Saturday, August 31, 2013

DiSemblance Blog Tourand Book Blast

DiSemblance DiSemblance Jason Tanner’s life has always been different from the ordinary citizen’s. It started when he was an infant and his parents were only teenagers. A computer science prodigy, Lloyd attended MIT but left a pariah in the eyes of the school’s dean—but a computer physics genius in the eyes of his primary investor. Then his theories and ideas created a holographic machine and their world shrunk as contact with the outside world became less and less frequent. A computer prodigy now himself, Jason is about to learn that the world never waits for you if you have the ability to change it: it will come for you. Detective Bruce Durante has been handed the case of the Comfort Killer, a serial killer so named because he appears to abduct terminally ill patients before returning their corpses to their families in refrigerated coffins. When he picks up the trail, it leads straight to the home of Lloyd Tanner. Jason has been living life through the world of Lloyd’s invention and wishing he could carry on a relationship with Boston, the beautiful girl next door. When his father is murdered and framed as the Comfort Killer, he is brought back to reality in a hurry. He is forced to destroy all of the planted evidence—and finds he is being targeted as the killer’s new fall guy. But the secrets of his father’s invention run deep and Jason, his brother Isaac, Boston, the Comfort Killer, and Detective Durante hurtle towards one another on a deadly collision course that leaves everyone’s life hanging in the balance.
Shanae Author Shanae Branham I am a professional writer with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and a minor in grammar. I have also attended several years of classes and workshops in screenplay writing at the Los Angeles Screenplay writer’s Expo. I love suspense thrillers and am a master at plot and character development. I enjoy stories with happy endings. I promise all my readers that when they put one of my books down or walk away from one of my movies, they will be enthused with excitement and joy. This does not mean there will not be some sad parts, because you have to feel the bitter in order to understand the sweet. In fact, I have struggled with Dyslexia my whole life, so you can imagine how overjoyed I was when DiSemblance won a Silver metal in the fantasy/science fiction category at the eLit awards in 2012.  
 
disemblance tour
 
 
 
 
  BookBlast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/13/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, August 30, 2013

***** DARKMOON ***** by Maggie Tideswell

 
 
 
 
A spellbinding novel of love, murder, and the supernatural.
Chance meetings can have far-reaching effects. Loved ones may not be who they seem. The line between comprehension and confusion is thin ~ particularly when one's thoughts are being manipulated by another.
In Dark Moon, the eternal triangle takes an innovative twist into the occult as dark magic fights against those who serve the Light.
The prize? A woman's soul.
 
*****
 
 
Nothing is as it seems... The story Dark Moon is based on one that started about twenty years ago. Every day we meet new people, but who is to say which of those meetings will impact our future and in what way. It is difficult to say how long it actually took me to write Dark Moon. I work in a very haphazard sort of way. I never have less than three stories going at the same time. I get bored easily so I'll work on story 1 until that happens, then I move on to story 2 until I get fed-up and go back to story 1 and then I'll skip to story 3 and so I carry on. And then I had a period of 3 years in which I didn't write a word - didn't even do editing or plotted new story lines. Nothing. Zip. Nada. But at a guess, I would say if I added the time together, it might have been about 2 years, maybe 2 and a half. And the incubation periods in between seem to do wonders for inspiration. It started out as a straight forward, sickeningly soppy, love tale, but it is amazing how a story tells itself. It soon became clear that this tale needed more oomph, and resist as I might, the witchcraft element would not be excluded. The Trevor character was also a weakling to start with, but the story demanded he become something else completely. This character, more than any other in the book, personifies the notion of 'nothing is as it seems'. We all wear different faces, pretend to be something other than we are, but in Trevor's case, his faces were like day and night. I loved writing the Trevor character. I had to be cautious when I incorporated the witchy bits to the story, though. I didn't want my wondrous tale to turn into something like Harry Potter, with people calling themselves witches and wafting wands about and sparks flying, nor did I want to turn it into a textbook on the craft. People are strange and there will always be somebody out there who will actually try out the rituals and stuff. So, for the sake of safety - and my sanity! - I couldn't describe anything fully. Less is more in my opinion. I wanted to draw the reader into the rites, without anybody being able to copy anything and causing themselves or anybody/thing around them any harm. A little knowledge is dangerous, you know. Thank you to Mark Knox for the wonderful cover art and splendid video trailer that completed the growth of Dark Moon. And a special thank you to All Things That Matters Press for publishing Dark Moon.
Image of Maggie Tideswell
Please follow me on twitter @lunamags
 
 

About the Author

Maggie Tideswell was born and raised in sunny South Africa, where she still resides. She has always been intrigued by finding "the purpose" and the dimensions of reality. She believes that actions have consequences, that if one shakes the web of existence in one place, the whole web moves. Maggie explores these themes in everything from her poetry and short stories to her novels.
 
 
 Maggie loves all things paranormal. She is married with 3 grown-up kids and 2 grandchildren. Maggie's first book, Dark Moon, was published by All Things That Matter Press in 2011 and the second, Moragh, Holly's Ghost will be published later this year. Her stories reflect her interest of things unexplained. Maggie loves books (the smell of paper), tea, wine, and her cat Felix is her constant companion.
 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

~ * ~ REINA COTTIER ARTIST ~ * ~



In progress - lots of texture in this big one
@[241982692515032:274:Reina Cottier Art]Reina Cottier Artist



Reina Cottier








Twitter

Art Blog

Instagram

Products  

Pinterest  

Prints  

Google+ 


YouTube Channel  

Linkedin




Reina Cottier~ Abstract Artist.
I was born and raised in Aotearoa/New Zealand and I am blessed to be a part of this wonderful land. Creatively I feel my work is very much inspired by my interests, my experiences, (I live life to the full!), people that I resonate with, and my favourite places, both here in NZ and overseas. (I have traveled extensively in NZ, Australia, Canada, UK & Europe, US, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pacific Islands). My art comes from an authentic place inside, aligning with my inner quest for a greater understanding of life expressed with vibrant alive colours and flowing shapes. Everything I create comes from the heart, most times I have no idea what I am going to paint until it is on the canvas.
I focus on living fully in the 'now', being true to myself, evolving, learning, expanding my horizons. I love life! I tend to see the funny side of everything. I love mixing with all walks of life and do not judge someone for what they look like or what they believe in. Each to their own. I like who I am & I have no regrets about anything in my life. What I am today, I may or may not be tomorrow, as each experience in my life re-shapes me every single day. I am a strong free spirit, empowered and proud, and I feel this is expressed in my art.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





































Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Children's Booksby MARY ANN VITALE


Mary Ann VitaleMary Ann Vitale is an author of children’s books. She is a wife and a mother to three grown children. She loves spending quality time with her six grandchildren, teaching them the many wonderful things she learned from her heritage. Mary Ann never dreamed of writing children’s books. The language barrier was a challenge to her writing career. She was born in Sicily. As a child, she always loved reading books, even though they were not easily accessible. She made USA her home. She attended Cosmetology School and college. At the age of fifty, she wrote her first story for children. Urged by constant inspiration, she wrote many other stories and poems. One morning, she woke up with the realization ‘a writer was born!’ Mary Ann has always kept in close contact with her inner child. This is no easy task as she does this in a variety of languages. She taps in her Italian Folklore to entertain and cultivate children and the child in all of us. Mary Ann wants to spread the joy of her books to many children of different nationalities. Her books will be available in different languages: English, Italian, French, and Spanish. ‘The Water Lily Fairy’ is her first published book for children. At the request of many children that loved this book, Mary Ann started ‘The Water Lily Fairy’ series. ‘The Water Lily Fairy at the Ice Cream Palace’ is her second book.  Recently, ‘La Fata delle Ninfee,’ the first Italian book of ‘The Water Lily Fairy’ series was published. Soon, ‘La Fata delle Ninfee al Castello del Gelato,’ the second Italian book of ‘The Water Lily Fairy’ series will be available. Mary Ann reflects her personality in the humorous books of ‘The Water Lily Fairy’ series and in the variety of future books. She hopes her books will be treasured by children, and bring sunshine into their hearts. Her books are carried on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Author House and worldwide. Her poems address current issues in the USA, and have been published on the UAW Local 387 newspaper, in Michigan. Mary Ann loves her family, God, gardening, traveling, and art.



 
In 2011
 
The Fairy visits the city of Corleone and gives many surprises to the children and people living there.
Also available in Italian
 



 
 
 
2012 to present
Second book of The Water Lily Fairy series. The Fairy visits the town of Cinisi, also called "The Ice Cream Palace" and does many surprises to the people and children of this town.


 
 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Tried and Tested 101 EASY RECIPES For All The Family by Carol Jones

 


EVERYONE CAN COOK WELL with Carol Jones

 
Would you like recipes that are EASY and that WORK?
Not sure where to start?
 
Here you have 101 Tried and Tested recipes that ALL WORK.
 
With soups, poultry, meats, fish, vegetarian, pasta & rice, potatoes, vegetables, dressings, sauces& marinades, desserts, baking and sweet things …
There’s truly something for everyone.
With differences you might not have thought of.
You don’t need an elaborate kitchen full of fancy gadgets.
Just follow the easy-but-imaginative recipes,
And get ready for: ‘Compliments to The Chef’!
Read on, get going, enjoy!

On 22nd July 2013 Tried & Tested – 101 Recipes was ranked no 12 in the top 20 Amazon Bestsellers for Food & Drink * Quick & Easy.
It's available at:-
 

Carol Jones is the author of Tried & Tested – 101 Recipes. It is a cookery book, primarily aimed at beginners, but it could also be used by anyone who enjoys cooking and creating good, wholesome family meals.

Carol has worked in the catering industry for many years running restaurants in north-west England and Jersey, Channel Islands (which is renowned for fine dining).

When she is not busy in the kitchen, Carol enjoys spending time with her boyfriend of 22 years and her family, keeping fit, fishing, reading, walking in the New Forest and spending time with friends.

Carol can be contacted at:-
or

Monday, August 26, 2013

Jack Canon AMERICAN DESTINY



I’m originally from the Portland, Maine area and lived and worked there for years before moving to Southwest Florida. I am currently working on the sequel to Jack Canon’s American Destiny – which will be titled Jack Canon Clean Sweep. The sequel will be available in about three months.

My Dad and Mom were artists, my father painted and my mother wrote poetry and loved to garden. Most Saturdays we loaded up the 1970 Chevy Impala to trek to a one man show somewhere or other. I took a different track graduating with a business degree; owning and operating an Award Winning Franchise Fitness Center. Currently a professional manager I am living in Florida with my beautiful wife and children, and following my passion.


Some of my other projects include a children’s book called Sammy the Sea Turtle – about an infant sea turtle taken from his nest the night he was to find his way to the sea. Sammy lives with the family until their son – the boy who took him, graduates from high school. On that day Sammy, backpack in tow – begins the long journey home.
My second project in the works involves angels – a man during a visit to Bar Harbor Maine encounters an angel; quite accidentally, he is told – she was not supposed to make him aware of her existence. Only three others have ever seen the real thing. Naturally he falls hopelessly in love with the beautiful creature.
www.gregsandora.com


Genre: Thriller and Suspense, Political Thriller
Publisher: Itoh Press
Release Date: March 18, 2013
Amazon Kindle | Amazon Print |Barnes & Noble
Book Description:
It’s the steamy summer of 2016 in Washington, D.C. just days before the Democratic National Convention. A long and painful recession has left ordinary Americans suffering, spawning the hottest Presidential Contest in history. Jack Canon, a man born into privilege, a witness to great social injustice is going to be President of the United States–no matter what! Desperate and corrupt, the leader of the free world orders a hit to slow him down. The plan backfires–the wrong people are dead–a manhunt points to the unthinkable–The President of the United States.

Rewind one year, Jack’s focus on redistribution of wealth and energy has made him powerful enemies. Once his friends, Rogue Billionaires, Oil Sheiks, the Mob, all want him gone. The current President wants him alive–thinking he can win against an unabridged liberal. A Universal Raw Nerve of wealth vs. poverty is exposed becoming a thrill ride as deep machinations of espionage, geo-politics and deception, even murder play out. Kind and charismatic, Jack’s just naughty enough to have you falling for him like one of his loving circle of loyal friends. Of course he’s flawed, a dedicated family man, faithful to one woman, but in love with two. Is it his fault his best friend is impossibly jaw dropping beautiful? Think the crime and passion of the Godfather meets the romance and innocence of Camelot. A story that could spark a movement, a book that can seed a revolution. A heart thumping climax so shocking you’ll pull the covers and draw the shades! One things for sure, through all the drama and suspense, you’ll be pulling for Jack!


Praise For Jack Canon's American Destiny:

"I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the type to read political novels, but I was surprised by Jack Canon's American Destiny. The book was so well written that I couldn't help but keeping reading." 
~A. Brantley, Amazon Reviewer


"Wow - Great Read and Insight into Politics!"
~The Bookworm



The only thing that gave me a worse vibe than these two was Gene’s taste in decorating. The ceilings were about 30 feet high and three walls held books up to about the first 15 feet, after which was a very large landing around three quarters of the room. The wall opposite the door was made up of five floor-to-ceiling arched windows. The bottom six feet of each had colonial muttons and were partially opened, allowing the outside winter cold to fight with the heat in the room. On the landings above the bookshelves were housed various artifacts of torture.
Gene saw me noticing, “These are from the collection of King Henry,” he boasted.
There were guillotines and stretching racks and other devices all made of aged wood and black iron. Some had big weathered chain links hanging from them and leather straps. There were black iron turning wheels, the sight was gruesome.
Gene motioned to a large axe with a semicircular blade and an unusually long, thick handle.
“This is my prized piece of the entire collection – the axe used to behead Katherine, Henry’s youngest bride.” Mounted next to the axe, on a polished cherry post, was a scrap of parchment.
Next to it, carved in gold lettering over black onyx, was inscribed an onlooker. The parchment had faded to an almost illegible degree and was kept behind glass.
Gene said, “The onlooker’s account is sealed in helium, just like the Declaration of Independence, to preserve it. I’ve had it authenticated by historians, expert in the period.” The words were transferred onto the stone.
The eerie account told of the misty morning when the helpless fair-haired teenager, a mere girl, forced to lay under the weight of the wealth of England, was led to her death.
I read the inscribed: Queen Katherine emerged just before nine in the morning. A rain the night before had turned the courtyard muddy to our ankles. The streets containing the foul smell of chicken scratch and horse urine slurried into the mix. Gawkers’ pushed for position and strained to see the delicate fawn-like Katherine as she walked barefoot, clothed only in a very plain and simple linen dress. The exposed skin of her upper chest was so pale I could see the ghostly blue vein patchwork just beneath. The last time I had seen the young queen she was amazing, the most beautiful woman in all England.
Fancily dressed and bright, riding in an open coach smiling sweetly waving to her subjects, I fancied the thought our eyes might have met for a second.
“Spill her blood!” A spectator called out. I thought, what cowards this mob, content to stand by and watch. Greedily clinging to their own lives–any one of which could be wrenched from him in a second.
This bitter gray morning, the little Queen made her way slowly up to the old worn wooden steps, pausing briefly, turning sad doe eyes back to the crowd. A pitiful thin waif of a child so helpless and demure, Katherine continued up the stairs carefully gripping the railing as if it were her mothers hand, that somehow she might be swept away from all this.
Once upon the platform, facing the crowd full on, her tiny limbs were exposed and pale, a simple dress hanging over her nearly shapeless frame. She wore no jewelry. Her one remaining vanity, long hair, perfectly combed. The henchman placed her firmly against the block and with a blank and helpless stare Katherine moved her beautiful locks to one side exposing her slender neck.
I waited for her to jump to her feet and scream out in defiance, “What have I done that your precious King isn’t guilty of?”
Laying her head sideways on the block, she awaited her fate in silence.
The black-hooded killer appeared to us like a giant standing over her. A moment before, even the handle of the axe and the blade had been taller than the living little queen. He drew back.
I heard the neck cracking then a thud as the girl’s head crashed to the platform floor. Steam rose from the blood pouring in a warm pool from the lifeless body slumped behind the block.
Gene Hobbs had acquired the only known account of the gruesome event; one can imagine that onlookers must have rushed to write on whatever they could find to recount the scene. The metaphor of the rich over the poor and the machinery of torture in the room made me shudder. Reading the narrative, I felt sickened by the horror of the day, for lost innocence and the tyranny of the time. What a waste of a beautiful young life; what a disgrace for England.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Roy Huff Everville: The First Pillar

Image of Roy HuffRoy Huff is the author of Amazon's #1 international bestselling epic fantasy novel, Everville: The First Pillar. This is the first installment in the remarkable Everville series which combines elements of epic fantasy and young adult fiction in a form that nearly anyone will enjoy reading, young or old. He is a man of many interests including but not limited to science, traveling, movies, the outdoors, and of course writing teen and young adult fantasy fiction. He holds five degrees in four separate disciplines including liberal arts, history, secondary science education, and geoscience. Roy Huff's background includes work in art, history, education, business, real-estate, economics, geoscience, and satellite meteorology. He was born on the East Coast but has spent more than half his life in Hawaii, where he currently resides and writes his epic fantasy sagas.

Product Detailswww.amazon.com Everville First Pillar RoyHuff

Owen Sage is the emblematic college freshman at Easton Falls University. With all the worries about his first year in college, he was not prepared for what would happen next. His way of life was flipped upside down when he mysteriously crossed into another dimension, into the beautiful land of Everville. His excitement was abruptly halted when he discovered that there was a darkness forged against both the natural world, which he knew well, and the new land which he discovered, Everville. He must devise a plan to save both worlds while joining forces with the race of Fron and The Keepers, whom both harbor hidden secrets he must learn in order to gain power over the evil that dwells in The Other In Between. With a race against time to save both worlds, his short time at Easton Falls did not quite prepare him for the evil, dark forces he must fight in order to conquer The Other In Between.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

~ The Dragon Hussies Present ~ D. T. DYLLIN BIRTHDAY BASH

new_edited-1   

Book one of the P.J. Stone Gates Trilogy
New Adult Paranormal Romance  
299 pages  
by D.T. Dyllin
For P.J. Stone, being a “Seer” who has never seen anything is less than fun. And P.J. isn’t known for her patience. To make matters worse, she must choose a suitable mate to continue the Seer bloodline. Duty always comes before her heart…at least that’s what her parents taught her. When she finds herself wanting someone who is considered off-limits, P.J. is forced to question everything she believes. As if navigating her love life isn’t complicated enough, P.J. finally receives a vision—of a threat to her world that only she can perceive. But no one will believe a fledgling Seer’s warnings. With nowhere else to turn, she may decide to trust a stranger with her life, her world, and maybe even her heart.
Book two of the P.J. Stone Gates Trilogy
New Adult Paranormal Romance
241 pages
P.J. Stone is a Seer who saw too little, too late. In the past, her biggest worries were boys and school—but war has a way of changing things. Now, the alien Riders are trying to overrun the world. As the last of their kind, P.J. and her friends must find a way to save humanity before there’s nothing left to save. After choosing a mate, P.J. hoped she'd have time to enjoy her love life. But with everything changing so quickly and major secrets revealed, who knows what the future will bring?
 
Book one of the Death Trilogy
Erotic Paranormal Romance  
307 pages
by D.T. Dyllin
Samantha Bevans is having the best sex of her life—but it's not with her husband. Fortunately for her marriage, the affair is all in her mind. Isn't it? As an empath, she senses other people's emotions. But her connection to the man with the the chiseled face and haunting eyes seems so real. There's no time for fantasies with a serial killer loose in Pittsburgh. The killer is targeting dancers at a strip club where Samantha used to bartend, back when drugs were the only cure for the torment of her abilities. As a member of a special task force, Samantha uses her talents to sense the victims’ final thoughts. Just when she thought the case was complex enough, she discovers one of the victims was thinking about her fantasy man when she died. Who can Samantha trust when she can’t trust her own mind? An empath feels the emotional environment around her…and Samantha is surrounded by death

About the Author
Cynical-Optimist. Chocolate-holic. Sarcasm Addict. Paranormal Believer. Self-Imposed Insomniac. Sci-Fi Geek. Animal Lover. Writer…are just a few words to describe D.T. Dyllin. She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and two very spoiled GSDs.
 

Friday, August 23, 2013

Mystery Writer MARK LOUIS RYBCZYK ~ Virtual Book Tour August 19 ~ October 17



Radio listeners in Dallas/Fort Worth may know Mark Louis Rybczyk better as 'Hawkeye,' the long time morning host on heritage country station, 96.3 FM KSCS. An award-winning disc jockey, Mark, along with his partner Terry Dorsey, have the longest-running morning show in Dallas. Mark is an avid skier, windsurfer and traveler. He is also the host of 'Travel With Hawkeye' a radio and television adventure feature that airs across the country. The Travis Club is the third book from Mark Louis Rybczyk.










Publisher: Self Published

Genre: Mystery
Release Date: June 17, 2013

In a cathedral in downtown San Antonio, just a few blocks from the Alamo, sits the tomb of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and the other Alamo Defenders. Or so we have been led to believe. What secrets really lie inside the tomb and what has a group of misguided activists known as The Travis Club stumbled upon? How far will the city's power brokers go to protect those secrets?

What would happen if a group of slackers discovered San Antonio's DaVinci Code? Find out in the new book by Mark Louis Rybczyk, The Travis Club.







Excerpt One Short:

Chapter 1

Noel Black sharpened a pencil and placed it neatly back in the top drawer of his glass-topped
desk, right next to the other sharpened pencils. He glanced at the clock then straightened a few
paper clips and a calculator on the stark, polished surface.

11:08 p.m.

He knew he’d be leaving soon. So important to stay on schedule. Especially on a night like
tonight, when a life would come to an end.

Among the abstract paintings of his office was one unframed black and white print. A picture
of her. Not a picture of sentiment, but simply of record. A photo that would soon belong in a file.
Black fingered the yellowed photograph and could not help but think of childhood visits to
his mother’s father, his abuelo. He remembered spending the hot San Antonio summers at a
rickety west-side duplex much different than his parents’ ranch house in Dallas. Abuelo’s home
was filled with people, music, food and love.

As a child, Black would spend summer afternoons within earshot of the front window,
waiting for the rumble of his grandfather’s old diesel engine. Then the home would fill with
other workers, workers who were grateful to the old lady. All immigrants, they had left Mexico
hoping for a better life. The old lady offered them higher wages than the pecan shellers received.

With the promise of steady income came the chance to move into a house with plumbing, to send money home, and to send for other relatives. His grandfather loved the old lady and he did too.

More recently, Noel Black’s feelings about her had changed. She was a relic, an icon of a
past era. Now in her final years of the 20th century, the old lady had outlived her usefulness and
had no place in the modern San Antonio that he envisioned. She was in his way. She needed to be eliminated.

Of course, this kind of work had to be contracted out. He usually relied on a local contact
who understood the procedures. Anytime a life was extinguished, it must be done with precision in Noel Black’s world.












Thursday, August 22, 2013

Michael Thal "Honorable Mention" for Goodbye Tchaikovsky in the Hollywood Book Festival 2012 and in the Paris Book Festival 2013


Get to know MICHAEL TAHL www.michaelthal.com

Michael Thal grew up in the suburbs of New York City on Long Island. After graduating from the University of Buffalo he earned his master’s degree in education at Washington University, St. Louis. When he moved to Los Angeles, he continued his education and earned another master’s degree in Reading. He grew up in the hearing world and as a child played the violin, went to concerts, movies, and Broadway shows. When his daughters were still in elementary school, he woke up to a profound silence caused by a virus. The virus attacked again six years later making his right ear deaf and his left with a 65% loss. "I can understand people one-on-one, but not in groups. At the age of forty-four, the severe hearing loss took me away from my job as a sixth grade teacher. From that experience, I was inspired to write this story. If a person has a willingness to learn and an open mind to explore all possibilities, he can find a way to succeed.”





Koolura isn’t an ordinary girl. She has what every child dreams. She has the COOL.

Koolura has doubts about herself. She and her father have relocated so often she has few community ties. Here, at her new school, for the first time in her life she feels right at home.

Koolura is a sixth grade Armenian girl and this story tells how she obtained the cool powers and gradually learns to use them. She has the ability to dematerialize at will and reappear where she chooses. She can move objects with her mind and she can even defy gravity!

But will these powers be of any use in stopping a stalker intent on the destruction of Koolura and her friends? He’s determined to retrieve Koolura’s unrealized cool powers with the mysterious decoolerizer.

The hour approaches for her final confrontation with her nemesis, the stalker believed to be responsible for her mother’s death.





Click below to find at AMAZON

 






Goodbye Tchaikovsky: A Novel Cover

Goodbye Tchaikovsky: A Novel

Author: Thal, Michael  Subjects: School Experience; Disabilities; Deafness
Age:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
ISBN:978-0-88092-469-6
Order code:H4696
Price:
$9.99
Online Price:
$7.99
Congratulations to Michael Thal for the "Honorable Mention" for Goodbye Tchaikovsky in the Hollywood Book Festival 2012 and in the Paris Book Festival 2013
"Highly recommended." The Midwest Book Review, Children's Bookwatch May 2012

"I recommend this book to any young adult or teenager who is going through hearing loss or other disability." Valerie Stern, Psychotherapist

"...a touching portrayal of a boy who just wants to fit in, but finds himself pulled between the hearing and the deaf world. Ultimately, what he really needs to find is himself."  Bergers Book Reviews
"... thoroughly enjoyable and easy to read." Jan Seeley, Temple Beth Solomon for the Deaf
" ...central to my experience as a writer for kids of all ages was how universal Thal made his character’s experience" Gail Hedrick, former teacher, freelance writer, and editor.

A twelve-year-old violin virtuoso, David Rothman, is plunged into a deaf world, necessitating him to adapt to a new culture and language in order to survive. Rothman is an overnight success. He performs Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in New York’s Symphony Hall with rave reviews attracting the attention of the Queen of England. His future is laid out for him like a well-lit freeway. Then, on his birthday, David suffers from a sudden and irreparable hearing loss, plunging him into a silent world. Written from his own perspective, the novel shows how an adolescent boy sets about coping with this devastating new condition. It takes time. How will he communicate with his friends? What can he do about school?  How do you deal with unexpected and possibly dangerous situations? What will his future be like?

The Midwest Book Review: Told in first person perspective, Goodbye Tchaikovsky is a story of courage, adaptation, and the struggle to accept a new way of life. Highly recommended.
Jamie Perlman, The Orange County Deaf Literacy Project writes: Michael Thal’s, “Goodbye Tchiakovsky”, is a great read for entry-level awareness about people with varying degrees of hearing loss.  Thal writes about familiar characters that I associate with from my own colorful reality as a deaf person.  I was very delighted that the main character, David, advanced his visual language skills; he practiced reading (non-verbally) from storybooks with a deaf pre-schooler who was learning English.  The book reminds the reader the importance of literacy for all deaf children.
Goodbye Tchaikovsky

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

~ PATRICK O'SCHEEN ~




The captain woke with a start at the sound of a small animal wailing. A single intense scream pierced silence. The night sky was inky black with no trace of a moon. Soundlessly, he exited his tent. The fire had become mere embers not casting enough light to illuminate the site. His blanket and Magic were no longer where he had left them. There was a sound of cracking bones, as whatever predator had killed its prey now feasted nearby. He crept toward the cliff edge, sword held tightly, attracted by the sound, expecting to surprise a desert cat or a feral dog. Scheen heard it rather than saw it, a snort, a snarl, the swish of a very long tail. He saw a blast of fiery heat in the direction of the beast, outlining large claws and dangerous teeth. The training of a captain taught one to know when to retreat. Slowly, soundlessly, not daring to breathe lest it find him, Scheen backed away from the scene of the slaughtered feast. When he thought he was far enough away to remain undetected, he began to run. He had to find Magic. They had to find safety. The swoosh of enormous wings overtook him. The air was pulled away from his lungs with great force as the beast flew past. Scheen squatted, trying to hide, trembling, prepared to defend himself. It passed heading east into the void that was the blackness of the night. Scheen stayed silently on the ground, waiting, listening, expecting at any moment the huge claws would rip from the darkness demanding his life. He might have little defense against such a creature, but he would not die without a struggle. If he were to be a meal, he would make certain he was remembered. Unbroken silence, darkness, surrounded him while cold sweat beaded on Scheen’s forehead. His muscles remained tensed for action, but only stillness swallowed him. There was no way of knowing how much time passed as he waited. Presently, he heard footsteps on rock. Relaxing his rigid hold on his sword, his white knuckles stiff, he peered in the direction of the sound and toward his camp. Moments later, he saw Magic rekindle the dying fire, wrap himself in the blanket, and sit quietly on the rock. The blond man reached out to the growing flames and warmed his hands. Scheen entered the camp, sitting very close to his recruit, hoping it was safe, “There’s a creature out there.” Scheen breathed quietly. “A creature? What do you mean?” Magic’s expression was unreadable.


FIND PATRICK O'SCHEEN


twitter : @patrickoscheen

 

 
 

Buy book on Amazon


 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

LINES OF SPACE by Devinder Kumar Dhiman is a fascinating look into the world of physics and science



Devinder Kumar Dhiman was born in 1965 in a small town near Chandigarh, in a middle class family. He completed his engineering graduation from the prestigious Marine Engineering and Research Institute in Kolkata. After graduation, he worked as an engineer on ship and also taught science and mathematics to XIIth standard students in a Coaching institute, in between the sailings. In 1997, he got his First Class Engineering Officer license from Directorate General of Shipping of India. After two years, he became head of the technical department of a Norwegian ship plying in international waters and continues to hold this position till date. He works on ship for about six months every year and devotes the remaining time to his interest of physics. He lives with his family in Panchkula- a beautiful town of north India.





Genre: General Science
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: June 4, 2013

Book Description:

'Lines of Space' is a unique and interesting approach to creation of matter from empty space. The Author has presented this notion by primarily discussing the established theories of physics in an interactive dialogue with his son in order to simplify them and then comparing them with the new idea of 'Lines of Space'. The author conjectured that, in the beginning of the Universe, there was dense uniform space which converted into matter by contraction and caused different stresses in the remaining space, which in turn gave rise to fundamental forces. The author developed mathematical formula to find this stress at various locations in the universe and established its relation with cause of Gravitation,bending of Light, expansion of the Universe, Theory of Relativity and creation of subatomic particles. Thus, he has presented in this book, an absolutely new, ground-breaking, plausible and fascinating look in to the world of physics where all matter in the universe is created from space itself and the fundamental forces subsist due to stress in the 'Lines of Space'.

Praise for Lines of Space:

This is a fascinating new look into the world of physics and Science. I think your way of presenting the material through discussion with your children is innovative and well done.”---Editor of Book-Editing- Services

“I found it very interesting, I also like your style, and can just say, keep on going, you have talent.”---Dragan Bebic, Technical Superintendent

“New concept of Lines of Space has made me understand the universe and creation of matter in a very simple manner which has been given with adequate proof, hard to negate.”---Capt Sharat Kumar, Master Mariner.

'Lines of Space' concept explains laws of physics really well and gives a relation between strong nuclear force, electrostatic force and gravitational force. Thus, overall the book is a must read and the theories discussed have the potential to change science in a better way.”--- Nikhil Dhiman, Student Engineering
 
 
 
 

Author has presented the theories of science in a very good analytical way with experimental proof, mathematical calculations and original stories of different inventions.” --Bibhash Ranjan Datta, Electrical Engineer


Why I wrote this book?

Yesterday, someone asked me, "Why you wrote this book?"

I was momentarily startled by the sudden and direct question, and before I could recuperate, next question was hurled at me- "Is it for money?"

I was quick to reply, "No, I earn good from my job, why should I worry?"

Then I heard the next one, "Is it for fame?"

I retorted," No, by nature, I like to keep by myself, I am not interested in that either."

"Then what?" probed the questioner.

"It is not straightforward to explain the motive behind writing this book," I countered and continued after a short pause," I had studied about Creation of the Universe through Big-bang and always wondered how that was possible?  While investigating this phenomenon, I came across an idea that Universe may have got created from space itself, and my quest took a new turn.  I spent many years to visualize the relation between space and matter. My calculations and rough diagrams mostly landed in the waste basket in a mutilated condition beyond recognition, for the fear of anyone discovering what I was working on, to save myself from embarrassment of trying to fix something which I was not considered capable of.  When I sniffed success in my endeavor after years of collecting information on this subject secretly and countless hours of cogitating, my trepidation vanished and I started saving the calculations and diagrams.  Now, I only had to add text details to make a case." 

"So, why you chose to write a book instead of presenting your case to a science magazine?" I was interrupted.

"Not being a trained physicist, I was at a disadvantage. I also discovered that if the established laws are not adhered to, a new proposal is not considered valid by the science periodicals. My contemplations, though logical and mathematically correct, were in disagreement with some of the laws of physics. I was in a fix, and in the danger of squandering all my work without anyone evaluating it. My calculation and drawings were too arduous for any individual to understand."

"Is your book difficult to read?" Questioner got anxious.

"At that stage, it was very challenging, not now," I clarified and resumed my rejoinder," At that juncture, I decided to weave a story to make the content unpretentious by elucidating the prevalent theories from the fundamental level and then anatomizing them in relation to the core idea. Being a novice at writing, I learned the process of writing and publishing and subsequently the book was released after devoting three years to this process. This is how; the book 'Lines of Space' was born which explains how matter can originate from empty space. So, I wrote this book because I was confident that my concept is plausible, logical, innovative and unique."

"But, only you believe in your book, why anyone will read something which is not in agreement with present physics?" the questioner expressed reservations from the point of view of other readers.

"I am not the lone believer in this concept. Whosoever studied my concept, found it astounding and worth publishing, and persuaded me to share my view on conversion of space into matter with everyone irrespective of the fact that it gives a new dimension to certain laws of physics. "

"Has anyone read it after its release?

"So far, scores of people have read this book, and I am getting good remarks from all of them. Latest comment made by one of my friends on Facebook is -[Gone through yr book…Excellent work…you hv got deep knowledge…a daring and revolutionary mind challenges the basic beliefs and practices, and you have done that through your book…that is remarkable!]"

"That is great! Wish you all the best for the success of your book."

"Thanks."
                                                             #####