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“One Time in Paris: A Memoir of the 1960s is a riveting romantic story of love and passion set in Paris in the tumultuous 1960s.

It follows the path of a young man who at the age of 19 goes to Paris in search of a dream and an “elsewhere” and finds his life transformed by a fateful encounter with a most fascinating woman. The reader will be taken on a special intimate journey that includes many vivid scenes and characters, such as Ode, the Moroccan woman, with her “Law of 3 Nights”.

This is an intense touching memoir about love and loss, and how a young man and woman seek to expand their boundaries and redeem themselves through explorations of sex, love, drugs, in their quest for a spiritual absolute.

About the Author
Wade Stevenson, born in New York City in 1945, lived in Paris and traveled extensively worldwide. His published books include “Ice Cream Parlors in Asia” (Tibor de Nagy), “Beds” (McCall Publishing Co.), “The Colors of Love” (Squatriti Edizione, Milan), and, most recently, “The Little Book of He and She” (Booksurge Publishing Co.). He lives with his wife and daughter in Buffalo, New York.

“So it was that in early 327 B.C. one-half of Alexander’s army marched through the Khyber Pass . . . at the narrow confine by Ali Masjid, where the Khyber closes to just feet in width, the army would have squeezed through, two or three abreast, looking up warily at the steep heights immediately above them; unknown creatures might inhabit these mountains, for assuredly Indian was full of wonders.”

The Khyber Pass - the name alone is filled with a palpable sense of danger. This steep gorge separating Afghanistan from Pakistan and the northern states of Indian, the pass extends 30 miles through the White Mountains from Afghanistan to the plains of Peshawar in the east. This new book, The Khyber Pass: A History of Empire & Invasion, by Paddy Docherty (who traveled extensively through the pass in 2003) combines the close observations of the sympathetic traveler with the analysis of the engaged historian.

Using historic documents, Docherty traces the history of the pass from the campaigns of the Persian emperors Cyrus and Darius to Alexander the Great, to the days of the British Raj, and modern Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Highly recommended.

Don Rumsfeld & Dick Cheney In Hell is a satirical novel that showcases the Devil’s mysterious ways to decide who winds up in Hades.

In a series of parodies and spoofs, the reality of an administration mired in the muck of lies and deceit impacts the Devil’s decision. Marked by laughter and tears, you’ll read first-hand testimony from many witnesses past and present, including the likes of Oprah, Henry Kissinger, Michael Moore, Nancy Pelosi, Bruce Willis, Pat Tillman, Harry Truman, Theodore Roosevelt, Jon Stewart, Howard Stern, and many, many more.

Even the characters from Law & Order make it in (the original series, not the spin-offs). It’s heartwarming and saddening to find out what all of these famous and infamous characters throughout history think of Rumsfeld and Cheney, but one thing’s for sure, you’ll laugh aloud and truly question these two men’s actions. Continue reading »

Hell on Earth starts here!

Jezebel’s not your average exotic dancer. For one thing, she’s a 4,000-year-old succubus. For another, she’s on the run from Hell (which isn’t easy to do in high heels).

Hiding on the mortal coil as a human doesn’t protect her from muggers, lactose intolerance…or having feelings for Paul Hamilton, a man haunted by his past.

Demons are closing in, which is enough to make Jezebel shiver in her G-string. But it’s her love for Paul that’s going to have deadly consequences. (Humans, she laments, really should come with instruction manuals.)

In its 4.5-star review of Hell’s Belles , Romantic Times said that “Kessler’s debut novel will captivate fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon and Laurell K. Hamilton from the very first page.”

And Romance Reader At Heart said that “Jackie Kessler is an author whose originality, style, and flair for creating such wonderfully devious and intriguingly devilish characters is sure to propel her to the top.”

See why bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson says the book had her “hooked from the first sentence”. (Excerpt below)

Jackie Kessler’s novel is Winner of the Coffee Time Reviewer Recommend Award.

About the Author
Jackie Kessler is the author of Hell’s Belles (Kensington/Zebra Books, January 2007) and The Road to Hell (Kensington/Zebra Books, November 2007). A third HELL novel and a novella will be published in 2008.

Jackie has also written a number of short stories, which have appeared in publications including REALMS OF FANTASY, FARTHING, and the charity anthology DREAMS AND DESIRES (Freya’s Bower, February 2007). She lives in Upstate NY with her Loving Husband, two precious little Tax Deductions, two cats, and 8,000 comic books. Visit her site to learn more, or e-mail her today: jax (at) jackiekessler (dot) com

Read an excerpt from Jackie’s newest book, Hell’s Belles Continue reading »

Anne Walther has another hit in Loss of Innocence: A Novel of the French Revolution.

In spite of her noble heritage, French countess Eugénie Devereux avidly embraces the stirrings of social change and revolution in France. A beautiful woman in her prime, with a sharp mind and an adventurous spirit, Eugénie adroitly manages her tranquil Bordeaux valley estate and vineyards while maintaining a network of agents to keep her informed of events beyond château’s walls.

Already disturbed by news of the monarchy under seige at Versailles, and the growing anarchy in the streets of Paris and throughout France, she receives a surprising and cryptic invitation from Queen Marie Antoinette. Eugénie suspects that the royal family is in danger and hurries to Versailles just as a lavish banquet for the Royal Guard incites the women of Paris to march on the palace in a rage.

As one disatrous event follows another, Eugénie risks her reputation and her life to undertake a bold secret mission. Joining her is American shipper Bridger Goodrich, who won her heart when she visited Virginia at the onset of the American Revolution.

Their passion for one another deepens as they plunge into a little-known historical plot by French nobles and courageous Americans to rescue the queen from her prison in France and spirit her across the Atlantic to the banks of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. Will Eugénie carry out the plan in time? Continue reading »

Taj reveals the human, cultural and political influences that surrounded the creation of India’s most famous icon. It’s all there–the love story, wicked stepmother, court intrigue, harems, battles and tragedy.

This work of historical fiction describes the turbulent reality, true love story, and the high drama behind the serene Taj Mahal. 

Readers can 

*explore the forbidden Royal Zenana (city of women)

*share the frustration, betrayal and rebellion that preceded the building of the Taj Mahal.

*”listen in” as design decisions are made for the Taj Mahal.

Taj provides the magic carpet that takes you to a faraway time and place and reveals the back story of the Taj Mahal.

About the Author
Sandra Wilson lived and taught in India for four years. While there she became fascinated with the Taj Mahal and curious about its background. Her curiosity led to library research, a university course, a return trip to India and finally putting it all together in this historical fiction.

What happens when a former financial writer turns mystery novelist? A page-turning whodunnit - that’s what! Read more about Big Numbers the new novel by Jack Getze.

Read an excerpt

Who is killing Austin Carr?

About to be murdered–snatched off a private fishing yacht by a six-hundred-pound giant bluefin tuna–a down-on-his-luck stockbroker recalls the collection of events, miscalculations, and character flaws that led to his current dire predicament: Living in a truck-mounted camper on the Jersey Shore, struggling to keep up with alimony and child-support payments that no longer reflect his shrinking income, the big-smiling, wise-cracking Austin Carr has been searching for a way out of the stock and bond business.

So when his richest client tells Austin he’s dying, and the future widow–a redheaded knock-out–offers tender consolation, Austin’s increasingly desperate financial situation draws him deeper and deeper into a barbed web of bad behavior and deceit. Austin’s would-be killer, whom he dubs “Mr. Blabbermouth,” could be any one of several suspects, as Austin’s words and deeds have attracted the wrath of many in recent weeks.

The potential murderers include a wacked-out professional wrestler angry over Austin’s poor investment recommendations, a jealous sales manager who Austin regularly belittles, and even Austin’s greedy employer whose personality traits include a nasty, violent temper. Or could there be another suspect Austin overlooked entirely until he stepped on board that private yacht.

About the Author
Jack Getze is a former reporter for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner and the Los Angeles Times.  Getze covered financial and economic issues for more than 15 years. Switching professions, Getze later sold stocks and bonds for a regional securities firm on the New Jersey Shore. He retired in 1999 to write novels. Continue reading »

In his new book, Africa Will Always Break Your Heart, author Gerrie Hugo shares his first-hand story of racism, corruption and hate during the period before the first ever South African democratic elections.

This book is about paying the ultimate price when speaking out against crimes against humanity committed in the name of Apartheid. And who better to tell the story than someone who was part of the system?

Hugo’s military career began during the Apartheid era. The Government’s propaganda led the white South African to believe that the “Red Peril” wanted to take control over the country. Hugo and many, many others believed that the Communists using the country’s black population as pawns, was the real enemy.

The author joined the army at the age of 17, one of the first to invade Angola.

Hugo tells of the violent hell he survived as a young soldier. For more than 16 years, he fought for Apartheid to save his beloved country from the Communistic onslaught.

In 1991 the negotiations leading up to a democratic South Africa was well under way. Hugo had by then advanced to Colonel. When realizing that the Generals were planning to sabotage the reform-process Hugo lost his blinkers. The real enemy was not some abstract “Red Peril”, but found within the very system he served; the military.

Knowing the consequences would be grave, he took his story to international media. His former brothers-in-arms retaliated swiftly and relentlessly. A price was put out on his head and Hugo was forced to live on the run for many years.

“In Africa, controversy can get you killed,” he says. Continue reading »

RIGHT TO RECOVER: Winning the Political and Religious Wars Over Stem Cell Research in America, by Yvonne Perry gives readers an accurate picture of the controversial field of embryonic (blastocystic) stem cell research. In addition, it highlights the progress of therapies resulting from adult stem cell research as well as those from stem cells found in cord blood and amniotic fluid.

The book covers all types of stem cell research and explains why a fish-looking embryo cannot possibly exist in a Petri dish.

Author Yvonne Perry says that the belief that a human life is being taken by removing a few cells from an in vitro blastocyst (IV-B) is a ploy to delay funding for a science that may likely produce effective treatments and possible cures for many illnesses and conditions.

“People have heard and read this erroneous report so many times they actually believe the research kills a baby,” says Perry. “Instead of doing research to find out what really goes on in the lab, they believe what they are told by political and religious leaders who are promoting their own agenda through the media.”

As a highly-sought after ghostwriter, Yvonne Perry has authored many books with her clients’ names appearing on the cover. In fact, it was a client, Reverend Dan Bloodworth, who got her interested in stem cell research.

The Bloodworth’s son has been in a stage 4 coma for nearly 20 years. In a search for anything that might restore his son’s ability to move Continue reading »

Choices Meant for Gods
by Sandy Lender

Choices Meant for Gods from ArcheBooks Publishing is the story of Amanda Chariss, a young lady who’s been on the run from a madman all her life. When she finally chooses to stand and fight, she discovers she’s wrapped in centuries of prophecy that demand she protect the very gods of her society.

None of the gods noticed when Chariss was born with the mark of The Protector. Now the story picks up when she and her wizard guardian seek shelter from a mad sorcerer in a household not just full of secrets and false hope, but watched by the god who will unwittingly reveal her role in an impending war.

Choices Meant for Gods is without a doubt the freshest most engaging high fantasy novel to come out in years. Jamieson Wolf, reviewer for Linear Reflections

When an orphan sets aside a lifetime of running and fear to accept the responsibilities of guarding an arrogant deity, can she face the trials in the prophecies she uncovers? And will Nigel Taiman of her latest refuge dare to use his dragon heritage to bind her to his estate or to help her in her duty?

The novel is written in the style of J.R.R. Tolkien, a gentler Terry Goodkind, and a more mature David Eddings all rolled into one.

Author Sandy Lender is pleased to announce that she’ll be a panelist at Context 20 this Sept. 28-30 in Columbus, Ohio. She joins other science fiction, fantasy, anime, manga, poetry, and filking experts to speak on 1) researching things that don’t exist such as vampires, wizards, and dragons; 2) religion in SF/F; 3) a day in the life of an editor; and 4) E-publishing. Readers and fantasy aficionados interested in attending the con can get more information here.

About the Author
New author Sandy Lender breaks onto the writing scene with a high epic fantasy novel titled Choices Meant for Gods. She began writing stories as soon as she learned to string words together on the page.

As a child, Lender entertained the folks in her great grandmother’s apartment building in Southern Illinois with tales of squeaky spiders and mice picking berries, and then won awards with writing projects as she moved through the elementary and high school systems in the St. Louis area.

It was apparent that a career in journalism was her calling, and she found herself proofreading, editing, and (finally) writing for trade publications after she graduated from Truman State University in Missouri.

Now she writes in Southwest Florida where her love of sea turtles and all things related to the Gulf waters keeps her imagination growing. Her fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods is now available from ArcheBooks Publishing.

Reader may get information about grammar and writing from Sandy’s main blog.