Book Launch: Blood Flows Deep in the Empire by N. Isabelle Blanco

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Dyletri, God of Fertility, has locked away his powers. No woman is allowed to touch him,

not until he can return his long-dead lover back to life. All he has to do is sacrifice one human girl, a girl who unlocks his powers and rips his dormant lust right out of his body. Trapped by his promise, Dyletri has no choice but to watch Ismini die, no matter how much he wants her.
Yet the darkness of his calling is spiraling within him, demanding he claim the human as his. If he goes back on his promise, the energy of the Fates will cause untold destruction in the Universe. That doesn’t change how Dyletri’s begun exhibiting symptoms that point to more than just lust. How does he allow Ismini to die when she’s come to own him from the inside out?
Desire and torment spiral into something much darker than obsession, more turbulent than an addiction, and something much more brutal than a mere soul-mating. As a war is being rekindled right under his nose, Dyletri will have to come to terms with a destiny eleven thousand years in the making. He thought he’d known what path his future would take, but he’d been wrong. Now the one woman he truly loves might pay the price for his decision.
Blood Flows Deep in the Empire is the first in a series that will pit free-will against Destiny, Destiny against Fate, and love against brutal desire. Everyone likes to think they have a choice as to who they end up with, but as they rise to face the greatest threat they’ve ever known, even the Gods will learn they have to bend to Destiny’s whim to survive.

About the Author

N. Isabelle Blanco was born in Queens, NY (USA). At age 3, due to an odd

fascination with studying her mother’s handwriting, she had already begun to read and write. By the time she’d reached kindergarten, she had an extensive vocabulary and her obsession with words began to bleed into every aspect of her life. An avid reader in her teens, a fascination with Japanese anime eventually led her to the universe of fanfiction. 
Her on again, off again hobby for the next ten years, She amassed a following of fans that, by her own admission, she would never be able to live without. It was those fans who encouraged her to step beyond the fanfiction realm and try her talent in the publishing world.
 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nisabelleblanco
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nyddi
Blog/Website: www.houseofmalfunction.com

Buy Links: Amazon
 

Cover Reveal: Shudder by Samantha Durante

Book Launch: Dark Persuasion by Vicki Hopkins

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2934631.Vicki_Hopkins_awa_J_D_Burrows

Synopsis:

Charlotte Gray couldn't believe that anyone in high society would care to introduce her to potential suitors. After all, a cruel accident left her blind at the age of eight. However, Lady and Lord Rochester, her aristocratic neighbors, have taken a peculiar interest in her welfare and offer to hold a debutante ball in her honor.

Inexperienced in the ways of men and vulnerable to a fault, Charlotte begins to traverse the unfamiliar world of courtship. To her surprise, two brothers become rivals for her affections. One she favors because of his gregarious and flattering ways. The other she spurns due to his unappealing demeanor and desperate attempt to win her heart.

Pressured by her family and brokenhearted over the risqué conduct of her first choice, Charlotte is persuaded to accept Patrick Rochester's proposal of marriage instead. Her surrender introduces her into the world of passion at the artful hands of a mysterious man. When the dark and alluring husband finally conquers her heart, a shocking secret about his true identity unfolds. As a result, Charlotte learns that love can be blind for everyone-even her.

Bio Info:

Vicki started her writing career somewhat late in life, but can attest to the fact that it is never too late to follow your dreams. Her debut novel was released in 2009, and four books later and another on the way, she doesn't think she will stop any time soon. Her usual genre is historical fiction/historical romance. However, she recently crossed the lines into contemporary romance under the pen name of J.D. Burrows, releasing "Conflicting Hearts."  She's been honored as an Award-Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Romance category of The 2012 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News for "Dark Persuasion."
​
With Russian blood on her father's side and English on her mother's, she blames her ancestors for the lethal combination in her genes that influence her stories. Tragedy and drama might be found between her pages, but she eventually gives her readers a happy ending.

She lives in the beautiful, but rainy, Pacific Northwest with a pesky cat who refuses to let her sleep in. Her hobbies include researching her English ancestry, traveling to England when she can afford it, and plotting her next book.

Links:

http://vickihopkins.com

https://www.facebook.com/Vicki.Hopkins.Author

 

https://www.facebook.com/authorjdburrows

Book Launch: Breach by KI Lynn

Delilah Palmer has control of her life and outward personality, blocking the truth just below the surface. A façademeant to be normal and hide the scars of her childhood. She’s made a good life for herself, became a lawyer, and is free from the tortured past that haunts her daily. Until he comes along and breaks open the cracks. 
 Nathan Thorne has a past of his own. On the surface he is loved by all, personable, extroverted; everything Delilah isn’t. Hidden beneath is a dark and tormented man that only Delilah has to power to unveil.
 Crammed in a small office together they see through each other’s masks, and the draw becomes too much, igniting an explosive relationship. Holloway and Holloway Law has a strict non-fraternization policy, forcing them to conceal their breach. Despite their efforts, separation becomes impossible, deceptions escalate, and Nathan has trouble coping; teetering on the edge of being overtaken by his past demons. 
 What secrets does he harbor that could keep him from giving in? What keeps him from healing and moving forward? And Delilah, where does she fit into all this turmoil?
 Can they accept love and deal with all the trials that come their way when secrets are exposed? Or will they fall through the cracks of their pasts and be consumed by all that haunts them?

Goodreads
Buy it online @ Amazon

Author Bio:

K.I. Lynn spent her life in the arts, everything from music to painting and ceramics, then to writing. Characters have always run around in her head, acting out their stories, but it wasn’t until later in life she would put them to pen. It would turn out to be the one thing she was really passionate about.

Since she began posting stories online, she’s garnered acclaim for her diverse stories and hard hitting writing style. Two stories and characters are never the same, her brain moving through different ideas faster than she can write them down as it also plots its quest for world domination…or cheese. Whichever is easier to obtain… Usually it’s cheese.

 
Author Contact Links:
Website: http://www.kilynnwrites.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6553256.K_I_Lynn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KI_Lynn_

 

Making a Difference in a Child's Life

MiniChess initiative at Philena Primary School, Olievenhoutbosch

information supplied by Jolandie Nieuwenhuis

photographs by Linzé

The MiniChess Program:

The MiniChess™ Program was created & designed by Woman of the Year, Marisa van der Merwe, who with years of experience in the fields of teaching and chess training; saw the vision of empowering students by helping them understand maths and science through chess.

Jolandie (left) and Marisa

The MiniChess program was developed over years of teaching chess to “entry phase” learners (gr.1/R to gr.3, i.e. 5/6 to 8 years of age) as part of the school curriculum. It has already been used on a trial basis, with great success, at a number of schools in SA.

It is organized into structured lessons, with detailed lesson plans in the Teacher’s Manuals and attractive Project Books for the learners. The program uses tried and tested methods for teaching chess to little ones, including the use of so-called “MiniChess” games. The learning process is broken down into small steps, building confidence while keeping it fun, and is in line with the skills level of the young child at that specific age, eg. colouring, cut and paste, form recognition, simple pattern recognition, a little bit of writing, etc. in the case of 6 year olds (grade 1). The program consists of 4 levels (grade1/R, grade2 and grade3), each grade accommodating the continual development of skills and capacity as the child grows. The program continually links chess concepts with maths-, science- and life skills.”

Denel Land Systems' Involvement:

As part of the Mentoring For Success Program, the Mentees (Team Mighty Moves) needed to complete a Make A Difference (MAD) Project.

The enterprising young people from DLS that organised the event with Marisa holding the prized chess set.

This Project entails taking up a challenge that will make a difference either within the company or the community.

The team chose a project which involved implementing the MiniChess program within an under privileged school within the community. Initially we will implement the program within the Grade R class at the Philene Primary School in Olievenhoutbosch. The program will be implemented in partnership with Moves for Life.