Lada Ray's Blog, page 90
May 29, 2013
Shaman, Mysterious Brunette, CIA Guy, Russian Oligarch… What Do They Have In Common?
Dear readers, both THE EARTH SHIFTER and CATHARSIS (Legend of the Lemurians) are now featured on the top-rated Amazon list for visionary/metaphysical literature, all thanks to your wonderful reviews! I’m so very grateful to all those who took the time to write reviews for THE EARTH SHIFTER and for my other books!
I’ve recently received several very nice reviews for Gold Train, Stepford USA, Green Desert, Catharsis, and The Earth Shifter. Below, you will find excerpts from the two latest reviews of THE EARTH SHIFTER by Sherry Fundin and Mr. Blues.
Also, THE EARTH SHIFTER Virtual Tour is nearing its grand finale and I have some awesome news about the upcoming giveaway! As you know, I’m giving away ARCHOS TABLET, as well as 2 complete sets of my ebooks. I have also promised to give away my upcoming ebooks, Lemurian Crystal & Atlantis. These two are on a slight delay due to the many events taking place presently in my life, but they are definitely coming soon, and all those who’ve been so amazingly generous in helping me promote The Earth Shifter will get the early copies, as promised!
Till then, I’ve decided to add something very special and exciting to my giveaway!
Since I feel that the prizes above are not nearly enough to thank all of my readers, reviewers and fans for your wonderful support and generosity, in addition to the above, I’ll also be giving away signed paperback copies of The Earth Shifter, Gold Train and Stepford USA! Each book will come complete with 2 of my new, exclusive bookmarks and is open worldwide!
If anyone else wants to enter my giveaways, it’s not too late! There is still time to write those reviews till 5/31! You can find links to all of my books at bookstore. All drawings are at 8pm est on 5/31/13. I will post the winners on my blog and Goodreads the next day, and I’ll tweet/FB the links.
More about THE EARTH SHIFTER MEGA-GIVEAWAY
How ’bout some TALKING NAMES, mate?
On another note, today I also want to touch upon the fascinating subject of the talking names in literature, and share some of my secrets…
Many world-renowned authors have been famous for using talking names for their characters to establish from the start the intent and the direction of such characters, or alternatively, to mislead, or add a layer of intrigue by ironic or convoluted name usage. From names like Professor Lupin, Drako Malfoy & Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter to Jack Sparrow, Will Turner & Elizabeth Swan in Pirates of the Carribbean, the names that carry a message and tell a story are popular the world over.
As comparative linguist and toponymist (researcher and interpreter of the origin and meaning of names), I love working with names of all kinds! Toponymics is my lifelong hobby as I enjoy being able to tell loads about a person or a place by their name. A good toponymist must have a keen eye and ear that can discern the hidden; a good command of history, mythology and ancient languages helps a lot. It is clear to me that authors like J.K.Rowling and Dan Brown (fellow linguists) happen to be very good toponymists.
It’s a super-useful skill for an author to be able to use talking names, and it’s equally useful for a reader to know how to interpret such names, as this adds a whole new – and significantly deeper – level of understanding to a read. I’ve developed my own categorizations of the literary talking names, which I will share with all in a separate article pretty soon. I use the miracle of talking names extensively in my writing, and you will find them throughout both The Earth Shifter and Accidental Spy books. Today, I’ll share some of THE EARTH SHIFTER talking name secrets.
Ready?
Sasha Elfimova
Protagonist, Sasha (Alexandra) Elfimova and her father, Professor Maxim Elfimov. I gave my main characters a very loaded & multi-layered family name. Elfimov… It’s an unusual and rare Russian name, although it belongs to a very distinguished Russian family. Apart from its Russian ending, what else do you see? Perhaps the word elf? This is the most obvious thing many notice. However, if you dig deeper, you’ll see something else: elfim is a European way of pronouncing the famous ancient Hebrew (think Bible) word elohim, which means a “particle of God.” Very few people realize that the word elf is derived directly from elohim, or elfim.
Professor Maxim Elfimov
Of course, I couldn’t resist giving the Elfimovs talking first names as well. Sasha is an equally popular Russian name for both girls and boys (this also has special significance, as this character signifies the yin-yang union of the opposites). Sasha’s full name is Alexandra, and this name brings to mind an image of Empress, or perhaps, Tsarina. Maxim (emphasis on “i”) is another typical Russian name. It comes from Latin and means “the highest.” So, fully interpreted, Maxim Elfimov’s name means “the highest particle of God.”
Siberian Shaman Tengis. He is a tiny Asian man who can see into other dimensions with his squinty eyes, who smokes his perpetual pipe, can turn into a wild bear – literally – and carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Some readers have told me that they consider him the most formidable character in the book. No argument from me here, and I gave him a name to match! Unsurprisingly, “Tengis” means “precious” in the Turkic language family.
Red, a mysterious and all-powerful brunette with hidden agenda, who’s infinitely more than anyone knows… Oh yeah, this is Red all right! Just three letters, but the name carries the impact and mystery to match the character and it hints indirectly at what or who she is. But you would have to read until the end to find out the truth… Yet even then, you’ll only know half of it, as layer after layer of this enigma gets slowly peeled in future Earth Shifter books…
Win
Win and Kei Lee. The Chinese-American twins, who are a wild card in the book. Which one of them is the second half of the Key? Which one will help Sasha to create the Earth Shift? Kei is a Chinese name that hints at the “key,” and “Win” is short for “Winston” (Win is a big fan of Winston Churchill and loves to win 
). It is a Western interpretation of a famous Chinese name, Wei (Does Wei resemble “way” to you?). Hint: the twins were originally named Wei and Kei by their parents, but Wei decided to get westernized…
Russian Oligarch Boris Konukovsky. I had a blast with this name! The moment I came up with the concept of the book, the name just popped into my mind. While The Earth Shifter carries a disclaimer that all names are used fictitiously and any resemblance is purely coincidental…but how could I resist something that was staring me straight in the eye!
Boris Berezovsky
In truth, Boris Konukovsky is an amalgamation of the two infamous oligarchs, first of whom is Boris Berezovsky, till recently, a fugitive in London. Don’t be surprised – lots of international criminals are given asylum in the UK, including Icelandic bankers who’d bankrupted Iceland, as well as the Chechen terrorists. Berezovsky recently hung himself in his London estate, and after his death it came out that he continuously wrote to Putin asking for forgiveness and begging to allow him to return home.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky
The second oligarch is Mikhail Khodorkovsky, in the past, CEO of Russia’s largest and most successful oil company Yukos, presently in jail on charges of money laundering, tax evasion, conspiracy and ordering contractual killings.
Both oligarchs were involved in attempted conspiracies to overthrow or corrupt the existing Russian government. Both, especially Khodorkovsky, were suspected of being the Rothschilds/NWO front men and “Trojan horses.” A large part of the FSB investigations into their activities throughout the 1990s/2000s is classified, but even the little that has been leaked is pretty damning. Of course, you won’t hear any of this in the Western media.
Oh yeah: a nice touch in The Earth Shifter is the name of Konukovsky’s oil company: NORUS. Do you see what I see? NO-RUS… Food for thought, especially taking all the above into account.
Aloysius Drakley, Assistant Director of the CIA. Oh my, where do I begin! The moment I created this pivotal character, I knew he would be called Aloysius. A farmer’s son hungry for power, who’ll stop at nothing to get to the top. The somewhat archaic name Aloysius, used mostly in the the US South in the past, it is of Germanic origin and means “fame and war.” Initially, I gave this character a straightforward last name “Darkley,” but I wasn’t entirely happy with the overwhelming bluntness such name conveyed and tried to find something more subtle, albeit unsuccessfully, until… one day I inadvertently misspelled “Darkley,” resulting in “Drakley.” This was one of those “happy mistake inventions,” as this new name immediately snapped in place. “Drakley” hints at several different things, without naming them directly… Do you see?
****
NEW REVIEWS
Excerpt from Sherry Fundin’s amazing review @fundinmental.com:
WOW! Lada Ray’s blend of history, current events, mythology and fantasy left me in awe. They were the Key of Destiny. They would multiply their power and propel Earth forward or they would destroy it. They are the Earth Shifter. As Sasha drifted off to sleep, she dreamt of the end of Earth. Tengis and Maxim looked at each other. She had the Vision. Time was running out.
5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)
Originally, it was the cover that made me notice the book. It was not only beautiful, but made me wonder what the book was about. Combining history, science-fiction and the paranormal makes this a unique read.
The storyline reads like the current events of today. The Mayan calendar with the date 12-21-12. The end of the world. Armageddon. The Society operates like our politicians today, above the laws of us commoners. The misuse and manipulation of power overwhelms the headlines today. It seems they feel as if it is their right and they deserve whatever it is they are after, bar none. Sound familiar?
Lada Ray’s writing, the depth and detail of Russia and its history intertwined with the fantasy of the Earth Shifters, takes you on a fantastic journey towards Earth’s end or it’s new beginning. I was lost, as I dove into Sasha’s story, only coming up for a breath of air as I raced through the final pages. I was crushed when I reached the end, wanting so badly to continue reading. I can hardly wait for Book II… Read full review here!
Excerpt from the Amazon review by Mr.Blues:
Prophetic and Irresistible. I was impressed by this prophetic novel, which at times felt like a mystical guide to various mysterious past and future events in our unfolding history! Already within a few months of release, several events happened in our world that were foretold by Lada Ray’s vision! A comet has recently exploded over Russia, shaking up the world. Hmm… a spooky coincidence? Or a warning, just like predicted in the book?
I enjoyed the fluid writing and gripping plot that had me reading right through the unexpected and explosive conclusion. There are plenty of twists that I didn’t see coming… But what really distinguishes this book from most is a treasure trove of valuable mystical and metaphysical information, as well as the wonderfully spiritual tone of the whole story. The book has a very intriguing ending, and I can’t wait for the sequel to find out what happens next to Sasha, Kei, Win, and Shaman Tengis!
Also, many thanks for the most recent reviews by John Paul Davis, the bestselling author of The Templar Agenda (Gold Train & Stepford USA), reviewer Sherry Fundin (The Earth Shifter, Stepford USA, Green Desert), and a reader from California, Mr. Blues (The Earth Shifter, Catharsis), as well as to all of my other fantastic reviewers!
Buy links for all my books: BOOKSTORE
Related articles
2013: Year of the Thriller~ Dan Brown, Lada Ray, Joshua Lisec, and More! (ladaray.wordpress.com)
The Earth Shifter, Earth Changes and Alternative Economy: Special Interview with Lada Ray (futuristrendcast.wordpress.com)
CATHARSIS, Legend of the Lemurians, will be FREE on Amazon 5/22-23! (ladaray.wordpress.com)
Lada Ray, Author and More (ladaray.wordpress.com)
Shamans, Shifters & Remote Viewers: The Earth Shifter Read by the Author (ladaray.wordpress.com)
“Talking Names” in The Earth Shifter, Latest Reviews and Paperback Giveaway
Dear readers, THE EARTH SHIFTER is now featured on the top-rated Amazon list for visionary/metaphysical literature, all thanks to your wonderful reviews! I’m so very grateful to all those who took the time to write reviews for THE EARTH SHIFTER and for my other books! Thank you very much, everyone!
I’ve recently received several very nice reviews for Gold Train, Stepford USA, Green Desert, Catharsis, and The Earth Shifter. Below, you will find excerpts from the two latest reviews of THE EARTH SHIFTER by Sherry Fundin and Mr. Blues.
Also, THE EARTH SHIFTER Virtual Tour is nearing its grand finale and I have some awesome news about the upcoming giveaway! As you know, I’m giving away ARCHOS TABLET, as well as 2 complete sets of my ebooks. I have also promised to give away my upcoming ebooks, Lemurian Crystal & Atlantis. These two are on a slight delay due to the many events taking place presently in my life, but they are definitely coming soon, and all those who’ve been so amazingly generous in helping me promote The Earth Shifter will get the early copies, as promised!
Till then, I’ve decided to add something very special and exciting to my giveaway!
Since I feel that the prizes above are not nearly enough to thank all of my readers, reviewers and fans for your wonderful support and generosity, in addition to the above, I’ll also be giving away signed paperback copies of The Earth Shifter, Gold Train and Stepford USA! Each book will come complete with 2 of my new, exclusive bookmarks and is open worldwide!
If anyone else wants to enter my giveaways, it’s not too late! There is still time to write those reviews till 5/31! You can find links to all of my books at bookstore. All drawings are at 8pm est on 5/31/13. I will post the winners on my blog and Goodreads the next day, and I’ll tweet/FB the links.
More about THE EARTH SHIFTER MEGA-GIVEAWAY
How ’bout some TALKING NAMES, mate?
On another note, today I also want to touch upon the fascinating subject of the talking names in literature, and share some of my secrets…
Many world-renowned authors have been famous for using talking names for their characters to establish from the start the intent and the direction of such characters, or alternatively, to mislead, or add a layer of intrigue by ironic or convoluted name usage. From names like Professor Lupin, Drako Malfoy & Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter to Jack Sparrow, Will Turner & Elizabeth Swan in Pirates of the Carribbean, the names that carry a message and tell a story are popular the world over.
As comparative linguist and toponymist (researcher and interpreter of the origin and meaning of names), I love working with names of all kinds! Toponymics is my lifelong hobby as I enjoy being able to tell loads about a person or a place by their name. A good toponymist must have a keen eye and ear that can discern the hidden; a good command of history, mythology and ancient languages helps a lot. It is clear to me that authors like J.K.Rowling and Dan Brown (fellow linguists) happen to be very good toponymists.
It’s a super-useful skill for an author to be able to use talking names, and it’s equally useful for a reader to know how to interpret such names, as this adds a whole new – and significantly deeper – level of understanding to a read. I’ve developed my own categorizations of the literary talking names, which I will share with all in a separate article pretty soon. I use the miracle of talking names extensively in my writing, and you will find them throughout both The Earth Shifter and Accidental Spy books. Today, I’ll share some of THE EARTH SHIFTER talking name secrets.
Ready?
Sasha Elfimova
Protagonist, Sasha (Alexandra) Elfimova and her father, Professor Maxim Elfimov. I gave my main characters a very loaded & multi-layered family name. Elfimov… It’s an unusual and rare Russian name, although it belongs to a very distinguished Russian family. Apart from its Russian ending, what else do you see? Perhaps the word elf? This is the most obvious thing many notice. However, if you dig deeper, you’ll see something else: elfim is a European way of pronouncing the famous ancient Hebrew (think Bible) word elohim, which means a “particle of God.” Very few people realize that the word elf is derived directly from elohim, or elfim.
Professor Maxim Elfimov
Of course, I couldn’t resist giving the Elfimovs talking first names as well. Sasha is an equally popular Russian name for both girls and boys (this also has special significance, as this character signifies the yin-yang union of the opposites). Sasha’s full name is Alexandra, and this name brings to mind an image of Empress, or perhaps, Tsarina. Maxim (emphasis on “i”) is another typical Russian name. It comes from Latin and means “the highest.” So, fully interpreted, Maxim Elfimov’s name means “the highest particle of God.”
Siberian Shaman Tengis. He is a tiny Asian man who can see into other dimensions with his squinty eyes, who smokes his perpetual pipe, can turn into a wild bear – literally – and carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Some readers have told me that they consider him the most formidable character in the book. No argument from me here, and I gave him a name to match! Unsurprisingly, “Tengis” means “precious” in the Turkic language family.
Red, a mysterious and all-powerful brunette with hidden agenda, who’s infinitely more than anyone knows… Oh yeah, this is Red all right! Just three letters, but the name carries the impact and mystery to match the character and it hints indirectly at what or who she is. But you would have to read until the end to find out the truth… Yet even then, you’ll only know half of it, as layer after layer of this enigma gets slowly peeled in future Earth Shifter books…
Win
Win and Kei Lee. The Chinese-American twins, who are a wild card in the book. Which one of them is the second half of the Key? Which one will help Sasha to create the Earth Shift? Kei is a Chinese name that hints at the “key,” and “Win” is short for “Winston” (Win is a big fan of Winston Churchill and loves to win ). It is a Western interpretation of a famous Chinese name, Wei (Does Wei resemble “way” to you?). Hint: the twins were originally named Wei and Kei by their parents, but Wei decided to get westernized…
Russian Oligarch Boris Konukovsky. I had a blast with this name! The moment I came up with the concept of the book, the name just popped into my mind. While The Earth Shifter carries a disclaimer that all names are used fictitiously and any resemblance is purely coincidental…but how could I resist something that was staring me straight in the eye!
Boris Berezovsky
In truth, Boris Konukovsky is an amalgamation of the two infamous oligarchs, first of whom is Boris Berezovsky, till recently, a fugitive in London. Don’t be surprised – lots of international criminals are given asylum in the UK, including Icelandic bankers who’d bankrupted Iceland, as well as the Chechen terrorists. Berezovsky recently hung himself in his London estate, and after his death it came out that he continuously wrote to Putin asking for forgiveness and begging to allow him to return home.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky
The second oligarch is Mikhail Khodorkovsky, in the past, CEO of Russia’s largest and most successful oil company Yukos, presently in jail on charges of money laundering, tax evasion, conspiracy and ordering contractual killings.
Both oligarchs were involved in attempted conspiracies to overthrow or corrupt the existing Russian government. Both, especially Khodorkovsky, were suspected of being the Rothschilds/NWO front men and “Trojan horses.” A large part of the FSB investigations into their activities throughout the 1990s/2000s is classified, but even the little that has been leaked is pretty damning. Of course, you won’t hear any of this in the Western media.
Oh yeah: a nice touch in The Earth Shifter is the name of Konukovsky’s oil company: NORUS. Do you see what I see? NO-RUS… Food for thought, especially taking all the above into account.
Aloysius Drakley, Assistant Director of the CIA. Oh my, where do I begin! The moment I created this pivotal character, I knew he would be called Aloysius. A farmer’s son hungry for power, who’ll stop at nothing to get to the top. The somewhat archaic name Aloysius, used mostly in the the US South in the past, it is of Germanic origin and means “fame and war.” Initially, I gave this character a straightforward last name “Darkley,” but I wasn’t entirely happy with the overwhelming bluntness such name conveyed and tried to find something more subtle, albeit unsuccessfully, until… one day I inadvertently misspelled “Darkley,” resulting in “Drakley.” This was one of those “happy mistake inventions,” as this new name immediately snapped in place. “Drakley” hints at several different things, without naming them directly… Do you see?
****
NEW REVIEWS
Excerpt from Sherry Fundin’s amazing review @fundinmental.com:
WOW! Lada Ray’s blend of history, current events, mythology and fantasy left me in awe. They were the Key of Destiny. They would multiply their power and propel Earth forward or they would destroy it. They are the Earth Shifter. As Sasha drifted off to sleep, she dreamt of the end of Earth. Tengis and Maxim looked at each other. She had the Vision. Time was running out.
5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)
Originally, it was the cover that made me notice the book. It was not only beautiful, but made me wonder what the book was about. Combining history, science-fiction and the paranormal makes this a unique read.
The storyline reads like the current events of today. The Mayan calendar with the date 12-21-12. The end of the world. Armageddon. The Society operates like our politicians today, above the laws of us commoners. The misuse and manipulation of power overwhelms the headlines today. It seems they feel as if it is their right and they deserve whatever it is they are after, bar none. Sound familiar?
Lada Ray’s writing, the depth and detail of Russia and its history intertwined with the fantasy of the Earth Shifters, takes you on a fantastic journey towards Earth’s end or it’s new beginning. I was lost, as I dove into Sasha’s story, only coming up for a breath of air as I raced through the final pages. I was crushed when I reached the end, wanting so badly to continue reading. I can hardly wait for Book II… Read full review here!
Excerpt from the Amazon review by Mr.Blues:
Prophetic and Irresistible. I was impressed by this prophetic novel, which at times felt like a mystical guide to various mysterious past and future events in our unfolding history! Already within a few months of release, several events happened in our world that were foretold by Lada Ray’s vision! A comet has recently exploded over Russia, shaking up the world. Hmm… a spooky coincidence? Or a warning, just like predicted in the book?
I enjoyed the fluid writing and gripping plot that had me reading right through the unexpected and explosive conclusion. There are plenty of twists that I didn’t see coming… But what really distinguishes this book from most is a treasure trove of valuable mystical and metaphysical information, as well as the wonderfully spiritual tone of the whole story. The book has a very intriguing ending, and I can’t wait for the sequel to find out what happens next to Sasha, Kei, Win, and Shaman Tengis!
Also, many thanks for the most recent reviews by John Paul Davis, the bestselling author of The Templar Agenda (Gold Train & Stepford USA), reviewer Sherry Fundin (The Earth Shifter, Stepford USA, Green Desert), and a reader from California, Mr. Blues (The Earth Shifter, Catharsis), as well as to all of my other fantastic reviewers!
Buy links for all my books: BOOKSTORE
Related articles
2013: Year of the Thriller~ Dan Brown, Lada Ray, Joshua Lisec, and More! (ladaray.wordpress.com)
The Earth Shifter, Earth Changes and Alternative Economy: Special Interview with Lada Ray (futuristrendcast.wordpress.com)
CATHARSIS, Legend of the Lemurians, will be FREE on Amazon 5/22-23! (ladaray.wordpress.com)
Lada Ray, Author and More (ladaray.wordpress.com)
Shamans, Shifters & Remote Viewers: The Earth Shifter Read by the Author (ladaray.wordpress.com)
Talking Names in The Earth Shifter, Latest Reviews and Paperback Giveaway
Dear readers, THE EARTH SHIFTER is now featured on the top-rated Amazon list for visionary/metaphysical literature, all thanks to your wonderful reviews! I’m so very grateful to all those who took the time to write reviews for THE EARTH SHIFTER and for my other books! Thank you very much, everyone!
I’ve recently received several very nice reviews for Gold Train, Stepford USA, Green Desert, Catharsis, and The Earth Shifter. Below, you will find excerpts from the two latest reviews of THE EARTH SHIFTER by Sherry Fundin and Mr. Blues.
Also, THE EARTH SHIFTER Virtual Tour is nearing its grand finale and I have some awesome news about the upcoming giveaway! As you know, I’m giving away ARCHOS TABLET, as well as 2 complete sets of my ebooks. I have also promised to give away my upcoming ebooks, Lemurian Crystal & Atlantis. These two are on a slight delay due to the many events taking place presently in my life, but they are definitely coming soon, and all those who’ve been so amazingly generous in helping me promote The Earth Shifter will get the early copies, as promised!
Till then, I’ve decided to add something very special and exciting to my giveaway!
Since I feel that the prizes above are not nearly enough to thank all of my readers, reviewers and fans for your wonderful support and generosity, in addition to the above, I’ll also be giving away signed paperback copies of The Earth Shifter, Gold Train and Stepford USA! Each book will come complete with 2 of my new, exclusive bookmarks and is open worldwide!
If anyone else wants to enter my giveaways, it’s not too late! There is still time to write those reviews till 5/31! You can find links to all of my books at bookstore. All drawings are at 8pm est on 5/31/13. I will post the winners on my blog and Goodreads the next day, and I’ll tweet/FB the links.
More about THE EARTH SHIFTER MEGA-GIVEAWAY
How ’bout some TALKING NAMES, mate?
On another note, today I also want to touch upon the fascinating subject of the talking names in literature, and share some of my secrets…
Many world-renowned authors have been famous for using talking names for their characters to establish from the start the intent and the direction of such characters, or alternatively, to mislead, or add a layer of intrigue by ironic or convoluted name usage. From names like Professor Lupin, Drako Malfoy & Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter to Jack Sparrow, Will Turner & Elizabeth Swan in Pirates of the Carribbean, the names that carry a message and tell a story are popular the world over.
As comparative linguist and toponymist (researcher and interpreter of the origin and meaning of names), I love working with names of all kinds! Toponymics is my lifelong hobby as I enjoy being able to tell loads about a person or a place by their name. A good toponymist must have a keen eye and ear that can discern the hidden; a good command of history, mythology and ancient languages helps a lot. It is clear to me that authors like J.K.Rowling and Dan Brown (fellow linguists) happen to be very good toponymists.
It’s a super-useful skill for an author to be able to use talking names, and it’s equally useful for a reader to know how to interpret such names, as this adds a whole new – and significantly deeper – level of understanding to a read. I’ve developed my own categorizations of the literary talking names, which I will share with all in a separate article pretty soon. I use the miracle of talking names extensively in my writing, and you will find them throughout both The Earth Shifter and Accidental Spy books. Today, I’ll share some of THE EARTH SHIFTER talking name secrets.
Ready?
Sasha Elfimova
Protagonist, Sasha (Alexandra) Elfimova and her father, Professor Maxim Elfimov. I gave my main characters a very loaded & multi-layered family name. Elfimov… It’s an unusual and rare Russian name, although it belongs to a very distinguished Russian family. Apart from its Russian ending, what else do you see? Perhaps the word elf? This is the most obvious thing many notice. However, if you dig deeper, you’ll see something else: elfim is a European way of pronouncing the famous ancient Hebrew (think Bible) word elohim, which means a “particle of God.” Very few people realize that the word elf is derived directly from elohim, or elfim.
Professor Maxim Elfimov
Of course, I couldn’t resist giving the Elfimovs talking first names as well. Sasha is an equally popular Russian name for both girls and boys (this also has special significance, as this character signifies the yin-yang union of the opposites). Sasha’s full name is Alexandra, and this name brings to mind an image of Empress or Tsarina, so Alexandra Elfimova would mean “Tsarina from God.” Maxim (please try to put emphasis on “i” ) is another typical Russian name. It comes from Latin and means “the highest.” So, fully interpreted, Maxim Elfimov’s name means “the highest particle of God.” Those who read the book would certainly know what I’m taking about.
Siberian Shaman Tengis. He is a tiny Asian man who can see into other dimensions with his squinty eyes, who smokes his perpetual pipe, can turn into a wild bear – literally – and carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Some readers have told me that they consider him the most formidable character in the book. No argument from me here, and I gave him a name to match! Unsurprisingly, “Tengis” means “precious” in the Turkic language family.
Red, a mysterious and all-powerful brunette with hidden agenda, who’s infinitely more than anyone knows… Oh yeah, this is Red all right! Just three letters, but the name carries the impact and mystery to match the character and it hints indirectly at what or who she is. But you would have to read until the end to find out the truth… Yet even then, you’ll only know half of it, as layer after layer of this enigma gets slowly peeled in future Earth Shifter books…
Win
Win and Kei Lee. The Chinese-American twins, who are a wild card in the book. Which one of them is the second half of the Key? Which one will help Sasha to create the Earth Shift? Kei is a Chinese name that hints at the “key,” and “Win” is short for “Winston” (Win is a big fan of Winston Churchill and loves to win ). It is a Western interpretation of a famous Chinese name, Wei (Does Wei resemble “way” to you?). Hint: the twins were originally named Wei and Kei by their parents, but Wei decided to get westernized…
Russian Oligarch Boris Konukovsky. I had a blast with this name! The moment I came up with the concept of the book, the name just popped into my mind. While The Earth Shifter carries a disclaimer that all names are used fictitiously and any resemblance is purely coincidental…but how could I resist something that was staring me straight in the eye!
Boris Berezovsky
In truth, Boris Konukovsky is an amalgamation of the two infamous oligarchs, first of whom is Boris Berezovsky, till recently, a fugitive in London. Don’t be surprised – lots of international criminals are given asylum in the UK, including Icelandic bankers who’d bankrupted Iceland, as well as the Chechen terrorists. Berezovsky recently hung himself in his London estate, and after his death it came out that he continuously wrote to Putin asking for forgiveness and begging to allow him to return home.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky
The second oligarch is Mikhail Khodorkovsky, in the past, CEO of Russia’s largest and most successful oil company Yukos, presently in jail on charges of money laundering, tax evasion, conspiracy and ordering contractual killings.
Both oligarchs were involved in attempted conspiracies to overthrow or corrupt the existing Russian government. Both, especially Khodorkovsky, were suspected of being the Rothschilds/NWO front men and “Trojan horses.” A large part of the FSB investigations into their activities throughout the 1990s/2000s is classified, but even the little that has been leaked is pretty damning. Of course, you won’t hear any of this in the Western media.
Oh yeah: a nice touch in The Earth Shifter is the name of Konukovsky’s oil company: NORUS. Do you see what I see? NO-RUS… Food for thought, especially taking all the above into account.
Aloysius Drakley, Assistant Director of the CIA. Oh my, where do I begin! The moment I created this pivotal character, I knew he would be called Aloysius. A farmer’s son hungry for power, who’ll stop at nothing to get to the top. The somewhat archaic name Aloysius, used mostly in the the US South in the past, it is of Germanic origin and means “fame and war.” Initially, I gave this character a straightforward last name “Darkley,” but I wasn’t entirely happy with the overwhelming bluntness such name conveyed and tried to find something more subtle, albeit unsuccessfully, until… one day I inadvertently misspelled “Darkley,” resulting in “Drakley.” This was one of those “happy mistake inventions,” as this new name immediately snapped in place. “Drakley” hints at several different things, without naming them directly… Do you see?
****
NEW REVIEWS
Excerpt from Sherry Fundin’s amazing review @fundinmental.com:
WOW! Lada Ray’s blend of history, current events, mythology and fantasy left me in awe. They were the Key of Destiny. They would multiply their power and propel Earth forward or they would destroy it. They are the Earth Shifter. As Sasha drifted off to sleep, she dreamt of the end of Earth. Tengis and Maxim looked at each other. She had the Vision. Time was running out.
5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)
Originally, it was the cover that made me notice the book. It was not only beautiful, but made me wonder what the book was about. Combining history, science-fiction and the paranormal makes this a unique read.
The storyline reads like the current events of today. The Mayan calendar with the date 12-21-12. The end of the world. Armageddon. The Society operates like our politicians today, above the laws of us commoners. The misuse and manipulation of power overwhelms the headlines today. It seems they feel as if it is their right and they deserve whatever it is they are after, bar none. Sound familiar?
Lada Ray’s writing, the depth and detail of Russia and its history intertwined with the fantasy of the Earth Shifters, takes you on a fantastic journey towards Earth’s end or it’s new beginning. I was lost, as I dove into Sasha’s story, only coming up for a breath of air as I raced through the final pages. I was crushed when I reached the end, wanting so badly to continue reading. I can hardly wait for Book II… Read full review here!
Excerpt from the Amazon review by Mr.Blues:
Prophetic and Irresistible. I was impressed by this prophetic novel, which at times felt like a mystical guide to various mysterious past and future events in our unfolding history! Already within a few months of release, several events happened in our world that were foretold by Lada Ray’s vision! A comet has recently exploded over Russia, shaking up the world. Hmm… a spooky coincidence? Or a warning, just like predicted in the book?
I enjoyed the fluid writing and gripping plot that had me reading right through the unexpected and explosive conclusion. There are plenty of twists that I didn’t see coming… But what really distinguishes this book from most is a treasure trove of valuable mystical and metaphysical information, as well as the wonderfully spiritual tone of the whole story. The book has a very intriguing ending, and I can’t wait for the sequel to find out what happens next to Sasha, Kei, Win, and Shaman Tengis!
Also, many thanks for the most recent reviews by John Paul Davis, the bestselling author of The Templar Agenda (Gold Train & Stepford USA), reviewer Sherry Fundin (The Earth Shifter, Stepford USA, Green Desert), and a reader from California, Mr. Blues (The Earth Shifter, Catharsis), as well as to all of my other fantastic reviewers!
Buy links for all my books: BOOKSTORE
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May 27, 2013
Author Feature 4: Darlene Foster – Amanda Adventures
Today, I am very excited to welcome the world-trotting children’s international mystery author, Darlene Foster, who is fresh from her fabulous trip to Spain! She pens the Amanda Travel Adventures, the latest in the series being Amanda in England, The Missing Novel. I have to commend Darlene’s choice of countries where she sets up her books – all very different, mysterious and beautiful in their own, very special way. I’ve been to all three and enjoyed them all! If you ask me, we need more children’s authors whose outlook is positive and whose writing helps expand children’s horizons, while teaching them valuable lessons. Yes, Darlene does just that through her lovely books, and this is why she is a member of our #YARevolution. For more about YA Revolution, for literature with message and meaning, and to join, go here.
Amanda in England Blurb
Amanda Ross is visiting England and taking in all the sights. She gets lost in the maze at Hampton Court, does some shopping at Harrods, meets the ravens in the Tower of London, explores Windsor Castle, and rides the London Eye.
When she discovers a vintage book is missing from a collection, she is determined to find out who stole it. Amanda befriends a pair of tough teenagers from the streets of London, an elderly bookshop owner and a big, friendly, clever, Maine Coon cat named Rupert.
Follow Amanda through cobblestone streets, medieval castles, and underground tunnels in her quest to find the missing novel!
Excerpt
Amanda peered out the window, through the mist, down onto smoking chimneys and blackened roofs. Her excitement grew as the airplane descended.
‘Here I am, at last, in the land of the Potters – Beatrix and Harry,’ Amanda thought as the plane lurched to a halt at Heathrow Airport, London.
She followed the other passengers to the luggage retrieval. Although she had only flown outside of Canada twice before, she felt quite comfortable with the process. She took her bag off the luggage carousel and proceeded to the customs gate.
“Hey you!” shouted someone behind her. Amanda turned to see a teenage girl with a bright pink Mohawk, tons of make up, earrings everywhere and a very short skirt. “You sure that’s your bag?”
“Yes, I am.” Amanda looked at the luggage tag. “See – here, this is my name.”
“Um, so you’re Amanda Ross – from Canada I see.” The girl examined the luggage tag. “Sorry t’bother you. Ta Ta. Stay out of trouble.” She winked at Amanda with a dark lined eyelid, caked with mascara. She joined a teenage boy with tattooed arms wearing an England T-shirt and ripped jeans.
When Amanda emerged from customs, she found Leah and her dad waiting for her with balloons and flowers and a big sign that said, “Welcome to England, Amanda!”
“Wowza! Look at you,” said Leah as she gave her a big hug. “I think you’ve grown.”
“I don’t know about that – but you sure have,” said Amanda as she looked up at her tall, thin friend.
“Let’s get you out of here,” said Mr. Anderson as he took Amanda’s bag from her. “I am sure you’re tired after the long flight and most likely hungry.”
“It wasn’t nearly as long a flight as to the United Arab Emirates or even to Spain,” replied Amanda.
She shivered when they got outside. With a slight drizzle, the air felt damp. Mr. Anderson led them to a shiny, silver-grey BMW. He put Amanda’s bag in the trunk, went around to the passenger side and said, “You girls can sit in the back together. It’s unlocked.” He got in and sat in the passenger seat.
‘That’s weird,’ thought Amanda. ‘Who is going to drive? Do they have a chauffeur?’
It was when Mr. Anderson started the car; she noticed the steering wheel on the right side. “Now, that is strange,” she murmured.
They eventually found their way out of the busy airport parking lot. As Leah’s dad turned to exit he pulled into the wrong lane. “Oh no!” Amanda squeezed her eyes shut for the inevitable head on collision.
“What’s wrong, Amanda?” Leah asked with a concerned look.
“I thought we were going to have an accident.” Amanda opened her eyes and looked out the window at the many cars driving toward them – on the opposite side of the road.
Leah’s dad chuckled, “We drive on the left side of the road over here. I guess that must seem odd to you. You must be careful when crossing the street as you must look right, left and then right again.”
Amanda breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s weird, but good to know. I’ll be careful. Even though you speak the same language here, there will be some things new and different, I guess.”
Leah gave her arm a squeeze. “I’m so glad you’re here. We’ll have bags of fun. I can’t wait to take you shopping at Harrods downtown. Mom said we can go on the London Eye too.”
Amanda wanted to ask about the London Eye, but she was too tired and too excited as they drove through London towards the suburb of Guildford, where the Andersons lived. All the books she read about England flipped through her mind. Once again, she felt like she was living inside a novel.
Biography of Darlene Foster, dreamer of dreams, teller of tales
Darlene Foster is a writer of children’s stories, an employment counsellor, an ESL teacher, a wife, mother and grandmother. She loves travel, reading, shoes, cooking, sewing, music, chocolate, walking on the beach and making new friends. Her grandson calls her “super-mega-woman-supreme”. She was brought up on a ranch near Medicine Hat , Alberta , where she dreamt of traveling the world and meeting interesting people. Darlene has always had a desire to write and has won awards for her short stories over the years. She melded her love of travel and storytelling to create travel adventure books for children. She has written and had published three books for middle readers, Amanda in Arabia – The Perfume Flask and Amanda in Spain – The Girl in The Painting and Amanda in England – The Missing Novel, recently released. She is currently working on the fourth book in the series, Amanda in Alberta-The Writing on the Stone. One reader said, “What a great way for a young person to learn about a culture and to be inspired to experience other countries themselves.” Although her books are written for children, many adults enjoy them as well.
Darlene lives on the west coast of BC with her husband Paul and their black cat, Monkey. She believes everyone is capable of making their dreams come true!
Links:
Amanda in England Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Amanda-England-Missing-Novel-ebook/dp/B008VO1V5A
Darlene’s book links:
http://www.centralavenuepublishing.com/Books/Amanda%20in%20Arabia/
www.darlenefoster.ca
Blog: http://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/supermegawoman
facebook.com/DarleneFosterWriter
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May 25, 2013
Author Feature 3: Mark O’Neill – The Ancients and the Angels
I am very thrilled and excited to introduce my today’s guest, Mark O’Neill, artist, author of The Ancients and the Angels series, YA Revolutionary, and the all around great guy from Chicago, IL! Mark in part was the inspiration behind the #YARevolution idea and I consider him a kindred spirit. Read about the first two books in this original alternative history/dystopian fantasy series, including my review of book 1, Celestials.
Blurb
On an ancient Earth not long before the dawn of mankind, a great and terrible war is imminent between mortals and the demonic forces from the hells. It falls on one young maiden’s shoulders to fight back the armies of the damned. Read Celestials and enjoy this supernatural tale of a frightening yesterday! INFERNAL INVASION! The bowels of Hell open wide and demonic forces attack the living on an ancient Earth not long before the dawn of mankind! Read Celestials and enjoy this supernatural tale of a frightening yesterday!
Celestials is a blend of Sixteen Candles meets the books of the Nephilim detailing a world not long before ours, but long forgotten. A planetary romance mixed with urban fantasy, readers from age thirteen to one hundred thirteen will enjoy this maiden’s fantastic journey into the paranormal and supernatural.
Winner of the Winter 2012 NABE Pinnacle Award for best Science Fiction.
Lada’s 5 star review of The ANCIENTS and the ANGELS: CELESTIALS
A Well Fleshed Out Fantastic World
The action of this dystopian YA fantasy takes place in the ancient Atlantis, but it has clear resonance to the events and societal attitudes of today. We follow the protagonists, sixteen-year-old elves, On’dinn and Quen’die through their triumphs and trials at school and in their social life, complete with parties, sports, intellectual pursuits and bullies that are after their blood. Their existence seems like a normal teenage life, until something extraordinary happens that turns everything upside down. The insidious invasion of the mysterious Celestial forces and many strange events accompanying this event, slowly change the environment of Atlantis to that of paranoia, fear and martial law.
To be sure, the elves of Atlantis can hardly be called an enlightened bunch. They seem pretty shallow and self-absorbed, and only concerned about their outfits, parties, nice homes and job security. Most of the characters are teens, absorbed in usual teen activity. Only On’dinn – the intellectual and rebel – stands out from the crowd. Quen’die – a top student and star athlete – appears a normal teen elfmaid in her everyday life, until she finds out that she is supposed to save the world, with the help of her guardian angel Mavriel, who’s also called a “deva.” As the whole population of the elven kingdom is being duped by the infernal forces, will she succeed?
The story is absorbing, creative, and full of striking parallels to certain events of today, like government controls and manipulation by the power players of the rest of the population. The book is also a satire of contemporary societal attitudes and lifestyles. I found the characters of Quen’die and On’dinn sympathetic and interesting to read about. The author has succeeded in creating a well fleshed out fantastic world of the ancient Earth, with all of its details, attributes, fashions and even dishes!
Celestials is the first in Mark O’Neill’s The Ancients and the Angels series.
Read my review of Celestials on Goodreads
Buy ebook and paperback on Amazon. Ebook also FREE on Smashwords!
Blurb
The thrilling sequel to “Celestials” is here! Get “Archons” today and follow the new adventures of elfmaid Quen’die Reyliss as the malevolent forces from the Inferno attempt to infiltrate the earth! This time, it’s personal. The Hells have a vendetta to settle – and our heroine is the target!
An indispensable member of Lada Ray’s YA Revolution, “The Ancients and the Angels” is a cosmic joyride that spans multiple dimensions! Read “Archons” now!
Book 2, Archons, is a new release, on Amazon now! Also on Smashwords!
Read more about Archons at Mark’s RoyalManaBall blog!
Says Mark: I write fantasy/ sci-fi/ occult books. I not only love to write, but I love to read (which is probably why I got into writing in the first place). Some of my favorite authors are J.G. Ballard, Manly Wade Welllman, Andersen Prunty, and P.K. Dick.
I was born in Chicago, Illinois on a cold November morning and graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in graphic design, later to be awarded an MFA in painting from the University of Cincinnati. Currently, I reside in Des Plaines, Illinois.
My series, “The Ancients and the Angels,” is about the world before mankind ruled it, so, not one human being populates the pages. The books really focus on my love for ancient civilizations. Happy reading! -M.C.
Check out this awesome interview of Mark on the Vinny Eastwood Show
You can find tons more on Mark’s blog royalmanaball.wordpress.com, including his other interviews and various cool stuff about his books!
Follow Mark O’Neill on Twitter @MCONeill2
Everyone, remember to join the #YARevolution group on Goodreads, and remember to invite all your Twitter/GR/blog friends to join or become “friends” of our group! You can also post your books on the GR #YAR page: http://www.goodreads.com/ya-revolution
Also, go to YA Revolution Headquarters on this blog to post links to blog posts about your books, or those books that you have reviewed!
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May 21, 2013
How to Get Your Very Own Book Category on Amazon
Wh…wha….what? Getting your very own book category on Amazon???? Yeah, right, you say. As it stands right now, KDP (Amazon indie publishing platform) is missing even mainstream categories to list some of our books accurately, as I found out during my free promo a few days ago. For example, my book GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure), should be listed in the following categories:
1. Mystery & thrillers – thrillers – tales of espionage & intrigue & 2. Romance – romantic mystery.
Guess what, “thrillers” is as far as KDP categories go, although “tales of espionage and & intrigue” is available on Amazon! And with “romance” they only offer “romantic suspense” (not entirely appropriate at all), but no “romantic mystery” (totally appropriate), although again, this category is available and I’ve seen some books listed.
So, you think the title of this post is a joke? Nope, honest to goodness truth! Some ARE getting not only all the categories their hearts desire, but also, their very own categories on Amazon, like the well known TV series Stargate Atlantis, which has been adapted as novels. 
Here is a telling example – STARGATE ATLANTIS: Allegiance – as of today: #42,402 in kindle store, which normally wouldn’t result in any bestseller lists … but check out this unbelievable category string!
#2 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Science Fiction > TV, Movie, Video Game Adaptations > Stargate. Wow! It’s #2 in the category “Stargate”! Who would’ve thought! Brilliant, I tell ya!
Or take STARGATE ATLANTIS: Secrets. It’s #56,845 as of this writing… but it’s #4 on Stargate personal BESTSELLER LIST! Why haven’t I thought of that!
Does this smell like a major unfair advantage to you? Do you think it gives your books more visibility if you have your own category? Do you think the odds are stacked in favor of Big 6 & TV/movie giants? More importantly, do you think those books are any more deserving, or do you think that they just have a big-daddy-with-giant-fat-wallet backing? You might even think that this is a war against originality and forward-looking literature, and for profit at all cost. But I’ll let you decide for yourself…
As for me, I’ve decided to stack my own odds by creating my own categories. And guess what, each and every one of my books is a winner. Judge for yourself!
THE EARTH SHIFTER – #1 fiction – fantasy contemporary – fantasy historical – YA fantasy – visionary/metaphysical – prophetic – top-rated & cool – highly recommended for readers 12 through adult – packing powerful messages, lessons and a wealth of awesome mystical/esoteric/spiritual information – lots of endearing and spectacular characters – Russia and & Siberia like you’ve never imagined them before – adventure/thriller – global conspiracy – guaranteed twists you’ve never seen coming – highly creative, original & intriguing – beautifully written, plotted and paced – kindle sale $2.99 (reg. $4.99)
GOLD TRAIN – #1 fiction – mystery & thriller – tales of espionage & intrigue – romantic mystery – otherworldy romance – gripping, rip-roaring adventure – alternate universe of spies & ultimate danger – begin a secret love affair with Russia – spectacular Moscow & St. Petersburg from the author who knows what she is talking about – highly plausible international conspiracy – based on true historical mystery of the lost gold reserve of the Russian empire – cool characters & enchanting settings – mystical elements – highly original & intriguing – kindle sale: $1.49 (reg. $3.99)
CATHARSIS (Legend of the Lemurians) – #1 fiction – YA fantasy – dystopian scifi – visionary/metaphysical – small book with big message & important lessons – Lemurians, Atlanteans, hidden origins of humanity – great read for ages 12 through adult.
Oh yeah, before I forget! CATHARSIS is FREE on #kindle on 5/22-23! Remember to grab your copy & let me know how you’ve enjoyed it!
And remember, whatever the silly rankings say, it’s still #1! Always!
Ah, the moral of my tale? It’s 2-fold: 1. Each and everyone of us has to create their own brand and carve out their own niche. How, that’s a million “gold coin” question (not a million $$, since $$ are quickly getting worthless). I am now working on creating my own brand, which results in true following – and that’s the way to go, not silly lists. 2. My goal is to create an even and equitable playing field, where deserving books get the time of day and equal exposure, at least SOME exposure. Unfortunately the opposite is true, and it’s getting worse, when everyone tries to elbow everyone else out. I’m afraid we are quickly descending into the same Lord of the Flies circus as the traditional publishing and movie industries. There is much, much more to the story, and I might do more posts on that in the future.
Last, but not least, all Lada Ray books are #YARevolution approved. Join us & post your books! More about YA Revolution. Join YA Revolution group on #Goodreads.
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May 18, 2013
CATHARSIS, Legend of the Lemurians, will be FREE on Amazon 5/22-23!
Many thanks to all those who’ve supported GOLD TRAIN #freebiefriday yesterday! GOLD TRAIN will now be on sale for only $1.49 (reg. $3.99). So, if you’ve missed the free day, you can still grab it here: Amazon US UK DE CA JP.
Mark you calendar, as I have even more exciting news!
CATHARSIS, Legend of the Lemurians (Earth Keepers Chronicle 1) will be FREE for 2 days: 5/22-23!
Download CATHARSIS ebook on: Amazon US UK DE. Available on all international Amazon sites.
K arma can be a beautiful maiden or a bitch… Lemurians…Atlanteans…Hidden origins of humanity…
Before recorded history, before Humanity, since times immemorial, the Earth Keepers have been watching over our planet. Marked at birth and endowed with supreme powers, the nine chosen ones are the Earth’s record keepers and moderators, and when the time comes, ultimate decision makers. This is the first of their chronicles.
Legend of the Lemurians
The population of the red planet Catharsis, on the outskirts of the Andromeda Galaxy, is exceedingly beautiful. But Catharsians harbor a terrible secret: they have to share the planet with another race, which they call the Uglies, although the Uglies themselves prefer to be called Lemurians. Alas, no one on Catharsis cares what the Uglies prefer. Being ugly is considered a contagious disease, and the Uglies are herded into a reservation called Camp Ugly, where they live out their drudgery behind an electric fence. But the Uglies don’t seem to fret as they raise their young, guard the planet’s Crystalline Engine, and sing their heart-stopping songs to the Goddess of All, Mother Mu. And so, both races co-exist without much interaction, until the ultimate disaster strikes.
Morf is a seventeen-year-old Ugly who finds himself in the middle of it all. He is thrust fatefully into the leadership position when no one else can fill its shoes. Will the catastrophe bring to light everyone’s true beauty and true ugliness? Will planet Catharsis survive? What destiny lies in store for the Uglies? We are about to find out…
This metaphysical YA fantasy/scifi novelette is prequel and companion to THE EARTH SHIFTER, and first in the new Earth Keepers series.
This top-rated read, containing powerful and timely messages, is great for readers age 12 through adult.
Genre: YA crossover, visionary/metaphysical, fantasy, dystopian sci-fi, alternative history
Lemurian Crystal & Atlantis (Earth Keepers 2 & 3) ebooks are coming soon! Also, this enchanting 3 part mini-saga will soon come out as one novel, entitled: EARTH KEEPERS CHRONICLES: ORIGINS (ebook & paperback). Stay tuned!
Download CATHARSIS on: Amazon US UK DE. Available on all international Amazon sites.
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May 15, 2013
Gold Train FREE 5/17 on Amazon! Beautifully Re-edited, New Scenes and Artwork
EXCITING NEWS!
Mark your calendar! GOLD TRAIN ebook will be FREE on Amazon Kindle on Friday 5/17 for one day only! Grab it here: Amazon US UK. Also available on all international Amazon sites.
From the publisher: GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure) has been beautifully re-edited and redesigned, new scenes and artwork have been added to both paperback and ebook versions! The new length is 288 print pages. New passages and scenes make characters and events stand out better, adding a more reflective/spiritual tone to the book and highlighting the romantic element, while preserving this novel’s trademark rip-roaring pace. Published by RAY HOUSE.
New Synopsis
Begin your love affair with Russia! GOLD TRAIN is a gripping romantic thriller based on true historic events!
Experience Moscow and St. Petersburg like you’ve never imagined them before; travel through Russia’s turbulent history and ever-changing present; immerse yourself in a world filled with oligarchs, hidden treasure, ultimate royal glamour, state secrets and FSB spies. It’s the world guided by destiny’s hand and spiced up with passionate love affair that could only happen where stakes are deadly and every day may be your last!
1918: Civil War in Russia. The entire Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire vanishes without a trace. But what if it’s about to resurface? And what if it’s about to be used to shift the global balance of power?
Today: Jade Snow, sexy international journalist turned spy extraordinaire must choose between her worst friends and best enemies, and the future just might depend on her choice.
288 print pages. Includes bonus: Excerpt from next Accidental Spy Asia Adventure, DRAGON GATE.
From the recent 5 Star review by John Paul Davis, bestselling author of The Templar Agenda: “I enjoyed the novel in general, but what separated this from most thrillers I’ve read is the plot and the historical pedigree of the settings and the situation. As a lover of both thriller novels and history, I was captivated by the plausibility of the ambitious plot and the impeccable surroundings in which it was set. From gorgeous palaces and stately homes to deserted monasteries and underground railways, Gold Train was an absolute treat. As the novel progressed, I often found myself looking things up, and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to visualise the novel as having taken place in real life. It really makes one wonder, if something like this could happen.” Read full review on Amazon.
Read one of the re-edited scenes, complete with the newly added passage. This scene, where Jade gets trapped in a cave, highlights both the dangerous thriller aspect, as well as the hot romance theme of the story, while adding a spiritual tone to the narrative.
EXCERPT
Standing silently by the left side of the arched entrance was a man with a gun in his hand. The gun was pointed smack between my eyes. I turned my head to the right, then left. The cave didn’t have any other exit. The only way out was through the arch. I was trapped.
The man with the gun made an ominous step inside the cave. I took a step to my left, attempting to get out of the line of fire. He made another step and readjusted his aim. I eyed him carefully, edging sideways towards the mouth of the cave. But my avoidance dance wasn’t working, as every time I made a step the man resolutely made one as well, again fixing his aim, his finger on the trigger.
A solitary second that I still had left to live slowed down to a crawl, and every last millisecond of it was vivid and memorable like nothing I’ve experienced in my life.
As the gun formed a direct line with the spot between my eyes, I realized that my nemesis was already some distance inside the cave, while I managed to edge closer to its entrance. This meant that if I dashed to the arch now, maybe I still had a chance to escape through the opening.
I inhaled, mentally measuring the distance…and ran with my eyes fixed on the arch. The man calmly followed my move with his gun, but at that very moment a shadow appeared out of nowhere and flew past the entrance right towards me! The gun fired; I almost saw the bullet that was about to end my life cross the space between the shooter and me. But in that instant, the shadow materialized right in front of me. Inertia carried it a few steps into the murky depth of the cave, where the figure collapsed, as the bullet that was meant for me hit it in the chest.
“Evgeny, what the hell is going on here?” Another man with a gun in his hand ran into the cave, blocking my escape route.
“Damn, who was that?!” yelled the shooter, again pointing his gun at my head. But just before it went off, I rushed to the fallen man, who’d taken the bullet for me. The newly fired round whizzed by my left side and ricocheted off the wall.
With a grunt of pain, the wounded man braced himself slightly off the ground and fired the gun, which suddenly appeared in his left hand. My attacker cried out, dropping his gun and grasping his bleeding hand.
“He has a gun!” he yelled.
The other attacker raised his own gun to fire, while the man at my feet barked in a hoarse voice, “Run! Now!”
I took his advice without further ado and ran into the deepest and darkest corner of the cave, where I ducked, trying to blend with the wall. The wounded man kept shooting at the second attacker over and over again. The attacker groaned and grabbed at his leg.
Then he yelled to his companion, “Evgeny, lock them in! We need to call for reinforcements!” With these words, he quickly limped away.
The other one hurried out as well, but paused by the protrusion I noticed on the left of the arch, pressing on it with his uninjured hand.
Immediately, I heard the dreaded rumbling sound I knew all too well. It was the sound of a moving rock. I ran toward the entrance, but it was too late. By the time I reached the arch, the rock had already snapped in place, blocking the exit.
Again, I was trapped underground! Once more, I recalled the Gypsy’s warning to stay away from dark, underground places, as the ominous sense of déjà vu made me shudder. I desperately banged my fists on the cold rock. But who would hear me? And even if they did, they wouldn’t let me out anyway. I came back to my senses and stopped.
That’s when I heard a moan. The wounded man, the one who took the bullet for me! He was still on the ground and he needed my help! I dashed to him. The man was motionless, the gun still in his left hand. I dropped to my knees in front him and stared at his face in disbelief… The man on the ground was Alexei!
I carefully pried the gun out of his fingers and placed it safely by the wall. His hands were cold and his face looked pale. I knew I needed to warm him up immediately. Hands trembling, I took off my puffer jacket and covered him with it as well as I could. Then I took off my cashmere sweater and placed it under his head, in lieu of a pillow.
Now that I was left only with my thin cotton blouse, I started shivering, but he needed the warmth much more than I did. I kissed his forehead, his lips, his hands. I held him tight to warm him up. I willed him to wake up, refusing to believe that after all we’ve been through together, this amazing man wouldn’t survive. He had to survive! I couldn’t live without him! As my hot tears streamed down on his face, he stirred and tasted them with his parched tongue.
“Don’t cry, my love,” he said softly.
“Thank God! You are back, my darling,” I exclaimed.
Pulling me gently toward him, he kissed me hungrily on the lips.
“You have no idea how long I waited for you,” he whispered hoarsely.
“Is this all you can think about?” I asked reproachfully.
“When you are around, yes!” he said, as his left hand reached for the buttons of my blouse.
“But you are wounded,” I tried to object.
“All the more reason,” he retorted. “What if this is our last…”
“Don’t even say it!” I yelled at him. “Don’t you dare!”
“Then help me,” he whispered, his hand slowly unbuttoning my blouse. “Help me stay alive.”
“I need to examine your wound,” I said.
“Later. I need you now.”
I couldn’t even begin imagining on how many levels this was the absolutely wrong and impossible thing to do from the standpoint of traditional logic, morality, and Alexei’s condition. But it occurred to me that this man, whom I loved more than life itself, completely accepted the fact that in the alternate universe of spies and ultimate danger there was no such thing as tomorrow. All we had was the present moment in the midst of an obscure expanse that humans normally referred to as eternity.
I agreed with him wholeheartedly. In my life, I’ve already experienced more than my share of loss. My parents and my beloved Grandma Anastasia were gone when I was still young; during my Stepford adventure I lost Adelaide, who became like a surrogate mother to me when I needed it most, and recently, I lived through the horrible murders of Svetlana and Vera Golitsina. Alexei was right – all we had was this precious singular moment in time to be happy and to feel alive, and it could not be wasted. If he…if we…would never make it out of this cave in one piece, I’d never forgive myself if we weren’t together, one last time…
Before I knew what I was doing, my fingers deftly unbuttoned the rest of my blouse.
Buy GOLD TRAIN ebook & paperback on Amazon US UK (Available on all international Amazon sites)
Also available on B&N
May 8, 2013
The Death of a Dream – Green Desert (Accidental Spy Prequel) by Lada Ray
I thought this review of GREEN DESERT was absolutely amazing and one of the best I’ve ever received. Says the author of the review, Sherry Fundin: “I love Lada Ray’s writing and her books really do seem to speak to me. I almost feel as if I am there and the characters are talking around me.”
Green Desert is a novelette set in Baghdad, Iraq, circa 2007, when the scandals surrounding the Abu Ghraib prison and the abuse of smart bombs shook the world. It’s only 12,000 words, or about 40 pages long, but in-between non-stop action and twists, the book packs a powerful and profound message. It’s about the devastation and injustice of war and it’s also about how interconnected we are in this small world. But most importantly, it is about the hope of peace.
Seeing this kind of a review makes me jump for joy because the reader has understood my intent so completely. Thank you, Sherry!
From Sherry Fundin’s review of Green Desert:
One day, the Iraqi desert will be a garden…again.
Mohammed al-Tikriti, suicide bomber, former University of Baghdad student
“I want you to give this after the explosion to that pretty lady dressed as a man,” he told the boy as he handed him an envelope.
That is how international journalist Jade Snow was led on a life altering journey.
Jade is in Iraq to shoot a documentary about the insurgents. All that changes when she witnesses a suicide bombing in Baghdad.
As Jade and her cameraman, Alejandro, took cover from the blast, she felt a tug on her sleeve. The boy handed her the envelope and she read – “Why I became a terrorist.” The letter was so tragic, she could not ignore it.
With letter in hand, she is determined to get the real story. The Army threw the word “regrettable” around like it was confetti and it pissed her off. It drove her to seek answers.
Jade was able to talk to Sergeant Lucas, a friend of Sergeant O’Shea’s. O’Shea had been driving the truck when Mohammed rammed into it.
Sergeant Lucas took her to O’Shea’s room and she saw the desk, paper, pen and envelope, waiting for the letter that would never be written.
He also wanted to show Jade the garden. As she wondered at the Daisies growing in such a hostile place, he reached into his pocket……
The Media can be scum sucking leeches, would Jade prove the exception to the rule?
5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)
Amongst all the ugliness, how ironic that these men could see the beauty the desert beheld.
Lada Ray’s style of blending history and fiction makes me feel as if I am living the story. The emotions washed over me, leaving me with a sense of futility and profound loss.
The cover alone made me feel…..Well, I had preconceived ideas about the book. I devoured it. I thought I knew the story before hand, and felt such sorrow when it all came true. BUT Lada Ray added a little twist that I didn’t see coming.
Shows life comes full circle and it is a small world. Think about it . Has something ever happened to You, that caused you to feel that way? I feel this book shows that we have more in common than we think.
Supposedly, we got involved in Iraq because of Saddam, who killed and tortured his own people. Now that he was gone, why were we still there? Smart bombs and accidents. Weapons of mass destruction. But, why were we really there? Did the President have an ulterior motive? Were we deliberately deceived? All the questions have been asked. Were they ever answered? Makes me think of things I really don’t want to think about. It makes my head spin with feelings of anger and betrayal, not only for myself, but for the soldiers who put their lives on the line for us. Will we ever know the truth?
Read the full review: @ http://www.fundinmental.com or on Amazon
Green Desert ebook is available on Kindle for only $.99: Buy Green Desert
This book contains a powerful message of peace!
May 6, 2013
Author Feature 2: Anneli Purchase
I am pleased to introduce today’s new Author Feature. From Vancouver, Canada, welcome my guest, Anneli Purshase!
Vancouver Island author, Anneli Purchase, has published her third novel. From “The Wind Weeps” set in the wilds of the BC coast, to “Orion’s Gift” set in Baja, Purchase now takes us to postwar Europe in “Julia’s Violinist.”
Imagine yourself growing up in a rural town in what used to be Austria-Hungary, expecting a normal happy life, when war shatters all your hopes and dreams. You are 32 and widowed with two small children. Like thousands of your fellow Sudetenlanders, you’ve been driven out of your country and strangers have taken over your home and all your possessions. You survive their brutal lust for revenge for Hitler’s mistreatment of them, survive the harsh conditions of refugee camps, survive disease and starvation. All you want is a return to the contented days of the past. But it is not to be. Once transported across the German border, you try to pick up the pieces of your shattered life and remarry, perhaps more for security than for love.
You’ve just begun the arduous task of rebuilding your life in war-torn Germany, when the young man you loved more than twenty years ago writes to tell you he has been searching everywhere for you. He still loves you and wants you to come to him. Such is Julia’s dilemma when her husband hands her the letter with the Canadian postmark.
What would you do?
Read “Julia’s Violinist” and learn how Julia’s decision changed her life.
Excerpt from Julia’s Violinist
September 1939
War! War? War. The terrible word was on everyone’s lips. Julia’s first thought was to find Lukas. She needed Lukas. As she pedaled furiously towards Bechert’s to find her husband, she heard the word in every snatch of conversation that reached her ears. War was about to change their lives.
Julia threw her bicycle down outside the factory and ran to the department that Lukas managed. “Georg! Have you seen Lukas? Where’s Lukas?” Georg turned from the pile of bolts in front of him and pointed down the hall just as Lukas appeared. “Lukas!” Julia shouted. “Did you hear?” Lukas looked white and shaken as he folded her into his arms.
“You’re shivering, Julia.”
“I’m still shaking from pedaling so fast, but I can’t seem to stop. Did you hear?”
“Yes,” he whispered, and pulled her closer. “Don’t worry.”
“You’re not going, are you? Please say you’re not.” She felt as if vise grips had hold of her stomach. He couldn’t leave her now, just when life was perfect. “Say you won’t go, Lukas. Please, say it.”
“Come, we’ll ride home on the motorbike and we’ll get your bicycle later.”
The ride home seemed too short. Julia clung to Lukas so tightly that she could feel his heart beating. She dreaded the conversation she knew was coming.
“You know I have to go, don’t you, Julia?”
She could feel tears trickling down her cheeks finding their way to her chin. “Why? Lukas!” She choked out his name. “You can’t. What about the children? Your aunt? What about me? Don’t you love me? How can you leave me now?”
“Sweetheart.” His eyes brimmed with tears. “The Czechs will be trying their best to get us under their thumb again. I have to—”
“No, you don’t have to. I don’t want you to—”
“I have to do what I can to help stop them.”
“If you really loved me you wouldn’t go.”
“It’s for you and Sofie and Steffie that I’m volunteering to go, exactly because I love you all so much. What kind of a coward would I be if I didn’t protect my family?”
Julia couldn’t argue when he put it that way, but dammit, why did he have to choose now to be so noble? Their happy life would be torn apart. She loved him so much. Her children loved him, needed him. How could he do this to them? She wiped her wet cheeks with the backs of her hands and sank into the nearest chair.
“Oh, Lukas! How will I manage without you?” She knew that further entreaties would only add to his pain. She was sure he was hurting as much, well, almost as much, as she was.
“I’ll be back before you have time to miss me. Meanwhile, you’re a strong girl, Julia. I want you to remember that, if times get hard. That inner strength that I love so much in you will see you through. God willing, I’ll come back to you.”
“You still believe there’s a God? How could He allow this to happen?” She flung out her arms indicating her crumbling world. She was incredulous at his naiveté.
“We aren’t meant to question God. Please, Julia. We need to believe He will guide us.”
“Oh, Lukas! There is no God. Why would God ask people to kill each other? How can you believe in God now?” She was amazed at his blind faith. They went to church, said the prayers, and sang the songs, but had never really had any serious discussion over their beliefs before.
“I have to believe in Him to see me through.”
Julia clamped her teeth together tightly. She didn’t want to take away Lukas’s crutch if he was counting on God to see him through. She needed Lukas to come home safely. But every rational thought told her that God had forsaken her.
***
“The Wind Weeps,” “Orion’s Gift,” and “Julia’s Violinist” can be found on all Amazon sites for paperback and Kindle versions.
Visit Anneli’s author page on amazon.com http://ow.ly/je5rT to see all her books.
They are also available in all e-book formats at smashwords.com http://ow.ly/je5IX
Anneli’s website: http://anneli-purchase.com
Anneli’s blogs: http://wordsfromanneli.wordpress.com
and http://annelisplace.wordpress.com
