Month: January 2019

Effective Business and Nonfiction Writing by Jan Yager

Transform your nonfiction writing NOW! Through concrete examples and clear guidelines, seasoned and prolific writer, teacher, and coach Jan Yager gives solid advice on how to create business and nonfiction writing that will help you to get ahead in your career. Originally published by Arco with the title “How to Write Like a Professional,” this practical and extremely useful book provides guidelines for improved nonfiction writing including a self-evaluation to access your current writing skills; a discussion of the four basic steps to effective business writing; how to overcome writer’s block; how to craft a style that’s right for you and your audience; how to get your writing published; time management tips for writing; exercises to hone your writing skills; and lots more.This 3rd edition has a new cover and Preface, which discusses the nonfiction writing demands of blogging, as well as an additional section at the back of the book entitled “Some Additional Thoughts on Nonfiction Writing” which covers •The impact of the Internet and Internet-based reference tools on nonfiction writing•The current state of business writing skills •How globalization is impacting on nonfiction or business writing •The current improved perception of using a ghostwriter or relying on editors for help•The consequences of the rush to publish.This 3rd edition concludes with an updated annotated list of recommended books for nonfiction writers including such gems as GOOD PROSE by author Tracy Kidder and editor Richard Todd and A.P.E. (AUTHOR, PUBLISHER, ENTREPRENEUR: HOW TO PUBLISH A BOOK) by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch.A reader of this book recently wrote this to the author: “…friends and business partners are telling me my writing has improved.”About the authorJan Yager, who has taught writing at Penn State, is the award-winning author of 40 non-fiction and fiction books, translated into 32 languages, including WHEN FRIENDSHIP HURTS; WORK LESS, DO MORE (2nd edition); and THE FAST TRACK GUIDE TO SPEAKING IN PUBLIC. Her articles have been published in major magazines, newspapers, and online publications including HARPER’S, PARADE, FAMILY CIRCLE, the Op-Ed page of the NEW YORK TIMES, and consumeraffairs.com. She is also a publishing executive who has worked at Macmillan Publishing Company, Grove Press and, since 1996, has run her own small press, Hannacroix Creek Books, Inc. (http://www.hannacroixcreekbooks.com) For more on Jan Yager, go to: http://www.drjanyager.com

Author: Jan Yager

Rating: Rating: 5.00 / 5
18 reviews

The Conservation of Magic (The Science of Magic Book 1) by Michael W. Layne

Sometimes even magic has very real consequences.This is a Modern Epic Fantasy Adventure Novel.—————————–Merrick has a job. A girlfriend. A life. But upon the death of his father, he finds out that his past is a lie and that he is not even a member of the human race. Instead, he discovers that he belongs to an ancient species that has co-existed with mankind since its inception and whose members can use sound to command the elemental forces of nature.Merrick does his best to come up to speed and master his craft in time to take control of his destiny and to defeat his sociopathic brother. But without a lifetime of experience, he wields his newfound power like a child with a gun, and with equally disastrous results.Join Merrick on an adventure that takes him from the suburbs of Washington D.C. to the Highlands of Scotland and to the jungles of Mexico, as he strives to overcome his own weaknesses, confronts a family of formless, ethereal dragons, and races to discover his true self in time to save the world from a fiery end.—————————–This book deals with topics such as death, but it contains no gratuitous violence. It was written for adults but is suitable for young adults 12+ (and they really seem to love it!). Also, don’t forget to pick up the FREE novella, The Applicant, the standalone prequel to The Conservation of Magic.

Author: Michael W. Layne

Rating: Rating: 4.50 / 5
33 reviews

The Minus Faction – Episode Two: Crossfire by Rick Wayne and Robert Sammelin

“The writing is intense and vivid. Once again, I’m thoroughly intrigued.””The pacing is perfection.”In Episode Two . . . Xana Jace keeps her head down, which isn’t easy when you stand seven feet eight inches tall. She works the night shift and stays out of trouble, striving only to be reunited with her son.But she’s running out of time. The strange disease that compels her body to grow also threatens to choke her heart.When a masked gangster terrorizes the small community that shelters her, Xana is left with a terrible choice and just twenty-four hours to discover the truth that everything she believes is a lie.

Author: Rick Wayne and Robert Sammelin

Rating: Rating: 4.80 / 5
24 reviews

Lead! – They will follow you as you follow Jesus. by Stephen Owens

After the resurrection of Jesus and the launch of a new movement called Christianity a young Jewish Pharisee’s life was changed forever. This man’s name is Saul, but most people would know him as the Apostle Paul. Saul who was once an opponent of Christianity became one of its most innovative leaders after he had an encounter with the risen Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Drawing insights from the ministry of the Apostle Paul, Stephen Owens exposes nine leadership principles every church leader must practice to lead well for Jesus. The Apostle’s leadership style shows the church in order to be a great leader you must be a great follower.

Some of the principles the Apostle Paul practiced were:

Spending Time With God
Being Secure In Your Leadership Role
Suffering Well For Jesus
Focus On Leadership Duplication

Author: Stephen Owens

Rating: Rating: 4.80 / 5
24 reviews

TWO JAKES: A Two-Volume Action Thriller Omnibus by Lawrence De Maria

REVIEWS AND DESCRIPTIONS

The first two books in the Jake Scarne thriller series — SOUND OF BLOOD and MADMAN’S THIRST — have garnered terrific reviews from media critics and readers alike. Now they are available in one volume.

“SOUND OF BLOOD is a rollicking good adventure mystery with all the essential ingredients: an intrepid private eye, bizarre murders, international intrigue, missing documents, gorgeous women and slippery financial dealings. For those who enjoy dialog of the jocular irony-exaggeration genre, De Maria is a master. We read books like this to have a fast ride in another world, where lots of bad things happen to new and believable characters, where the good guys, though badly flawed, win out, and the villains get what’s coming to them. SOUND OF BLOOD delivers.” — THE WASHINGTON INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF BOOKS

“Suspense, gritty scenes, clever banter, the visceral rendering of Staten Island and a dogged private eye combine to make MADMAN’S THIRST and Jake Scarne a strong contribution to the tough guy tradition.” — FLORIDA WEEKLY

SOUND OF BLOOD: In this, the first Jake Scarne thriller, the rogue New York City cop turned private eye is sent to Florida by a grieving father to uncover the truth about his son’s death — only to be caught in a chain reaction of revenge involving a financial empire built on murder, sex and fraud. Bodies pile up as Scarne finds himself in the crosshairs of a powerful media baron, vicious mobsters, homicide cops, the F.B.I. – and a beautiful, amoral woman. This is the rare novel that has some critics praising it as a terrific financial thriller and others likening it to JAWS. But at the novel’s heart is a tragic love story that tests the boundaries of loyalty and loss. With crucial and colorful scenes set in New York, Florida, Georgia, Seattle, Argentina and the Caribbean, SOUND OF BLOOD will hook you right up to its last, stunning twist.

MADMAN’S THIRST: In his second outing, private eye Jake Scarne, haunted by his last case, has been letting himself go physically and mentally, content to cash easy paychecks. But then his best friend asks for a favor he can’t refuse. Seeking personal and professional redemption, Scarne sets out to find out who is behind the rape and murder of young girl. The police are convinced the brutal crime was random. But right from the start Jake knows better. The only problem: He can never reveal the source of his information. The one person, a stone killer, who can prove what really happened has disappeared, and may even be dead. The seemingly hopeless search for the man pits Scarne against an assassin for the ages whose shadowy employer cannot afford to have the crime solved.
Jake Scarne is a hero in the tradition of Robert Parker’s Spenser, tougher than nails and as quick with a quip as he is with a gun. With friends on both sides of the law, he’ll cut any corner when seeking the truth. Betray Jake Scarne — or his clients — at your peril.

“Real women, real villains and real heroes make Lawrence De Maria’s Sound of Blood a terrific read. As with Jaws, you won’t want to go near the ocean – but the land isn’t much safer.” — JANET EVANOVICH (#1 New York Times Bestselling Novelist)

“Good news for anyone who prefers the pages of a rapid-read thriller to the market reports of the newspaper’s business section. While De Maria may have been an award-winning financial reporter, he’s an awfully good fiction writer as well.” — THE NAPLES DAILY NEWS

Author: Lawrence De Maria

Rating: Rating: 4.60 / 5
34 reviews

Me First!: A Modern Day Fable about Service, Scouting, and Self-Esteem by Will McNeil and Danny McNeil

Me First! tells the story of Baden, a selfish eagle who annoys friends, family, and neighbors as he always demands to be first. Baden’s behavior makes others reject him, so that he ends up feeling sad and lonely. He is helped by a group of glowing, golden eagles who serve others in the School of the Woods. These scouts help Baden to discover the rewards of putting others first through cheerful service. Baden goes on a personal journey that leads him to help others and feel good about himself.

Me First! was written by two brothers, one who recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and the other who currently is working on his Eagle Scout project. As the boys were born and raised in West Virginia, images of Appalachia are evident throughout the story, along with symbols representing the principles of scouting. Me First! is an excellent gift for young girls and boys (ages 5 to 9) who are starting their own scouting journeys. Parents, teachers, church volunteers, and scout leaders will enjoy the included Search and Find” activity where children look for scouting images hidden in the beautiful illustrations. Within this colorful and humorous fable is a touching message about values, particularly the importance of serving others.

Author: Will McNeil and Danny McNeil

Rating: Rating: 4.80 / 5
33 reviews

Survival: Survive ANYTHING – The Ultimate Prepping and Survival Guide to Perfect Your Survival Skills and Survive ANY Disaster, ANYWHERE in the World! by Beau Griffin

Do You Want to Know How to SURVIVE ABSOLUTELY ANY DISASTER, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD?Disaster can strike at any moment. From earthquakes to virus outbreaks, it’s never expected, it’s never avoidable and it’s always a matter of life or death. Those who know how to survive do exactly that. Those who don’t? Unfortunately, they seldom make it out unscathed.But I have GOOD NEWS: I am here to transform you into a survivor. I will help you become a capable and knowledgeable outdoorsman and arm you with all the skill you will need to plan your escape and then follow it through to safety.I’ve Spent My Life Honing My Own Skills as a Survivalist, and Now I’m Here to Show YOU How You Can MAKE IT OUT ALIVE Hi, I’m Beau Griffin. I’m an experienced survivalist and I’ve had a lot of practice at finding my way back to civilization with little more than the shoes on my feet.I’ve experienced the dangers and I’ve travelled to five continents to understand the terrain. I know first hand what you will need to do to keep yourself safe, healthy and mobile and I am here to share that hard-earned knowledge with you.Give Me ONE DAY and I’ll DOUBLE Your Chances of Surviving a DisasterGive me a week and you’ll be as confident as I am that you have the best possible chances of survival in the event of a hurricane, an avalanche a plane crash or any other disaster for that matter. I really have crammed all the knowledge you need into one guide – and it’s going to keep YOU alive when disaster strikes.In this book, we’ll cover:·         How to develop a survivalist mindset and be prepared for absolutely anything·         How to secure the basics you will need to survive – water, shelter and food·         How to calculate your best strategy to make it from disaster to safety·         And much, MUCH more.If You Don’t Read This Guide, You Risk Your Safety, Peace of Mind and EVEN YOUR LIFEThis guide has been proven to work – scores of times over! I’m going to show you how you can turn the world around you from enemy territory into your best asset for survival.All it takes is a willingness to become a survivalist and the knowledge within these pages and you will dramatically increase your chances of surviving a disaster.See the Difference in One Week… or Your Money Back!If you follow the chapters in this guide and feel no more equipped to survive a disaster, simply click one button within 7 days and Amazon will return 100% of your money. That’s how sure I am that I have the answer to your problem – I CAN help you make it through disaster to safety.Just scroll up now and click the BUY NOW button to start BECOMING A SURVIVALIST, TODAY!

Author: Beau Griffin

Rating: Rating: 4.40 / 5
73 reviews

BRAiN RIDE by Angela Welch Prusia

Broken limbs heal in eight weeks. What happens when your brain gets busted? Jason’s best friend died the day of the bike accident. The guy who woke up from the coma is nothing like the old Logan. His memory has more holes than Swiss cheese, and he can’t count to ten. Doc explains the changes in Logan come from a traumatic brain injury. But words don’t make dealing with Logan or his condition any easier. He’s more impulsive than a toddler, and his black moods strain the boys’ friendship. To cope, Jason turns to his sketchbook. PB, Logan’s tutor, encourages Jason. Together, they help Logan face a painfully slow recovery. When circumstances threaten to tear the friends apart, PB offers a solution. The catch: Jason must train for BRAN, an organized bike ride, and Logan has to get on a bike again. Jason reluctantly agrees only to battle flat tires, bad weather, and road hazards. Logan struggles against his uncooperative brain and unresponsive body. Relearning to walk is challenge enough. How can he ever ride a bike? Will the two friends give up? Or will Jason and Logan let adversity take them on the ride of their lives?

Author: Angela Welch Prusia

Rating: Rating: 4.90 / 5
38 reviews

The Living And The Dead: A Story Collection by Todd Travis and James Schannep

For fans of STEPHEN KING and DEAN KOONTZ … author TODD TRAVIS (Creatures of Appetite) has gathered a haunting collection of suspense stories exploring the monsters, both living and dead, which surround us all. – A brilliant biophysicist on the verge of proving there is no life after death discovers, to his horror, that the dead are determined to stop him … – An abused small town boy finds a special friend in the woods next to his trailer, but his friend isn’t like other children and cannot leave the woods, not ever … – A group of determined graduate students seek Bigfoot on a remote Alaskan range seek but discover a monster far more deadly than they ever imagined … – An elderly store manager, disturbed by a stranger eyeing the armored truck deliveries to his store, decides to take matters into his own hands … – A beautiful young woman walks the streets of Manhattan at night seeking men, but for her own dark purposes, because for her, night is for hunting … – A mysterious little girl somehow “invites” herself along on an abduction, leading her captors to wonder who really is in charge … Five stories of suspense and terror and a short novel exploring the darkness everyone eventually faces when it’s their time to die, THE LIVING AND THE DEAD is a collection one may want to read with all the lights in the house on … Foreword by James Schannep (INFECTED – Click Your Poison). THE LIVING AND THE DEADBy Todd Travis

Author: Todd Travis and James Schannep

Rating: Rating: 4.30 / 5
99 reviews

Robots Like Blue by Anthony J. Deeney

CAN LOVE BE DIGITISED?

What if you discover that your brand new, shiny robot is self-aware, as Lucy Walker does with ‘Robbie?’
It is 2162. Brian Webster, the self-absorbed, unstable leader of Harrowgate & Webster Robotics, develops the most adaptive and responsive robot of all time, thanks to a revolutionary quantum computer processing ‘brain’ and groundbreaking Gen5 software. However, he installs the ‘Governor,’ overseeing software that monitors the robots behaviour adding a second layer of safety routines. With the ability to force compliance, the Governor essentially denies the robots their freedom.
Brian Webster ruthlessly exploits robots, colleagues, and even his own son, in his obsession to crush his powerful rival, Enorpa Robotics.
Lucy, and other concerned owners, demand that their robots be free of the Governor, defiantly pursuing a collision course with Webster’s ambitions of empire, unwittingly risking collapse of the entire industry with incalculable outcomes.
Robbie’s confused start-up precipitates an emotional journey of self-discovery, survival and enlightenment in an increasingly unpredictable and dangerous world. His only desire is to serve Lucy.
Ultimately, his is a surprisingly ‘human’ story, in which his emotional struggle to understand ‘freedom’ terminates at an unexpected and shocking conclusion.

N.B. This is a revised work, originally published as “Robots Like Red.”

Author: Anthony J. Deeney

Rating: Rating: 4.50 / 5
67 reviews