Two major Dungeons and Dragons franchises meet for the first time in R.A. Salvatores Gauntlgrym. The first book in a new trilogy, Gauntlgrym introduces Salvatores signature character, Drizzt DoUrden, to the renowned city of Neverwinter, from the hugely popular D&D video game Neverwinter Nights. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/bVHcdE and http://www.DungeonsandDragons.com Learn more about this author: http://www.rasalvatore.com Sci-fi/Fantasy
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Guest Blogger: Tara Taylor Quinn, from her international blog tour!
A couple of years ago I was asked by my publisher, Harlequin Books, to write a story based on the life and work of Sandra Ramos. Sandra had been chosen as one of Harlequin’s recipient to receive monies from their More Than Words anthology program. As part of the More Than Words Program, Harlequin pairs bestselling authors up with worthy charities. The authors write fictional stories based on the charity. And the charity receives the proceeds from the sale of the books.
I was thrilled to be asked to participate in the program. And most particularly thrilled to be paired up with Sandra. Sandra’s ‘cause’ is one of my own. Personally my own. Sandra founded the first battered women’s shelter in the United States. She started out housing women in her living room. Thirty years later she has ten houses filled to capacity with battered women and their children. Sandra is filled with the energy and drive and determination of ten ordinary people. And through her work, hundreds of lives have been saved. Hundreds of women have been inspired to reach higher. To hope. To Believe.
I wrote the story. (The Mechanics of Love, More Than Words Volume 5, Harlequin Books, 2009, ISBN 978-0373-83669-7) And I took Sandra’s hope with me as I walked through my own fires.
This fall, as I celebrate the release of a new four book suspense series from Harlequin and MIRA Books, The Chapman Files, I am again partnering with Sandra. In the past year, in a downed economy, Sandra’s women’s shelter, Strengthen Our Sister’s, lost $400,000.00 in donations. She has staff members working without pay as they struggle to pay the mortgages on their homes to keep roofs over the heads of the battered women and children – many of whom will feel forced to return to their batterers if they don’t have housing.
So I’m doing what I can to help. I’ve embarked on a three month blog tour to celebrate the release of The Chapman Files and to raise money for Sandra. (See below for a secure paypal donation link.) We’re hosting a mystery game each month for a prize from each book. We’re giving book giveaways at stops along the tour and we’re collecting names of all commenters for drawings for prizes at the tours end. I’m donating a percentage of my personal proceeds from the sale of The Fourth Victim, Mira Books, December 2010, during the month of December to SOS. We’re hosting book signings in October and November with donation baskets, we’re giving books away for donations. And we’re hosting a skate-a-thon, ,to be held in Phoenix, Arizona on December, 4th, 2010, and also on December 4th, in partnership with the city of Phoenix, we’re hosting a The Fourth Victim launch party bash that’s going to be broadcast live on-line at e-harlequin.
Sandra Ramos will be there with us. Blog tour winners will be announced. Skate winners will be announced. And we’re giving away two hundred free copies of books from The Chapman Files.
Today I need to share with you the story of one of Sandra’s women, as written to me in her own words…
I came to Strengthen Our Sisters with my four small children in 1991 as a victim of domestic abuse. We lived in the shelter for six months. My husband was an alcoholic and a terrible abuser and began stalking me after I left him. Not only did he stalk me in my travels; he was also spotted hiding in the woods behind the shelter grounds on many occasions. Not only was living with him terrifying, being away from him was even more terrifying since I was never sure if he would one day surface and fulfill his promise of killing me because I left. The stalking law was not in effect back in the early nineties, so unless he did something the police could not act.
FYI- Stalking Law
-In 1992, the U.S. Congress enacted legislation which required the U.S. Attorney General, through the National Institute of Justice, to conduct research on the issue of stalking and to develop and distribute among the states a "constitutional and enforceable" model anti-stalking code.
-As of September 1993, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have some form of stalking (anti-stalking) law.
-In October 1993, the final summary report of the Project to Develop a Model Anti-Stalking Code for States was presented to the National Institute of Justice. This was the end product of the 1992 legislation.
-In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed the federal stalking law. (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997, Public Law 104-201, § 1069.)
With the support of the shelter, I was able to get a restraining order, and gain the strength to enforce the restraining order. In the two years after I left him there were a minimum of 10 separate violations filed because he violated the restraining order many times. With each violation he served months in the county jail. During the months he was jailed my household was calm, my children were happy and I was able to feel like I didn’t have to look over my shoulder each day. But upon each release my heart would again be on edge, my nerves would rattle and my energy would shift. “What is he going to do next?”
I have to say, I would not have been able to survive without the help and support of the shelter. Sandra has been a true inspiration to me. She is unlike many other shelter directors. She accompanied me many times to court and her messages of strength truly inspired me. I began working for the shelter immediately after I moved out. I believe this was my intended path and a way for me to keep connected to the support and empowering messages of the women at the shelter. Through the many years of working with SOS I raised my four children as a single mom, obtained by Bachelors Degree in Social Work and a Masters Degree in Administrative Science. I am currently the Chief of Staff at Strengthen Our Sisters and work in handling many areas of the shelters day to day operations.
Ironically two years after I left my husband he was struck and killed by a drunk driver while crossing the highway intoxicated himself. I have to say I had never felt such a load lifted from my shoulders upon finding out he was dead. He was found dead on the highway with several pictures of me in his wallet, various biblical messages of marriage being forever and how a wife should obey her husband, etc...
Anyway my story goes on …like so many of the other women who have come through our doors.
I can’t say it any better than that.
This post is brought to you as part of The Chapman Files International Blog Tour. Over the next three months, as we celebrate The Chapman Files, expert witness psychologist, Kelly Chapman and I are going to be asking for help. If you can, join us in our fight against Domestic Abuse. If you’d like to help, click here to go directly to a secure paypal sight. www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?
There’s an item from our new book, The First Wife, hidden on the tour with us. Guess the item to enter the drawing to win it! Today’s clue: You can see it at a grocery store check out. Send all guesses to staff@tarataylorquinn.com. To see previous clues visit blog sites listed at www.tarataylorquinn.com. We have correct guesses!!! Keep them coming!
Don’t miss The Chapman File tour party on December 4th at www.eharlequin.com! Tour prize winners will be announced! E-books of all of The Chapman File Stories are available for pre-order at amzn.to/bmJzp4. Next tour stop: Wednesday, September 29, 2010. Storybroads http://www.storybroads.com. We hope to see you there! The more blogs you visit with us, the more chances you have to win! Every time you comment your name is dropped in the bag for the prize drawings. For weekly blog tour dates, visit www.tarataylorquinn.com. Or to have the weekly schedule sent directly to your email, send request to staff@tarataylorquinn.com.
I was thrilled to be asked to participate in the program. And most particularly thrilled to be paired up with Sandra. Sandra’s ‘cause’ is one of my own. Personally my own. Sandra founded the first battered women’s shelter in the United States. She started out housing women in her living room. Thirty years later she has ten houses filled to capacity with battered women and their children. Sandra is filled with the energy and drive and determination of ten ordinary people. And through her work, hundreds of lives have been saved. Hundreds of women have been inspired to reach higher. To hope. To Believe.
I wrote the story. (The Mechanics of Love, More Than Words Volume 5, Harlequin Books, 2009, ISBN 978-0373-83669-7) And I took Sandra’s hope with me as I walked through my own fires.
This fall, as I celebrate the release of a new four book suspense series from Harlequin and MIRA Books, The Chapman Files, I am again partnering with Sandra. In the past year, in a downed economy, Sandra’s women’s shelter, Strengthen Our Sister’s, lost $400,000.00 in donations. She has staff members working without pay as they struggle to pay the mortgages on their homes to keep roofs over the heads of the battered women and children – many of whom will feel forced to return to their batterers if they don’t have housing.
So I’m doing what I can to help. I’ve embarked on a three month blog tour to celebrate the release of The Chapman Files and to raise money for Sandra. (See below for a secure paypal donation link.) We’re hosting a mystery game each month for a prize from each book. We’re giving book giveaways at stops along the tour and we’re collecting names of all commenters for drawings for prizes at the tours end. I’m donating a percentage of my personal proceeds from the sale of The Fourth Victim, Mira Books, December 2010, during the month of December to SOS. We’re hosting book signings in October and November with donation baskets, we’re giving books away for donations. And we’re hosting a skate-a-thon, ,to be held in Phoenix, Arizona on December, 4th, 2010, and also on December 4th, in partnership with the city of Phoenix, we’re hosting a The Fourth Victim launch party bash that’s going to be broadcast live on-line at e-harlequin.
Sandra Ramos will be there with us. Blog tour winners will be announced. Skate winners will be announced. And we’re giving away two hundred free copies of books from The Chapman Files.
Today I need to share with you the story of one of Sandra’s women, as written to me in her own words…
I came to Strengthen Our Sisters with my four small children in 1991 as a victim of domestic abuse. We lived in the shelter for six months. My husband was an alcoholic and a terrible abuser and began stalking me after I left him. Not only did he stalk me in my travels; he was also spotted hiding in the woods behind the shelter grounds on many occasions. Not only was living with him terrifying, being away from him was even more terrifying since I was never sure if he would one day surface and fulfill his promise of killing me because I left. The stalking law was not in effect back in the early nineties, so unless he did something the police could not act.
FYI- Stalking Law
-In 1992, the U.S. Congress enacted legislation which required the U.S. Attorney General, through the National Institute of Justice, to conduct research on the issue of stalking and to develop and distribute among the states a "constitutional and enforceable" model anti-stalking code.
-As of September 1993, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have some form of stalking (anti-stalking) law.
-In October 1993, the final summary report of the Project to Develop a Model Anti-Stalking Code for States was presented to the National Institute of Justice. This was the end product of the 1992 legislation.
-In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed the federal stalking law. (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997, Public Law 104-201, § 1069.)
With the support of the shelter, I was able to get a restraining order, and gain the strength to enforce the restraining order. In the two years after I left him there were a minimum of 10 separate violations filed because he violated the restraining order many times. With each violation he served months in the county jail. During the months he was jailed my household was calm, my children were happy and I was able to feel like I didn’t have to look over my shoulder each day. But upon each release my heart would again be on edge, my nerves would rattle and my energy would shift. “What is he going to do next?”
I have to say, I would not have been able to survive without the help and support of the shelter. Sandra has been a true inspiration to me. She is unlike many other shelter directors. She accompanied me many times to court and her messages of strength truly inspired me. I began working for the shelter immediately after I moved out. I believe this was my intended path and a way for me to keep connected to the support and empowering messages of the women at the shelter. Through the many years of working with SOS I raised my four children as a single mom, obtained by Bachelors Degree in Social Work and a Masters Degree in Administrative Science. I am currently the Chief of Staff at Strengthen Our Sisters and work in handling many areas of the shelters day to day operations.
Ironically two years after I left my husband he was struck and killed by a drunk driver while crossing the highway intoxicated himself. I have to say I had never felt such a load lifted from my shoulders upon finding out he was dead. He was found dead on the highway with several pictures of me in his wallet, various biblical messages of marriage being forever and how a wife should obey her husband, etc...
Anyway my story goes on …like so many of the other women who have come through our doors.
I can’t say it any better than that.
There’s an item from our new book, The First Wife, hidden on the tour with us. Guess the item to enter the drawing to win it! Today’s clue: You can see it at a grocery store check out. Send all guesses to staff@tarataylorquinn.com. To see previous clues visit blog sites listed at www.tarataylorquinn.com. We have correct guesses!!! Keep them coming!
Don’t miss The Chapman File tour party on December 4th at www.eharlequin.com! Tour prize winners will be announced! E-books of all of The Chapman File Stories are available for pre-order at amzn.to/bmJzp4. Next tour stop: Wednesday, September 29, 2010. Storybroads http://www.storybroads.com. We hope to see you there! The more blogs you visit with us, the more chances you have to win! Every time you comment your name is dropped in the bag for the prize drawings. For weekly blog tour dates, visit www.tarataylorquinn.com. Or to have the weekly schedule sent directly to your email, send request to staff@tarataylorquinn.com.
The Making of Empire Strikes Back J W Rinzler Book Trailer
Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Star Wars Episode V, The Empire Strikes Back, this lavish fully illustrated book is the exclusive behind the scenes look at the making of arguably the greatest of the Star Wars films, the movie that changed the Star Wars galaxy and our pop culture. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/bApGh6 Learn more about this author: http://www.jwrinzler.com Non-Fiction, SciFi Disclaimer: All licenses for material contained in this video have been validated by Random House and Lucusfilm. For questions or concerns about license contact info(at)cosproductions.com.
Wicked Highlander Donna Grant Book Trailer
For 300 years Quinn Macleod has evaded Deirdres grasp, until she imprisons him deep within her mountain. Quinn believes hes doomed until he sees Marcail, the most desirable woman he has ever known. Once the two lovers are in Deirdres grasp, their love will be put to the ultimate test. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/clbsx6 Learn more about this author: http://www.donnagrant.com Romance, Paranormal
Monday, September 27, 2010
Crown of Crystal Flame C L Wilson Book Trailer
Journey back to the Fading Lands for the long-awaited conclusion of an epic tale of love, magic and destiny.Ellysetta could secure the world for Light or plunge it into Darkness. As the final battle draws near, and the overwhelming Army of Darkness approaches, Rain and Ellysetta must face their fate. To complete the truemate bond or make the ultimate sacrifice to save their world. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/dq1yKE Learn more about this author: http://www.clwilson.com Romance and Fantasy
Friday, September 24, 2010
The Limit Kristen Landon Book Trailer
In a world similar to our own, kids are taken to special workhouses if their families exceed the monthly debt limit imposed by the government. Thirteen year old Matt rarely wonders if hell be next. His parents are financially responsible. But one fatal visit to the store changes Matts reality forever. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/cXoouT and its author: http://www.kristenlandon.com
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Amazonian Premonition Trilogy C D Shelton Book Trailer
Premonition is the central theme of this action adventure trilogy of the Deer people tribe of 13,000 years ago. Involving narrow escapes from cataclysms such as descending comets, tsunami and tribal invasion by malicious, evil raiders. 2nd theme is bravery, love, friendship, honor, innovation, survival, leadership, courage. Learn more about this trilogy and author: http://www.cdshelton.com YA, Action Adventure
Friday, September 17, 2010
The Haunted by Jessica Verday Book Trailer
An impossible truth. An impossible love. After a summer spent reclaiming her sanity and trying to forget the boy she fell in love with, the boy who must not exist, cannot exist, because she knows that he is dead, Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow. Caspian has no choice but to return to her side, for Caspian is a Shade, and Abbey is his destiny. Learn more about this book and author: http://www.jessicaverday.com
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Reinventing Rachel Alison Strobel Book Trailer
God rewards the faithful, Rachel is living proof of that-until the people she loves most let her down. Now shes done with God. Rachel learns her fiancé is cheating on her and her parents are getting a divorce. Rachel goes on a cross country adventure to live with her friend Daphne. Reinventing Rachel gives readers a true to life story that draws them in and keeps them biting their nails until the end. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/c0GyH2 Learn more about this author: http://bit.ly/cmBu2P
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
For the Win Cory Doctorow Book Trailer
For the Win follows four disparate teenagers, each a talented player of massively-multiplayer online games, as they become involved in the difficulties that threaten to tear the world of virtual gaming reality apart. Together with others they will form a conspiracy to crash the entire economy of every virtual world. Learn more about this book: http://us.macmillan.com/forthewin Learn more about this author: http://craphound.com/
The Unidentified Book Rae Mariz Trailer
Kid goes to school at the Game, a mall converted into a school run by corporate sponsors who exploit the students for market research. Intrigued by a rebellious prank, Kid follows clues to uncover the identity of the group behind it: the Unidentified. Now Kid is changing the Game. Forever. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/aH9RAV
The Wolven by Deborah LeBlanc Book Trailer
Something is systematically murdering the members of the pack. As Alpha, Danyon Stone must find and stop the murderous entity to protect his pack. But to stop the slayings, he must accept the help of an unlikely partner. A wickedly sensual mortal woman. Learn more about this book and author: http://www.deborahleblanc.com/ Paranormal Romance
Monday, September 13, 2010
Fallout Ellen Hopkins Book Trailer
Hunter, Autumn, and Summer live in separate homes, with different guardians and last names. What they share is a host of troubled feelings toward the mother they barely know. Told in three voices chronicling the familys story, FALLOUT is the stunning conclusion to the trilogy begun by CRANK and GLASS. Learn more about this author here: http://www.ellenhopkins.com/ Learn more about this book here: http://tinyurl.com/y2wuxuw YA
Friday, September 10, 2010
I Am Moxxy Dog! Nancy Solomon Goldberg Book Trailer
Sweet Moxxy may seem like a typical lovable pet but when her bandana turns into a cape she morphs into MOXXY DOG superhero. Your children will be in on the joke as Moxxys vivid imagination battles monsters and exploding stars which are in reality just everyday toys and small animals. Learn about this Book: http://bit.ly/9JetUC
Beneficial Law of Attraction Hope Bradford Book Trailer
Consciously or unconsciously you are always doing the law of attraction. What you want to manifest is the dream of Beneficial Law of Attraction. Now you can utilize these state of the art manifestation techniques to attract and retain a reality having durability; lasting benefits spanning this life and beyond. Learn more about the book: http://amzn.to/9hHiYe Learn more bout the author: http://amzn.to/c97zKx
The Healers Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson Book Trailer
In this book by author Melanie Dickerson, the story of Sleeping Beauty is retold through the life of Rose, the young daughter of a woodcutter, who has fallen in love with the perfect man for her, only to be kept away from him due to a curse. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/d0vQbb Learn more about this author: http://bit.ly/cP5Dcr YA
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Dark Challenge Christine Feehan Book Trailer
Julian is an ancient Carpathian. A vampire hunter. When a group of humans put a woman on a hit list he goes to warn her. But, she is in more danger than she could imagine. Because she is his lifemate and he will claim her. Julian is amazed to find a group of Carpathian and that his lifemate is gifted and immortal. With humans tracking them and vampires on the prowl they must join forces to stay alive. Learn more about this book and author: http://www.christinefeehan.com Paranormal Romance
Zombies vs Unicorns Anthology Book Trailer
An anthology of short stories edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier, begs the question: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn. Contributors include bestselling teen authors, Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. Team Zombie or Team Unicorn. You decide! Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/b3q3uY YA
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The Devalera Deception
There are only a few authors who can create readable, believable historical fiction, and there are even fewer who can create a page-turning thriller within that genre.
The father and son writing team of Michael and Patrick McMenamin are definitely the exception. With The De Valera Deception, the first book in what looks to be an amazing series, the McMenamin’s have recreated the robust world of the late 1920’s just before the Depression. This is a world of gin, jazz, the Industrial Revolution, women’s suffrage and the beginning of some modern day world-wide conspiracies.
Bourke Cockran is summoned by Winston Churchill to investigate how the Irish Republican Army is getting arms from the German government through channels in the United States. With the help of Mattie McGary, a photojournalist for Hearst and the god-daughter of Churchill, they embark on a non-stop thrill filled adventure from London to New York and places in between.
A Germany left bitter after WWI seeks to rebuild its former glory by any means, including a clandestine partnership with the Soviet Union. The beginning of modern spy warfare, international terrorism, and the formation of new European alliances keep Cockran and Mattie barely ahead of the bullets and the law.
Even though they are attracted to each other, Cockran is still grieving over the loss of his wife who was murdered in the Civil War that erupted in Ireland in 1922. The primary reason he took the job form Churchill is that he wants revenge for his wife at any cost.
This thriller is peppered with Soviet assassins, IRA terrorists, government bureaucracy, legendary historical figures, and notorious gangsters that give the reader an intense and intriguing read.
The DeValera Deception is an excellent novel, woven with rich historical detail that breaths vitality and life into the people of an often overlooked era.
The father and son writing team of Michael and Patrick McMenamin are definitely the exception. With The De Valera Deception, the first book in what looks to be an amazing series, the McMenamin’s have recreated the robust world of the late 1920’s just before the Depression. This is a world of gin, jazz, the Industrial Revolution, women’s suffrage and the beginning of some modern day world-wide conspiracies.
Bourke Cockran is summoned by Winston Churchill to investigate how the Irish Republican Army is getting arms from the German government through channels in the United States. With the help of Mattie McGary, a photojournalist for Hearst and the god-daughter of Churchill, they embark on a non-stop thrill filled adventure from London to New York and places in between.
A Germany left bitter after WWI seeks to rebuild its former glory by any means, including a clandestine partnership with the Soviet Union. The beginning of modern spy warfare, international terrorism, and the formation of new European alliances keep Cockran and Mattie barely ahead of the bullets and the law.
Even though they are attracted to each other, Cockran is still grieving over the loss of his wife who was murdered in the Civil War that erupted in Ireland in 1922. The primary reason he took the job form Churchill is that he wants revenge for his wife at any cost.
This thriller is peppered with Soviet assassins, IRA terrorists, government bureaucracy, legendary historical figures, and notorious gangsters that give the reader an intense and intriguing read.
The DeValera Deception is an excellent novel, woven with rich historical detail that breaths vitality and life into the people of an often overlooked era.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
A Storm of Pleasure Terri Brisbin Book Trailer
In Viking ruled Scotland, a man who can hear the truth is forced to help a woman determined to prove her brothers innocence. But exposing the hidden truth could bring about their destruction or give them a chance at love. When lives hang in the balance, will love or fate prevail? Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/9g3Xcm Learn more about this author: http://www.terribrisbin.com/about.php
The Border Vixen by Bertrice Small Book Trailer
Aware of the covetous interest in his land, the laird of Brae Aisir announces that any man who can outrun, outride, and outfight his headstrong granddaughter, Mad Maggie, will have her as a wife along with her inheritance. When King James V sends his cousin, Fingal Stewart, to compete for Maggies hand, the competition brings out the fire in both of them. THE BORDER VIXEN BY NEWYORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR BERTRICE SMALL. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/aQvFcB Learn more about this author: http://www.bertricesmall.net
Friday, September 3, 2010
Rendezvous On the Runway Melody Carlson Book Trailer
Paige and Erin Forrester take their fashion focused TV show to Paris, visiting renowned salons, designers, and international models. They meet up with designer Dylan Marceau, as well as with their new friends Taylor Mitchell and Eliza Wilton. When they take time to visit Elizas family estate in Provence, romance, jealousy, and some surprises threaten the stability of On the Runway. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/9tFFtC Learn more about this author: http://www.melodycarlson.com YA
Crusade Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie Book Trailer
From bestselling Wicked authors Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie comes a new series: Crusade. In the first book in the series, the Cursed Ones, vampires, have declared war on humanity. Most people are too afraid or otherwise unwilling to take a stand. Others, like eighteen year old Jenn Leitner, train to become vampire fighters and risk everything in the process. Learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/aTDMCA Learn more about these authors: http:///www.nancyholder.com and http://www.debbieviguie.com YA
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Miles Away Worlds Apart Alan Sakowitz Book Trailer
Sakowitz tells the remarkable story of the biggest financial fraud in South Florida history, from the perspective of a whistleblower grounded in an ethical tradition. After bringing us to the scene of the crime and explaining what transpired, he offers direction and tools to help make better choices in life. Learn more about this book and its author: http://EmpoweringLessons.com Nonfiction, Financial Thriller, Motivational, Crime, Self Help, Parenting
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