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Whore of Madness

Dani Dubré

Waggle

Joe Redden Tigan

Scatterlings of Africa

Peter Davies

Chew on Things – It Helps You Think: Words of Wisdom from a Worried Canine

With very public corporate fiascos such as the Enron scandal dominating news headlines in today’s world, corporate corruption has not only become a hot topic, but an everyday reality. In fact, the plot of Jack Eadon’s novel, “The Armstrong Solution” may even sound plausible to many readers, which makes for an all the more exciting read.

“The Armstrong Solution” paints a vivid and realistic picture of corporate corruption, strengthened by Eadon and his wife’s own experiences within the corporate world, where competition and a desire to get ahead are prevalent. KathyArmstrong, the main character, is no exception, as she struggles to rise above the arrogant, male-dominated corporation. Her attempts to break through this deceitful glass ceiling in Eadon’s cinematic story will hold readers captivated in suspense all the way to the surprising and unpredictable grand finale.

Imagine being summoned from the slumber of death, awaking in a shattered world you do not recall, betrayed by sibling, parent and lover imagine your search for the truth. Dragon Queen: An Ancient Mirrors Tale is a legend of magic, adventure, and courage set in the mythical world of Ædracmoræ; a tale that explores strength and weakness, hope and fear, and what it means to be a guardian in a world where peace hangs by a fine, golden thread.

Without knowledge of the past, Yávië and the Guardians stumble on a quest more filled with peril than any that have come before, a quest that will test the depths of their loyalties and which paths they will choose. Together they embark on a journey to discover the truth of Yávië s birthright and a world they no longer remember.

With the discovery that she was born of the Dragon Queen, Yávië is given knowledge of the powerful artifacts that will reunite the shattered kingdoms into a single world.

However, with the rebirth of Ædracmoræ will come the opening of doorways that bring chaos and shadow to the new world an evil that may be far worse than the original destruction of the realm of the Dragon Queen. It is within this darkness that the guardians and their young queen struggle to gain control of what they have unleashed upon the kingdoms

Meet the real Doug and Jackie Christie. He’s a 14 year NBA star. She’s a former fashion model. They’ve been criticized, attacked, and scorned…simply because they have a traditional, happy marriage.

Everyone – from groupies to sports reporters – has taken their best shots at Doug because he chooses to be faithful to his wife. At last the Christies get to tell the truth – their truth – about their marriage. How did two people from single parent households learn to create their own “happily ever after”? And what are the secrets to a successful marriage that Jackie and Doug have to share with you?

Tim Friedlander's background in psychology helps reach kids through the The Playdate Kids music. He received his Bachelors degree in Music Performance with a minor in Psychology from Western Washington University and is currently working on his Master’s degree in Music Education at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

In addition to work on The Playdate Kids series, Tim, a multi-talented musician, voice-over artist and actor was most recently seen as the featured clarinetist in the run of the world premier musical, “American Klezmer" by The West Coast Jewish Theatre at the Egyptian Arena Theatre in Los Angeles. As a clarinetist he is also a founding member of The Pasadena Winds, a contemporary chamber quartet. Tim has also been fronting his own jazz group on guitar, as well as backing many popular musicians in the greater LA area As a composer, his music can be heard everywhere from clubs, to an independent movie soundtrack, to DVDs for the San Diego marathon and the City of Cerritos, CA.

Tim’s musical contribution to The Playdate Kids series is a true gift to music lovers of all ages. He hopes to inspire children through his music and make a positive affect on each of their lives. Tim’s songs have hip, happy beats that children devour and adults enjoy.

The Playdate Kids musical series amusingly depicts developmental issues that all young children encounter through catchy tunes, vivid illustrations and engaging storylines. The musical series keeps within the theme of creating stronger, more emotionally-aware children; but we have stepped beyond books and into a whole new realm of children’s literature. The Playdate Kids musical series includes a CD in the back of the book as added bonus to an already amazingly entertaining adventure. As a music director of The Playdate Kids, Tim Friedlander provides appealing music for ears of all ages.

Nick Poff, author of The Handyman's Reality and a native Hoosier, currently lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Born and raised in a small town in Indiana, author and self-described “average gay Joe” Nick has long been disappointed with gay fiction’s focus on erotica set within urban locales, where men with backgrounds and lifestyles similar to his tend to be underrepresented. In addition to writing, he also works in the radio industry and admits to beginning that career in the days when disc jockeys actually spun records. While “The Handyman’s Dream” was about the bliss of finding that perfect someone, “The Handyman’s Reality” concerns the day-to-day involvement of making a relationship work. “The Handyman’s Reality” actually begins the morning after Ed and Rick decide to move in together, an especially big step for Ed, who has never been in a serious relationship. Soon after making this important decision, the men are presented with an unexpected proposition from their good friend and mentor, Mrs. Penfield, and suddenly Ed and Rick’s long-term goals become a bigger immediate priority.

Though Ed and Rick do face some backlash from conservative small-town mentality, on the whole they are supported by loving friends, family and neighbors, who generously supply the book with comic relief and universal nuggets of wisdom. Thanks to Poff’s radio background, “The Handyman’s Reality” also has a stellar “soundtrack” running throughout the book, with specific songs from the early ’80s explicitly mentioned to enhance the novel’s historic scenery. Ed and Rick’s personalities, surroundings and personal relationship together create a refreshing break from many stereotypes in modern gay fiction, making “The Handyman’s Reality” a story that anyone who has been in love—male or female, gay or straight—can easily enjoy.

The caves and cliffs of Mesa Verde National Park are situated near the Four Corners Region of the American Southwest and hold memories of the long gone Anasazi Native Americans.The area is a fitting locale for award-winning author Paul L. Hall's story about deaths from the past forcefully intersecting with contemporary lives, "Places the Dead Call Home."

Hall defines the novel as an "unconventional mystery story," because it doesn't contain a neat and tidy resolution at the end. "They are restless for the truth and that truth is endlessly elusive," Hall says of the novel's characters. The lives of the present and murders of the past finally converge in Mesa Verde, Colorado. There, the spirit of the Anasazi still seem to inhabit the ruins, and a powerful lesson about the ultimate futility of attempting to reconcile or justify history is all that remains.