BEA was much easier for me today.  I could pretty much navigate my way around the huge convention center.  Ok, actually, I got lost all the time, the book that lists the booths had mistakes in it and I have absolutely no sense of direction (which dashes all my dreams of being on the Amazing Race).  But still I managed to meet a ton of new people and companies and products, including the Frugal Foodie.  Two grad students who offered muffins with their books…and since I hadn’t had breakfast….

My YA readers will be thrilled to know that I made a lot of contacts for more books to be sent, so get ready to start reading again (I was down to about 10 books left).  There’s some great new ones coming out and a huge line for James Patterson signing his new YA, Witch and Wizard.   I also scored a lot of books to giveaway at library events coming up.  Lots of them autographed.

I had the pleasure of meeting Deborah Schneider the events coordinator of King County, WA library systems, one of the largest in the US.  Their website gets over 2 million hits and I was asked to be part of one of their upcoming programs next year when I attend the Emerald City Conference.  Deborah was recently named the RWA Librarian of the Year and will be honored at their conference in Washington DC in July. 

Fan on his knees begging for Marjorie Liu’s autograph.

Jacquie D’Alessandro was signing at the RWA booth and I also saw long lines for Heather Graham, Douglas Clegg, Debbie Macomber and Carla Neggers.  Marjorie Liu had fans clammering for a poster of her new Wolverine comic book coming out in June and I saw Beth Ciotta searching for gems to take home.  I spent some time walking around with Sheila English Clover of Circle of Seven Productions.  She knows everyone and just told me they won 2 more awards for their videos of children’s books (a first for their company).  Congrats Sheila!

There were book bags galore being given out, Disney, Clean Diet, almost all the publishers (some ran out) and African-American Expressions (who gave me a really cool President Obama bookmark when I mentioned that my 79 year old mom was out campaigning for him).

And speaking of the President, it took forever to get back to the hotel because he was attending the theater 2 blocks from my hotel.  I have never seen so many police and secret service people in one spot in real life before.  Barricades were set up and people were lined up for blocks for the chance to see him.  Apparently it was date night for the Obamas.

Now comes my favorite part of the day.  I got to finally do a Drive By Video™.  Last week, Joysann wrote about using the new Playaway system while she talked about the book she was blurbing.  I never heard of it, so I found the booth and checked it out for you. 

Bottom Line: Dog tired, but never happier. A huge pile of books in my room and ready to do it all over again tomorrow.

Being the lover of books that I am, BEA (BookExpo America) exceeded my expectations.  I felt like Scrooge McDuck when left in his vault to play with all his money.  I practically ran from the airport to the convention center.

Michelle Monkou, Dianna Love and Allison Kelley at RWA booth

There were so many publishers I had never heard of and I’ve got to admit that I didn’t take notes because I was too busy gawking at all the stuff on display.  There was a lot of business being done out in the open.  I never realized that deals were made there.  I just thought everyone looked at the books.  I had my camera on my wrist the whole time, but barely took any pictures.  Definitely "kid in the candy store" syndrome.  I wanted to stop and talk to everyone, but my friend, Dan, said we wouldn’t be getting very far and I still have 2 more days.

I did catch quick looks at Simon and Schuster, Brilliance Audio, Border’s Books doing interviews, Penguin, Hachette and C-Span doing their book segments.  Lots more suits than I expected and people lugging around bags stuffed with free books.  Fed Ex was doing a bang up business with all the stuff being shipped home.  I had to really hold myself back from taking too many because a suitcase can get mighty heavy.  (I know you all are thinking…send me some!)

Alexandrea Sokoloff engrossed in her book.

So, we wandered around, me drooling over the books and Dan snapping pictures of "Hats of the BEA"because there were some unusual ones.  I ran into some people I know, authors Kathy Kulig, Alex Sokoloff, Hank Phillipi Ryan , Leanna Renee Hieber, Dianna Love and the group at the RWA (Romance Writers of America) booth.  Some were signing their books and others were just strolling around or working at booths.  I also got to meet the delightful Mary Buckham who tells the best stories.

Kathy Kulig and me at Ellora’s Cave’s booth

I also got to see the PW pressroom there and caught up with old pals Robin and Cal, but it’s a very busy place because they put out a daily paper for the convention goers.  It amazes me how they keep up with all that’s going on as it happens.  I’d be too easily distracted (oh, someone brought in cookies….).

It was hard to imagine this convention center was the same place that I was at a few months ago for Comic Con.  Other than a few pirates and a couple of women in bikinis, there were no Wookies, Storm Troopers or Homer Simpsons in sight.  (Although, I did see Grover from Sesame Street while walking to my hotel, alas, no picture).

My one disappointment was missing Diana Gabaldon.  She spoke at 10 a.m. and I was still in the air.  But, I’ll get to see her in a couple of weeks at the Historical Novel Society Conference in Illinois.

Well, I promise to take a ton more pictures today and some Drive By Videos™.  I’m meeting Debbie Macomber at 9 a.m. and have a few more casual interviews lined up, so stayed tuned.

Bottom Line:  Sorry for no Drive By Video™ todaym but remember,  I did recently have a head injury. 

Because this is a travel day for me, and I’ll be reporting from the BEA (BookExpo America) for the next couple of days, I wanted to be sure to get in the YA blurbs for this week since the kids have been reading like crazy to give you all ideas on what’s available out there.

The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

Read by Rachel, 11

Matt Walsh and his two younger sisters don’t live a particular normal life. Their mother mistreats them, and living with her is like living with a jungle cat, never knowing when it will strike. Matt knows they have to get away, but how? Then Matt sees Murdoch in a drugstore and everything about life the way he knows it changes. Murdoch starts dating their mother, and suddenly she’s almost nice. But then Murdoch breaks up with Nikki, their mother. Can Matt and his siblings save themselves from their mother’s wrath?

This book was a total suspense thriller, and it had me on my toes and biting my nails, worrying about what would happen next to Matt, Callie and Emmy. Their mother is, as Matt puts it, evil, and she does some disturbing things, so I would recommend this book to kids in middle or high school.

Ghost Huntress: The Guidance By Marley Gibson
 
Read By Bekah, 17
 
Kendall is exactly like every other teenage girl at her school. Except for that while most girls are preoccupied with their social life and puberty, Kendall is experiencing her psychic awakening. Unlike all her friends, Kendall is beginning to develop her psychic abilities. With the help and support of her ghost hunting team she guides spirits to the afterlife, making Kendall the most popular girl in town. Not everyone is excited about her new found success, though. Courtney, the head cheerleader and Kendall’s boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend, goes to great lengths to make Kendall’s life a living hell. When Courtney begins to be drawn in to the dark side against her will there is only one person who she can turn to for help. It’s only a matter of time before Kendall must decide to either let her enemy fall or be the bigger person and save the girl. Decisions…Decisions…
    
This was thrilling read. I loved the morbid humor present throughout the entire story and I could really relate to Kendall. She has to make hard choices like any teenage girl, but she does it with a finesse that’s hard to achieve. I wish I had her witty attitude.

The Twilight Zone Graphic Novels by Rod Serling

Read by Nathaniel, 20

Walking Distance was a terrific read. Martin Slone is stressed out from
work and is looking to get away. He goes to his hometown where he grew
up, and remembers the good old day. But there is a twist. This is in
fact The Twilight Zone. I remember being stressed from almost everything
(job,programming,chores) from time to time. I hardly have no time to get
away. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and tell my self to enjoy
being a kid.

The Odyssey of Flight 33 was thought provoking. Flight 33 departing from
London has some trouble in flight to New York. Their accelerating in
speed and seem to be stuck. Never been on a plane not to worried
either .If something went bad I’d trust in the crew to fix it. I don’t
want them telling us what’s wrong that would just create panic. I would
enjoy the window seat in this situation.

The After Hours was enlightening. Everyone one every once in a while
forgets something about themselves like Marsha did. Marsha White goes to
the store to buy a gold thimble for her mother. She is surprised and
confused by the customer service. Through her adventure Marsha, finds out
more about herself then she bargained for.

The graphic novel series so far is a great adaptation of Rod Serling’s work. The
well drawn frames take you deeper into the all ready suspenseful story
lines. As a fan of the Twilight Zone I enjoy that the books include
production notes and a little history about episode they were adapted
from.

Reading these books brings back memories of watching the show as a kid.
I remember reading the scripts in Middle School English ….. I wish we
had these books instead.

The Anne-Mae Mysteries – The Golden Treasure by L.S. Cauldwell
 
Read by Kaitlyn,  13

A young girl, Anne-Mae is getting haunted  by a dismembered hand with a wedding band ont it.  The floating hand drops two pieces of paper and they are the first clue to Jefferson Davis’s gold.  At the beginning of the Civil War, Davis, President of the Confederate States, took out a loan from a French banking House Of Emile Erlanger for $15 million dollars, but then something terrible happened. The gold was lost and the Yankees were the reason that it was lost. So young Anne-Mae, her brother, Malcolm, and her friend, Raul, are meant to find them. But what is her Grandmother hiding from her? Why is she the one that the ghost is contacting? And most of all, can she do it?
 
This book was not exactly something I would normally read. It was a little hard to get into and the characters speak in a southern accent, so it was a little difficult to read, though, not impossible. I would recommend this book to sixth graders. It has a very good story line and is nicely written. The book looks like it belongs in the childrens section because of the animation.  Never the less I did like it.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Read by Rebeka, 15

After a beautiful, strange girl moves into Ethan Wate’s small, middle-of-nowhere southern town, nothing is ever the same again. Lena is the girl from Ethan’s dark and very real dreams. She is also a girl with a very dark secret. One that will change Ethan’s life forever.

I found this to be a truly beautiful book, filled with great twists, a love story, and magic. The story is unique, one I’d not seen before that left in me in awe. Any reader interested in an amazing modern fantasy should give Beautiful Creatu
res a chance. 

Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell

Read by Scarlette, 16

What do you do in Ondine, Louisiana during the summer?  Hot and boring, and always predictable Iris plays make believe with her friend Collette.  Well this summer Iris is fourteen and for once she doesn’t have to pretend.  While messing around in the graveyard with Collette and summoning ghosts Elijah answers.  Elijah disappeared almost 20 years ago.  Why does he contact Iris and what happened to him?

This book takes few pages to get used to the southern tone, which adds to the book, and thenI just couldn’t get the book out of my head.  What I really liked was how the ghost actually effected her life.  It seemed more real like this could actually happen.  The way the characters interacted and the love interest part was done in a way that I actually enjoyed reading it.  This book combined fantasy and realism into a great read. 

Another job well done by our YA Readers.  Still need more books to offer them, so please email if you would like your book considered.  barbaravey@gmail.com

Now it’s still Your Turn Friday, so please comment on the book you’ve been reading lately.  (And it doesn’t have to be a YA book!)

Bottom Line:  My goal this trip is to finally see a Broadway play (and Stephen Colbert, of course).

Meeting Hugh Jackman at BEA would make my dreams come true.

Tomorrow morning I leave for the BEA Conference (BookExpo America).  I’ve never been before, but I’m so excited, I can hardly sleep.  I’ve heard such wonderful things about it.  Kind of like visiting the castle for a ball, for me (obviously anything to do with books gets me hyped up). 

But the biggest thrill is doing something different.  Something fun.  The unknown.  And for me, untold adventures await.  Sure, I’ll be visiting old friends, but I’m looking forward to meeting new ones also.  There’s just so many talented people in so many fields that I feel like I’m rushing around all the time trying to keep up and I’ll tell you, it’s an amazingly freeing feeling. 

Please know that when I go to these conferences, I really try to do and try everything new.  I take each and everyone of you with me because if you can’t make it, I’d like you to experience it through my rose colored glasses.

Go to the site and check it out and then send me the things you’d like me to visit or see or people to talk to or take pictures of or do Drive By Videos™ with.  I’ll try almost anything.  Also, leave a comment on the wildest craziest thing you’ve ever done (conference wise or not).

Which reminds me.  I let Margie Lawson talk me into flying in her husband’s 4 seater plane during RWA (Romance Writers of America) conference in DC in July.  You still have 3 days to bid on being the 4th person on this wild and crazy adventure of ours.  Be in a Drive By Video™, have an experience of a lifetime and all for a good cause, Brenda Novak’s Diabetes Auction.  (Note from Margie from yesterday: Two winners! SHARI ANTON and PEG BRANTLEY! Shari and Peg need to e-mail me and let me know which of my six Lecture Packets they’d like. Margie@MargieLawson.com )

Bottom Line:  Maybe I’ll get an even crazier offer in NY.  Wouldn’t surprise me!

Well, I got the best news today!  I’m going to BEA (BookExpo of America)!  Since I’ve never been, I’m thrilled and have no idea what to expect (because we all know the weird things that happen to me).  I’ll be there from Friday till Tuesday because I’ll have another opportunity to stop in at the Lady Jane’s Salon for some romance readings. 

Then I found out that I’m up for auction (again) on Brenda Novak’s Diabetes Auction.  Thanks to Margie Lawson, I’ll be flying in a four seater airplane with her husband, as pilot, all over DC and one of you can come along for the adventure…and of course, Drive By Video™ of all the action. Get the details here.  Only 4 days left to bid!

Until then, here’s the WW Ladies Blurbs of the week.

He Calls Her Doc By Mary Brady

 

Read by Edie

 

Maude DeVane was always second best, always proving herself, and she’s doing it again in her small Montana hometown, trying to get the townsfolk to accept her as their GP.  Some of them would prefer Guy Daley, an experienced E.R. physician who quit his job at a Chicago hospital to take over the executive development program at his late brother’s ranch. 

 

Maude has a history with Guy and it’s not a good one, though neither can forget the sizzling hot kiss they shared.  Maude feels she has to prove herself with Guy, too.  He has to forgive himself for not preventing his brother’s death.  Throw in his rebellious niece who feels lost and unwanted, and there’s a lot of healing needed for all three of them.

 

I totally enjoyed this book.  The characters were believable and likeable.  The rebellious niece was perfection, and I wanted to take care of her myself.  I was rooting for the hero and heroine.  Their struggles pulled at my emotions, and at one point I was cried, but it was a good cry.  I’m looking forward to Brady’s next book.

Iron Horse Rider by Adelle Laudan

Read by Tammy
After losing his wife, Kelly, in a motorcycle accident, Shane feels he’s just got to go somewhere, anywhere, so he gets on his bike and rides, trying to leave his memories and empty life behind him. Stopping in a camp belonging to the Micmac tribe, he is befriended by Chief Gray Owl, and his daughter, Tia. Tia is also widowed, and as Shane and Tia begin to share their griefs, they both begin to come to terms with their losses.
Iron Horse Rider was a great adventure, not only in the sense of being on a motorcycle, but as the author takes you through the emotions of love, loss, friendship, and more. It is obvious that Adelle Lauden has experienced the joy of riding "in the wind", and, as a rider myself, I understand how that can be a way of life. The story is moving and hopeful. 

Over My Dead Body by Michele Bardsley

Read by Heidi
 
Life in Broken Heart, Oklahoma is quite different than other tiny towns. It’s a small secluded town for the parakind. Simone Sweet fits right in being a oil-changing, car-fixing vampire. She leads a relatively normal existence, which is better than her past, and now Braddock Hayes has become a bigger part of her life. But the past is coming to haunt Simone again, since things aren’t always as they appear.   I fell into this story hook, line and sinker. I just couldn’t put it down. I was fascinated by all the different characters, although I kept asking myself if everyone might become some parakind character in the end. It has everything to bring a smile to your face: vampires, werewolves, pixies, dragons and more. I must thank Michele for including a glossary and history lesson at the end. Certainly made my reading more understandable and more fun!
Sepulchre by Kate Mosse

Read by Michelle
 
Two worlds, two times and an evil that transcends between them.  Meredith Martin is an American drawn to Rennes-les-Bains, France, in 2007, to uncover a past that began with Leonie Vernier in 1891.The fates of both Meredith and Leonie are seen in a mysterious deck of Tarot cards.  The cards are the key to unraveling the mysteriousness and superstition surrounding Rennes-les-Bains.
 
Kate Mosse uses such depth and history in her characters and the story that I felt I was in the hotel and gardens myself.  If you like historical fiction then Sepulchre is a must read.

The Matters at Mansfield (Or, The Crawford Affair), by Carrie Bebris

Read by Anne

It is a truth gratefully acknowledged, that a reader in possession of a book by Carrie Bebris, must be expectant of a wonderful mystery. And so the reader is, in this fourth Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery, once more drawn into the world of Jane Austin’s characters, in which Darcy is honor bound to pursue his cousin, Alice, who has eloped to Gretna Green with Mr. Henry Crawford. Circumstances bring the entire family to convene near Mansfield Park, where Mr. Crawford has much to answer for to too many angry people. Elizabeth and Darcy are skillfully working toward avoiding scandal and averting disaster when Crawford is gruesomely murdered.

I shall confess here that I haven’t read Mansfield Park by Ms. Austin, so, obviously, one doesn’t have to be a fan of Jane Austin, or have read the books which the titles reference, to enjoy Ms. Bebris’s mysteries. They’re quite marvelous and satisfying all on their own.

Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy
  Read by Stacey   An intellectual New York bred grad student writing her thesis on the rules for dating NASCAR drivers.  A perfect southern specimen.  But when research turns to romance, will they crash and burn…or reach victory lane?   It’s books like this one that have turned this born and bred New Yorker into a ra
cing fan.  But it isn’t just Erin McCarthy’s way of bringing the sport of Stock Car racing to life that makes this book a winner.  It’s the dialogue.  I love watching heroes and heroines interact with each other, connecting on multiple levels as I get to watch.  I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series.

Secrets of Surrender by Madeline Hunter

Read by Emily

Roselyn Longwood is a ruined woman. After being tricked into becoming a nobleman’s mistress, she is put up for auction at a drunken orgy. Man of affairs, Kyle Bradwell wins Roselyn and sets off to win another battle. The battle of love. Being an average man, he sees his circumstances could make a turn for the better if he marries Roselyn. Even though all of society knows she’s ruined, she still has her families background to fall back on. The only problem is, that Roselyn has more secrets then Kyle thought, and he is keeping some from her too.

  I felt bad for Roselyn, her whole world changed in the blink of an eye and she had no way of stopping it. The story really showed the struggle that women had to go through in that era, but also their resilience. I love Madeline Hunter’s writing, the story is well written, the plot has great pacing and interesting characters. I know that I enjoyed it, and have no qualms about telling you to add it to your TBR pile.

Up Close and Dangerous by Linda Howard
 
Listened to by joysann

    After months of overseeing their inherited millions in trust funds, Bailey Wingate decides to take a vacation and get away from her late husband’s greedy, resentful adult children. When the small private plane malfunctions and the pilot heroically crash lands it in the mountains, Bailey and Captain Cam Justice must rely on each other and their ingenuity to survive the threats of freezing and starvation until they’re rescued. Even as they discover that the engine failure was no accident, they discover their mutual trust and attraction increasing by the hour.
  This was my first Linda Howard book, and I was pleased to find it so interesting. The intrigue, romance and survival story were all exciting, and I didn’t want to stop listening. The audio medium was also new to me: the little gum-pack sized self-contained digital device called a PlayAway was very handy; I just added earbuds. 

Bottom Line:  I’m going to have to start calling myself a part-time New Yorker with all the time I’m spending there lately.  I kinda like it.
  
    

Body Language 102:  Sorting the Truth and Lies

Today, BHB gives a very warm welcome to an old friend who’s quizzes keep us on our toes and our brains sharp.

Margie Lawson—psychotherapist, writer, and international presenter – analyzed hundreds of hours of body language in her post-master’s specialization. Margie taught psychology, communication, and group dynamics courses at the graduate level.  She uses her kinesics expertise in every interaction.

Last year Margie’s BHB blog, Body Language 101 saw thousands getting in touch with what people really mean by watching their bodies.  If you’ve ever had the opportunity to see the tv show Lie To Me, you will find this little quiz even more fascinating.

Interpreting body language is a challenge. How can you tell when someone is lying?  

Experts say that people lie up to 500 times a day. They lie to protect themselves. To avoid conflict.  To control someone.  To impress someone.  To increase interpersonal power.

Over 80% of lies go undetected.  How good are you at spotting lies?

Post a comment for a chance to win a Lecture Packet from Margie Lawson.

TRY LYING QUIZ  (Copyright © 2009 by Margie Lawson.  All Rights Reserved.)

TRUE or FALSE?

   1. People can send and receive up to 10,000 nonverbal cues in less than one minute.

   2. When deceiving, the speaker usually provides longer answers to questions. 

   3. If you mirror someone’s posture, they’re likely to trust you and confide in you more.

   4. You can spot deception by studying someone’s eyes, more than their body.

   5. People who are manipulative will use their hands to illustrate their point before they make their point.

  6. Deceivers mispronounce more words than those telling the truth.                    

  7. When people are deceptive, the pitch of their voice drops.                                                                             

  8. When deceiving others, people move their heads less.

  9. The best way to appear truthful is to appear relaxed

 10. People who are telling the truth lean toward the speaker more frequently than deceivers.

 11. When people are deceiving, they blink less frequently.

 12. Micro-expressions lasting less than one-fifth of a second impact an observer even if they cannot be seen by the naked eye.

 13. Stress may make an innocent person display the same body language as someone who’s guilty.                                    

 14. A skilled deceiver can control their tells.

 15. People who tell the truth, complain less.

 16. Deceivers purse their lips more often than people who are truthful.

 17. A tissue in the nose swells when people are deceptive, making the nose itch.

 18. Deceivers frequently work to convince others they are telling the truth by saying, ‘honestly,’ ‘believe me,’ and ‘to tell you the truth.’

 19. People who are telling the truth smile more often.

 20. If someone frequently touches their face while speaking, it’s likely they are being deceptive. 

 
 ANSWERS to the TRY LYING QUIZ

   1. People can send and receive up to 10,000 nonverbal cues in less than one minute.

      TRUE –  No wonder people have misunderstanding, get angry, argue, and fight.  They miss or misinterpret the body language that qualifies or discounts the verbal message.

   2. When deceiving, the speaker usually provides longer answers to questions.

      FALSE  — People who are not telling the truth share shorter answers and have longer breaks between comments.

   3. If you mirror someone’s posture, they’re likely to trust you and confide in you more.

      TRUE – If you sit or stand in a similar way as the other person, you’ll foster a stronger personal connection.  If you match or cross-match movements and shifts, you’ll take that connection deeper.  It’s called pacing. They rub the side of their face, you tuck your hair behind your ear.  They cross legs, you cross legs and shift your hips.  They sip their coffee, you sip your tea.

      Will the other person notice you are pacing them?  If your movements are smooth and casual, they will never notice.

   4. You can spot deception by studying someone’s eyes, more than their body.

      FALSE – Most people who are deceiving others are aware that their eye and mouth movements reflect their thoughts and emotions.  They put energy into controlling their facial movements.  The rest of their body may divulge their true feelings.

   5. People who are manipulative will use their hands to illustrate their point before they make their point.

      FALSE — People who are telling the truth use their hands to illustrate their point as they begin speaking – before they make their point.  People who are being deceptive share their point verbally, then add hand movements to reinforce what they are saying. They have to concentrate more to share the lie verbally.  Once said, they can use their hands to bolster their point. 

   6. Deceivers mispronounce more words than those telling the truth.

       TRUE – They also have more vocal fillers, um, er, uh and they may have more false starts speaking, to the point of stuttering.

  7. When people are deceptive, the pitch of their voice drops.                                                             &nbs
p;                
       FALSE – Anxiety makes the pitch of their voice higher.  

   8. When deceiving others, people move their heads less.

      TRUE – They control their head movements.

   9. The best way to appear truthful is to appear relaxed.

      FALSE  –  The best way to appear truthful is to  make your body language congruent with your verbal message.   People who are lying can appear relaxed. 

  10. People who are telling the truth lean toward the speaker more frequently than deceivers.

      FALSE  –  It’s called the Liar’s Lean.  People who are deceptive lean forward more frequently, often resting elbows on knees or a table, as if angling closer to the speaker makes them appear more genuine. 

  11. When people are deceiving, they blink less frequently.

      FALSE – Research indicates that people who are being deceptive blink had a significantly higher rate.  

  12. Micro-expressions lasting less than one-fifth of a second impact an observer even if they cannot be seen by the naked eye.

    TRUE –  The observer knows something is not right.  They may not know what is giving them that vibe, but their spidey feeling (sixth sense) tells them not to trust someone.  Trust your spidey feelings!

  13. Stress may make an innocent person display the same body language as someone who’s guilty.                                                                                            

      TRUE – It is critical to assess and calibrate someone’s body language in relation to other dynamics before assigning blame or guilt. 

  14. A skilled deceiver can control their tells.

      FALSE   — They may control their facial expression and gross movements, but they cannot control micro-expressions and ideomotoric shifts.

  15. People who tell the truth, complain less.

      TRUE – Deceivers complain.  They want attention and support.    

  16. Deceivers purse their lips more often than people who are truthful.

      TRUE  — They tighten their lips as if they are trying to keep the truth from slipping through their lips. 

  17. A tissue in the nose swells when people deceive, making it itch.

      TRUE — Dr. ALAN HIRSCH calls this the ‘Pinocchio phenomenon.’ Engorgement of the nasal tissue prompts the liar to rub his nose.  

  18. Deceivers frequently work to convince others they are telling the truth by saying, ‘honestly,’ ‘believe me,’ and ‘to tell you the truth.’

      TRUE  –  They use these words and phrases more frequently than people telling the truth.

  19. People who are telling the truth smile more often.

      FALSE – People who are not telling the truth share significantly more smiles.

  20. If someone frequently touches their face while speaking, it’s likely they are being deceptive. 

      TRUE – Touching face, neck, hands, and arms are all self-touch cues which indicate deception.  Consider self-touch cues a human polygraph.     

  TRY LYING Quiz, Scoring Key:   16 – 20:   You are a Super Human Polygraph 13 – 15:   You are two body language courses short of being a detective 9 – 12:     Be wary of kids and salesmen. 8 or lower:   Trust your dog’s instincts.  Take the dog with you everywhere.  Post a comment and you may win a Lecture Packet from Margie Lawson!

I got 8 wrong, which doesn’t bode well for me.  I’m obviously terrible at telling when people are lying.

Bottom Line:  Watch what you say to me from now on because I’ll REALLY be watching you!

In honor of Memorial Day, I created a separate blog for the Monday Giveaways.  But be sure to go back and read the Memorial Day blog and leave the names of those you’d like honor.

Due to popular demand, I’ll now post on Mondays any contests that authors are having on their website.  Here’s your chance to win big.  Visit these authors/publishers:

From the Writers Playground:  June 16^th Big Hair Day on the blog and if you send us pictures of your Texas Hair, your Mall Bangs, your poodle perm, or even that asymmetrical Flock of Seagulls hairstyle you wore so proudly, there will be competitions, bragging rights to be gained, prizes, and much amusement at what used to be so attractive.  Send your entries here.

From Susan Hanniford Crowley:  Guest blogger Emily Bryan will be giving one lucky commenter a signed copy of Pleasuring the Pirate. 

From Joy Nash:  Win multi book sets and T-shirts from Joy Nash and Angie Fox on Joy Nash’s Blog

From Book Talk with J & J: 

From Judi Fennell:  Author Judi Fennell is raffling off 3 romantic beach getaway weekends Ocean City, NJ and West Palm Beach Florida to celebrate the launch of each of her Mer series books. 

From Sandy Blair: Sandy Blair is giving away a lovely Murano glass pendent necklace and a hard cover, autographed copy of A Thief In A Kilt on her website.   

From Christie Craig:  Christie Craig is giving away a signed copy of her new humorous romantic suspense, GOTCHA! 

From Lori Brighton:  Lori Brighton is interviewing atuhor Julie Garwood, stop by for a chance to win Julie’s book!

Anyone interested in being included in this Monday Feature may email me at barbaravey@gmail.com.  Include one sentence to describe your giveaway and your website address.  Subject of email:  Monday Giveaways

Bottom Line:  You can’t win if you don’t enter!
 

According to Wikipedia, Memorial Day is: a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

I can still remember calling it Decoration Day when I was a kid.  We’d go to the cemetary and put flags on the graves of the brave men and women who served the U.S.  Now, to some, it seems like a long weekend with no mail and cookouts.  Which is fine, as long as they fly the flag that made these long weekends possible and remember the people who got us here.

Many thanks to all of our Military Personnel. 

Please feel free to post the name(s) of your family and friends for us to honor or just say thanks.

Bottom Line:  "For love of country they accepted death…"  ~James A. Garfield

What is it about Sunday’s that makes it so special?  Usually a relaxing day off of work, reading the Sunday paper with all the sale ads in it, watching a sporting event on tv, going to church, watching "24."  So many things to do and so little time in those short 24 hours every Sunday.  So, have another cup of coffee and enjoy the latest offerings from Sunday Matinees.  Who knows, it might make you want to stop at the bookstore today aand lounge around with an extra special read.

Forbidden Nights with a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks


What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

Kiss of Darkness by Jennifer St. Giles

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

First Comes Love, Then Comes Money by Bethany and Scott Palmer

Rock Bound by Rochelle Weber

Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky

And on Tuesday, Margie Lawson returns with one of her famous quizzes. This time about how to tell if someone is lying. Always a treat when Margie visits BHB.

Bottom Line: Now go and enjoy this lovely Sunday. I’m off to St. Louis to visit the grandkids for a few days. I’m sure there will be stories to share.

We have a new YA reader joining us today.  Everyone please welcome Connor.  From all the emails I’ve received, I have to say that YA is growing in popularity, so feel free to send me a message if you’d like to join the gang or if you’re a writer or publisher and would like to send books to be made available to these young people.

Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon   Read by Connor, 10   Danny Dragonbreath is, of coarse, a dragon. He goes to a reptile and amphibian school because he can’t breath fire like other dragons. When Danny fails his first report about the sea his teacher gives him another day to re-do it. Instead of researching about the sea all day he goes on an underwater adventure with his cousin that is a sea creature! His cousin, his iguana friend and him go on a crazy adventure under the sea.   My favorite part of this book is the perfect combination of adventure and comedy. The little pictures though out the book really helped me imagine the book and bring it to life. If you liked the Dairy of a Wimpy Kid books then you will love this book. I really liked this book and I recommend it to someone in elementary or middle school.

Token By Alisa Kwitney and Joelle Jones (Manga)
 
Read By Bekah, 17
 
Shira is a lonely girl who’s never been kissed. She’s a sucker for romance and drama, yet, dislikes the idea of change. Of course, that means everything has to go wrong all at once. Suddenly, Shira finds herself breaking away from the good girl lifestyle and drifting towards a rebel image. That’s how she finds herself in the arms of delinquent who shows her the glories of being bad. Her life is finally starting to have that spark that she’s always dreamed it would have. But her father is starting to notice the changes in Shira and she wonders how long it’s going to be before this all blows up in her face.

This is perfect for any girl who feels trapped in a world too safe for her own good. I could really connect to the need for action that Shira has and couldn’t wait to see how it all turned out. Everyone needs a little drama in their life and Token reveals the sweets and sorrows that go along with taking risks.

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

Read by Alexis, 15

Kaylee can scream louder than any Jonas Brothers fan girl but, it’s not for three cute guys. It’s because she can sense when someone near her is going to die and she can do nothing about it but scream at the top of her lungs! But when young, healthy teen girls start dropping dead for no reason, only Kaylee knows who will be next.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was interesting getting inside Kaylee’s head. To feel every joy, every sorrow and every blood curtailing scream she cried. It had me begging for more through the whole book. I can’t wait till 2010 to unravel more of the story. Any person looking for a different kind of story will love this book just as much as I did.

The Demon’s Lexicon By Sarah Rees Brennan
 
Read By Bekah, 17
 
Nick’s world is full of danger and violence, just the way he likes it. Unfortunately, his brother, Alan, doesn’t feel the same way. To Nick’s great distaste, Alan’s idea of a good time is helping others. Which is how they get suckered in to trying to save Jamie, a boy marked by demons. All Nick wants to do is fuel the rage he feels by slaying as many magicians as he can. But Alan has other ideas. Now, Nick has to save Jamie and Alan. The only thing standing in Nick’s way are the dark secrets about his past that everyone but him seems to know. Nick just hopes he can get through it all with as much blood and death as he can create.

I absolutely loved this book. Any girl who likes the tall, dark, and vicious will fall head over heals for Nick. He’s the bad boy who is actually bad. Demon’s Lexicon is a major page turner with amazing twists and turns. I couldn’t put it down!

Another great job from our intrepid blurbers.  Thanks all.  But our bookshelf is getting pretty low, so I’m looking for books and readers.  Please email me if interested in participating in this very worthy program.  barbaravey@gmail.com

Bottom Line:  Children are made readers on the laps of their parents. ~  Emilie Buchwald