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Rush Revere and the First Patriots: Time-Travel Adventures With Exceptional Americans

Nationally syndicated radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh has long wanted to make American history come to life for the children of his listeners. In Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims, he created the character of a fearless middle-school history teacher named Rush Revere, who travels back in time and experiences American history as it happens, in adventures with exceptional Americans. In this second book in the series, Rush Revere is transported back to the people and events leading up to the American Revolution.

The Future of the Mind: The Scientific Quest to Understand, Enhance, and Empower the Mind

For the first time in history, the secrets of the living brain are being revealed by a battery of high tech brain scans devised by physicists. Now what was once solely the province of science fiction has become a startling reality. Recording memories, telepathy, videotaping our dreams, mind control, avatars, and telekinesis are not only possible; they already exist. 

The Future of the Mind gives us an authoritative and compelling look at the astonishing research being done in top laboratories around the world—all based on the latest advancements in neuroscience and physics.  One day we might have a "smart pill" that can enhance our cognition; be able to upload our brain to a computer, neuron for neuron; send thoughts and emotions around the world on a "brain-net"; control computers and robots with our mind; push the very limits of immortality; and perhaps even send our consciousness across the universe. 

 Dr. Kaku takes us on a grand tour of what the future might hold, giving us not only a solid sense of how the brain functions but also how these technologies will change our daily lives. He even presents a radically new way to think about "consciousness" and applies it to provide fresh insight into mental illness, artificial intelligence and alien consciousness.  

With Dr. Kaku's deep understanding of modern science and keen eye for future developments, The Future of the Mind is a scientific tour de force--an extraordinary, mind-boggling exploration of the frontiers of neuroscience.

Carry On, Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Messy, Beautiful Life

For years Glennon Doyle Melton built a wall between herself and others, hiding inside a bunker of secrets and shame. But one day everything changed: Glennon woke up to life, committing herself to living out loud and giving language to our universal (yet often secret) experiences. She became a sensation when her personal essays started going viral. Her hilarious and poignant observations have been read by millions, shared among friends, discussed at water coolers, and have now inspired a social movement. In Carry On, Warrior, Melton shares new stories and the best-loved material from Momastery.com. Her mistakes and triumphs demonstrate that love wins and that together we can do hard things. Melton is a courageous truth-teller and hopespreader, a wise and witty friend who emboldens us to believe in ourselves and reminds us that the journey is the reward. Carry On, Warrior proves that by shedding our weapons and armor, we can stop hiding, competing, and striving for the mirage of perfection, to build better lives in our hearts, homes, and communities.

A Short Guide to a Long Life

In his #1 New York Times bestselling book, The End of Illness, Dr. David B. Agus shared what he has learned from his work as a pioneering cancer doctor and researcher, revealing the innovative steps he takes to prolong the lives of not only cancer patients but all those hoping to enjoy a vigorous, lengthy life. Now Dr. Agus has turned his analysis into a practical and concise illus­trated handbook for everyday living. He believes optimal health begins with our daily habits.

A Short Guide to a Long Life is divided into three sections (What to Do, What to Avoid, and Doctor’s Orders) that provide the definitive answers to many common and not-so-common questions: Who should take a baby aspirin daily? Are flu shots safe? What constitutes “healthy” foods? Why is it important to protect your senses? Are airport scanners hazardous? Dr. Agus will help you develop new patterns of personal health care using inexpensive and widely accessible tools that are based on the latest and most reliable science. Now go live life!

A Tale of Two Cities


A Tale of Two Cities has the best of Dickens and the worst of Dickens: a dark, driven opening, and a celestial but melodramatic ending; a terrifyingly demonic villainess and (even by Dickens’ standards) an impossibly angelic heroine. Though its version of the French Revolution is brutally simplified, its engagement with the immense moral themes of rebirth and terror, justice, and sacrifice gets right to the heart of the matter . . . For every reader in the past hundred and forty years and for hundreds to come, it is an unforgettable ride.”–from the Introduction by Simon Schama. 

Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)

Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife-between desire and danger.Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever. This book is intended for mature audiences.

The Cartoon Guide to Genetics

Having trouble deciphering your genetic code? Do dominant genes make you feel recessive? Let reigning nonfiction cartoonist Larry Gonick and microbiologist Mark Wheelis ease your way through Mendelian genetics, molecular biology, and the basics of genetic engineering. Gonick's drawings range from a moderately detailed look at ribosomes in action to loony pictures of dancing scientists, talking peas, and opinionated fruit flies. Matthew Meselson, co-discoverer of the "one gene-one protein" principle, says, "it puts textbooks to shame"--and he's right. --Mary Ellen Curtin

Review

"If you can't learn Mendelian genetics from this text, I guess you never will." -- -- New Scientist

"It puts textbooks to shame." -- -- Matthew Meselson, Professor of Biology, Harvard Univercity

Cells For Kids (Science Book For Children)

Cells are the building blocks of all living things. They are called “cells” because Robert Hooke, the person who discovered the cells when looking under the microscope thought that it looked like the “empty rooms” of a monastery where monks used to sleep in.
Biology is the study of living organisms and the research of the science behind living things. Biology is the core that unites all other disciplines and sub-disciplines of biological science. This starts with the understanding of the cell. Hence, the study of biology is vital for our children.
This book, “Cells For Kids” is a book designed for children with diagrams so that they can learn everything about animal and plant cells from the start. As parents, we must ingrain their minds and awaken their curiosity so that they can be ready for this complex and rapidly evolving subject area.

Most biology books, be it for children or adults start with a chapter on the cell. It is here that all biological processes take place. Hence it is vital that we as parents, teach our children about the cell as early as possible. Some may be able to learn while some may not but at least it’s a step in the right direction.
I wrote this book for my own children and I can see that they are now curious about what a cell is and what exactly does it does? Half of my job is done; this will save me a lot of heartache later on when I am trying to trying to teach them biology. My ultimate aim would be to get them to study science when they grow up and this book would be one of their stepping stones. Study of biology will prepare children for a range of careers where they can make a difference in the world.
Here’s what’s covered in this book about cells. I have included questions after some chapters for parents to ask to ensure kids are learning before moving on to the next chapter. There is a quiz at the end of the book.

Tangled Beauty

Sinclair Jeffries thought she knew what she was getting into when her zany, gay friend, Jesse Eddington, talked her into portraying his girlfriend during his parent's anniversary party on Huntington Beach. That is, until she met Reed, Jesse's sexy as hell older brother, and ends up getting much more than what she'd bargained for. 

Reed Eddington assumed his future was settled until he met Sinclair, his brother's so-called "girlfriend", but the raw, sexual tension between them is hard to ignore. As he watches their ruse from the sidelines, he finds himself wanting to uncover more than just their amusing little facade. 

Due to sexual content and heavy subject matter, this book is recommended for ages 18+.

Interpreter of Maladies

Mr. Kapasi, the protagonist of Jhumpa Lahiri's title story, would certainly have his work cut out for him if he were forced to interpret the maladies of all the characters in this eloquent debut collection. Take, for example, Shoba and Shukumar, the young couple in "A Temporary Matter" whose marriage is crumbling in the wake of a stillborn child. Or Miranda in "Sexy," who is involved in a hopeless affair with a married man. But Mr. Kapasi has problems enough of his own; in addition to his regular job working as an interpreter for a doctor who does not speak his patients' language, he also drives tourists to local sites of interest. His fare on this particular day is Mr. and Mrs. Das--first-generation Americans of Indian descent--and their children. During the course of the afternoon, Mr. Kapasi becomes enamored of Mrs. Das and then becomes her unwilling confidant when she reads too much into his profession. "I told you because of your talents," she informs him after divulging a startling secret.

I'm tired of feeling so terrible all the time. Eight years, Mr. Kapasi, I've been in pain eight years. I was hoping you could help me feel better; say the right thing. Suggest some kind of remedy.
Of course, Mr. Kapasi has no cure for what ails Mrs. Das--or himself. Lahiri's subtle, bittersweet ending is characteristic of the collection as a whole. Some of these nine tales are set in India, others in the United States, and most concern characters of Indian heritage. Yet the situations Lahiri's people face, from unhappy marriages to civil war, transcend ethnicity. As the narrator of the last story, "The Third and Final Continent," comments: "There are times I am bewildered by each mile I have traveled, each meal I have eaten, each person I have known, each room in which I have slept." In that single line Jhumpa Lahiri sums up a universal experience, one that applies to all who have grown up, left home, fallen in or out of love, and, above all, experienced what it means to be a foreigner, even within one's own family. --Alix Wilber

The Orphan Master's Son: A Novel (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)

Pak Jun Do is the haunted son of a lost mother—a singer “stolen” to Pyongyang—and an influential father who runs a work camp for orphans. Superiors in the state soon recognize the boy’s loyalty and keen instincts. Considering himself “a humble citizen of the greatest nation in the world,” Jun Do rises in the ranks. He becomes a professional kidnapper who must navigate the shifting rules, arbitrary violence, and baffling demands of his Korean overlords in order to stay alive. Driven to the absolute limit of what any human being could endure, he boldly takes on the treacherous role of rival to Kim Jong Il in an attempt to save the woman he loves, Sun Moon, a legendary actress “so pure, she didn’t know what starving people looked like.”
Praise for The Orphan Master’s Son
“An exquisitely crafted novel that carries the reader on an adventuresome journey into the depths of totalitarian North Korea and into the most intimate spaces of the human heart.”—Pulitzer Prize citation

“A daring and remarkable novel.”—Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

“Gripping . . . Deftly blending adventure, surreal comedy and Casablanca-style romance, the novel takes readers on a jolting ride through an Orwellian landscape of dubious identity and dangerous doublespeak.”San Jose Mercury News
“This is a novel worth getting excited about. . . . Adam Johnson has taken the papier-mâché creation that is North Korea and turned it into a real and riveting place that readers will find unforgettable.”The Washington Post
“[A] brilliant and timely novel.”The Wall Street Journal
“Remarkable and heartbreaking . . . To [the] very short list of exceptional novels that also serve a humanitarian purpose The Orphan Master’s Son must now be added.”The New Republic
“A triumph of imagination . . . [Grade:] A.”Entertainment Weekly
“A spellbinding saga of subverted identity and an irrepressible love.”Vogue
Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more.

The Road


The searing, postapocalyptic novel destined to become Cormac McCarthy's masterpiece.

A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.

The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, "each the other's world entire," are sustained by love. Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation.

New York Times Notable Book
One of the Best Books of the Year
The Boston Globe, The Christian Science Monitor, The Denver Post, The Kansas City Star, Los Angeles Times, New York, People, Rocky Mountain News, Time, The Village Voice, The Washington Post

DSLR Photography for Beginners

In this day and age, Digital Photography is not something that is unheard of. From enthusiasts to those who have just been introduced to the beautiful world of photography, knowing the craft and equipment is essential. 

This little comprehensive guide for beginners will take you on an amazing journey of discovering how wonderful Digital Photography is and how mesmerizing the art can be. 

From the advantages of SLR and the importance of shutter speed, to the types of lenses and the significance of good lighting, you will soon be on your journey to capturing the most stunning pictures and a kaleidoscope of dazzling sights to be eternalized. 

Technology is ever changing and now with Digital Photography, the world can be seen in vivid colors through your art. Begin your journey right here, right now.

DSLR Photography for Beginners: Best Way to Learn Digital Photography, Master Your DSLR Camera & Improve Your Digital SLR Photography Skills

Interview with Richard Mercer

What languages you can speak and write?

English is my native language, although I can speak a paltry amount of Spanish.

How many books have you written?
I've written so many I've lost count, though if I had to guess I'd say somewhere around 30.

Can you list some of your books here?
Sure! My latest release is The Orb of Zimtau, my most popular books however are Final Shipment, The Outpost: Book 1 of the Nuclear Survivors series, and The Cheddar Unicorn.

Where do you publish your books?

Amazon, they fit me perfectly and I enjoy the benefits of KDP Select. I enjoy the freedom to watch my stats and change things when I wish!

If you are using KDP and CreateSpace, did you try traditional publishing?

No I haven't tried traditional publishing. The market is very much moving toward self-publishing and I feel like the perks are well worth it. While it would be nice to have a company to help me with some of the editing, I can outsource that or do it myself.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced when writing your book? How did you 
overcome it?

My biggest challenge is a recurring one, and that is to stay on track. When writing a story of any length I usually start to get bogged down toward the end, it's very difficult to keep going, but I've learned how to struggle through it!

How do you promote your books?

Author Interviews and free giveaways.

What is your favorite genre and why?

I have many favorite genres, but  by far my favorites are Fantasy and Science Fiction

When did you start writing? What is the purpose of your writing?
I started writing a long time ago, ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a writer. I devoured books as a child which contributed greatly to my writing aspirations. The purpose of my writing is to create something beautiful that people enjoy. Something that makes them think. Something that makes them care. Whenever I go to the movies and watch a really good movie, or read a really good book I tell myself that that's what I want to create. Something that gets the brain moving and gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside!

Which of your work has been published so far? Would you like to share a synopsis of your work?

14 books of my 30 written have been published. Here's the description of my latest book The Orb of Zimtau.

Res is an orphan who was taken in by the Infar Monastery at a young age. He is trained to become a monk, a holy man who follows the Great Creator's wishes and is empowered by his faith. Res is sworn to use the Great Creator's blessings only in great need or if attacked, but instead he is taunted into a fight, his anger getting the best of him. Kicked out of the Monk's ranks, Res learns that the Orb of Zimtau, a special artifact that is essential to the world's survival, has been stolen. Without the Orb of Zimtau in its rightful place, beings of shadow are materializing in the night, murdering anyone they come across without mercy. Determined to become an official monk once more, Res sets off to find the Orb of Zimtau and to return it to its rightful place at the temple of Ungriz. 
The Orb of Zimtau is a fantasy novella at about 20,000 words. 

Are you working on more books?

I am almost always working on more books!

What four top most things you take care of while writing a book?

Well I'd have to say that the four things I focus on would be prose that flows smoothly. Prose that shows not tells. I try to make sure there is suspense and action, but a large amount of that stuff happens not while writing the book, but in the massive amount of editing afterward.

What is the hardest part of the book writing process?

Editing by far, at least it is for me. It's very time consuming and it does not come easily for me. I do not like editing, I'd prefer to get back to the good bits, the rough drafts.

Drowning in the Shallow End

A darkly comic true story about obsessive infatuation, revealing the depths to which people can sink, before they realise they’re in too deep… 

For years, all Charlie Mellor wanted was to meet the alluring Pennie Fenton. Unfortunately for him, this wish came true. Captivation with the corrupting Miss Fenton soon developed into an overpowering obsession which sent his life spiralling out of control and jeopardised everything he held dear. 
It was because of Miss Fenton that he lost touch with his family and friends, got involved with the occult, upset members of the Greek Underworld and even volunteered one of his own fingers to be crushed by a sadistic stranger. Before he could free himself from her curious charms, he would need to acknowledge her real identity and expose the deep, dark secret she had kept hidden from him. Only then, would he find the courage to rebuild himself through a bizarre appearance on national television, where in front of millions of viewers, he would abandon all dignity and reveal the full extent of his downfall. 

Memoir of an secret obsession. 
This candid tale chronicles one man’s epic struggle to free himself from a cruel and manipulative companion. Peppered with black humour, it unveils the damaging impact of an unyielding obsession. Positioned as an offbeat tale of misplaced mesmerisation, the memoir taps into the universal themes of temptation, desire and infatuation. It includes irreverent observations on life, loss and the enormous void between these two. Only at the end of the book do readers see that nothing is quite what it seems and this is in fact, a modern day parable about the redeeming power of love. 

** Appeared in both the Amazon top 5 memoir listings and top 25 humour listings. 

Joyland (Hard Case Crime)

Set in a small-town North Carolina amusement park in 1973, Joyland tells the story of the summer in which college student Devin Jones comes to work as a carny and confronts the legacy of a vicious murder, the fate of a dying child, and the ways both will change his life forever.

"I love crime, I love mysteries, and I love ghosts. That combo made Hard Case Crime the perfect venue for this book, which is one of my favorites. I also loved the paperbacks I grew up with as a kid, and for that reason, we’re going to hold off on e-publishing this one for the time being. Joyland will be coming out in paperback, and folks who want to read it will have to buy the actual book." –Stephen King

An Amazon Best Book of the Month, June 2013: What a smart, sweet, spooky, sexy gem of a story. In this one-off for the Hard Case Crime publishing imprint, King has found yet another outlet and format (print only, a zippy 280 pages) to suit his considerable talents. All are on full display here in the story of Devon Jones--"a twenty-one-year-old virgin with literary aspirations … and a broken heart"--who spends the summer of 1973 at Joyland amusement park in North Carolina. Devon makes new pals, proves himself to the hard-core carny workers, saves a girl’s life, befriends a dying boy (who has a secret gift), and falls for the boy’s protective, beautiful mother. The first half of the story is sweet and nostalgic, with modest hints of menace to come. (Think: “The Body,” King’s novella that became the film Stand By Me.) Devon learns to “sell fun” and “wear the fur” (carny-speak for dressing as Howie the Happy Hound, the park mascot), but he also learns about the woman who had been killed in the Funhouse, whose ghost still haunts Joyland. King has fun with the carny lingo--most of it researched and real, some of it invented. (The Ferris wheel, for example, is the chump-hoister.) The second half gets spookier, spinning into a full-on murder mystery--but also a love story, and a coming-of-age-story, with some supernatural fun woven in. More than a trifecta, this is King at his narrative and nostalgic best. A single-session tale to savor some summer afternoon. And then try not to keep thinking back on it. --Neal Thompson

The Wander Year: One Couple's Journey Around the World

Mike McIntyre and his longtime girlfriend, Andrea, are in their early 40s and itching for a break. So they rent out their San Diego home--dog, cat and furniture included--and embark on a yearlong journey around the world. "We're not out to find ourselves, or even to lose ourselves," McIntyre writes. "We're merely seeking a pause in our routines." But the couple is soon swept up in the adventure of a lifetime: trekking in the Himalayas, traversing the Sahara on camel, scrambling over the temples of Angkor, crossing the world's largest salt flat in South America, scaling a New Zealand glacier. 

The book recounts the odyssey in 48 dispatches from 22 countries. Among them: birdwatching in Indonesia, a haircut from Vietnam's oldest barber, touring a notorious prison in Bolivia, haggling over rugs in Morocco, on safari in Nepal. McIntyre taps his self-deprecating humor to convey the joys, perils and frustrations of prolonged travel. When the couple ventures into a cyclone in Fiji on a rubber raft, he writes, "The absence of life jackets and paddles meant more room for our lunacy." And during a ride across India with a hired car and driver, he notes, "His passing technique was so precise, I could see my horrified expression reflected in the chrome bumpers of onrushing trucks." He also writes eloquently of such poignant moments as sleeping under the stars in North Africa, flying kites with a poor boy in Bali, and the death of a female tour guide in China. By journey's end, he's shucked much of his journalist's cynicism, and he stands in awe of a staggeringly beautiful world and the resilient souls who fill it.

The Wander Year is an expanded version of the popular series of the same name that ran in the Travel section of the Los Angeles Times.

From the author of the #1 Travel Bestseller The Kindness of Strangers"A superb writer"--Los Angeles Times

The Kingdom

The Kingdom is a historical novel based on the exploits of German commando Carl Hansen, whose Das Reich Division is recalled from the frozen wastelands of Western Russia to thwart the Allied invasion forces in 1944 Normandy. His love affair with his college sweetheart, French heiress Angelique Dagineau, becomes his reason to survive the cataclysmic battle ahead as the French Resistance rises across Southern France in a stalwart effort to block the Division from joining the fray. The tangled web of intrigue between the corrupt Vichy government forces, the Parisian criminal network and the Communist insurgents combine to add to the dangers facing Carl in completing his mission and returning to Angie at last. His situation grows more compromised as he receives word that Angie is missing and might be the target of a massive Gestapo manhunt for Underground operatives. This is a tale of romance and intrigue interwoven within an incomparable episode of 20th century history. The Kingdom by John Reinhard Dizon.

Author interview with Mel Massey

This is an author interview of Mel Massey. 

What languages you can speak and write?

English is my native language but I can get along passably in French.
 
How many books have you written?

Two so far.  I have two more in the works at the moment.
 
Can you list some of your books here?

My horror short story, Getaway and the first book in the Earth's Magick series. Earth's Magick, Book 1 ~Earth~

Where do you publish your books?

Both of my books are available through Solstice Shadows.  That's an imprint of Solstice Publishing.  It's a fantastic Indie publishing house but still small enough that the author has creative input into every stage of production.
 
What is the biggest challenge you have faced when writing your book? How did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge was simply sitting down to write it after having spent almost two years plotting the entire series.  It was scary to finally give voice to some of these characters and I spent a lot of time with self doubt.  But with all things, I figured I'd never get anywhere being afraid, so I just did it.  Once the words started coming, there was no stopping it.


  
How do you promote your books?

Blogs, Twitter, lots of Facebook promo as well.  I have fantastic readers and a bunch of really fun people on Twitter and Facebook. Those guys don't mind my kind of crazy and I love them for it.
 
What is your favorite genre and why?

I love fantasy and supernatural tales.  All brands of fantasy peak my interest. From epic  to urban, I adore the creativity and the guts it takes to write fantasy. Sprinkling in supernatural elements in there just adds layers of fun and intrigue.

When did you start writing? What is the purpose of your writing? I've always written at different points in my life.  It wasn't until the idea for Earth's Magick came to me that I sat down and really allowed the story to play out on paper.   I wanted the magick to be real to those reading Mela's story.  There are no wands or Abracadabras  but primal, ancient magick.  The Old Gods wake up and come to the aid of mankind. It's a story that can resonate with people who see or feel what others may not. The fun part, and the primary purpose of the series, is this all takes place in a small Texas town.  Urban fantasy can be equal parts realistic and fantastical. 
  
Which of your work has been published so far? Would you like to share a synopsis of your work?

The first book in the series is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Here's the book blurb:

Life in Trinity Hills, Texas goes from normal to deadly for Mela Malone. Whenever Mela falls asleep, a mysterious creature, called The Hag, tries to kill her. What begins as dabbling in protective spells from an ancient Grimoire, leads to her initiation into an ancient order of warrior witches known as the Elementai. Mela learns war is coming with The Darkness and the Hag is only one of the evil creatures in its service. As an Elementai, Mela learns it’s her duty to find four part-human sisters who can help defeat the evil that threatens to return to the world. With every new discovery, Mela uncovers ancient secrets that complicate her quest further. 

As war approaches, everyone must make a choice - fight with the Elementai for all life on Earth, or fight for The Darkness…
  
Are you working on more books?

Yes!  I'm currently writing book two in the Earth's Magick series, Water.  I'm also finishing up a companion novel to the series as well.  Decker. There are characters in the series that are thousands of years old.  Their stories needed to be told!  There wasn't enough room in the books to tell all about their interesting and dangerous lives, so I'm writing their memoirs.  It's so much fun to really tell their stories.
 
What four top most things you take care of while writing a book?

Top four things to take care while I write?  Plot, plot, plot and write. lol  Without a plot, a truly interesting and well thought out plot, a story can't survive.  Even with interesting characters, readers want to be told a story.  Tell them this tall tale and make it make sense! Make them believe that magick and fantasy is totally plausible, even if for a minute.  That requires plotting and planning.
 
What is the hardest part of the book writing process?

Writing. Ha! That's why there's so many people walking around with great ideas, and I'm sure most are awesome! But if you don't make the tie to sit down and put words on paper then it will never go anywhere.  Having the ability to get that first draft done is by far the most difficult thing to do. For me anyway.

The Body Farm (A Scarpetta Novel)

The Body Farm (A Scarpetta Novel)
The Body Farm (A Scarpetta Novel)
When an eleven-year-old girl is found murdered, Kay Scarpetta, Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia, gets another chance at stopping one of the most heartless and horrifying serial killers of her career: the demented Temple Gault.

 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Cornwell brings back Kay Scarpetta, consulting forensic pathologist for the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit, in her grittiest and most compelling novel. In rural North Carolina, the brutal murder of eleven-year-old Emily Steiner has shaken a small town. But more disturbing are the details of the crimes, chillingly reminiscent of the handiwork of a serial killer who has eluded the unit for years. Into this volatile atmosphere comes Scarpetta's ingenious, rebellious niece Lucy, an FBI intern with a promising future in Quantico's computer engineering facility--until she is accused of a shocking security violation. While coming to terms with Lucy, Kay must conduct a grisly forensic investigation at a clandestine research facility in Tennessee known as the Body Farm. There she will find more answers to Emily Steiner's murder--and evidence that paints a picture of a crime more horrifying than she imagined . . .
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books
Reading Lolita in Tehran:
A Memoir in Books
We all have dreams—things we fantasize about doing and generally never get around to. This is the story of Azar Nafisi’s dream and of the nightmare that made it come true.

For two years before she left Iran in 1997, Nafisi gathered seven young women at her house every Thursday morning to read and discuss forbidden works of Western literature. They were all former students whom she had taught at university. Some came from conservative and religious families, others were progressive and secular; several had spent time in jail. They were shy and uncomfortable at first, unaccustomed to being asked to speak their minds, but soon they began to open up and to speak more freely, not only about the novels they were reading but also about themselves, their dreams and disappointments. Their stories intertwined with those they were reading—Pride and Prejudice, Washington Square, Daisy Miller and Lolita—their Lolita, as they imagined her in Tehran.
Nafisi’s account flashes back to the early days of the revolution, when she first started teaching at the University of Tehran amid the swirl of protests and demonstrations. In those frenetic days, the students took control of the university, expelled faculty members and purged the curriculum. When a radical Islamist in Nafisi’s class questioned her decision to teach The Great Gatsby, which he saw as an immoral work that preached falsehoods of “the Great Satan,” she decided to let him put Gatsby on trial and stood as the sole witness for the defense.

Azar Nafisi’s luminous tale offers a fascinating portrait of the Iran-Iraq war viewed from Tehran and gives us a rare glimpse, from the inside, of women’s lives in revolutionary Iran. It is a work of great passion and poetic beauty, written with a startlingly original voice.

The Hindus: An Alternative History

An engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth, The Hindus offers a new way of understanding one of the world's oldest major religions. Hinduism does not lend itself easily to a strictly chronological account. Many of its central texts cannot be reliably dated within a century; its central tenets arise at particular moments in Indian history and often differ according to gender or caste; and the differences between groups of Hindus far outnumber the commonalities. Yet the greatness of Hinduism lies precisely in many of these idiosyncratic qualities that continues to inspire debate today. This groundbreaking work elucidates the relationship between recorded history and imaginary worlds, the inner life and the social history of Hindus.

"Don't miss this equivalent of a brilliant graduate course froma feisty and exhilarating teacher." -The Washington Post 
Review by Vishal Agarwal:

I have read the book from cover to cover, and am afraid that it has literally hundreds of factual errors that will be noticed by anyone who has even a mediocre knowledge of Indian history. Just to give a FEW examples:

I. In the Map titled "India From 600 CE to 1600 CE" at the beginning of the book, at least four sites (Janakpur, Nagarkot, Mandu, Haldighati) are marked literally hundreds of miles from their correct geographical location.

II. In the chapter XIX titled "Dialogue and Tolerance Under the Mughals", the errors would shame even a Graduate student of Medieval Indian history. E.g.

1) Doniger (on the title page of the chapter) says that Emperor Humayun ruled from 1530 - 1556 AD. Actually, he ruled from 1530-1540 and for a few months in 1556 AD. He lived in exile in the intervening years as he was deposed by Emperor Sher Shah Suri (who in turn was followed by several rulers before Humayun returned from Iran).

2) On page 532, she claims that Emperor Akbar moved his capital from Fatehpur Sikri to Delhi in 1586. In reality, he moved it to Lahore and then to Agra. And she has got the year wrong too!

3)On page 534, she claims that Emperor Akbar was saved by Hindus from a Muslim rival. In reality, it was his father Humayun who was saved by the Hindu King of Umerkot. Unless, she wants to term every instance of Hindus fighting in the Moghul army as a life saving event for Akbar.

4) On page 536, she claims that Mumtaz Mahal (whose tomb is the famous Taj Mahal) died during the birth of her 13th child. The correct fact is that she died during the birth of her 14th child.

5) On page 537, she claims that Emperor Aurangzeb started persecuting Hindus, Sikhs and Shiite Muslims in 1687. Actually, he started doing this several decades earlier, destroying numerous Hindu temples while he was the Governor of South India (even when he was a Prince, and before he became the ruler in 1658 AD) and getting the Sikh teacher Guru Tegh Bahadur beheaded (for his refusal to convert to Islam) more than a decade earlier.

6) On pages 537-538, she claims that the Sikh teacher Govind Singh was assassinated in 1708 while 'attending Emperor Aurangzeb'. In reality, Emperor Aurangzeb had died a year earlier in 1707 and Govind Singh was assassinated during the reign of his successor Emperor Bahadur Shah I.

7) On page 539, the author implies that 'Jahandah Shah' (sic!) became the ruler after Emperor Aurangzeb. In reality, Aurangzeb was succeeded by his son (and the father of Jahandar Shah, not Jahandah Shah) Emperor Bahadur Shah I.

You can find such historically untenable statements page after page in her book. I have given a few examples from just 1 chapter because this review to you is not the appropriate medium to point out the errors in all chapters and pages of the book.

To cap it all, she claims on page 446 that there is a controversy as to whether Mahatma Gandhi uttered 'Ram Ram' or 'Ram Rahim' when he fell to his assassin's bullets. In reality, the controversy is totally artificial (and largely non-existent) and is mainly encountered in agenda driven atheist or crackpot websites. His last words are said to have been "Hey Ram" and the same are inscribed on his 'Samadhi' (his memorial) in New Delhi. His followers sometimes say that he uttered 'Ram Ram'. Or her laughable claim (page 194n) that Gandhi's commentary on the Gita (a sacred Hindu scripture) was titled 'Asakti Yoga' (=The Science of Deep attachment - she even explains the word ungrammatically!) when in fact the title of Gandhi's work was 'Anasakti Yoga' (= Science of Non-Attachment). Surely this cannot pass for an 'alternative history' because this is just bogus fiction.

Let me not even go into the racist and hateful tone of her chapters when she actually deals with Hinduism. Her claims that she loves the Hindu culture is like a Pedophile claiming that he 'loves' children.

Understanding Domestic Violence and Abuse

How would you respond to the needs of adults experiencing domestic violence and the specific needs of their children? "Understanding Domestic Violence and Abuse” explores the challenges of working effectively in this complex field and offers positive models for practice. 

This handy guide will take you through the different types of DVA with case studies to help you understand them in context. You will then learn the affects that DVA has on adults and children along with a guide on how to recognise the signs of DVA. Next you will learn how to respond to concerns about DVA. How to talk to victims, assess the situation and take appropriate action. 

This book is a valuable source of information and ideas on how to work safely and sensitively with adults and children living with domestic violence and is a key reference for social workers, health professionals, teachers or concerned family and friends. 

Mahatma Gandhi For Kids And Beginners

I have published a new ebook called, "Mahatma Gandhi For Kids And Beginners". Although the name suggests that the book is designed for kids but in fact it can be read by anyone. Most of the books on Mahatma Gandhi are too complicated and goes into intricate details of his philosophy which is perhaps too much for the average reader. This book covers basics of the man we know as Mahatma Gandhi. The book covers who he was, where did he come from, who were his parents, what methods he used to find injustices, about his studies, his life, why he fought along with the principles of ahimsa and satyagraha on which the entire freedom struggle of India is based. The book is now available on all Amazon stores.

Author interview with Elle Klass










Elle Klass
Elle Klass

What languages you can speak and write?


I only speak, read, and write American English. I did take Spanish in college but my capabilities in that language are limited.

How many books have you written?


I have written several books including those that aren't published. My stories range in genre's, currently the NaNoWriMo 2013 winning novel, a horror/ paranormal thriller, Eye of The Storm Eilida's Tragedy is available for reading, and votes at jukepopserials.com.  In this story Eilida has a tragic accident while Sunshine is the epitome of perfect. The story takes both women spiraling on a jolting ride and horrific climax. The prologue is available now and a new chapter will be added each week. I invite everyone to read, laugh, and brace yourself for the unexpected. The vote button is under each chapter.

Can you list some of your books here?


Definitely, As Snow Falls is a memoir. The story encompasses a women's entire life outlining her most memorable moments such as her first love, marriage, and the mystery she unravels.I published this story after losing a close friend, although was written several years prior to meeting him. Through my loss it seemed the most appropriate to publish first. Baby Girl is a series in short stories. Cleo forges a life for herself after her only parent, mom, disappears when she is 12.  I would have to classify this story as a coming of age adventure. Cleo encounters occurrences which may bring tears to the reader's eyes, however her story should also enlist some laughter with the unusual situations she gets herself into. Her cleverness, resourcefulness, and naivete make it fun for me to slip into her
character.









As Snow Fall
As Snow Fall

Where do you publish your books?


All my stories are self- published through create space, kindle, or smashwords. As Snow Falls can found on through all three.

If you are using KDP and CreateSpace, did you try traditional publishing?


I have sent in queries to literary agents and publishers. I even had an offer and contract sent to me, but wasn't impressed so I kindly turned the publisher down and published on my own. I like the freedom of setting my own deadlines, creating my own covers, and playing with my own website. The literary world has changed, most new authors going the traditional route still spend countless hours self promoting. Let's not forget publishers want a well polished edited script sent to them. If I have to fork out the expense of editing, and marketing why
would I go with a traditional publisher?

What is the biggest challenge you have faced when writing your book? How did you overcome it?


My biggest challenge was finding an editor. I found one, Terri Klaes Harper, who I'm working with for my  Baby Girl series and she is awesome! Not only does she have a BA in English but she also spent several years teaching high school honors English and is fantastic. She edits and leaves commentary that sends me into fits of laughter. She is the author of indie book Memoirs of an Ordinary Girl: The Middle-ish Ages, a hysterical young adult fiction novel.

How do you promote your books?


I promote my books by completing blog interviews, swapping reviews with other various authors, and the usual social media. I can be found almost everywhere, although my faves are Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Recently, I set up a giveaway for five free autographed As Snow Falls paperbacks, through goodreads ending on February 14th. I made it world wide so as not to leave anyone out of the loop. I have an author website and a blog, thetroubledoyster.blogspot- information on my books can be found at either site. Recently, I started working with a marketing co-op. They have set up a website as well at Whitehall
Publishing- Meet our Favorite Authors. There are seven of us so please take a moment and check out all our pages and novels.

What is your favorite genre and why?


I have a lot of favorites genre's. It may be easier to say the ones I don't like- true crime. Now I say I don't like it only because true crime tends to be dry. If the story is written more as a fiction than I'm intrigued.

When did you start writing? What is the purpose of your writing?


I started writing very young, mostly poetry. My goal was always to write novels but at age 12 setting up a novel seemed an enormous feat. Several years ago now I wrote my first novel As Snow Falls, going through several revisions during that time.

Which of your work has been published so far? Would you like to share a synopsis of your work?


I hope an excerpt is OK. I have had more compliments on these few lines from As Snow Falls.

He took me into the backyard, and I jumped on the swing. He jumped on with me and we twisted and twirled until we both fell off laughing, with our heads spinning. After a few minutes he stood up, grabbed my hand, and pulled me up. Next, he grabbed my other hand, walked me up against the tree, raised our hands above our heads, and he kissed me, openmouthed. It was an incredible feeling and I found myself kissing him back. My body felt like it was being lifted off the ground. Then reality hit me on the head like a brick, and I dropped back down to earth. What was I doing kissing this boy I didn't really know? What kind of a person did he think I was?

I will add this novel has made many reader's cry from tears of sadness and joy. Are you working on more books?


Currently, the second short story in my Baby Girl series is being edited, and will be available shortly. I have no exact date yet. I am also working on edits for Eye of The Storm as I publish each chapter. I hope to have it completed by November  when I write the prequel Calm Before the Storm for NaNoWriMo 2014. 2015 I plan on publishing my novel Just Another Day, a crazy story about Joan a high school biology teacher and her students. The day takes them on a hilarious and wild ride. This story is closest to me as I have spent over a decade teaching Junior High science. The characters are fictional but derived from combinations between students, parents, and professionals I have worked with.

What four top most things you take care of while writing a book?


First, the story swirls around in my head for a while as my mind puts together the plot and characters. Next, I write a rough draft bringing my characters to life on the computer screen. After, I wait several months or even years and go back to the story. As I read it I revise. When I have finished that step I reread again, revising a little more. When I'm content with it, I send it on to be edited and start creating my cover.

What is the hardest part of the book writing process?


The most difficult part is the constant editing and revising. The first and second revisions are fun as I haven't looked at the story in such a long time therefore reacquainting myself with the characters while thickening the plot is enjoyable. Once I get to third revisions, the minuscule stuff, I would rather start creating a new story. I lack patience, although I'm always proud of the final product, and the journey it took to get there.