Executive Editor/Editor-in-Chief - Laurence O’Bryan Associate Editor - Tanja Slijepčević Assistant Editor - Elisabeth Schaffalitzky Graphic Designer - Mirna Gilman
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Table of contents 04 Editor’s Letter 06 Christmas: from culturalist’s stance by ken johnson 10 You by Daniel Norrish 16 World Building 101 by Simon Lindley 19 Adriana by Richard Correa Sr. 34 Interview with kaylin brooke 46 FREE BOOKS EVERY DAY 58 10(ish) Questions with Ken Bruen and Craig McDonald 67 Achieving maximum longevity by William Wilburn 77 Interview with George A. Tyrell 82 Interview with Linda Brossi Murphy 88 Fullmer Excerpt from Christmas in Smithville by Kirsten 92 96 92
Silent Song coming to life by Jaci Wheeler Excerpt from Seduction of Santa by Emma Calin The Art of Graphic novel by Zachary Block
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Editor’s letter
Editor’s letter
Hi, You are very welcome to our Special Holiday Issue magazine ‘17! Winter is a wonderful time for reading. What better way to find new books to read than in a magazine that features great title and great offers. If you look around our magazine, you’ll find gift guide recommendations for the holiday season, holiday book giveaways with more than 80 books available for free download, and our Advent Calendar on BooksGoSocial - a few free books every day! Don’t miss this.
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Fantasy author Simon Lindley offered his own point of view of world building, based on his newest fantasy novel Mannethorn’s Key. Crime writers Ken Bruen and Craig McDonald had a chat about life and writing - don’t miss it on page 58. There are several excerpts and short stories - from romances like Christmas in Smithville and Seduction of Santa to fantasy paranormal stories such as Adrianna by Richard Correa Sr. We hope you enjoy it! And if you have any ideas for articles or things you would like to see covered in our magazines, let me know. Happy holidays! Laurence O’Bryan Editor in Chief Holiday Reading Magazine
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Christmas: From a Culturalist’s Stance Ken Johnson -
Of all the Western holidays, only Christmas has this unique ability to expand, conflate, and evolve while seemingly believed by many to be static and fixed in age-old traditions. Ironically, what traditions many think are ancient really are no more than a few generations old. Meanwhile, fairly new traditions are actually proven to be quite ancient! It is important to note that Christmas started off as an assemblage of many unrelated pagan festivals. Ironically, many of these original holidays often morphed into a celebration of the birth of a singular, proto-Jesus deity. Most were deities of the harvest who had beards, carried torches or staffs, had flying chariots pulled by strange beasts, etc. All of this proved to be fodder for what we now know as Christmas. The foods we eat, the parasitic plants we kiss under, myths surrounding Jesus, and even Santa Claus all have their roots in these early pagan traditions. Even the term Noel refers back to antiquity when gods, like Adonis and Bacchus, were celebrated in proto-Jesus fashion at festivals. Both were virile, bearded, carried staffs adorned with greenery, and bidded men good tidings. Later, Christians kept the tradition alive by creating Lord Nowell (as in Know Well). This green robe wearing, bearded, young man world burst into taverns wishing mankind glad tidings and to know well Jesus the Christ. Later, American Christians would change him to an old man wearing red robes while the French changed his name to Noel. Centuries later, he was revived, by Charles Dickens, as the ghost of Christmas present in A Christmas Carol. It should be said, in many parts of the world, Christmas was mostly left to be celebrated by the Catholics and Lutherans. Deemed un-Christian by most of pre-Victorian era Protestant Christianity, Christmas was instead replaced with cultural festivals, from pagan times, like Misrule and Yule. Indeed, most of America, for a time, only celebrated Thanksgiving. Only in New England was Christmas ever truly embraced in the United States. Still, that didn’t stop iconic figures, like George Washington, from throwing lavish Christmastime parties.
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Neither did it stop two religious academics, both related to each other, from becoming embroiled in an authorship dispute over the most famous and transformative Christmas poem ever, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” This poem marked a pivotal change in Christmas. It codified many unrelated customs into one and standardized Santa Claus forevermore. No longer was he pulled by horses, he was now elven and therefore magical. Yes, today’s Santa is based upon the model of a urine-drinking elf, pulled along in a sleigh affixed to a team of flying female reindeer hopped-up on psychedelic mushrooms. Yes! Whoever wrote that transformative piece obviously had studied shamanic practices of Siberia and Lapland. Both cultures revere eight as a sacred number while the red and white is representative of the fly agaric hallucinogenic mushroom used by the shaman. The reindeer are fed the mushrooms to filter out the toxins. Their urine is then collected and drank to give a sense of shamanic flight. We know the deer are females because only female reindeer have antlers in the winter. Even the names are mostly old German and refer to female attributes such as fertility. Rudolph muddled this up a bit by being the only male on the team. Ironically, his story was almost never told because the publisher thought his red nose was too representative of an alcoholic. Interestingly enough, by depicting him with antlers, we now know he was castrated in his youth being only fixed male reindeer still have antlers in the winter. If you think about it, nothing about Christmas is what it seems to be. Ever growing and ever changing, we still see it somehow as being static and true. This con man of holidays, this corruptor of history and truth still has much for us to learn about. For now, maybe these facts have piqued the curiosity of a few to pull back the veil and learn more. After all “tis the season” but “to what end” is really the question!
Ken Johnson is a culturalist and award-winning author. His compendium of Christmas folklore and facts is set to be released in 2018 by Southern Yellow Pine Publishing.
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The Sweet Adventures of Henry P. Twist - The Island of Milk and Honey by B.W. Van Alstyne
Children’s
A cargo ship has gone missing and a bitter dispute between two territories on the Island of Milk and Honey is quickly reaching its boiling point.
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Henry Peppermint Twist and his intrepid, elven friends set sail across the Ice Cream Sea in search of the missing vessel; unaware that a more sinister plot has been set in motion to destroy the peace on every island, in one of the tastiest places in all faeriedom.
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The Adventures of Charlie Chameleon: School Days by Ellen L. Buikema Charlie Chameleon and his friends are having trouble with Boris Bunny, the class bully. Charlie thinks Boris is putting on an act, but his friends disagree. Follow Charlie’s adventures as he helps Boris learn how to be a friend. Each chapter ends with one or more fun activities for children and parents or teachers to do together, related to the actions in the stories. “Charlie doesn’t leave home without his obnoxious pet fish, Frankie . Not even when he goes to school. This story deals with real life school situations, offering a message of showing kindness in all situations. The Find Frankie in The Museum activity draws you into the story. This book encourages positive friendships through its adorable antics.” - CR, Amazon.com
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Would you buy a ticket for a lottery that never draws a winner? What if the grand prize was wagon-load of gold? The town of Plainview thought that sounded good. So did the town’s most famous reporter, James Henderson, until he noticed his hometown starting to fall apart after the adoption of such a lottery. He decides to write an article to expose the lottery operators as the swindlers he suspects they are, but he knows he’ll have a hard time proving anything. Can he find the truth before lottery mania destroys Plainview?
Contemporary
The Plainview Lottery by Markas Dvaras
“Hall creates a story that feels like a fleshed-out parable, a larger than life satire. Building on the concept of the advent of a lottery, I appreciated the way this book took on many dimensions, and arrives as a complete and polished work. An enjoyable read that employs both humor and pathos.” JD, Amazon.com “This book was recommended to me by a close friend who knows that I only read non-fiction boring technical books, biographies and ancient metaphysical writings still on papyrus. With that out of the way, I dove into a new novel with no preconceived ideas, other than it’s about a lottery in small town America. Everybody wants gold and most of us have played the lottery, right? Well, this book took my mind on a analytical ride of twists and turns and into the minds of the townspeople of Plainview during a “once in a life time” town lottery. The novel was set in a time that was about as innocent as it could get, while keeping a level of suspense during each lotto drawing of “What next?” It was hilarious!” D.Knowles Amazon. com
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Shimji, the Channel Island Vixen by Christina Steiner Shimji, a young Channel Island vixen, dreams to go where no Island fox has ever gone. She stows away on a boat headed to the California coast. During her adventure on the main-land, Shimji befriends wild and domesticated animals. Shimji longs to return home, but scientists want to send her to a zoo. Can Shimji escape and find her way back to her island home?
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short stories
You By Daniel Norrish
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Waking takes a little longer this morning. Your eyes open slowly to the ribbon of light sneaking into your bed through that gap in the curtains. It’s early, but you smile. You roll around for a moment in the warmth of the bed. They’re beside you breathing heavily. You think of last night and the day before. Then you think of the night before that and the years of companionship and love which brought you to this place. You can’t see the scar on your partner’s head anymore, the hair around it is too long, but you know it’s there. The pale surgical mark reminds you of your fortune and how easily everything could disappear. The moments of anguish and anger are quickly forgotten. You want to wake them, but you don’t. The chill only teases you for a minute before you step into the warm shower. The heat sails around you in the steam and you can only just see the bottle of bubble bath and moisturiser on the shelf when you decide to open your eyes. When you close them, there’s nothing but that familiar smell of yourself, the toasty caress of water that’s just a little too hot and the promise of a new day. In the kitchen, you fry eggs for the boys and mix fruit salad for your fussy little angel. The yolks harden slightly as the whites turn opaque and butter spits and sends up that delicious scent. You decide to add a little passionfruit pulp to the salad. Why not? A few kisses and you’re walking to the bus stop. The journey is long, but you don’t mind. The street outside the wide windows of the bus is adorned with red and green baubles and it’s hot today, but shopfronts are still decorated with fake snow. Santa is everywhere. You check your emails. You listen to a little music. You text a friend and you find twelve minutes to read some of that book you never get enough time for. Soon you’re at work. The restaurant is already busy and you know it’ll be full at lunch. You take orders and smile. It’s not a fake smile; it’s real. You love the social side of the job. You love being paid to chat to that woman who always wants to talk about her son, even though the child is only one and hasn’t really done anything worth talking about yet. You love watching the toddlers drool as their fathers walk them past the cake cabinet. You love life and the warm sun reminds you of that fact every day. It never rains for long. Soon people rush in and start relaxing. They order Shiraz from the east, Chardonnay from the west and Sauvignon Blanc from our friends in New Zealand. A thin man in a vest and pinstriped trousers sips whisky as he scoops up little mouthfuls of risotto. He chats to a younger woman who slowly picks at a pavlova. She takes tiny little bites and enjoys the texture of it over her tongue with the taste of sweetened whipped cream.
They laugh in harmony as they share their lives around this perfect meal. A large group of men and women sit at one long table and tell jokes. As they yell back and forth, the strangers around them eavesdrop and giggle at the silliness of it all. “What are the three major Australian political parties?” “What?” “Liberal, Labour and cocktail!” A roar of mirth rises from the large table and sweeps the room, infecting everyone. You can smell lamb and that miraculous aroma of rosemary. Pepper. You can hear the bacon crackling on the grill. Soon it’s your break and you order the fish. It’s breaded and fried in a shallow pan. You want to know what it’s seasoned with but the chef is too busy to talk. You squeeze a thick chunk of lemon over the meal and the drops sink into the soft coating like tears of pleasure into a tissue. It flakes away in little diamonds on your fork and it’s so supple in your mouth you don’t even have to chew. You chomp down on thin fries and think of the beach. The way you love to eat fish with your fingers from those huge sheets of butcher’s paper. You only put vinegar on your chips at the beach. You remember watching seagulls argue. You’re finished and you tie up your apron once more to get back on the floor. You carry on and clean for a few more hours. Then you’re done. You wait for the bus. You check your emails again. You ride the bus. You open your front door and hear your loved ones. It’s so strange the way they always sound the same in that first moment, no matter what they’re talking about. It’s as if your home somehow remembered what you wanted to hear and played it back for you. As if you spent your whole life just returning to this place. Everything good that makes you smile out there is just passing the time until you can get back to everything good here. A few kisses and that special someone smiles a long, deep grin to see you. A grin so full it changes the entire shape of their face and makes you feel like every moment before has only been to practice gratitude. You hold hands like simple lovers; you walk side by side like comfortable friends and you chat. Their eyes follow your movements and you watch them as they watch you. You do nothing out of the ordinary, but everything you do together is exceptional. This place is so peaceful. So perfect. This place is home. Before long you’re wearing your favourite comfy clothes and sitting in your favourite chair. The lights wrapping the Christmas tree illuminate the room in a pleasant, yellow hue and the gifts below it are beacons of joy in the night; colourful beacons of promise. It’s dark outside and the kids are quiet, but not asleep yet. The TV is on and it’s playing highlights of the last world cup. You enjoyed it. Your country’s achievements made you proud even though you didn’t quite understand why it all mattered so much. Perhaps you were just proud to be human. You think about that. Being human. You think about everything we’ve accomplished together. You think about how we rely on each other and how we’re lucky to do so. Soon you’ll go to bed, but not quite yet. 11
Save an Angel’s Kiss for Me by Joanie Chevalier
Contemporary
Three years after Mar’s father dies in an auto accident, she decides to take a 14-hour bus trip to visit her dad’s grave to get the closure she so desperately seeks. This is a touching short story about grief, loss, acceptance and forgiveness. It’s about the comfort of a gifted Christmas angel and the miracle of healing and unconditional love.
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A Broken Shell of a Man by Elizabeth O’Neill A surreal, darkly hilarious and often terrifying novel that looks at domestic abuse from a new and refreshing perspective. Gregg, the husband gets beaten often from his wife, Peggy and the book explores the devastating consequences this has on her husband. Black humour throughout, that makes the book more bearable to read.
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The Dragonfly by Kate Dunn When Colin discovers his son is on a murder charge in France, he trails his boat, The Dragonfly, across the channel to help. There he meets his granddaughter for the first time, and they embark on a journey through the French canals, where they land big fish and uncover burning secrets. But can Colin get his son off the hook?
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Santa Claus is Coming to Town by J. M. Brewer Does a daughter keep a special secret in time for Christmas? Will a man be reminded of the meaning of Christmas on a Chicago ‘El’ train? Can a father hatch a plan for his son’s perfect Christmas portrait? This collection of heartwarming short stories celebrates the spirit of Christmas during that special season and throughout the year. 12
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Science f i ct i on & Fa n t a sy
30th Century Escape by Mark Kingston Levin Which side will you be on? The side of the Syndos, genetically-altered humans, or the side of the Naturals. Captain Jennifer Hero is leading a task force from the thirtieth century on a one-way trip to the Diversion Point. Their goal is to plant a virus that will disrupt the genetic tendency toward sociopathy among the Syndos. After an intense attack on their remote South Pacific island base, Jennifer sends her colleagues back 300 years. But she does not go with them, opting instead to travel alone back to 2015 to grieve the loss of the love of her life, the time machine’s inventor, and to find herself. “Main character experiences unique personal and innovative state of the art scientific situations that challenge her intellectual and emotional response so as a reader I am compelled by the author’s excellent creative style to eagerly learn how she copes with the scientific, educational and personal situations. Great novel that opens our minds on how future scientific and biological innovations could affect us”.
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The Miracle of the Christmas Wish Holder by R. A. Cabral PR pro Grace McBride and former high school sweetheart Donte Soltero reunite to save the Soltero family’s holiday wooden toy business from a threat of trademark infringement by a high-tech company. In the process, they discover the miracle of faith and power of magick on a rare snowy Christmas Eve in Sacramento. This book has the heart of the holiday classic “Miracle on 34th Street.” “The message in this story really touched me and warmed my heart to the possibility of miracles. I recommend this wonderful Christmas story to anyone looking for a great spirited read. Absolutely worth all five stars!” Stacey, Amazon Reviewer
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World-Building 101 by Simon Lindley The Realm, The Land, Middle Earth, Narnia – I presume you have spent some time visiting at least one of them. I know I have. And, if all goes well with the ‘travel brochures’, Drageverden will soon be another fantasy ‘tourist’ destination. However, I expect people will only visit if the place promises immersive adventure! World-building in fantasy is as critical to a plot as character development. When done well, it can transport the reader so absolutely that they yearn for the place long after finishing the book. I’ll share with you some of my challenges, and the process I go through in creating a land that I am confident is not only believable but tangible, tactile and immersive for my readers. One of the difficulties I’ve struggled with at times is purple prose. As writers, we sometimes lean to the flowery – long, buttery descriptives – waxing poetic, sprinkled with a fine, magical dust, like morning dew settling on the vine and… oh, I beg your pardon! I have learned to 1) be succinct, 2) alternate between long and short/slow and faster-paced sentences, and 3) avoid overuse of adverbs. Purple prose detracts a reader as much as a similar life scenario. We’ve all been in one of those awkward moments when someone has talked for well over twenty minutes about, say, fruit flies because, well, they’re a fruit-fly expert, and we nod, and nod, and nod and mm-hmm — until we nod off. Another habit I picked up came from kindergarten: Show & Tell. I love to tell people things. He saw a dog. Maggie was angry. The bird was tired. The danger is that by doing so, a writer creates a barrier rather than an invitation. We must ‘walk’ as we write, immersed in the land and noting its effect upon our character/s. I must show, not tell. Like all trips we take, we discover as we go. I make an effort to step from character interiority back into Drageverden regularly, to generate an interaction between the two. It is easy to blurt out all the details of a place, but that is not how we naturally absorb our surroundings, and it quickly becomes tedious. Our character must shake as she enters the darkness of the spider’s lair, snap her head back at the whisper over her shoulder, brace with teeth clenched as the dust cloud rises from the horde cresting the last knoll – and we must be there with them.
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Tolkien carried his readers along – experiencing the ground under a hobbit’s foot, smelling the foul mead and men of the Prancing Pony, and anticipating the Brandywine narrowing near the ferry, still far too distant to escape the Nazgul. He rarely tells. What’s more important is that no matter who you talk to, Middle Earth is different for everyone. Why? Tolkien let the scenes play out as much by emotion as he did geography and although he painted a vivid picture of the land, he left our conviction of and immersion in Middle Earth to fill in the deeper details. So I haven’t provided you much regarding DrageVerden. Oh, I could talk, believe me – ask anyone who knows me and you’ll soon discover I rarely shut up — but you must ‘walk’ alongside the giants crossing the Arvian Plains to understand the shock of it all, or spend a day with Ka the drakehawk to experience her love for the Swamps of Ierloquetze. Brochures never do a place justice. You have to book the holiday. Okay, okay! I’ll give you a little foreshadowing prior to your trip: Drage is Danish for dragon. Verden means land. Happy Trails! Simon Lindley is an author, musician and intrepid explorer in the real world and along the rolling landscapes of his imagination. His book, Mannethorn’s Key, the first in the Key of Life Trilogy, will be released in print and ebook formats January 5, 2018 at fine retailers everywhere. It is also available for pre-order now.
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Science f i ct i on
Short stories
Adriana by Richard Correa Sr
Sophie lands on the crest of the roof and folds away her wings. She scans across the grounds of her mansion, beyond the walls and out into the Japanese countryside. Where is she? Sophie asks herself, Where can she be? I will not lose her again. I’ve searched for her across time and across continents. Over five hundred years, chasing every possible rebirth, every possible incarnation, ever since that beast, Charles VIII invaded to depose that Spanish pope, Borgia. Ever since I brushed the dirt of her grave from my fingers, the grave I dug for her with my bare hands in ground despoiled by the French, I’ve searched for Adriana. And now that I’ve found her I will not lose her again. Sophie declares to herself. The wind blows her skirt about her thighs accentuating her long legs. Her petite size and angel like green eyes conceal the dangerous creature that she is. Sophie’s four foot nine inch frame, flowing red hair and lightly freckled skin completes the deceptive picture. A picture that hides the true nature of Sophie, daughter of the night. “Mistress, the car is ready,” Francois shouts up to her. She sprouts her wings and glides down to him. He holds her blouse and coat out to her. She folds away her wings and dons her blouse. Sophie takes her coat from him and slides into it. She flashes him a smile. Dear Francois, he’s been with her since he deserted the French army and carried her from Adriana’s grave into the collapsing barn of their estate. He nursed her back to health then told her his secret. He was loup garou, werewolf. He taught her how to restrain him so he could not hurt her during the nights of the moon. And he took her to the ancient one, the one that turned her.
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It was the ancient one that set Sophie on her quest, the quest to reunite her family. He told her how some souls leap through time and reincarnate. He searched her heart and found that Adriana, Adriana’s daughter Elaina, and their husband, the lover they shared, Don Giovanni Santori, the man they both call daddy, were such souls. And that led Sophie to her plan, she would chase them through time, find them, turn them and bring them all together. Yes they’d be night-time predators like her, but they’d be together. Together, in love, until the end of time.
Fa nta sy
In an instant she offered up her throat to the ancient. He drank deeply, draining the wine of life from her. It was warm, enveloping, drifting toward the end. Then the change. The ancient slit his wrist and dripped his blood into her mouth. It pulled her back from the edge, from the promise of peace, it yanked her into the present. And it hurt. Saying hurt barely describes it, it consumed her in hells flames. Francois holds the door for Sophie as she slips into the backseat of the limo. He slides in beside her. “Mistress, I believe one of our scouts has found her. She’s in Yokohama, I believe I can get you close enough to sense her.” “Thank you Francois,” Sophie replies. Her gaze stays on him. Sweet, loyal Francois. Protector, mentor, sometimes lover and the dearest of friends. For all these years he’s been with her, making it all possible. Her thoughts return to the night of her rebirth. The flames of perdition immolated her. Francois held her tight as she screamed and flailed about. And when she calmed it was his face that smiled down on her. And so Francois follows her through time and space as they search for her loved ones. Francois speaks softly to her, “The Kenji clan seeks her. They plan to use Adriana to get control of your Japanese holdings and drive you back to Australia.” “Well, that’s not going to happen, we’ll find her first.” “Yes, that we will Mistress.” The limo speeds down the highway towards Yokohama. Soon the light from the city can be seen in the distance. As the kilometers are rapidly traversed Sophie continues her musings. It was Francois that found Adriana the first time. They were in New Orleans buying cotton and tobacco. The city and the surrounding countryside still belonged to France but some of the American southern states shipped their goods through the city. Many southerners bought slaves there, and that’s where he found her, on the auction block.
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As soon as he knew it was Adriana, Francois raced back to their room. He woke her and helped Sophie dress, covering all her skin to protect it from the sun. It’s an old wives tale that vampires cannot be out during the day. But the sun does burn their hyper-sensitive skin so they must be completely covered. Francois leads her down to the street and opens his umbrella. He holds the umbrella over her, covering Sophie in shade, and leads her rapidly to the auction house. In this incarnation Adriana was lithe with mocha colored skin, deep brown eyes and long black hair. Wearing nothing but chains she still stood proud and brave, beautiful in her nakedness. Regrettably, they arrived too late. Adriana had been sold and her new owners were leading her away. She felt the bond between them, a powerful tingle. Adriana looked her way, she could tell she felt it too. Sophie was leading Francois toward her when the riot broke out.
Several slaves had slipped out of their chains and were attempting to flee. They rushed through the crowd bowling people over, dashing between Sophie and Adriana. For several minutes they struggled to get to her but it was no use. By the time the militia had gotten things under control Adriana was gone. They asked some of the men that worked at the auction house about those that bought her. That’s when they learned the men weren’t Americans, they were Cajun. They were taking her to their home in the bayou, and those they spoke with said no one would ever see her again. Sophie ‘convinced’ them to give her directions to where the men were taking Adriana, then her and Francois rode off after them. Soon darkness fell. As they neared their destination Sophie could feel Adriana’s fear and pain. She leapt from her horse and took wing. Francois jumped off his horse, forcing the change, landing on all fours. He howled, then the huge silvery wolf charged after Sophie. She saw the fire and heard the chanting. Sophie swooped down heading toward the priest just as he cut Adriana’s throat, sacrificing her to his pagan god. Sophie howled as she flew up to the priest, grabbing his head and ripping it off as she touched down. The rest was a blur of torn limbs, spurts of blood and terrified screams. When she came to Francois was holding her saying “Shsh, shsh.” She was covered in blood. Sophie looked about at the bodies she had dismembered. As the sun rose Francois covered her then buried Adriana. Her thoughts are interrupted as Francois tells Sophie “Team three and six will meet us at the highway exit. Gregory believes he’s spotted her near Kyoto street. And Bernadette wants you to know the pups are all sleeping.” “Do we know which of the pups bit her?” “Yes Mistress, it was young Jacob.” That makes sense, during the nights of the moon Jacob is very rambunctious. “Francois, be sure the doctor examines him, we need to know how this happened.” “Yes Mistress,” Francois is silent for a moment then says “She will be okay, I’m sure of it.” As the limo speeds on Sophie drifts back to her thoughts. She found Adriana in eastern Australia, near a small town named Lismore. After watching her for a week Sophie waited for her in the parking lot. She scooped her up and carried her off to her manor house. There she turned Adriana. For months they relearned what they meant to each other. Sophie helped her recall the memories that bound them together. And she taught Adriana how to be a vampire. Sophie controls a vast financial empire. One of her holdings is a group of blood banks, and this was how they fed. She taught Adriana how to control the hunger, how to not hurt people, how to use the refrigerated blood. After six months they flew to Japan for corporate business, and to deal with one of the clans. Clan Kenji was crossing boundaries set by the council, and because of Sophie’s position she was chosen to deal with it. As they’d be gone for several weeks, and she might need the extra ‘muscle’, they brought all the werewolves with them, including the pups. Seven nights ago something incredible happened. Jacob bit Adriana and she lived. It was unheard of, a vampire being bit by a werewolf is always fatal, just like the reverse is true. But Adriana didn’t die, not only that, she became a hybrid, both vampire and werewolf. They were all stunned. Even the elders Sophie spoke with said it wasn’t possible. 21
For the rest of the nights of the full moon Adriana ran with the pack, but the last night she got separated from them and became lost. Three nights have passed, Sophie is beside herself with concern, the hunger must be consuming her. People are in danger, and so is Adriana. The limo moves off the highway into the city, as it does, four black SUVs join it. Francois touches Sophie’s arm and tells her “The security teams have joined us.” She nods acknowledgement. Sophie controls a vast financial empire. One of her holdings is a group of blood banks, and this was how they fed. She taught Adriana how to control the hunger, how to not hurt people, how to use the refrigerated blood.
Fa nta sy
After six months they flew to Japan for corporate business, and to deal with one of the clans. Clan Kenji was crossing boundaries set by the council, and because of Sophie’s position she was chosen to deal with it. As they’d be gone for several weeks, and she might need the extra ‘muscle’, they brought all the werewolves with them, including the pups. Seven nights ago something incredible happened. Jacob bit Adriana and she lived. It was unheard of, a vampire being bit by a werewolf is always fatal, just like the reverse is true. But Adriana didn’t die, not only that, she became a hybrid, both vampire and werewolf. They were all stunned. Even the elders Sophie spoke with said it wasn’t possible. For the rest of the nights of the full moon Adriana ran with the pack, but the last night she got separated from them and became lost. Three nights have passed, Sophie is beside herself with concern, the hunger must be consuming her. People are in danger, and so is Adriana. The limo moves off the highway into the city, as it does, four black SUVs join it. Francois touches Sophie’s arm and tells her “The security teams have joined us.” She nods acknowledgement. Gregory’s voice crackles out of the transceiver speaker, “She’s in an alley two blocks from Second street off of Kyoto. She appears to have a child with her. It looks like a team of Kenji assassins is moving in on her.” Francois replies “Roger scout six.” “How long until we get there?” Sophie asks. “Fifteen to twenty minutes.” “Too long,” Sophie snaps as she removes her coat, opens the sunroof, spreads her wings tearing her blouse to shreds and leaps into the night sky. Quickly rising above the skyscrapers Sophie wheels southeast toward Kyoto street speeding through the darkness. Within a few minutes the alley is in view. There she is.
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23
Science f i ct i on & Fa n t a sy
If you like “A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” you will like: The Edge of Nothing and Everything by John David Buchanan Wayne drove his Nomad off the side of a mountain cliff – intentionally! Amelia frantically pushed the Jump Starter’s red button as they dropped out of Volcanon’s atmosphere. She was still screaming when the Nomad dropped out of the jump. They had no idea where they were, or how to get back to Gafcon-49. A centuries old dispute raged thru the universe, and they knowingly plowed right into the middle of it. Their new traveling companion was a surprise, and Joules immediately coerced him into helping them. Parts of their plan unfolded perfectly; other parts went badly, very badly. “This story is filled with excitement and packed with sy-fy adventure.”
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If you like “A Song of Ice and Fire” you will like:
Shadows of Men by M. Lee Holmes Rhada, the High Protector of Kaena, must travel north to investigate a mysterious tidal wave of water and fire that destroyed the city of Tyos. Her absence leaves the King vulnerable to those who wish to overthrow him. A story that kept my attention from beginning to end. The storyline flows smoothly, the characters have depth and are imperfect, magic is an art more than a science (not always at the will of the few who use it). You can’t tell what’s going to be at the end of the book when you begin, too many times I pick up a book and a couple of chapters in I know where it is going to end up. This book is a refreshing change, and I really look forward to the followup. 24
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The Blue Unicorn’s Journey To Osm Illustrated Book For Teens by Sybrina Durant
This clean unicorn fantasy is one you will want to dive into, get lost in and live inside forever. That’s what other readers have said about this utterly charming story and its magical, creative elements. Its unique tightly knit and action packed story line is a delicate balance of imaginative and complex magical realism that will keep you totally hooked until the end. The vibrant pictures after every chapter are awesome.
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Omniverse: Book I of the Omniverse Chronicles by Liam Parker
What if you were haunted by strange and terrible dreams? But what if your dreams were omens? What if you met the woman of your dreams in a nightmare? What if you learned that a terrifying and unearthly destiny awaited you? This is what befalls Jack Thornton, who learns that he is a Hero, an immortal servant of the Absolute.
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Esquelle and the Tesla Protocol by Joe Dacy
Two terrorist kidnappers are eyeing her. NSA agents are monitoring her every move. And no less than five national intelligence services are about to disrupt her quiet life. Esquelle is a beautiful French information technologist. She’s about to be the victim of the Tesla Protocol, the secret tool of a shadowy government cabal.
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Sixth Prime by Dan O’Brien
2.3.5.7.11.13. A war brews as a galaxy struggles to maintain a peace treaty signed in haste. The Commonwealth boasts sprawling cities built upon slums. The Sovereignty has placed the yoke of industry upon its citizens. Sixteen men and women are connected in a way they cannot yet understand. A murder of a prominent artist begins a chain of events that will ultimately determine the fate of the universe. Only thirteen will remain. In the end, there can be only one Prime. Are you a Prime?
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Catalyst by C.L. Roman Seven celestial companions must make a choice between war and betrayal. In desperation, they escape to Earth, but the war has followed them, and the choice must still be made. In an epic battle between good and evil, the players are not always what they seem. With a child’s life hanging in the balance, will the companions be able to find the right choice before it is too late?
Fa nta sy
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Viking Battle Cry by Roger Kenworthy The battle for Asgarde has begun. In order to save the legendary city, Nathanial Kenworthy has to come face-to-face with majestic gods, fierce warriors, and bloodthirsty trolls. Mighty Thor joins forces with Nathanial to seek revenge on the evil that descends upon his homeland. Who will triumph?
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Apollo’s Raven by Linnea Tanner 24 AD Britannia is in turmoil. Celtic kings hand-picked by Rome to rule are fighting each other for power. A powerful Druid has cast a curse that foretells Blood Wolf and the Raven will rise and destroy King Amren. His daughter, Catrin, learns she is the Raven who must find a way to block the curse that awaits her.
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Paris and Helen of Troy by Peter W. Katsirubas This literary novel explores the passions and motivations of the protagonists and the events of the Trojan War without the machinations of imaginary gods driving their behaviors and actions. Who were the lovers whose coupling ignited the clash of civilizations immortalized by Homer’s Iliad? What was their reality and that of the warriors and the women who were engulfed by the bloody conflict? 30
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Interview With kaylin brooke 1. Tell us something unexpected about yourself! I am an unapologetic day-dreamer. In school I was frequently reprimanded for not paying attention. Instead, my mind roamed free in strange worlds, wishing I was anyplace else except in math class. This trend continued into my adulthood (I call it “adulthood” loosely). I still live in a dream world, but now my dreams have become a reality in the form of the Ialana Series. 2. How did you get into writing? Both my parents hobbies were writing and painting, so I grew up in the company of creative people. My mother was my biggest fan. At school, when it came to essay writing, I consistently earned praise and high marks from my teachers. I always had my head stuck in a book, and I had a habit of scribbling my thoughts onto paper, so it was natural for me to gravitate towards writing as a profession. 3. What are your top 3 books of all time? I am like a mother who has just been asked who her favorite child is, but she also happens to be the old woman who lived in a shoe. As a fantasy writer I love Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy the most, and can still read it over and over. A close second is Fool’s Errand of the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb, and then The Legend of Drizzt by R.A. Salvatore. 4. Where did you get the inspiration for The Ialana Trilogy? Unsurprisingly, perhaps, from my actual dreams. One night, I dreamed about the island of Mu’A where my six heroes get their training and remember their past. As I wrote, it was not a difficult stretch of imagination to visualize the details of its interior and inhabitants because I’d already seen it. Technology unheard of today was part of this island’s knowledge, and yes, they did use crystals. 5. Do you ever base any of your characters on people you know? Not so much in the fantasy series, but in my first book, Talk to the Moon, I do that to a certain degree. While the characters in that book are strongly fictional, there have been people that I grew up with that have influenced me with their odd quirks and personality traits. I think this is inevitable for most writers; we draw on past experience with people we know a lot more than we’re willing to admit.
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6. Who would you like to see in the lead roles if the books were to be made into movies? This happens to be one of my favorite fantasies! Elle Fanning or Sophie Turner as Tegan; Skai Jackson as Djana; Lana Condor or Ahn Seo-Hyun as Kex; Ansel Elgort as Jarah; Alexander Ludwig as Adain, and if he could still play a 21 year old, Zac Ephron as Tristan. 7. The Ialana Trilogy is young adult fantasy fiction, but you also wrote a murder mystery ‘Talk to the Moon’, would you like to write another book in this genre? After publishing Talk to the Moon, I had actually begun to write the sequel, but it wasn’t going anywhere. It was then that I realized my heart lay solidly in the fantasy genre. I’ve kept it on the back burner, and perhaps one day I will complete it, along with an autobiography about growing up in the African bushveld. 8. Tell us a bit about your writing process, have you got any writing rituals? I like to write in the mornings. My brain is fresher, I’ve just had two cups of tea, the house is quiet, and my cat is taking her after-breakfast nap. For some reason, it is difficult for me to write in the evenings, and I’m definitely not the stereotypical burn-the-midnight-candle author. I never write into the wee hours because, if I do, when I read it the next day it’s all griffen-poop. So mornings it is! 9. Do you read your book reviews? Absolutely! The good reviews encourage me to write more, and the bad ones help make a better writer out of me. I understand my books may not appeal to everyone, and they shouldn’t. I take all suggestions in, and they are all helpful in some way. 10. What advice would you have for other writers? To never give up. I began writing late in life, but no matter when you start writing, understand that success doesn’t happen overnight. Everyone has a story inside of them waiting to get out, and there’s room for all. I have read so many wonderful books in my life, books that have helped, inspired, and brought me joy. I am thankful these writers did not give up. Be one of those writers. 11. Are you reading anything now? I have just begun Andy Weir’s Artemis. John Grisham’s book, The Rooster Bar, is patiently waiting for me to read next. 12. What’s your next step? To complete the fifth book in the Ialana Series. 33
Forgiven by Geoffrey Lawson
Historic a l
Rachel is intelligent, cultured and charming, but things are not what they seem. Brought down by rumour and innuendo she reaches a new low in her life but with Richard’s help all is well until he volunteers to fight in South Africa and leaves her under a cloud. Once in South Africa, Richard is drawn into the murky world of counter espionage and misadventure. As one sobering experience is followed by another he begins to realise the value of what he has left behind. Meanwhile, Rachel has a frightening experience of her own... “Forgiven is a well written and edited story. It is well constructed and interesting; the time frame and location fascinating...” Books Go Social, Dublin “I don’t read fiction and viewed this book as a penance, but I love it. I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed this book...” Larraine Sole.
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Back From 44 - The Sacrifice and Courage of a Few by Nick Cressy Back from 44 - The Sacrifice and Courage of a Few. Nick Bentas, Staff Sergeant US Army Air Force, finds himself in a severely crippled B-26 Marauder, trying to return to base, he remembers the different times in his life that led him up to this point. From enlistment to basic training to saying goodbye to his new wife, he remembers his deadly missions around France, Germany and the wider Mediterranean. Experience how it was first hand to encounter enemy flak and fighter attacks, while dealing with the emotional impact of losing close friends. Back From 44 is an in-depth look into the bravery and sacrifice of ordinary men who did extraordinary things during WWII. “I want you to know I was very impressed with your book “Back from 44.” The fiction part of your book was far less fiction than you might think. The “conversations” between individuals in the book may have a figment of your imagination, but those conversations might have very well been discussed at the time. What was discussed was exactly the sort of things we did actually discuss.” 320th Bomb Group,441st Squadron crew member, January 2015
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The Adventures of Brother Arcadius and Pangur Ban by Margaret Nagel It’s the year AD 898. Sixteen-year-old Brother Arcadius makes the arduous journey from his native Dublin to the remote Alpine monastery of Spiritus Sanctus to be its new assistant librarian. Fortunately for the earnest young monk and everyone else at the monastery, he doesn’t arrive alone but with a cat, an exceptional cat of few words and very catlike powers which frequently save the day just when all hope is lost. Inspired by an actual 9th-century poem about a monk and his cat named Pangur Ban, these comical and touching adventures are written for all those who (like Brother Arcadius himself) strive to keep their balance in a difficult world. With illustrations by the author.
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Historica l
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m ystery & Cri m e
IN A DARK WORLD OF LIES AND DECEPTION NOTHING IS EVER WHAT IT SEEMS.
"A Fast Paced Psychological Thriller" "Another Score For Perkins"
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Golden Legacy, A Jacsen Kidd Adventure/Mystery by Robert James Glider
m ystery & Cri m e
It is 1782 as an old woman stumbles through a familiar row of headstones clutching a metal strongbox that holds her diary, coins, a pistol, and well oiled leather map. She buries the strongbox in the exact spot she described in a recent letter to her last blood relative and dies. Over 300 years later Dr. Abigail Hathaway-Chance after learning of her mother’s death under suspicious circumstances receives two letters from her families attorney-one from her mother, and one her mother found under a floor board years earlier-she is propelled onto a dangerous journey where she must enlist the aid of professional treasure hunter, Jacsen Kidd and his partner Pericles Schmoond and evade a ruthless cleric, his partner a reputed “Mafia” kingpin and a band of thieves with the hope of finding the fabled treasure of her nefarious ancestor. But Abi and Jac have no idea they are about to discover much more than they ever imagined.
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That One May Smile by Valerie Keogh Detective Garda Sergeant Mike West is called to investigate a murder where suspicion falls on local woman, Kelly Johnson, whose husband disappeared some months before. And then she disappears. Following a lead to Cornwall, West finds Kelly there. Her explanation seems to make sense but then she disappears. Is she guilty? West, fighting an unsuitable attraction, doesn’t want to believe the mounting evidence against her. In Dublin, his team uncover evidence of blackmail and illegal drugs involving her missing husband. And then another man is murdered. Finally, the case is untangled, but is it the outcome West really wants? ‘A thoroughly enjoyable detective novel. A recommended read which kept me page turning to the very end.’ Amazon Review ‘All the components are here in this lovely mystery. Beautiful woman, outrageous amounts of cash, dead bodies and the clever detectives that catch the murderer.’ Amazon Review 42
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Coco’s Story - The early years by Tomas Berlin
m ystery & Cri m e
The incredible journey of a young French girl’s extraordinary life full of Sturm und Drang. Claudine Cicorre had no idea what her future would hold, being discovered at sixteen by Janet Goldsmith, the largest model agency in London was not part of her plan. Before long she was ranked alongside Twiggy and the Shrimp as the ‘in demand’ face of the 60’s. Little did Coco know that modelling would lead to a lonely seclusion in the Spanish mountains. “You will be on the edge of your seat and turning pages impatiently to see what adventures Coco will encounter next. This must be on your Christmas list, totally captures you from the beginning and throughout following Coco’s early years, I read it so quickly I had to get hold of book 2 to find out what happened next. Just started book 3. You will not be disappointed!” – By Mrs G Davidsonon
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Murder in Palm Beach: The Homicide That Never Died by Bob Brink
A shotgun blast into a Palm Beach home fells a prominent citizen. This novel is based on a 1976 murder and contains explosive new information as to the killer and the ultra-important person involved. An ambitious prosecutor pins the deed on karate expert Mitt Hecher. Did he do it? This is a story of redemption wrapped in a mystery displaying power, sex and violence, plus a heart-rending love affair. Author Bob Brink, an award-winning journalist, was a reporter at the location of the murder. “Bob Brink (puts) you right in a scene. His descriptions are spot-on with realistic dialogue and rich texture in his characters. The book’s seamless transitions move across time toward a breathtaking climax.“ - Kate Newton, prize-winning author “It’s terrific. The lead character is a genuine tough guy … believable in every regard, something I can seldom say about heroic protagonists of late. A lot of intrigue, a great storyline, and characters to root for.“ - Rob Bacon, The Perfect Write newsletter 44
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A Tangled Web by Mike Martin Life is good for Sgt. Windflower in Grand Bank, Newfoundland. But something’s missing from the Mountie’s life. Actually, a lot of things go missing, including a little girl and supplies from the new factory. It’s Windflower’s job to unravel the tangled web of murder, deceit and an accidental kidnapping that threatens to engulf this sleepy little town and destroy those closest to him. But there’s always good food, good friends and the love of a great woman to make everything better in the end. “This series has much to recommend it. The plots are always topical, and intriguing, the stories well-told, the characters fully-developed, the dialogue smooth, and the scenes so well-described, I can hear the slap of the water against the pier, or smell Windflower’s Tim Horton go cup of coffee.“
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The Jewelled Egg Murders by Virginia Winters A Christmas holiday in Vermont turns deadly for Dr Anne McPhail whose hopes for a quiet family celebration with Thomas Beauchamp derail when his children reject her, and his mother falls ill. Anne flees to her friend Catherine’s B&B for comfort and a place to stay, but when she goes for a walk in the snow to the town square, she stumbles across a body in her friend Erin’s antique store. A few hours later, Erin disappears. Is Erin a suspect or a victim?
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A Silver Medallion by James R. Callan
m ystery & Cri m e
Human trafficking terrifies her. Seeing victims forces her to act. “A Silver Medallion is a gripping, action-packed adventure. Crystal Moore is a tough and savvy heroine,” said New York Times Bestselling Author Bobbi Smith. A winner in the International Readers’ Favorite contest. “A Silver Medallion is a fine blend of colorful characters, action, suspense. Crystal Moore and her grandmother, Eula, are a great team as they take on modern-day slavery and academic fraud in this nonstop novel.” - Best-selling author Bill Crider “Kept me hooked from the very beginning. Drawing a plot that seemed to leap from the headlines, he writes with page turning intensity that leaves a reader satisfied. Crystal Moore is a heroine you can fall in love with.” - Abookanight, Amazon Reviewer
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Gabrielle by Randy T Lane Michael Wesson drops out of college in the Midwest and heads to New York in hopes of making a name for himself in show business, knows nothing about the city and arrives as the biggest manhunt in the last 30 years is taking place. A psychotic killer is stalking the rich women of New York’s upper east side and his calling card the victims are found bound by silk stocking and across there chests in red lube the name “Gabrielle “. Michael gets sucked into the investigation and plays the roll of a lifetime. “I picked this book because I know the Author. Wow!!! Was I surprised! I hope he is working on another book. It kept me guessing and when I was sure I figured out who the police was looking for I was totally wrong! I took this book to work with me because I found it hard to put aside.“
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Least Wanted by Debbi Mack Stephanie Ann “Sam” McRae’s busy, but orderly life as a Maryland lawyer takes a chaotic turn when two clients are accused of murder. A poor, black girl is accused of killing her mother. A young man suspected of embezzlement is accused of murdering his boss. The cases collide in a bizarre way around girl gangs and computer porn. A maniac killer stalks Sam, who must learn the truth or die trying.
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Missing Amanda by Duane Lindsay If you like Westlake or Hallinan - You’ll love Missing Amanda. Chicago in 1958 is a very dangerous place. When private eye Lou Fleener and his friend Dion Monkton are tricked into helping a Chicago mob boss in his takeover of Mayor Daley’s office, it makes the other mobs angry enough to kill. If it works, they’ll be rich. And who knows – maybe even alive.
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Predictable Violence by Gillean Campbell
Detective Mackenzie (Mack) Anderson is called in to lead the investigation of a triple homicide. Suddenly, the trail gets personal. Mack is about to come face to face with a twisted soul who has a very warped idea of justice. If you love gripping detective thrillers with a jaw-dropping ending, this book is a must for you!
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Six Passengers, Five Parachtues by Ian Bull
Convicted killers trapped on a pilotless jet must fight each other for parachutes before the plane crashes into the ocean…and it’s all being televised to a high-paying audience betting on who survives. Steven Quintana discovers the plot and tries to stop it, but ends up on the plane as the show’s final contestant. The sequel to The Picture Kills.
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Chosen Child by Linda Huber
m ystery & Cri m e
A disappearance. A death. A betrayal. Ella longs for a child to love, but a grisly find during an adoption deepens the cracks in her marriage. Across town, Amanda is wretched when her husband vanishes – yet nothing prepares her for the shocking conclusion to the police investigation. And in the middle of it all, a little girl needs a home...
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A Stone’s Throw by Debbie De Louise
Alicia Fairmont, a widowed librarian seeking answers to her husband’s hit and run accident, travels to the small town where he grew up. There she meets John McKinney, the town’s newspaper publisher, a handsome yet mysterious man. As she delves into her husband’s death, Alicia faces the possibility that she may have fallen in love with her husband’s killer.
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The Paloma Crossing by Randall Reneau
Sheriff Hardin Steel’s old adversary, the Ochoa Cartel, has acquired a new weapon: Stinger Missiles. Originally supplied to the mujahideen by the CIA, twenty of the surface-to-air missiles are now in the hands of the deadliest drug lord in Mexico. And he wastes no time in putting them to good use . . .
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Azure’s Revenge by Angela Hausman Jody teams up with men determined to wipe out the US government and up to a third of the population using the bacteria that caused the Black Death, a plague that killed so many in the Middle Ages. Targeting all three branches of government and the military leadership for the plague, Senator Barnett will then control the government, which he plans to run as a dictatorship where anyone who doesn’t fit his ideal, including Jews, Blacks, Browns, and LGBTQ’s, is removed from the gene pool. 52
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Crossroads, A Camino Tale by F.R. Merrill A fictional tale based on truth. Seven women trek 550 miles across Spain. For some it was an athletic challenge; for others it was a time for gaining spiritual clarity. But early on suspense draws our attention to one character who is solely intent on destroying another member of the group.
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Tom Stone: Nitty Gritty Christmas by Don Simkovich Cocaine-laced candy at Christmas pulls Det. Tom Stone and his partner Jake Sharpe into the seedy world of drug smuggling. Clues lead Stone to witnesses and suspects throughout Los Angeles until he faces certain death at the hands of the men he was hunting. Fast-paced crime fiction with compelling characters to keep you turning the pages.
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The Safe Word by Karen Long Toronto has become the backdrop to a macabre set of artistic installations: women kidnapped, tortured and horrifically displayed by a killer with a vision. Only someone capable of understanding the killer’s creative desire will be able to stop the murders and D I Eleanor Raven is uniquely qualified. But she also has a dark and dangerous secret – one that will threaten her very survival. “Most fictional detectives these days have to have a ‘thing’ to set them apart from the others, and Raven’s is one of the most original for a long time. The plot moves in some unexpected directions, and builds to a genuinely exciting climax. The Safe Word is an impressive, confident debut. Convincing characters and some nice twists make for a compelling, satisfying thriller, and I look forward to seeing what’s next for Eleanor Raven.“ Killing Time “Just read The Safe Word by Karen Long – an unputdownable serial killer tale.“ James Purefoy
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10(ish) QUESTIONS WITH KEN BRUEN & CRAIG McDONALD The Ghosts of Galway is the 13th Jack Taylor novel by author Ken Bruen. To date, nine novels about Bruen’s Irish ex-cop turned private detective have been adapted to screen starring Iain Glen of Game of Thrones fame. The series has variously been nominated for and awarded many honors, including those for Edgar©, Anthony, Macavity and Shamus awards. Head Games the Graphic Novel is Craig McDonald’s adaptation of his 2007 debut novel that was a finalist for Edgar© and Anthony awards, and one of 10 novels in his internationally best-selling Hector Lassiter series about an author/screenwriter notorious for “living what he writes and writing what he lives.” McDonald conducted the first U.S. newspaper interview with Ken Bruen in 2003, upon the American debut of THE GUARDS by Macmillan/Minotaur. On the occasion of the fall release of their new books, these two crime novelists reunite to “interrogate” one another about their long-running series: CRAIG McDONALD QUESTIONS KEN BRUEN: You’ve stated previous Taylor novels would be the last. What draws you back to Jack? His voice keeps whispering in my ear and each time I genuinely believe he is gone but No 14 Is I think fitting in the very title In The Galway Silence To make me own self follow the silence edict, I began a new standalone American Vulture.
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Galway is yours and Jack’s shared hometown, and its own fully-realized character. Contrast Guards-era Galway to Ghosts era-Galway… PHEW-oh. Back in 2001, The Guards had huge respect and the church still had some power. Now, The Guards are reeling from daily new scandals. The new flood of refugees has altered the very alchemy of the city. This era of Trump seems to leaden everything with despair and worse, apathy. Jack frequently muses/flirts with coming to America. Will we ever see him operate on American soil? OH YES, albeit briefly. Which of your Taylors would you most like to see adapted as a graphic novel? The Devil. Only in France did that novel hit as they saw it as the very metaphysical depiction of evil as a potent ferocious force in a living walking entity. You and Jack are avid readers and TV connoisseurs. What are some of your recent discoveries we should all be reading/watching? Your Graphic novel One True Sentence, my go to book TV....AND FILM... OZARK SUBURRA PEAKY BLINDERS ESP THE SERIES WITH TOM HARDY AND AIDEN GILLEN THE GIFT THE GUEST SPIN SPIRAL THE WAILING GET OUT BABY DRIVER READ WAYNE SALLIMAN, he is the next rock n roll George R Martin. You asked me about my perfect day; what would your ideal day be? Sitting in Arizona with you, James Sallis, Charlie Stella, Tom Russell, Gretchen Peters. A case of Long Necks, ice cold and just shooting the literary breeze. Then dinner of chili and beans with Narco corrida ballads playing soft in the background and Edgar nominations for us all in the mail.
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KEN BRUEN QUESTIONS CRAIG McDONALD: As a writer, how would you like to be remembered? James Garner, my favorite actor, always said he wanted to be remembered for his work “with a smile.” That’s not bad. Maybe also for pushing the boundaries of crime fiction by writing a finite series that collectively tells a bigger story, and allows its protagonist to age in real-time across ten darkly-comic books. Who would ideally play Hector in a movie and who to direct? Ideally, technology would allow for a digitally resurrected William Holden to be Hector. Watching Daniel Craig moving around Mexico in SPECTRE, I envisioned him as a potential, 50ish Hector. As to director, I always dreamed of Robert Rodriguez or the Cohen Brothers. Secret guilty reading pleasure and TV series? Reading: I’m not sure that I feel so guilty about it, but I frequently re-read Ian Fleming’s original Bond novels. TV: “Supernatural,” which like a certain favorite Irish detective series, is now in its (ahem) 13th edition. My dad had a ’66 Impala I loved, so the Winchester Brother’s ’67 Impala originally hooked me into that series when it debuted. I actually have a non-vintage four-door black Impala for my current wheels. (But no guns, knives or holy water in the trunk). What is the ideal day for you? Probably a rainy fall Saturday like we’re having today here in Ohio. Early-morning writing, then some Chicken Yucatan at my favorite Mexican joint (Zapata’s). Then a well-written book in the evening with the right background music. Some one-way charla profunda or “deep conversation” with the family dog, Duff, throughout. How do you feel about your graphic novel and will you go to Comic-Con? We sold graphic novel rights back around 2007. It took much longer than I wanted to get this one out there, but the final two-color art by Kevin Singles and Les McClaine is striking and powerful. The book looks fantastic. It’s getting consistently great reviews which is terrific. It arrived too late for this year’s Comic-Con to make sense, but I’d love to go in 2018. ***
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Mysterious Press description for THE GHOSTS OF GALWAY: “Jack Taylor is recovering from a mistaken medical diagnosis and a failed suicide attempt. In need of money, and with former cop on his resume, Jack has been hired as a night-shift security guard. But his Ukrainian boss has Jack in mind for some off-the-books work. He wants Jack to find what some claim to be the first true book of heresy, The Red Book, currently in the possession of a rogue priest who is hiding out in Galway after fleeing a position at the Vatican…” First Second Book description for HEAD GAMES THE GRAPHIC NOVEL: “It’s 1957, and aging novelist Hector Lassiter thought that his adventures were long behind him. But then he receives a treasure worth killing for: the skull of Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. With his partners in crime, brooding poet Bud Fiske and hard-as-nails beauty Alicia Vicente, Hector must make a mad dash across the American southwest. If the trio can survive long enough to sell the skull to the highest bidder, they’ll score big. But in the meantime, Hector must dodge bullets from deranged fraternity members, aging soldiers of fortune, vicious warlords, and crooked feds.”
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Shortlist - Australian Crime Writers Awards
SEX, DRUGS, ROCK N ROLL, MURDER! "An adrenalin-fuelled page-turner," - NicShefReading, Amazon Australia's No 1 Reviewer
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Non f ict i on
How to Live with a Psychic: Your Guide for Maintaining a Happy Relationship when Someone You Love Gets Weird by Crystal Hope Reed So they’re psychic. Now what? The emergence of psychic abilities in one partner often causes anxiety, stress, or confusion for the other and frequently leads to separation. This book is an easy read that teaches you how to thrive and strengthen your relationship when your life has detoured down this unfamiliar, but increasingly common, path.
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Sheltered Through The Storm by Michael Jolayemi A wake-up call and a warning for the Church to return to a dependence on the faithfulness of God and the truth of His Word, in the face of unprecedented challenges and persecution. A challenge to trust in the faithfulness of God in the face of a deterioration of Judeo-Christian values, radical Islamic terrorism, and fear.
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The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Life by Jennifer Byrne This collection of humorous life hacks features 100 easy, low-commitment solutions to the life’s everyday problems.
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Love Your Body: Lose Weight, Live Longer and Look Younger A New Diet Paradigm by John S. Griffin The government and health authorities have been telling you which foods you should eat for decades. Today, our population is sicker than at any time in history. Love Your Body, will help you opt out of the plague of the 21st century. When you give your body what it needs, it will repay you with health, beauty, and a long life. 64
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Reflections of a Servant Leader, My Journey as the Air Forces Longest Serving Airman by Alfred Flowers An inspirational, Leadership and Military Mentoring guide for young and older aspiring leaders. A true story of not having to live where you are born. Tells how one was born and raised in economic, social, educational and cultural deprivation but through strong values, motivation and hard work achieved success. A true Servant Leadership easy read.
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Through Stained Glass by Marlene Louise Walters Through Stained Glass attempts to offer positive guidance to those who’ve survived losses and need a hopeful outlook through their life changes. This book will reflect the love of God to every person, regardless of their handicap, ethnicity, gender, or religion.
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Champion Your Career - Winning in the World of Work by Halimah Bellows Champion Your Career -Winning in the World of Work addresses the needs of a new generation of career-seekers in a rapidly changing economy and job market place. Designed as a self-paced career development workshop in book format, it provides self-assessment tools to enable individuals to explore their personal passions, values, strengths and skills along with sound strategies and resources for decision making, goal setting and networking to begin a fulfilling new career.
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I’d rather Starve than Cook! (a cookbook for people who hate to cook) by Lisa M Orban
Do you hate to cook, but prefer not to die of starvation this week? Never fear, this cookbook is for you! If you are able to open cans without injury, dump things out of a box with confidence, and operate a stove without supervision, you can eat tonight.
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Achieving Maximum Longevity B H
uman life span is a subject that has fascinated people for hundreds of years. As far back as the 1500s, people were searching for ways that would keep people young and alive for the maximum period of time. In 1513 Ponce de Leon organized an expedition to find the “Fountain of Youth.” He and his crew traveled from Spain and landed near the site of what is now St. Augustine, Florida. Later, a Native American shot him with an arrow, and this injury kept Ponce de Leon from maximizing his own life span (Oracle Think Quest, 2012). n order for us to evaluate the probability that your life span will -exceed 100 years, we can begin by looking at the maximum recorded life span for humans. The Guinness Book of World Records 2012 gives us the longest life spans for humans that have been satisfactorily verified. Jeanne Louise Calment of Aries, France, holds the world record for female life span. She lived for 122 years and 164 days, from February 21, 1875 to August 4, 1997. Thomas Peter Thorvald Mortenson of San Ramon, California holds the world record for male human life span. He lived for 115 years and 252 days, from August 16, 1882 to April 25, 1998.
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Our next step is to look at life spans in general. In 1900, the years of life expected at birth in the USA were 47.3. In 2009 (the most recent data available), the years of life expected at birth in the USA were 78.2 (The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2012).
The leading causes of death become-relevant at this point. The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2012 sets forth for us the leading causes of death in the USA in 2009, along with the number of deaths from each cause:
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Cause Diseases of the heart Cancer Chronic lower respiratory disease Stroke Accidents Alzheimer’s disease Diabetes Influenza and Pneumonia Kidney disease Suicide
Number 598,607 568,668 137,082 128,603 117,176 78,889 68,504 53,582 48,714 36,547
By William Vaughan Wilburn At this point we can now look at the following four courses of action that are designed to help you maximize your life span, which, hopefully, will exceed 100 years. 1) Achieve and maintain a moderate body weight. Excess body weight is a very serious problem in the USA that contributes to some major diseases, among which are cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. A person is considered to be obese if his or her body weight is 20% or more above normal weight as delineated by a standard height/weight chart. For example, if the chart indicates that a person’s normal body weight should be 150 pounds and that person weighs 180 pounds, then that person is considered to be obese. Approximately 60 million Americans, nearly one third of all adults and about one in five children are obese (WEBMD, 2012). Numerous articles, books, and programs that are designed to help people achieve and maintain a moderate body weight are available. Among these are Jenny Craig, Medifast, Nutrisystem, and Weight Watchers. At the most fundamental level, control of body weight involves “calories in and calories out.” To maintain a moderate body weight, a person needs to have a good balance of the calories that he or she ingests and the calories that he or she uses. If a person ingests more calories that he or she is able to use, then the excess calories will be stored in fat cells and he or she will gain body weight. I have had to deal with this problem in my own life. For several years, I worked as a security officer at the Georgia-Pacific plant in Skippers, Virginia. This was an extremely sedentary job in which I made periodic security evaluations, checked log trucks in and out, made a few telephone calls, and did a little paperwork. The chair in which I sat had rollers on it, so I could roll round the offi ce while remaining seated. While working this extremely sedentary job, I ballooned up to a soft, out of shape, and much overweight 202 pounds. I knew that I needed to make some serious corrective changes, so I went on a calorie control program and joined the YMCA in Emporia, Virginia. Among the various programs at the YMCA, I chose to join the training team. This program trains the participants to run in SK and 1 OK races, and includes cross training with machines and weights. In about one year, I went from a soft body weight of 202 pounds down to a slim and trim 176 pounds. In addition, I developed increased running endurance and speed, steel-like muscles, and high levels of productive energy. Ms. Brenda Robinson is in charge of the training team, and she does a superlative job. The enthusiasm and positive excitement that she expresses to the training team are highly beneficial and praise worthy. 67
2) Acquire and use recent studies about life extension. The two following studies involve supplements that have been found to extend the life span in some animal species, and may later be found to increase the life span of humans. A)Researchers have found that apple polyphenols increase the life span of various species by 10% to 12%, and may help to delay the onset of age-related disorders. Findings from three different laboratories show that apple polyphenols modulate multiple signaling molecules to delay the onset of age-related disorders. They may also mimic the actions of calorie restriction, which is a known antiaging technique. One of the polyphenols, phloridzin, which is heavily concentrated in the skin of the apple, also potently suppresses several processes leading to glycation, another major contributor of aging. A daily dose of 300 mg to 600 mg of apple polypheols may be all that is needed to obtain the desired results (Life Extension, April 2013). B)An international team of researchers devised a 30-nutrient supplement cocktail that was designed to attack five major mechanisms of aging by multiple pathways. Tested in mice, the cocktail extended the life span by up to 28% while improving the aging animals’ mobility and cognitive function. The researchers believe that these positive results have transfer value to humans. These five mechanisms of aging are oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance and integrity of membranes. The 30-ingredients in the cocktail are vitamin Bl, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, acetyll-camitine, alpha-lipoic acid, aspirin, beta-carotene, bioflavonoids, chromium picolinate, garlic, ginger root extract, ginko biloba, ginseng, green tea extract, 1-glutathione, magnesium, manganese, melatonin, n-acetyl cysteine, potassium, rutin, selenium, cod liver oil, coenzyme QlO, and flaxseed oil (Life Extension, May 2012). 3) Reject and refuse to use tobacco products. More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined. Cigarette smoking (including deaths from second hand smoke) is estimated to cause about 443,000 deaths annually in the USA. On the average, adults who smoke cigarettes die 14 years earlier than nonsmokers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). 4) Be alert and proactive, and protect yourself from accidental death. In accordance with the statistics set forth above, accidental deaths are the fifth leading cause of death in the USA, number 117,176 in 2009. Of these deaths, 35,900 were caused by motor vehicle accidents. I had a personal experience that pertains to protection against motor vehicle accidents. Every once in a while, I visit my sister, Patricia Gatti, who lives in Jacksonville, Florida. On one of these recent trips, Pat picked me up at the train station, and we headed home in her car. On the way, we stopped at a traffic light. When our light turned green, we started to make a left turn. I looked at theoncoming lane and saw a man in a truck who had a cell 68
phone in one hand and the steering wheel in the other hand, and who was running a red light. I yelled, “Pat, that guy is running a red light!” Pat slammed on her brakes and said, “I see him.” The truck whizzed by, and the driver appeared to be completely oblivious to the fact that he had just run a red light. Pat’s alertness and excellent driving ability, along with the guidance of our Heavenly Father, kept us out of a T-bone motor vehicle crash that could have killed three people. The point that I am striving to make here is this: In order for us to maximize our life spans, we must protect ourselves against the serious dangers that we encounter when we are traveling. Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406) was a great Arabian philosopher who said, in essence, “A person is adequate only if he or she is able to acquire by his or her own efforts that which will be beneficial to him or her, and is able to reject that which would be harmful.” (Britannica Online Encyclopedia, 2012). Consequently, if you are able to achieve and maintain a moderate body weight, learn all you can about life extending nutrition and supplements, avoid tobacco use, and remain proactive about your personal safety, then you will surely maximize the probability that your life span will exceed 100 years. I hope that some sunny day you will celebrate your 100th birthday and enter the second century of_your life with enthusiasm, gladness, happiness, joy, success, and sublime ecstasy.
REFERENCES “Apple Polyphenols and Longevity.” Life Extension Magazine, April 2012. “Ibn Khaldun.” Britannica Online Encyclopedia 2012. “Long Lives.” The Guinness Book of World Records 2012. “Nutrient Cocktail Delays Aging and Extends Life Span.” Life Extension Maga zine, May 2012. “Obesity.” WEBMD, 2012. www.webmd.com/obesity. “Ponce de Leon.” Oracle Think Quest, 2012. www.library.thinkquest.org. “Smoking and Tobacco Use.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012. www.cdc.gov/tobacco. World Almanac and Book of Facts. World Almanac Books, New York, 2012 69
Buddha, Christ, and the Eagle, Finding happiness by Frances Rinaldi
Non f ict i on
It starts when a friend asks Janet to join her on a bicycling trip through Bhutan. Looking on the Internet she learns that the country’s gross national product is happiness. Janet, frustrated with life’s challenges, decides this sounds delightful. In Bhutan a unique connection with a young monk inspires her to let go of her worries and to be happy.
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The Re-Creation of Planet Earth and the Real Account of Life’s Beginnings by Brian Donnelly
Have you ever wondered why there is such a huge discrepancy between what scientists say about the age of our planet and what the Bible says? According to scientists, the planet is 4.6 billion years old. Yet the Bible says that this planet Earth is only six thousand years old. But what if both were right? What if there was an analysis of creation that combined science with scripture in the search for truth—yielding a unique and provocative conclusion about life’s beginning?
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The Perpetual Paycheck: 5 Secrets to Getting a Job, Keeping a Job, and Earning Income for Life in the Loyalty-Free Workplace by Lori B. Rassas
The Perpetual Paycheck: 5 Secrets to Getting a Job, Keeping a Job, and Earning Income for Life in the Loyalty-Free Workplace is a nuts-and-bolts guide that provides practical, accessible job-finding secrets for those looking for a new job, those looking to solidify their current position, those looking to advance their position, and those looking to change careers or industries.
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Hope as My Compass by Catherine DeVrye
#1 best-seller in Canada-Nominated for Australian Biography Award. A stranger than fiction true life journey from orphanage to executive; to Olympics; to discovering rodeo champion father. If you’ve ever felt alone and hopeless, laugh and cry through Catherine’s story to become more empowered to turn your own stumbling blocks into stepping-stones.
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Return to Me; God’s Heart Cry by NA Newlan
Return to Me; God’s Heart Cry was written to enable us to become more intimate with God and have a closer relationship with Him. To develop closer bonds and better understand who God is. It is not about a religion, but about a relationship. Return to Me; God’s Heart Cry is written in a straight forward, everyday conversational style. You don’t have to have a 180 IQ to understand what is written. This book is not a “do this or do that and everything will be fine” kind of book. God wants you to return to Him and this book will help you do that if you are willing. All that is required of you is to have an open and adventurous mind. The question is, do you? “The Author conveys a good explanation of free will and gives a beautiful map on how to be saved. The Author gives an overall good expression of “returning to God” and what that might look like today.” - Book Review by Diane, Book Club Facilitator, First Baptist Church, Altoona, Florida
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A Dark Journey Into The Light by Josef Smith The true story of a man who lived a secret life for nearly 60 years. Driven by urges and desires he can’t understand, he explores one of the primary driving forces behind life’s unfolding evolution. Sex. “‘A dark journey into the light’ is unique and engrossing. Josef has penned a glistering read on the profound exploration of the human condition. A powerful page turner that will resonate with readers long after the last page has been turned. An original and remarkable work of well rounded consciousness, worthy of appreciation by mature, open minded adults. Highly recommended” - Ena’s Reviews
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Summer Skool by Edmund Irons
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Teachers - puzzled by pupil behaviour? Parents - what are your children really getting up to in school? Retired teacher, Edmund Irons, provides a new and amusing twist on classroom behaviour. At the outlandish Summer Skool, it’s the pupils that learn how to manage the classroom - using 40 specially-designed ‘tactics’ to slow down lessons and stress-test the education system. Light holiday reading for all teachers and parents, Summer Skool may also guide readers new to teaching forewarning them in a humorous way of the pupil antics they can expect during their early years. Hilarious! - Lizzy Lloyd Having a jolly good chuckle at Ed Irons book. Full of wry perceptions of pupils. - Retired (Thank Goodness) teacher. I wish I had been given this book to read before I began teaching! It is a regrettably true, but humorous, analysis of the many ploys disruptive pupils use. Edmund Irons book is easy to read, accurate and very amusing. - DIY Man
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Lessons From a Difficult Person; How to Deal With People Like us by Sarah Elliston
The funny thing is that Sarah Elliston never realized she was “a difficult person,” -- someone who harangued people until she got her way, talked over her bosses and pointed out what she thought were their misconceptions. In her family, where she felt bullied, the only way she knew how to get someone’s attention and approval was to voice her opinion—and loudly! Without standing her ground, how could she do what she thought was best for herself and everyone else around her? She wasn’t intentionally mean-spirited. She was just trying to do what she thought was RIGHT! Until a kind, but firm, boss woke her up! With great compassion, and strength, her boss pointed out that that her actions had consequences. That in being “difficult,” she was not only disrupting the office camaraderie and production, but impeding her own professional advancement.
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The methods Elliston offers in her book end the trauma and the drama, and minimizes the possibility of confrontation. She gives YOU the ability to take a strong, positive, confident—yet compassionate--stance with the “difficult person”—whether that is a relative, coworker, friend, one of your children or anyone else for that matter.
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God’s Plan for Your Future: Purpose, History, and Destiny of Humanity as Revealed in Scripture by David Charles Cole
Non f icti on
The book offers a straightforward understanding of God and His plan for the Universe, as revealed in Scripture. Many find Bible study tedious. They want to find God without exertion. This book is the solution. It selects key verses from the 66 books of Hebrew and Christian Scripture, organizes them by subject, and adds commentary as needed for clarity. It is a “how to” guide to God’s plan for the Universe and the choices you must make to assure the salivation of your soul. It may be the most important book you ever read. “What is God’s plan for my life?” It is a question many have asked over the centuries. The author of this book has the wisdom and knowledge to help you discover God’s plan and the purpose of your life. Many verses of the Bible are put together with notations explaining what God wants us to know…By spending time reading God’s Word you…can learn “how to find your way by following His Way.” I have rated this book a solid 4 out of 4. I would be happy to read more … It appears the book had been edited and it is very well written. (OnlineBookClub.org review)
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Dating and Relationships by Gregg Michaelsen To Date a Man You Must Understand a Man gives you the blueprint to understanding the male mind so YOU can get what you want from a man by communicating in the language that he understands. Guys get away with tons of stuff and YOU allow them to. This book will strip a man of his power and put you in control. Hi I’m Gregg. I’m a top dating and life coach out of Boston. I’ve sold more than 250,000 books! “Excellent read! I read this book in 3 days and rather quickly started applying it to my relationship. After 24 hours of manmode it was already working. I highly suggest having your girlfriends read it too. That way you always have someone to consult and get advice from. I’m super excited to start To Date a Man You must understand yourself.” - by Alison 74
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I n t erv i ew s
An interview with George A. Tyrell – The Story Behind Secret Teachings Q. What inspired you to write a book about Doubting Thomas? A. In Catholic school whenever I’d ask embarrassing questions, the nuns would send me to a seat out in the hall. So soon the doubter Thomas became my favorite disciple. Q. How did that affect you as an adult? A. When studying the apocryphal Nag Hammadi texts I came upon The Gospel of Thomas, The Acts of Thomas, and The Book of Thomas the Contender. These ancient texts inspired my writing this Book of Thomas the Doubter: Uncovering the Hidden Teachings. Q. So tell us something these hidden texts. The knowledge you uncovered must have been intriguing. A. Yes, the texts were found hidden away from Christian persecutors who were out to destroy all writings they thought were Gnostic. Q. How Gnostic are those ancient texts? A. Both The Gospel of Thomas and The Book of Thomas the Contender speak of finding the Kingdom and Spirit not just in the heavens–but also within yourself. However, this knowledge is also in our canonized Scriptures as well (e.g. see Gen.2:7; Exod. 31:3; Job 32:8; Luke 17:20; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; John 14:16-18) But emphasizing the Divine within ourselves could keep worshipers from needing the church–-therefore the persecutions. Q. Where do the Thomas writings veer most from traditional Christian teachings? A. The apocryphal Acts of Thomas tells a tale most Christians do not know. It depicts Thomas acts as an apostle in India. I thought this far-fetched until my research revealed an actual tribe in India called “The Christians of St. Thomas”. They claim the original Thomas to be their founder. Moreover, near India’s eastern coast there is a Mount of St. Thomas, and a Cathedral of St. Thomas which claims his bones.
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Q. So is your book something like a scholarly treatise based on those texts? A. No, I wanted to share this knowledge with all the lay readers, so I managed this material in the form of a story depicting what Thomas himself would have written if a scroll were found with his own testimony to the world. Q. It seems you’ve come a long way from that kid sitting out in the hall. What do you think the nuns would say to you now? A. As matter of fact– As a touch of irony, I sent copies of my own Thomas book as gifts to all the local convents in my area. They must have loved it, for I received many gracious letters from them in return. Q. So could you tell us a bit more about your inspiration and intrigue in writing about these mysteries? A. I made sure I had the authentic history, culture, geography, clothing, sights, sounds, even the smells of those places and times. I surrounded myself with the ancient maps and pictures, even the music–until I felt I was virtually there and actually channeling Thomas’ voice through the scroll. Q. How is the book now available? A. It’s available now in its second edition in paperback, hard cover, and Kindle. The Book of Thomas the Doubter: Uncovering the Hidden Teachings by George A. Tyrrell is available on Amazon today.
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Interview With Linda Brossi Murphy Interv i ew s
Tell us something unexpected about yourself! Wow, nothing like starting with a tough question! It might be that I am a very unhealthy healthy person. Although I try to take good care of myself I have had breast cancer at 48 years old and a hip replacement due to arthritis at 51 years old…. Another fact is that I have no talent! I think it is sort of like getting the 0 matches at Keno…. There are so many things that a person could do and I can’t do any of them… No athletic ability, no musical or artistic ability, cooking, adequate at best. In the ancient history, I was a Nursing Home Administrator for three years when I graduated from college in the late 80’s. I was young and green but learned a lot over those years until I stayed home to raise my 3 kids. Another odd fact is that I got married almost 32 years ago when I was 20 years old over Christmas break of my Junior year at Assumption College. My poor father!! How did you get into writing? Initially, I wrote F*ck Off Cancer because my friend Nancy said I should…. And it took off from there. Now that I have written the book about my journey through Medium Breast Cancer I have found that my focus has changed to try and share the message that Lite to Medium Breast Cancer is pretty curable with today’s advances. It is just a lump in the road and you can have as much fun as possible while battling this disease. What are your top 3 books of all time? One of my favorite books of all time is Nineteen Minutes by Jody Picoult. The reason I have chosen a book about a school shooting is because I think that Ms. Picoult did an amazing job telling both sides of the story. When I began this book I did not think it was possible that I could empathize with a school shooter but her depth of character really inspired unexpected thoughts and emotions about such a devastating event. Another book I found fascinating was Love Language by Gary Chapman. It describes the 5 languages of love that people speak. The languages are words, gifts, acts of service, quality time and touch It was extremely interesting to reflect on my own life and see how my love language (which is quality time) impacts my relationships as well as how my loved ones communicate love to me as well.
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The third book that I found quite interesting was Gone Girl. I feel that Gillian Flynn did a great job keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. Just when I thought there could not possibly be another twist or turn … she got me again! I really wouldn’t want to be on Gillian’s bad side!
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book? Unfortunately, my inspiration was due to a medical crisis. The book is a how to guide for cancer patients and their families. Over the years I have always toyed with writing a novel. I have even started it a few times…. But it took my desire to share how to get through light to medium breast cancer with other people faced with this situation to inspire me to put the pen to paper and get the job done. How long did it take you to write this book? I started writing the book in January 2013 while I was in the depths of cancer treatments. It was actually quite easy to write as I was going through and could find the humor and silver linings to what could be a very dire situation. When I finished treatments in March 2014, the book was about three quarters of the way written. Luckily, I knew up to that point, it had a happy ending. It was just a matter of getting it on paper. At someone’s suggestion, I was trying to do a little bit every day and had my calendar set with the reminder every morning and night to write five pages, but that never happened! So, after a few months with a three-quarter complete book, I went to Block Island, Rhode Island where my family has a property and settled in. Over the course of four days I did not shower, ate frozen entrées, and dictated the final quarter of my book into Dragon speak. I then proceeded to proofread and edit during my stay on the island. As I was leaving the island, on the ferry boat ride, I looked into ways to self-publish. Have you got any writing rituals? It would be nice if I could share with you some special hat or share that I sit in to write but I do not have any special writing ritual. I think the most important writing ritual would be self-discipline to just sit down and get it done. How important is marketing and social media for you? When I first published the book I did quite a few book signings at area brick-and-mortar bookstores. I even did some while visiting some friends in Texas. Although they were quite successful, especially if there was an article in the newspaper around the same time, I don’t feel like it did anything to catapult sales to a higher level. I think social media and the Internet are the most important part of marketing. The exposure is limitless in cyberspace! Do you read your book reviews? Yes, I read my book reviews. So far they have been positive and it brings me joy to know that my book, F*ck Off Cancer, has impacted lives and helped so many people. I truly love and care about people and knowing that I have eased someone’s worry by providing a road map through this health challenge is very satisfying.
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On my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Fckoffcancer/, I have lots of communications with people on this journey and can offer support and encouragement since I have “Been there and done that” I welcome all feedback because if there are things that I could change to enhance the book I would happily consider them. Through this self-publishing process I have learned that you can change the book block for future printing without too much time or financial commitment. I have a few little tweaks on the list for my next revision. It is hard for even a professional editor to find every discrepancy or error. The perfect book is a work in progress! What advice would you have for other writers? My advice to anyone thinking about writing a book is just do it! We only have one life to live (Unless of course you believe in reincarnation) so live it to the fullest with no regrets. It takes self-discipline to get it done but it will be worth it in the end to say you did! The hardest part about being an author wasn’t writing the book, it is marketing it. I have spent more time on marketing the book than I did writing it. In one book I read about publishing a book, it suggested not to invest more money than you are willing to lose in Vegas. Sadly, only about 5% of all books really take off so the odds are against us. I am still working hard to promote my book in hopes of helping others but I accept that even the best book in the world won’t sell if no one knows about it. This is why it is so important to get the word out about your book! I’m sure that there are so many books that we could be enjoying if we knew about them. What are you reading now? I just read (actually listened to the audio book) I Want My Epidural Back by Karen Alpert. It is a sassy, flippant book about raising children. I found it absolutely hysterical but just a warning, Karen has a potty mouth so only read it if you can handle some swear words. What’s your next step? My next step is to live my life to the fullest and hope that F*ck Off Cancer doesn’t have a sequel! It is important to me to continue to tour around the country to different cities and talk about my journey and share my experience. Speaking to groups about how to LIVE and have as much fun as possible while battling breast cancer has been amazingly rewarding and my favorite part of writing this book. As far as practical literary goals, I would like to have an audio book produced, and who knows, maybe a Lifetime movie! Why not shoot for the stars! 84
Looking for God within the Kingdom of Religious Confusion by AW Schade Devastated by his young daughter’s tragic death, Jacob is resolved to find God to ask why he allowed her death. No longer sure God exists; Jacob travels to the ‘Ancient Gates of Abraham’ to cross the conflicting and biased roads in the Kingdom of Religious Confusion. He engages devout leaders, God-fearing believers, atheists and others in common sense conversations to determine why they’ alone have the answer.
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Earthgame - Hints for Mastering the Greatest Game in the Universe by Rochelle Bartholomew Earthgame blends theoretical futuristic technology with beautiful ancient teachings from the Himalayas offering a new perspective on what life is all about and how you can turn your mind from a cage into the advanced crystalline tool it was always meant to be.
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The Legend of King Minos (Greek Mythology for Young Readers) by Peter W. Katsirubas The Legend of King Minos tells the story of the famous Minoan ruler through Ancient Greek myths. This book provides a biography of a historical figure, in contrast to mythology books for children that provide unrelated stories leaving the impression that myths are only fairy tales.
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A Romance for Christmas by Kayelle Allen
Rom a nc e
A sweet feel-good holiday romance that reaffirms all you love about Christmas. It’s Christmas Eve, and the end of a year in which everything Dara loves was lost. Everything but her little girl and a fierce determination to survive. When a cop brings Christmas to her door, he brings another gift she never expected to get.
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Miss Claus and The Secret Santa by J.L. Hendricks Santa Claus isn’t who, or what, you think he is! The real Santa is an Arctic Wolf Shifter, and the mantle has always passed down to his sons. But this St. Nick didn’t have any boys, he has 4 girls!
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Hope at Christmas by Nancy Naigle If you love Hallmark movies, you’re going to love Hope at Christmas. A heartwarming Christmas story that proves you can always go home again.
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The Christmas Experience by Katherine Moore
Christmas comes only once a year but in 2017, Meredith Manor Hotel is celebrating the holiday a dozen different ways. When Miranda Weston takes a temp job at the hotel, she never dreams the man who broke her heart will arrive to complicate her life. This is a short, cozy Christmas romance novel for fans of movies like Love, Actually.
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Excerpt Christmas in Smithville Short sto ri es
Watching her from across the table, Ned couldn’t help but contemplate how beautiful Gloria was. Her cheeks were still pink from the cold and her hair winked and shone in the light. And not only that, he thought, she was generous and kind and smart. How many women would step up the way Gloria had, especially after she’d been treated so badly? “You’re amazing, you know th—that?” Still thinking about Nadine and the impending arrival of her new baby, Gloria was surprised by Ned’s announcement. “What?” she focused on the man across the table. “How do you figure that?” “Look at you,” he said. “Nadine has been n—nothing but mean to you, and yet here you are, t—treating her like family.” “You’re here too,” she said as she glanced away, her cheeks turning even more pink under her freckles. “It’s my job,” he said flatly. Silence fell between them as each considered their part in the situation. Finally Gloria brushed her bangs back from her face. “I just did what anyone would do in that situation.” He scoffed under his breath, but decided let the topic rest. “You can go home if you want to, I’ll w—wait for Robert’s mother to get here.” “What about your job?” she asked, motioning toward town. “The sheriff took over at t—ten, I’m off the clock.” “Oh,” she said, staring down at her hands. Then she looked up and squared her shoulders. “I told Nadine I’d take care of her kids. It wouldn’t feel right to leave.” He shook his head, amazed yet again, then a slow smile spread across his handsome face. “Fine by me…” Wind rattled the window over the sink, but neither commented on the storm. Gloria squirmed in her chair, then stood and pushed up the sleeves of her sweater. “I see a coffee pot, would you like a cup?” “Sure,” Ned shrugged. Opening cupboard doors, looking for coffee, Gloria appeared to be contented to have something to do. “Do you work tomorrow?” he asked, breaking the silence in the room. She shook her head as she scoped coffee grounds into the machine. “No, the spa is closed until after Christmas.” He nodded, considering her answer. Filling the coffee pot with water, Gloria glanced at him over her shoulder. “Too bad you can’t shut the town down to take a week off.” He chuckled. “I g—guess so.” 88
When the machine was chugging away, dripping fragrant coffee into the pot, Gloria returned to the table and leaned on the back of her chair. “You have a beautiful singing voice. What made you think of singing carols on the walk to the car?” Ned blushed and fidgeted with the zipper on his uniform coat. “Oh… I just figured… I wanted to d—distract the kids…” Gloria smiled. “Well, it worked. They loved it. I think they nearly forgot about their mom. I’d heard that when people who have a stutter sing, they—” her words stopped short. He flinched inside at her words, but he wasn’t offended at her reference. “It’s true. S—something about singing m—makes a stutter fall away.” “I’m sorry,” she floundered, worried that she’d upset him. “I didn’t… I mean I don’t care if…” Raising one hand to stop her, he met her eye. “I’m not offended Gloria, you’re fine.” But what he really wanted to say was that she had no idea how much music played a part in his life. “Has it always been like that for you?” she asked, curious about her newest friend. “As long as I can remember,” He shrugged. “That’s so interesting…” As the conversation lagged once again, Ned wished he could confide all his secrets to Gloria, including the biggest one, that he’d been writing her love letters. But he’d lived a double life for so long, in so many ways, that he had no idea how to breach the divide. The coffee machine beeped and Gloria moved back to the counter. As she filled two mugs with steaming brew, she chanced a glance his direction. The aroma of the coffee swirled around her, and combined with the storm raging outside, Ned could feel the conflict that was Gloria, larger than ever.
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Rom a nc e
Their Witch Wears Plaid by Kathleen Shaputis
A giant-sized Druid, trances and nightmares mess up Nell’s festive end of summer plans. Living in Scotland, a palm reader for Baillie Castle, Nell loses her heart to a professional jouster. But is her shining knight in cahoots with the sinister Druid? Will the recipe of a magic coin, diva queens and witches be enough to save Nell? Or will evil triumph over love?
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After Midnight, a novel by Diane Shute
As far as Alix is concerned, she has no past, only today. Her plan for the future is to shape a dynamic racing stable capable of taking the 1830s British racing world by storm. When her sister, Lily, appears to demand they exchange places, Alix is swept into a delightful mix of love and confusion in the role of Lord Nicholas Griffon’s wife. As dreams of a disturbing past struggle to resurface, Alix is uncertain if life will ever be the same.This women’s historical fiction novel is the first in the Midnight Series.
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Good Pussy Bad Pussy - Rachel’s Tale by Amy Aimee
Most unhappily married women only dream of having sex with other men, but Rachel actually did. And it gets her into all kinds of trouble. From Amsterdam to the French Riviera to New York City... from her blood lover Stefan to aristocratic Albert. Rachel tastes forbidden fruit – and likes it. That is until life takes a very surprising turn!
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Laurel’s Gift by Tricia McGill
A ghostly child singing in the night sets off a chain of events leading to Laurel learning the secrets that dwell in her Great Aunt’s house. When Eli comes into Laurel’s life, instead of uncovering the secrets buried in this house, their efforts lead them to discover even greater mysteries.
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Silent Song coming to life by Jaci Wheeler Articl e
Many authors I know pull from events or people from their own lives for inspiration or storyline. I’ve never been that way personally. I’m an extremely private person by nature, so its very unusual for me to use any of myself in my books. That is actually my favorite thing about writing, I’m able to fully create worlds and people out of thin air. It allows you to become who-ever you want for the moment. I usually create a main character who is nothing like me because it allows me to be and do all the things I’ve always wanted to. I’ve had a very eventful life. Those who know me well always ask why I’ve never drawn from my real life for a novel, since my life is pretty much a lifetime movie. The idea of writing anything close to home has always been completely horrifying for me. (Super private remem-ber?) I have a pretty unique situation where I lost my hearing at eighteen years old. (You can read more about it in my letter to the reader in Silent Song.) Deafness is one of those subjects that most people think they understand…but actually don’t. There is so much more to deafness than not being able to hear. There are levels (decibels) of sound that is so intricate that it is much more than just you can hear or not. A few years ago I read a book that had a deaf main character. The book was amazing, but there were so many things that weren’t accurate. It wasn’t glaringly obvious unless you were deaf, but it really bothered me. I had brought up the issue to a good author friend of mine and I’ll never forget what she said to me. “The only way to fix this problem Jaci, is to set it straight. That means you are going to have to write the story of a deaf person from their perspective. Show people not only your world, but help them understand the deaf world. Who else will?” I instantly shut her down. Theres no way I’m writing anything close my life. A few months went by and then I had to explain a few things about deafness to people that they just never knew. Like just because you speak English doesn’t mean deaf people can write in English without struggle. Almost every hearing person I talked to didn’t know that American Sign Lan-guage is NOT english. It has its own structure and rules like any other language. ASL is my second language, but it’s the main one I use at home with my husband. It’s hard for my brain to switch back and forth between ASL and English. Because of this I tend to change tenses when I write, which is very frowned upon in writing. I’m pretty sure I’ve driven every editor I’ve ever had to drink over this little fact. After having to explain this to several people over a very short amount of time I finally came to terms with the fact that I was going to have to write a story with a deaf character.
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I decided to go home and just see if I even had a story in me. I don’t outline, ever. I just start writing. I usually write the end first, then the beginning and fill in the middle. (Yeah I’m weird.) So I went home and just started writing to see if I even had a story in me…and I couldn’t stop. I wrote through he night, and all weekend long. By the time I took a break I had almost written half of the book. This is the only book I didn’t have to re-write or revise. It was trapped deep down and apparently ready to be freed. I cried more while writing this story than I have probably ever cried in my life. But it was also the most cathartic thing I‘ve ever done. This story isn’t my own, but the feelings are completely mine. The pain, fears and pas-sion is all mine even though the story belongs to Barrett alone. Silent Song by Jaci Wheeler is available on Amazon today.
True to Herself by Barbara M Webb The year is 1985. The first British mobile phone call has been made, and the first debate in the House of Lords has been televised. What brings four women together in West Gidding a village near London? Scarlett Hughes is a sexy, dark-haired teacher who was a Bluebell dancer in Paris in her youth; Zara James, an eccentric art gallery owner, who escaped from what was known as Yugoslavia, harbours a secret; Felicity Green, a talented water colourist, refuses to have children in order to carve out a place for herself in a male-dominated art world; and then there is Moira Capaldi, formerly an international air hostess, who comes all the way from Sydney, Australia.
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Salt Water Scars ~ In The Deep by Jenna Brett
Rom a nce
Neil is a billionaire with baggage and a hero complex. Ross is a girl with simple dreams; chief among them, to keep life drama-free. When their worlds collide, threat and violence descend upon Ross and her family. Neil must step out of his gilded cage and do everything in his power to protect and earn the respect of this remarkable girl -- or risk losing her forever.
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No Quarter: Dominium - Volume 1 by MJL Evans and GM O’Connor 1689 Port Royal, Jamaica - Atia Crisp and her sister Livia shipwrecked and sold into slavery. They are separated and Atia is used as a pawn in a deadly card game at the Swiftsure Tavern until she is liberated by sugar merchant Capitaine la Roche. Hunted at every turn, they take refuge at Cherry Red’s Boutique and meet up with allies including the medication-loving Dr. Strangewayes.
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Send this Christmas Picture book for a card that makes a lasting family gift!
Angel Diamonds from the Sky
A Christmas Gift for Jesus An amazing search of angels looking for a perfect gift to give Jesus on His Birthday. Enjoy this unique and wondrous children’s Christmas story. Meaningfully written and illustrated, this story expresses the true meaning of Christmas. A lasting family treasure. Amazon or Apple makes it fast and easy to send direct to your lucky recipients.
“… Remember,” God said, “diamonds are like people. The more help they get from each other, the more beautiful they become.”
Order in Printed or Kindle ebook options in several languages. For all versions and information go to: https://amazon.com/author/jackgmaynardjr
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Order for Apple iBooks devices with animation go to:
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/angel-diamonds-from-the-sky/id748667518?mt=11
For Spanish Apple iBooks animated go to:
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/diamantes-angel-desde-cielo/id1152621342?mt=11
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Short stori es
Excerpt from ‘Seduction of Santa’ by Emma Calin
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She pushed on through the traffic to Piccadilly and Regent Street. Police security was tight in response to terrorist threats and attacks. In theory she could use the Oxford Street bus lane but it didn’t surprise her when a couple of police officers stopped her, machine guns in hand. “Red buses only,” said a young severe looking constable. “Come on, I’ve got a load of kids on here,” Paula said. “Move on or we’ll do you for obstruction.” Paula fished in her jeans for her warrant card police ID. She handed it to the officer. He studied it and glanced at her. “Come on mate. It’s all about community relations, you know all that shit.” “Go on then. If I’m wrong and you run down pedestrians, or you’re a bomb, I might as well put this gun to my head. You know that don’t you?” “I know that.” She leaned out the window and kissed his cheek. He blushed and smiled. “I think you’re the loveliest woman who’s ever kissed me.” “I think you’re the loveliest copper I’ve ever kissed.” He waved her through. What she’d said was true. He was the first copper she’d ever kissed. She noted his shoulder service number. He was sure to get a Christmas card with her thanks. She crawled among the buses along Oxford Street. It felt great to be V.I.P.s. At last she arrived at Marble Arch and squeezed the bus into the stop zone that she’d used so many times, as a London driver on the 73 Service. “If anyone wants to take a stroll back to get some photos of the Oxford Street lights you’ll find me here. Don’t worry if you can’t see me, I might have to do a circuit if they move me on. Thirty minutes max, OK?” She pressed the button to open the doors and the bus emptied out. She hit the handbrake and went to the back to help with the tail lift for the wheelchairs. She was aware of a couple of figures standing close behind her. She stood and swivelled round. “That was some master stroke to get this thing up Oxford Street and get parked here. Thanks for that,” said a male voice. In front of her was a tough-looking big man, his arm around the shoulder of a boy wearing a wide innocent grin on his face. “No worries, I used to be a London bus driver.” “What? Someone like you?” “What do you mean?” “I can’t just say it, someone like, kind and lovely.” “I’m not sure if that’s sexism or bus driverism.” The guy started to laugh. “Do I know you?”
“Did you ever catch the 73 service Oxford Circus to Stoke Newington?” “No.” “Did I ever put you in jail?” “What?” “I’m a cop in my day job.” For a moment he stared at her as she stared back. “I just don’t fucking believe it,” he said. “That’s just what I was thinking.” “I didn’t recognize you with clothes on. I didn’t mean, you know, like that way. Why do we always meet in the dark in a heap of diesel engines?” “Must be heaven’s plan.” The guy looked around him. He seemed oddly awkward and uncertain. “This is my boy, Justin.” “Lovely to meet you Justin. I’m Paula.” She looked back to the man. “I can’t swear in front of your lad, but you can probably guess my feelings, Mr Muswell. I wasn’t expecting to meet you tonight.” “All that’s behind us. Please, please, Paula, we can wipe everything clean and start from here.” “I don’t think we can.” “We can. Please. Look I’m going to pop over to get a shot of the lights. Drop us off last and we’ll talk, OK? Please?” She nodded agreement. It made sense to drop him last and go home to Camberwell in the bus. The situation was perplexing. He seemed like a different man, like a father, like a caring human being. All the rules around complaints against police prohibited contact with the complainant. Her career could end sooner than she thought. On the other hand, she might advance her enquiries into his labor force and his relationship with the McCarthy brothers. And on another hand all together, she might spend some time with a man who had the balls to put his fingers up to the system and carve a life from his own strength and desires. She couldn’t deny to herself the attractiveness of such a man. There was goodness in him and that was never a bad place to start. When everyone was reloaded she pulled away, this time running down to Hyde Park Corner and taking Piccadilly down to the Circus. As they were rolling down Whitehall toward Westminster she noticed Max Muswell standing up just behind her and addressing the other passengers. “Right, Listen. Anyone want a McDonald’s?” All the kids bellowed approval. Paula glanced back at Sally, knowing she would be having the same thoughts. Many of the parents just wouldn’t have the money. Mr Muswell was something of a bull in a china shop and certainly a bull. “That’s fantastic. Meadowchef Foods will treat everyone as a Christmas commercial promotion so have whatever you want. The taxman will pay. I’ll come round with a list for orders. Driver, can you find a big yellow M on your way home?” So, he’d just taken over the show. The bus would be a mess and she’d spend half the night cleaning it up. All the same he meant well and the kids would love it. She opted to get out of Central London and headed for the Elephant and Castle. She stopped outside the McD in Walworth Road. 97
Short sto ri es
in Walworth Road. “That’s everyone except our driver,” he said, as he stepped down onto the sidewalk. “Big Tasty meal. Full fat Coke, please,” she said. “That’s it. God, I love a woman who doesn’t mess about and gets stuck into a bit of grub.” “And they say romance is dead,” she replied. “Ketchup?” “Loads.” He held her eyes with a quick appraising sweep of her face. His expression was tough but with an edge of good humor. Even though he seemed to cast himself as Mr Big he was happy to go to stand in line with a huge order. Also he was happy to pay. She watched him walk in. He was broad and moved in a way that made a few youths blocking the entrance step smartly aside. You just knew you wouldn’t want to see him angry. She looked to her side to see Melissa Prentice. “Paula, I didn’t know who he was, that Mr Muswell.” She could see some sort of anguish in her face. She was a good, strangely optimistic and innocent woman. She was blessed with a degree of simplicity that had left her open to abuse. Both her partners had disappeared back into the scenery and she’d been abandoned with two boys. Leroy was a petty criminal on the edge of the gangs and Benny had learning issues. “I was talking to him about you. He seemed so keen to know why you were driving the bus, and all about you.” “I hope you told him I was the best cop in Brixton.” Melissa hesitated. “I told him about Leroy. I told him you let him go. I wanted to say you were kind.” Paula looked back into her open troubled face. Now she was in the shit. “When he said the treat was on Meadowchef Foods I realized I might have done wrong. I’m so sorry.” “No problem, Melissa. He’s a kind man I think.” The woman seemed relieved and went back to her seat. Inwardly Paula was horrified. That one moment of weakness, or kindness, or mercy, or dereliction of duty just kept on haunting her. She seemed caught up in a whirlpool of coincidences that was about to drag her under. Perhaps he wouldn’t put two and two together and realize that Leroy was the guy who’d run away. He seemed a man very much on top of every game. She wasn’t finished by any means. His labor force was his weak point and he knew that she knew. Since her expedition to Peckham she knew a little more. There was likely to be a fight ahead, but her greatest enemy was probably Inspector Bissel. He was a young guy on the way up, and old sweat constables were not the modern police flavor. Sally directed the singing while they waited. At last Max Muswell returned with a large cardboard box and distributed all the meals. She pulled away, the aroma of food heavy in the air and causing her stomach to rumble. “You don’t want to wait until it’s cold,” he said appearing at her side with her meal. “I’ll grab a bite each time we stop.” “Have a drink of your Coke.” He popped the straw into the cap and held it while she took a sip. “That’s kind but against all the rules, so that’s the first and last for now.” “I wouldn’t encourage you to break the regulations, officer.” 98
She could hear a smile in his voice, but kept her eyes on the road. This situation was more than a little bizarre. One by one she dropped off the passengers until only Sally, Max, and his son remained. In her mirror she could see a scene of cardboard and plastic devastation. The windows had been smeared by greasy fingers, ketchup and dill pickles littered the floor and seats. It was 11:00 p.m. and she wouldn’t be home until midnight. In the morning she’d have to clean the bus and take it back to its yard in Tooting. She dropped Sally at her home in Herne Hill and headed for Dulwich. “You’re an ace at driving this thing.” Max and Justin had seated themselves behind her. “Thank you.” “Don’t worry about this mess, I’ll get this cleared and like new in the morning. I’ll get a couple of real good blokes to sort it out.” “How are they going to do that?” “They’ll turn up and fix it.” “They don’t know where the bus will be.” “That’s police training for you. I hadn’t thought of that ’cause I assumed you’d tell me.” She thought hard. Did she really want any more to do with him? The offer of some help was tempting and since her shift started at 2:00 p.m. she wouldn’t have too much time. “Are these straight up men?” “I’ll send a couple of real pros. It’s the same fellas who clean my Rolls-Royce.” She pulled up outside his house. She operated the doors. “I’ll park the bus at the Camberwell Community Center. What time can you send your guys?” “Nine-thirty on the dot.” “Nice to meet you, Justin. Did you like the Christmas lights?” she asked the lad. “Yeah, I’m getting an iPhone X for Christmas.” “You’re a lucky man.” He beamed at her and reached out for her hand. She took it. “Dad said you’re a very pretty lady.” She looked past him to where Max was waiting just outside the bus. For once he wasn’t fixing her with his searching expression. “Was he wearing his glasses?” “No.” “That explains it then.” “He said I could tell you.” “Your dad’s a bit sneaky.” “Yeah. He hides my iPad when it’s meal times.” “Come on, Justin. Busy day tomorrow,” said Max. “He doesn’t wear glasses,” Justin added. Paula chuckled as she closed the doors. She watched them as they walked up to the house, his arm around the boy’s shoulders. Doubtless he was a bruising bastard to deal with but in this moment there was something touching about his unconditional love for the young man. Was this the child that his wife had left him with? Was this the kid he hadn’t fathered? Guessing Max Muswell’s character, he didn’t seem the sort of man to care for such a child. For sure she was never going to know what sort of man he was. With a bit of luck she’d never see him again.
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Holiday Hearts Awakening by Fiola Faelan What happens when you mix a woman who has given up on love with a sexy, stubborn neighbor and his meddling little girl? Will holiday hearts awaken to passion and new love, or will Zach and Natalie let this chance at love pass them by? A hopeful holiday story about mutual redemption, broken dreams, and how a young girl’s innocence can create a family. It’s not just for holiday reading, it’s great for anyone who has struggled to get back to the life they wanted after a tragedy. “Wow! This may be a novella but it had all the elements of a full length novel. It was well written, had developed characters, and a great second chance at love storyline after a devastating tragedy.” Buy Now
The Unwanted Heiress by Amy Corwin An American heiress nobody wants; a duke every woman desires; and a murder no one expects. When Charlotte meets Nathaniel, sparks fly! What an exceptional book! Intrigue, action, mystery, suspense and romance abound in these pages. A well written plot with interesting characters. --Norma The twists and turns to finding love. As usual Amy Corwin’s writing is as mysterious and exciting as all her stories are. They keep you on the edge of your seat. I really enjoy her work. --Candy Buy Now
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The Dream Dancer by Leslie Hachtel Lady Bryce has the power to enter dreams and persuade. She sets her sights on Rowland and ‘seduces’ him in his sleep until her agrees to marry her. But, when Bryce is accused of witchcraft, will their love be enough to save her? Great telling of a fabulous premise! The premise of the book is fabulous. A woman who can enter dreams and who manipulates things as she wishes. Then comes her comeuppance. A hero who is strong, sexy and confident. And the humor is terrific! A definite recommend.
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Saber’s Vida by L. Ann Marie Former Delta turned FBI Tactical Commander Rafael Saber doesn’t know how to be anything but the cliché military player with women just waiting for him to show up. New is never easy, but Michelle is, for about 3 days. When Saber is put in his place by one woman, another finds his charm and panty-dropping smile worth the risk. Assistant DA, Cassidy knows she’s worth more than a Delta Groupie title and makes Saber work for it. “Rafael Saber is definitely a jaw & panty dropping alpha male who earned & deserves respect as a dedicated new commander in this new series. Cassidy is definitely a powerhouse, whose also dedicated to her job and is so adorable. I loved reading their story of Love, Laughter, and Loyalty to one another, their jobs, & their families. And OMG the Golden Girls are Crazy, Hilarious, & I can’t wait till the next book in this new series to see what they do next! Awesome book & new series worth reading!”
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The art of graphic novel by zachary block
It’s about time someone made an action sports comic and a wakeboarding one at that. But what ulterior motives could be lurking under this freshly dried ink? What gimmicky hackjob is awaiting once we crack open the attractively drawn cover and look at the color pages inside? Upon further inspection of the production website, this does appear to be a sincere story told from a pair of siblings who do enjoy the lifestyle and culture of action sports. So what does a comic book look like without caped superheroes flying around, fighting crime? Actually… it looks pretty good. Refreshing even. Take a look. Meet Callun or Cal for short. He’s wasting his summer days away partying with his friends at the lake house, until that is, his girlfriend breaks up with him for a Charger driving, 401(k) stockpiling, fist bumping, douche-in-a-sweater-vest. This event seemingly spurs Cal and the group to uproot from their sleepy hometown in rural, Midwestern, nowhere and head out towards the fringe capital of Bro Culture: Lake Victoria, or as we are assuming, it’s real-life counterpart, Lake Havasu, Arizona. We can tell right away from the fashion differences and the tattooed and body pierced denizens that this is not home. We’re not in Kansas anymore Dorothy!
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But the hometown spirit and mid-west work ethic prompt the group to throw a professional riding event at the lake in the defense of the friendly marina that is being litigiously squeezed by the town’s snooty yacht club and it’s two hard nosed Park Rangers. Shake The Lake Volume 1 is a fun introduction to these characters and a foray into a new style of graphic novel. There’s some genuinely funny comedy and I’m hopeful that the rest of the series picks up where Volume 1 ends as it really starts to ramp up in the final pages. You’re getting a good volume of work here at 40 beautiful pages and I can only assume that the major antagonists arrive in full force at the start of the next volume. Action sports fans, do yourself a favor and head over to Amazon and get yourself a digital copy of Shake The Lake Volume 1 for about the price of a tall latte.
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