READER'S ROCK Vol. 1 Issue 5 November 2013

Vol. 1 Issue 5 DIGITAL MAGAZINE FOR BOOK LOVERS NOVEMBER 2013 Up Close & Personal With Best Selling Author Robert Stanek Diana’s Tea Time Reviews & More

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5-Quotes 6-Up Close & Personal with Robert Stanek 14-Bill Hiatt: Divided Against Yourselves 16-Barbara Ivie Green 18-Finding the Joy in Holiday Reads- Orange Peacock - Alicia Jespersen 19-USA Today 20th Anniversary of Best Seller List Lorrie Farrelly 20- Jackie Ivie Anna Renault 22- My First Travel Book- Anna Oth24itis & Captain Frankie Violet Patterson 24-Tammie Clarke Gibbs- Island of Secrets Trace Broyles 27-Visually Impaired Reader Inspires Author Lori Foroozandeh 28-Regan Black: Double Vision & Sandman Charlene Raddon 30- Peggy Henderson: Yellowstone Heartsong Anna Othitis 32- Anna’s Journey- Book Fairs, Expos & Booksignings / Anna Renault Emma Michaels 34-Recipes for Romance: Jane Archer 36-Lori Foroozandeh: Lori’s Song 38-Watch it or Wreck it: Violet Patterson 40-Christine Murphy 42-Edgar Allen Penguin Visits Atlanta 45-Holiday Survival Guide: Surviving the Season 46- Holiday Survival Guide: Perfecting the Classic Pecan Pie 48-Lorrie Farrelly: Terms of Surrender 50- Holiday Survival Guide: Have a Happy “Friendsgiving” 51-Holiday Survival Guide: Three Easy Shopping Strategies 52- Dianne Lynn Gardner: The Dragon Shield 54-Holiday Survival Guide: DIY Decorating that Lasts All Season Long 55-Four Sonnets to the Four Seasons 56-Charlene Raddon- Taming Jenna 58- Across the Pages of History: Walt Whitman in Europe 60- Violet Patterson: Emerald Seer Series 61- Trace Broyles: Estelan 62-Encouraging Kids 63- Aspirations 64-Colinda Alridge: Emotions 66-Authors on the Road 67- Write or Read 68-Fran Veal: Finding My Way Back 70-Diana’s Tea Time Reviews 72- Janet Beasley: The Holiday’s are Coming 74-Books and Snacks 76-Emma Michaels

“Read to live another life, even if only for a chapter.” ? Jordan Urtso “Never judge a book by its movie.” ? J.W. Eagan “A book is like a key that fits into the tumbler of the soul. The two parts have to match in order for each to unlock. Then—click—a world opens.” ? Brad Kessler, Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, A Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese “Reading makes immigrants of us all. It takes us away from home, but, most important, it finds homes for us everywhere.” ? Hazel Rochman “There is much to discover that's not on the back cover!” ? E.A. Bucchianeri “Reading is dreaming. Reading is entering a world of imagination shared between reader and author. Reading is getting beyond the words to the story or meaning underneath.” ? Paul Kropp, How to Make Your Child a Reader for Life QUOTES

Robert Stanek up close & personal When I first “cyber-met” Robert Stanek I was struck by not only his own accomplishments, but by his dedication to other authors. When I began preparation for this interview I did a bit more digging and found that while different, we share a similar background in versatility. Robert is not only a notable author having published over 150 books, but the diversity of his resume is remarkable. Robert could you share with us a little about the little boy who grew up to be the author we know and love today? What did you enjoy doing as a child and how do you think those experiences have influenced your career? Robert: Remember that kid at Treasure Island, Twenty your school with the bowl Thousand Leagues haircut, wearing ragged shirts Under the Sea, The two sizes too small or too big, Call of the Wild, and patched pants that were high more. The writers of waters or had rolled up cuffs, those books--Jules and shoes that were taped Verne, Sir Arthur Conan together or mismatched? Well, Doyle, Edgar Rice that was me. Burroughs, Ray Bradbury, Herman I grew up in Racine, a city in Melville, Jack London, southern Wisconsin about Charles Dickens, and midway between Chicago and Edgar Allan Poe-- Milwaukee. I’m one of five became some of my children raised by a single greatest influences and mom. Poverty wasn’t just a their stories helped me word in my world as a child; it survive the world was a daily reality that my around me. mom, my sisters, and I lived. Poverty and all the dark things What do you consider that go with it never broke us. If your big break in finished novels and was on my anything, it only made us publishing? way to Survival Training, stronger. followed by Air Combat School, First big break? Wow, my first and finally to a posting in School was a place I raced to break of any kind in writing was Germany as a combat flyer. I eagerly every weekday. I loved a long time in the making-- finished a 5th novel by the time school not only because it was longer even than most people I left Germany in the fall of sometimes the only place I got can imagine. I finished my first 1991 for a new posting in to eat, but because I loved full-length novel in 1986. At the Hawaii. It wasn’t until 1993 that learning. Outside of school, I time, I was stationed in Japan I sent out my first query letters spent a lot of time at the library. and writing was something I to publishers. The library is where I did just because I loved writing. discovered The Three When I left Japan at the While I studied up on how to Musketeers, Robinson Crusoe, beginning of 1989, I had four get published and continued

one publisher, but I “little” book called Electronic did. I expected it Publishing Unleashed. would be months Originally, I was supposed to before I got a just be a contributor to the response. I focused book but the publisher liked my on completing my work so much I ended up as courses so I could the lead writer, writing about graduate from my 800 pages of the 1050 pages. Master’s program. The book was written and Unexpectedly, I got a published to a break-neck response from the schedule. I started in editor almost December finished by May and immediately. A the book was published in phone call, received September. Before I had even by my wife, that I finished, the publisher signed was to return. Within me to a second book, Web days of that call I Publishing Unleashed—a 950- had a contract in my page monster. I wrote right hand and a week through graduation and into later I was writing a the fall, finishing about 750 submitting my work for possible publication, I also started looking at new areas to write and how I could tie in the career path I had chosen in Computer Science. I completed my Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science degree program in 1994, and was working to complete my Master of Science degree program. In my job in the military I was working deep in mainframes, Unix computing and this thing called the World Wide Web. The Web was new at the time and relatively few outside the military and academia had ever used it. On a whim, I drafted an outline for a book about publishing on the World Wide Web. I found the name of an editor at a publisher called Macmillan and sent the outline along with a query. I’m not sure why I picked that one editor at that

pages by late October. That fiction, I wasn’t I know writer’s block is book was published in March looking to write children’s something most writers 1996. The books were huge books to make money or have experience, but in 30 years of bestsellers that established me them published. In fact, I wrote writing I never have. I like to as a leader in technology my first children’s book in 1993 think it’s because I absolutely writing. and it wasn’t until 2004 that I love sitting at the keyboard and tried to get any of my children’s creating something new. Who has been most books published. I simply wrote influential to you in regard to the kinds of books I as a parent I know it’s also because I’m your publishing career? felt good about reading to my always working on several kids and the kinds of books my things at once. I love that about Robert: Growing up, family kids loved--and that was being an author too. When I was the most important thing. enough. write children’s books, I dream We didn’t have much, but my up the words, the art. I create mom, my sisters, and I had I think one of the reasons I’ve the cover. I set the type on the each other. My own family has written so many books is that I page. When I write fiction, I been as great an influence on wasn’t really trying to write and create the characters, develop my life and career. In fact, I then sell my work. I was just their backstories, and give started writing children’s books writing what I loved to write and them a world to play in. When I for my children. The books I what my kids loved. That write nonfiction, I scope the wrote were the kind of books I approach to just writing what I work, develop the flow of wished were available in stores loved carried over into my topics, and write what I know. but weren’t. nonfiction writing as well. You have a military As my children grew up, the What do you enjoy most background and you are types of children’s books I about being an author? quite accomplished which I wrote changed with them. I know takes a lot of wrote books for infants and Robert: The blank page organization, does your toddlers, then progressed into scares many writers. I love the background help you stay early readers and eventually to blank page. It’s a new canvas organized and allow you to chapter books. As with my for my words and I love filling it. do all these wonderful

tests but to memorize the My Ruin Mist books (Keeper materials. Martin’s Tale, Kingdom Alliance, Fields of Honor, My years of military training in Mark of the Dragon, The the Intelligence field required Kingdoms and the Elves of me to be a human sponge as the Reaches, In the Service well. For my field positions, I of Dragons) were some of the needed to study stacks of earliest successes in the books and hundreds of pages independent publishing of analysis each time I moved revolution we’re in the midst to a new position and put all of right now. that information to use as quickly and efficiently as Back in 2001 when my first possible. I became very indie book was released as adept at not only learning an ebook serial there were new material fast but very few indie books and becoming an expert on what I even fewer indie success things? studied. All those skills have stories. I'd like to think I direct application to my helped change that when my Robert: I’ve always been nonfiction writing where I Ruin Mist books quickly highly organized and must research new products became top sellers on schedule oriented, even in and technologies, master Amazon. Like the little engine my early school days. My them at an expert level, and that could, the Ruin Mist years in the military then teach readers to use books are the little books that absolutely helped hone those those technologies. could and they debuted in organizational and project digital a decade before skills to a fine edge. What is your experience ebooks ever hit mainstream with independent audiences. In school, I was one of those publishing? freaky kids who soaked up I thought 2002 was a everything I read, but I had to I’ve been a professionally fantastic year when print work at it too. I was good at published author since 1995 sales of the books soared taking notes and using my and an independently beyond my wildest notes to not only cram for published author since 2001. expectations and I was sure

that year would never be Bugville Critters books in far is only part of what I’ve topped, never be achieved audio. Once the original written. Thus, a key part of again. But then I brought Bugville Critters books were my goal for the next five Ruin Mist to audio in 2005. released in audio, print and years is to get my expansive The books catapulted to #1 digital ebook, I started back catalog into print or at on Audible for FOURTEEN releasing the Bugville Jr least moving toward consecutive weeks and then books and Bugville Learning publication. stayed on the Kids & YA Top books I had created. 10 for 180 consecutive I know that you are a full weeks. Now there are over 100 time author, but do you Bugville Criters, Bugville Jr, also work another job at By 2011 I thought for sure and Bugville Learning books the same time? the ride was over. That this available and those books was it for Ruin Mist, but it have been read by more than Robert: My day job is as a wasn't so. Today, more than 1 million people. technology journalist and 1 million people have read writer. I’ve been a published the Ruin Mist books. Where do you see your technology journalist and career in the next five writer since 1995. Independent publishing also years? Do you have any Technology books are very gave me a chance to finally specific goals? different from works of fiction. bring my children’s books to The average work of fiction is the world and my children Robert: If all the years of about 400 pages and about are the ones who urged him writing have taught me 90,000 words. The average to get the Bugville Critters anything, it’s patience. I’m tech book I write is about 650 books published. I brought not in a hurry to publish pages and about 300,000 the books to audio first and anything. I release my books words. I’ve also written more then to print and digital on my schedule, not anyone than a few 1200- to 1500- ebook. else’s. I have so many page books, with the longest finished books because I’ve being about 654,000 words. To bring the books to audio, I been writing for 30 began working with voice years—and nearly 20 of Everything else I write is my artists in 2005 and it took those years as a full time second job and I write these four years of work with writer. books out of necessity as multiple voice artists to get to much as out of love of the the release of all 28 original What has been published so craft. Technology writing for

specific types of products, such fulltime occupation and your editors, development editors, as operating systems and spare-time hobby, you really and others on editorial staff. enterprise software, is cyclical, don’t have time for much else. The chapters also contain with the need for new books Being an indie author as well comments from technical following product cycles. as a professionally published reviewers. This part of the author means, I have to be Me, process is called author review. Even with hit books early on in Inc. Squared. my career, I was at the mercy During author review, I’m of product cycles. Throughout If I’m not writing, I’m probably working with the manuscript in the late 90’s and early 00’s, I designing a book cover, doing Microsoft Word. I must respond went back to work out of illustration work, setting type on to every question and query necessity and then wrote on an illustrated page, sketching and a typical chapter may have nights and weekends. In fact, out a story line, reviewing several hundred of those which all of my books published from printed pages, or any of the may or may not require me to about 1998 to 2002 were done dozens of other things that make actual changes in the in my spare time, much like the must be done to prepare a text. Author review is followed books I wrote from 1995 to book for publication. Why? by page review. Page review is 1996 when I also was serving Because there’s no one else to the final part of the manuscript in the military and going to do that work if I don’t. review process. school. I don’t think many people During page review, I’m These days, I write technology understand how technical working with the manuscript in books when the work is writing works and how involving its final form in Adobe Acrobat. available and write other types it is. With technology books, The manuscript is marked up of books in between product writing is only one part of a with comments that I must cycles and any other time I much larger process that also address from the formatters, have spare time. If I’m not involves author review and proofreaders, and others on the writing a tech book, I’m writing page review. As I write editorial staff. For pre-release fiction, children’s fiction, etc. chapters, those chapters go to products, there may be several editorial and also are sent on to rounds of author review and When you’re not writing what technical reviewers. When I get several rounds of page review. do you enjoy doing? chapters back from editorial, the chapters contain edits and After all these years of writing, I Robert: When writing is your comments from the copy have a simple formula to

determine how much of my rather than read for very long). Robert: Currently, I am time a writing project will working to finish an 8-book require, inclusive of writing, What’s the most interesting contract with my publishers. review, and everything else that thing a fan has ever said to The contract is the largest one a book involves. 1 page = 1 you? I’ve ever signed and it couldn’t hour. Thus, if I’m writing a 700- have come at a better time. page book (inclusive of all front Robert: The Kingdoms and The project, which has matter and back matter), I must the Elves of the Reaches and consumed part of last year, all plan for the project requiring In the Service of Dragons of this year and will carry me 700 hours of my time. books are popular with tween well into next year, entails over boys and I often hear from 4,000 pages of writing—and What’s your favorite food? readers who tell me they never I’ve been going at it 7 days a really enjoyed reading until week trying to meet all the Robert: My military career they discovered these books. timelines. took me all over the world, so I I’ve heard from fans who read have many favorite foods. I the books for fun while being Two of the eight books have love yakisoba and sushi. I love forced to read a “classic” book now been published and I am kalbi and kimchi. I love that they hated at school. That working my way through schnitzel and sauerkraut. I love was fun for me to hear. writing, reviewing, and final gyros and spanakopita. I love work on all the others. I’m very kalua pork and poi. Oh and I I think though that one of the grateful to have this work, love pho, and now just thinking best things that has ever especially as the industry is in about all those wonderful foods happened to me as a writer is such flux right now. There was is making me hungry. :-) the first time an entire class a great deal of uncertainty prior wrote letters to Buster Bee. to this about the future. The Where’s your favorite place The first time that happened I uncertainty continues, but at to read? was overwhelmed. It was least I have work to keep me going. What an amazing interview thank you Robert for allowing the readers of Reader’s Rock take a sneak peak behind the scenes and into your career. It’s been out pleasure chatting with you. Wondering what books Robert Stanek has written? You can find a visual guide to 102 of his books in print at http://www.robert- stanek.com/print-books.htm and a visual guide to 75 of his books in audio at http://www.robert- stanek.com/audio-books.htm . Robert Stanek is on Twitter at simply amazing to receive so http://twitter.com/robertstanek Robert: Reading is big at my many letters from kids who love and on Facebook at house, so we have reading the Bugville Critters stories. http://www.facebook.com/robert nooks all over the place. When stanekauthor . I have time, I like to read in the sun room (but the sun room is What are you working on also my office so I’m usually currently? tempted to go back to work



The long awaited sequel to Living with Your Past Selves, Divided against Yourselves, is set to be released soon! In Living with Your Past Selves, Taliesin Weaver faced death at the hands of the witch Ceridwen. In Divided against Yourselves, he discovers there are worse things than dying, and worse enemies than Ceridwen…right inside his own head. Ever since Tal became able to remember all of his previous lives, he knew that his life would be more complicated than normal, and he managed to cope with that reality. depending on him than ever. Yet Tal After he defeated Ceridwen, he even manages to handle all of this. thought that he might have a little time to breathe. He couldn’t have What Tal can’t handle is the discovery been more wrong! that a best friend, almost a brother to him, betrayed him, damaging Tal’s life Tal’s girlfriend is in a coma for which beyond repair. For the first time, Tal he holds himself feels a darkness within him, a responsible. darkness which he can only barely Morgan Le Fay control—assuming he wants to. He’s is lurking no longer sure. Maybe there is around with an something to be said for revenge, and agenda Tal can’t even more to be said for taking what figure out. he wants. After all, he has the power… Supernatural interruptions in (Left image is copyrighted by Prixel his life are Creative. Right image is copyrighted becoming more by Melkor3D. Both are licensed from frequent, not less so, despite his http://www.shutterstock.com .) expectations. More people are

An Exclusive Excerpt from Divided against Yourselves my awareness, I felt Dan take a wound in the arm, but, energized by a fanatical desire to protect Alcina at all costs, he apparently held on to his sword and kept fighting. It was up to me to save Shar and Carla..but how could I do that? “Drop that sword!” she commanded as a landed on the dock, nicking Shar’s throat to underscore the order. I knew I couldn’t drop Zom at this point. At the best, that would allow Morgan and Alcina to escape. At the worst I was running a little low on magic and magic resistance, and either or both of them might conceivably recapture me, or do harm to someone else—and then escape as well. What is that old saying? It’s always darkest before the dawn…but now we seemed on the verge of an endless night. My best option strategically seemed to be to allow her to do her worst with Shar in the hope of (Image copyrighted by Pablo Hidalgo and licensed from healing him afterward. Nurse Florence had suggested http://www.shutterstock.com ) she might be able to heal Gianni under similar While I was brooding over that problem, Morgan, circumstances. who had presumably been hiding on the other side of I reached out with my mind to see how Vanora the pier, popped out of concealment and swung her icy was doing with Nurse Florence—and the endless night sword straight at Shar. Unarmed and weakened from got darker. Not only was Vanora, already wearied from blood loss, he fell back away from the blade, but not maintaining the security system I had demanded, now quite fast enough, and Morgan inflicted another flesh pretty much exhausted, but Nurse Florence was not wound on the arm, this one aggravated by the extreme reviving. Had she drained herself too far to come back? cold her sword radiated. Shar, who had probably the Even if she started to revive now, Vanora and Nurse highest tolerance for pain of any of us, actually Florence probably wouldn’t have enough energy screamed, and, though the cold prevented immediate between them to heal a mortal wound. bleeding, I could see what looked like a very large gash. Shar crumpled up, possibly on the verge of passing out, For publication updates, visit the author at and Morgan brushed past him and grabbed Alcina in her https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bill- arms, with the obvious intention of flying away with Hiatt/431724706902040. To join the online release party (and get ready for all the great games and prizes), go to her. Dan, fearful as he was of David’s sword, was https://www.facebook.com/events/1423325781220258/. making it impossible for David, or for Gordy or Carlos, for that matter, to get around him without hurting him, which none of them wanted to do. I raised Zom again and tried to open fire, but all I got at first was a flicker. Horrified, I looked down at it. Its emerald glow was dull; I had pushed it too far trying to break the spell on Dan. I could feel it coming back, I could see its glow brightening by the second, but Morgan could be airborne with Alcina in seconds, and all we had risked tonight would have been for nothing. I conjured up my own flying spell and shot in Morgan’s direction like a bullet. Seeing me coming, she held her blade at Shar’s throat. “Let us go, Taliesin. I would hate to kill your (image copyrighted by Kiselev Andrey Valerevich and valiant friend, but I will do it if I must.” Near the edge of licensed from http://www.shutterstock.com.)





I always get over excited about books also helps me get into the reading whenever it comes close mood of which ever holiday is Now basically this is my first year to a holiday. By close, it can quickly approaching. Plus it of reading holiday themed books, mean the day before Halloween, broadens my range of books that I and so I don't have any point of which is what it was while I was read. Which is always a good reference for the other holiday writing this article. Or it can thing in my case. I love finding themed books, but I can only mean the beginning of September, new books and genres. Cause I hope that they will be just as cause you know it's almost never really know what books I special as Halloween and Christmas hahaha, right? might love if I don't give them a Christmas books were for me this try. year. I see reading these types of books as a way to bring the fun I recently discovered all the different options when choosing For me, Christmas romances are back into reading, and heck, we which holiday you want to read in my absolute favorite to read. Not could all use a push to find that books. I've seen books for only are there the most of these again at some point. Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's books out there, but they also Day, New Years Eve, have that special element or Some genres are limited with the Thanksgiving, and many others. feeling that you get around that amount of holiday themed books Though there are definitely a time of year. I think the thing that that are readily available, but I do wider range of books for certain drew me the most to Christmas hope you all find some that will holidays like Christmas. Which is themed books was the idea of the work for you, and that will bring a given. The thing I love the most perfect around the Christmas tree you as much joy as it did for me. about reading holiday themed on Christmas Morning with all of books is they are always so warm your loved ones feeling . I've and homey or sweet and filled always tried to make my with amazing romances. At least, Christmas mornings special and this is what they are like in the memorable, with that special romance genre. And of course in family love aspect. And when I Horror, Halloween themed books spend as much time as an entire are meant to be that extra bit of book with characters getting to scary. the HEA(Happily Ever After) on Christmas Morning always feels like such a beautiful I think reading these themed accomplishment.

USA TODAY Celebrates The 20th Anniversary Of USA TODAY's Best-Selling Books List USA TODAY crowns three winners for No. 1 book in three separate eras MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 31, 2013 first five years (1993- USA TODAY book critic and /PRNewswire/ -- USA TODAY 1998). reporter Bob Minzesheimer th celebrates the 20 anniversary of · Rowling triggered reports on these lists and the USA TODAY Best-Selling Dickens-like excitement publishing trends of the past two Books list, crowning not one, but about reading and decades in today's editions of three No.1 books for three reconfigured conventional USA TODAY. different eras that reflect the wisdom about children's USA TODAY is a multi-platform changes in publishing over the books in the second era news and information media past two decades. (1999-2008). company. Founded in 1982, USA Given the relative distinction of Since 2009, fiction (as a TODAY's mission is to serve as a book selling in each era - and the percentage of best sellers) forum for better understanding changes in the contributors to the has risen to all-time highs and unity to help make the USA list over time - today's coverage and erotica went truly one nation. Through its highlights three distinct eras from mainstream as e-books unique visual storytelling, USA the last 20 years of book selling became the fastest TODAY delivers high-quality with three Top 25 lists. For the growing part of the and engaging content across 1993-1998 era - when most market. print, digital, social and video books were bought the old- platforms. An innovator of news fashioned way, in stores - John The weekly USA TODAY Best- and information, USA TODAY Gray's \"Men are from Mars, Selling Books list has offered reflects the pulse of the nation Women are from Venus\" is No. 1. insight on reader tastes and the and serves as the host of the For the 1999-2009 era - when evolution of book selling for the American conversation – today, th online sales rose sharply - J.K. past 20 years. The three 20 tomorrow and for decades to Rowling's \"Harry Potter and the anniversary lists compile two follow. USA TODAY and Sorcerer's Stone\" tops that list. decades worth of best sellers to USATODAY.com reach a And since 2009, the era of e- show what has changed with combined six million readers books, Suzanne Collins' \"The readers - and what hasn't - since daily. USA TODAY is a leader in Hunger Games\" is No. 1. All the list began in 1993. Unlike mobile applications with more th coverage of the 20 anniversary other major best-seller lists, USA than 18 million downloads on including the full lists can be TODAY's weekly list combines mobile devices. USA TODAY is found here . fiction, non-fiction and all genres owned by Gannett Co., Inc. and formats into one inclusive (NYSE: GCI). Other highlights of the last 20 list that provides a clear snapshot years include: of what America's reading. It also · Self-help and other advice combines both print and digital SOURCE USA TODAY titles were big during the sales.





Anna Othitis & Captain Frankie Living most of my life in destinations with Zimbabwe, now settled in educational experience for Wanaque New Jersey, we the young immigrated to the U.S. from readers, with Zimbabwe about 12 years ago. Born in lessons in history Greece, we moved to Zimbabwe with and geography on my family as an infant, where a few these famous years ago left for the U.S.A. due to destinations. political turmoil, and fortunate to give out three sons more educational Authored together opportunities in lands of with our son Frankie opportunities. I was inspired by my we wrote and edited the vast experiences in Africa and by book released through the many beautiful places that I Tate Publishing. The and my family have visited over amazing creation, which our life time in Zimbabwe. stands in the Military Museum in Gweru, Zimbabwe, was one of my inspirations to write my cute children’s book this sculptured by a fellow rural man from sticks and small tree trunks, an image of a aero plane which he saw flying in the skies, not often informative book “My First ravel seen in Zimbabwe’s remote areas, Book” with our friendly “Captain like a huge bird in the skies. I and Frankie” to enjoy, reading and my family have in the past great learning on their opportunities in visiting many parents/grandparents laps. destinations around our beautiful I have authored our new children’s earth and world of such natural Follow up with our series is ready book recently launched, that \"flies\" nature which we and our children to be published soon on so many children around the world and at have to preserve and appreciate, more beautiful land marks that we the same time teaching them about taking care of our environment is travel to. some of its most famous of the outmost importance. My Let us all take care of our amazing destinations in the world. My book features “Captain Frankie” environment so that we do not recent visit to Niagara Falls State himself, training to become a spoil our beautiful miraculous Park in New York over the commercial pilot and flying his earth and wonderful world with its summer which is one of the Angelic Airlines flying angel to beautiful living beings and animals famous destinations featured in my such majestic destinations, all of that surround us every day. educational, fun and inspiring these hold special significant book “My First Travel Book” for memories to our family and with “My First Travel Book” on children between the ages of 3 and my book to pass on these Angelic Flights with your 10 also featuring my home country experiences to our Our wonderful, friendly “Captain Frankie” and land with Victoria Falls of my lovely children of our beautiful authored by Anna Othitis, co- native Rhodesian/Zimbabwean authored by Frankie, is a world who can now travel and heritage. Our book is written in a fun experience them through our worthwhile fun, educational, rhyming format featuring beautiful beautiful well illustrated and inspiring children’s book and very real illustrations of our recommended to all adults

where they can learn along and enjoy flying the world with their young readers, be it from their classrooms, homes and more . Our children have such amazing curious little observant little minds, always wanting to learn and question so much in their growing lives. Our cute little trailer can be seen on you tube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =8k3OkPeKm8A&feature=share My Poem below on why at that particular time I subconsciously chose these destinations:- This very bright, crispy, morning while sitting on our back yard balcony in the warm lovely sun amazingly huge land mark ' The worthwhile stories to tell our shining day drinking my Greek Statue of Liberty ' family, friends, the world , to all coffee, with the birds happily The land of Canada where our of our children in our world, singing and chirping in the back two sons were given their always with such happy endings, round, my thoughts took me back opportunities to reside in with the always seeking more and more to the time that I started writing mighty curtain of water so very happy, fun adventures to travel to our children's book \" My First powerful ' The Niagara Falls '. in our beautiful world. Travel Book \" what was it in my The ' Eiffel Tower ' where the heart at that particular moment to beginning of our two sons Now available to purchase on web sites listed below: choose these lovely destinations Canadian future paths began. that Captain Frankie flies to. This is the \"beautiful bright sun http://www.tatepublishing.com/b Our beautiful loved home we shining light\" that suddenly shone ookstore/book.php?w=978-1- lived and grew up in, Zimbabwe in my heart on this wonderful 62510-945-3 with her mighty, thunderous morning that took me back https://www.facebook.com/Ann water of wonder ' Victoria Falls to think of that particular aFrankieOthitis?ref=hl ' moment of our angelic https://www.goodreads.com/book Our land Africa flights and choices of /show/17991046-my-first-travel- where we grew destinations in our book up in with its children's book with wonderful wild Captain Frankie. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ animals and life, my-first-travel-book-anna- its stillness of THERE IS othitis/1115454747?ean=978162510 9453 natural beauty, its ALWAYS A primitive people. STORY TO BE http://www.amazon.com/First- My country of birth TOLD BEHIND Travel-Book-Anna- and culture Greece with EVERY Othitis/dp/1625109458 its ancient land mark of CREATION the ' Acropolis ' IN LIFE. Our now country of Let us take residence USA, the country a deep look of freedom, where the into the bottom opportunity for Captain of our happy hearts Frankie was given to take up our inner selves and know the love of his life and career, that we all have HAPPY, aeronautics/pilot with her wonderful, thankful, mysterious,



She’d never liked boats. the extent of her nautical knowledge, she had little to compare it to. The fact she stood on the deck of one now bound for who knows what and who knows Fortunately, she had survived the first thirty where was even further evidence she’d lost minutes of the ride without incident. Another her mind overnight. thirty without losing her breakfast and she’d count it a pretty successful afternoon. Were the people in charge crazy? Couldn’t they tell her press ID was a fake? Lila spotted an empty chair over in a corner and made a quick dash for it. Sitting was Judging from the look of the “man” who’d preferable to standing and swaying. She taken her invitation and allowed her admittance onto the boat, who looked more reached into her purse and pulled out the like a boy to her, she doubted they cared orientation materials she’d been given. Now about anything but a paycheck. Her hope was as good a time as any to prepare. they’d send her right back home had been Cassie had already filled her in on most of the dashed. details. It all stemmed from a bad breakup. She actually felt a little sorry for this Mr. Lila looked around. She knew most of the reporters that surrounded her from watching Alexander. A lapse in judgment could them on TV. Others were identified by jeopardize his plans to make Leigh Island the various newspaper insignias on their clothing. hottest new resort on the East Coast. Fortunately, for her subterfuge, none of them The press up until now had all been great. appeared to be paying her much attention. Already rumors of movie stars and singers spending small fortunes to spend weeks at a Was being dishonest really this easy? time had made all the gossip columns. Refusing Cassie’s request had proven more difficult as the evening had drawn on. Lila Now he’d made the jump from gossip had been out of work for several months, and columns to tabloid covers, and the sight her roommate had covered for her without hadn’t been a pretty one. His ex-fiancée question. It didn’t seem fair that she miss her claimed she’d seen ghosts. She claimed the big career break when there was another whole island was bewitched and under a option. spell. Well, if it really was haunted, she was headed straight for it! At least in the daylight, Lila looked out over the stormy looking gray discussions of ghosts and bewitching weren’t water. It surrounded her, and suddenly she quite as frightening as they had been the felt very claustrophobic. night before. It was 2:30, and she knew Cassie would be Lila continued to read. Suddenly, for the first lying on the couch, her ankle propped up on time since she’d boarded the “Winship all the pillows in the apartment. Talk about a Whisper,” relief washed over her. bad break, she’d be off her feet for at least a month, maybe even longer, plenty of time for The owner of the island, Mr. Alexander, her career to tank. according to the orientation materials, would select one reporter to stay on the island a Lila supposed that fact was enough to week, all expenses paid, so that they could persuade her to humor Cassie and give the determine the truth of the matter. plan a shot. She didn’t approve of it, but Lila glanced around at the more than fifty Cassie had a point. The rent still had to be other reporters. If the man really wanted to paid, and since she wouldn’t start her new job for another two weeks, this was the only put the rumors to rest, he’d be looking for the way she could help. most recognizable face in the bunch. Fortunately, her face was anything but It looked a bit stormy in the distance, and recognizable. Cassie would be disappointed, unfortunately, they were headed that way. but she couldn’t be the one. Several had already commented on how unusually rough the ride had been, but since bumper boats in a calm bumper pond were



Visually Impaired Reader Inspires Author (NAPSI)—Four years ago, with the National Library Service bestselling author Mary Jane for the Blind and Physically Clark spoke at the Friends of the Handicapped (NLS), part of the New Jersey Library for the Blind Library of Congress. and Handicapped’s Fall Festival. NLS oversees a free reading There, she met Ottilie Lucas, a program for U.S. residents and former rehabilitation teacher for citizens living abroad who are people with macular degeneration blind, have low vision, or cannot and other disabilities who is hold a book because of a physical visually impaired herself. disability. NLS patrons may After the festival, “we continued choose from tens of thousands of our correspondence and one thing books and dozens of magazines led to another,” Lucas says of in audio and braille-including Clark. “She decided to include a mysteries such as Mary Jane character in her next book with Clark’s. NLS also loans the macular degeneration.” portable playback equipment needed to read its audiobooks. And so was born Terri Donovan, introduced in the first book in Patrons may access books online Clark’s Wedding Cake Mysteries through the NLS Braille and series, 2011’s “To Have and to Audio Reading Download Kill.” (BARD) service. Lucas has been married 49 years “Mary Jane asked me to give her ways to identify symptoms that a and has been on more than 20 person may be experiencing ocean cruises. “Ottilie is such an macular degeneration,” Lucas inspiration,” Clark says. “She says. These include blurred vision helped me so much in the and difficulty discerning the creation of Terri Donovan—a intensity of colors—symptoms mother who faces macular shared by Terri Donovan, who degeneration head-on, who runs a bakery and is the mother of doesn’t feel sorry for herself and the protagonist of Clark’s series, is determined to adapt to the struggling actress Piper Donovan. challenges she faces. I wish I were as brave as Terri and Lucas, who was born with Ottilie!” retinitis pigmentosa, became a patron of the New Jersey State To learn more about how the NLS Library Talking Book and Braille program can help you, a loved Center (TBBC) in 1966. TBBC is one or a friend, go online to among more than 100 libraries www.loc.gov/nls or call 1-888- across the United States affiliated NLS-READ.

What reviewers are saying: \"...if Regan Black walked through that door I would give her a standing ovation… Bulletproof and Double Vision have got to be her best, hands down!\" -- Gloria, Paranormal Romance Guild reviewer \"Stole my breath!\" - Nicole \"Romance with an edge and paranormal elements. What's not to love?\" - Anita Double Vision, Unknown Identities #2: A disavowed spy, Adam Maxwell has his long-awaited vengeance in sight, but a civilian who treasures her family above all is about to teach him there is more to live for than getting

Sandman: Unknown Identities #3: A former Marine sniper has one final shot at love... Wrongly accused of an unsanctioned kill, Matthew Horn let a shadow agency declare him dead. He's since become a trusted operative, but now they want him to kill an innocent woman... a woman from his past. Q&A on the Unknown Identities series: Why do you write? Because the characters won't leave me alone. Seriously, when it came to Bulletproof, and the following stories Double Vision and Sandman, John and Amelia, along with their new 'friends', wouldn't give me a day off – and that was a good thing for my writing process. I've learned the hard way I can't be away from the writing for more than three days, preferably only two. or I turn into a miserable, vicious beast. No joke – horns, claws, breathing fire, the whole bit. It's ugly. Although I can rock the look around Halloween. No matter what's going on in my life, I need to stay connected to my writing process every day, if only with some quick brainstorming or journal entries.

I never thought I'd be a writer, much less publish a book some day. I always wanted to be a veterinarian. I guess life Excerpt from Yellowstone Heart Song.... just had other plans for me. When my husband and I decided to start a family, vet school pretty much went out the window. I used to work with a vet who had three children while going through vet school. To this day, she is For the better part of the morning, Daniel led her through the my hero. forest, showing her how to read different tracks, other signs to look I live with my husband and two teenage sons in southern out for that an animal had been in the area, where to look for edible California. I have a Welsh pony and a miniature horse (down-sized from a barn of six horses). A crazy Labrador roots and plants, and how to watch the skies for changes in the retriever who is a food vacuum, three cats, a Holland Lop weather. Along with the berries, she filled her backpack with mint, bunny, two parakeets, three bearded dragons (my compromise with my sons when they wanted a snake), and wild onions, licorice, and various other roots and plants. a small flock of chickens complete our menagerie of critters. I can't imagine my life without my animals. My dream is to live in Montana some day. She had listened attentively as she tried to absorb everything Daniel Three years ago, I began writing a story that, for whatever told her. Some things she already knew, others were completely new reason, was stuck in my head for almost a year. I have been an avid romance reader for a long time, and the idea to her. The subtle animal signs he picked up on astounded her. took hold to - why not? - write my own! What a simple idea, Silently, he had pointed out a black bear sow and her twin cubs in the right? distance, a moose in the thickets that she would have completely It has been a long and difficult journey from my first sentence to a completed, and hopefully polished, overlooked, and countless other smaller animals. He knew which manuscript. critter made every track they came upon. He read the forest for Today, I have a completed series of 5 books and a novella in what I called The Yellowstone Romance Series, a first information as someone in her time would read a newspaper. It was book in my new Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, and I am currently working on a trilogy set in the most refreshing to get a glimpse of this wilderness that she loved so Grand Tetons. much in her time from this man who carved out a living here I hope you enjoy this excerpt from Yellowstone Heart Aimee savored the beauty of her surroundings. Aspen trees grew in Song.... abundance. Beaver lodges could be seen all along the streams, and Buy Peggy’s Books using these links: countless otters played in the waters. With the coming of the fur http://www.amazon.com/Peggy- trappers to these mountains within a decade of this time, the beaver Henderson/e/B006T2R5UG would be trapped to near extinction. Wolves would be hunted until http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/yellow none remained, and without this predator, the elk would take over, stone-heart-song-peggy- causing the destruction of the aspen from overgrazing. This was a henderson/1108582552?ean=978146817 Yellowstone unfamiliar to her, but it was as nature had intended before 2355 the encroachment of man. https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/peggy-l- henderson/id501941187?mt=11 Grab Your Copy of Yellowstone Heart Song FREE Click Here!



By Anna Renault www.annarenault.com Book Fair, Expo's and Book Signings For readers, book fairs and expo's are very long, tiring events that may or may after signing book after book after book? excellent opportunities to be exposed to not be profitable. One is sharing the Do you notice your enthusiasm begin to new authors, to see some of the latest limelight with other authors and sharing subside and tiredness begin to set in, books and to see what's hot and what's all the potential customers with the perhaps your back has begun to ache? not. These events can be great fun and a other authors participating in the event. Oh, as a new author isn't this a dream- chance to support some worthy causes, Is the book fair one particular genre? come-true? especially when sponsored by local non- Will your book catch the eye of a large As a reader which is your preference? Do profits. What a win-win situation to find group of attendees? Will you get to talk you prefer to go to the book fairs and great reading material while supporting with and interact with customers who meet lots of authors, browse through worthy causes. are eager to learn who you are and why lots and lots of books in one place? Have Book signings on the other hand are you wrote the book? you attended such events, met a new usually more targeted to one author, one Book signings, again, often focus on just author, and fallen in love with their genre and perhaps a smaller opportunity one author – you. Are you excited to be book? Has meeting the author to see what's hot and what's not. If the invited to do a book signing at the local personally added to your enjoyment of author is extremely well-known, book store? Are you eager to meet your reading the book? needless to say there will be a very long adoring audience? OR, are you afraid As an author, do you get excited about line in which a reader will stand in order that you will sit at the store and pray each and every book signing you attend? to get just a few seconds with the author someone shows up to buy your book? Do you find the positives from each as the signature is obtained. Will you sit there fearful that customers experience? Are there lessons learned However, if it is a fledgling new author, will walk on past your table and not give from the signing when you have few the crowd is much smaller and one has you book a cursory glance? readers stop by to see you book? Are the opportunity to actually engage the OR, do you have a best seller on your you still animated about your product author in conversation. One has the hands and the customers are lined up, after a few hours of sitting beside your chance to hear the who, what, when, eagerly awaiting your autograph on the book which is selling or not? Are you where and why of how the book came to book they just purchased? Isn't it thrilled to have finger cramps, realizing it be. What a great opportunity to actually wonderful to see so many books selling, means you sold lots of books? get to know the author. Who knows you so many happy readers impatiently Is there a pearl of wisdom here for the may be able to brag one day that you waiting for their turn to stand before you reader, for the author to consider as we know the author. You will be able to hoping they will have the chance to have move forward in the world of book have the chance to regale your friends a few brief moments of your time? Have publishing? What will you do differently with when and where YOU met the you decided that you will simply write in 2014? How will your reading/writing author and what you talked about! It can the same little one line message to experience change? Feel free to send be fun to see the awe in the faces of everyone before signing your name? Are me your comments through my website: your friends when you tell the story. you willing to personalize each www.annarenault.com On the other hand, from the author autograph based on the customers' Happy Day to all. standpoint, book fairs and expos can be wishes? Is your hand beginning to cramp









repercussions from the US on the my suspicion of the govt. being all middle east, I had no idea but I too involved in my apprehension didn't care I was going home!! or kidnaping on Sept 12. I had Five-ten minutes after getting to been with Mohammad for 9 years It had been almost a year since I the bus station to leave a convoy and thought I could trust him, but returned from Iran without my type trucks pulled up, grabbed me despite the love that I thought we husband. Although I will never and had taken my husband one had, his personality and behavior forget 9/11, November was a more way and I another and pushed me did a 360 degree turn upon memorable month for me in terms blindfolded into the back of entering Iran in 1998. The events of nightmares, confusion, and the convoy style trucks, who \"they\" told here are true, and I've only guilt! I had been living in Iran, were anybody's guess but I sure shared what I know to be true or working and existing as a member did not have a clue. 30-40 days suspect at best. What I do know is of Persian society for almost 4 later after escaping the camp and that it was no coincidence that I an years.... When I had heard on the riding a llama for 1-2 days over all-out American citizen had been news that all those rumors I had mountainous terrain, I arrived at placed into a POW type camp been hearing about the USA being the Iran Immigration center. I only right after the tragedy of 9/11 in potentially bombed came true. It weighed in at about 70 pounds America. Moreover, I suggest to was 9/11 and I had tried to call then, had injuries, been starved all, to thoroughly research any home since the 9th of September and raped for the past month and country and culture before to tell my family to take caution wanted to get home to my family relocating to one headfirst. just in case the rumors turned out in the USA. However, was unsure Even/especially if your spouse is a to be fact. But my effort was that the govt. of Iran would allow native from that nation. I hope this futile, the operator told me no me to. I was American but was will help all understand the view international calls being placed at married to an Iranian, which made of an American woman in a that time. On September 12, 2001, me an Iranian citizen who needed Middle Eastern country, who not I became all too familiar with my my husband's permission to exit only lived there but became own 9/11, only it was not in the the country. Although the ingrained into the culture but in USA this time it was in a POW authorities claimed to have had his the end only became another camp in the middle of somewhere, permission before flying me to the statistic of the IRI. (I.e.Islamic Iran! Mohammad told me we had USA embassy in Dubai, I knew Republic of Iran). to get out of Iran due to possible they did not! This only increased

This is the season for movies for me so I have appreciate all we have while we have it. plenty to say but I will box up the fangirl in me Definitely take the time to watch this film. and address more broad issues. So, even For my last choice this month I'm going with though Thor 2 opens this month and I'm P.S. I Love You. Though the movie with Hilary thrilled to see it, I will gloss over my Swank and Gerard Butler veers quite far from excitement for the moment. This month is a the novel of the same name, I found that both month for giving thanks, for being with family conveyed the same messages in their own and appreciating what you've been given. To ways. Both the movie and book involve the that end, I think it is only appropriate to death of the heroine's husband leaving one to address movies with similar themes….based of wonder how I could possibly select this as a course on books! story for this theme but I see it as the perfect One of my favorite books as a child was Little example of being thankful for what you are Women. Something about the balance of given for as long as you have it and the competition and affection between the March courage to move on if you ever lose it. sisters just made me feel good. Little Women This month always reminds me of more than has been brought to both the big and small the impending holidays, it reminds me of how screen over the years but my favorite version fleeting life can be, how cruel and sad but also was the one with Susan Sarandon, Winona how wonderfully thrilling and beautiful. Take Ryder, Gabriel Byrne, Christian Bale and more! this month, wrap yourselves in the fortunes What an amazing ensemble casts carrying off you bear. Happy Thanksgiving! the victories and heartbreaks of the March Violet Patterson, author of the Kindle family! If you have not seen it, this is a much Bestselling Emerald Seer Series is an avid read AND a must watch. movie fan with appreciation for all genres. Are you in need of a good cry? What Dreams She and her children eagerly await the May Come is a winner all around. Nothing releases of The Hobbit Desolation of Smaug, makes you appreciate what you've got until Thor 2, and The Avengers 2. Ms. Patterson you lose it, right? The book is heartbreaking splits her time between tourism marketing, but the theatrical version with Robin Williams, writing, running her business Kharmic Chaos, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Annabella Sciorra is gut- and most importantly, being Mom to two wrenching. Exploring every aspect of love amazing children. Find more on Violet at intermingled with heaven, hell, and purgatory, http://emeraldseer.blogspot.com or on twitter Dreams is a magnificent reminder to @booksbyviolet.

Books Into Movies 2013 So what do you think?

christinemurphybooks.com christinemurphybooks.com christinemurphybooks.com The Sphinx Warriors & The Wild Clan The Sphinx Warriors & The Wild Clan The Sphinx Warriors & The Wild Clan A New Hot A New Hot A New Hot Futuristic Romance Futuristic Romance Futuristic Romance Novel by Christine Novel by Christine Novel by Christine Murphy Introducing Christine Murphy, romance author and creator Murphy Murphy of the Sphinx Warriors Series, the Wild Clan Sagas, and the Coming in Coming in Coming in Midnight Rider’s Series. She is a member of the Romance December 2013 December 2013 Writer’s of America (RWA) and the Tampa Area Romance December 2013 Authors (TARA). She has six more books in the Sphinx Warriors series coming out next year as well as The Source in December 2013. About The Author: “Traveling throughout the United States and locations AVAILABLE NOW throughout the world, I finally found the perfect place to call Synopsis for Sphinx Resurrected : home. Looking out my back lanai, there is a small pond Complex 46 located in the Yuma Desert in where the wild-life will gather and the flowers bloom in Arizona is the site of secret genetics re- exotic pinks and purples. This is my place of peace and search for the one woman who can sustain freedom that I have searched for and where my husband and the Sphinx Warriors in their fight against crazy African Gray Parrot, Raider, hang out with me. It’s the Wraith. Stormy, found to be a genetic the place where my creativity runs wild as I spin tales of match, is abducted by a team of Warriors, adventure and passion. I have been writing in my head since led by the blue eyed Sphinx leader, Mi- I was a teenager and I finally realized I needed to capture chael, who starts her Transformation and these unique characters, civilizations, conflict, passion, and must Join with her to save her life. love in writing. To capture the strong, spirited, and power- fully attracted characters and all of their adventures and Stormy must deal with her new surround- share it with others who are searching for that very thing to ings, life, and expectations as a Power “A powerful story of make their lives more exciting. If I accomplish nothing else Keeper and Sphinx. Michael’s guidance in life, I hope to share the romantically magical worlds and forbidden love in a and care give her more confidence than she the lovers that I see with all of the passionate readers out has ever had and his passion leaves her world where emotion no there. “ hungering for more. Michael must lead his longer drives society but Warriors, battle the Wraith, and protect Website: http://christinemurphybooks.com cold hard technology. Stormy from the dark presence existing in the Complex. He keeps the secret of their Crystal, a rare Source Blog: http://christinemurphybooks.com/blog Joining from her and struggles with his seeks more than her desire and need for her. Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLMurphyBooks protected existence. Michael and Stormy’s undeniable attrac- Nathan, a Companion, Facebook: tion to each other will bring them closer http://www.facebook.com/ChristineMurphyBooks will do anything to free together as nothing else can. Their need for each other is incredibly strong and will her. Together they will make them more powerful together than defy the rules of BioGen apart. They will need to join as Sphinx Warriors and Power Mates to beat the odds and defend against the threat of the Wraith.

INTRODUCING THE REST OF THE SPHINX WARRIORS SERIES COMING IN 2014 SPHINX UNITED SPHINX IMAGINED Eleina sacrifices herself to save Prisoner in a mental facility, her one true love, Jacob. When Lily hopes a hero will rescue she vanishes, he is left a broken her. Rescue comes in the form man. In a twist of fate she is of Hunter, a Sphinx Warrior. returned to him, but is far from Once he touches Lily, Hunter is being whole and may still per- lost to her grace and beauty. ish. Jacob will do anything to Lily’s Powers will save Hunter save her even if it costs him his and his love will save her from own life. United they will tri- certain death. Together they umph against death. will retrieve the Sixth Page to further the battle against the dark Wraith. SPHINX TRANSFORMED SPHINX TEMPTED Alexandria is kidnapped by the enemy but Joshua will stop at Ashlyn has been alone and can’t nothing to bring her back where adjust to her new life with the she belongs – with him. With Sphinx. She considers running Joshua’s gentle support, Alex- until one of the Warriors cap- andria will find a way to heal tures her attention. Frustrated herself and finally be with the with his own existence, Caleb one Warrior she truly loves. runs into Ashlyn and the first Their passion and combined touch changes everything for Powers will Transform them both of them. For Ashlyn letting into an unstoppable team in the someone into her heart is diffi- fight cult but if she wants to keep Caleb and save her new family SPHINX IMAGINED then she will have to take more than a leap of faith. Skye has led a life completely SPHINX REVEALED separated from others because of her telepathic skills. One bright light in her life are the images of Secrets are revealed as Elder a dream man who invades her Chloe’s true identity is discov- waking thoughts and dreams. ered. Exposed as Kara, a Little does she know she is about Sphinx who is part Ancient. to run head long into him. Ethan Only she holds the key to de- must bring Skye back to the stroying the Gate. Kara will Complex where he is torn be- give her mind and body to a tween his family’s need of her Warrior who needs her kindness special talents, his desire to keep and love. Raven tries to fight her safe, and his own craving to the need and desire that Kara make her his Power Mate. brings out in him but will he find it’s a battle worth losing.

Edgar Allen Penguin Visits Atlanta Georgia Each month Edgar Allen Visits a destination somewhere in the world and brings back a whole host of books that were set there. This has been such a fun feature and he is very excited to hear how much you are enjoying it. This month Edgar Allen visits Atlanta, Georgia...home of “Coca Cola, Stone Mountain, Atlanta Zoo, Margaret Mitchell, Atlanta Braves & The Falcons not to mention some of the world’s favorite books.... Alex Cross battles the most ruthless and New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose delivers powerful killer he has ever encountered - a another pulse-pounding suspense novel that ties into predator known only as \"the Wolf. \"Alex SCREAM FOR ME. Cross's first case since joining the FBI has his new colleagues stymied. Across the country, men and women are being kidnapped in broad daylight and then Five teenage girls have been murdered. One survived, and disappearing completely. These people are only she can reveal the secrets of a disturbing ring of people who kidnap and sell teenage girls not being taken for ransom, Alex realizes. on the black market. But those responsible for the crimes will do whatever it takes to maintain They are being bought and sold. And it looks her silence. as if a shadowy figure called the Wolf - a master criminal who has brought a new reign of terror to organize crime - is behind Susannah Vartanian and Luke Papadopoulos have both sworn to stop the murderers for their this business in which ordinary men and own reasons. Susannah, the sister of the hero in SCREAM FOR ME, suffers from a mysterious women are sold as slaves. Even as he past that is connected to the sinister black market. Luke is an investigative agent and a admires the FBI's vast resources, Alex grows computer expert who refuses to let another child predator get away. impatient with the Bureau's clumsiness and caution when it is time to move. A lone wolf Susannah and Luke are instantly attracted to each other, but their troubled pasts prevent them himself, he has to go out on his own in order from immediately acting upon their feelings. The case will lead them to the shady realm of to track the Wolf and try to rescue some of the victims while they are still alive. As the Internet chat rooms, where anyone can mask their identity. As Susannah and Luke draw closer case boils over, Alex is in hot water at home to the criminals, they discover a chain of deception so intricate they don't know who to trust. too. His ex-fiancee, Christine Johnson, Susannah and Luke find comfort in one another's arms, but the killers are ruthless and comes back into his life - and not for the determined, and will take extreme measures to insure their anonymity and keep their business reasons Alex might have hoped. intact.

Headstrong, exuberant, and independent, Lucy Bondurant is a devastating beauty who will never become the demure Southern lady her mother and society demand. Sheppard Gibbs Bondurant III, Lucy's older cousin, is too shy and bookish to become the classically suave and gregarious Southern gentleman his family expects. Growing up together in a sprawling home on Atlanta's Peachtree Road, these two will be united by fierce love and hate, and by rebellion against the narrow aristocratic society into which they were born. Anne Rivers Siddons's classic novel vividly brings to life their mesmerizing, unforgettable story—set against the dramatic changing landscape of Atlanta, a sleepy city destined for greatness. The conclusion to the sweeping historical trilogy, as both the South and its people have been transformed by war, unexpected passions are ignited. From USA Today bestselling romance author Sara Orwig. \"Fast-paced action and escalating romantic tension make ATLANTA a pageturner. These O'Brien men may well be addictive!\" -RT Book Reviews The Northern soldiers ravaged Atlanta during the Civil War. Now as the city attempts to recover, all Claire Dryden has left is the little boy she has adopted and sworn to protect with her life. When the handsome Yankee colonel Fortune O’Brien storms into town, demanding to reclaim the boy he claims is his stolen son, Claire’s vow is put to the test. For she loves the boy more than life itself, but the passion O’Brien ignites in her threatens to weaken her resolve. \"A wonderful romance told with passion and style by the talented Ms. Orwig...well-developed characters...this book is HOT.\" - Affaire de Coeur Magazine

Indian Festival - Stone Mountain Moriah Dru’s weekend off with her lover, Lieutenant Richard Lake, is interrupted when Atlanta juvenile court judge Portia Devon hires Dru to find two sisters who’ve gone missing after their foster parents’ house burns down. An ex-cop, Dru established Child Trace, Inc., after leaving the force. Judge Devon sees to it that Lake is assigned to head the police investigation, because Dru and Lake together have a habit of solving cases. After questioning the neighbors, the couple decide that the abduction of the girls looks like more than an ordinary kidnapping. Dru learns that in the past eight years two other foster children from the area have gone missing. The investigation turns up a snitch who tells Dru he’s heard that a secret sex organization, with members named after chess pieces, is bound for Costa Rica with two girls. The chase is on to stop the kidnappers before they escape the country. The latest winner of the Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition, The End Game features a strong new heroine in a vivid Southern setting. Gerrie Ferris Finger puts a new spin on the classic mystery novel. MYSTERY BRED IN BUCKHEAD - A Southern Mystery Southern Hospitality and Cold-Blooded Murder In genteel Atlanta society there are worse crimes than murder-such as missing Rippen Delacourt's annual Christmas party, a fifty-year tradition. As amateur sleuth Sheila Travis joins her family and cherished friends at Rip's gala, she never suspects that before the end of the evening, a long- missing, priceless manuscript will turn up in the hands of a disgruntled servant . . . and release enough closeted skeletons to fill Rip's guest list. Someone doesn't want the unpublished novel to come to light-and is willing to make sure it doesn't. As Sheila stubbornly pursues the manuscript, she makes a deadly discovery: the someone who has already killed to keep the papers out of her hands is probably a relative or a lifelong friend . . . who now is drawing a bead on Sheila. Sixth in the series.

Articles to help you not only enjoy the upcoming holidays, but to help you manage your time and money so that you have more of both for your reading Passion!!! Surviving The Season (NAPSI)—If you are looking for ways to make the holidays more manageable, advice from the experts may help. Here are a few tips from best-selling cookbook author David Venable. • Decorating: It can take hours—if not days—to decorate for the holidays. To make the most of your efforts, start early-the weekend after Thanksgiving is ideal. • Entertaining: Make entertaining easy by preparing foods in advance. Select cookware that can go from oven to table, such as the Temp- tations® Vintage Grace Baker with Wire Rack. • Comfort: Comfort is key when having guests over for the holidays. Help your guests feel at home by finding out their favorite recipe ahead of time and surprising them with the dish. • Gifts: Fill containers with the ingredients for one of Venable’s recipes. Add a personalized gift tag and you’re good to go! • Present wrapping: First, find all your favorite holiday music. Second, mix yourself a cocktail (try Venable’s classic holiday eggnog!). Third, make sure you’ve got paper, boxes, tape and scissors. It’s easiest to tackle the wrapping by doing a little here and there when you can. Venable is the author of the best-selling cookbook “QVC’s Resident Foodie Presents: Comfort Foods That Take You Home.” Each week, he gives millions of viewers an inside look at his “kitchen” as the host of QVC’s most popular cooking show, “In the Kitchen with David®,” which airs every Wednesday at 8 p.m. (EST) and Sunday at noon (EST). To learn more, visit www.QVC.com/ITKWD .

Perfecting The Classic Prep Time: 5 Pecan Pie minutes Bake Time: 60 to 70 (NAPSI)—Time spent sharing a traditional minutes Cool Time: 2 hours holiday treat with family Yield: 8 servings and friends can be a wonderful way to 1 cup Karo® Light sweeten your day. OR Dark Corn Syrup oven for 60 to 70 minutes. Cool for 2 Here, for Thanksgiving, 3 eggs hours on wire rack is a Classic Pecan Pie 1 cup sugar before serving. recipe created by the trusted experts at Karo 2 tablespoons butter, *To use prepared frozen Syrup’s Test Kitchen. melted pie crust: Place cookie sheet in oven and Plus, for a definite 1 teaspoon Spice preheat oven as directed. crowd-pleaser at any Islands® Pure Vanilla Pour filling into frozen family gathering, try Extract crust and bake on this Creamy 1½ cups (6 ounces) preheated cookie sheet. Caramelized Onion and pecans Bacon Dip, delicious Recipe Note: Pie is done 1 (9-inch) unbaked or when center reaches and easy to serve with frozen* deep-dish pie kettle chips, snack 200° F. Tap center crust surface of pie lightly—it crackers or fresh vegetables. Preheat oven to 350° F. should spring back when done. For easy For more seasonal Mix corn syrup, eggs, cleanup, spray pie pan recipes and tips, visit sugar, butter and vanilla with cooking spray www.KaroSyrup.com or using a spoon. Stir in before placing pie crust Facebook.com/KaroSyr pecans. Pour filling into in pan. If pie crust is up . pie crust. overbrowning, cover Classic Pecan Pie Bake on center rack of edges with foil.

Creamy Carmelized Onion and Bacon Dip Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 25 to 30 minutes Cool Time: 20 minutes Yield: 4 cups 8 ounces bacon (6 to 8 strips) 2 tablespoons butter 1 medium-sweet onion, chopped 1 medium red onion, chopped 2 tablespoons Karo® Dark Corn Syrup 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 cup sour cream with bacon grease. Stir with hand mixer until 1 package (8 ounces) in sweet and red onions well blended and and cook over medium creamy. Stir in green cream cheese, softened heat until soft (about 5 onions. Stir in ¼ cup diced green minutes), stirring caramelized onion and onions frequently. Stir in 1 bacon mixture and mix Crumbled bacon and tablespoon corn syrup. well. green onions (optional Continue to cook for 10 Serve immediately or garnish) to 15 minutes until chill until ready to serve. onions are caramelized. Cook bacon in large Garnish with additional Stir in remaining 1 skillet over medium heat bacon and green onions, until crisp, about 10 tablespoon corn syrup, if desired. vinegar and crumbled minutes. Remove bacon Recipe Note: While dark bacon. Mix well and to paper towel- lined corn syrup is preferred, plate to cool; crumble. remove from heat. If needed, drain any excess light corn syrup may be Remove all but 2 grease. Let mixture cool substituted if desired. tablespoons of the bacon grease from skillet. for 20 minutes. Beat sour cream and Add butter to skillet cream cheese in a bowl

AUTHOR “Beautifully written post-Civil War love story.\" “Farrelly develops the characters so well and handles their internal crises (and mutual desire) so eloquently.\" \"The story is about the healing, redeeming power of love after the chaos and pain of war, not simply in the relationship between Annie and Michael, but also in bridging the divide between North and South.\" \"A great read from beginning to end. Fast moving, engaging plot, likable (and hate-able) characters, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and great romance.\" \"A heart melting, pulse racing, beautiful piece of literature. The emotion invested in the love between Annie and Michael jumps off the page and utterly wraps you up in their story, from tender start to fulfilling finish.\" happily curried and shoveled as a ranch hand at Disneyland's Circle D About Lorrie: Ranch. And always, she A Navy brat and graduate of the writes. University of California, Santa asymptotes, she can probably find Lorrie has won a Cruz, LORRIE FARRELLY is 'em...). Presidential Commendation proud to be a Fightin' Banana She's a three-time winner on for Excellence in Teaching Slug (well, okay, they're really Jeopardy! (despite forgetting the Mathematics. She's been a lovers, not fighters). Following chemical symbol for sulfuric acid Renaissance nominee for graduate school at Northwestern ... oh, wait - she never knew that Teacher of the Year and a University, she began a career in in the first place), has shepherded finalist for the Orange Rose education that included teaching wide-eyed foreign exchange Award in romantic fiction. art to 4th graders, drama to 8th students along Hollywood Blvd. She's never won the lottery, graders, and finally, math to (\"As many stars and lunatics as except where her family is high school students (if anybody there are in the Heavens\"), and concerned. For her, they're loses the ultimate prize.

Blurb gunmen hired by a powerful rancher who determines to stay with the Devlins only covets her land, Annie and her young long enough to ensure their safety against The War Between the States not only brother, Robbie, fight a furious, rapidly the treachery that would destroy them. destroyed all Michael Cantrell loved, it losing battle for their lives. Reluctantly, Michael, who for years has left the young, former Confederate When all seems lost, into the fray steps a known only loss, allies himself with a cavalry officer without faith or hope, a cold-eyed, steel-nerved stranger – stubborn, courageous young woman who solitary, haunted man trying to escape his Michael Cantrell – who saves Annie and will take his heart by storm and test the demons in the vast western frontier. Robbie, but is himself grievously limit of his honor, his mettle – and his Then, one spring day along the Wind wounded. With Annie’s care, Michael passion. A finalist for the prestigious River, he finds himself suddenly in the recovers not only his strength but a ORANGE ROSE AWARD, TERMS OF thick of another life-and-death struggle – portion of his embittered soul as well. SURRENDER takes the reader on a Annie Devlin’s war. Desperate to hang on Fighting his powerful feelings for her, stirring adventure that is also a heartfelt, to her ranch and her life, waylaid by convinced he has nothing to give, Michael emotional journey. Available for purchase at: Amazon, Excerpt: her eyes. Barnes and Noble, and most other online \"Michael!\" she commanded. \"Listen! vendors. The wounded man's grip was like You must let go! He's not Gavin!\" iron. Annie couldn't imagine where Available formats: ebook and paperback. his strength was coming from. She A flicker of confused uncertainty Currently in production as audiobook. could feel his whole body trembling came into the man's eyes, and the (Audiobook will be available mid- huge, black, dilated pupils seemed to against her, and the bandages summer from Amazon, audible.com, and wrapped around his shoulder and constrict slightly, giving Annie a iTunes.) chest were soaked with sweat and glimpse of deep blue irises. Websites: fresh blood. \"Yes, that's right, that's right. Good. http://www.amazon.com/Lorrie- Now listen to me, listen to me.\" Her \"No!\" he cried, glaring at her with Farrelly/e/B008P3LJ0O wide, wild eyes, feral and ferocious in words, and the gentle stroking of her http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/ the candlelight. \"You can't ... have fingers, became fluid, hypnotic. 4351229.Lorrie_Farrelly him! I ... let him ... before ... No! And finally, Michael listened. He https://sites.google.com/site/yourbestread Gavin!\" could feel the warmth of her breath s on his cheek, and for a single, brief \"Captain Cantrell! Michael!\" Unable http://www.audible.com/search/ref=sr_1_ to wrench his hands from their grip moment all pain disappeared, 1_asrch?searchAuthor=Lorrie+Farrelly on her small brother, Annie shifted replaced abruptly by a great hitch in &qid=1371138329&sr=1-1 and took Michael's face in her hands, his chest. He was dead certain his http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/lorrie- her fingers spread along both sides heart had stopped. farrelly of his hard, sweat-slick jaw. Turning \"Are you an angel?\" he whispered. * his head, she forced him to look into *copyright by Lorrie Farrelly

Have A Happy “Friendsgiving” (NAPSI)—Can’t make it home 1 8- to 24-pound turkey, fresh or part of inner thigh not touching for the holidays? Consider thawed the bone. Tuck ends of bag in hosting a Fun “Friendsgiving” 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or pan. Bake 1½ to 2 hours for day with colleagues, dorm melted butter 8- 12-pound turkeys; 2 to 2½ mates, neighbors and pals. hours for 12- 16-pound turkeys; Luckily, it can be easy to 1 tablespoon dried sage 2½ to 3 hours for 16- 20-pound do—even in small apartments, 1 teaspoon each dried thyme, turkeys; 3 to 3½ hours for offices or college kitchens. basil, rosemary, paprika and 20- 24-pound turkeys or until Don’t worry about a lot of extra seasoned salt meat thermometer reads 180° F. equipment. It’s easy to roast a ½ teaspoon pepper For lightly stuffed turkeys, add turkey in a Reynolds Oven Bag. Preheat oven to 350° F. Shake ½ hour to bake time. Let stand Reynolds also makes disposable flour in Reynolds Oven Bag; in oven bag 15 minutes. Cut Bakeware that makes cooking place in large roasting pan at open top of bag. Use two and transporting a cinch. It’s least 2 inches deep. Spray inside carving forks, inserting one in made with heavy-duty of bag with nonstick cooking each end, to lift turkey from bag. aluminum, so don’t sweat a big spray, if desired, to reduce Be sure the turkey is completely mess. And the bright-blue sticking with large turkeys. Add thawed before starting to cook exterior is stylish enough for it. Depending on the size of the vegetables to oven bag. Remove serving. bird, this may take several days neck and giblets from turkey. You can see how well they work Rinse turkey, pat dry and brush in the refrigerator. with this recipe: with oil. Combine seasonings in For a video on how to prep and Herb-Roasted Turkey a small bowl; sprinkle and rub cook turkey in the oven bags, go evenly over turkey. Place turkey to www.reynoldskitchens.com . 1 Reynolds Oven Bag, Turkey in oven bag on top of At that site, you can also find Size vegetables. Close oven bag with further facts and more 1 tablespoon flour nylon tie; cut six ½-inch slits in Friendsgiving recipes. top. Insert meat thermometer 2 stalks celery through slit in bag into thickest 1 medium onion