The Fallen Lotus Petals Book trailer video is now available on You Tube at; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7lPmkH7AT0 This one minute and eight second book trailer video provides a short visual on the two hundred and eighty seven page novel Fallen Lotus Petals. Taking you on a journey through the gritty streets of New York City and Los Angeles, Fallen Lotus Petals strives to tell a page-turning story about love, domestic violence, sex-slave trafficking, power and the way the shackles of the past can be broken. The author has delivered a novel that reads like a poetic journey rich with imagery, dark with sinister possibilities, often humorous, yet always tense with the edginess of reality. Novel Fallen Lotus Petals noval is a thoroughly captivating novel that weaves poetic phrasing, humor, and danger into the life of one very complex FBI agent, creating a plot as disturbing as it is gripping. Fallen Lotus Petals is Jordon Papanier’s gift to lovers of fast-paced thrillers with compelling characters and goals that must be attained…or else. Faced with three very different, yet equally challenging, cases—the tragedy of sexually exploited young Asian girls; a designer drug gone terribly wrong; a technological advance that could bring law enforcement to its knees—the author promises, and delivers, a gritty, page-turner of a story. Does our protagonist have what it takes to decimate this international ring? Will he overcome his own demons and bring the culprits to justice? And his love interest, how does she fit into this web of action and danger? Page after page, we become more deeply engaged in our hero’s private life and his dark, burdensome past, until we reach the explosive finale. Now on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Lotus-Petals-Jordon-Papanier/dp/143925561X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260606837&sr=8-1 Book trailer video link on these web sites; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7lPmkH7AT0 http://www.MediaLinksNow.com
Archive for June, 2010
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Book Review: Some Kind of Angel – a Sneetz and Muldoon Thriller by Melvin M. Harter
It is that time of year where you want to stock up on some books to read while on your summer vacation. Some Kind Of Angel might be one to put on your list. Melvin Harter is a retired doctor and Some Kind Of Angel is his debut into the wild world of books. In this book we get acquainted with his main characters Sneetz and Muldoon, and I suspect that we are going to see more of this duo in future books. Gilbert ‘Sneetz’ Schnetele is a retired heart surgeon, retired due to a DIY home improvement problem that involved a power saw lopping off a valuable digit. Unable to wield a scalpel he has become a legal/medical consultant evaluating ‘on the job’ injuries. Albert Muldoon is an aging weather worn journalist who has seen it all. Young enough to have faced the wrath of McCarthyism, old enough to have survived and thrived. Thrived to the extent that now retired he officially just writes books, unofficially he is part of the President’s inner circle. A series of multiple killing across the globe occur, there seems to be no connection, but all share some strange similarities, there are no signs of a struggle, the bodies are in perfect, almost mummified condition, and death seems to have been instantaneous. The mystery deepens and takes a much more sinister turn when the President receives what is tantamount to a ransom demand, pull out of Iraq, and everywhere else there is a US armed forces presence, or face mass murder close to home in Washington DC. With no idea what the weapon of mass destruction is, or how it has been delivered, they are in a quandary. Sneetz meanwhile has been retained to look at a death on the job case, a young janitor at a remote Air Force research lab is dead, yet there seems to be no reason for the death. It is by his poking around that he comes to the attention of the US government, and in particular Muldoon. Sneetz is brought into the very close knit family fighting the unknown terrorist group. What will they find? How will they defeat an unknown adversary? Well, you can find out by getting your own copy from Amazon, or by checking out Melvin Harter’s web site. At 160 pages this is a very quick read, it certainly moves right along though, and there is action on every page. If I had a criticism, it likely would be the length, the plot line is rich, and I think the book could have been another 100 pages longer, in order to explore some of the subplots in greater detail. Book length is a really hard call to make, it is so dependent on the richness of the plot, but this book has that! Some authors on the other hand waffle on until you are ready to disembowel yourself with a plastic butter knife, Tom Clancy is probably the worst offender with his absolutely unreadable Executive Orders, it could have been written in 250 pages and been a fun read, instead he produced a 1000 pages of boring techno yawn. I am looking forward to more Melvin Harter, he has his feet wet now, and I think the future looks bright. As the Shania Twain song says “Up, Up, Up.”
A Historical View of Paisley Dalmations
For over a century, an intense bond has existed between the British dog buffs and the Dalmatian. Canine experts have knowledge of the breed’s presence for durations exceeding the previous two-hundred years. Historically, a theory among such experts has risen, making a claim that the origin of Dalmatians being, in part, a descendant from the early breed of those hounds used for hunting, namely, the Talbot breed. Commonalities between these two variations of dogs are found to be in hunting prowess, traits and type. Hailing from St. Paul, Minnesota, Dave and Sue MacMillan, who are proud owners of Paisley Dalmatians, exhibited their dog, Paisley Preterit, to the completion of his final round in the spring of 1985. That top honor in confirmation made this dog the fiftieth winner of either being bred or owned at Paisley. During the same spring, another dog of the same breed, Paisley’s QindaBritt, received recognition as a Dalmatian, competing in the compliance division, to have been recognized with the thirtieth C.D. degree. It is possible that at some point within the past two centuries, blood from the linage of Talbot bred hounds saw an infusion into dogs of European breeding. The evolution of such dogs, due to their distinctive look, captured the sights of those traveling from Great Britain. By way of these unique dog’s guarding nature and recognized intelligence, tourists from Britain chose to bring such canines to their homeland. Through credible research, there is not a single dispute, in support of the facts, in being that the Dalmatian breed, at large, has been traced back to the ancient periods. Evolutions, within this breed, are expansive. Classified as a medium-sized breed of dog, Dalmatians, in shoulder height, generally measure from twenty-two to twenty-four inches, with a weight range that usually spans between fifty to sixty-five pounds. Above all, this breed is highly notable in having a readily identifiable coat, which possesses a white base, with distinct spotting. The spots vary in either one of two colors black or a variation of a brown, appropriated classified as liver. When it comes to the color of these spots, either shade is considered in compliance with the standards of Dalmatians, and, upon selection, merely boils down to the fancier’s choice. The original intent behind the breeding of the Dalmatian was for their service as coach dogs, based upon the breed’s extensive endurance. By heritage, this breed has a nature towards protecting their owners and possessions. On a personal level, Dalmatians exhibit affection, as well as presenting a rather boisterous personality. However, when strangers are present, these dogs will initially convey manners that are more dignified and restrained. Once a Dalmatian becomes familiar with a guest, friend or visitor, he or she will reveal the intimate side of their traits. Addressing traits, the smile of those within the breed will appear in the form of their bearing the front teeth. Where the distinctive color pattern of such dogs originated from is still a mystery. Dalmatian, as the name dubbed the breed in 1888 by the AKC, is derived from a geographic locale in western Yugoslavia. Information on the Paisley breeding of Dalmatians is most accessible. Should you be researching online sources, search engines, such as DogPile, Google and Yahoo can provide extensive date. A number of well-received articles, blogs, links and videos on the breed exist. For bound or encased reference materials, ranging in a variety of mediums, are available, at affordable pricing, through the online sources of Amazon and Barnes and Nobel, as well as eBay. Upon conducting your searches, implore key phrases and words, which will provide you with a full array of listings to choose from.
Importance of Travel Books
With the world speeding down the information superhighway, the time for books, it seems, is over. With every bit of information that you can possibly ask for, available on the internet, non-fiction books have been worst hit. For example, when you are planning a trip abroad, you now rely on whatever information the web has to offer. It’s no more like the old times when you would try to get your hands on a travel book or two, in order to know more about your destination. So, does this mean that travel books will die a slow death? Certainly not, because if you consider the importance of travel books, you’ll understand that they are here to stay. What do Travel Books Tell You? In a systematic manner, travel books tell you all that you may want to know about different places on earth. From the very exotic locales to the bustling metropolises, there’s hardly a place not described by travel books. These books offer amazing insights into the pros and cons of visiting a place and other details about the weather, famous landmarks, festivals, culture etc. In fact, no matter what kind of holiday you are planning, travel books can help you a lot. The three major types of travel books deal with adventure holidays, cultural diversities and recreational traveling. Travel Books and Adventure Holidays The books in this category tell you about a wide variety of adventure travel destinations round the globe. So take your pick from the wildlife safaris of Africa, Polar expeditions, traveling across the Sahara desert or exploring the virgin forests of Sumatra. You can also get loads of information how to trek, hike, snorkel, dive and do many other thrilling activities. Travel Books and Culture Though travel books may not be dedicated wholly to cultural aspects of a particular place, they can give you a clear picture of the different cultural intricacies of a region. If you are looking to be a part of different cultural festivals around the world, these books may be just what you need. Travel Books and Recreational Traveling Leisure traveling is what most tourists around the world indulge in. The idea is to spend your free time roaming the world and travel books can tell you how to get the best out of every moment. You can get to know how to plan your tour and which places to see, where to stay and how to travel. What more can you ask for? Why Travel Books are Forever When you are traveling to a distant place, your best friend is the travel book you pack in your luggage. It is a ready-reckoner for times when an unknown land can seem a bit puzzling. No matter how much tech-savvy you are, a travel book can be the only way to access information in some remote locales. Moreover, if you are a person who doesn’t have the resources to travel, you can easily take flight on the wings of imagination, thanks to travel books!
Book Review: One Foot in the Black by Kurt L. Kamm
Oops, it wasn’t until I had had read almost the entire book that I discovered that this was fiction and not biographical! This story is so well constructed it is impossible to tell fact from fiction. The characters are life-like, and they are crafted with a skill and panache that one rarely finds in a novel. I was devastated when I discovered it was a novel, I really wanted to ask Kurt Kamm about that time on the mountain with the fire all around! Having made my confession, let us talk about the story. The title One Foot In The Black is a reference to fighting Wildfires, more importantly the placement of firefighters, they are in the just scorched area dealing with the fire at close range. It is to say the least a dangerous place to be. If the wind changes, you are in big trouble, but the science and experience shows that you at least have a possible escape route. Author Kurt Kamm takes us on an odyssey of discovery, a discovery of what it is like to be on the fire line, and a look at what drives the people who risk their lives so that we still have possessions after the fire has tried to rip through our property. Maybe most important of all, we get to peek inside the mind of one young man that has decided to make this his career. The style that Kamm has adopted is an interesting one, and one that essentially permits two very different stories to be told side by side. We have the story of 19 year old Greg Kowalski entering the field of wildfire fighting, and we have the rather dark and sad story of Greg’s upbringing. Living in a dysfunctional family with a verbal and physically abusive father Greg can think of little more than how to escape. The opportunity arises when he attends his father’s ‘office’ Christmas party. The abusive elder Kowalski is also a fire fighter, and it is the station chief that offers Greg the opportunity to move to California and become a seasonal member of the CDF. This is an opportunity that Greg cannot turn down, escape from Saginaw and the oppressive regime that his father has created. Of course there are downsides, what will happen to his mother and sister, who will still be under the ogre’s spell. What Greg lacked in Saginaw, he finds in California, a father figure he can admire, a father figure that offers genuine friendship and leadership. Fighting wildfires is a dangerous occupation, as Greg discovers first hand, caught by surprise with a wind direction Greg faces a life or death situation. To save himself, or risk near certain death to try and save his friend and mentor? I think it would be inappropriate to reveal more, I have a sadistic streak! You will just have to read One Foot In The Black yourself to find out what happens! I really like the meticulous attention to detail that Kurt Kamm has included. And clearly the detail is factual, his book has been endorsed by several fire fighting organizations. Kurt Kamm lives in Southern California and has had some first hand experience with wild fires, apparently one actually made it to the front door of his Malibu home. You can find out more about this author from his web site, and One Foot In The Black is available from Amazon.
Poisoned Petals by Andy Crabb
Poisoned Petals by Andy Crabb is a set of over forty short stories, tales with a Spanish flavour. Most are set in Spain, with many featuring locations and people from within the Costa Blanca, where the author lives, works and continually observes. Some are historical, others utterly contemporary, both in time and in content. Property developers, estate agents and used car salesmen figure alongside more traditional Spanish figures, such as the bar owner, the peasant farmer and the land owner. Some stories feature characters from Spain’s Moorish period, and others pre-Visigoth, even pre-Roman Iberians. It is surprising, therefore, to read in the highly informative author’s postscript that several of the pieces germinated elsewhere, in Britain and southern Africa, for instance. Some were transplanted items from newspaper stories, while others arose from museum visits, local tales or shared discussion with other writers. But the stories grew in Andy Crabb’s fertile imagination and bloomed into a veritable display of skilful, entertaining writing. The fact that the author claims they eventually flowered into Poisoned Petals gives the reader a hint from the start that irony and twist will play their part. Many of Andy Crabb’s stories deal with the sibling concepts of revenge and retribution. People are often “getting away with something”, getting one up on an innocent or unsuspecting victim. Driven to anger by such perfidious exploitation, these inherently gentler, law-abiding characters themselves become vengeful, calculating deceivers, until the score is decisively settled. In often morally satisfying conclusions, many of the original villains receive a comeuppance that is significantly sweeter than mere defeat, longer lasting than simple victory. And each of these conclusions has been richly deserved. In Preserved For Posterity, for instance, the retribution of the wronged husband is horrid in the extreme. But then the unjustly punished lover-thief-craftsman of the story was never really guilty of his accused crime. We know that. But then that’s perhaps why he has the final, though silent, laugh at the judgment of eternity. So it is ideas of morality and justice, honesty and loyalty that suffuse Poisoned Petals. We are presented with people who try to ride roughshod over others, whose understandable, merely human hesitancy, born of their desire to uphold and respect another’s potential for dignity, identifies them as potential prey. Usually the victims win through in the end, turning the tables decisively on their predators. But this often happens only after the victims, themselves, have displayed their ability to become, if provoked, as devious, as base, as calculating and, indeed, as mercenary as the objects of their retribution. And so Poisoned Petals gives some beautiful insights into human behaviour, some vivid illustrations of resourcefulness. It is a collection to read over a week or two, a few stories at a time, since each is self-contained and memorable. The stories provoke us to reflect on that human condition, and profitably, enjoyably so.
Building a Respectable Audio Book Library
An impressive audio book library is easy to build with the technology of the internet. You can find almost any book you want in audio format for a bargain price or, in some cases, even free. This is ideal for those living on a budget but still need an exciting or educational book to listen to during long car trips. You can get your favorite book in a convenient MP3 format from a website or order it straight from the company on a CD or cassette tape. Either way, you can easily build an audio book library filled with a variety of books from different genres. You can fill your audio book library with books from a variety of categories and genres. Many people have an audio library full of Christian books that they can listen to for motivation and inspiration in their daily lives. The Christian book selection is wide, including several different translations of the Holy Bible and the recently popular Left Behind novel series. Others will enjoy books that focus on areas of Christian education or narrations of popular biblical stories to add to their enjoyment of their faith. Other genres in audio format include business selections and classic works of fiction. Parents will appreciate the large selection of audio books children will enjoy. You can find just about any children’s book in audio format that they can listen to on long car rides or instead of watching television. Your children can listen to a number of fairy tales or fun filled books as well as stories that educate and teach important life lessons. Imagine your children’s excitement as they listen to The Chronicles of Narnia using their imagination rather than watching it on the television screen. Other exciting stories take on a new imaginative quality when enjoyed through audio books. Children are sure to develop a more vivid imagination when parents expose them to this audio form of entertainment. You can compose your audio book library of compact discs or cassettes. Or, if you would rather, you can save hundreds of books to your hard drive or portable media player device. Even if you have it on your computer, you can transfer it to a hard copy so you can take it with you or have a backup of your files saved onto CDs. Audio books of all formats are quickly gaining more popularity because of the growing lack of interest in today’s music and radio talk shows. The fact is that people would rather listen to the latest Stephen King novel rather than the newest Britney Spears song or the mundane political pundits that flood the airwaves. The urge to build an impressive audio book library is becoming increasingly popular in today’s busy world. The New York Public Library has joined in this craze by adding hundreds of books available in digital download formats for members and visitors to its website. You can check out any of the books in the audio book library by simply visiting its website, or you can go into the building if you live in the area. It appears that the audio book library industry is here to stay as an educational alternative to the other forms of media that have inundated our world.
Bibliomania; or Book-Madness
Product DescriptionThe public may not be altogether unprepared for the re-appearance of the BIBLIOMANIA in a more attractive garb than heretofore;–and, in consequence, more in uniformity with the previous publications of the Author.… More >> Bibliomania; or Book-Madness
Cheap Books: the Smarter Way of Reading
One of the most common ways of gaining knowledge is reading books. In fact, the books provide many benefits to the customers. The readers can keep themselves updated about the latest happenings around the world and they can enrich their language proficiency also. Several kinds of books are available in the markets which are loved by the readers. These are fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, comedy, horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, etc. Everyone has his or her choices to read. A number of options are available to the readers these days. One can purchase books from many places like book stores, supermarkets and shopping malls. The choices of online shopping portals are also available to the readers. These portals provide various benefits to the buyers in order to attract more and more customers. Readers can find many cheap books on these sites. Since the cost of goods sold is less here, so the retailers on these websites provide books at relatively lower prices. To get the cheap books, online portals are the best places since they provide many attractive benefits to the customers. Apart from the unlimited choices and cheaper prices, one also gets a huge collection of books. Searching one’s favourite items is also easy here since all the books are synchronised by authors’ names, titles, publishers and prices. The online book stores also provide the books that are not available in the markets or are out of stock. In this age of modernisation, people have less time to visit the shopping places physically. Therefore, online book stores are preferred by the book lovers since they can purchase their favourite novels online. They just need to visit relevant websites and place their order there. The time taken for delivering the ordered items is very less; therefore the shoppers do not have to wait longer. The specific book stores on internet offer various lucrative schemes and deals also. These schemes make the customers delighted and give them enriching shopping experience. Free gifts, huge discounts and sometimes even the books are given free of cost to the customers. Hence, the readers can find the cheap books on the online shopping portals and enhance their knowledge by reading them.