Over Six Million New Kindle Owners Need Kindle eBooks & Ours Are On Sale

Imajin Books would like to assist the over six million new Kindle owners searching for ebooks to load onto their Kindle ereaders. So our Christmas eBook Sale will continue until January 7th, 2012. We offer affordable ebooks by various authors in a number of genres, including mystery, suspense, horror, romance, fantasy, thriller and YA. And our ebooks aren't just for Kindle owners; if you have a Kobo, Nook, Sony or other ereader, you can buy our affordable ebooks via Smashwords.

OUR SALE IS OVER.

but you can still buy our ebooks for less than $5.

ASENATH
by Anna Patricio
Amazon
Smashwords

BLONDE DEMOLITION
by Chris Redding
Amazon
Smashwords

CHASING CLOVERS
by Kat Flannery
Amazon
Smashwords

CHEAT THE HANGMAN
by Gloria Ferris
Amazon
Smashwords

CHILDREN OF THE FOG
by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Amazon
Smashwords

DIVINE INTERVENTION
by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Amazon

DIVINE JUSTICE
by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Amazon
Smashwords

LANCELOT'S LADY
by Cherish D'Angelo
Amazon
Smashwords

REMOTE CONTROL
by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Amazon
Smashwords

ROWENA THROUGH THE WALL
by Melodie Campbell
Amazon
Smashwords

SHADOW OF INNOCENCE
by Ric Wasley
Amazon
Smashwords

SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET & OTHER CREEPY STORIES
by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Amazon
Smashwords

SOUL AND SHADOW
by Susan J. McLeod
Amazon
Smashwords

THE BRIDGEMAN
by Catherine Astolfo
Amazon
Smashwords

THE OTHER FACE OF GOD
by C. Robert Lee
Amazon
Smashwords

THE RIVER
by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Amazon

UNDER A TEXAS STAR
by Alison Bruce
Amazon
Smashwords

VICTIM
by Catherine Astolfo
Amazon
Smashwords )

WHALE SONG
by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Amazon
Smashwords

WHALE SONG: School Edition
by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Amazon
Smashwords

WHAT FEARS BECOME: An Anthology from The Horror Zine
edited by Jeani Rector and featuring Bentley Little, Graham Masterton, Elizabeth Massey, Conrad Williams, Scott Nicholson & more
Amazon
Smashwords

'Twas the Night Before Christmas - the eReader Edition

With the dramatic increase in ereader sales this holiday season, I couldn't help but rework an cheerful, old classic...

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a paperback was stirring, not even Mickey Mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that an ereader soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of ebooks danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes, dare I look,
There’s a Kindle, a Kobo and even a Nook!

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Kindle! Now Kobo! Now Nook and Vixen!
On, iPad! On Sony! On Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the stockings, don’t fall!
Now read away! Read away! Read away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with a book lover and mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of ereaders, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of ereaders he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

He spoke not a word, but went to work once more,
And filled all the stockings with ereaders galore.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
I heard him exclaim before he drove out with speed,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good read!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM IMAJIN BOOKS!

Download inexpensive ebooks (mystery, suspense, romance, fantasy, paranormal and more) during our ebook sale. http://www.imajinbooks.com/sale

And download our free ebook, IMAJIN THIS! at http://www.imajinbooks.com/imajin-this

FREE eBook: IMAJIN THIS!

IMAJIN THIS!

This special chapter preview book showcases all fiction titles published by Imajin Books in 2010/2011. Sample the first three chapters of each book.

Our international authors strive to entertain you with a wide range of genres - mystery, suspense, romance, horror, fantasy, paranormal, YA and more.

Featuring the following authors: Alison Bruce, Anna Patricio, Catherine Astolfo, Cherish D'Angelo, Cheryl Kaye Tardif, Chris Redding, Christian A. Larsen, C. Robert Lee, Gloria Ferris, Jeani Rector (editor), Kat Flannery, Melodie Campbell, Ric Wasley, Simon Clark, and Susan J. McLeod.

"Quality fiction beyond your wildest dreams." All ebooks under $5.

Available FREE at Smashwords.com (various file formats for all major ereaders, including Kindle, Nook and Kobo.)

Or you can download the PDF for Imajin This! HERE.

New Release: Soul and Shadow by Susan J. McLeod

This month we are pleased to present SOUL AND SHADOW by Susan J. McLeod. This second edition ebook comes with an added bonus: a sneak peek at Susan's spring release, and book 2 in the Lily Evans mysteries, FIRE AND SHADOW.

SOUL AND SHADOW is currently on sale during our 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways event, so buy it today!

In ancient Egypt, a young priestess of the goddess Hathor is laid to rest in a beautiful tomb with everything she needs for her journey into the afterlife…

Three thousand years later, archaeologist Ursula Allingham discovers the mummy of Amisihathor and is confronted by a mystery. Is the man buried with the priestess really her husband? Or was she actually in love with a scribe called Kamenwati and separated from him in life as well as death?

To answer these questions, Dame Ursula turns to Egyptology student and artist Lily Evans, who reluctantly agrees to help. Lily learns that she is psychically linked to Amisihathor and experiences a strange, unsettling phenomenon—the memories and emotions of the Egyptian woman. Luckily, Lily has her beloved pet Cleocatra and her irrepressible friend Katy to keep her grounded in reality. Or so she hopes.

Dealing with the challenges of falling in love with Ursula’s grandson Kent, the reappearance of her ex-fiance Stephen and the demands of her mother and her boss Professor Briggs, Lily soon realizes she has taken on much more than she bargained for.

Book Details:

ISBN: 978-1-926997-46-9 (Kindle ebook); $3.99 US; December 7, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-926997-47-6 (Smashwords ebook); $3.99 US; December 7, 2011

Editorial Reviews:

"An enlightening, engaging tale with a pleasantly surprising twist...a literary treat for readers of all ages." —Apex Reviews

"Engaging…a double-storyline that weaves seamlessly back and forth between the present and the past through a clever plot." — Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands

"A deep and complex tale of deceit, danger and love." —Jenn L., Romance Junkies

"Writing good romance is like painting modern art. Most of it sucks but every once in awhile someone comes up with something brilliant." —Mark McGinty, author of The Cigar Maker

"Five stars and five golden tombs filled with priceless jewels." —Fran Lewis, author of My Name Is Bertha

Available in ebook edition at Amazon (Kindle) and Smashwords

25 Days of Christmas Giveaways

From IMAJIN BOOKS, comes...

25 Days of Christmas Giveaways

December 1-25, 2011

This Christmas, great things come in fours at Imajin Books! So we have four ways for booklovers to celebrate the Christmas season: an eBook Sale, eBook Giveaways, Basket o' Books Draw, and a Grand Prize Draw for the all-new Kindle Fire ereader.

1. eBook Sale - all our ebooks will be priced between $0.99 and $2.99.

The sale is on from December 1st to January 7th. To purchase ebooks from Smashwords (multiple file formats including ePub, PDF & more), visit our Winter Events page to view the special coupon codes to buy ebooks at our sale prices. Or buy from Amazon.com where the list prices have been changed to sale prices.

2. eBook Giveaways - 4 ebooks (winners' choice from our titles) will be given away daily.

Rules: To enter, leave a comment and your email address on our Winter Events post in our Contests & Events section. Comments without email addresses will not qualify. You can enter every day; 1 ebook per winner per day. You may format your email address like: myemailaddress (at) emailprovider.com (or similar) if you'd like to; as long as we can read it, you'll be entered. No exchanges, no cash value. Ebook prizes will be awarded daily.

3. Basket o' Books Draw - paperback collection of winner's choice of 4 books

Rules: To enter, leave a comment and your email address on our Winter Events post in our Contests & Events section. Comments without email addresses will not qualify. You may format your email address like: myemailaddress (at) emailprovider.com (or similar) if you'd like to; as long as we can read it, you'll be entered. No exchanges, no cash value. 1 entry per person. This draw will take place between December 25 and December 31. Winner will be announced on our website.

4. Grand Prize Draw for a Kindle Fire ereader - 1 winner

Rules: You will get one entry for any of the following:

1. Review any of our books from December 1-December 24th, 2011 on Amazon.com or Smashwords.com and email us a link to your review. 1 entry per book title reviewed.

2. Tweet any of the following messages (1 entry per post per day; max. 3 entries/day):

Check out @imajinbooks 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways for prizes & win a #Kindle Fire http://imajinbooks.com

eBooks $2.99 or less - @imajinbooks 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways - prizes & win a Kindle Fire http://imajinbooks.com

25 Days of Christmas Giveaways @imajinbooks - eBook SALE, prizes & win a Kindle Fire http://imajinbooks.com

3. Post an announcement on your Facebook page to help us spread the news and email us with the link to your FB page (1 entry per post per day; max. 3 entries per day):

Enter the 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways for prizes & chance to win a #Kindle Fire http://imajinbooks.com

Ebooks $2.99 or less - 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways - prizes & chance to win a Kindle Fire http://imajinbooks.com

Want to win a Kindle Fire ereader? Check out the 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways at http://www.imajinbooks.com

4. Buy any of our ebooks or paperbacks between December 1-25th and forward us your receipt by email; receive 10 entries per title purchased.

When emailing us during this contest, please put "25 DAYS" in the subject line. Include your name and pertinent contest info.

Entries must be received by December 25th, midnight MT. Open to anyone 18+, anywhere. Void where prohibited. No cash value, no substitutions, no exchanges.

Basket o' Books and Kindle prize will be awarded by January 7, 2012. All prizes must be claimed by January 30, 2012 or they will be void.

Please help us promote this event. Feel free to use the badge or banner and link to http://www.imajinbooks.com/contests-events 

Thank you! And happy reading!

Featured Author: Laurence St. John

Today's Featured Author is Laurence St. John, whose MG fantasy novel METATRON: The Angel Has Risen, will be released in the spring of 2012. Take it away, Laurence...

What inspired me to write my novel?

In 2006, my place of employment was being sold for the second time forcing me to reapply for my same job, again. No one knows the feeling of disappointment, of feeling betrayed and taken advantage of more than me. I had no idea how I would take care of my family, no idea how I could hold my head up high if I had to begin looking for other employment.

Fortunately, things took a turn for the better; I retained my position. And, in the same year my first granddaughter was born which was one of the most uplifting moments of my life. She became my little inspiration. Holding her in my arms sparked a fire in my soul and tears of joy. I wanted to do something extraordinary that would make her proud of me. So, I was determined to write my penned-up thoughts on paper. Since then, I continued to write at night, on weekends, on holiday’s and any spare time.

Finally, three and a half years later I had written my first Middle Grade novel, METATRON: The Angel Has Risen which will be published by Imajin Books in early 2012.

What's this novel about:

Twelve-year-old Tyler Thompson has a secret: he still feels responsible for his father’s death from an auto accident six years ago.

Then, in a quick turn of events, Tyler is bestowed with something he doesn’t fully understand: the eternal and invincible powers of the angel Metatron. He now must make a choice that will change the world...one way or another.

Laurence St. John has an Associates degree in Computer Science and is also a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He currently lives in Northwood Ohio with his wife of 21 years, Julie. His son Joe is married to Cari with two daughters, Kendall and Sadie. His daughter Janelle is married to Andrew with one son, Elijah. Follow Laurence on Facebook, Twitter and his Blog along with updates on his publisher’s web site at Imajin Books.

New Release: Blonde Demolition by Chris Redding

Author Chris Redding has been a great addition to Imajin Books. Her latest release, Blonde Demolition, explodes with action, suspense and a mind-blowing twist at the end.

You just can't hide from the past...

Mallory Sage lives in a small, idyllic town where nothing ever happens. Just the kind of life she has always wanted. No one, not even her fellow volunteer firefighters, knows about her past life as an agent for Homeland Security.

Former partner and lover, Trey McCrane, comes back into Mallory's life. He believes they made a great team once, and that they can do so again. Besides, they don't have much choice. Paul Stanley, a twisted killer and their old nemesis, is back.

Framed for a bombing and drawn together by necessity, Mallory and Trey go on the run and must learn to trust each other again―if they hope to survive. But Mallory has been hiding another secret, one that could destroy their relationship. And time is running out.

Available now in ebook edition via Amazon and Smashwords.

Check out the reviews:

"An explosive thriller as taut as a tripwire."  —Scott Nicholson, author of Liquid Fear

"Bombs, assassins, lovers and friends all mesh together around the heroine to create a tapestry of intrigue, love, and adventure. Redding has a devoted reader." —Bri Clark, author of Glazier

An old flame, a new danger, and just the right number of twists pull you thru to the end of this intense romantic suspense. Hunky firemen not withstanding, what else could anyone ask for? A great read!" —Linda J. Parisi, author of Noble Heart

Available now in ebook edition via Amazon and Smashwords.

Featured Author: Catherine Astolfo

Our next Featured Author is Canadian author Catherine Astolfo, whose Emily Taylor Mysteries are filled with rich culture and unique characters. In The Bridegman, book 1, you'll be introduced to Emily, a school principal and amateur sleuth who just can't seem to stay out of trouble...

What inspired me to write The Bridgeman?

The devil inspired me to write The Bridgeman. Not literally, I hope, but more in the sense that I am intrigued by evil people. I am attracted to the reasons behind their darkness. As an old song says, "evil grows in the dark"…or does it? I think truly wicked people walk among us, aliens with human faces. Their lack of empathy, twisted ideas, and desire to hurt absolutely make me want to dig around and find out why.

Instead of becoming a police officer or a detective (since I’m a physical coward), I became a mystery/crime writer. I look for evil everywhere and luckily, there is lots of it around. In the newspapers, on television, from word-of-mouth, and let’s not forget, urban legends.

The Bridgeman began as a character sketch. On a drive through a little town in Ontario, I was stopped at a drawbridge, where I noticed the lockmaster going about his business in a very ordinary way, barely noticed, red-checkered jacket, plain face, every day, slow habits and movements. And I thought: what could this almost invisible person be hiding? What dark secrets might lie beneath the banality of his existence?

At the same time, my niece had acquired a job as a veterinarian’s assistant. Her tales of the puppy and kitten mills and their victims gave me an idea for the secret my ordinary bridgeman might suppress.

So began the Emily Taylor Mysteries. At first, Emily Taylor, the local school principal, was a vehicle for the bridgeman character sketch, and later, for Victim’s premise (Book Two). By Book Three, Legacy, Emily had asserted a strong voice of her own and had become more the centre of the series than the carrier.

In the last few months, I have happily been adapted Emily for the new world of eBooks. She loves our publisher, Imajin Books, and has been blossoming under their tutelage. Despite being media shy, she even appears in the trailers!

Catherine (Cathy) Astolfo is a retired school principal who uses her psychology degree for evil purposes, but only in writing. Follow her blog, visit her website. The Bridgeman is now available at Amazon and Smashwords. Visit Imajin Books for the links and lots of information. Victim will follow soon!

Featured Author: Anna Patricio

Today's Featured Author is ANNA PATRICIO, an author from "down-under" who has written a beautiful historical/biblical romance titled, ASENATH.

What inspired me to write Asenath?

The story of Joseph of the coat-of-many-colours is one of my favourites from the Bible. Though I have known it all my life, what with having attended Sunday school and all, it was later on that I realised what a powerful and moving tale it is.

I was 17, making the difficult transition from the school I had known all my life to the unknown and frightening university environment (though I later came to love it, even much more than my former school. I loved the freedom it offered). As if that was not difficult enough, my little sister was being operated on for her scoliosis. Needless to say, the stress was overwhelming.

Then, I rediscovered the story of Joseph. Until then, I had thought of him as a distant, larger-than-life Biblical character. But having read it after everything I had been through, I found myself relating to him. I admired too how he remained sweet, strong and kind amidst the numerous travails that befell him. I felt like I was encountering the story for the first time, and fell in love with it.

I delved deeper into my newfound interest. I used to think everything about Joseph was only in Genesis, but research led me to various Jewish folktales, rabbinical legends and even some interesting episodes from the Quran. I never knew there was so much interesting stuff about him out there!

Along the way, I became curious about Joseph’s wife, Asenath. It was as if she was a tiny voice begging to be heard. All Genesis told me was that she was the daughter of a priest of On / Heliopolis. So I sought to look her up. However, the results were scant, not to mention they were all fictional.

I then began to imagine for myself what Asenath might have been like. I somehow like to think that she might have been a strong woman who went through her own share of travails, just as her husband did. The contemporary fiction I had read about Joseph usually portrayed her as some spoiled brat or pampered trophy wife – plus, they didn’t give her much attention. But now, in my novel, she has the spotlight.

Asenath is available on Amazon, Smashwords & more.

Anna Patricio is a lover of ancient history and Biblical stories. She recently had the pleasure of travelling to the setting of Asenath, which is her first novel. She is now playing around with ideas for a second Egyptian novel which takes place in the time of Moses.

Blog / Twitter / Facebook

S.C.R.E.A.M. for P.E.A.C.E. and Valencia Radio features WHAT FEARS BECOME

In case you missed San Francisco's Valencia Radio FM special Halloween event, S.C.R.E.A.M. for P.E.A.C.E., you can listen to it via podcast as they interview some writers and talk about fears, The Horror Zine and the critically acclaimed anthology published by Imajin Books--WHAT FEARS BECOME.

You can listen to the podcast HERE.

WHAT FEARS BECOME: An Anthology from The Horror Zine is available in ebook and trade paperback editions via Amazon, B&N, Smashwords and more.

Featured Author: Kat Flannery

Our next author up is KAT FLANNERY, author of the wild, adventurous western romance, CHASING CLOVERS...

What inspired me to write CHASING CLOVERS?

History has always fascinated me, but I am especially fond of cowboys. This could be from my parents over indulged love of John Wayne westerns. Family movie night often consisted of similar choices, Big Jake or True Grit. It wasn’t so much the gun fights and the Indian raids that intrigued me, but the characters these films were created around.

I’ve always loved to write, but as I grew older the need to scribe intensified. It wasn’t just a way to express my emotions but more of a need to expel the voices and ideas in my head. Stories would run across my mind while at work, or playing with my children. My thirst for writing wasn’t satisfied until I put pen to paper and wrote the scenes that had taken refuge in my mind.

The idea for Chasing Clovers didn’t come to me right away. Snippets of scenes and dialogue had begun to surface, but nothing that I could create a story with. I wanted to write a novel that would touch people’s lives.

My Grandmother lost two children a month a part in the 50’s and I often wondered how she made it through each day without crumbling. How she had more children? And how she learned to smile again? This is how my protagonist, Livy Green was born. I took the scenario of losing a child, turned the year back to 1884 and placed her inside a saloon. Then I began researching mail order brides. What would make a woman marry a man she’s never met before? One word popped into my head...desperation. As I wrote, Livy became a part of me, and I needed to tell her story. I needed to take my readers on this journey of pain, loss, and turmoil, but also one of redemption, as, John Taylor and Livy Green learn to overcome their hardships. And renew their faith, love, and happiness in their tale of Chasing Clovers.

Chasing Clovers - available at Amazon, Smashwords and more.

Kat Flannery has had her writing published in numerous periodicals. She’s received her diploma for Creative, Freelance, and Business Writing. She is co-owner of Prairie Dog Publishing, where she devotes her spare time as head of Marketing and Communications. CHASING CLOVERS is Kat’s first published novel, and she is currently hard at work on her next. Visit www.katflannery-author.com and www.kat-scratch.blogspot.com, and connect with Kat on Facebook and Twitter.

Featured Author: Rosemary McCracken

Today, we introduce you to ROSEMARY McCRACKEN, author of the soon-to-be-published mystery, SAFE HARBOR.

What inspired me to write Safe Harbor?

Safe Harbor will come out soon as a paperback and an ebook. It’s been a long birthing process, and here’s how it came about.

As a journalist, I've earned my living by writing, with some time out for editing and teaching. But after years of making sure I had the facts right, I wanted to let my imagination run wild. I wanted to tell stories of my own.

I had two short stories published, then started a novel. A character was murdered in the second chapter, and my writers' group pointed out that I was writing crime fiction. I was? Yes, I realized I was writing crime fiction, and that’s what I wanted to write.

I needed a central character that could sustain a mystery series. Plot is the backbone of crime fiction, but I believe it really comes down to character. Characters do things for reasons and these reasons form the plot. I wanted my central character to be a woman, a mature woman. I like to read about characters close to my own age, in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and I’m sure other baby boomers do too. And she needed a challenging profession.

I'd recently given up my full-time job at a newspaper and was doing freelance work. Much of it came from trade publications for the financial services industry. My articles involved interviewing financial planners and investment managers. I was impressed by many of them. They were helping clients get their financial houses in order. A light went on in my head. I'd found my central character: Pat Tierney, financial planner, champion of small investors and little guys in general.

Safe Harbor introduces Pat. She’s 47 and single again after her husband’s death four years before. There’s an eligible man on the scene, but she’s not sure she wants to get involved. Or how to get involved. The novel explores some of my favorite themes: romance over age 40, the plight of immigrants and white-collar crime. In 2010, Safe Harbor was a finalist for the Debut Dagger, Britain’s Crime Writers’ Association’s contest for the best unpublished English-language crime novel.

And very soon, Safe Harbor will be available to readers, courtesy of Imajin Books. Just Imajin!

Rosemary McCracken is a Canadian journalist and fiction writer. She hails from Montreal, and now divides her time between Toronto and a stone cottage in Ontario’s Haliburton Highlands. Follow Rosemary on Facebook and Twitter, and check out her website and blog.

Featured Author: Melodie Campbell

For the month of November, we will be featuring some of our published authors and some that are soon-to-be published so that you will get to know them and maybe get some insights into why they wrote their works. Our first author is MELODIE CAMPBELL, author of the humorous romantic fantasy, ROWENA THROUGH THE WALL.

Have you ever needed to escape your life for even a little while?

Rowena Through the Wall came about because I needed to find a world to escape to in order to cope with things happening in my own life that I could not control.

I was sitting in the hospital by my mother’s bedside in the palliative care ward. For the 36th time, she had been admitted to hospital, dying. Thirty-five times, they had brought her back to life. This time…

I have no sisters and my only brother is autistic. The burden of care was mine and this time the weight of it was almost too much. I looked at the dreary hospital room wall and wished I could walk through it to another world. That night, Rowena got her start.

Every day, I would go to work, then run to the hospital for my ‘shift’ with Mom. When they kicked me out, I would dash home, and escape into the world that I could control.

The world of Rowena Through the Wall.

Rowena falls through her classroom wall into a medieval world, and the adventures start almost immediately. At my mother’s bedside, I would play a game of ‘what’s the worst thing that could happen to Rowena now?’ Or – ‘what’s the funniest thing?’ I would jot these ideas down in a journal in between attending to my mother’s personal care chores, and then, when home late at night, I would start writing.

Each new adventure Rowena had gave me a burst of energy that helped me deal with news that got worse and worse.

I could control the world of Rowena. I could satisfy my need for escape by putting Rowena in dangerous and sometimes riotous situations that she could use her wits to get out of. I could live vicariously through my heroine.

Mom died last month, but not before I put the published paperback of Rowena Through the Wall into her hands. She loved it. And now I am half way through book two of the series.

Melodie Campbell got her start as a comedy writer, so it’s no surprise that editors have called her work ‘wacky’ and ‘laugh out loud funny’. General Manager of Crime Writers of Canada, she has over 200 publications and five awards for fiction. Check out Rowena Through the Wall on Amazon and Smashwords. Learn more at Melodie Campbell's website and blog.

Imajin Books Publisher Cheryl Tardif is Judge for Scribes Digest's 'Best Pitch Contest'

Imajin Books publisher and acquisitions editor Cheryl Tardif will be taking on a new role this November in Scribes Digest's 'Best Pitch Contest.' If you're a writer, here's a great way to pitch one of your finished works.

Here's some info on the contest...

Hello writers of all genres! The November Scribes Digest contest is FREE to enter and will give you a chance to publish your entry in our December issued EZINE!

In order to enter, you must have a completed work in any of these genres: feature film, short film, short story or novel.

We are looking for the TOP 3 best elevator pitches! An elevator pitch (or elevator speech or statement) is a short summary used to quickly and simply define your script, short story or novel. It should take no more than 5 lines to give your pitch and the writers with the best 3 pitches will have excerpts from their completed script, story or novel published in our December EZINE.

Our team of editors will be joined by two fantastic industry judges to choose the winners: Michael Baker, Producer and Founder of Bunk 11 Pictures Inc. and Cheryl Tardif, Publisher & Acquisitions Editor of Imajin Books.

Read more.

Win What Fears Become on Halloween

UPDATE: And the winner is...Treenie.

Tomorrow, we'll be rewarding one of our Imajin Books Inner Circle members with a FREE copy of WHAT FEARS BECOME, the perfect treat for Halloween day. Keep reading to learn how to enter. No purchase necessary--open to all.

From classic horror and pure suspense to Twilight-Zone-style dark fantasy, WHAT FEARS BECOME relentlessly explores our basic fears and leaves you with twisted endings that will make your skin crawl…

This spine-tingling, international anthology contains contributions from the critically acclaimed online horror magazine, The Horror Zine, and features bestselling authors such as Bentley Little, Graham Masterton, Ramsey Campbell, Joe R. Lansdale, Elizabeth Massie, Ronald Malfi, Cheryl Kaye Tardif, Melanie Tem, Scott Nicholson, Piers Anthony, Conrad Williams, and many more.

Edited by Jeani Rector of The Horror Zine and featuring a foreword by award-winning, bestselling author Simon Clark, it also contains deliciously dark delights from morbidly creative writers, poets and artists who have not yet made it big―but will very soon.

Come and discover…

WHAT FEARS BECOME

So what do you need to do to qualify to be entered in the draw? It's easy!

Just sign up for our I.B.I.C. rewards program.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Enter your name and email address below:

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Happy Halloween!

Midnight Street Magazine and Midwest Book Review give WHAT FEARS BECOME two thumbs up

Check out these featured reviews for WHAT FEARS BECOME: An Anthology from The Horror Zine, edited by Jeani Rector and showcasing works by well-known suspense/horror authors and some on the rise. As well as horrific shorts, this hefty book comes complete with dark poetry and art from talented poets and artists.

Here is a clipping from a review from UK's horror zine, Midnight Street Magazine:

"This is a feast of horror, an explosion of ideas that reach into every aspect of the genre...an inspired mix of energetic and captivating horror. This anthology is like a fearful breath from an ancient crypt; enter if you dare!"

You can read Trevor Denyer's full review on pg. 79 of Midnight Street Magazine. (PDF)

Here is a clipping from a review by Christina Francine that will be featured in November at Midwest Book Review:

"What do reader’s fears become when they’re examined? Top-notch tales, poems, and images will horrify and delight readers in this anthology called What Fears Become. Each feature rips through reality plunging readers into frightful situations deep enough to provoke a bag full of nightmares. It is unlikely readers will set aside a single whisper-read word. Like stepping onto a monstrous scene, their wide eyes can’t look away. Thirty-one finely honed eager narratives, eighteen delicious poems, and eighteen visions touch all who dare venture inside."

Enter to win WHAT FEARS BECOME today!

New Release: The Bridgeman by Catherine Astolfo

Catherine Astolfo's beloved mystery series gets a fresh new look--one that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Complete with a stunning new cover, this second edition comes to you in the form of an ebook edition. If you haven't read The Bridgeman, book 1 in the Emily Taylor Mystery series, you're in for a real treat.

Some secrets can come back to haunt you…

Principal Emily Taylor feels safe in the friendly little town of Burchill—until she finds a body in her school. The murder of caretaker Nathaniel Ryeburn brings back memories she'd rather forget and plunges Emily into a mystery that involves a secret diary, an illegal puppy mill and a murderer innocently disguised as an ordinary citizen.

As fear rips through the traumatized town, Emily's investigation inadvertently leads the police to her door, and to her husband Langford, who is hiding a secret of his own. It becomes clear to Emily that many of Burchill's residents are merely wearing masks. And it's time for those masks to be ripped away…and for a killer's identity to be revealed.

Available now in ebook edition via Amazon and Smashwords.

Check out the reviews:

"Love and depravity, rebirth and rot, veneer and the real wood underneath—Astolfo brings these opposing forces into play as she creates the complex community that is Burchill. Ordinary people find themselves in an extraordinary situation. Astolfo reveals their personalities in delicious detail." —Garry Ryan, author of the Detective Lane Mysteries

"Master storyteller Cathy Astolfo pulls out all the stops as old secrets come back to kill…in this chilling story of twisted desires. Astolfo grabs small-town Ontario and shakes it until its ugly secrets pour out. You won't catch your breath until the last page turns." —Lou Allin, author of She Felt No Pain

"Catherine Astolfo's descriptive prose and well-crafted characters soon make you feel part of the community of Burchill, sharing Emily's terror at what is happening in her perfect little town. It's a story rich in detail with unexpected twists and turns that keep you involved right through to the shocking end." —Meredith Henderson, actress, film producer, poet

"Astolfo throws opens the door of her idyllic setting into a world of darkness, depravity, and danger...After reading The Bridgeman, you’ll want to go home, lock the doors, and hug your pet." —Anthony Bidulka, author of the Russell Quant Mystery Series

Available now in ebook edition via Amazon and Smashwords.

New Release: Chasing Clovers by Kat Flannery

Today's new release from debut novelist Kat Flannery is the perfect mix of sweet romance and wild west adventure, with a generous dash of emotion. Check out CHASING CLOVERS...


Mail order bride, Livy Green, is desperate to escape the memories of her past. John Taylor will never love another woman again, but his children need a mother. Will they learn to trust each other, or will their pasts interfere?

Longing to escape the awful memories and the saloon she once sang in, Livy Green lies about her past so she can be a wife to John Taylor and mother to his two young children. Overwhelmed by the task, she struggles to put her resentment aside and love them as her own.

John loved his first wife and is still heartbroken over the loss, but he needs a mother for his children. When his distant and unfriendly mail order bride arrives, he begins to doubt his decision, though one glance into Livy's terrified green eyes tells him he can’t turn his back on her.

As Livy's past catches up with her and suspicious accidents begin to happen on the ranch, she is tempted to come clean and tell John the truth. But will he send her back if she does? Or will they forever be CHASING CLOVERS?

Available now in ebook edition via Amazon and Smashwords.

Check out the reviews:

"A compelling story line. A combination of suspense, tension and romance will keep you turning the page until the end." —Michelle Ferguson, author of From Away

"Everything I wanted in a Historical Romance was in this story…Any romance aficionado will love this book and this author." —Tammy Gaines, NovelOpinion

Available now in ebook edition via Amazon and Smashwords.

New Release: The Other Face of God by C. Robert Lee

Mix one part The Da Vinci Code with one part The Shack and one part The Thorn Birds, and you have The Other Face of God, book 1 in Circles of Destiny, an intelligent political/religious thriller series that is sure to make readers question their beliefs.

Sometimes faith is found in the eyes of a child…

In 1968 Father Doug Ryan, an angst-driven Los Angeles priest, is sent to Peru to investigate a padre accused of using mission funds to buy guns for Communist guerrillas. Mistakenly identified by Colonel Lopez, the corrupt future dictator, as the source of the padre’s gun money, Ryan is marked for torture and death. But his life is forever changed when an enigmatic image appears in a dying street urchin's eyes.

When Lopez sends soldiers to assassinate Daniel Barcea―a Professor of Anthropology who was responsible for freeing and settling 2,567 feudal serfs on their own incorporated farmland―and tries to destroy Barcea's land reform manuscript, Daniel's daughter Chabuca joins Ryan on a treacherous path to fulfill two missions: find the padre in the Andean wilderness and keep her father's work from enemy hands.

As they fight to protect the innocent, their growing relationship is tested, along with everything they ever believed in―and only they can show the world...

The Other Face of God.

Available now in ebook edition via Amazon and Smashwords.

Check out the reviews:

"Haunted me to the point of tears...this writing achieves great power." ―Norman Corwin, writer, producer, director

"Powerful...masterful...unique...a heart-breaker and a hope-maker." ―Betty Dravis, career journalist, author, award-winning activist

"Superb, intensely meaningful and timely." ―Dr. Allan Koenig, advisor to several orders of Catholic nuns, Dean of USC's School of Music and the Arts

"How a book can be so universal, and yet, so deeply personal at the same time defies description." ―Iris Gabriel, teacher, journalist, actress

"Meaty, powerful...in places it reduced me to tears, and then it would raise me to places that allowed me to share in the ecstasy and the humor." ―Tamara Comstock, poet, editor

"Entertaining, enriching...a remarkable achievement." ―Father Anthony Thielen, Ph.D. in Philosophy and Theology, professor at 5 Catholic Universities

Available now in ebook edition from Amazon and Smashwords

New Release: Shadow of Innocence by Ric Wasley

Imajin Books is proud to announce the release of Shadow of Innocence by Ric Wasley. This is an especially exciting release for us as I first met Ric when we were both published by the same publisher (now closed) a few years ago. This is the new revised second edition of Shadow of Innocence and if you've read the original, you'll find Ric has made the story even better.

And now...SHADOW OF INNOCENCE.

In the turbulent, exciting year of 1968, "Mick" McCarthy and his pretty, petite but tough-as-nails lover, Bridget Connolly, are thrown into a tangled maze of dark secrets, drugs, sex, rock & roll...and murder.

Blair Prentiss Vanderwall, the beautiful, pampered, pseudo-hippie daughter of a wealthy socialite family summering in Newport, Rhode Island, is found dead on a beach and the last person to be seen with her is the cousin of Mick’s army buddy, Smitty.

Backed by the last few bucks from McCarthy & Son Private Investigations, Mick and Bridget fire up Mick's motorcycle and head to Newport to retrace the last weeks of Blair's life, from the marble mansions of Newport to the free-flowing, free-love hippie crash pads and smoke-filled bars on Cape Cod, and backstage at the Newport Folk Festival.

As the shadows in Blair's life begin to take on a terrifying persona, threatening all who seek to shine a light on the mystery, Mick and Bridget must ask the real question―not who would have loved to wring Blair Vanderwall's pretty little neck...but who wouldn't.

Check out the reviews:

"Colorful and exciting. Wasley is well versed in the 1960s New England music scene (he was a folksinger and rocker), and he is able to make us feel as though we are in that time and place." ―Booklist

"Here's a recipe for a page-turner: Take a moment of high American drama―the tumultuous year of 1968. Add some cool New England locations―Harvard Square and the Newport Folk festival. Throw in a wisecracking Boston detective. No, wait...make that a whole family of Boston detectives. Let Ric Wasley cook it all up for you. Then sit down and enjoy. You'll be glad you did." —William Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Back Bay

"P.I. Michael Prescott McCarthy, half Irish and half Boston Brahmin, and his partner Bridget Connolly go to Newport, RI, to rescue the cousin of his Vietnam army buddy. A killer in the tony resort is murdering people in vicious ways...Wasley uses his knowledge of music and personal experience in the Sixties to bring a certain reality to this tale." ―Library Journal

"If you enjoy mystery, there's plenty to go around, action too, and if you're into sixties music the scenes will resonate all the more." —Art Tirrell, author of The Secret Ever Keeps

Available at Amazon and Smashwords in ebook edition.

Amazon lowers Kindle ereader prices and introduces new Kindle ereaders

Amazon has announced 4 new Kindle products, and you'll be happy to see that part of the "new" is a LOWER price. Finally, we have Kindle ereaders for under $100, just as many (including me) have been predicting. And what perfect timing--just in time for early Christmas shoppers.

First, the all new Kindle with wi-fi. It's lighter, smaller and faster. And the price is only $79 US!

Next up is the Kindle Touch with wi-fi and audio. It has a simple touchscreen and is activated by a tap or swipe. Price: $99 US.

The Kindle Touch also comes with wi-fi AND 3G, which works globally with no annual contracts and plays audio and mp3s. Price: $149.00 US.

And lastly, an all new product, the Kindle Fire, a full color multi-touch, multimedia Kindle that plays movies, TV shows, music, books, magazines, apps, games, web browsing and more. Price: only $199 US.

Imajin Books speaks out about the new Amazon Kindle library program

With the news release about the new library program that supplies Amazon Kindle ebooks to public and school library patrons comes the obvious question the many authors are asking: How the heck do I get paid if they're giving away my ebooks?

This is what I was told:

Only ebooks distributed through OverDrive will be available as library books for this program. As there are other benefits to being distributed by OverDrive, I've tried applying to them twice in the past year or so and was turned down both times—most likely because all the books published at the time were my own, which is no longer the case as my company Imajin Books now publishes other authors and operates much like a regular traditional publisher.

If your books are carried by OverDrive, your books are then available for this new library program. Currently this only applies to US public and school libraries.

It’s my understanding that once you've been accepted by OverDrive, they would pay either the publisher or independent author. But I'm still unclear as to how they operate. Do they only loan out an ebook one at a time and wait for it to be returned before it's loaned out again? Or are they sending out an ebook multiple times?

As an author and publisher, this program raises some red flags for me. And I'm not sure it's a bad thing that we aren't using OverDrive. I want my authors to be paid for their works. I want to be paid for mine too. And our publishing company relies on sales--not giving away our products.

I'm not alone. 

Macmillan and Simon & Schuster are not supplying ebooks to this library program, as the New York Times reported. Adam Rothberg, a spokesperson for Simon & Schuster states, "We haven’t yet found a business model with which we are comfortable and that we feel properly addresses the long-term interests of our authors."

I feel the way Rothberg does. Some of our ebooks ARE  currently available via Booklending.com, but not through this latest library program, and I'm not sure there is any advantage to Imajin Books or our authors to get involved. We work far too hard on these ebooks; we just can't be expected to provide unlimited content for free.

Cheat the Hangman is now available in trade paperback

Cheat the Hangman by Gloria Ferris is now available in trade paperback!

"Southern Ontario Gothic at its spine-chilling, provocative, hilarious best."
—John Moss, author of Reluctant Dead 

Lyris Pembrooke unearths a terrible family secret in the old mansion she recently inherited. Investigating the tragedy, she delves into the psyche of a damaged WWII soldier, aided by her irrepressible spirit guide and the family psychic.

Available at Amazon and Createspace.

Check out the reviews so far:

"A refreshing and chilling paranormal mystery you won't want to miss."

―Jeff Bennington, author of Reunion

"A dazzling blend of the bizarre and the domestic, horror and humour, nostalgia and intrigue."

—John Moss, author of Reluctant Dead

"Satisfying and romantic…an excellent, enjoyable read!"

―Catherine Astolfo, author of the Emily Taylor Mysteries

"Entertaining and well written...No wonder it was shortlisted for Canada’s Unhanged Arthur Ellis Award."

―N.A.T. Grant, author of Race Without Rules

“A powerful, layered story told with clarity, pizzazz, and humour.”

―Eileen Schuh, author of Schrödinger’s Cat

Pick up a copy of Cheat the Hangman today!


Also available in ebook edition at Amazon and Smashwords.

Kiana Davenport's publisher demands she stop self-publishing

I "met" Kiana Davenport a while ago online and recently read about her battle with one of the Big 6 publishers. On August 25th, Kiana blogged about her ordeal on her blog post: Sleeping With the Enemy: A Cautionary Tale. As an author, I was horrified by how her publisher treated her and by their unfair and unrealistic demands, which directly affect her income. As a publisher, I just don't get their thinking...or lack of it.

Here's a recap:

Kiana signed with a major publisher in January 2010 for a novel that was to be published in 2012. She had self-published one book before even signing the contract with this publisher. In July, she self-published another title. Both  are collections of short stories, many of which had been published already in other anthologies.

As an author, I know that most traditional publishers aren't interested in previously self-published works, or works that have been published numerous times. Kiana's chances of having her major publisher take these collections would be slim to none, based on my observations and experiences.

When her Big 6 publisher discovered the two self-published works, "they went ballistic," states Kiana in her post. "The editor shouted at me repeatedly on the phone. I was accused of breaching my contract (which I did not) but worse, of 'blatantly betraying them with Amazon,' their biggest and most intimidating competitor. I was not trustworthy. I was sleeping with the enemy."

Here's where I think this editor suffered from Alzheimers. Amazon is NOT the enemy to a publisher. They are an important PARTNER. Most publishers are happy when their books are sold through Amazon, which is responsible for a huge percentage of book sales. Yes, Amazon offers self-publishing opportunities. Not everyone wants that, as is evidenced by the number of manuscript submissions we get now with barely any advertising--and we're a NEW publishing company.

Kiana's publisher then demanded that she "immediately and totally delete CANNIBAL NIGHTS from Amazon, iNook, iPad, and all other e-platforms. Plus, that I delete all Google hits mentioning me and CANNIBAL NIGHTS."

It would be different if her publisher had already secured the rights to that work, but they hadn't. As for deleting Google hits, I'm not sure where they found this editor, but it concerns me that a major publisher has hired someone who doesn't understand the Internet, how it works or Google hits.

So why has Imajin Books taken Kiana Davenport's side? One major reason: authors should be free to earn income with their other works if a publisher hasn't already secured those rights. PERIOD. And they should be free to publish any damn way they want to. Does this shock you, hearing this from a somewhat "traditional" publisher like us?

Here's why we think this publisher is being unreasonable and farsighted:

1. A happy author is a huge plus. Make your authors happy and they'll produce more publishable works.
2. Authors need to earn income to be able to continue doing what they're doing. Earning money will make them happy and productive, which will make US happy.
3. No publisher should have the right to tell an author they cannot seek other forms of publishing, including self-publishing--unless they have secured the rights to every work the author produces, in which case I sure hope the author didn't settle for less than a 5 million dollar advance.
4. Her publisher is completely missing the boat on the potential for more sales. If Kiana is reaching a wider audience by promoting her other books, some of that audience will spill over to her traditionally published book.
5. The more prolific a writer is, the more people want to read them. This means more sales overall and more money for her publisher. Doh!

In short, Kiana's publisher is being narrow-minded and paranoid. They need to step out of their tiny box and start moving with the tides. The industry has shifted. Old models aren't productive or prosperous as they once were. Get with the program...or get out!

What does this teach writers:

Do your homework and don't skimp on getting an entertainment lawyer to go over the contract with you. Make sure you understand what you can and cannot do with your other works. Ask if you can publish elsewhere or self-publish and get this in writing, or at least make sure your contract does not restrict you. When in doubt, ask. There are no dumb questions.

Don't discount ALL traditional publishers. Not everyone thinks the way Kiana's former publisher does. Some are far more forward-thinking. At Imajin Books we embrace our authors' successes, no matter where else they are published or if they choose to self-publish as well. We've even signed contracts for previously published (traditional AND self-published) works.

Kiana, we'd be happy to consider publishing your works. And you can self-publish other works on the side all you want.

As far as I'm concerned this whole situation is just one more nail in the prehistoric coffin of old-school traditional publishing models that simply don't work anymore, and it's time that authors are treated like the partners they are, not purely as cheap slave labor.

Cheryl Tardif,
Publisher at Imajin Books and Bestselling Suspense Author

What the Imajin Books logo represents

A few days ago someone asked me why I chose the specific design of our logo and what it meant, so today I thought I'd share my thoughts on this simple design, which consists of a prismlike crystal and a yin-yang symbol.

To me, the triangular crystal represents the polishing of something to make it shine; in our case it represents the polishing of a manuscript to make it shine. The crystal also represents light fractured in many directions, which signifies how we're eager to explore all options--ebooks, print and more--and how our various genres by many authors reach different readers. It means polished diversity.

The yin-yang is an ancient Chinese symbol and there are three main components:

1. The outer circle is like the 'circle of life', the circle that connects everything and everyone, our unity.

2. The black and white teardrop shapes represent the feminine and masculine, the black and white, that there is always an opposite to everything, but that together there is balance within the unity of the circle. To me, it represents the balance of genres and audiences we want to reach. It says we have have something for everyone, and if we don't yet, we will soon. We strive for balance in all things, especially in how we treat our authors as partners, just as the two halves of the yin-yang are partners.

3. The smaller circles within each teardrop represents that we can't have the black without the white, and vice versa. To me, this represents that we can't have a successful publishing company without great authors.

In summary, Imajin Books strives to polish the works of our author partners, to create something stunning and magical together, and that we will, as partners, reach the peak of the crystal together.