Alternative-Read.com: May 2009

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Today's Feature Post

REVIEW: Warrior of the Light by B.J. McCall froom Ellora's Cave

Title: Warrior of the Light
Author: B.J. McCall
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Website of Publisher: http://www.ellorascave.com
Genre: Romantica/Erotica/Shapeshifter
Publication Date: October 2008
ISBN: 9781419918056
Length: Novella
Format: eBook
Reviewer: WitchGiggles
Alternative-Read.com

When you wish for something, you shouldn't be surprised when you get it; it just might be easier if you weren't driving along a dark road when it happens. Dani March is about to find out that the "big bad Wolf" that's now sitting in her back seat isn't all it appears to be and neither has her whole life.

Falon has been summoned by one who knows the old words, but when he gets there he finds out that Dani hasn't been fully "prepared" by her grandfather. Things go from warm to white hot in the course of a night, but neither are prepared for the intensity.

The heat in this one is great, but there are too many questions left unanswered for me. I want to know if she gets trained, fights the dark one, etc. The ending is wide open for this to become a series and ends much too abruptly if it doesn't. B.J. McCall has a great beginning here and I'd love to see where it goes; I think it could go far and hope it does.

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Review of THE CRY OF THE CUCKOOS

Title: THE CRY OF THE CUCKOOS
Author: John Wayne Cargile
Website of Author: http://www.thecryofthecuckoos.com/
Website of Publisher: www.eloquentbooks.com
Genre: Mystery
Publication date: 2008
ISBN-13: 978-1-60693-526-2
Length: 228 pages
Format: Hardcover

Email of Author: jhn.cargile@gmail.com

Reviewer: Clayton Bye
Alternative-Read.com


The Cry of The Cuckoos: an imperfect masterpiece

Henry Drummond, a well-known KKK member with mob ties and founder of the right wing supremacist organization called the Society of Southron Patriots, is murdered. What follows is a study of the effects of his legacy on those closest to him.

The society he founded is in turmoil; fully committed to a terrorist plot to kill Washington dignitaries at the Super Bowl and delegates at the United Nations, the separatist organization comes under the scrutiny of both the local authorities and the FBI. Panic sets in and more killing follows.

Drummond’s oldest son, Donald, finds out his mother isn’t who he thought she was and begins a descent into a dangerous depression. The whole family faces upheavals and strange revelations at every turn. Lives change and Donald continues to unravel.

Eventually the story takes on a feel somewhat similar to books like Arthur Hailey’s Airport, Hotel or Wheels. This is a good thing!

And The Cry of The Cuckoos could have been a masterpiece... Following a theme of deceit and redemption, the story is solid. You want to know what’s going on. Cargile can construct sentences with the best of them. Both the dialogue and the scene progression are crisp. He also knows how to move a story along.

But I don’t understand his usage of tense and some of the words he chooses. Not only does he flip back and forth between past and present tenses—sometimes within the same paragraph—he also uses words and tense in unusual and improper ways. One example is his insistence in referring to the noun poison as poisoning. It’s an odd enough choice that it pulls one right out of the story and makes you ask why he uses the word that way.

This is an accomplished writer and editor in the field of journalism. I can only guess that he’s a victim of the risk many self-publishers take: that is, he edited his own work.

I like the story, but the strange grammatical choices diminish my enjoyment. I give this book a 3 out of 5 instead of the 4.5 it could have been.


Copyright © 2009 Clayton Clifford Bye


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REVIEW: Gilded Folly by N.D. Hansen-Hill

Title: Gilded Folly
Author: N.D. Hansen-Hill
Website of Author: http://ndhansen-hill.com
Website of Publisher: Cerridwen Press
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Romance
Publication date: 2005, 2007
ISBN -13: 978-1-4199-0409-7, 978-1-4199-5550-1
Length: 356 pages
Format: eBook / Paperback /

Email of Author: sfnovels@gmail.com

Reviewer: Clayton Bye
Alternative-Read.com


Jeremy, Fitz, Phil, and Dacey: an artist, a doctor and two cops who find out in rather terrifying ways that a couple of friends they’ve known for ten years are aliens. These are not just your everyday television variety of alien. Rom and Wick are likeable, nanobot maintained, brainwashed, drug-triggered warriors with incredible powers and a mission of which they’re not aware. If you want some idea as to how messed up these two are, then think in terms of the modern remake of The Manchurian Candidate.

Rom is on earth to kill a third alien named Glys, a world-hopping female who’s living in exile. He doesn’t know this. The only time hints of his true nature come out is during the strange sleepwalking episodes he has on a regular basis.

Wick is more aware of his assignment, and in an attempt to keep his enemy close, he long ago made the choice to befriend Rom. But a valiant struggle against his own programming has left Wick determined not only to prevent Rom from becoming a murderer but to save him from the certain death that will come as he completes his assignment. This is not a small problem.

Glys is aware that both assassin and protector exist, but she has managed to stay clear of both. And while her memories of their former world appear to be more intact than the those of Wick and Rom, ten years on earth have also affected Glys deeply.

When Rom is suddenly activated, the four humans and the three aliens find themselves in a situation none of them could ever have envisioned. Not only will the character of each be tested, so will the bond each member of the group has with the others.

Gilded Folly is a complicated study of friendship. I say complicated because N.D. Hansen-Hill performs this study in the midst of a well-written, fast-moving Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel. Putting us inside the heads of all seven characters, the author doles out information through their experiences and realizations in such perfect snippets that you’re not just kept in suspense, you want to tear through the pages to find out what the hell is going on. Strangely (tongue in cheek, here), you also get to learn a lot about each character

I confess to becoming a bit weary of the constant switching of focus. This was early in the book, though, and my concern didn’t last. When I realized the real story wasn’t the one I expected, that this was a novel about people trying to come to terms with who they were (as individuals and as friends) while also dealing with one of the most bizarre situations you’ll come across in literature—let’s just say it made my day.

Hansen-Hill has enough talent and skill she could have opted to write a terrific but more traditional novel. That she was gutsy enough to write a book about relationships within the framework of an already unique story? Right on!

As an independent author who tries to read as many self-published or micro-published authors as I can, I’ve run into books that make me shake my head. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

I encourage you to buy a copy of Gilded Folly and take the time to really read it.


copyright © 2009 Clayton Clifford Bye


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BOOK EXCERPT: (PG-13): Nothing to Fear, by Lacey Savage

Nothing to Fear
by Lacey Savage
cover art by Natalie Winters
Publisher:Loose Id
ISBN (13): 978-1-59632-905-8
Genre(s): Erotic, contemporary
Length: Omnibus
Buy Here

Blurb:

Three women haunted by horrors from their pasts. Four men who want to show them there's Nothing to Fear...

In the Air
If Kirk Healey hadn't threatened to steal her biggest client, Meadow Gardiner would never have boarded another plane. In flight, only Kirk's smoldering touch keeps Meadow from succumbing to soul-numbing fear. As kisses lead to a frantic encounter in the airplane lavatory, Meadow must trust her greatest rival to see her safely back on solid ground.

In the Dark
When a total blackout forces Shelly O'Rourke to face her paralyzing fear of the dark, she's rescued from engulfing terror by the scorching caress (and occasional spanking!) of her estranged-and presumed dead-husband. Making love to a memory forces Shelly to confront her deepest fears...and some are just as menacing by the light of day.

In their Arms
Jennifer Meehan has no qualms about taking two lovers. A long history of cruel betrayal has taught her that unbridled sex is the only way to guard her heart. But the men she's been seeing separately have joined forces, and now the time has come to reveal all: her body, her soul, and every secret fear she harbors in her heart.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual interaction, ménage (m/f/m), mild spanking..

Excerpt (Rated PG-13):

The last time Meadow had boarded an airplane, she had been sixteen.
Unlike this massive three-hundred-passenger jet, that aircraft had been a four-seater private plane with one pilot, no flight attendants, and only two additional passengers -- Meadow and her mother, Diane. Her father, John, had piloted, a celebratory maiden voyage after gaining his license. His first and last.

The recycled air flooding the cabin slipped beneath Meadow's jacket sleeves and raised gooseflesh on her arms. She'd strapped the seat belt tight around her midsection, for all the good it would do her. She'd also listened to the flight attendant go through all the appropriate safety precautions, listening with rapt attention for every bit of advice she could use should the unthinkable happen again.

Now there was nothing left to do but sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.

Or in her case, sit ramrod straight, clutch the armrests as though her life depended on it -- which it well could -- and try to remember to breathe.

The plane's engines growled beneath her feet. The sound traveled all the way up her legs and settled like lead in the pit of her stomach. She sat motionless, fingernails digging into the plastic armrest, teeth embedded in the soft flesh of her lower lip. Squeezing her eyes shut, she waited for the inevitable lurching motion of the plane pulling away from the gate. When it came, a whimper escaped her throat.

"I bet you're not wearing anything under that suit."

The unashamed bluntness of Kirk's statement yanked her thoughts from their hysterical downward spiral. She froze, breath lodged in her throat. "What did you say to me?"

His full lips quirked up in a teasing grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. Instead of mirth, she found nothing but concern and a hint of predatory heat in the green depths.

He leaned in, his mouth close enough to brush her earlobe. "I said, I'm willing to bet you're not wearing a bra. In fact, I'd go as far as to say you've got no panties on, either. Which would mean your pussy's clamped tight around the fabric of those pants, moistening the surface just a little each time you shift in your seat."

A sudden flutter of desire breezed through her, bringing back a small measure of self-control. She couldn't believe he'd spoken the words aloud, much less in public.

She and Kirk were the only two passengers in a three-seat row close to the back of the plane.. While chances of someone having overheard him were low, the forbidden thrill of his statement had a profound, immediate impact on her libido.

Her nipples pebbled beneath the thin shift she wore under the suit jacket. His guess had been half-right. She hadn't bothered with a bra, preferring instead the silky smoothness of the leopard-print shift she'd picked out from among Cuero y Cordón's delectable offerings.

Not that he needed to know that. And if she'd been just a little less paralyzed with fear, she'd have told him exactly what she thought of his inappropriate comment.

Instead, she scowled and glanced out the window. She shouldn't have.

Although night had fallen, red, blue, and white lights flooded the airport runway. A few feet away, a man waved two flares, no doubt signaling the pilot in preparation for takeoff. Rain pattered against the metal skeleton of the aircraft and dotted the small windowpane with shimmering beads of colored water. Fog rose from the dark pavement in patches, reaching diaphanous tendrils to brush against the plane's wings.

The wheels rolled to an abrupt stop. A massive rumbling whirr boomed from the bowels of the jet, gathering force. The trembling whine caused Meadow's seat to vibrate, and she gripped the armrests tighter in an effort to keep them from shaking.

Her stomach lurched. Unable to bear the menacing sights around her, she squeezed her eyes shut once more. If she could have dared to let go of the armrests, she'd have clamped both palms over her ears too.

A featherlight touch against her collarbone startled her. She tensed, every muscle in her body taut with frightened awareness. His fingertips slid down her skin, from the base of her throat to the valley between her breasts, where they paused for the length of a stuttering heartbeat.

"What are you doing?" she ground out between gritted teeth.

"Touching you."

The plane moved. It gathered speed, zoomed down the runway. She pictured it sliding along the slick pavement, its sharp nose intent on splitting the air as it soared up into the darkness.

His fingers dipped beneath the lapel of her suit jacket. He found the top edge of her camisole and slipped beneath that too. The heat of his hand warmed her breast, sending a stream of erotic impulses to flood her tense body..

His other hand worked its way up to her throat. He cupped the back of her neck, slipped his fingers among her curls, and formed small circles with his thumb against her skin.

Intriguing though it was, she knew his touch couldn't distract her from the inevitable lurch of the plane taking off. She braced herself for the moment her stomach would plummet to her ankles.

It never came. Instead, at the exact instant the airplane's wheels left the runway, his lips fused over hers. His mouth claimed hers and settled there, soft and warm. He didn't push or force the kiss to become more than what it was -- a soothing, genuine anchor to the world dropping away into oblivion.

Meadow's reality shifted, righting itself as the airplane tilted, rocketing skyward. Unable to trust herself, she curled her fingers into her palm to keep from running them down his chest.

At that moment, she understood what his plan had been all along. He'd meant to distract her, and against all reason, it had worked.

But now that they were in the air, she could handle the fear. She'd gotten over the worst of it. Besides, she couldn't very well keep her lips flush against Kirk's for the next eight hours. She had to move away, to break the connection between them, and reestablish some much-needed boundaries.

She told herself it was gratitude that kept her from doing just that. But when the tip of his tongue caressed the seam of her lips, the desire pulsing through her veins took on a life of its own. Rather than pull back, she parted her lips and met his tongue with hers.

A sharp stab of need arrowed deep between her thighs at the contact. Her sex pulsed, fluttering madly against the leopard-print silk of her thong.

She caught his answering groan. His grip on the back of her neck tightened, and he pulled her closer as his tongue invaded her mouth. The tension keeping her spine rigid melted just a fraction, allowing her to lean into his kiss.

He tasted just as she remembered, like cinnamon and male heat. The rough scrape of his beard against her chin sent another wave of longing to shimmer through her veins, stoking the twin flames of desire and curiosity.

What would it feel like to have those lips pressed against her flushed sex? To know the intimate brush of his beard along her inner thigh? To clamp her thighs tight around his head as his tongue delved deep within her folds and --

"Pillow, ma'am? Sir?"

She barely heard the flight attendant's question. She'd have ignored it altogether, but Kirk swiped at her lower lip one last time before pulling back and glancing up at the woman.

"We'll take two of those." He reached out and grabbed the offered pillows. "And two more blankets, if you wouldn't mind."

Meadow's lips hummed with the lingering sensation of the kiss. Flexing her stiff fingers, she risked letting go of the armrest long enough to bring them to her mouth. Just as she feared, her lips were swollen from the kiss.

A blush crept up her neck and into her cheeks. Her heart pummeled her breastbone, yet Kirk looked as calm and unperturbed as ever.

For a fleeting moment, she had the urge to slap him, just to see if he'd react with something other than a quirky grin. Squelching the impulse, she waited until the flight attendant returned with the blankets. The woman's name tag read Shelly O'Rourke. When Shelly winked before turning away to tend to another passenger's needs, it took all of Meadow's self-control to ignore her.

Shifting so her back lodged against the armrest, she folded her arms across her chest and pinned Kirk with a long stare. "You had no right to do that."

He studied her face for what felt to her like an eternity. The heat of his gaze lingered on her skin as sure as if he'd touched her..

"I wanted to," he said at last, his voice low and husky. "More importantly, you wanted me to."

Lingering traces of panic whispered through her mind. To her surprise, the terror had lost some of its severity. "I didn't ask you to --"

"You didn't have to."

He unfolded one of the blankets, then spread it out over her legs. He did the same to the second and laid it across his lap.

She'd just opened her mouth to say she wasn't cold when the lights in the cabin dimmed.

"I think they want us to go to sleep." He reached out and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. His knuckles brushed against her cheek. "Do you want to go to sleep, Meadow?"

Rebecca
prp_Rebecca@yahoo.com

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BOOK EXCERPT: To Tame a God


Welcome my newest release at, Red Rose Publishing!

[To Tame a God]

Teala heard the snickers at her back and stiffened. She reached for the goblet and took a long drink, closing her eyes to the sweet liquid that slid smoothly down her throat. She opened them and grinned as her insides began to warm deliciously. The cup disappeared from her hand and
she bowed her head.

As she took a deep breath, she looked up into the face of Zeus, "I am the Lion Tamer, in search of her perfect mate." With a boldness she had never felt before, she locked eyes with Hercules and her blood raced, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

Zeus threw back his head and roared with laughter, soon joined by the rest of the gods—except Hera, who only gave a cool stare.

"The Lion Tamer, is it? Well, little tamer, you have been chosen as my favorite tonight, so your wishes and fantasy will be the first to be granted."

Teala felt herself being lifted off the ground and suspended in the air before the king of gods. She was breathless and her body began to quiver.

"Tell us, Lion Tamer, which of us is to grant your fantasy?"

Teala did not hesitate as her eyes instantly locked with deep green ones. "Your son, Hercules."

Zeus smiled knowingly, his pleasure easily read in his eyes. "Then you shall have him."

Available now,

Red Rose Publishing
http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?manufacturers_i\
d=58&products_id=491

OR CLICK ON THE BLOG POST TITLE TO BUY!
http://www.skylergrey.com/
http://www.myspace.com/skyler_grey
http://www.thewickedwomenofromance.com/

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MEMBER NEWS: Book Wenches Interview / Pat McDermott


Hello, everyone. I have an interview up with Book Wenches, who gave A Band of Roses such a great review. Stop by if you have a sec!
http://www.bookwenches.com/interviews.htm
Pat McDermott A Band of Roses E-Book Available from Red Rose Publishing
http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=384\
Fiery Roses Coming Soon from Red Rose Publishing http://www.patmcdermott.net/


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FREE READ: Who wants a Free Great Read?...Anyone?!

Well Denysé Bridger has the thing just for you!

An Alteration in Destiny…
Somewhere in the Valley of Temples, deep within the heart of Sicily, the town of Destino has existed for millennia…. Once favoured by the Roman Goddess, Diana, she repaid the people of this village by placing Guardians to watch over them…
And protect them from all threats…
Throughout the ages, the Gargoyles of Destino have become mythical in their own power, and are sentient beingS. But has existence among humans altered them beyond the destiny they were created for….

Come on over to her blog and check out Night-Song by Denysé Bridger

http://fantasy-pages.blogspot.com/
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REVIEW: Craving's Chinook, WindVerse, Book Seven by Charlotte Boyett-Compo from Ellora's Cave


Title: Craving's Chinook, WindVerse, Book Seven
Author: Charlotte Boyett-Compo
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Website of Publisher: http://www.ellorascave.com
Genre: Romantica/Erotica/ Futuristic
Publication Date: October 2008
ISBN: 9781419916670
Length: Novel
Format: eBook
Reviewer: WitchGiggles

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In a moment of anguished grief and guilt, Captain Rynlyn Rede strode aboard the pleasure ship, Chinook, seeking a moment's peaceful oblivion and found it plus something he certainly hadn't counted on- a totally beautiful Forever Love with a woman strong enough to handle him.

Tess is a beautiful courtesan who, though having spent her adult life on the pleasure ships, catching the eye of an emperor, and having no plans to settle with any one man, is blind-sided by not only the beauty of Ryn's body, but the need in his soul. How can she not love a man who has withstood so much and is still "human"?

I loved this one. A strong man with a gentle woman who's strength is understated, yet is steel encased in velvet. The trials the two of them endure in the course of this story make for a fully rounded tale, yet the supporting characters add dimensions that expand it and add to
the complexity in such a way as to make this a page turner you won't put down.

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REVIEW: Love in Mysterious Ways by Madison Blake from Ellora's Cave

Title: Love in Mysterious Ways
Author: Madison Blake
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Website of Publisher: http://www.ellorascave.com
Genre: Romantica/Erotica/ Menage a trois or More/ Gay/Contemporary
Publication Date: October 2008
ISBN: 9781419918261
Length: Novella
Format: eBook
Reviewer: WitchGiggles
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Lindsey and Brent have been married for five hot, fulfilling years,
but now Brent has decided it's time to grant Lindsey her one fantasy. Little does he know just how much he's let himself in for.

Rory has been Brent's best friend since forever and is Brent's choice for the third member of this triad. Yet Rory is a believer in
everything in it's own time and the tension is slowly driving his "soon to be" partners into a frenzy.

I liked the fact that this one is full of twists,honesty between partners, some exceptionally hot sex laced through with humor in one of the most realistic manners I've seen written. Thoroughly recommend this one.

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REVIEW: Dirty Little Angels ~ Chris Tusa ~ University of West Alabama/Livingston Press ~ Adult Southern Gothic



Title: Dirty Little Angels
Author: Chris Tusa
Website of Author:
http://www.christophertusa.com
Publisher: University of West Alabama/Livingston Press
Website of Publisher:
http://www.livingstonpress.uwa.edu/
Genre: Adult/Southern Gothic
Publication date: March 30, 2009
ISBN: ISBN-10: 1604890304 ;
ISBN-13: 978-1604890303
Format: Paperback / Hardcover
Reviewer: Lucille P Robinson
http://www.lucilleperkinsrobinson.com
Alternative-Read.com

Hailey Trosclair, sixteen and innocent, tells her story of leaving the baby-innocent life stage behind as she approaches a time when even murder sounds like a good idea. Her father who used to bring home good pay checks got laid off and now thinks he's too good for a Walmart job. He uses his time to play pool and visit other women, one in particular. Hailey's mother wastes her time laying around in her bed under the heavy cloud of depression brought on by a miscarriage that resulted in change for them all, including Hailey's older brother Cyrus.

Through Cyrus, Hailey experiences many things the least of which is visiting the hangout of an ex-con who lives by the rule, "You have to suffer before you can get salvation." The worse of these is murder done in the name of saving the family. She has many thoughts about God, but eventually settled on the attitude that when the preacher prayed asking God for help, the help never came. Whereas, when Moses was faced with a problem he didn't pray, he solved it himself. No one told Hailey this could lead to problems.

While all her social activities are happening, Hailey watches the chasm between her parents grow and decides it is because of her father's conquest of 'the other woman', so she visits the other woman's husband who is dying of cancer. She plans on telling the man about his wife and her father, but her heart goes out to Mr. Guidry as he lies in his hospital bed accepting the verdict of the doctor, "You're dying and we can do nothing."

Sex is always a temptation to all kids who reach the golden teenage years and Hailey is no exception. There are a couple of explicit sex scenes, so this book is not a good choice for teenagers and because of the violence described in some of the scenes, not recommended for young adults. However, adults can learn much from reading this story. Parents with teenagers will know a little more of the problems their children face during this time in their lives and will perhaps be a little better at reading the signs than Lena and Jules Trosclair were. Mr. Tusa's story is interesting and thought-provoking. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning what's out there to entice our children away from family and good moral teachings.

Author Bio:

Chris Tusa was born and raised in New Orleans. His work has appeared in Connecticut Review, Texas Review, Prairie Schooner, The New Delta Review, South Dakota Review, Southeast Review, Passages North, Spoon River, New York Quarterly, Louisiana Literature, Tar River, StorySouth, and others. He has studied under a number of notable writers, including Tim Gautreaux, Sidney Wade, and Debora Gregor. With the help of a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, he was able to complete his first chapbook of poetry, Inventing an End. His debut collection of poems, Haunted Bones, was published by Louisiana Literature Press in 2006. His debut novel, Dirty Little Angels, will be released by The University of West Alabama this April. He holds a B.A. in English, an M.A in English, and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Florida. Aside from teaching in the English Department at LSU, he also acts as Managing Editor for Poetry Southeast.

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REVIEW: Nights in Ardentia, Books of Bliss One by Eden Avery from Ellora's Cave


Title: Nights in Ardentia, Books of Bliss One
Author: Eden Avery
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Website of Publisher: http://www.ellorascave.com
Genre: Romantica/Erotica/ Menage a trois or More/ Futuristic
Publication Date: October 2008
ISBN: 9781419918650
Length: Plus Novel
Format: eBook
Reviewer: WitchGiggles Alternative-Read.com

Gizella and Ezmond are unusual in that as licensed pleasure partners they are monogamous. For each there is no other and their sexual exploits are only enhanced by the tomes known as the Books of Bliss. Their happiness knows no bounds until in an unusual twist of fate they are brought together with the stunning Hunter.

As an Embrian warrior taught to despise all things sexual, Hunter is the immovable object that draws Gizella as nothing else could. But neither Hunter nor the Ardentians could ever expect what drawing forth his sexual hungers would set free.

This one gives a twist at the peak that makes you sit up and go wow. In a tale where the privileged find out what humility is and how to look beyond what they see, the Uncivil find out that they haven't been any better and have caused most of their own problems. During all of
this the sex described throughout is so blisteringly hot that if you have any phobias about sex, well, you might find the descriptives just too much. If you like it to scorch, dive right in.

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REVIEW: Tormented by Shawna Moore from Ellora's Cave


Title: Tormented
Author: Shawna Moore
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Website of Publisher: http://www.ellorascave.com
Genre: Romantica/Erotica/ Vampire
Publication Date: October 2008
ISBN: 9781419918490
Length: Plus Novel
Format: eBook
Reviewer: WitchGiggles
Alternative-Read.com

Tired of traveling with her father, Eve Morneau must first make a
detour by New Orleans on her way home to Boston. She's hoping a
renowned doctor there can help her with the venomous bite she received on this latest trip. After meeting him, she hopes he can help her with something else as well.

Unknown to Eve, Charles Galletiere has already become well acquainted with her and plans not only to practice his strange medicines on her, but to make her free of her puritanical pursuits as well. Hidden well away from his peers, he has high hopes of showing Eve just how strong she truly is.

A vampire tale with a twist not often employed, this one was a mix of complex characters, with perhaps Charles the most complex of all. While the sex was explicit, it was also not as frequent as one might expect and the story explores the mores of "beliefs"- both religious and non. I quite enjoyed following the journey each of them took as they grew from individuals into a pair and can recommend this one as a very interesting read.

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REVIEW: Slang - The People's Poetry by Michael Adams - A review of a book useful for writers


Title: Slang
Subtitle: The People's Poetry
Author: Michael Adams
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780195314632,
Publish date: 2009
Genre: Nonfiction/ (WritingLanguage)
Reviewer: Carolyn Howard-Johnson
hojoreviews@aol.com
Alternative-Read.com

Academia for the Masses


Equal Mix of Academics, Humor, and Useful Stuff for Writers

When I teach my writing students, I urge them to keep reading, keep writing, keep taking classes. Michael Adams has cobbled together a definitive book that appeals to every side of my book-loving nature. A work of nonfiction, it even appeals to my need for entertainment. It is Slang: The People's Poetry published by the Oxford Press.


Adams manages to give readers equal doses of fun and information—information that our formal education in languages (English in particular) may have neglected. As an example, he gives us a veritable list of words we use for getting plastered . . . er snockered. Then he shows us how these words may be onomatopoetic or related to the visual or how they reflect a cultural need to set ourselves apart. Those are hardly things Miss Jones would have discussed in our basic grammar class.

But for fun he'll say things like, "It's hard to decide whether visual hurl is more vivid than audible barf, as the words offend different senses." (Yes, you may be amused that your taste for dry humor develops as you read.)


He can buckle down to business, too. He warns us early on that we are to come away from this book with something more than a guffaw: " . . . it might be wise to distinguish slang even more precisely from jargon, argot, and colloquial use." And that's something, gratefully, he does frequently.

What I'm not crazy about is his tendency to fall back on snooze-producing syntax and Latinate words. He doesn't do it so frequently that casual readers won't enjoy what he has to say but they'll have a better chance of not relegating this book to their "maybe later" pile if they skip the introduction.


Writers, on the other hand, will want to buy and keep this book handy for research. It will be invaluable for producing accurate dialogue. In which decade, as an example, would one have been more likely to use gone Borneo for getting blasted? Writers who pick the wrong one may find their credibility trashed by those hip enough to know.Carolyn Howard-Johnson's first novel, This is the Place, has won eight awards.

Her book of creative nonfiction Harkening, won three. A UCLA Writers' Program instructor, she also is the author of another book essential for writers, USA Book News' Best Professional Book of 2004, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't.


The second in the HowToDoItFrugally series, The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success covers writing successful query letters and includes helpful hints from twenty of the nation's top agents. It can be purchased at Amazon. Learn more at her new site http://HowToDoItFrugally.com.

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REVIEW: Amanda's Young Men by Madeline Moore - Virgin Books, Black Lace


Title: Amanda's Young Men
Author: Madeline Moore
Author Website: http://moremadelinemoore.blogspot.com
Publisher: Virgin Books / Black Lace
Published: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-352-34191-4
Genre: Erotica/contemporary
Length: 267 pages
Reviewer: Angelika Devlyn
Alternative-Read.com

Oversexed Amanda just can't stop fantasising about all the men she sees around her. She's a good girl and never misbehaves, that is, until her husband Roger sticks the boot in, and dies on her. To cap it all- his body is discovered in a hotel room, and although foul play was not suspected by the police, Amanda's positive he was not there just for a business meeting.

Amanda, determined to enjoy her life and get her own back from her cheating husband, tries to find out what he was up to by stepping into his shoes and takes over his chain of shoe shops. This leads the girl into a whole new world of shoes, dominance, submission and the darker depths of a stock room or two. Some of her employees are also very keen to work overtime when Amanda's around. Like many employers she's full of ideas for boosting staff morale, but there's always someone who disagrees.

When I first picked up this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. It sounded like erotic suspense, but it's more contemporary erotica. What I did expect was lots of great sex scenes, and I wasn't disappointed. I loved this book. Amanda is smart, sexy, and keen to experiment. I felt for her at times when things were not going her way, and I was pleased to celebrate her successes, of which there are a few. I've read Madeline Moore's work before, and this is her best yet. With characters that come to life, and are knowledgeable in their chosen kinks - this is no conservative pump, I can tell you!

--
Angelika Devlyn http://angelikadevlyn.wordpress.com/
http://myspace.com/angelika_devlyn

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REVIEW: The Persian Girl, by Felix Baron


Title: The Persian Girl
Author: Felix Baron
Publisher: Virgin Books/Nexus
Website of Publisher: www.nexus-books.com
Published: 2008
Genre: Erotica/Historical
Format: Paperback
Length: 236 pages
Reviewer: Angelika Devlyn
Alternative-Read.com


This book tells the story of Sir Richard Francis Burton's secret diaries discovered in a trunk at an auction. They follow his career as spy and diplomat, as he swash buckles his way saving the British Empire from peril, be that wolves, Russians or coping with the love-hate relationship he shares with the Persian girl, Honey, who as far as I could tell spent most of her time trying to escape him. But Sir Burton is not one easily deterred. By the end of his travels he is back home with his wife having high tea, with a few surprises up his gallant sleeve. Oh, to have a jolly good hero, valiant and willing, to keep up the great British reserve. And with a mustache, too.

It's great to read about this dashing, and famous Briton as he soldiers on to protect King and Country, being rather devious and rakish with it. Of course, I have to mention this is a fictional account, but I can see Felix Baron has spent some time on his research of Burton's real life. In addition, the author has added a lot of imaginative flair, especially where the Burton's numerous accounts of sexual devilment are concerned. Yet, the lewd linguist still manages to get himself enslaved, and his Bowie knife confiscated. Burton has a roving eye for the ladies, a huge libido, and a pretty big swordstick to match. What a rogue.
--
Angelika Devlyn http://angelikadevlyn.wordpress.com/
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BOOK EXCERPT: PG Rated ~Diablo Blanco Club: Under Control (LGBT/BDSM)


http://www.loose-id.com/prod-Diablo_Blanco_Club__Under_Control-909.aspx
Title:*Diablo Blanco Club: Under Control
*ISBN:* 978-1-59632-906-5
*Publisher: *Loose Id, LLC
*Genre: LGBT/BDSM*
*Length: *Novella

*Blurb:*
**Vance was used to facing death and confronting terrorists in war, but when it comes to confessing his act of betrayal to the man he loves, Vance finds it impossible to keep his feelings Under Control.

*Excerpt:*

"Time to leave, Gunnery Sergeant," the nurse said. Her crisp command accompanied the squeak of her rubber-soled shoes as she pushed a wheelchair into Vance Justiss's hospital room.

Looking up from his chair near the window, Vance didn't bother smiling. He had no reason to. "Packed and ready, ma'am," he replied. He maneuvered himself out of the chair with his good arm and tucked a crutch beneath it. As his training demanded, he maintained his balance and proud bearing, despite the fact his left arm was secured against his chest in a blue sling and his left leg was immobilized by an air cast from mid-thigh to ankle.

"If you'll take a seat," the nurse patted the chrome and vinyl device.

"No, thank you, ma'am," he declined. "I'll be fine." He was a Marine Force Recon. No fucking way he was being rolled out of the room in that contraption. "If I could have you --"

A young marine barreled into the room, coming to a quick stop in the doorway. "Sorry I'm late, Gunny," the younger man said, offering a crisp salute that Vance returned. The kid smiled at the nurse and moved to grab the packed duffle bag on the foot of the bed. "Lennox is in the car, and transport home is waiting."

"Stationed at Pendleton, Gunnery Sergeant?" the nurse asked Vance as she kept pace with them down the hall. She hovered on his left side, ready to catch him if he stumbled.

Not damned likely he'd let her get hurt trying to support his weight, no matter how his injuries ached. "Yes, ma'am," Vance confirmed.

"The doctor says your physical therapy is scheduled to begin at the end of the week."

"Yes, ma'am."

"You'll be back on your feet in no time, Gunny." Vance watched the kid on his right grin. The unit was always on Corvus about his inability to curb his enthusiasm, but Vance knew the newest member didn't pay much attention to the harassment because he just kept smiling.

"No doubt, Corvus." Vance ignored the pain each step shot through his body. *Push past it, soldier.* The damage to his left hand and leg was permanent according to the doc. There was nothing he could do about it. The only thing he could do was get back on his feet so he could honor his word and finish what he'd started.

He had a promise to keep, and he refused to do it on crutches. He just needed to make it through the next few weeks, to get beyond those first few minutes every morning when memories of his last mission -- Aimee's screams and the concussion of the explosion -- soaked his body in cold sweat. The mornings when the nightmares had his heart slamming against his ribs and his
disgust at what he'd done caused bile to rise in his throat. Those shadowy moments when thoughts of the weight of his .38 in his hand and the chill of the steel against his temple seemed to offer the comfort of a final escape. It was always the same when he entertained thoughts of ending his life, despite the feelings of hate and disgust, three reasons kept surfacing to keep him sucking air in the here and now.

One, Ben would never forgive him if he took the coward's way out.

Two, he had to keep his promise to Aimee.

And three, marines weren't quitters.

And, damn it, he was still a marine.

Click *here http://www.loose-id.com/prod-Diablo_Blanco_Club__Under_Control-909.aspx
* to buy it!

--
~~Qwillia Rain~~
Quintessensually, Quirky Romance from the Queen of Tease
Diablo Blanco Club: Under Control~~May 2009 from Loose Id, LLC
Diablo Blanco Club: Unfair Advantage~~Available Now at Loose Id, LLC
www.myspace.com/qwilliarain http://www.freewebs.com/clubdiabloblanco
http://diabloblancoclub.blogspot.com/

PROMO: The Watchers Series - coming soon and currently available


It's almost here! Releasing on June 2nd (next Tuesday) is the third novel of my paranormal romance series - The Watchers. Midnight Revelations is Rayne's story.

"Midnight Revelations" by D. McEntire

Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Paranormal
ISBN: 978-1-60504-573-3
Length: Category
Price: 4.50
Publication Date: June 2, 2009
Cover art by Natalie Winters

The chosen one…with no choice at all.
The Watchers, Book 3

Suma lives life on the edge—in more ways than one. As her tribe's chosen protector, her role is far from a privilege. It has sentenced her to a life of isolation, shunned by the very people she is sworn to protect. But protect them she will, no matter what the cost to herself.

When she discovers the gorgeous hunk she's been eyeballing is actually a vampire, she doesn't hesitate to mark him as the next evil creature she has vowed to hunt down.

There's a Rogue-killing black wolf loose in a local state park, and Rayne is not too happy to be pulled away from his Watcher Cell in Louisville to check it out. The simple investigation turns complicated when he realizes the wolf is a female Skinwalker. And that Skinwalker is Suma. How does he know? It takes one to know one.

And when they cross fangs, another fact hits him right between the eyes—she's his mate. Even though their passion runs hotter than the magic burning under their skin, in the end there's only one real choice.

To answer the call of love…or the call to duty.

Warning: Gruesome battles, dim-witted rogue vampires and awesome sex with real fireworks.

D. McEntire www.dmcentire.com

Print Copy Available online at B&N,
Borders, Amazon.com, and www.mybookstoreandmore.com
HAVE YOU SEEN THE ALL NEW TRAILER ON THE WATCHERS SERIES?
CHECK IT OUT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jxfoWx9Wxo


Midnight Rose available for ebook download www.mybookstoreandmore.com
Print release coming soon - Oct. 1, 2009

REVIEW: The L Word by Amanda M. Holt. extasy Books


Title: The L Word
Author: Amanda M. Holt
Author Website: http://www.amandamholt.com/
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Website of Publisher: www.extasybooks.com
Genre: Romance/comtemporary
Publication Date: 2009
Length: Short story
Format: eBook
Reviewer: Angelika Devlyn
Alternative-Read.com

After dumping Kevin, regretful Celina takes a chance and calls him again. This leads to phone sex and a meeting of hearts and minds, in which the lovers indulge in a little role playing as Celina becomes Sarah, a horny virgin who wants to get her rocks off, but of course needs some guidance from an older, dominant male.

With strong, yet vulnerable characters, I found this story erotic, moving and it really drew me in. So much, in fact, that when the two lovers' issues came to light, it made me want to smack their heads together so they saw sense. Just what a good story should do to a reader; get them involved.

Who needs Ferrero Rocher chocolates, when you have someone like Kevin and Mr. Snake to keep you satisfied? A dirty little MUST READ!

--
Angelika Devlyn http://angelikadevlyn.wordpress.com/
http://myspace.com/angelika_devlyn

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REVIEW: Overcoming Abigail by Elliot Mabeuse froom Ellora's Cave


Title: Overcoming Abigail
Author: Elliot Mabeuse
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Website of Publisher: http://www.ellorascave.com
Genre: Romantica/Erotica/BDSM
Publication Date: June 2005
ISBN: 1-4199-0280-6
Length: Plus Novel
Format: eBook
Reviewer: WitchGiggles
Alternative-Read.com

It's 1897 and like most women in New Orleans, nay, the world, Abigail Du Pre believes it's dirty and sinful to enjoy the things that happen between a man and a woman. Having been given as payment for her idiot father's gambling debts, she is now the Dr.'s "property" and she has no doubt as to what he plans for her. She finds that she is not only a totally sexual being, she is stronger than she believed herself to be.

Dr. Lucien Trier sees Abigail as his chance to mold a female into the complete and total sexual slave to tend his rather extreme needs, but in the process of training her he unleashes a wanton whose needs may just surpass his own. But the most astounding thing of all was that he not only got his wish in the slave area, he fell in love with the sensual woman who taught him that when you think you can control another human being, you might think about who's really in control.

We all know that throughout history women were repressed sexually for fear that they would demand more of their husbands (like fidelity or satisfaction in bed) and that they would be unable to comply. This was an interesting look at a scenario that was in direct contrast to that. For a man to want a woman to respond in an honest, unfettered fashion makes for interesting reading. However it was the building of a real relationship with all it's incipient jealousies, insecurities, tribulations and trust that was the cornerstone of the story for me. Watching the two of them become bound to each other was in itself a true delight.

REVIEW: Del Fantasma: Scotch on the Rocks by Liadan Brodie from Aspen Mountain Press

Title: Del Fantasma: Scotch on the Rocks
Author: Liadan Brodie
Website of Author:
Website of Publisher: www.aspenmountainpress.com
Genre: Paranormal Contemporary
Publication Date: February 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60168-182-9
Length: 59 Pages
Format: eBook
Email of Author:
Reviewer: WitchGiggles
Alternative-Read.com

Braeden McInnes joins Matt in the effort to retrieve not only their mate Elizabeth who's been taken,but also to return the rogue who stole her to justice for the other many crimes he's committed. What they haven't counted on are the complications arising from the alliance of this rogue and members of the were-panther community which involves
injuring a child. Can they stop him before things disintegrate completely?

Elizabeth has been a part of Braeden and Matt's lives for a long time,but doesn't know the most important fact about either of them; that there resides within both of them an animal which when released can become a killing machine if necessary, or that they keep it tightly leashed.

This is the classic story of what a person is capable of doing for the sake of protecting the life of a loved one. The characters are full of life, love, humor,compassion and understanding, yet remain faithful to their belief in what is right. I've always adored the Del Fantasma series and I've yet to be disappointed.

REVIEW: Del Fantasma: Winter Break by Dawn Montgomery from Aspen Mountain Press


Title: Del Fantasma: Winter Break
Author: Dawn Montgomery
Website of Author: www.dawnmontgomery.com
Website of Publisher: www.aspenmountainpress.com
Genre: Paranormal Erotica
Publication Date: December 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60168-164-5
Length: 57 Pages
Format: eBook
Email of Author:
Reviewer: WitchGiggles
Alternative-Read.com


Nicollete Snow is a child of winter who's wondered about "Old Man Winter" since she was a child and now has the opportunity to find out first hand if all her speculations are close to the money.

Jack Frost is tired of controlling winter in the world, but doesn't realize the repercussions he's creating in neglecting his job; especially for one adult toy QA.

This is the story of Jack as you've never seen him and quite frankly one of the most invigorating I've ever read. There's just something about a man in leather on a bike that sets the hormones in gear. A truly good read.

REVIEW: Flipped Fables Edited by S.A. Clements from Torquere Press


Title: Flipped Fables
Edited by S.A. Clements
Website of Publisher: www.torquerepress.com
Genre: Contemporary, Gay Romance, M/M, Fantasy / Anthology
Publication Date: 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60370-490-6
Length: 241 Pages / 58000 Words
Format: eBook
Reviewer: WitchGiggles
Alternative-Read.com

The Man Who Cried Werewolf by Kiernan Kelly

A tabloid writer, proud of the exciting tales he's made up, finds out
for himself what happens to those who live in the land of make-believe when he tries to tell the truth about finding a "real,live werewolf" and is laughed into oblivion.

A wonderful, contemporary,adult take on the boy who cried wolf fable of yore with resoundingly erotic consequences that even the most staid individual can relate to.

A Sheepherder in Fabulous Clothing by Rob Rosen

What won't a young man alone too long in the hills with the sheep do when it's love at first sight with a couturier of a group of drag queens.

Bold courage wins the day in this tale of a young man willing to go the distance for love.

Shifter 2.0 by Winnie Jerome

What happens when a lion shifter finds a mouse? Ask Alex Colton to whom said mouse belongs.

The lion and the mouse with a totally intriguing, most unexpected twist.

Bad Hair Day by Clare London

Crown Prince Stephan sent on a quest to find a princess to marry instead finds someone totally opposite to what Mama wants.

This one has twists you aren't looking for. Most delightful.

Wild Fox Chase by Misa Izanaki

When a young Kitsume named Kenji finds himself a friend in the Americas,the last thing he expects is to find out is that he's also found more than that.

A delightful tale of magic, fantasy, and love.

Sweet Persuasion by Angelia Sparrow

Apollo and Zephyros show a young sheepherder what it's like to be loved by the Gods, but learn a valuable lesson of their own.

The erotic pictures drawn of the Gods in their human forms are hot,hot hot and the shepherd comes out the big winner.

The Nature of Love by Anah Crow

The true selfless meaning of love and the willingness of both parties to sacrifice for the other.

This one caused tears.

Court and Country by G.S. Wiley

Can two very disparate men continue a relationship when they can't stand each other's home? John is country and hates the court life whereas William is couturier and the country gives him the hives.

In this one I think there is a loser, but since he doesn't seem to think so...

The Cock and the Jewel by Sean Michael

Or the snob and the suit; Axe is a man with a master's degree, loves ink and is an artist, while his ex-lover is ashamed of the way he looks instead of being proud of his heart.

A major uptake on "Don't judge a book by it's cover", this one involves the heart in a way everyone can relate to.

I must admit to having favorites in this set of stories,but there are ones in here for every style. Some will make you laugh while others will make you weep and yet more will do both and all make you ponder "why", which is the purpose of any good fable. All in all these were entertaining reads.

MEMBER NEWS: Author Douglas Quinn News Update

News Update for
Author, Douglas Quinn
Second Webb Sawyer Mystery to be Released Soon
Pelican Point: a Webb Sawyer Mystery
will be released this coming July from iUniverse, a Barnes and Noble Company.
Pelican Point
is the second book in the Webb Sawyer Mystery series. Book one, Blue Heron Marsh was not only a critical success but we were pleased to find when the most recent royalty statement came in that sales were still brisk.
The cover art for Pelican Point is by Donna Higgins Colson and the cover design is by Kim Colson (previously Kim Modler).
Pelican Point
takes up several months after Blue Heron Marsh ends. Webb's relationship with Nan is still rocky and he meets a new lady of interest while pier fishing in Nags Head. Even with his women problems, Webb is back to the quiet life at Blue Heron Marsh he so cherishes. But then....
What follows is the back cover blurb from Pelican Point:
Life is good for Webb Sawyer. Until he gets hit over the head in the Nags Head Pier parking lot. Until a mercenary from Columbia, and three of the Columbian's friends try to kill him and burn down his house at Blue Heron Marsh. Until his son goes missing while trying to track down the killer of a university professor, a murder for which his son Preston is under suspicion.
When Webb and Preston's girlfriend, Sunshine Bledsoe, work together to discover what happened to Preston, what they discover goes far beyond the professor's murder.
At the back of Pelican Point is the prologue for the third book in the series, Swan's Landing: a Webb Sawyer Mystery, which has its beginnings with the 9/11 attack on the twin towers in New York City.
We will advise you of the release date once it has been determined.
Douglas Quinn finishes draft of Children's Chapter Book
In the Fall of 2008, Douglas Quinn's grandson, Quinn asked him when he was going to write a children's chapter book, using Quinn as the hero, of course. Douglas Quinn said, "Why not?" and conceived a children's book series called Quinn Higgins: Boy Detective, aimed at ages 8-10. The first book in the series is The Case of the Missing Homework.
Douglas Quinn had the privilege of reading chapters as they were completed to his grandson's 3rd Grade class at Weeksville Elementary, adding in a brief writing lesson with each reading. Quinn has completed the first draft of the book and will read the final chapters to the class on the 29th of this month.
The book is scheduled to be published by White Heron Press and printed through Amazon Books CreateSpace service. Quinn hopes to have the book released by this coming fall.
Douglas Quinn working on new Suspense/Thriller
Douglas Quinn is 11 chapters into his new suspense/thriller The Capablanca Variation: The End Game. This book is the third and final book in the Ellis Family saga, the first being The Catalan Gambit (Henry Ellis end-runs the governments of the U.S. and Spain to try and save his children, whose plane was highjacked by international terrorists); the second being The Spanish Game (Jennifer Ellis, now age 24, steps up to save her father against a person from The Catalan Gambit who is bent on revenge).
In The Capablanca Variation: The End Game, Jennifer is blackmailed by the U.S. government into taking a dangerous mission to save her brother from prison.
Readers have asked about the titles for this series. All are chess moves and represent, as in chess, the adversarial nature of the two sides in the story lines. And, as with chess, there are many players on the board who may have a bearing on the outcome of the game.
The Capablanca Variation: The End Game
is expected to be released in 2011.
Douglas Quinn on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter
For those of you who would like to follow Douglas Quinn's daily updates, you may find them on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. If you have a profile on any of these sites, look for him under the name Douglas Quinn and/or his user name "obxwriter." and request he become a friend (or, in the case of Twitter, request to follow his posts). Douglas Quinn encourages your comments on all of these sites.

AR BOOK GIVEAWAYS ARE BACK!

Post a comment here on the AR blog during the month you want to win, for a chance to WIN WIN WIN one of our free gifts!

Prizes are added during the month in progress and change at the beginning of each month.
For details of other ways you could win and extra chances - read more details here.

Please also take a moment to browse round our authors and sponsors websites as a way of saying thank you for their generosity in donating these prizes for AR Readers! :)

Good luck and happy reading!

Sassy Brit
Alternative-Read.com
http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com
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Authors interesting in donating prizes for future competitions, please email Sassy . Brit [@] gmail [dot] com and head your email AR BOOKSHELF

THANK YOU!

REVIEW: Savoring Temperance by Brenda Williamson ~ Aspen Mountain Press

Title: Savoring Temperance
Author: Brenda Williamson
Author Website: http://www.brendawilliamson.com/
Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press
Website of Publisher: http://aspenmountainpress.com
ISBN: 978-1-60168-201-7
Genre: Contemporary Erotica
Length: Short story/23 pages
Reviewer: Angelika Devlyn
Alternative-Read.com

Lisa has the hots for Max. Max has the hots for Temperance, a prim and not so proper teacher. It's Christmas, the log fire is blazing and the couple soon realise they have been set up like kippers, or in this case, Santa. Temperance even lets Max suck on her peppermint candy cane!

A very short read, which I loved, though, I wasn't sure I liked the shock in the centre of the book, but I won't tell you about it so not to spoil it for the reader. However, is this shock a heat of the moment idea, brought on in the throes of passion, or the beginning of a whole lotta lovin'? A sweet romance, full of surprises - especially what can be done with a peppermint candy cane!

I'm planning to ask Santa to get me a whole sack of them as I've been an extremely good girl lately.

--
Angelika Devlyn http://angelikadevlyn.wordpress.com/
http://myspace.com/angelika_devlyn

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REVIEW: Black Point by A.J. Llewellyn, D.J. Manly from eXtasy Books


Title: Black Point
Author: A.J. Llewellyn, D.J. Manly
Website of Author: www.ajllewellyn.com, www.djmanly.com
Website of Publisher:www.extasybooks.com
Genre: Male/Male, Gay Romance, Contemporary
Publication Date: September 2008
ISBN: 978-1-55487-124-7
Length: 162 Pages
Format: eBook
Reviewer: WitchGiggles
Alternative-Read.com


Thomas (aka Rose) Carter: buff, braw and tired of writing as a woman, he wants to "out" himself to the fans who have read him for years. Oh, and let's not forget that hunky and handsome is also gay and has developed feelings for a new writer he's gotten to know 'over the net' through the many chat groups both have attended.

Matt Malone has never pretended to be anything other than what he is: a gay M/M writer who flirts shamelessly with the female fans who read his books and his idol,writer Rose Carter. Somehow the flirtation with Rose has gotten to be more than that and Matt has gotten confused. How can a gay man get the hots for a woman? He's determined to find out at the convention they're both attending.

I have to say that the collaboration between these two very talented men made for very entertaining reading. I did find it amusing that one was from the Hollywood area and knew Hawaii very well while the other one was from Canada. I wonder did anyone else pick up on this? I must say though that poor Cole stole the story with his roller coaster ride with hubby Ryan and thought up some most ingenuous ways to make him pay for his transgressions. I would love to know who they were based upon. I recommend this to anyone looking for a delightful read.

PRESS RELEASE: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


The one that started it all…

Walt Disney's
Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs

Historic Blu-ray™ Debut Launches Spectacular
All-New 'Diamond Collection'

Cutting-Edge New Collection - Premieres October 6, 2009!


Burbank, Calif., May 18, 2009 – Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) proudly opens the vault, releasing 'The One That Started It All,' Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in high-definition Blu-ray for the first time ever, on October 6, 2009. The historic and highly-anticipated release fittingly launches a spectacular all-new product line – Disney's Diamond Collection. Poised to transform home entertainment, just as the movie itself transformed the entire motion-picture industry upon its debut in 1937, the revolutionary new Diamond Collection brings audiences the most immersive and highest-level viewing experience, that includes unparalleled features, exclusive high definition content and updatable experiences, superior picture and sound, and much, much more. Taking home entertainment to fantastic new heights unlike anything before, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition marks the film's first-ever high-definition Blu-ray bow, on October 6, while the standard definition will be released seven weeks later, on November 24.

The Diamond Collection debut of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will keep audiences spellbound for hours with exciting content exclusive to this historic release, presented with spectacular newly restored picture and 7.1 Digital Theater System Hi-Def Surround Sound. Utilizing the latest in technology, possible only by the power of Blu-ray, the release includes "Disney Smart Navigation," allowing the magic and personality of Disney Characters to come to life as never before. "Disney Family Play", the ultimate interactive Hi-Def experience, offers a variety of immersive games, activities and unprecedented levels of personalization and customization features, to transform how families experience home entertainment together. The Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition is a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack (2 Blu-ray discs + DVD).

Exclusive Snow White Diamond Edition Bonus Features
* Hyperion Studios
– Audiences are digitally transported to 1937 to discover first-hand, Hyperion Studios, the original studio Walt Disney himself built and where Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was conceived and developed. Viewers will virtually walk the halls of this historic landmark experiencing life at Hyperion Studios back in the 1930's. This amazing "Backstage Disney" feature contains newly dimensionalized archival photos, never- before- heard animator recordings, archival transcripts and rare footage of Walt himself revealing how Disney's gifted filmmakers crafted the very first animated feature.

* Magic Mirror – Using the latest in Blu-ray technology, the iconic Magic Mirror guides the audience through the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition features with ease, serving as the "host" for an incredibly immersive experience. The Mirror will recognize viewing patterns, knows where the audience has left off and will even suggest where to navigate next. This marks the first use of this type of technology in a Disney Blu-ray release and provides viewers the control to personally create a customized Snow White experience.

* DisneyView – Disney's pioneering animated feature is brought to the modern era of widescreen high definition viewing by allowing the user to expand their viewing experience beyond the original aspect ratio of the film. Utilizing Disney Blu-ray™ technology, acclaimed Disney artist Toby Bluth was able to 'draw' beyond the borders of classic full frame cinema and fill the otherwise dark edges of the screen with beautiful custom imagery, giving audiences a new view of their animated classic favorite.

* About Toby Bluth – Disney artist Toby Bluth tells how the movie inspired him to create the superb DisneyView art.

* Mirror, Mirror On The Wall – Through BD-Live, this mirror can find the secret princess inside each viewer with a series of questions, then create for them a personal message from their favorite princess who will call them on the telephone.

* What Do You See? – To win this exciting interactive game, players must untangle scrambled images.

* Jewel Jumble – Players put jewels from the Dwarfs' mine in the proper order to win this game.

* Scene Stealer – Allows viewers to upload a personal photo and experience life as one of the Seven Dwarfs—on-screen in the actual film.

About Disney 'COMBO PACKS' (Blu-ray + DVD in a single package):
To provide consumers with unprecedented quality, value and portability of their favorite Disney classics, in 2008 WDSHE pioneered the Combo Pack – Blu-ray Disc(s) plus a DVD in a single package. Current Disney Platinum Edition titles available as Combo Packs include Sleeping Beauty and Pinocchio.


About Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs:
Celebrated as an entertainment landmark for over 70 years, the first full-length animated film ever made, and still the 'fairest of them all," Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' world premiere represented a major milestone for the world of animation and a giant leap forward for The Walt Disney Company. Presented with a 1939 honorary Academy Award® for "significant screen innovation which has charmed millions, and pioneered a great new entertainment field," Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is one of the most beloved and most watched films in history. As one of the first films ever to be designated for preservation by the Library of Congress, it has been entertaining moviegoers and critics alike for decades. It is also the first film ever to have a motion picture soundtrack, as well as the first film to use music to advance the story. To date, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has been released theatrically a total of nine times.


Synopsis:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
is the time-honored story of a beautiful princess whose blossoming beauty disturbs her stepmother the Queen. Each day the Queen asks a mysterious magic mirror the quintessential question: "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" As long as the mirror answers the Queen's name, all is well. However, when one day the mirror replies with Snow White's name, the evil Queen begins her quest to kill the young girl, so she may once again be "the fairest of them all."

Snow White's escape from the evil Queen's plan leads her deep into the forest and to a small cottage where she meets, in one of the most famous scenes in motion picture history, the Seven Dwarfs. One day—when "off to work" they go—the wicked Queen persuades Snow White to take a bite of a poisonous apple that places a powerful sleeping curse on the young beauty. Heartbroken, the dwarfs make a glass coffin for their friend, because she is too beautiful to bury. Only when a handsome Prince—who had previously fallen in love with Snow White—finds her and kisses her, does she awaken, to "live happily ever after."

The Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition is priced at $39.99 SRP.

STREET DATE: October 6, 2009
Direct prebook: August 11, 2009
Distributor prebook: August 25, 2009
Pricing: Diamond Edition Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack: $39.99 SRP
Feature run time: 84 minutes
Rated: "G"
FastPlay™: FastPlay enabled on DVD
Aspect ratio: Widescreen (1.33:1)
Sound: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
French and Spanish Language Tracks
Languages: English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
Technical specifications may only
apply to feature.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista product, which includes DVD, Blu-ray Disc™ and electronic distribution. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is a division of The Walt Disney Studios.

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