Category Archives: BOOKS

Dance with the Ants Blitz

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Children’s Book

Date Published: June 2023

 

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Dance with the Ants is a picture book about a spontaneous picnic undertaken
by a mother and her son. The decision to have a picnic triggers concern when
they think about the possibility of pesky ants invading their planned day of
fun. Surprisingly, their picnic worries turn into an afternoon of music and
dance thanks to some uninvited guests at their picnic site.

Music, animal, and outdoor enthusiasts will love this colorful book that
includes a touch of rhyme. The book is geared for ages 4-8 and displays
colorful illustrations on every page of the story.

Please enjoy reading as your child’s vocabulary and cognitive development
increases.

For discussion after reading: Adults can use this story to help youngsters
realize that a child’s worries about upcoming events (i.e. summer
camp, first day of school, going to a medical office) often times actually
turn into fun-filled outcomes.

 

 About the Author

Sam Wright

Having grown up on a small farm in rural Virginia, I learned what hard
physical work was at a young age. I was blessed to have four siblings so
whenever there was any time for recreation, we would sometimes play together
and other times each of us would focus our minds on our personal hobbies. My
interests included drawing and spending time with animals, especially horses
and ponies. I remember many days of horseback riding through the woods, all
over local farms and backroads made of dirt. Often times, I pretended that I
was living in a wild, western day and had to rough it in the wilderness. I
appreciate now that a child’s imagination is a precious gift.

As an adult, I focused on healthcare and have worked professionally in that
field for many years. After marrying in my mid-30s, living in various
states, raising three beautiful children, and now experiencing life as a
grandmother, my husband and I have resettled in the state of Virginia on a
serene farm with horses, a pony that our children grew up riding, a dog, and
a cat, along with abundant wildlife to admire on a daily basis.

I do recall as far back as my early twenties that I had a great desire to
write a book. Many busy years of life consumed my time; however, I never let
that dream of writing a book dwindle. As I approach my retirement years, I
have transitioned that book writing dream to one of my bucket list
goals.

Thanks to many acquaintances, good friends and a supportive and loving
family, I view my life’s journey as enlightening and enriching.
Recently, I have embraced the role of author. This allows me to put a check
mark beside one of my personal bucket list items which makes me very happy :
)

I encourage everyone who has a dream to never let it fade. If it lingers in
your heart and mind, there is a reason. Strive to reach your goal, but
always remember to appreciate the journey along the way.

Contact Link

Amazon Author Profile

Purchase Link

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Heart of the Storm Reveal

 

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Demon Storm, Book 4

 

YA Fantasy

Date Published: 09-13-2023

Publisher: Shadow Spark Publishing

 

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More than night terrors keep Kari awake at night. Ari languishes beside
her, broken by the horrors Raven bestowed upon him.

She hopes he heals, and soon.

When a familiar presence and an unexplainable human with magic happen upon
their doorstep, Kari and Ari make a decision: leave Raziac Village in search
of answers and a new home.

But the heart eater waits for them.

 

About the Author

Valerie Storm

Valerie Storm was raised in Tucson, Arizona. Growing up, she fell in love
with everything fantasy. When she wasn’t playing video games, she was
writing. By age ten, she began to write her own stories as a way to escape
reality. When these stories became a full-length series, she considered the
path to sharing with other children & children-at/heart looking for a
place to call home.

 

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Vahid Imani Author Spotlight Blitz

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Naji and the Mystery of the Dig

 

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There’s a deep, dark hole in Naji’s yard and it’s full of
secrets. But will the girl’s curiosity lead her to answers, or
disaster?

 

When Naji wakes to a strange sound she discovers a group of workers digging
a hole just outside her room. Filled with intrigue, she wonders what
they’ll find at the bottom. Sleeping monsters? Skeletons and
curses?

Her father warns her to stay away. The worksite is no place for a child,
and if she isn’t careful, she’ll be snatched up by a Looloo;
mythical creatures that lurk in the shadows. Summoning her courage, Naji
decides to investigate—until a terrible event leaves the whole
neighborhood panicking. Have the terrifying Looloos struck again? As it
turns out, the answer is far more surprising than Naji and her father could
ever imagine.

Based on a true story, this award-winning middle-grade chapter book
includes a glossary, study projects, and discussion questions

 

Join Naji on a suspense-filled exploration of Persian culture and folklore
as she learns that sometimes, the best adventures are waiting right under
your nose.

 

Amazon

 

 

 

Naji and the Mystery of the Dig coverNaji and the Mystery of the Dig : Naji’s adventure series, Graphic
Novel

 

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A Graphic Novel-

There’s a deep, dark hole in Naji’s yard and it’s full of
secrets. But will the girl’s curiosity lead her to answers, or
disaster?

 

When Naji wakes to a strange sound she discovers a group of workers digging
a hole just outside her room. Filled with intrigue, she wonders what
they’ll find at the bottom. Sleeping monsters? Skeletons and
curses?

Her father warns her to stay away. The worksite is no place for a child,
and if she isn’t careful, she’ll be snatched up by a Looloo;
mythical creatures that lurk in the shadows. Summoning her courage, Naji
decides to investigate—until a terrible event leaves the whole
neighborhood panicking. Have the terrifying Looloos struck again? As it
turns out, the answer is far more surprising than Naji and her father could
ever imagine.

Based on an award-winning middle-grade chapter book with the same title,
this graphic novel includes a study projects, and discussion
questions.

 

Join Naji on a suspense-filled exploration of Persian culture and folklore
as she learns that sometimes, the best adventures are waiting right under
your nose.

 

Amazon

 

 

Historical Mystery / Thriller

 

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In this historical thriller inspired by true events, a British espionage
plot spirals out of control—with devastating consequences.

It’s the aftermath of WWI and imperialist powers jostle for influence in
Tehran, capital of Persia and heart of the Middle East. James Malcolm is a
ruthless British spy set on undermining his American and Russian rivals, but
when an act of sabotage escalates into an international incident, the
kingmaker becomes the pawn.

Rose Pearce works in the English Consulate with her friend Ali, a sweet boy
of fourteen. Their simple existence is shattered the day Ali shares the
details of a troubling conversation he’s overheard. Rose encourages him to
stick to what he knows best: serving tea and trimming roses in the consulate
gardens, but Ali is filled with a sense of duty and takes matters into his
own hands, changing their lives forever.

Caught in the shifting sands of shadowy espionage, international agendas,
and a lust for Western dominance at all costs, James, Rose, and Ali must
fight for what they believe in—if they manage to survive at all.

In the Shadow of the Kingmakers is a vivid, heart-stopping exploration of
a moment in history that shaped the world we know today.

Amazon

About the Author

Vahid Imani was born in Tehran, Iran, and made the United States his home
in 1979. He earned his master’s degree in 1980 from Gonzaga University’s
School of Business in Spokane, Washington. At the turn of the century, he
transitioned to the world of fine arts after a career in high-tech as a
business executive. His opinions and insights about the arts, history, and
international politics have been shared in articles, public lectures, and
mass media.

In 2014, he debuted as an author with his award-winning middle-grade novel
“Naji and the Mystery of the Dig”. In February 2019 he released his
historical thriller, “In the Shadow of the Kingmakers”. In May 2020 he
released his Memoir, “Like the Wind I Go, A memoir of Iran, America, my
struggle to freedom” Imani is the father of three children, grandfather of
three, and lives with his wife in California.

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The Fall of Mu Teaser

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Galactic Pact Series, Book 1

 

Science Fiction / Space Opera

Date Published: 01-01-2023

Publisher: Bookbaby

 

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The Fall of Mu is the captivating first book of the Galactic Pact series.
This multi-generational epic blends science fiction and historical fiction
to transport you to a pre-historic era where humanity built an interstellar
empire. With vivid scenes, rich characters, and chapters that defy
expectations, this book takes you on an exciting journey across the
stars.

Michael is sixteen when his homeland is destroyed in a nuclear attack, his
parents are murdered, and he is the one responsible for ensuring his
people’s survival. Throughout Michael’s struggles with alien overlords,
apathetic allies and godlike creatures, we follow him as he discovers what
it takes to lead in a dystopian universe and how hard it can be to cling
onto hope in times of despair. But this is only the beginning!

 

EXCERPT 

 

 Part One: The Mu 

 

 Chapter One 

Lord Ausis 

 

 In the darkness, a red orb appeared. A voice pushed itself into his awareness. 

Arise Lord Ausis. It’s done. You’re an Apskritai—a carnal aspect of my will in this realm. You have immortality and power over men. Among the Apskritai, only you have my gift to hear the vine of Mu—my adversaries’ throttle against me. 

The voice of the Dragon, he thought. At last, I am an Apskritai. 

The voice returned. Arise Lord Ausis. Destroy the vine of Mu and kill the last Guardian. Then bind all nations of Terra into one empire with my code of civilization and drive them to the stars. Give me dominion over a hundred worlds so I may command the resources to withstand the mischief of my makers. Together we can escape this system’s culling and bring order to the galaxy. 

Lord Ausis opened his eyes. In front of him were eight Apskritai. Except for the color of their robes and various deformities, they were identical—pale, tall, and stout. Their heads were bald, elongated, and adorned with the crowns of the Apskritai—a mesh of gold wire connecting gemstones embedded into their skulls. He raised his hands and felt his head. It had doubled in height, rising beyond what was there before. Above his brow, he felt gemstones embedded into his skull. With his fingertips, he traced the wire that connected them. 

Lord Ausis removed his hands from his head and surveyed the gloomy, red-lit chamber. On either side of him stood men in red, hooded robes. He could hear their breath and heartbeats and those of the med-tek men behind him. He looked down at his body. It was longer, larger, and more muscular. He was strapped to a metal gurney that was tilted upright. His feet dangled just above the floor. 

The smell of sulfur flooded his nose. He took deep breaths and the effect of anesthetics faded. The pain! His body pulsed in agony. He tried to scream and heard a roar like a lion come from his mouth. The eight Apskritai that stood in front of him opened their mouths, revealed their pointed, steel teeth, and returned his roar. The chamber shook with the echoes of their outcries. 

As the echoes subsided, the pain diminished. Lord Ausis thrashed. His bonds snapped. He slid off the gurney and stood on his own. He had control of this body! He tilted his head and listened carefully. Every sound in the chamber and its timbre were his to play with. He could block out noise and examine individual frequencies at will. This is my gift—I am the ears of the Dragon. Then he found it—a pattern of sound that emanated from the walls of the red-lit chamber. It invoked dread that came from the same place as the voice of the Dragon.

 “Remember that sound!” proclaimed an Apskritai in an orange robe. “It will lead you to the source of the vine.” 

The sound receded until it was gone; the dread followed it. He heard the priests’ footfalls before he saw them move to stand before him. Their hearts beat quickly. One held a black robe with embroidery of gold, silver, and platinum and another a pair of sandals. He held out his arms so they could dress him and noticed how long and pointed his fingers were.

 After they fastened the robe to his body and bound the sandals to his feet, Lord Ausis walked toward the other Apskritai and stood before them. He turned around and instructed the prostrated men before him. 

“I am the ears of the Dragon and have been tasked! Summon the emperor and the heads of the Lantaan military and industry so they can renew their oath to the Dragon. We will remove the last of the adversaries’ allies from Terra and bind all nations of men under our rule. After this, we’ll create an empire of a hundred worlds. The Dragon’s will be done!”

About the Author

R. Halderman

R. Halderman is a fiction writer and engineer with a passion for
philosophy. He is the author of exciting and provocative literature, blazing
a trail for a new style of fiction for a new generation. His writing draws
on science fiction’s past and present to create a unique voice in
contemporary fiction.

You can learn more about R. Halderman at www.RHalderman.com. You can also
find him on Gab: @RussellH and Minds: @rhalderman

 

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The Bucket of Blood Blitz

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Dystopian & Post-Apocalyptic Graphic Novels, Dystopian Graphic Novels,
Humorous Graphic Novels

Date Published: June 2023

 

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“The Bucket of Blood” by Paul Malott is a darkly-funny comedy
that takes readers on a thrilling and immersive journey into a dystopian
Detroit ruled by the enigmatic Granny Schmif. This sassy splatterpunk
graphic novel combines elements of humor, action, and horror to create a
unique blend of genres that keeps readers engaged from beginning to
end.

Fans of stoner, darkly-funny comedies will enjoy this adventure epic about
freelance spies meandering in the streets of Detroit.

About the Author

Paul Malott

Paul Malott is a writer, procurement leader, and organizational management
expert who’s also a self-proclaimed lover of all things comics, 3D printing,
history, and human inventiveness and perseverance. He’s a big believer in
the power of laughter and has made it his mission to help people trust in
the adage that ‘laughter is the best medicine’.

In his graphic novel “The Bucket of Blood” Paul offers a
facetious and humorous perspective on today’s struggles through the
lens of some unique characters such as Granny Schmif. Paul believes that the
ability to balance seriousness with humor leads to success in all areas of
life, from relationships to career, and his graphic novel provides readers a
witty narrative providing substance to his lifestyle.

But, Paul’s not just a one-trick pony. He’s held various leadership
positions in fortune 500 companies throughout his career and has honed his
skills in leadership, problem-solving, procurement, and strategic planning.
When he’s not writing or working, Paul can be found indulging his family and
getting lost in his other passions, which include playing the drums,
watching sci-fi movies, and trying to master the art of cooking. He also has
a knack for making people laugh ..he’s told his sense of humor shines
through in his writing, and readers can expect to be entertained as well as
informed.

In short, Paul Malott is a multi-talented writer and expert who’s
passionate about communication, laughter, and helping people achieve their
goals. His unique blend of expertise, humor, and satire makes him an
invaluable writer and resource.

 

Contact Links

Author Website

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