tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704541325884998222024-03-08T06:55:08.528-08:00CF DupreyWelcome to the official site for CF Duprey.CF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370454132588499822.post-28722060859789505042020-11-29T05:17:00.000-08:002020-11-29T05:17:16.992-08:00Cyber Monday 2020<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuVLF7Hv-PMaIerIrTkWrYpKPzj2u473mpSG5bY0YCL9Ll7vOIyDR_ldXcvh6BY-NoZG40XnIUKI3MVb-24u_-uDtjewxYH6nikhUNAksFh-StA4sM3WrDkVTiNkNOrPh57Zkl6WjkM-O/s2048/Smashwords+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1253" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuVLF7Hv-PMaIerIrTkWrYpKPzj2u473mpSG5bY0YCL9Ll7vOIyDR_ldXcvh6BY-NoZG40XnIUKI3MVb-24u_-uDtjewxYH6nikhUNAksFh-StA4sM3WrDkVTiNkNOrPh57Zkl6WjkM-O/w123-h200/Smashwords+cover.jpg" width="123" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_FuYZAeCliwue6NrOhkoGcvqlHHdZcxrQzje0Cd619hsCE7JxhQ4epI_iO932U8IidaYfdxlReVjPZVrq_cMai1R0g7967ixqR4SWO6miJYFSLLetwz7o1Co3nfwXuoEjj4jXRAYuzJ3/s2048/submission+revealed++Smaswords.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1253" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_FuYZAeCliwue6NrOhkoGcvqlHHdZcxrQzje0Cd619hsCE7JxhQ4epI_iO932U8IidaYfdxlReVjPZVrq_cMai1R0g7967ixqR4SWO6miJYFSLLetwz7o1Co3nfwXuoEjj4jXRAYuzJ3/w123-h200/submission+revealed++Smaswords.jpg" width="123" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijti-t2yrke_YysOErt4weuziZ_XI0wt2GfCvg4V2HT7-xrIMf0ITPb_iqpjj8I0jQQbtEojQE11mtMQRxnI7Pux8klk3PpFu-9GTqNnftzLYzQ5LOQj-6syH8aM5w3g2Vddw5ViM9xCWJ/s2048/SR+new+cover+Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1222" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijti-t2yrke_YysOErt4weuziZ_XI0wt2GfCvg4V2HT7-xrIMf0ITPb_iqpjj8I0jQQbtEojQE11mtMQRxnI7Pux8klk3PpFu-9GTqNnftzLYzQ5LOQj-6syH8aM5w3g2Vddw5ViM9xCWJ/w119-h200/SR+new+cover+Kindle.jpg" width="119" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz7PTfN0SPND0sz0q8DdNGcqgMm6OntvIWj5Y4PQ71k9OQfzihzjD9MiFV7QdDqT_XbcwBnloCtI4x-HqnYzKDbHmchcXRcBp-_mz_skUipNb1EIb4hu9R3FQO_D_vsQ1RE7SRFDzHBrw/s960/d+submission+new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="577" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz7PTfN0SPND0sz0q8DdNGcqgMm6OntvIWj5Y4PQ71k9OQfzihzjD9MiFV7QdDqT_XbcwBnloCtI4x-HqnYzKDbHmchcXRcBp-_mz_skUipNb1EIb4hu9R3FQO_D_vsQ1RE7SRFDzHBrw/w120-h200/d+submission+new.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Get all four books in the Submission series for the price of one!</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Head on over to Smashwords (use the links below) to get each book at $1.00 or less. Fill out your own collection or pass the codes on to friends!</span></p><p><br /></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><em><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/799686" href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/799686" target="_blank">Secret Submission</a> </em>- SB75W</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><em><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/802350" href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/802350" target="_blank">Submission Revealed</a> </em>- ZV74H</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1016877" href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1016877" target="_blank"><em>Services Rendered</em></a> - WE66N</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1017518" href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1017518" target="_blank"><em>Diamond Submission</em></a> - UH89L</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sale only lasts until Wednesday, December 2nd, so don't wait!</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>CF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370454132588499822.post-60046570259533019092012-11-26T17:28:00.001-08:002012-11-26T17:28:44.930-08:00Hardship and Hardtack on sale In honor of Cyber Monday, <b><i>Hardship and Hardtack </i></b>is on sale. Follow the link below and use the coupon code to get 25% of your purchase of the ebook format of your choice.<br />
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<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/83240?ref=dianahunter">Hardship and Hardtack</a> (on sale at Smashwords) Coupon code: <span style="background-color: white;">FD86P</span><br />
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This offer ends Friday, so get your copy today!CF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370454132588499822.post-54184245140722331842012-05-30T19:25:00.000-07:002012-05-30T19:25:02.185-07:00Wow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In my websurfing tonight, I did a quick search for my name. The entire first page of Google's results were for 1) this blog or 2) the book available for sale on several sites. So far, so good.<br />
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But then, on the second page of returned results, I saw a copy of <b><i>Hardship and Hardtack</i></b> on eBay. This surprised me as I've sold only a handful of the paperback editions and I know almost everyone who bought one (several of them I met this weekend!). Who would be selling their copy already???<br />
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Turns out to be an online retailer in Australia. I'm thinking, "How on earth did one of my books get to Australia?" Then I read this little gem in the small print, "<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Once you have placed your order we will immediately order it from our supplier. We generally receive items from this supplier within 7 to 14 days. Please ADD the extra time it will take to get from Booktopia's Sydney warehouse to you via Australia Post."</span><br />
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In other words, they'd order it from <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3676693">Createspace</a>, get the book in and then resell it to the purchaser for a highly inflated price (currently $27.40)!<br />
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Now, I have no trouble with free enterprise. The very fact that I sell my writing should give you a clue that I have capitalistic leanings (Only leanings. If I were a full-fledged capitalist, I'd be in banking or on Wall Street). And I get my cut from the sale at <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3676693">Createspace</a>, so if he/she wants a cut too, who am I to complain?<br />
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No, the part that surprises me most of all? That anyone would bother buying from them when, with a simple Internet search, they can buy direct from <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3676693">Createspace</a> and save the middleman and his markup! Heck, I've put three links in this blog post alone to point readers in the right direction!<br />
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If you'd like a print copy of <i><b>Hardship and Hardtack</b></i>, let me encourage you to save your pennies and purchase <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3676693">direct here</a>. Or save even more and buy an ebook copy from any one of those sites that comes up in search (although<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/83240"> my preference is from Smashwords</a>. The owner treats authors well and you can get all formats on the site).<br />
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No matter where you purchase your copy, of course, the important part is that you purchase it. If you don't have your copy yet, why not? In this 150th anniversary year commemorating the start of the American Civil War, this is an easy way to learn a little history and live the life of a Union soldier!<br />
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CF Duprey</div>CF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370454132588499822.post-89869415866883358072012-05-28T14:43:00.005-07:002012-05-28T14:43:56.511-07:00Coupon code<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I sold several ebooks coupons over the weekend. If you bought one and are having trouble with the code, please contact me at cfduprey@yahoo.com!</div>CF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370454132588499822.post-75004142823231649602012-05-26T06:00:00.000-07:002012-05-26T06:00:04.069-07:00Memorial Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Waterloo, NY is the officially recognized birthplace of Memorial Day. The village takes great pride in the fact that they have recognized our fallen heroes in a ceremony that goes back 145 years, never missing a single year.<br />
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They also recognize, however, the more modern attitude toward the three-day weekend as the official start of summer. To that end, they hold a<a href="http://www.waterloony.com/Mday2009.html"> Celebrate/Commemorate festiva</a>l over the first two days and a more solemn commemoration on Monday. Of course, everyone in Waterloo knows Monday isn't the real commemoration. That honor is reserved for May 30th and, no matter what day of the week the 30th falls, that will be the day the village holds it's most solemn ceremonies to honor the dead.<br />
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Today and tomorrow, though, are the Celebrate part of the weekend and I will be there selling copies of <i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hardship-and-Hardtack-ebook/dp/B005IG2EGO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337981978&sr=8-1">Hardship and Hardtack</a></b></i> (both paperback and ebook formats) at a reduced price. I'm sharing a booth with my husband (if you haven't seen his paintings, <a href="http://www.dupreyart.com/">check them out here</a>) and we're right near the monument in the center of the park in downtown Waterloo. If you buy a copy, I'll even sign it for you!<br />
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Then, on Saturday evening at 5:00, I'll be joining my husband and Ave and Tina Bauder on Oak Island for another performance of <b>The Last Full Measure</b>, our quartet that performs songs of the Civil War. I'll also be reading from <i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hardship-Hartack-C-F-Duprey/dp/1466257768/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1337981978&sr=8-4">Hardship and Hardtack</a></b></i> during that performance. This year there are several re-enactment groups camped on Oak Island. Teddy Roosevelt, Clara Barton, Sojourner Truth and Abraham Lincoln will make appearances as well.<br />
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So if you're near Waterloo, NY tomorrow or Sunday, stop in and see me. And then on Monday, take a moment to remember those who gave their all.<br />
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C<br />
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<br /></div>CF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370454132588499822.post-86586197003134078492012-04-26T16:38:00.001-07:002012-04-26T16:38:27.798-07:00Civil War musicFour of us have formed <b>The Last Full Measure</b>, a group that performs Civil War songs interspersed with readings from some of the literature of the time, including some Richard Bassett's letters that are featured in <i><b><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/83240?ref=dianahunter">Hardship and Hardtack</a></b></i>. We had our first performance last night and had a ton of fun!<br /><div>
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Steve is on guitar and harmony, Tina sings soprano, Ave sings melody (and does an incredible reading of the Gettysburg Address), and I sing alto (and harmony). We present a wide range of songs from both the North and the South -- in fact, my husband's uniform is that of a Confederate artilleryman. Ave wears the blue and red of a Northern artillery unit, so both sides are well-represented. In fact, we sing both Maryland, My Maryland and the Northerner's Reply, sung to the same tune.</div>
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Our next performance is in Waterloo, NY (the official Birthplace of Memorial Day) at the end of May. I'll post times and the specific location when I find out more. </div>
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And of course, both <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/83240?ref=dianahunter">ebook</a> and <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3676693">print</a> copies of <b><i>Hardship and Hardtack</i></b> will be available!</div>
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Peace,</div>
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C</div>CF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370454132588499822.post-85403374846331672412011-11-27T14:53:00.000-08:002011-11-27T14:53:22.161-08:00Cyber Monday Sale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> In honor of Cyber Monday, you can get the ebook format of <i><b>Hardship and Hardtack</b></i> on sale for 15% off. Use the coupon code below <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/83240">at Smashwords</a> to purchase your ebook today!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>FK72F</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">Offer good Monday and Tuesday, November 28th and 29th only.</span></div></div>CF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370454132588499822.post-7094136182857187682011-09-03T13:21:00.000-07:002011-09-03T13:21:34.833-07:00All the links are live!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well, it was a learning experience, that's for darn sure. But now <i><b>HARDSHIP AND HARDTACK</b></i> is live (sans formatting errors) at <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3676693">Createspace for prin</a>t, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IG2EGO">Kindle store</a>, the <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Hardship-and-Hardtack/CF-Duprey/e/2940013034143">Nook store</a>, and, for all other ebook formats, the <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/83240">Smashwords store</a>.<br />
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The 126th New York Volunteers left Geneva, NY on a hot August day, 1861, ready to do their part to preserve the Union. Little did they know that they'd serve less than a month before becoming prisoners of war and labeled the "Harper's Ferry Cowards." <i><b>HARDSHIP AND HARDTACK </b></i>tells the story of their first year of service through the eyes of Richard Bassett, first Lieutenant of Company B, and his brother Erasmus (Rass). Because Richard's wife kept all of her husband's letters, today we have this revealing insight into the everyday life of a Union soldier.<br />
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Contact me at cfduprey@yahoo.com if you'd like to set up a reading or booksigning. I'm currently booking for October through December.</div>CF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370454132588499822.post-33310288906559883002011-08-30T08:33:00.000-07:002011-08-30T08:33:23.402-07:00Trials and Tribulations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I got the print proof from CreateSpace today and immediately found a typo. Grrrr...<br />
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Right now my plan is to read through the proof, fix the copy and upload it to Createspace, then go through the ebook formats to see if the same typos are there (the one I found is fine in the ebooks). If they are, I'll fix and reload, but I'm optimistic about them. If you've purchased an ebook format of the book and find an error, please comment below or send me an email so I can take care of it! And yes, I'll send you a free copy of the book <i>without</i> the error. :)<br />
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Thanks to all who have purchased so far. Print will be coming soon, I promise!<br />
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C</div>CF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370454132588499822.post-2798726611906233852011-08-27T16:50:00.000-07:002011-08-27T16:50:03.056-07:00Smashwords down<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">At the moment, the only ebook formats that are available for <i><b>HARDSHIP AND HARDTACK</b></i> are<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IG2EGO"> the Kindle</a> and <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Hardship-and-Hardtack/CF-Duprey/e/2940013034143">the Nook</a>. There were some formatting errors with the other formats, so those are currently offline while I fix them. I'll let you know when those are live again.<div><br />
</div><div>Thanks for your patience!</div><div><br />
</div><div>C.</div></div>CF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370454132588499822.post-72373144166234260672011-08-25T07:38:00.000-07:002011-08-25T07:51:47.673-07:00HARDSHIP AND HARDTACK releases!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As of today you can purchase all ebook formats of <b><i>HARDSHIP AND HARDTACK</i></b>, the first volume of Richard Bassett's life as a soldier during the Civil War. Links to all the format are in the sidebar under the picture of the cover or you can go here <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IG2EGO">for the Kindle</a> format, here<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hardship-and-hardtack-cf-duprey/1105028069?ean=2940013034143&itm=1&usri=hardship%2band%2bhardtack"> for the Nook</a> and here <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/83240">for all other formats</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book has been a long time coming. Many thanks to RL Murray for first telling me Richard's story all those years ago. I also want to say thank you to some of my early readers who put up with some truly awful drafts and give a special thank you to my Dad who gave me my love of history in the first place.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another thank you to my daughter for the cover design and to all the men and women who are involved in keeping our history alive through re-enactments. You offer a valuable service, as do the local historical societies who preserve our past so that we might learn from it. Thank you to you all.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A print version will be coming soon, so watch this space for that announcement. Till then, here's an excerpt from the first chapter to whet your appetite (or just go buy the ebook!).</span><br />
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from <i><b>HARDSHIP AND HARDTACK</b></i><br />
CF Duprey<br />
All Rights Reserved<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> “Dresden!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the sound of the steamer’s captain’s call, most of the men of Company B crowded the decks to get one last look at home. Each of the companies had done the same thing at various points along the way as the steamer passed one hometown after another. He watched as eagerly as the rest to see the families left behind.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It seemed as if all of PennYan had traveled the five miles to the dock at Dresden. A band played and ladies waved their handkerchiefs, all to send them on their way with fond memories of home. Even Richard found himself caught up in the gaiety and waved back almost as vehemently as the others, though he knew Mary wouldn’t be there. Their farm lay further south, closer to Dundee. He would look for his wife there.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dresden faded into the distance, the sound of the band lingering long after the town slipped out of sight. Now they approached Lakemont, where he suspected his wife would be. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As they came into sight of the tiny hamlet, Richard strained his eyes, his heart beating hard. This would be the last glimpse of his family he’d get for a very long time. His eyes misted as he thought of it, but a surreptitious wipe of his sleeve got rid of them. He didn’t want his last look at his wife blurred by tears.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He saw his father first, standing straight and tall on the shoreline, saluting. Rass joined Richard at the side of the steamer and the two brothers stood at attention, returning the salute. And there was Mary, waving a blue handkerchief. He chuckled and remembered that she had told him it wouldn’t be a white one because she wasn’t going to surrender her husband to the army, only loan him. And so she waved a blue handkerchief that matched the blue of the uniform he would soon wear. By her side were his two little boys, Eddie and Georgie. At four years old, Eddie was old enough to understand a little of where his father was going.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He stood between his grandfather and his mother, shyly waving at the big boat. Georgie had just taken his first steps last week, and clung unsteadily to Mary’s skirts. As he watched, Mary scooped up the baby and held him for Richard to see.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The shoreline passed all too fast. Richard hardly noticed that Lill, their sister, also waved, as did Kate, Rass’ current love interest. No, his eyes were for Mary and the boys. The two brothers traveled back along the rail to the rear of the boat, keeping their family in their eyes as long as they could. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A moment later and the trees hid the sight of the small knot of people on the shore. The two stood in silence as the boat continued south, finally turning as one to pick their way back to their belongings.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No bands played now and the mood turned somber as each man thought of the ones he left</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">behind. It would be a long time before they would be back here again. Some would never come back.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The silent shore drifted past in an unbroken line of woodland. Not too many people lived right on the shore. The farms that bordered the lake tended to be up on the hills where the breezes cooled the houses and the sun warmed the earth. Richard thought of the haying they had just finished and tried not to worry about his father getting in the corn with only the help of a few old men and young boys. In spite of the conversation he’d had with Mary before he left, he knew she’d help harvest as well, a task he really didn’t want her doing. Her place was with the children, providing them a safe home he intended to come home to.</span></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And with that...go buy the book!</span><br />
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</span></div>CF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370454132588499822.post-10739183493904379952011-08-21T18:00:00.000-07:002011-08-21T18:00:20.908-07:00Intro postJust a post to set up this blog as my official presence on the web. HARDSHIP & HARDTACK is the first book that will be released under this name, although it is not my first published book. Off to set up the blog roll, the book pages, and all the other design elements a good site should have. By the end of the week this will be fully operational.<br />
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CFDCF Dupreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03876673895264025602noreply@blogger.com3