Sandcastle and Other Stories - a short story collection by Justin Bog

The fiction debut by Justin Bog.

The ten literary, psychological, and suspense tales in Sandcastle and Other Stories hope to shed light on dark times.

In these ten tales you will meet an old man twisted by fate and a lost love, a young girl playing on the ocean shore who becomes entangled in nets of a mercurial god, a divorced man mired in troubles and coerced into taking a singles cruise, a Hollywood actor in a television drama who is always typecast as the bad boy, a child kept awake by night terrors, other siblings who will never understand one another and the cats who rub up against them, a misanthrope who nevertheless surrounds himself with others going about their day, the mother of twin boys who hasn't learned how to say no, a young adult whose childhood is haunted by unspeakable acts, and a woman who hides her secretive personality from everyone on the beach one sunny day.

"Just as the child in On the Back Staircase existed on the edge of a night rampant with imagined terrors and foreboding realities, this powerful collection of riveting and suspenseful short stories leaves one with the indelible imprint of having been visited by any number of the expertly crafted characters . . . Justin Bog has dipped his pen into the stuff of human minds and succeeded in recreating the human condition in all its potent psychopathy. Sandcastle and Other Stories is a thoroughly enthralling and startlingly powerful debut by this author . . ."

-- Karina Cox Review

A Cat Whisperer Named Marcie - a comic fantasy for all by Norman Weinstein

http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Whisperer-Named-Marcie-ebook/dp/B00ARVYZVC/

A tale of how a very bad cat named Cecil was made nice.

Were it not for Marcie, Cecil would no doubt no longer be the Green family pet. He would instead have suffered banishment to tough old Farmer Greeley's barn. And Farmer Greely thought of animals as having only one or two acceptable functions: 1) as nutritious food and 2) as successful workers. Otherwise, goodbye, Charley! He considered pets as ridiculous nuisances and their people as fools. Near the top of his list of fools would be the Green family even though they were among his best customers at the local weekend farmers' market near where they lived. 

Now most likely Cecil never thought he was as bad as the Green family found out he could be. At least his wild eyes and tail swishings and his upside-down boing-boinging U never showed anything other than total approval of himself and of everything he did. And he did a lot, as we shall see. As a matter of fact, being the way he was, he probably thought he was the absolutely best thing that ever happened to the Greens. He was stuck on himself, a big shot.


The Chronicles of the Dragon Sisters - A Contemporary Fantasy for Young Adults

The debut novel by new author Peter A.J. Quatrine,

Moving to a new house always seems daunting, particularly when every inch of the house is filled with dragon decor and motifs. Such is the position that 13-year-old Eva Fontens find herself in, when her sisterand father move to a bizarre, isolated country house.

Soon strange dreams and odd clues lead Eva and her sister, Jane, to uncover the mystery of the house. As they find the answers to the house's secrets, they are drawn into fantastic and dangerous worlds that will reveal to them their family heritage.

If you enjoy fantasy within a contemporary setting, enjoy fairies, dragons and other mythical creatures, then Dragons Sisters might be the book you're looking for.

Barry Cunningham, publisher and MD of Chicken House, kindly notes in his 4* Amazon review: "I was lucky enough to read this early - it's a really excellent story, and I love the Dragon Sisters.  It's not so common in fantasy to find great girl characters, and these are truly intriguing in a fantastic and strange adventure."

Reluctant in Uniform: or Pig gone soldier on - humour in uniform by C J Harcourt

http://www.amazon.com/Reluctant-Uniform-gone-soldier-ebook/dp/B00AMKGLY2

Reluctant in Uniform is a humorous barrack room tale of Logan a young soldier in the British army.

Escaping a pregnancy wrap Logan joins the British army of the 1960s to find himself a reluctant recruit. It was a time of long hair, Beatles, free love and the pill and he was missing all of it.

'It's a little known but absolutely recorded fact that there were over fifty mutinies for Britain's military in the first half of the twentieth century' stated Compton suddenly.
'There must have been more than that' said Logan thinking it through.

          ****************************************************

Major Rory Calhoun sat in the squadron office sipping his morning coffee. Today was to be a very special day in the life of the Calhoun family. Years of piracy, sheep stealing and countless thousands spent putting the half-wit Rory through a succession of crams to get him into the Royal Military College Sandhurst would all have been worth it. Rory was to take a pass out parade attended by a royal and one still married to boot. Brushing shoulders with an HRH rated as high as a night with old matron wearing her rubber gloves for the major or a rampant nubile in a gymslip for the other ranks.

The Devil You Know -- a horror novel by Adrian W. Lilly

http://www.amazon.com/The-Devil-You-Know-ebook/dp/B0097YGFQS

"Adrian Lilly's debut is well written. He does a great job keeping the spookiness going to the very end. If you are a fan of this genre, if you are a fan of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, or John Saul then you will become a fan of Adrian Lilly and if his proceeding books are as good as this one then he will be the one to watch in the horror genre. So if you are a fan of this genre I urge you to pick up a copy of "The Devil You Know" and give this great book and talented author a try, I don't think you will be disappointed. 4-Stars"
--Anita (The Kindle Book Review)

The Devil You Know combines a gothic, haunted house horror tale with elements of the occult. Yet, the novel is also a character study of a young girl slowly unraveling under real and imagined pressures. The main character, Julie, moves with her parents from Chicago to a remote area in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as her father's dying wish. Julie is determined to make the most of a bad situation -- despite her new school being a one-room shack and her cell phone receiving no reception.

She begins to explore the mansion where they moved only to find that it is inhabited by the restless spirit of a teenage boy. Frightened, but unable to burden her parents with the ghostly sighting, Julie contends with the spirit herself. Even when he tells her she must kill her parents.

Alone and confused, Julie begins a slow decline as she no longer knows what to believe -- or whom to trust. 

If you enjoy horror, complex characters, eerie settings and a little dramatic irony, you'll enjoy this novel. 

After you read The Devil You Know, I would love for you to share your thoughts in a review or on my website at www.adrianlilly.com, where I also post weekly poetry and short stories. 

Surviving Riyadh – a biography/memoir by Alma B. Apostol

page 60

Behind the covered-faces, the voices were familiar but not the faces. One day, a co-worker, a Saudi woman, invited me to her party at the apartment complex. I didn't bother to dress up, believing the Saudi women would be wearing their regular work outfits.
I arrived early. She opened the door. Gone was her black cloak and veil. I saw an unfamiliar face but heard a very familiar voice. She saw my expression.
She smiled. "We only wear our cloaks and veils when we are in public places or in the presence of males other than our relatives. Come in and have a seat."
"Thank you," I said. "Sorry for not recognizing you."
"Don't worry, I'm used to it."
One by one, the Saudi women arrived and removed their coverings. Light complexioned, beautiful, modern women emerged. They wore make-up and had painted lips, polished nails and beautiful long dresses. Some of them were young.
"Meet my friends," she said as she introduced me to them.
Some of their voices were familiar as I had heard them at work. It was a surprise and a pleasure to see the faces behind those veils. They were very excited and, like most young ladies, they talked about their dresses, displaying them, how they were chosen and so on. Some had sewn their own dresses and were very proud of it.
They made jokes and laughed at their funny comments. Gone were the inhibitions they displayed at work. It was such a delight for me to see these women who were so reserved at work changed.

UNHINGED IN CYBER: The Outrageous Escapades of a Shameless Avatar, by OK_Jung

The title says it all. This book is made up of a series of cyber escapades in a sexually-orientated 2nd life site. OK_Jung is an avatar in the site who knows no boundaries between his reality and his shared fantasies. Although he writes about both life in cyber and his own reality, neither displays any normal limits. OK_Jung is amoral, impulsive and lost in his own Post Traumatic Stress illusions. Yet his quirky ineptitude is funny in a shockingly absurd way. And by revisiting his trauma and knowing it for the first time, OK is able to resolve some issues.

 

I wrote this book in response to some perverse and perverted stories that I heard from participants on the site. Then I went into the site to see for myself and created a fictional profile. I discovered that the site did indeed break down boundaries between reality and illusion. Activities in the site can be bizarre and extreme: emotions are reduced to primordial moods and inhibitions are forgotten. People become addicted to their subconscious drives that express love or hate; revenge or recovery, but never normalcy.

 

Although I remain anonymous in the book, I am a professional writer with a criminal justice and playwriting background; so am able to bring the story to life. Several pre-publication readers asked, "Is it true?" What more could a fiction writer ask for?

Meet Franklin Bean children book promotion by Emmy Swain

Meet Franklin Bean children book promotion by Emmy Swain

Meet Franklin Bean children book promotion by Emmy Swain

A modern day superhero with a twist, makes a great choice for a first chapter book read for beginning readers. Important topics from bulling, being the new kid, the effect of the poor economy on our children, and friendship.

Look no further than Emmy Swain's magical children's book. The tale is intended for children but it's a universal story about how strange it can be to move to a new place and meet new people. Franklin Bean helps young John cope with this situation. Emmy has written a captivating and enlightening story, which is beautifully illustrated. It is a book that children are asking to read again and again. 

"Franklin Bean storybooks are created to be lean forward experiences, encouraging children to actively relate the characters' situations to their real-world," Swain says. "Intuitively, the words and illustrations reach into the readers' imaginations, where real learning takes place. Choice allows them to craft their own story."
"That's the beauty of Franklin Bean's magic . . . new possibilities emerge."

Ocean of Dust - a YA Fantasy novel by Graeme Ing


http://www.amazon.com/Ocean-of-Dust-ebook/dp/B00A1FYJX8




Lissa, the young heroine of my book, has been begging to escape my mind for decades, so I had no choice but to write about her for my debut book. I sincerely hope that you, dear reader, will have as much fun with her adventures as I did writing them. Reviewers have referred to Ocean of Dust as a page-turner, for which I am thrilled. Please enjoy, and don't hesitate to start up a conversation on my web site, Facebook or Twitter. I don't bite - I'm a friendly bibliophile :)

Graeme Ing

Fourteen-year old Lissa is snatched from her home and finds herself a slave on a trading ship traveling on a waterless ocean of nothing but gray dust. A feisty, curious and intelligent girl, her desire to explore the ship earns her the hatred of the cruel first officer, Farq.
Fascinated by the ocean of dust, Lissa becomes embroiled in its mysteries, sensing things that the crew cannot, while cryptic whispers in her head are leading her toward a destiny linked to the dust itself. Only one man aboard can help her make sense of her new talent, but can she trust him? All is not as it seems, and she must unravel the clues before it's too late.
When a sinister plot casts her adrift on the barren ocean, her best friend is left in the hands of the treacherous crew. Everything hinges upon her courage, quick wits, and her ability to master her new talent.

Seventh Dimension - The Door by Lori Roberts

Free on Amazon Saturday and Sunday,  Dec 29 and Dec 30, 2012

Seventh Dimension – The Door, YA Fantasy, by Lorilyn Roberts


Here is a monologue of the main character that is absolutely unpublished anywhere else. I hope your readers will enjoy it.

A Monologue From the Main Character of The Seventh Dimension
Meet Shale Snyder.

Who is Shale Snyder?  At twelve, or fourteen, or seventeen?  Does it matter?

My parents didn't understand me. In fact, no one understood me. They picked at me. They even had a psychiatrist to conduct a whole bunch of stupid tests on my brain to figure out why I was so – now, what's that word again? Incorrigible, that's it. Well, I beat that guy at his game. I deliberately fudged the answers both times. They didn't care what was wrong with me. Why didn't they ask me? AND they could have listened to me. Now that's a new concept for adults.

The psychiatrist had no answers, only saying I had one undiscovered talent. Actually, he turned out to be a pretty fair guy, but I will let you read the story instead of spoiling it for you. Of course, then my parents wanted him to tell them what that one talent was. As if that's all I had that made me worth something. That's my secret, and you will know it when you read The Seventh Dimension.

But here is a hint—Baruch (the donkey) understood me better than anybody. If you haven't read The Donkey and the King, maybe that's not enough of a clue. Of course, the king knows my gift; he gave it to me. I have now given you two hints.

If it wasn't for the king, I would have failed miserably not only at school but at life. Why? Because I didn't know what I didn't have. How can you know you don't have something if you've never had it? Adults need to learn more about that four-letter word. There is even a song that says, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love..."

Whoever wrote that got it right. I bet the king didn't have to go to such extremes to convince her of what the world needed—and what I needed. Well, actually he did. The king pulled out all the tricks in his great book. No, I don't know that it was a girl who wrote that song, but girls seem to know more about such things.

Back to that special talent I have—one other tidbit I can share with you without giving away my story:  Dogs are man's best friend. Have you ever wondered why dog is God spelled backwards? The underlings didn't win that battle, though they dreadfully tried. Enough of that.  I don't want to spoil things or have you think ill of me. 

Whenever I start to succumb to the powers of darkness I break out in a cold sweat, crumbling to the floor in fear. I can't help myself that I am so emotional. Then I catch myself and remember the king beat those underlings on that frightful night.

Now that I am on the other side of this great adventure, I see it isn't the king who makes us miserable. Misery never ends, does it? That is, if you are like me. Those beastly underlings never give up. They know humans all too well, how weak and gullible we are. They still keep trying to mess with me. I am learning not to listen to those dreadful voices that tell me I am no good.

There is one bit of unfinished business from my story that still needs to happen before I can write the ending. Someday I want to find my good friend who I left behind in The Seventh Dimension. I already miss him so much. At least Much-Afraid made it back with me.

Will I ever see Baruch and Lowly again? Maybe not this side of the garden, not unless I can figure out a way to cross back. Dimension traveling isn't as easy as you might think.

Cherios will always be my favorite—such an example of sacrifice, bless her soul. And Worldly Crow, I have already met him since I returned. He is everywhere—just my kind of luck, right? Actually, this is his home, too. So sad; as if I didn't have enough misery.

I must tell you this. I won't wish away the years anymore. Sometimes your wishes come true, and things might not be as they seem. You may not like it, or at least parts of it. But then, you can't take the good without the bad. I need to remember, there is goodness here just like in The Donkey and the King. But I won't find it unless I look because it's hidden underneath all the gook that's crammed in the nooks and crannies of my little world, and yours, too.

If only Daniel will be there in three years…I must prepare to meet him again. I miss him so much….

Freedom of the Monsoon - Historical Fiction by Malika Gandhi

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Freedom-of-the-Monsoon-ebook/dp/B0070VV9TI
 
A FIVE STAR review from an independent author!
 
As an author I am often invited to comment on or endorse a book and love to oblige, sometimes this can be a chore as I have to read material I wouldn't normally choose. In the case of 'Freedom of the Monsoon' I could say the subject matter would have fallen into that category, but Malika Gandhi has changed that with her compelling debut novel. I will now be looking for similar books and would without hesitation recommend her work.

Beautifully written and narrated through five friends living in India during the period their wonderful country fought for its independence from British rule in 1947, Freedom of the Monsoon shows us, through these characters eyes, how the fight was won, but how hollow the victory turned out to be.

Be ready to love them all and to gain empathy and insight into them as you experience each one's sometimes harrowing journey through a conflict which broke their much loved nation into a division of its people and land.

The five young people are all friends and though their lives are entwined we are with each one on their own journey as they struggle to cope, fall in love, and take on a life they didn't plan to have.

The reader is not a witness to the events as in a story that is told to us, but participates in the culture - both the gentleness and love of family to all its members and friends, and the effect the tearing apart of a nation had on its people and the extreme violence of the day.

The Indian culture is embedded in the book. The reader 'sees' the colours, the clothes and the beauty of the land. They attend weddings and taste and smell the spices, they suffer the same losses, and they hear the language.

In my opinion this is a book that should be nominated for a literary prize and feted by the big publishing houses. Authors of the calibre of Malika Gandhi should not have to go it alone. The fact that they do have to indicates that there is something very wrong with the 'money orientated' publishing world.

I hope if you are reading this you will chose to buy the book as by doing so you will begin a new path in reading as I have no other I can compare it with. I can only say it is an enthralling read and one I would highly recommend to you.
 - Mary Wood -
 
Malika Gandhi
www.malikagandhi.wordpress.com

BLUFF, a literary suspense novel book promotion by Lenore Skomal

BLUFF, a literary suspense novel book promotion by Lenore Skomal
BLUFF, a literary suspense novel book promotion by Lenore Skomal

AN INDEPENDENT REVIEWER GIVES IT FIVE STARS:

I received a copy of this book from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.

I'm rather at a loss for words to accurately review this book: for I'm not entirely certain I've discovered all of the ways it makes an impact. It is a roller coaster ride from one peak in the revelations to the next, climaxing with the impact of that last big climb - slowly up until it crests and drops the bottom out from under you.

Each of the characters encountered are involved, directly or indirectly with Jude and what seemed to be a sucking vortex of secrets, deceptions and resentments. Add in the rather inflexible edicts from the Pope and the Bishop, contrasted with bioethical issues surrounding the sustenance of life without considering the quality of that life and that is just a taste of what this book brings to the reader.

Of course, the author has managed to wrap all of the issues into a well-written, tightly characterized and deeply moving story. One that keeps you thinking long after you have put it down and wanting to go back and re-read sections as your opinion on everything starts to change and wander. The main character is named for St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes: although each character has their own `lost cause' they are fighting against, some more successfully but no less traumatic than others.

If you want a book that doesn't challenge, ends with a "happy ever after", that you will put down and not feel it calling for you to finish it - this is not the book for you. Skillful writing combined with a plot guaranteed to make you think, remember and even question: you must have this book.

THE COLOR OF GREED (RAJA WILLIAMS SERIES) by Jack Thompson

http://www.amazon.com/Color-Greed-Williams-Series-ebook/dp/B008OIB73E/

Rather than the typical down and out, broken, alcoholic private investigator found in many stories (admittedly a successful character, rich in nuance), Raja Williams is an independently wealthy, Oxford-educated private investigator with a mission to bring justice to the underdogs he encounters. He does not carry a gun but he knows how to use one, and he has a sixth sense that leads him straight to trouble. Raja has an ethical code of conduct that his partner, Vinny, calls "Raja's Rules." Following his rules sometimes throws Raja into a worst tangle of trouble than he should tackle but, lucky for him, he has some very resourceful friends.
His main investigative partner is Livinia Moore, a strong female character whose top-level hacker skills help Raja crack his cases. The button-down, Oxford-educated Raja Williams and the hipster, wild-child hacker Vinny Moore make a strange pairing but they work hand-in-glove and are best of friends. The two of them do whatever it takes to bring justice to those who have nowhere else to turn.
Here's a sample of Raja's Rules:
Look, don't listen. People often say things of which only a small portion are facts. Sometimes none. Only facts count.
Go all in. Once you commit to a course of action, follow through one hundred percent. Doubt or hesitation will get you killed.
If you see a bad situation, you should do something about it. Often when investigating you run across bad things that are not part of your case. Don't ignore them. Fix them.
Don't sleep with the client. (Corollary: Don't sleep with the suspect.) These two rules avoid most of the worst tangles a detective could get into on a case. Unfortunately, this last rule is the one Raja has the most trouble following.
As Vinny would say, "Bam shizzaam."

"Daynight" - a young adult dystopian novel by Megan Thomason

KDP Select promotion dates: 12/28/12-12/29/12 & 1/21/13-1/23/12


A gripping young adult dystopian novel full of competing agendas, romantic entanglements, sarcasm, twists and turns.

Meet The Second Chance Institute (SCI): Earth's benevolent non-profit by day, Thera's totalitarian regime by night. Their motto: Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance at Life™. Reality? On Thera, Earth's inverted sister planet, the SCI subjects Second Chancers to strict controls and politically motivated science experiments. Example: Earth's morality nosedives, so the SCI tests Cleaving on Thera, forced lifetime union between two people who have sex. Punishment for disobeying SCI edicts? Immediate Exile or death. Three young adults narrate, each trapped in a web of lies and deceit: Kira, a Recruit central to the SCI's future; Blake, raised in Exile, and trained to infiltrate and destroy the SCI; and Ethan, groomed to rule the Second Chancers. Full of engaging characters, compelling conflicts, high stakes, and page-turning surprises. Well-placed humor balances the dark material. Unlike post-apocalyptic dystopias, daynight transpires in a modern-day society that fully intends on extending its dominion to Earth.

Excerpts:

"Mr. Rosenberg, where on God's green earth have you brought me?" I gasp.
"Technically, Ms. Donovan," Spud grunts between spasms, "we are no longer on God's green earth."

"She seems to be in shock at the sight of Blake, looking him and up and down like he's a melting popsicle that she wants to lick. Blake, on the other hand, is looking at Bailey like she's a popsicle that he'd like to take a blow-torch to."

The Tragedy of Fidel Castro, a historical novel from João Cerqueira

http://www.amazon.com/Tragedy-Fidel-Castro-Joao-Cerqueira/dp/1938416163

Thus, The Tragedy of Fidel Castro could be considered a political and metaphysical thriller where Jesus comes to Earth to prevent a war, God wonders who his creator is while singing the Cat Stevens' song Father and Son, Fidel Castro makes a pact with the Devil, whores and farmers refuse Marxism, a priest and the owner of a brothel (Madame Lola) fight a duel, monks start a revolution in a monastery, and, in the end, a true miracle happens.



I have been to Cuba three times and some parts of the book - the demonstrations against the regime - were told to me by Havana citizens who fought the police.

Synopsis


God receives a request for help from Fatima because a war between Fidel Castro and JFK is about to start.

Worried, God asks his son Jesus to return to Earth and difuse the conflict.


Meanwhile, JFK and his counselor are about to interrogate a captured Fidel Castro's spy (Varadero). Following a testy Communism versus Capitalism debate, JFK set him free and Varadero returns to Cuba. However, his faith in Fidel Castro is shaken and the spy begins to suspect that he is supporting the wrong side.


In Cuba, Fidel Castro faces protests on the streets and realizes that he is about to be overthrown. Suspecting Varadero betrayed him, Fidel imprisons the spy as he previously did with the revolutionary hero Camilo Ochoa[1]. Desperate, he decides to invade JFK's country as a way to divert people's attention from his own problems.

Fidel's' army invades part of JFK's country but cannot conveniently convince the inhabitants of the advantages of Marxism. Whilst peasants refuse a land reform, whores prefer free enterprise. Castro is then forced to ask Varadero for advice. Varadero seizes the opportunity accusing him of having betrayed the revolution and responsible for Cuba's misery.

Disturbed and distressed, Fidel isolates himself in unknown territory and following a fall which leaves him amnesiac. He is found by monks who take him to a solitary convent where mad people are ministered by the Church. Once inside he see's the fools are enslaved, Castro starts a revolution against the friars. The course of events reignites his memory.

By this time, Christ has arrived on Earth accompanied by Fatima, who is convinced she can create a miracle to avoid the ultimate battle between JFK and Fidel Castro.


Back with his army, Fidel Castro receives a visit from the Devil and makes a pact: he sells his soul in exchange for being remembered as a hero who fought for a better world. In the future, nobody will call him dictator.

Finally the two armies meet in battle, but JFK proposes to fight Fidel Castro in a duel to avoid wholesale carnage.

Fatima, Christ and Varadero watch the duel behind a bush. After a violent struggle, JFK overthrows Castro with a stone. Then he grabs a knife ... .

Beyond the Dream - A fantasy novel by Oliver Kennedy

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Dream-Song-Sorrowhawk-ebook/dp/B00ASLDRKG

You just woke up. That dream which so entertained your mind a few moments ago is already beginning to fade. But where do you think it goes once your conciousness is done with it? The dark forgotten recesses of your mind...think again. Welcome to Avalen. The land where the dreams go once mortal minds have dispensed with them. The place where the fantasies go to live and die, love and hate. The place where they cherish and conquer, where war amongst the dreams is just as brutal as it is for the mortals from whose minds they sprung. Into the dreamworld is flung a human, Anthony Hallow. Manipulated by the talented jackals, hunted by the Fenngaard palace Anthony must try and fathom his purpose in Avalen before he is destroyed by its inhabitants!

Hunted by dragons, giants, angels and demons Anthony comes across an unlikely ally in the form of the snowmen of Snowdell. A peaceful people who will defy their own nature and the will of the Geddon kings by protecting the dreamer and trying to help him fathom the meaning of the prophecy which has brought him to Avalen. For Anthony's coming has been foretold of for thousands of years, he is the 'Sad Father' of the Ayalla Prophecy, and his arrival will herald the 'time of reckoning during which all matters between the dreamstone walls will be settled'. Walk with him beyond the dream and see what fate is written...

Successful eBook Publishing: The Complete How-to Guide for Creating and Launching Your Amazon Kindle eBook - a non-fiction/how-to book by David Wogahn

KDP Select promo dates: 12/26/2012 to 12/28/2012

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009VPQOAA/

"This book has far, far too much information" is how one review begins. I admit I was a little worried when I began reading that review.

How do I publish my eBook on Amazon? It's a common refrain from authors and publishers new to eBook publishing. There are numerous books about marketing success stories, why you should write an eBook, how to write, or how to market eBooks.

This isn't one of those books!

This book is for writers who are serious about producing a quality book on their own. Even if you don't want to learn all the technical aspects you should still know your options.

Successful eBook Publishing is a complete how-to instruction guide for planning, designing, formatting, converting and distributing Kindle eBooks. Whether the reader plans to do it on their own, or hire experts, this comprehensive reference contains everything needed to go from idea to the Kindle shelf. Available in Kindle eBook and 6"x9" paperback (160 pages), it covers 42 topics in 7 sections including how to take your eBook to the eShelves of Barnes & Noble, Apple and Kobo.

"This comprehensive collection of valuable information and step-by-step instructions, from creation to promotion, should be on every writer's desk or ereader."

—Cheryl Kaye Tardif, bestselling author of How I Made Over $42,000 Selling My Kindle eBooks

Larry the Undertaker- a zombie adventure by J.E. Shook

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009T9MN6M
 
Four centuries ago, civilization found its core broken by a zombie outbreak. Though most of the earth's population became infected or killed, some isolated parts of the world managed to survive. It was from the scattered remains of humankind that certain men and women became experts in killing off their zombie counterparts. As these warriors came together, the people began to depend on them for protection and a small shred of hope. As their numbers grew, the people came to call them the Undertakers. Within decades, they had grown into a formidable army, one that could push back against the zombie threat. Through thousands of valiant sacrifices, they slowly began to take back several major cities from the dead. They fortified the places they conquered, and gave millions a safe place to live and rebuild civilization all over again. The past two centuries of progress has made most feel like the threat is over. Many of the new Undertakers haven't seen a zombie, and only the most veteran fighters know of the real threat. Larry, a loner who has been struggling to survive for most of his life knows all too well of how much a threat the zombies still are. The small town of Varnit, which he now calls home, seems far away from the rest of the world, but a chance encounter throws Larry into a journey where he will have to help decide the fate of millions.
 
This is the first book of the series and will be continued yearly.

Don't You Wish Your Momma Could Cook Like Mine? Funny, Non-Fiction Children's Picture Book by Colleen H. Robley Blake

http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Wish-Momma-Could-ebook/dp/B00AKWC02E

Ah, come on Mom.  I don't want to eat vegetables again.  Make me some cheeseburgers or some chicken nuggets and french fries.  Please, Mom?

When Mom, yells, "Come and eat".
I turn around and try to retreat.
Don't want any of that cooking, Mom, I'm sorry it's true.
Sometimes it's just too hard for me to chew.

Why can't you cook like the King or the Colonel?
Yummy burgers, chicken and sweet corn kernel
Maybe veggies like sweet corn are okay
But only if mixed with crispy chicken, cheese, and gravy.

Read along and laugh as Alex tries to avoid eating whatever his mother cooks.

Children can follow along as Alex observes his cheerful Mother cooking, and all of the other people (including his brother) who seem to enjoy her food.

The book teaches a number of important lessons through humor, particularly kindness and appreciation for others' efforts, even when they don't wildly succeed.

Don't You Wish Your Momma Could Cook Like Mine? features rhyming poetic prose that makes the book easily accessible to children and a delight for parents to read aloud.  Parents who want to test their children's level of comprehension can use the reading exercise at the end of the story to spur an academic discussion with their kids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs7PFRy13fw

PSYCH -A psychological thriller - by J.T.Twerell

http://www.amazon.com/Psych-J-T-Twerell/dp/1481288792/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356304111&sr=1-1

You are a very wealthy person who needs some psychological help. Dr. Stephanie Walker is a very beautiful, brilliant and unusual psychiatrist. She will help you tremendously. She will help you give her all your money. She will help you enjoy your life as she destroys it. She will help you commit suicide. She is very, very cleaver. She knows how to control your thoughts.
 
Detective Joe Stanton is a cop who smells something very strange concerning a string of suicides in the last few years. He begins to look at Dr. Stephanie Walker, but she also knows how to control his thoughts, which greatly hinders his investigation. 
 
Best selling author J.T.Twerell's new novel "PSYCH" is a psychological thriller you won't be able to put down. A practicing psychologist in New York City, he provides an interesting slant regarding his own profession. In addition to "PSYCH", he successfully published two award winning books; "Signal 30" winner of the Readers View Best New Book Award, 2011 and "Catch and Release" a 
top winner in Romance/mystery at the 2012 London Book Fair, Los Angeles Book Show and Beach 
Book Festival. 

Maiden’s Veil, historical fiction by Lisa Costantino

http://www.amazon.com/Maidens-Veil-ebook/dp/B008WEX86O/

Maiden's Veil was born during a trip to the UK, in which I planned to do research on a travel guide to Europe's oldest festivals. As I witnessed a number of centuries-old traditions, many of them honoring May Day, or Beltane, I became inspired to write a story that reflected the essence behind these celebrations.

The manner in which the May Day—the symbolic day of rebirth—is feted at these events varies. One may involve following an "obby oss," under whose black leather form lurks the promise of fertility. Another celebrates a May Queen as a personification of birth and growth, while still another sees villagers rolling a flower-bedecked wheel of cheese around its church and then partaking of it to protect their fertility. And of course, there's the phallic Maypole looming above those dancing beneath its beribboned crown.

Having some knowledge of what was known (or speculated) about ancient pagan fertility rituals from Frazier, Campbell, and other mythologists, I decided to structure Maiden's Veil around the banishment of a longstanding ritual, and of its resurrection—throwing in a shadow framework that echoes the Arthurian story of Elaine of Astolat, the "Lady of Shalott," cursed for her love of Lancelot to remain in her tower and weave. For this, I read more Arthurian lore (not a chore!), and also enrolled in weaving classes through Seattle's fine Weaving Works.

Researching and writing Clarinda's story was so enjoyable, I've decided I'm not quite finished with her. As a kind of prequel/alternate universe version of her life, my next book, this time a YA novel, will set a young woman very much like Clarinda in the woods, but as a healer who comes upon a mysterious injured man. Stay tuned.

Maiden's Veil is a finalist in Chanticleer Reviews' 2012 Blue Ribbon Award for Indie and Self-Published Novels.

Magic at Macy's--A Romantic Short Story by Liv Morris

Yale University freshman Ally Brown heads to NYC planning to view the famous Christmas store windows.

Her plans get sidetracked as she switches from tourist to stalker after spotting her crush, Jack Prescott, who is taking the same train into the city. He's the handsome Editor in Chief of the Yale Daily News and the man of her dreams.

Ally experiences her own "Miracle on 34th Street" when things take a surprisingly romantic turn, thanks to a little Magic at Macy's.

A Smaller Hell - a black comedy by A.J. Reid

http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Smaller-Hell-ebook/dp/B00A4HPX5Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356179475&sr=8-1

Click here to download this Kindle for FREE on the 23rd and 24th December, 2012.  

When I was writing "A Smaller Hell", I really had no idea that it was to be a black comedy.  I had no idea it was ever to be read by anyone except me.  I've had a fondness for the surreal and the absurd for as long as I can remember, and this book is largely a celebration of that.  It also celebrates the darkness in human beings as a source of both horror and amusement, and pays particular attention to how some will cleverly integrate their darker needs and desires into the traditional systems that our society uses to function.  It seems to me as though greed and cruelty have spread like a cancer, with more and more people behaving like the faceless, remorseless corporations who orchestrate ... well, everything.  This book explains, in amplified and comical terms, my experiences of living amongst and working for people who should be in straitjackets and given sainthoods in equal number.  
Probably more in straitjackets, actually.

Neurotic Man - humorous vignettes by Richard Georges

http://www.amazon.com/Neurotic-Man-ebook/dp/B00A6TOK24

Follow the life and times of that everyday man, Neurotic Man. In this age of employment stress, environment and global change ignorance, and various unknown diseases popping up like wildflowers on a fertile mountainside, who wouldn't be neurotic? The adventures are presented as a series of vignettes in a stream of consciousness fashion.

Follow Neurotic Man as he enters the dating world looking for Ms. Right (or at least a second date), as he searches for that perfect job (where he doesn't get arrested), and confronts major difficulties like how to enter a public restroom without touching the possibly contaminated door handle. Through it all he tries to make sense of the confusion he feels and sees around him with wit, humor and a dose of humanity.

According to Luke - A romantic thriller by Rosanne Dingli

http://www.amazon.com/According-to-Luke-ebook/dp/B009Q6ZVZI

Everyone thinks of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code when they hear about According to Luke. But it's not a conspiracy book, and neither does it have any stuffy religious politics in it.
According to Luke is a gripping novel full of action, adventure, and forbidden love. Its largest claim to fame is its delving into the mystery behind the identity of St Luke - who was this Christian evangelist and follower of Paul from Tarsus, anyway? The secret found in an ancient pre-Byzantine icon hints at a fact that absolutely stirs the Catholic Church, and poses a question to Protestants, and gets the Muslims going too.

Why are there three groups of people hell-bent on getting their hands on the icon? Jana Hayes, who restores the picture, is puzzled. The priest who brought it to her is too attractive. She cannot concentrate, which makes her open to his charms, vulnerable to the ruthless people who want the icon, and weak before the charge and power of a very wealthy person in her life.
All this, and much more, in one novel that has had readers of all kinds give up on sleep to find out what's over the page. Read 19 reviews on Amazon. Download it to your Kindle and see whether you can resist reading it before all those other downloads waiting there. Ah - According to Luke. It will make you want more from this author. And there's plenty.

A Twist of Fate - a fantasy novel by Mark W. Johnson

     "Pardon me, sir."  The gnarled old man hunched over, hiding his six-foot frame, his voice surprisingly strong.  Dressed all in black, Jovy, the priest of Adannac, frightened almost as many adults as children.  "What gods do you and the lady worship?"

     "Why are you asking?  What do you want?"  A young man with dark hair and receding hairline was aghast at the questions.  Standing in his doorway, Mlaer's face grew red.

     "Well, we all know the lady may not be long for this world, and I just thought you might like for me to say a few nice words for her.  You know, when the time comes."  An attempt at a smile simply made Jovy's hideous face even more frightening.

     "She will recover!"  With that, Mlaer slammed the door.

 

     Mlaer refused to accept the impending death of his wife from this mysterious illness.  A magician who had settled down to a quiet life was now facing the realization that his beloved had only one chance – and that would involve the adventure of his life.  Accompanied by his best friend Eromit, the blacksmith's apprentice, he set out with little more than a general direction and a couple of names to find someone who could heal his wife. 

     Woefully unprepared for their task, the two find that the world is full of twists and turns and double-dealers.  Joined by a drunken bard and a member of a race of ancient frog men, they must battle goblins, find a lost city, overcome a golem sent to punish them for a crime they did not commit, and defeat a tiger god.  Pulled one way and another by forces either trying to help or trying to hinder, they never quite figure out who is on their side and who is not.  All in all, Mlaer just wants his wife healed so he can resume his quiet life, but others see great things in his future, and indicate that his destiny will be anything but quiet and peaceful.

Rage - A mystery novel by Lawrence W. Gold, M.D.

Rage will be free 12/21-12/23/2012

One of man's greatest fears is of losing control. In Rage, perfectly normal people, a housewife, a student, a priest, and a former football player suddenly and without reason become violent.
Michael Rose, a former cop turned forensic psychiatrist seeks an explanation. What he discovers is shocking confronts him with a decision that challenges his fundamental principles.

The Obsession--A Thriller by T.V. LoCicero

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008H31AB0

Free on Amazon: 12/22-23/2012

"…both [The Obsession and Gone Girl] are pacy, gripping narratives about love grown monstrous and out of control"--Victoria Best, Tales from the Reading Room

"…not for the literary faint of heart…this is a powerful engaging story, one that followers of this particular genre would most likely enjoy."--Charlene Mabie-Gamble, Literary R&R

"…very exciting. I was hooked by the time I finished the first chapter. It is very well written, fast moving and suspenseful."--Barbara Juhl, Library Thing

The Obsession, the first entry in the Truth Beauty Trilogy, is a vibrant novel of suspense and murder, by turns intriguing and surprising, as three smart, driven people match wits with their lives at stake. When Stan, an American grad student falls for Lina, a lovely Italian scholar, his unrequited passion turns perverse. When he follows her from a mid-west college town to Bologna's ancient streets, they are joined by John, Lina's American lover and Stan's mentor. Their love-lust triangle re-ignites, and they flee and chase down the storied Italian boot to a shocking conclusion on volcanic Mt. Etna.

"I loved this novel and can't wait to read the next in the trilogy. Fascinating, complex characters, a story full of surprising twists and a genuinely shocking ending. First rate suspense."—Kate, Amazon Reviewer

"It was a good mystery and I never did guess how the ending would be played out, and that is pretty extraordinary. I am not often that much in the dark about how a book would be wound up by the author."-- Victoria Chance, Amazon Reviewer

If you're looking for a dark, edgy saga that will keep you guessing, pick up The Obsession. Then try the trilogy's Book 2, The Disappearance. With complex characters and shocking twists, it's another compelling read with a powerful payoff.

T.V. LoCicero has been writing both fiction and non-fiction across five decades. He's the author of the true crime books Murder in the Synagogue (Prentice-Hall), on the assassination of Rabbi Morris Adler, and Squelched: The Suppression of Murder in the Synagogue. His novels include The Obsession and The Disappearance, the first entries in The Truth Beauty Trilogy. Seven of his shorter works are now available as ebooks. These are among the stories and essays he has published in various periodicals, including Commentary, Ms. and The University Review, and in the hard-cover collections Best Magazine Articles, The Norton Reader and The Third Coast.

The Blemished - a YA dystopia by Sarah Dalton

http://www.amazon.com/The-Blemished-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008UP8C52

A beautiful world comes at a price...

 

In the not so distant future Mina Hart is Blemished. Her genes are considered worthless in a shallow world where beautiful clones are created for the rich. She has no rights and should know her place, but Mina Hart has something to say about that. She wants to fight against the system and use her unique super-power against the Ministry. 

 

The Blemished is the first part in the YA dystopia trilogy. Mina and her friends need to escape Area 14 and the dreaded Operation. That's pretty difficult when your teacher has it in for you and Enforcers are on your trail. Not to mention how gorgeous clones and attractive but damaged boys can complicate things... especially when there are rules against even talking to members of the opposite sex. 

 

The Blemished is a frightening take on a fractured future where the Genetic Enhancement Ministry have taken control of Britain. This fast-paced dystopia with a science fiction twist takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride filled with adventure, romance and rebellion.

 

This book will challenge you to ask yourself one question: Would you fight back?

Brightside - a sci-fi thriller by Mark Tullius

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KRWXXC

 

Ever wish you could hear the thoughts of those around you? You won't after reading Brightside, a sci-thriller where telepaths are rounded up and imprisoned in a beautiful mountain town.

 

Go ahead and shake your head, some people need convincing. There's no need to hear your thoughts to know what you're thinking: Wouldn't it be nice to know the right answer to every question? Wouldn't it be easy to convince someone to love you, tell them everything they wanted to hear? It'd be so simple to make money, working over the customer, selling them what they think they need, feeding off their low self-esteem. And if poker was your game, you could make millions.

 

Those things are all true and very tempting, but what about those other times? The times when you're with your partner and she's fantasizing you're someone else, wishing you'd start hitting the gym and do something about your breath. What if you're with your mom and she sees the mailman, thinks about what he did to her the day before while you were at school and your dad was at work?

 

Imagine not being able to turn off this ability and you'll start to understand why Joe Nolan has always hated it and himself. And now that he's stuck in this cursed town where others can hear his frantic thoughts, he's determined to escape. It's his hundredth day in Brightside and he can't take it anymore. He has a shotgun and a way out, the only thing he's lacking is the courage.

Sparks - A thriller by Cathryn Louis

Bored by your workplace? Visit Gabrielle Winston's instead. Disasters, deception, dangerous liaisons; and Monday she faces termination – as in death.

Gabrielle has a secret – a software application based on algorithms she developed. It is a 'killer app', using known events to predict the unknown with uncanny accuracy. Unbeknownst to her firm, she has been using her killer app instead of the their analysis application for the five years she has been there. She has named it SPARKS, after 'what would fly' if her firm found out about it before she was ready to tell them. She intended to tell them – really she did, except that now, she is exposed and is about to discover that her killer app is to die for.

The discovery of commercial espionage operatives inside her firm puts Gabrielle in the cross-hairs of the ruthless CEO who controls them. Though never having met Gabrielle, Jarin San Chapelle provides personal protection agents from his security services firm to protect her; and despite his resistance, gives her his heart. They all believe that the operatives mean to destabilize her firm; the opening maneuver in a hostile takeover. But they are after SPARKS.

Convinced that she and SPARKS are the only bait for which the operatives will expose themselves, Gabrielle forces Jarin's hand. Unforeseen events doom their strategically flawless sting and Jarin, battling his way through the operatives' defenses, can't get to her in time. Trapped by the operatives, Gabrielle is collateral damage; all they want is SPARKS.  Outmatched, can Gabrielle bluff her way out to save herself? How can she -- when she doesn't have a poker face?

Business Email Marketing by Jacqueline Biggs


Kindle FREE on Amazon TODAY

US

"An easy read, packed full of practical tips and strategies, ideal whether you are just starting an email marketing campaign, or looking for more advanced strategies." AP

"This book has given me so many suggestions on how I can generate qualified leads really quickly. Plus, all the resources on how to get guest blogging opportunities are also really useful. It's well worth reading." JK
Business email marketing reveals proven tips, solutions and tools on how to make money from email marketing. Whether you have been using this channel for years, or are just starting out, you will get enormous value from this book, as Jacqueline shows you the secret to exploding the growth of your database & how to create a targeted email marketing strategy that works for your specific business.

What you will learn

• How to choose the right email service provider.
• How to grow a targeted database, fast.
• How to segment and identify profitable niches in your database.
• How to create an email marketing strategy that delivers results.
• How to write compelling content every time.
• The most important metrics you need to focus on to ensure your effectiveness.
• How to integrate email marketing with social media to maximise effectiveness.

Archie's Gold a juvenile/middle grade mystery by E.R. Yatscoff

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005E1PEFQ
 
Get back to true grit and reality.  No vampires, zombies, aliens, wise creatures, or parallel worlds.  My boys get in trouble they must get out using their brains, not magic wands.

Twelve year old Archie Crane has a dream to be reunited with his estranged father, and shining shoes  in front of a hotel in a tough blue-collar town is the only way.  Every nickel and dime dropped in his can goes toward a bus ticket to leave his mom and sister.  The mean streets get a whole lot meaner when Boogy, a local rink rat, is determined to wrest the shoe-shine spot away from Archie by any means.  After one busy night riding his bike home, Boogy pushes him into traffic.  Archie awakens in the hospital with two detectives at his bedside, very curious as to how a stolen gold coin ended up in his money can. 

It's a mystery to Archie, too.  Looking like a failed lab experiment from his injuries, Archie pedals his smashed bike around town trying to discover the mystery of the coin while fighting off Boogy.  One stolen gold coin is a curiosity, but when Archie stumbles upon 42 of them, his simple world is turned upside down.  The two cops catch gold fever, determined to find all the coins.  Caught between holding stolen coins and finding someone trustworthy to turn the coins into cash proves difficult and dangerous.  Enlisting the aid of an ex-con might be a bad idea, but he's running out of time.  As the walls begin to tumble and the police close in,  Archie's hope of rejoining his father may only be a dream. 
yatscoffbooks.com

Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash - a contemporary romance by Bev Pettersen

She's broke. He's worth millions.

A dedicated horse masseuse relies on her job and street smarts to support what's most important…her younger sister. But when she's caught in the middle of a hostile takeover, headed by a charming but ruthless corporate shark, much more than her career is threatened.  

 

"Bev Pettersen is firmly on my must-buy list.  Her books sweep you away to the world of Thoroughbred racing, and her cast of jockeys, horse trainers, and grooms are loveable and unforgettable."  – Hope Ramsay, best-selling author
of Home at Last Chance

 
 

 

The World Within - a fantasy novelette by M. C. Olmo

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062FO0FI

Rick went wandering into the forest looking for a marked boulder, but a mysterious creature took him underground to another world he never knew existed. His sister, Juniper, ponders whether she sets out to rescue him or not. Will she be brave enough to face the mischievous inhabitants of this hidden underground world?

A thrilling fantasy novel full of mystery and unexpected twists and turns.

Do you dare enter the fantastic world of Maboodia? Once you meet the rulers of this world, you'll have to outwit them if you ever want to see the Sun again. 
Winner of two Honorable Mentions (Green Book Festival and Halloween Book Festival), this is a ride you would not like to miss. Great for pre-teens or the youngster within you.

Shadow Cay - a hard-boiled thriller by Leona Bodie

KDP 99 cents Promotion – December 21st

Amazon Promotion- Shadow Cay usually sells for $9.99, but it will be offered for $0.99 from 1/12/2013 to 1/14/2013. Deal will be available only at Amazon.

Shadow Cay - a fast-paced, action-packed, hard-boiled thriller Checkout it out today!  Many 5-star reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Cay-ebook/dp/B003UV8MG0

 

In a remote tropical island paradise, Madeleine's life is thrown into a tailspin when the double murder of her parents shatters the only security she's ever known. Now everything, she thought she knew–even about herself–will be challenged. Torn between revenge and fear, facing tormenting visions and threats on her life, she hunts for a killer and the truth behind a global conspiracy.  She has one goal:  To discover secrets that could rock the world before the killer–operating in the Bahamas and Florida–claims her as his next victim.

"Intense, chilling, entertaining novel!  If you enjoy a good thriller, Shadow Cay will provide that and more. It sets a strong pace from the start with riveting action and dialogue. The beautiful Bahamas background adds contrast to the frightening action and gritty texture of the story." --BellaOnline Mystery Editor

"Suspense and thrills. the storyline is deep and rich, flowing with characters that piece together like a fine jig saw puzzle, bringing forth a story that reels with adventure and intrigue...a real thriller, one that wraps around you and keeps you tied to the pages until the final curtain." --Midwest Book Review

"When your next heartbeat might kill you, you live a life on the edge and in suspense and that is exactly where two characters created by author Leona Bodie bodie live. Their story is captivating, their bravery unique and the story is full of twists and turns, which leave the reader wanting more while flipping through pages." --Hot Gossip Hot Reviews