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September 17, 2011

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Published on September 17, 2011 11:06

September 5, 2011

Paranormal suspense

Extreme Liquidation by Gary Starta REVIEWED BY BITTEN BY BOOKS
Posted by Brit Tuesday January 19, 2010

Infamous occultist Aleister Crowley, dead for over sixty years, is manipulating an FBI agent in hopes of hastening the end of mankind. Only when every human is dead and there is no chance of reincarnation can Crowley ascend to the heavens and take his place with the gods.
Caitlin Diggs, an FBI agent, has visions of the future. Crowley learns of her ability and realizes she is an integral part in his plan so he begins manipulating her visions.
Caitlin must reach deep inside herself to determine what is real before a madman exacts his plans of annihilating the human race.
Gary Starta writes in a style he prefers to call a science hybrid. He crosses many genres and includes elements from sci-fi, fantasy, occult, suspense and fringe science.
In Extreme Liquidation, he has developed a strong female heroine who will appeal to everyone. She has many struggles but remains strong throughout, even with the fate of the world resting on her shoulders. He also gives the same amount of attention and care in developing secondary characters.
This is a novel full of twist and turns, and you never know what will be waiting for you on the next page. The story sets a frenetic pace which can leave you feeling lost if you do not pay careful attention. There are many characters and the story is constantly evolving, so I would not classify this as a leisurely read.
• e-book, digital format
• Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc.
• Book Length: Novel
• Language: English
• ISBN: 978-1-61650-055-9
• See more at www.garystarta.net

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Published on September 05, 2011 14:41

August 27, 2011

Reviews and more for the sci fi minded...

Like my new FACEBOOK Page here...

http://www.facebook.com/GaryStartaSci...


Checking out Gods of the Machines...
What Humans are Saying
About Gods of the Machines

“Gary Starta has his own style, and he is destined to be among the greatest names in science-fiction literature…his description of the characters and the environment of the new planet is so rich that he make us cheer for our heroes and participate in his fiction as if we were there, living the moment.”
- Roberto Mattos - Books and Movie Reviews

“Gary Starta fleshes out his futuristic tale, Gods of the Machines, with a kind of robot romanticism. Starta's novel drew me in with both his ongoing dichotomy between robots and humans, and this subtle sexual tension between all of the male and female characters. It was like crime/science fiction…”
- Monique Muro – Bookbum.com

“This novel explores the relationship between man and machine as it sends chills up your spine, while introducing sizzling romance.”
- Geraldine Ahearn – Geri’s Reviews

“Gods of Machines offers readers something from almost every popular genre. Characters that you love, hate, or really make you think. Sexual tension, romance, heroics, adventure, creatures, and science keep you turning the pages. The descriptive prose Starta pens is entertaining and wonderfully imaginative.”
- Jennifer Chase – Award Winning Crime Author

“Occam's razor should never be accepted so quickly. ‘Gods of the Machines’ is a fun and hard to put down science fiction thriller, recommended.”

- Midwest Book Review

Gary Starta writes fiction on the fringe of genre and imagination…
Gods of the Machines and all his books can be found in e-book and paperback at

BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com
http://productsearch.barnesandnoble
http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Machines-Gary...
Gods of the Machines
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Published on August 27, 2011 09:21

August 16, 2011

Checking out Gods of the Machines...

What Humans are Saying
About Gods of the Machines

“Gary Starta has his own style, and he is destined to be among the greatest names in science-fiction literature…his description of the characters and the environment of the new planet is so rich that he make us cheer for our heroes and participate in his fiction as if we were there, living the moment.”
- Roberto Mattos - Books and Movie Reviews

“Gary Starta fleshes out his futuristic tale, Gods of the Machines, with a kind of robot romanticism. Starta's novel drew me in with both his ongoing dichotomy between robots and humans, and this subtle sexual tension between all of the male and female characters. It was like crime/science fiction…”
- Monique Muro – Bookbum.com

“This novel explores the relationship between man and machine as it sends chills up your spine, while introducing sizzling romance.”
- Geraldine Ahearn – Geri’s Reviews

“Gods of Machines offers readers something from almost every popular genre. Characters that you love, hate, or really make you think. Sexual tension, romance, heroics, adventure, creatures, and science keep you turning the pages. The descriptive prose Starta pens is entertaining and wonderfully imaginative.”
- Jennifer Chase – Award Winning Crime Author

“Occam's razor should never be accepted so quickly. ‘Gods of the Machines’ is a fun and hard to put down science fiction thriller, recommended.”

- Midwest Book Review

Gary Starta writes fiction on the fringe of genre and imagination…
Gods of the Machines and all his books can be found in e-book and paperback at

BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com
http://productsearch.barnesandnoble
http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Machines-Gary...
Gods of the Machines
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Published on August 16, 2011 17:50

June 12, 2011

Gods of the Machines excerpt

ME Sandra Morton stared at the beaten remains of Carol Walker. Sam stood just behind her, peering over her right shoulder.
“It’s the arm isn’t it, Sandra?”
“Yes. My examination tells me the woman most likely suffered the amputation post mortem…”
“Thank God for her sake,” Benson interrupted.
“…So why the need to desecrate her body further?” Sandra continued her thought without acknowledging Sam’s remark.
“So you’re saying there’s a 100 percent certainty she died before the amputation?”
“Nearly 90 percent would be more accurate. She may have been in an unconscious state from her head injuries and died unaware her arm was being torn off. Nevertheless, I’ve concluded this woman died from blunt force trauma sustained by repeated blows to her cranium and facial area. And I believe most if not all the cranial injuries were sustained from her head being slammed against the bath’s walls. Sharon managed to pull the faintest drops of blood from the ceramic tiles, telling me the woman’s head was thrown into them. Additionally, several small fissures can be found in the tiles. Now if Mrs. Walker had suffered the injuries from a fist or even a weapon, there should have been substantial arterial blood splatter on bath’s tiles.”
Sam nudged himself between Sandra and the body, smiling.
“What’s with the Cheshire smile?”
“I’m proud of you. This is your first autopsy.”
Her immediate reaction was to place her arms about Sam’s shoulders, but in a split instant, her eyes became cold. She awkwardly drew her arms down to her sides and stammered “thank you” turning her attention back to the cadaver.
Sam’s eyebrows rose. Maybe this autopsy was rougher on her than I thought.
“I’ve just wonder…” Sam paused and began to walk towards the opposite side of the autopsy table. His eyes squinted into small slits. He stared at the body for a moment.
“How could all this damage be inflicted in such a short span of time? I just spoke with Flavin and he only recalls standing outside the locked doorway for a few minutes at most. So in that time, somebody had the time to hurl a body about the room, banging her head and face against the bath’s walls, in complete darkness, without the aid of sight mind you and then be able to summon the strength to pull her arm” – he made a jerking motion with his arms as if imitating the gruesome act – “out of its socket. What’s more the perp accomplished all of this without leaving a shred of DNA and then – ” he snapped his fingers for emphasis “vanished into thin air.”
“That seems correct.” Sandra arched her eyebrows. “What are you getting at?”
“I believe our murder weapon may be the murderer himself. And furthermore, considering such factors as strength and quickness I can only draw one conclusion.”
Sandra began to fold her arms across her chest. Her eyes were piercing, defying Sam to complete his thought.
“An artificial being committed this crime.”
Sandra bowed her head and shook it from side to side.
“What Sandra?” Sam paused to slap his hands together. “It makes perfect sense. No DNA left behind. Even if the perp was lucky enough to leave behind skin cells, tell me how a human could inflict such damage.”
Sandra’s chest heaved. “That’s not really my job anymore.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re the detective in charge. So Sam, by all means, make all the suppositions you want, but in the end, only evidence will bring the killer to justice – not hatred, not prejudice.”
“I’m not being prejudiced.”
“Really?” A sarcastic grin washed over Sandra’s face. “I think your assumptions are based solely on an incident that occurred nearly four years ago. It sounds like you’re profiling to me.”
Now Sam wore a sarcastic smile. His cheeks reddened.
“Come on Sandra. It’s a viable conclusion.”
“I know you’ve always had a problem with following protocols Sam. But now you’re in a very influential position now. If you condemn anyone without hard evidence you’ll be setting a precedent here.”
“Well maybe I should. I was just discussing protocol with the communications officer and I think it’s time we developed our own set of protocols for Ceres.”
“You’d be violating intergalactic rights and breaking laws if you did Sam. Ceres isn’t yet in a position to write its own laws.”
Sam fell silent. He cast his eyes upon the floor.
“So you do know what I mean?” Sandra continued. “If you go to arrest any one of our planet’s artificial beings you’ll be freeing the real killer. Think for a minute Sam. The bill of rights back on Earth hasn’t been amended yet. It’s still in progress. So that means you can’t arrest an android or any AI. It would be like trying to convict my laser scalpel. Until they’ve been recognized as sentient beings they’re to be treated accordingly.”
“So you see how the colonists might be afraid of these beings. They enjoy immunity right now.”
“The only thing I can see is how people make themselves be afraid.”

Gods of the Machines
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Published on June 12, 2011 13:29

May 28, 2011

Robotic Romanticism - Gods of the Machines

Gods of the Machines
Gary Starta
Visit the Author's website

www.garystarta.net



Fiction - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Reviewed for ReadersFavorite.com



Author Biography

Gary Starta writes fiction on the fringe of genre preferring to mix science fiction with fantasy, romance, suspense and mystery. His latest novel is Gods of the Machines, a novel about colonization, artificial intelligence and alien encounters. Continuing his FBI Agent Caitlin Diggs series, Starta will release the 3rd book in the series in 2012. Find out more at www.garystarta.net
Book Review
God’s of the Machines begins with a seduction and murder. The setting is the future on a distant planet in the Andromeda Galaxy colonized by Earth. The lead character is Sam Benson, a New York Detective. Some would call Sam a racist. As the murdered bodies begin to pile up, Sam is convinced the killer is an android. He cannot find any concrete evidence that point to a suspect.

Sandra is a forensic pathologist who does autopsies. She and Sam are scheduled to be married; but his prejudice stands between them, so she decides to postpone the wedding. Sam turns to Sharon his sexy new partner.

Gary Starta’s style is graceful, flowing, well-defined, and dramatic. Starta has created his own world filled with robotic bees, aliens, androids and humans. This book is more than science fiction; it is science fiction, intrigue, politics, murder, greed, romance, suspense, mystery, terror, thriller, and interpersonal relationship. Combine CSI and Star Trek along with Issac Asimov, Stephen King and Dean Koontz, and you have God’s of the Machines. The characters are easy to connect to. Starta does an excellent job demonstrating prejudice and hatred of what we do not understand. This is an exciting read that sci-fi fans will not want to miss.


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Published on May 28, 2011 10:39

May 24, 2011

New excerpt Gods of the Machines

“What are we doing here?”
Sam posed the question not really prepared for the answer. He could hear his heart pound. He licked his lips for moisture.
“I think we should just cool it until we’ve settled this investigation.”
Sam didn’t like Sandra’s answer. But it was logical.
“And I’ve got to hand it to you Sam. You’re doing a swell job of crucifying Mr. Starkman.”
“Hey, I didn’t know I was being monitored. I only wanted evidence. I didn’t know Mikasa would propose any recall.” Sam leaned back on a recliner, his new favorite resting space in the commune’s living quarters. The bedroom had somehow been transformed into a land mine of sorts over the past few days. For the past two nights, Benson had dozed on the recliner for half the night, waiting for Sandra to fall sound asleep. He feared intimacy right now, believing any attempt would only further estrange his fiancé from him.
“You’ve helped to set a precedent – a very dangerous one I may add,” Sandra reminded Sam as he slid out of his cleats. “If the Earth governments allow this, the manufacturer can recall the androids at any time. It could destroy the whole rights movement.”
“Well, I don’t like this Mikasa – his ‘generosity’ bothers me. I don’t think his objective is to take away fear. I think it’s about control.”
“I’m glad you at least see that, Sam.”
“I see things pretty clearly.” His upper lip twitched. He felt like breaking down. It seemed every word he uttered sent him another step away from Sandra – even here in the living room. He cringed, hoping his comment wouldn’t invite further verbal retaliation. But Sandra remained silent.
“You know.” Benson stated pensively, “I spent our wedding day chasing a damn bee.”
“It’s all part of the job.” Sandra laughed, but it came out sarcastic.
“You know I don’t hate all machines, all artificial life. I do think the android might have been manipulated.”
“How? By Mikasa, by Abassian?”
“That’s possible. But I think the answer’s closer to home. I think some jealous spouses put Mr. Starkman up to this. But the evidence will bear this out once the search is conducted. And either way, I think Abassian will show the android is not defective.”
“But Sam, Abassian’s bees were made by Mikasa’s firm. He’s not going to refute the man who made his dream possible.”
“I already know as much. I talked with Abassian today. But what if Mikasa is holding something over Abassian’s head? If we establish guilt on the part of Mikasa, Abassian might reconsider his loyalty.”
“Well Sam. What be Mikasa’s motive?”
“He’s been awfully cooperative about passing the android bill of rights. I find that odd since he currently benefits from their free labor.”
“How about if he changed his game plan? A savvy CEO would change with the times…”
“So, Sandra, are you suggesting that Mikasa is after Starkman’s programming?’
“It makes perfect sense. Starkman’s technology is not patented. It couldn’t have been because Dr. McElroy created it illegally. So that leaves a big door open. Mikasa can simply take the technology McElroy created, patent it, and then become the exclusive manufacturer.”
“Not if I can help it, Sandra. I’m not going to allow the recall. I’m still in charge of this investigation. If Starkman is guilty, he’ll be sentenced like any human. I won’t allow him to be violated. You’ve got my word on that.”
“I hope so for Starkman’s sake.”
Gods of the Machines
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Published on May 24, 2011 17:21

May 22, 2011

A novel of murder in space

“Something is still troubling me.”
ME Sandra Morton stared at the beaten remains of Carol Walker. Sam stood just behind her, peering over her right shoulder.
“It’s the arm isn’t it, Sandra?”
“Yes. My examination tells me the woman most likely suffered the amputation post mortem…”
“Thank God for her sake,” Benson interrupted.
“…So why the need to desecrate her body further?” Sandra continued her thought without acknowledging Sam’s remark.
“So you’re saying there’s a 100 percent certainty she died before the amputation?”
“Nearly 90 percent would be more accurate. She may have been in an unconscious state from her head injuries and died unaware her arm was being torn off. Nevertheless, I’ve concluded this woman died from blunt force trauma sustained by repeated blows to her cranium and facial area. And I believe most if not all the cranial injuries were sustained from her head being slammed against the bath’s walls. Sharon managed to pull the faintest drops of blood from the ceramic tiles, telling me the woman’s head was thrown into them. Additionally, several small fissures can be found in the tiles. Now if Mrs. Walker had suffered the injuries from a fist or even a weapon, there should have been substantial arterial blood splatter on bath’s tiles.”
Sam nudged himself between Sandra and the body, smiling.
“What’s with the Cheshire smile?”
“I’m proud of you. This is your first autopsy.”
Her immediate reaction was to place her arms about Sam’s shoulders, but in a split instant, her eyes became cold. She awkwardly drew her arms down to her sides and stammered “thank you” turning her attention back to the cadaver.
Sam’s eyebrows rose. Maybe this autopsy was rougher on her than I thought.
“I’ve just wonder…” Sam paused and began to walk towards the opposite side of the autopsy table. His eyes squinted into small slits. He stared at the body for a moment.
“How could all this damage be inflicted in such a short span of time? I just spoke with Flavin and he only recalls standing outside the locked doorway for a few minutes at most. So in that time, somebody had the time to hurl a body about the room, banging her head and face against the bath’s walls, in complete darkness, without the aid of sight mind you and then be able to summon the strength to pull her arm” – he made a jerking motion with his arms as if imitating the gruesome act – “out of its socket. What’s more the perp accomplished all of this without leaving a shred of DNA and then – ” he snapped his fingers for emphasis “vanished into thin air.”
“That seems correct.” Sandra arched her eyebrows. “What are you getting at?”
“I believe our murder weapon may be the murderer himself. And furthermore, considering such factors as strength and quickness I can only draw one conclusion.”
Sandra began to fold her arms across her chest. Her eyes were piercing, defying Sam to complete his thought.
“An artificial being committed this crime.”
Sandra bowed her head and shook it from side to side.
“What Sandra?” Sam paused to slap his hands together. “It makes perfect sense. No DNA left behind. Even if the perp was lucky enough to leave behind skin cells, tell me how a human could inflict such damage.”
Sandra’s chest heaved. “That’s not really my job anymore.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re the detective in charge. So Sam, by all means, make all the suppositions you want, but in the end, only evidence will bring the killer to justice – not hatred, not prejudice.”
“I’m not being prejudiced.”
“Really?” A sarcastic grin washed over Sandra’s face. “I think your assumptions are based solely on an incident that occurred nearly four years ago. It sounds like you’re profiling to me.”
Now Sam wore a sarcastic smile. His cheeks reddened.
“Come on Sandra. It’s a viable conclusion.”
“I know you’ve always had a problem with following protocols Sam. But now you’re in a very influential position now. If you condemn anyone without hard evidence you’ll be setting a precedent here.”
“Well maybe I should. I was just discussing protocol with the communications officer and I think it’s time we developed our own set of protocols for Ceres.”
“You’d be violating intergalactic rights and breaking laws if you did Sam. Ceres isn’t yet in a position to write its own laws.”
Sam fell silent. He cast his eyes upon the floor.
“So you do know what I mean?” Sandra continued. “If you go to arrest any one of our planet’s artificial beings you’ll be freeing the real killer. Think for a minute Sam. The bill of rights back on Earth hasn’t been amended yet. It’s still in progress. So that means you can’t arrest an android or any AI. It would be like trying to convict my laser scalpel. Until they’ve been recognized as sentient beings they’re to be treated accordingly.”
“So you see how the colonists might be afraid of these beings. They enjoy immunity right now.”
“The only thing I can see is how people make themselves be afraid.”

Gods of the Machines
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Published on May 22, 2011 09:43

May 17, 2011

Something is still troubling me...

“Something is still troubling me.”
ME Sandra Morton stared at the beaten remains of Carol Walker. Sam stood just behind her, peering over her right shoulder.
“It’s the arm isn’t it, Sandra?”
“Yes. My examination tells me the woman most likely suffered the amputation port mortem…”
“Thank God for her sake,” Benson interrupted.
“…So why the need to desecrate her body further?” Sandra continued her thought without acknowledging Sam’s remark.
“So you’re saying there’s a 100 percent certainty she died before the amputation?”
“Nearly 90 percent would be more accurate. She may have been in an unconscious state from her head injuries and died unaware her arm was being torn off. Nevertheless, I’ve concluded this woman died from blunt force trauma sustained by repeated blows to her cranium and facial area. And I believe most if not all the cranial injuries were sustained from her head being slammed against the bath’s walls. Sharon managed to pull the faintest drops of blood from the ceramic tiles, telling me the woman’s head was thrown into them. Additionally, several small fissures can be found in the tiles. Now if Mrs. Walker had suffered the injuries from a fist or even a weapon, there should have been substantial arterial blood splatter on bath’s tiles.”
Sam nudged himself between Sandra and the body, smiling.
“What’s with the Cheshire smile?”
“I’m proud of you. This is your first autopsy.”
Her immediate reaction was to place her arms about Sam’s shoulders, but in a split instant, her eyes became cold. She awkwardly drew her arms down to her sides and stammered “thank you” turning her attention back to the cadaver.
Sam’s eyebrows rose. Maybe this autopsy was rougher on her than I thought.
“I’ve just wonder…” Sam paused and began to walk towards the opposite side of the autopsy table. His eyes squinted into small slits. He stared at the body for a moment.
“How could all this damage be inflicted in such a short span of time? I just spoke with Flavin and he only recalls standing outside the locked doorway for a few minutes at most. So in that time, somebody had the time to hurl a body about the room, banging her head and face against the bath’s walls, in complete darkness, without the aid of sight mind you and then be able to summon the strength to pull her arm” – he made a jerking motion with his arms as if imitating the gruesome act – “out of its socket. What’s more the perp accomplished all of this without leaving a shred of DNA and then – ” he snapped his fingers for emphasis “vanished into thin air.”
“That seems correct.” Sandra arched her eyebrows. “What are you getting at?”
“I believe our murder weapon may be the murderer himself. And furthermore, considering such factors as strength and quickness I can only draw one conclusion.”
Sandra began to fold her arms across her chest. Her eyes were piercing, defying Sam to complete his thought.
“An artificial being committed this crime.”
Sandra bowed her head and shook it from side to side.
“What Sandra?” Sam paused to slap his hands together. “It makes perfect sense. No DNA left behind. Even if the perp was lucky enough to leave behind skin cells, tell me how a human could inflict such damage.”
Sandra’s chest heaved. “That’s not really my job anymore.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re the detective in charge. So Sam, by all means, make all the suppositions you want, but in the end, only evidence will bring the killer to justice – not hatred, not prejudice.”
“I’m not being prejudiced.”
“Really?” A sarcastic grin washed over Sandra’s face. “I think your assumptions are based solely on an incident that occurred nearly four years ago. It sounds like you’re profiling to me.”
Now Sam wore a sarcastic smile. His cheeks reddened.
“Come on Sandra. It’s a viable conclusion.”
“I know you’ve always had a problem with following protocols Sam. But now you’re in a very influential position now. If you condemn anyone without hard evidence you’ll be setting a precedent here.”
“Well maybe I should. I was just discussing protocol with the communications officer and I think it’s time we developed our own set of protocols for Ceres.”
“You’d be violating intergalactic rights and breaking laws if you did Sam. Ceres isn’t yet in a position to write its own laws.”
Sam fell silent. He cast his eyes upon the floor.
“So you do know what I mean?” Sandra continued. “If you go to arrest any one of our planet’s artificial beings you’ll be freeing the real killer. Think for a minute Sam. The bill of rights back on Earth hasn’t been amended yet. It’s still in progress. So that means you can’t arrest an android or any AI. It would be like trying to convict my laser scalpel. Until they’ve been recognized as sentient beings they’re to be treated accordingly.”
“So you see how the colonists might be afraid of these beings. They enjoy immunity right now.”
“The only thing I can see is how people make themselves be afraid.”

Gods of the Machines
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Published on May 17, 2011 14:55

April 30, 2011

Fringe science, the occult and an FBI agent collide...

Extreme Liquidation by Gary Starta REVIEWED BY BITTEN BY BOOKS
Posted by Brit Tuesday January 19, 2010

Infamous occultist Aleister Crowley, dead for over sixty years, is manipulating an FBI agent in hopes of hastening the end of mankind. Only when every human is dead and there is no chance of reincarnation can Crowley ascend to the heavens and take his place with the gods.
Caitlin Diggs, an FBI agent, has visions of the future. Crowley learns of her ability and realizes she is an integral part in his plan so he begins manipulating her visions.
Caitlin must reach deep inside herself to determine what is real before a madman exacts his plans of annihilating the human race.
Gary Starta writes in a style he prefers to call a science hybrid. He crosses many genres and includes elements from sci-fi, fantasy, occult, suspense and fringe science.
In Extreme Liquidation, he has developed a strong female heroine who will appeal to everyone. She has many struggles but remains strong throughout, even with the fate of the world resting on her shoulders. He also gives the same amount of attention and care in developing secondary characters.
This is a novel full of twist and turns, and you never know what will be waiting for you on the next page. The story sets a frenetic pace which can leave you feeling lost if you do not pay careful attention. There are many characters and the story is constantly evolving, so I would not classify this as a leisurely read.
Book Stats:
• e-book, digital format
• Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc.
• Book Length: Novel
• Language: English ISBN: 978-1-61650-055-9 See more at www.garystarta.net

• ISBN: 978-1-61650-055-9

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Published on April 30, 2011 11:17

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