Veil of Shadows Shiloh Walker Book Trailer

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A soldier named Xan has appeared out of nowhere to join the rebel army. Captain Laisyn is shocked by the powerful desire she feels in his presence, but when she discovers his secrets, shell have to determine whether the man shes starting to love is a friend-or a dreaded enemy. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/ad7bUR Learn more about this author: http://bit.ly/a7GS9G

Loser Queen Book Trailer

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Loser/Queen is more than a bookits an interactive experience unlike anything else youve ever experienced, where YOU, the reader, get to determine what happens next. YOU vote to decide what the characters will do and how the story will unfold. Loser or queen? Its up to you to decide. Learn more about this EXPERIENCE: http://loserqueen.com/ Learn more about this author: http://bit.ly/9a7wOG YA

Darius Jones by Mary B Morrison ~ Bambi~ Book Trailer

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Basketball star Darius Jones has broken a lot of hearts. Most women have moved on, but one obsessed fan is determined to be the only woman in his life, even if it means getting rid of Dariuss mother, wife, and anyone else who threatens her position as Dariuss next wife. Learn about this book: http://bit.ly/aKHcqU Learn about this author: http://bit.ly/b9brcc African-American Fiction

Judging the W3 Awards- My Take

I’ve been a judge for many things over the last few years. I’ve judged the Telly Awards, Davey Awards, Covey Awards and even the Mr. Romance contest. Judging takes time and commitment and a good attitude.

I don’t volunteer to be a judge because I think I’m better or even the best, I do it because it is a way of giving back to an industry that helps me. I go into open minded and with a willingness to let people impress me. I want people to succeed and to be acknowledged for that.

This year I was asked to judge the W3 Awards. I would be judging 100 websites. I went into this with a little trepidation because I’m not a web designer. How can I judge without knowing what goes into something? So, I prepared by chatting with the web designers I know, getting a feel for trends, new technology, marketing ideas for sites and needs of site visitors. I also received some great instruction from the great folks at International Academy of the Visual Arts who put on the W3 Awards. Their instructions gave me a great insight into what makes a really great website. I wanted to share those instructions with you and let you know my thoughts about it.


Website Judging Criteria:

Creativity 


Includes the content/information provided on the site and how well in what way it is related to the viewer. It is not just text, but music, sound, animation, or video-anything that communicates that site to the viewer. Should be engaging, relevant, it may be informative, useful, or funny but it will always tweak your interest.

My notes: I found that creativity really influenced me a lot. If it was something unique or clever I was more likely to spend additional time reviewing the site.


I loved how many of the sites had interactive components to them so people visiting the site could participate with them somehow. 


I loved the sites with clever video that was truly integrated with the site and not just a welcome message.

Usability 


Usability relates to the structure and navigation of the site and the organization of content. Sites with good usability allow you to form a mental model of the information provided and allows you to get where you want to go quickly, with easy access. It provides an interactive experience that allows the user to take full advantage of site functions and features.

My Notes: Just because a site looks good and has fancy interactive bells & whistles doesn’t make it a good website. You can’t be all flash and no substance.


When I went to the site I wanted to be able to tell immediately from the landing page what this company was, did and offered. I didn’t want to search around for that information. 


So those sites that had a few sentences that gave me that information and then linked to the page that gave in-depth details were impressiveto me.

Functionality


The use of technology on the site. Good functionality means the site works well. It
loads quickly, has live links, and any technology used is functional and relevant to the audience. Highly functional sites can accommodate various browsers as well as those with special needs.

My Notes: This is a pet peeve of mine and I’m sure all judges bring with them some kind of “filters” or predisposed notions of good and bad sites. That’s why they ask you to be a judge, because you have your opinion based on your experience and knowledge. Functionality had to be good or the site would not get a good score from me. To me, this is basic stuff and you must have a site that works throughout. If the site took too long to load without letting me know what was going on I got impatient. I have a very fast internet connection and a top of the line computer so I have high expectations.


I absolutely checked links. I don’t know if other judges do this, but it was important to me. Luckily for me, all the sites I judged had working links throughout. I realized that the smart sites had technology that was appropriate to who their expected audience is. Brilliant! You can try a lot of bells & whistles to make yourself look great, but if your intended audience is not likely to have a fast internet connection you just sabotaged yourself.

Visual Design


The appearance of the site. High quality, appropriate, and relevant for the audience and the message it supports. It communicates a visual experience and can help with navigation and structure. Visual Design should elevate the overall experience of the site and leave the user with a pleasant experience.

My Notes: Having an aesthetically pleasing website is important. People have been on the internet for a few decades now and they expect a site to look good. But, if you have a site that uses the visual design as part of the message or function that was extremely impressive to me. I found I really liked to see beautiful colors and color schemes. I liked video and pictures. But, if it the visuals make the site lag I was put off by that.

Ease of Use


Is the site user-friendly? Easy to understand and comprehend the overall intent of the site. Sites should be well laid out and responsive to the needs of various users. From those with a broad knowledge of computing and technology to those who are virtually computer illiterate, the best sites can accommodate everyone. The site should be accessible and easily navigated from start to finish.

My Notes: I already touched on the fact that you need to think about your intended audience. There were a couple of sites that did something I really thought was clever. On their homepage they had you identify either what kind of visitor you are or what you needed.


For example one site said, “I am a….” and you chose if you were a doctor, client, vendor, etc. From there it took you to where you needed to go that was specific to you. I loved that! One site said, “I need…” and you chose what your need was from a list and that took you where you needed to go.


I liked sites that were clean and clear on the landing page with not too much text or even too many pictures. 

There were things I discovered about myself during this experience. I found myself looking for icons of social media, like “Follow us on Twitter” or “Like us on Facebook”. I tended to appreciate those things since, to me, it says they care to stay in touch with those who seek their services. If a site did not have that and could have I found myself docking them half a point. It mattered that much to me. Now, if the site was a type of company that those things weren’t really appropriate to them I didn’t dock them anything.

I wanted, quick, simple, easy, clear and pretty. If it could “wow” me with creativity that put it over the top. Judging something like this is a great way to learn what’s going on in the industry, what other people are doing that they think is worthy of submitting for an award. I learned things about myself and I definitely learned some things I will be applying to my own company website later this year!

Darius Jones by Mary B Morrison ~ Fancy ~ Book Trailer

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Basketball star Darius Jones has broken a lot of hearts. Most women have moved on, but one obsessed fan is determined to be the only woman in his life, even if it means getting rid of Dariuss mother, wife, and anyone else who threatens her position as Dariuss next wife. Learn about this book: http://bit.ly/aKHcqU Learn about this author: http://bit.ly/b9brcc African-American Fiction

Low Red Moon Ivy Devlin Book Trailer

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Shiver and Twilight fans have a new novel to devour with this evocative, murder mystery that blends illicit romance, with a hint of paranormal. Set in a small town on the edge of a looming forest, Low Red Moons ominous setting and gripping, fast-paced plot will enthrall readers of all genres. Learn more about this author here: http://www.ivydevlin.com Learn more about this book here: http://bit.ly/bgoUe1

Introducing: Clem Chambers - Thrilling Finances

This is the first entry of my new RECtv blog. Most people know me for writing on financial markets for Forbes, The Scotsman newspaper and, in the dotcom days, Wired. You may also have seen me pop up on CNBC, the BBC, BNN in Canada or even Phoenix TV in China. I run ADVFN, a huge, global stocks and shares website.

People like to use me for TV because I’m happy to make predictions and I don’t mince my words. Happily I’ve been spot on up to and through the credit crunch, so while I continue to make apparently “wag” predictions I don’t have to wear a dunce-cap yet.

However this is not why I’m blogging here. I’m also a thriller writer. Financial markets are loaded with criminals and crime. As such it is a mother lode of stories and plots. In a way even a bank robber is just a criminal trying to get some financial services action and time and again it is proved it’s not the robbers that go across the sidewalk that are the real danger to banks, but the robbers that are invited in or are already inside.

Of all the perfect crimes in the world most are executed on Wall Street.
My first book, The Armageddon Trade, came out in the middle of the credit crunch and accordingly did very well. The Twain Maxim, that just hit UK book stores last month, also seems to be doing well. What I’m going to be blogging about however is the process of writing and the trials and tribulations
of being an author.

Writing a book a year and running Europe and South America’s largest stocks and shares website at the same time, to many, seems insane so hopefully you’ll see it is possible to do both without getting a ghost writer in.

Right now I’m 70,000 words in on The Excalibur Trade, the third book of the series, which sees our heroes getting into hot water in Japan. The plan is to nail the first draft by the end of July. That’s 30,000 words in five weeks. I have to fly to
Australia, New York and play three cricket matches. Sounds like a tall order.

Clem Chambers is CEO of stocks and investment website ADVFN (www.advfn.com). He wrote a stock column for WIRED, is a Forbes columnist and has written for Working Money, Active Trader, SFO and Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities and national newspapers The Business, The Daily Telegraph, Daily Express and The Scotsman in the UK.

Clem is a frequent co-presenter on CNBC and is a seasoned guest and market commentator on the BBC, CNN, SKY News, TF1, China’s Phoenix TV, Canada’sBusiness News Network and numerous US radio stations.

He is the acclaimed author of hit City thriller The Armageddon Trade. His latest book, The Twain Maxim, is out now.

Dying on the Edge Francine Craft Book Trailer

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Maggi French is a beautiful film star whose lust for power and obsessive drive for another womans husband can only bring disaster. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/a1Q6BQ Learn more about this author: http://bit.ly/dsJOsh

Nat Geo Amazing! Melina Bellows Book Trailer

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Inspiring and amazing! National Geographic as you've never seen it before: a celebration of the world's 100 most fascinating people, places, and things. Get the official companion book to the National Geographic television series. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/b6L5cU Learn more about this author: http://bit.ly/caqU9i Non-fiction

Darius Jones by Mary B. Morrison ~ Ashley ~ Book Trailer

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Basketball star Darius Jones has broken a lot of hearts. Most women have moved on, but one obsessed fan is determined to be the only woman in his life, even if it means getting rid of Dariuss mother, wife, and anyone else who threatens her position as Dariuss next wife. Learn about this book: http://bit.ly/aKHcqU Learn about this author: http://bit.ly/b9brcc African-American Fiction

Your Republic is Calling You Young ha Kim Book Trailer

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A North Korean spy, heavily undercover and long dormant in the South, is suddenly called back to headquarters. Spanning the course of one day, Your Republic is Calling You explores how a secret divides a family and the long and insidious effects of dividing a nation in two. Learn more about the book: http://bit.ly/clA8qv Fiction / Psychological Thriller

A Gift From Home C H Admirand Book Trailer

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Jessi Fahys heart broke when her childhood hero, John Reilly, left Ireland for America. Five years later, when he doesnt come home, Jessi and Mrs. Reilly put their heads together and hatch a plan that includes Johns favorite recipes, the family Bible and Mrs. Reillys closely guarded secret about John. Learn more about this author here: http://www.chadmirand.com Learn more about this book here: http://bit.ly/anxaa9 Historical Western Romance

Darius Jones by Mary B Morrison ~ Ciara ~ Book Trailer

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Basketball star Darius Jones has broken a lot of hearts. Most women have moved on, but one obsessed fan is determined to be the only woman in his life, even if it means getting rid of Dariuss mother, wife, and anyone else who threatens her position asDariuss next wife. Learn about this book:http://bit.ly/aKHcqU Learn about this author:http://bit.ly/b9brcc African-American Fiction

Beautiful Malice Rebecca James Book Trailer

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To erase her past, Katherine has moved to a new city, enrolled in a new school, and even changed her name. But there will be no escaping the past for Katherine Patterson, only a descent into a trap far more sinister . . . and infinitely more seductive. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/atYvD7 Learn more about this Author: http://bit.ly/bHkmcf YA

Sikander ~ Salahuddin Khan ~ Book Trailer ~ Afghanistan

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http://bit.ly/9BoGQN From pricey suburbs of Peshawar to war-torn Afghanistan, SIKANDER is about a Pakistani youths rapid transition to adulthood as a mujahideen warrior. With the aid of American Stinger missiles, Sikander joins in inflicting a Soviet defeat. He finds love and marries, while becoming a successful entrepreneur. But his issues with the Taliban and al-Qaeda throw his world into turmoil following 9/11. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/9BoGQN Learn more about this author: http://bit.ly/bCLwqX Media Contact: Book Publicist Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications book marketing. 734-667-2090 http://www.book-marketing-expert.com Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction

Love in the Afternoon Lisa Kleypas Book Trailer

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t was a case of mistaken identity. Those letters were to encourage Captain Christopher during the war, not encourage him to fall in love. Beatrix Hathaway usually collects stray animals. She should have never written those blasted letters, or have fallen in love. Now he is back and Beatrix must face him or lose him. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/9Uy7fg Learn more about this author: http://bit.ly/b8vhcJ

Darius Jones by Mary B Morrison Book Trailer

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Basketball star Darius Jones has broken a lot of hearts. Most women have moved on, but one obsessed fan is determined to be the only woman in his life, even if it means getting rid of Dariuss mother, wife, and anyone else who threatens her position as Dariuss next wife. Learn about this book:http://bit.ly/aKHcqU Learn about this author: http://bit.ly/b9brcc

Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony Book Trailer

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Parents learn to create a home environment that God can use to work in their childrens lives. Its a biblical, innovative fresh approach to parenting, and one thats long overdue. Learn about this book: http://bit.ly/cz6g3A Learn about this author: http://bit.ly/cqKfRh Religion/Christian Life/Family

Passionate Pleasures Bertrice Small Book Trailer

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Career minded Librarian, Kathryn St. Johns scandal free life lives up to her family heritage. She is safe within her own secret fantasies. But when the new and younger middle school principal, Tim Blair turns his head toward the towns proper librarian, will Kathy give up her fantasies forPassionate Pleasures by NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR BERTRICE SMALL Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/bKeMkU Learm more about this author: http://bit.ly/do1HWi

Close Quarters by Lucy Monroe Book Trailer

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To some, he is an assassin. To others, hes merely the man who gets the job done when no one else can. Now politico-military black-ops leader Roman has to take out the leak in a plot that could destabilize all of Africa. Nothing will distract him from his mission, not even the woman he loves. Learn more about this author here: http://bit.ly/bUgUO9 Learn more about this book here: http://bit.ly/b74Kio

Discord’s Apple Carrie Vaughn Book Trailer

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Combining Greek mythology, fairy tales, and an alternate present, Carrie Vaughn remakes the world into something magical and frightening. Evie comes home to her dying father, and discovers that she will inherit far more than just the house. She also gets the basement storeroom, and all the magic it contains. Learn more about this author here: http://bit.ly/9qKbeW Learn more about this book here: http://bit.ly/aGePIk Urban Fantasy

Torn Apart Shane Gericke Book Trailer

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Five cops, friends for years, close as blood, charge in to stop a madman whos slaughtering without pity, enslaving children, and terrorizing a city. But the killer turns the tables, and one of them ends up dead. Can they shake off their pain and counterattack before he kills them all? Learn more about this author here: http://bit.ly/9xQell Learn more about this book here: http://bit.ly/dpbkAF Thriller

Anthony’s Journey Series Graciela Rangel Book Trailer

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Anthony is a Jesus Lizard, so named because he can walk on water. Anthony has a penchant for travel and for making new friends. In his travels, and together with the creatures he meets along the way, Anthony learns exciting lessons about the most important stories and concepts in the Bible. Learn more about this book: http://tinyurl.com/yz4cugw Childrens Christian

Summer Heat AC Arthur Book Trailer

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Karena Lakefield has an art thief to find. Sam Desdune is the private investigator hired to help her. But will the simmering heat from their past hinder the investigationfind out in Summer Heat. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/92Zeg9 Learn more about this author: http://bit.ly/bTnBcH Romance