Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Legends of Amun Ra by Joshua Silverman Excerpt




The Emerald TabletThere are fundamental principles to which everyone must adhere. One of those is the dichotomy that is innate in the universal architecture. Another is that everything is in a constant state of transformation. Everything is moving somewhere.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, when you manifest the universe’s energies, you’re causing the ions, atoms, and molecules in the air to vibrate or move at such intensity to make them visible to the human eye. But those atoms are already moving, just at a rate beyond what we can see. Even the life cycle of humans is in a constant state of transformation. We are born, we grow up, we grow old, and we die. Nothing ever really stays the same; it just looks like it does.”
“That is something I definitely understand.”
“If you look closely enough, Leoros, you’ll see that nothing is ever at rest.
Everything is in motion; everything is in a constant circle of life, of becoming and changing. This applies to everything, even death itself. Death is not real, but instead is a birth of a new life. Your body decomposes and feeds into the soil of the ground, producing a new life through the plants. Your spirit will travel the universe until the end of time. So you see, everything is the same, just in different degrees of change. Everything is dual and has its polarity. It has its opposite. There are two sides to everything. Think about this, Leoros. What temperature is hot and what temperature is cold? Doesn’t it matter to different people? One person can be hot and the other cold in the same environment? Heat and cold, they’re the same; the difference is just a matter of degree.”
“But there is hot, like the sun hot!”
“Even that is still a matter of degrees when you compare stars to each other, no? There are hotter stars and colder stars. Here, let me explain it to you like this. Tell me, where does darkness leave off and light begin?”
Leoros remains silent for a minute while he thinks.
“Okay, how about this one: when is something large and when is something small? When is something heavy or light? Hard or soft? Noisy and quiet?”
Leoros laughs at this one. His father always used to tell him to turn down his blaring rock music, but he never thought it was loud enough. Varying degrees of the same thing based on perspective.
“Ah,” chuckles Pythos at Leoros. “You can relate to the sound analogy. But the principle still stands. All things are the same; they are just separated by degrees of perspective.” Pythos’ expression becomes serious. “Now tell me, Leoros, what is the difference between good and evil?”
“Good is what we want to happen, evil is the thing that stops it from happening.”
Pythos expression brightens. “Okay. So you could say that good is helping people and bad is hurting people?”
Leoros thinks on this for a minute. “I guess so, yeah.”
“So by that definition, if what I desire is good, then, by you stopping me from achieving my desire, you are defining yourself as evil. Or, if I’m trying to help someone and you’re trying to stop me from helping them, then you are evil.”
“Yes.”
“Then what about the people who think they are helping people by killing others? Are they good because they desire to kill and you are evil for trying to stop them?”
“Well...no...That’s not what I meant exactly.”
Pythos laughs. “I think that’s exactly what you meant. What we define our world as is really all one thing, all the same thing. Our perspective is what changes our opinion. Everything is based on one thing. By whatever name you want to call it, everything, whether physical matter or invisible energy, is all based upon the one thing that created the universe. But the challenge of our lives is to live in balance between those polar opposites, to find that dichotomy. If you can live on the cusp of those polar opposites, between chaos and order, between sanity and insane, between hatred and love, then you will have mastered the physical existence, and that, Leoros, is the key to defeating Osiris.”




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Monday, June 17, 2013

Gargoyle Addiction by Livia Olteano Cover Reveal




Gargoyle Addiction
Otherworlds Summons Book One
Livia Olteano

Genre: New Adult (Spicy!) Paranormal Romance

Expected Publication: July 15 2013

Book Description:

Summonari don’t trust. Under their command, they summon any number of creatures from the Otherwolds—but never trust them outside of the summoning.
Gargoyles don’t love. Fierce descendants of dragons, they function on power and fear—never love.

Karla isn’t the happily-ever-after type of girl. No territory-hungry guy is going to stick flags all over her unclaimed grounds.

Kann’s world is death and betrayal. As Dar Primus of Haus Varis, he’s expected to follow tradition but he’s not your regular gargoyle. In fact, he’s anything but.
One fateful Friday night, Otherworlds collide. Stuck together in one world or another, Karla and Kann face everything from Awakenings and turbulent love to Festnavals and bloodthirsty scorned suitors.

If there’s one thing they can’t escape, it’s the addiction to each other. And they’ve got it bad.


About the Author:
Livia lives in Europe where she listens to obscene amounts of music and devours every reading material in sight. When she’s not doing either of the two, she fiddles with anything remotely customizable within reach.

She spamificates the world online via:






Sunday, June 16, 2013

Design a Garden Landscaping Series No. 1 by Peter Owen

Design a Garden. Landscaping Series No. 1 by Peter Owen
$3.99 or FREE for Prime Members

"Design a Garden" is a book that is best described as an absolute essential part of the puzzle, if you are serious about creating a garden that is not only beautiful, but functional as well, then you will need to put all the elements together that make up a properly designed landscape. This book has been presented in a fashion that is vital to the overall success of your design.
Too many designs have only concentrated on the look of the landscape, and although they may create a picture of beauty, we all know there is more to a successful design than just the look. There is the very important functionality of your garden, making sure that everything is working well like the drainage plan for example.
The Landscaping of any garden is split up into Hardscape aspect and the Softscape, simply put the building and the planting, both are discussed in detail and their importance. Outlining the procedure of what takes precedence with your plan and what you need to do. 
What is covered in the first eight chapters.

These first chapters discuss the general knowledge and behind the scenes of any successful Garden Plan, we look at the many issues that are often not often considered by many people when they want to design their own garden, but nevertheless, these aspects are very important and must never be left from giving them due diligence and consideration when designing any part of your garden. For example :
  • The necessity of a drainage plan.
  • What to expect from your local authorities.
  • The climate, shade or direct sunlight.
  • Groups of plants.
  • Designing a garden with a growing family in mind.
We discuss some of the more popular Landscape Themes.
When designing a garden we generally work with what we call Landscape Themes, many of these themes are described and featured in this book as well as explaining how they are to be incorporated into your Landscape plan, as well as blending them together to obtain the best result. Some themes will be essential for you and others will just be a matter of desire, whatever the reason for incorporating them into your design, they make for a part of what completes the picture of your garden. Some of the Landscape themes that are covered in the following chapters of the book, are as follows :
  • Water Features.
  • Entertainment Areas.
  • Retaining Walls.
  • Garden Edging.
  • Steps.
  • Fences.
  • The use of Rocks.
  • And more.
The subjects of landscape design in this book, will inform you of the basics of all that you desperately need, so you will with confidence be able to put a plan together, whether it's a plan for your own garden or for someone else, it's essential that all these elements are considered in your design.
Finally to the success on creating your Garden Masterpiece.
The end result of your garden design must function not just in the practical sense, but as a group of features blending together as an extension of your home. More and more people are moving to the outside now when entertaining friends, so when created properly, it will stand out as your very own masterpiece. A creation that you can be proud of and the chapters in this book can certainly help you get there.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Author Spotlight - Interview With Rose Pressey

When did you begin writing? 

I wrote my first novel six years ago, but I’d been playing around with the idea for several years before that.

What genres do you write? 

I write mystery and romance, mainly with a paranormal twist.

Who do you imagine you're telling a story to as you write? 

I get inside the protagonist’s head. I’m just sharing her story for everyone to read.

What's your latest book about?

My new Halloween LaVeau Series is about a witch who suddenly discovers she must lead the Underworld. I’m writing a mystery book now that will be out on July 23, 2013. The title is CRIME WAVE.

Which authors inspire you? 

There are so many! Mary Kay Andrews inspired me to finally write a novel instead of just thinking about it. Janet Evanovich is an inspiration as well. A couple of my favorite authors are Molly Harper and Dakota Cassidy.

What's your favorite book? 

That’s a tough question. I think my all-time favorite is A Summer Place by Sloan Wilson.

Why did you choose independent publishing? 

I love that I can write a novel and publish it as soon as it’s complete. That allows me to get books to readers quicker.

What one piece of advice would you offer other indie authors?

Well, this is more than one: write, read, get a good cover, and hire an editor.
  
About the Author:

Rose Pressey is an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. She enjoys writing quirky and fun novels with a paranormal twist. The paranormal has always captured her interest. The thought of finding answers to the unexplained fascinates her.

When she's not writing about werewolves, vampires and every other supernatural creature, she loves eating cupcakes with sprinkles, reading, spending time with family, and listening to oldies from the fifties.

Rose lives in the beautiful commonwealth of Kentucky with her husband, son and three sassy Chihuahuas.

Find the Author Online:

Twitter
Facebook
Amazon

Friday, June 14, 2013

Warm Bodies Book and Movie for $12!

It's that time of the week again! The weekend has arrived and it's time to start thinking about ways to unwind. This week, why not read Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion and then watch the movie?

Warm Bodies: A Novel by Isaac Marion
$7.99

R is a young man with an existential crisis--he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, noidentity, and no pulse, but he has dreams.

After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and stragely sweet relationship with the victim's human girlfriend. Julie is a blast of color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that surrounds R. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world.

Scary, funny, and surprisingly poignant, Warm Bodies is about being alive, being dead, and the blurry line in between.

Warm Bodies
$3.99 - 24 Hour Rental

An unlikely romance between a beautiful human teen and a sensitive undead slacker sets off a chain of events with the power to transform the world.
  • Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer
  • Directed by: Jonathan Levine
  • Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes
  • Release year: 2013
  • Studio: Lionsgate

Jabuti's Quest by Heath Shedlake - Prime Freebie!

Jabuti's Quest by Heath Shedlake
$4.45 or FREE for Prime Members - 6/14/2013

In the year 1697, amongst the beauty and majesty of the Venezuelan rainforest, Jabuti stands gazing out across the mighty Orinoco river. He has lived in the forest all of his life as a member of the Piaroa tribe but nonetheless he feels like an outsider. Troubled and tormented by his thoughts he stares across the fast-flowing waters as if longing for escape from all his woes. Frustrated and upset by these long standing issues he seeks an audience with the all-knowing shaman to discuss his problems. He stands nervously outside his dwelling and enters a gloomy and smoky interior. Once inside the shaman tells him of a dark secret kept hidden from Jabuti since childhood. Jabuti is left feeling stunned and angry at his revelation, which shatters his world in a sudden and life-changing instant.
Spurred on by this dramatic turn of events he resolves to enter into the darkened heart of the forest where few warriors have ever ventured, undeterred by terrifying stories of blood-thirsty cannibals. Feeling torn between leaving or remaining in the arms of his new found love Maru, he makes the heart breaking decision to depart. They spend one last evening together, professing their love for each other, locked in a tender embrace by the comforting sounds of the riverbank.
He is accompanied on his journey by his two close friends, the jovial and enigmatic Wanadi and the loyal but nervous Mapi. Along the way they see first-hand the evil that men are capable of in their search for golden treasure. Will their friendship survive, will they reach their destination, will Jabuti find the solace and peace that he has desired for so long…?

Thursday, June 13, 2013

How to Find Your Vital Vocation Review

Title: How To Find Your Vital Vocation: A Practical Guide To Discovering Your Career Purpose And Getting A Job You Love
Author: Brian Cormack Carr
Genre: Business
Price: $4.99
Rating: 5 out 5 stars

Book Synopsis:

Put yourself in charge of your career – once and for all. Packed with valuable insights, powerful exercises and illuminating self-coaching questions, How To Find Your Vital Vocation will help you chart a practical path to a fun and fulfilling livelihood. In this comprehensive resource, expert career coach Brian Cormack Carr shows you how to find your passion and purpose and finally start doing the work you were born to do.

Review:

I'll admit that I've been a bit unhappy in my current career as a freelance writer. I began the career in 2006 and feel that it's time to move on. How to Find Your Vital Vocation offers incredible exercises that are meant to help you find your dream career. I was intrigued at the exercises and how fun it was to consider my past passions and the talents I have. My dream career isn't too far away from my current career. I want to work as an indie author full-time. I'm currently working on making that dream come true. This book just helped confirm the notions I had.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is unhappy with their career. This book offers an interesting way to discover what you're passionate about and how that can be turned into a career.