure to keep your hairstyle up to date. Use the same hairdresser and keep your locks trim and tidy. Some men have great facial hair and some just lack the ability to grow a great beard. If you’re a man, you know which category into which you fall. If you have a great beard, by all means grow it out and be proud. Make sure to buy clippers so you can keep your mountain man style from getting too scraggly and unkempt.