Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Coolest Card Game Ever



5ive: Kings Court


We're almost ready to release 5ive to the tabletop game lovers at Kickstarter - but we need you to help us bring the court to life!  Thunderclap allows you to contribute your social influence by sending a one-time post. Just press the big red buttons to support 5ive: King's Court via Facebook and Twitter. It only takes 2 seconds, that's it! Thunderclap will automatically post a synchronized update around the world on your feed, along with other supporters, on March 1st (2017).


Tell me more about 5ive: King's Court
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5ive is a set-building game where players take turns attempting to foil the plans of their rivals by completing their own royal court. Players compete to complete a set of all 5ive card types by completing each of five actions.  Every action will impact another player, so strategy is critical.  A simple error in judgement could prevent you from completing your Court, allowing another player to take control and win the game!

In the King's Court, your role is to play actions that result in each of the members of your court (The King, Queen, Knight, Bishop and Rook) being in play. Each member of the court must complete a specific action before being added to the court, and multiples of any member can be added for security.


The game takes just a few minutes to learn, and a round takes from 10 to 20 minutes to play.


 

Origin Story
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The game mechanic was devised by Luke Wilkinson, and David Papp decided to help make it all a reality. The GameStax team had great fun playing the mechanics demo. We printed several sets of the single word cards and battled it out. Along the way - we found that likening our 5ivecards to a 'team' of some sort added to playability. Soon we were adding symbols and colors to ensure we had created the full set.

After a lot of searching we arrived at the King's Court. Using the home row of a Chess set for inspiration, the King, Queen, Knight, Bishop and Rook formed the core five - or 'the 5ive'.

We couldn't settle on just one theme for the first deck, so we hired a brilliant illustrator to devise artwork for all of the possible sets of 5 in the game. Zombies, Aliens, Cats, Elder Gods - you name it. And since each court is filled by one of the 5ive - your court will be different nearly every time you play!

Our upcoming Kickstarter edition features:

- A traditional Medieval Court
- Amazing Aliens
- Stunning Steampunk
- Cthulhu
- Atlanteans of the Undersea
- Werewolves
- Feline Shenanigans
- Dungeon Fantasy
- Robot Overlords
- Zombies
- and Superheroes!

GameStax has created successful Kickstarter projects before, with our Game Accessory UberStax - and we learned a GREAT deal from that experience. Production and Fulfillment are very different beasts, and we've taken that experience to heart for this project. 







Monday, January 30, 2017

The Passer



Eleanor Bouchard- a theater professor and acclaimed Shakespearean actress- desperately mourns the loss of her boyfriend, and on the anniversary of his death is summoned by a frightening apparition that propels her on a profound journey beyond anything she could imagine. As she begins to experience harrowing visions of a missing woman and unravels the mystery surrounding her disappearance, Eleanor discovers she possesses otherworldly powers that have been lying dormant within her, waiting for her to awaken.
While Eleanor struggles against her transformation, Daniel Archer, her former love, has troubles of his own. His wife has died tragically and now the famous actor, along with his precocious step-daughter, Amelia, finds sanctuary in Eleanor’s alluring home in River Mist, California.  
As their lives intertwine, Eleanor discovers a fateful connection to Daniel and Amelia, and begins to suspect that the haunting events that brought them together were quite possibly destined to be. 




Sunday, January 29, 2017

Echoes of Time



Betrayal, injustice and revenge echo down the years…

1940. Olive marries farmer Bill Falla. The Germans occupy Guernsey.
All too soon Olive realises she’s made a mistake.
Her life changes when she meets Wolfgang, a German officer-
but there’s a price to pay. . .

2010. Natalie Ogier returns to Guernsey to escape an abusive relationship – only to be plagued by odd happenings in her beautiful cottage on the site of a derelict and secluded farm. Disturbing dreams, disembodied voices and uncanny visions from the past. She becomes increasingly ill at ease as someone else’s past catches up with her own…
Her only immediate neighbour, Stuart, is the grandson of the original owners, Bill and Olive.

Thrown together in a bid to find out what really happened to Olive, can they each survive the repercussions of the past and move on? 

REVIEW

‘A powerful family drama packed full of mystery and intrigue. A stunningly good read.’ A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review

For the last three days I have been thoroughly immersed in Echoes of Time, a family saga set in Guernsey. Let me begin by saying how gripping this story is. Not only is the plot packed full of twists and turns, but the setting – and the characters – are lovingly described. There is, I think, nothing better than a novel written by an author who knows how to balance setting, speech and plot.
So, what did I like? Well, the opening chapter, albeit very short, is a real ‘grabber’. I’m very fond of books which open with a ‘BANG!' and not with endless paragraphs of flowery prose. Well, trust me, this opens BIG, hooking the reader in…
I also very much enjoyed the pacing of this novel. The chapters were surprisingly short for this genre and there’s often a cliffhanger at the end of the chapters. So, although it is a family saga of sorts it is also very much a thriller and a mystery, and the style of writing reflects that.
So, would I recommend this book? Yes, absolutely. And who to? Well, pretty much anybody and everybody. If you enjoy a good thriller, this is for you. If you enjoy a complex family saga, this is for you. Or, if you simply love Guernsey, this is for you.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review www.thewsa.co.uk




Saturday, January 28, 2017

Moonbeams of Unintended Consequences



THAT night...

SHE wore a flowing, form fitted white spaghetti strapped gown that cascaded in tumbled silken folds to her abdomen and revealed her breath in the soft rise of her alabaster breasts. Her eyes reflected an emerald depth with gold flecks that edged to hazel and were framed by neat, arched brows that narrowed to her temples where her heartbeat announced the rhythm of her life. Her only adornment was a starkly white gardenia nestled in the curves of her auburn curls. The heavy floral fragrance of the corsage announced her arrival as she glided elegantly to her aisle and settled, like a dove, into her center seat. She was alone...but not for long. 

Would she regret her indulgence?

HE was a towering, self-assured giant of a black man, chest broad and arms outstretched in opulent black leather. His dark mahogany eyes locked irresistibly onto her and declared his desire. The opera house erupted with his full bass-baritone harmony. His musical seduction began, and his hypnotic gaze was met by her eager response as she answered his desire with a blush. 

His hypnotic gaze met her heated blush with hunger.

THEY spent an insatiable night together in Room 457 of the Historic Whitcomb Hotel locked in a magnetic embrace riding moonbeams of passion and ribbons of desire. He took her to the edge, to a special volcanic place inside, somewhere she had never before been and never been since: fiery, impatient, burning, yearning. That magnetic connection fueled a love that wove them irretrievably together in ways that only the future would disclose--a future neither of them ever anticipated.

Would the only man she could turn to help, as the secrets of the past reveal her betrayal?





Friday, January 27, 2017

When the Morning Comes



Samantha Patrick has a happy marriage, a handsome husband, successful daughter and a teenage grandson. She also has a secret. A secret that will change the lives of two families if it doesn't kill them first.




Thursday, January 26, 2017

Motivating Yourself The Sexy Way



Motivation is one of the most amazing forces in our universe, but did you know it is also one of the sexiest forces in the universe? Motivating Yourself the Sexy Way explains the connection between your motivation and your sexuality. Once you learn how your motivation matches up with the stages of your sexuality, your motivation will take on a different light. You will be led through the stages - both your sexual experiences and your motivational experiences - from anticipation to relaxation and all the incredible experiences in between.  

You will learn how energy effects your motivation in the most sensual of ways.  

"While the climactic state is an explosion of energy, the blissful state is an implosion of energy. "

Motivating Yourself the Sexy Way is designed to blast you through the motivational process allowing you to understand the energetic boosts as well as the times when things stall. Knowing the stage of motivation you are in will help you stay motivated instead of giving up like so many people do. 



Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Authors Skillshare Is The Best Way To Learn



Who We Are

Skillshare is a learning community where anyone can discover, take, or even teach a class.

Our Mission

We started Skillshare to close the professional skills gap and provide universal access to high-quality learning. By teaching the skills needed in tomorrow’s world, Skillshare empowers creators to pursue the work they love today.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

The Rose Within



A story of passion, intrigue and mystery. Set in England in the 1920s, Jonathan Malcolm is drawn into the world of Winter Grange House encountering the love of his life, Selina Selwyn. But unbeknownst to him Selina is caught in a web of enigmas that only gradually unfold. Some say Winter Grange is an estate cursed with ghosts and supernatural happenings. Will Jonathan ultimately attain his love or will it end in despair 




Monday, January 23, 2017

Best of Luck (The Lucky Series Book3)



(The Lucky Series Book 3)



Amber has only ever wanted one thing in life. To be a star. When that dream has finally come true, an old friend ends up getting in the way and friendships may end up jeopardizing everything. Now in a time when privacy is a thing of her past, where paparazzi follow her every move, she’ll need to decide what’s more important to her, because it’s more than just her career on the line. 

Tom has struggled for years with his feelings towards Amber, his best friend’s little sister. The woman has been driving him crazy since… well, forever. Now that she’s on every TV set, every movie poster in the country, it’s even harder to avoid looking into those sexy blue eyes and not remembering her passion. Especially when she’ll be spending the next few months back in Denver filming her latest movie. This time, Tom may not be able to hold back the sparks that fly between them.



Sunday, January 22, 2017

Catalysts - A Rogue One Novel (Star Wars)



The must-have prequel novel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story—the upcoming film, set before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope, that reveals the untold story of the rebel effort to steal the plans to the Death Star!




Saturday, January 21, 2017

Facebook Groups Great For Books



Running a Facebook Group gives you something special.  It gives you authority, and allows you to dictate what your market/members will see.  Being a member of a Facebook Group is awesome and has many advantages but when you run your own Facebook Group those advantages are ten times better. 

This class will show you why you need your own Facebook Group.  I will also show you who else is benefiting from Facebook Groups.  Then we will dive into how to create your Facebook Group and how to support your group by getting members into your group.  
Now you can pretty much set your Facebook Group to automatically run but being active in your group makes you a super star.  The more active you are in the group the more you will get out of it.  

So if you are set to get started let's create your own Facebook Group!  

Friday, January 20, 2017

Soul Gap




Stopping on the razor’s edge of your Soul Gap™ can happen in an instant, but building a bridge to cross it takes effort and help. Best Selling Author, Janelle Alex, Ph.D. brings you practical spirituality in Soul Gap: Rediscover the colors of your soul and fulfill your life’s mission, so you can stop endlessly searching for that “something missing” in your life.

Soul Gap™ = your soul’s mission - your active participation

It’s true, you made it through another day. Great! But, now you’re tossing and turning because the sense that you’re just running in place and running out of time is keeping a peaceful night’s sleep at bay.  

Being bold and ready to set the world on fire likely came easily to you when you were young and setting out on your adventure as an adult. Then, the expectations of others got in your way. You did what you believed you were supposed to do and set your biggest dreams on a shelf.  

Day-in and day-out you work your life away - all while your soul keeps calling to you. You know there’s got to be more to life. The deep desire to have a greater impact in the world - to make a real difference beyond your family, your friends and your home - has been nudging your heart.  

It’s no longer just a gentle nudge or a silent call. It’s a full-blown push. You feel the urgency to make a real change - not only in your life, but in the lives of others. It’s a blaring call from your soul coming through so loudly you can no longer ignore it. You’re ready to answer, but you don’t know where to begin.

Success hasn’t been an issue for you. You’ve attained it. Being good - or even great - at what you do has never been a problem. This can lead to the question, “Shouldn’t you be happy? What more do you want?!”  

But, guess what? Living someone else’s dreams is not what you came here to do. Playing small and playing by someone else’s rules is not what lights you up. You’ve hidden yourself away and muted the colors of your soul.  

This is what led you to unknowingly creating a Soul Gap™. Yet, all is not lost. Rediscovering the colors of your soul and fulfilling your life’s mission is at your fingertips. 

This book offers you deep insight into you, your spiritual connection and your Soul Gap™. Through bits of her personal story and unique “active participation” exercises at the end of each chapter, Janelle helps you recognize your Soul Gap™, rediscover your Secret Animal Powers™, and reveal steps to build and maintain a bridge across your Soul Gap™.




Thursday, January 19, 2017

Get Your Books In This Contest


2017 Authors Talk About It 
Book Award Contest

Authors get into the the 2017 ATAI Book Contest now and get some huge benefits

Get Promotion on 4 different blogs

Plus get shared to our over 70,000+ Social Media Reach 

Plus you still could win the contest

All this for $35

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

To Fool An Assassin




Her only way out is through Purgatory …

Gabrielle has abandoned her life, her hopes, and even her name in redemption for her sins as an assassin. Now, the very first recruit of Purgatory, a secret organization specialized in no-return missions, is at the end of her rope, and is even considering hanging herself with it when her boss asks for one last, very personal assignment. 
What begins as the simple rescue of an imprisoned Navy SEAL, turns into a more complicated mess, where no one can be trusted—not even her own friends and allies—and death is the least of her worries. And what about Captain Thorne? She has enough to deal with besides letting this annoying, close-mouthed, and sexy-as-sin SEAL under her skin. Too bad she has no choice in the matter as danger is lurking closer and desire forces her to rethink her priorities. After all, this is her last tour on the dance floor and this particular devil has never seemed more tempting.

***This book can be read as a standalone and offers HEA. I love HEA ;-)***

FOUR STAR REVIEW of To Fool an Assassin
“It is full of suspense, intrigue, and bold sexuality; combined, these factors make it an exciting novel. India Kells is a creative and descriptive writer, and her characters are engaging and witty.” 
- Originally reviewed by AuthorsTalkAboutIt.com




Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Target In The Sun




'TARGET IN THE SUN', a moving, high anxiety romance thriller, takes place on a perilous journey through the explosive dark underworld of organized drug trafficking and the complex, destructive human perils of use, abuse and the carnage it leaves in its unstoppable wake. Caught up in the onslaught is the powerfully engaging nurture of two lovers, Carlos and Mia, discovering and reaching out in a world that could ultimately tear them apart. An infant loses both his parents tragically and spends his youth and young adulthood in disconnected search and longing, surviving on the streets of coastal Mexico where the beauty and allure of his homeland mix with his relentless desire to belong. Anticipation builds as powerful human emotions span a search for love, acceptance and belonging to existence in a world wrought with escalating illicit drug trade from the depths of lush Mexican jungles across borders in a vast network of distribution throughout America. An expansive coalition of drug enforcement agencies on both sides of the border mount a fierce campaign of surveillance and seizure with swift and destructive assault on the drug lords their ultimate objective. All the while a young boy struggles with the heart-wrenching prospect of a life of loneliness, sadness, anger, and an unwavering resistance to commitment. Amidst the turmoil of surroundings and circumstance a boy becomes a man in a search for belonging that leads a troubled soul on a dangerous romp from the sultry Mexican Riviera beaches to the heat of coastal nightclubs and salacious entanglements behind closed doors. As time passes, Mia’s visits to Puerto Vallarta become more frequent and her relationship with Carlos becomes ever-clearer. At first mere carnal instinct, a conquest of pleasures, life events and new acquaintance bring discovery, emotional attachment and a burning desire for enduring love as it was always meant to be. ‘Target In The Sun’ is an impassioned story of search and longing for the ultimate connection.




Monday, January 16, 2017

The Faith Principle



The Faith Principle. This fiction novel explores the Journey of a man when he is submerged in an adventure of the power of faith combined with the power of science.

Faith can move mountains.

This is what was revealed to Christian Jackson, a mid-level executive of the biggest global conglomerate in the world, when he witnessed firsthand how faith can be the most powerful thing on earth.

Through cutting-edge science and technology, a mysterious group of men have found a way to harness faith energy, to influence and change reality. Christian finds himself right in the middle of a supernatural adventure that makes him question his beliefs, but at the same time, finds love in a woman who would hold the key to the fate of the whole world.




Sunday, January 15, 2017

Jasper : Book One - The Guardian League




Tatiana seeks rare, coveted treasure: a strong, loving, committed male she can respect, be proud of and become her full-fledged partner. She has sought this elusive prince among men, her own personal champion but instead found many, many frogs and quite a few toads. Does her hero exist on Earth, or did she miss her opportunity?

Jasper isn’t seeking a mate. His only intention is to rescue Tatiana from a fatal car accident, but he finds himself drawn to her in ways he can’t explain. She’s a rare, precious gem and there’s no turning back for him. He must know her and introduce himself in some sort of “human” fashion, at some sort of “human” event, for he is not of Earth.

Once Tatiana finds out Jasper’s true identity, will she accept and trust him? Will Tatiana allow herself to enter into a permanent, loving relationship with an unearthly but powerful being who only wants to adore and protect her?





Saturday, January 14, 2017

Marry Your Billionaire




Six years ago, Midge Knightly walked away from her trust fund, her Hollywood producer father, and the expectation that she would join the family business. Avoiding handsome playboys with hidden agendas was just an added bonus. Now one semester shy of graduation, she is shocked to discover her scholarship has lost its funding. Her estranged father is having problems of his own. A contestant on his latest reality TV series has cancelled two months before shooting. His solution? Midge gets her trust fund back if she stands in as a potential marriage candidate for the dating series Marry Your Billionaire. Twenty women competing for one arrogant guy. Not Midge's cup of tea. Agreeing to this proposition sucks her back into the world she happily broke ties from, but no trust fund equals no college degree. Brody Prescott, CEO and owner of an online dating company, has recently been pegged as a heartless playboy-among other things-by a disgruntled female after a disappointing date. His solution? Become the first bachelor on Marry Your Billionaire and hope that one of the contestants holds some potential. So what is he supposed to do when the woman who intrigues him the most wants to be eliminated? Marry Your Billionaire is a fun, romantic romp set against the backdrop of reality TV. Throw on your PJ's, grab some chocolate and popcorn, and settle in for an entertaining love story.






Friday, January 13, 2017

UnQuiet




A Resilient Love Story

Loren Smith has been in love with Eliot Devlin almost his entire life. During their turbulent childhood and teen years, Loren didn’t always understand Eliot, and sometimes he could be a challenge, but Eliot was the only one to ever truly ease Loren’s deep loneliness and accept him. When Eliot’s increasingly erratic and self-destructive behavior culminates in a suicide attempt at seventeen, Loren is devastated.

Upon meeting again by chance nine years later, Loren is enjoying a successful career as a police officer while Eliot’s life has been a constant struggle for stability. In and out of mental hospitals, with a rap sheet a mile long, he continues to be buffeted by the twin storms of mania and depression. Loren’s love and protectiveness for Eliot are deeply ingrained in him, however, and their feelings for each other are quickly rekindled.

Loren has issues of his own he’s dealing with, and trying to understand and cope with Eliot’s bipolar disorder isn’t easy. They believe they’re meant to be, and Eliot brings a fulfillment to Loren’s life that no one else will ever match. But as they both come to realize, love by itself can’t cure all.



Thursday, January 12, 2017

Run Away To The Keys




When marine biologist Garrett Holmes first meets the boat captain on the vessel he has chartered for research, he’s skeptical of the abilities of the pretty, young woman.
Despite his initial misgivings, once Garrett gets to know Skylar Cartwright, it doesn’t take him long to fall for her. Even with her privileged background as the daughter of a wealthy Miami family, Skylar is spirited and independent—set on earning her own living chartering scuba and snorkeling tours with her boat.
With Garrett falling for Skylar—and Skylar returning his affection—it seems like the couple might just get to live happily ever after in paradise…until Garrett’s jealous assistant tries to break them up, and Skylar’s parents voice their disapproval.
As more and more roadblocks spring up in opposition to their relationship, Garrett and Skylar must decide if their fledging romance has what it takes to withstand the heat.
Vividly imagined and bursting with romantic tension, this delightful story provides hours of entertainment, making it a delectable beach novel.





Wednesday, January 11, 2017

To Blind a Sniper



The only way to escape is through Purgatory …

Mac is the best sniper ever recruited by Purgatory, with an eye like a hawk and an instinct for opportunity. She never misses her target … until one fateful mission where the tables are turned in a brutal way. Now the predator has become the prey and she has to hide. All she has to do is lay low for a while, but it may not be easy, especially not above a BDSM Club with so many flamboyant and distracting characters close by.

Despite her best intentions, one man draws her like no other; the brother of the club owner, Wesley Sorenson. The Navy SEAL is on leave, broken and wounded, shutting down everybody attempting to approach him. Mac is way over her head in trouble, but finds it impossible to abandon him drowning in darkness. Unfortunately, she should have guessed that once tempted back into the light, the warrior wouldn’t easily let her push him away. And there is no way she is bringing him into her mess. Until she has no other choice. Forced to protect the family that shunned her a long time ago, Mac and Wes will have to drop their masks, both to survive and stay together. The most dangerous man in the world is out for blood, and they will need more than courage and skills to see it through. Sometimes, winning a fight requires the greatest sacrifice of all.

***This book is part of a trilogy but can be read as a standalone and offers HEA. I love HEA ;-)***

"...showcased women that are tough, intelligent, humorous, and can hold their own against and with the alpha males in the story."
- Originally critiqued by Authors Talk About It