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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The Anonymous Girl by Holy Ghost Writer



The Anonymous Girl (Special Edition)
Illuminated Publications


Genre: Thriller


Short blurb:
Unbeknownst to the world, Zaydee is not only the founder of Bitcoin, soon to revolutionize banking, but also a descendant of the real person that inspired The Count of Monte Cristo. As she makes her way through the federal prison and court systems she continues her plans to start her own country that we first learned about in That Girl Started Her Own Country. Will she win her case or make a daring and unique escape as she turns her enemies in real zombies? No, not those silly ones in Walking Dead, but like those that have been made in Haiti for generations.

"This book's author adds mystery to the series by remaining anonymous. Those who like fantasies set in the present day, depicting exaggerated lifestyles and cyberspace intrigue, will be entertained." Margaret Cullison, Foreword Clarion



Author Bio:
Who is The Holy Ghost Writer?

The identity of the author is part of an international contest, and the first person to correctly name the HG Writer from the clues found in the Count of Monte Cristo sequels will receive a reward of $5000. Visit the Holy Ghost Writer's Amazon Author Page for Details and see if you can discover the real identity of the author being heralded as the new Stieg Larsson for That Girl Started Her Own Country, the successor of Alexander Dumas for The Sultan of Monte Cristo and the next Ray Bradbury for The Boy Who Played With Dark Matter. Contact the author c/o books@illuminatedpublications.com










Rafflecopter Code for the $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Brand Legacy by Angela Mayartis Johnson



Brand Legacy
By Angela Mayartis Johnson

Genre: Nonfiction, Self Help

Synopsis:

Brand Legacy is a guide for those who dream of something more than their current occupation, and are considering a change from their present (physical and/or mental) circumstances to their intended future. Through the use of Brandercises (branding exercises), vivid real life stories and key transitional tips, Brand Legacy, educates you on how to understand your value proposition in order to accomplish your dreams. It instructs you on how to live a passion-filled, purpose-driven life that leaves a legacy that communicates your narrative.





Author Info: 

Angela Mayartis Johnson is a dynamic motivational speaker who successfully redefined her legacy from Marketing Executive to Personal Brand Development Specialist focusing on helping athletes discover their passion, brand their niche and build their legacy. Using clearly defined and applicable techniques in her MBA course work, Angela passionately empowers others to overcome fears and create pathways to their future. Mayartis Brand Academy is a speaking/training forum that was created to develop brands, assist entrepreneurs in realizing their dreams and building their legacy. It is Angela's goal to help individuals define their "Why" and determine their goals, so they can live their dreams and make their mark.




Links: 

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Her Mother's Voice by Anna Woo



Her Mother's Voice
By Anna Woo 


Genre: General Fiction, Asian American Fiction



Synopsis: 

Her Mother’s Voice is about the mother-daughter relationship and cultural conflicts. It is about a Chinese mother who is dying of cancer and her adult daughter, Emily. Emily consciously and unconsciously struggles with her Chinese identity due to her experiences of racism and alienation, growing up as a second generation Canadian in a mid-sized Ontario town. She struggles against being the good and dutiful Chinese daughter, yet finds herself playing this role. Consequently, she finds herself searching for a professional who can help cure her mother’s cancer. Western and Chinese medicine are pitted against each other. 

In addition, she has been hiding her romantic relationships from her mother. Now with her mother dying, she is forced to face her fears and become open about her current relationship with a White Anglo-Saxon man.

Brief Excerpt:

"Emily-a, give me call, it important," said the voice on the answering machine.

"Em…" the familiar voice cried out. Emily stood in her apartment after a long day of conducting assessments and pressed and pressed the skip button on her answering machine until no new messages appeared. Emily-a! She heard her mother’s voice in her head calling her. Her pronunciation never changed in intonation or tone, except to get louder. Emily-a! She said her name out loud with a Chinese accent. She always thought it was funny how her mother changed English names into Chinese sounding ones just by adding the letter “a.” Friends’, neighbours’, even strangers,’ names became more Chinese-like. Accepted. For example Debby became “‘Debby-a”, Charlie became “Charlie-a”, Cindy became “Cindy-a” and so on. It even made it easier for her mom to talk or gossip about that person too!

But why does she keep calling?


Author Bio

Anna Woo was first published in 1993 in a collection of short stories called Sharing our Experience, by the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women. 

She has a Master Degree in Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto/Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (1997). As well, she completed the Creative Writing program through The Humber School for Writers in 2002. 

Her Mother’s Voice is her first fictional novel. 



Social Media links: 

Kobo ebook: 


Amazon.ca: 


Amazon.com: 




Monday, September 22, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT & REVIEW: The Painted Catch by Ronder Scott



The Painted Catch

By Ronder Scott
Genre: Thriller
Publication Date: May 2014




Publisher Tenth Street Press


Synopsis

What happens when you are in an elite military squadron and follow an order that was given in error?

That’s what has happened to Shane Braff and Jennifer Koppell when they entered Tayyip Nafisi’s home. He wasn't a terrorist and neither was his family. But it all happened so fast and the result was that his son lost his life that day and his wife soon followed.

Not able to cope with the grief, The Painted Catch is a psychological thriller that shows how Tayyip Nafisi turned from dedicated government employee; a man who used his genius to help the United States government, to a man who will stop at nothing to get revenge on the people that stole everything from him. When Shane and Jennifer discover they are both in The Land of Paintings, they will do whatever it takes to ensure that their children survive. For Shane, it means the ultimate sacrifice of his life. For Jennifer, it means coming to terms with the past and doing what she must to protect their daughters in the future. Unfortunately, it also means paranoia because Tayyip Nafisi was never caught.

He’s out there and she doesn’t know where he’ll be lurking. Waiting. She knows he’ll be watching though. It’s his nature.


My Review

This was a very interesting and complex book. The plot is developed due to a very tragic series of events suffered by a U.S. citizen while he and his family were in their native country.  Tayyip Nafisi is a naturalized U.S. citizen who is mistaken for a wanted terrorist and visited by American troops in his home in Afghanistan.  And, well, let’s just say that things did not work out well for he and his family.  After suffering imprisonment and the destruction of his family, he swears vengeance on all parties involved in destroying his life. He creates an elaborate play of illusions to realize his twisted scheme of retribution.

The creation of the technology utilized in this book is an astonishing concept, and I found myself also rooting for the protagonists. I think that Ms. Scott developed the characters well and I followed them from act to act and was moved by their collective losses. The antagonist, though afflicted with his own sorrow, was still very easy to despise! 

The only thing that I think could use a little deeper explanation is how the antagonist, Tayyip Nafisi, created the monstrous alternate worlds, and how he crafted his grand plan to utilize these micro universes. I enjoyed this book, but really think it could use a bit more polish to be developed into an absolute powerhouse!



Author Info

Ronder Scott was born in Northern Louisiana, where she enjoyed reading books. In Minden, the town she calls home, reading became her passion. She started exploring other avenues where her voice could be heard. Over the years, she has penned a number of screenplays, which she is fond of turning into novels for her readers’ enjoyment. That is why, when you read her work, it is very visual with descriptive annotations that are sure to take you on a literary ride. Weaving characters into authentic, realistic writing is her craft. Her conceptual writing comes from the atrocities of humankind, though she is very brave in choosing which topics to bring to light. 


Other than writing, she is a recluse - bound to reading old manuscripts or mediating, bringing forth new ideas for writing. She is currently married and living in Houston, Texas, where she is pursuing a Master’s degree from Texas Southern University. She maintains her stance that writing new material comes from being inspired by the things around us.




Tuesday, September 16, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Beyond Hollywood Strip by Shamron Moore

Beyond Hollywood Strip
By Shamron Moore
Publisher: Vigliano Books (July 28, 2014)

Genre: Adult Fiction

Synopsis:  Callie Lambert is the hottest starlet in Hollywood. With a hit TV show under her belt, the tabloid-targeted actress--christened one of “The 20 Most Tantalizing Angelenos”--leads a charmed life, hobnobbing with fashionistas in Paris and industry bigwigs in Los Angeles . She's sexy, sassy, and unsinkable....and currently unemployed.

Beyond Hollywood Strip offers an inside look into the realities of being famous and beautiful, following Callie as she navigates the seedy underbelly of the entertainment industry. Juggling hunky ex-boyfriends, battling lawsuits from rival actresses, staying one step ahead of the press, organizing a charity event to honor her murdered friend…Callie’s got it all under control. But when she receives a mysterious letter from a young woman claiming to be her long-lost sister, Callie’s world begins to crack around the edges and all bets are off.

An ode to the literary popcorn of Jacqueline Susann, Beyond Hollywood Strip is a steamy, action-packed ride down Sunset Boulevard. Better buckle your seat belt…it’s going to be bumpy...

BOOK BLITZ! The Warrior by RT Lucas & LJ Halkett

The Warrior: A Tainted Blood Novel
by RT Lucas & LJ Halknett




The Warrior (A Tainted Blood Novel)
By LJ Halkett & RT Lucas
Genre - Urban Paranormal Romance
Dark Hollows Press

Publication Date - 9/12/14


There is a reason for everything and all actions have consequences.

All Commander Xavier Raige wanted to do from the minute his world collided with Alicia Carberletti’s was to protect her. Now, the biggest battle he has ever faced has just begun. He needs to find a way back to Alicia and save her from the dark forces that are gathering against her and he won’t let the inconvenience of being dead keep him from her.

Lieutenant “Shuggie” MacAndrew, Ancient Scottish warrior vampire. Mystery surrounds his past and puts his future in jeopardy. Can he win the battle between his heart and head, or will he be defeated in his pursuit of the One?

Dr Teodora Valdez, skilled Surgeon/Scientist. She almost has it all until a dark secret resurfaces. Can she heal the wounds or will she discover there is no cure for a broken heart?
The consequences of recent events unravel and battle for dominance in the mafia underworld intensifies.

Ambition…family…revenge…love...

All become as tainted as the blood that ties them together.


Authors Info

Both Scottish Authors are best friends and for years they have been developing these amazing and complex Characters. Having suffered Strokes at a young age, within months of each other, they decided that life was too short and now was the time for Xavier and Alicia to be unleashed onto the waiting public. That was when the world of Tainted Blood and #XAli was born!

L J Halkett is 35 years of age, Mother, Wife and Housing Officer for Local Government. She is a smart, sassy and superbly imaginative woman who devours books - especially in the paranormal genre! She is the master at multi-tasking and she is always thinking ten steps ahead. With her passion for creativity, she brings to life her imagination with vivid detail. Family is the cornerstone of LJ’s life, and her greatest achievement is her wonderful son.

Left Partially sighted after her Stroke, LJ has to write in what the Authors call ‘Nasa’ font and can only detect the colour red, which can be difficult when reading print on a daily basis - her determination is testament to her personality - as she says.... "Where's there's a will? There's a way!"

Rhonda T. Lucas is 41 years of age, soon to be Divorced [Hurrah!] and had a very successful career in Recruitment and Business Development until it was cut short through illness. Having worked in the Health Sector, Human Resources and Ministry of Defence, she has a myriad of experiences to draw from - and says that sometimes life can be stranger than Fiction! Rhonda is an avid reader of the paranormal/romance genres but her first love will always be Science Fiction. She says that she has far superior music taste to that of her Best Friend and Co-Author - and uses every available opportunity to tell her so! Rhonda lives alone with her #XavCat who faithfully lies by her computer whenever she wanders into the world of Tainted Blood.



You can connect with the authors at any of their social media sites

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Taintedbood88?fref=ts

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/_TaintedBlood_

Or at their website: http://www.xali.net/

www.darkhollowspress.com

Friday, September 12, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: To Hear the Rest More Clearly by Anne V. Pyterek



To Hear The Rest More Clearly

By Anne Victoria Pyterek 


Genre: Literary Fiction, Magical Realism






Synopsis

Calliope Braintree has a lot working against her, but the forces of Nature and Love conspire to make her an instrument in the liberation of her fellow humans and the Wildness they have suppressed and perverted.

Aided by the Muse of Epic Poetry, an urban coyote, and the Chicago River, Calliope saves herself from the ravages of abuse, self-loathing and sexual humiliation. It’s not easy for her to remember the plan she and Muse had made for this life, but memories do come, in confusing fits and starts. A homeless orphan, sure of nothing but her urge to write, she ignores the mind-numbing conventions of civilized society, preferring to listen to her Muse. She follows Coyote, who leads her away from the degrading and harsh brutality of her life, into a haven of safety. Calliope goes to live in a hidden pocket of Wildness alive in the city. Still in the world, she is no longer of it, and she’s glad.

River is a powerful entity, her world a parallel reality existing in the cracks of civilization’s façade. And, polluted and tormented as she is, River is still able to transform the toxins polluting Calliope’s mind, absorbing what is hideous and making it holy. This process climaxes in a Trickster-ized version of Revelations, after which Calliope’s life will never be the same again.





Author Bio

Anne Victoria Pyterek is as much the product of her protagonist, Calliope Braintree, as she is her producer. For in the ten year process of bringing Calliope into being, she ended up completely re-writing the story of her own life. 

Very much a daughter of Daniel Burnham, Anne left the City of Big Shoulders—at Calliope’s request—driving off into the sunset in a big blue bus with her then 11 year old son, a managerie of animals and no income. She did this for the adventure, the learning and to find out about Calliope’s childhood. She and her son live in Colorado now, still in the bus, on 120 acres with a pack of semi-feral dogs, surrounded by coyotes.


Author Blog: Anne of Blue Bus Books (http://blue-bus-books.com/)

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1qrqkRr

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: no thanks, mommy, I peed yesterday by Sandy Appleyard



No thanks, Mommy, I peed yesterday 
By Sandy Appleyard

60 pages

Do you have kids? Do you sometimes want to send them to their bedroom until puberty? And other times, do you want to hug them until they burst? 

What about those moments when they say something so innocent and incredibly cute or hilarious that you wish you had a pen and paper so you could remember it?

Well, that’s exactly what I did. My children have given my husband and I so many gifts, but the most precious has been laughter. I made a record of each funny or cute thing that they said since the moment they could speak.

It’s all here in this short yet unforgettable ‘Kids Say The Darndest Things’ style memoir.

No thanks, Mommy, I peed yesterday is a witty, side-splittingly funny comedy that can be enjoyed by both young and old.

The humorous comments, explanations, and kid-thoughts will stay with you for years to come!

Excerpt:
#1
Me: “You guys have to try to remember to turn lights off when you’re not in a room. That’s wasting money.”

Olivia: “Yeah and when we waste money that means less money Mommy and Daddy have to buy us toys.”

Victoria: “But it’s free when Santa comes.”

#2

Approaching the door with groceries in hand, Olivia opened up the storm door and stood, waiting for me to unlock the inside, wooden door.

Olivia: “Mommy, how come we have two doors?”

Victoria: “That’s because Daddy’s really fat.”

#3

Victoria was sporting a really cool pair of light-up shoes that she got for her birthday.

Victoria: “Mommy, are these shoes really cool? Do you wish you had a pair?”

Me: “Of course, I didn’t have shoes like that when I was a kid.”

Victoria: “Why? Because there was no electricity?”

#4

Reading Victoria a story one day, she sat there so innocently and suddenly let one rip. She said nothing, but continued reading while I tried to keep a straight face. A moment later she plugged her nose with her index finger and thumb and kept on reading; then I lost it.


Author Bio:
Sandy Appleyard writes both fiction and non-fiction: memoirs, self-help, suspense, romance and mystery/police-procedural.

When she isn’t writing books, she writes blogs, reads, exercises and obsessively cleans her house.

Sandy is also an animal lover and gives regularly to local Humane Societies. She lives in Niagara Falls, Canada with her husband, two daughters and her cat.



Social Media Links:

www.sandyappleyard.com

www.twitter.com/sandyappleyard

www.facebook.com/wordscanexpress

https://www.goodreads.com/SandyAppleyard-Author

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N5EADCS

Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N5EADCS




The author is giving away 5 signed copies of her book!