Priyath Wijewardena, The Third World In The Mind

Dear Readers,

I wrote the book The Third World In The Mind when I was twenty five years but I came up with the concept when I was eight years old. This means the story takes place through the eyes of an eight year old. The story is a fantasy and such it creates entire tribes, landscapes, civilizations and universes which are unique and transcendental.

The story revolves around the liberation struggle of a Prince named Zonidag whose nation Carthage has been conquered by another nation called Minoa. Zonidag and his retinue of soldiers are the only hope of the conquered nation as he headed off to a civilization which is ethnically akin called Centuria. His race is known as the Zions. All the tribes and nations composing the Zionic race make a decision to start of on a nonviolent campaign yet this ends in tragic violence and instead a violent campaign is started.

The themes of the story are many. First it shows the irrelevance of worldly things. All aspects such as materialism, socializing and even success in a career are temporary and worthless. The only true happiness is the attainment of Nirvana and Enlightenment. The political theme is that there is no one perfect system. Each type of politics has its own logic and draw back; therefore tolerance and compromise should be the order of the day

Thank you,

Priyath Wijewardena

Brandi Quick, The Feather Of Pleasure

Dear Readers,

I’m Brandi Quick and I write Romance novels for www.XoXoPublishing.com . I don’t write just Romance novels, but Hot, Erotic Romance novels that are steamy—very steamy. There is a difference between porn and erotic Romance novels. I do not write porn. However, when my hero and heroine close the bedroom door, I do not cut to the ocean crashing against the rocks. I want my readers to feel his touch, to smell his erotic essence. If I don’t feel his lips on mine and on my body, I rewrite the scene.

My latest novel is The Feather of Pleasure.

Summary:

Have you ever meet Mr. Right only to find out his rightness doesn’t extend beyond the bed? Well, that’s what happened to Jenna Cartwright who had put her personal life on hold to build her career. Who hasn’t done that at one time or another in their career? Jenna was quite successful becoming the manager of the payroll department in five years. While she wasn’t looking for Mr. Right, he turned up on her very door. Or was he really Mr. Right? Phil Cooper was hired as the assistant manager of the accounts payable department. They met at the Monday morning staff meeting and hit it off from the start. They got each other’s jokes when others didn’t, they laughed when others didn’t. After dating a few weeks, Phil moved in with Jenna, agreeing to split the bills. Jenna soon finds out Phil is not only a loser, but also a user, when he refuses to pay his share. He moves out of her place and in with Jenna’s archrival without warning. Jenna is devastated and goes to her local bar to be with friends and that’s where she meets the real Mr. Right—Ted Cummings.

***

Brandi Quick is my pen name.

Why use a pen name?

There are a couple of really good reasons.

My stories reflect some highly personal and erotic experiences, and I don't want to make my readers who know me to be uncomfortable when we see each other.

Through the years my closest girlfriends, as well as boyfriends, and I have shared experiences I know I would not want to see the light of day. Right out of college four of us shared an apartment in Atlanta, Georgia. Back then, we met some very interesting boys and men. Men I would stay in bed with all day long, but not be seen in church with.

My characters are often based on, or drawn from, real people - enough said.

If you have any questions, ask away.

Visit my website:

www.BrandiQuick.com

...but enough about me and my books – how about something that really tastes good and is easy to make.

Blueberry Squares

Ingredients

1 cup crushed vanilla wafers (about 30 wafers)

2 tablespoons butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup cold water

3 cups fresh blueberries, divided

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

1-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

Directions

- In a small bowl, combine wafers and butter. Press into a greased

8-in. square baking dish. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until

lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

- In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Gradually whisk in

water until smooth. Stir in 1-1/2 cups blueberries. Bring to a boil;

cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the lemon

juice, peel and remaining blueberries. Cool completely.

- In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add

confectioners' sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Fold in

marshmallows. Spread over crust. Top with blueberry mixture. Cover

and refrigerate until set, about 45 minutes.

Yield: 9 servings

Romancing Historical Details, by Jackie M. Smith

Dear Reader,

When I first researched for my historical romance A Soldier’s Vow, I discovered so many interesting facts about the French country during one of the most terrifying periods in their long history. The German army had easily invaded the Northern part of France and often bombarded Paris but never succeeded in penetrating the city’s walls. Nonetheless, the city had been hit in other different and equally devastating ways.

Blackouts, food shortages and influenza affected everyone. Through my research, I discovered many families could no longer afford to keep their children fed, therefore they sent the weakest members of their family to their relatives in the country or other safer places. In A Soldier’s Vow, I wanted to show how the heroine Winnie Douglas saw and lived what everyone went through between 1914 and 1918 Paris. I also show how the war affected the women who stayed behind and waited for their husband, brother, cousin who joined the war effort.

The war also changed the soldiers who fought and saw firsthand the horrors and victories of war. Henry Whitfield, the hero in A Soldier’s Vow, had no idea what he would see and experience when he left his Canadian hometown. Many countries including Canada sent their strongest and bravest men overseas and fight an unknown enemy. They trained hard and fought even harder. Yet what waited for them in the trenches became their worst enemy. Rats, lice and other diseases caused the most terrible living conditions for every soldier on both sides.

Using such details in my book not only creates a setting but also brings the reader back to a time of turmoil, courage and undying love.

Jackie M. Smith

My novel, A Soldier’s Vow is now available with XOXO Publishing;

http://xoxopublishing.com/

Excerpt of; A Soldier’s Vow

Prologue

Valise in hand, Winnie stood breathless as she gazed at the majestic ship floating with so

much grace against the late afternoon November sky. She stepped forward and her heart raced inher chest. After spending the last two years in Europe, she headed home. Taking a deep breath of the cool salty air, she calmed herself. “You can do this,” she whispered.

Fixing her wide-brimmed hat, she climbed the thick wooden walkway, her feet feeling

heavy with every step. She glanced down. The great gulf separating her from the water below

made her nauseous and very light-headed. Taking another deep breath, she continued on her

way, while touching the baby growing inside her belly.

“Winnie!” a man’s voice called from behind her.

Looking out into the crowd behind her, she couldn’t see who had called her name. She

shook her head and continued up the walkway.

“Winifred Douglas!” The man’s voice called out again.

She stopped once more and looked below. For a quick moment, she swore she could hear

her darling Henry calling out to her. Could it be he had travelled all this way to Liverpool in

order to find her? She shook her head. Her heart raced. Her palms moistened inside her gloves.

Walking a few steps back down the gangplank, Winnie bumped into people going up. She

squeezed her eyes closed as people jostled their way past her. Stopping where she stood, she

looked everywhere for Henry’s handsome face. Unshed tears stung her eyes. She imagined

hearing him and seeing him. She felt dizzy. Taking a deep breath, she walked the rest of the way

down the gangplank, and waited one last moment for him to call out her name in the familiar

baritone.

***

For more information about my books please visit my website:

http://jackiemsmith.weebly.com/

Buy link:

http://xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.phpmain_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=53

Facebook Fan page:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Jackie-M-Smith-Romance-author/234050636079?ref=ts

A Soldier’s Vow Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/A-Soldiers-Vow/140810252597414?ref=ts

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/JackieM_Smith

Yahoo Group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jackiestreasures/