Tuesday, April 2, 2013

New Book Release: A Perfect Arrangement

A Perfect Arrangement by Sandra Sookoo

When life’s a bitch, slap her back.

Mackenzie Andrews is having a bad day. She’s lost her job at a Chicago interior design firm, her roommate kicked her out in favor of a fiancé’s company and now her sports car is in a snowy ditch in the middle of nowhere.

Lucas Brown, a victim of the financial sector collapse, has turned to carpentry for a living, but his favorite hobby is trying to “fix” people. Grounded by an unwavering sense of optimism, when he meets Mackenzie, he starts to think of a future, which means telling his ex to take a permanent hike.

Dirk Jennings has seen too many horrible things in life—first in Afghanistan then as an EMT on the mean streets of Chicago. He’s not a touchy-feely guy, but after rescuing Mackenzie from her snowy wreck, he wouldn’t mind an occasional round of sex.

While the town of Redemption Cove caters to the ménage a trois lifestyle, the three lost souls thrown together by circumstance aren’t sure such a situation will work, but none of them can deny the desire and need swirling between them. With a little understanding they might just stumble upon a perfect arrangement.

New Book Release: Knowledge and Faith

Knowledge and Faith by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi

As true as the fact that the mind and its elements are gifts from G-d, so does faith inspire us in a way that mere accumulation of knowledge cannot. Faith`s inspiration lifts us beyond the boundaries of our finite existence, yet, that inspiration can depart just as easily as it came. Knowledge, however, becomes a part of us and thus changes us decisively. In effect, faith and knowledge complement and balance each other. Delivered on Shabbat Parshat Va`etchanan, Shabbat Nachamu, 5565 (1805), this discourse discusses the fundamental concept of faith in G-d as compared to the imperative to "know" G-d, and the differences between the two.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

New Book Release: Crimson Cries

Crimson Cries by Dawne Dominique

Can she leave behind her past in order to do what's necessary for the future?

When Paladin Sandalio, prince of the vilkacis race, shows up at her door with the same cryptic warnings as her father, Daniella Rolfe has no choice but to believe...the Nuasiar Nine walk the world again. With vamps and wolves dying side-by-side, and innocents caught in the crossfire, she knows it won't be long before the veils are set asunder. Trusting those she's detested for centuries is no easy task, but learning that entities like them were not created by accident will be the greatest challenge of all.

New vows will be taken—and she will show them real fear.

Friday, February 1, 2013

New Book Release: Studies in Rashi - Shemot

Studies in Rashi - Shemot

Beginning in late 1964, after the passing of his mother, Rebbetzin Chana, the Rebbe began dedicating a segment of his weekly Shabbat public gatherings to the study of Rashi`s classic biblical commentary. What soon emerged was an innovative method for both the study and analysis of the Bible`s pre-eminent commentator, and Bible study itself. These talks continued for more than twenty-five years.

The publication of Studies in Rashi aims to open this unique dimension of the Rebbe`s scholarship to the ever-growing numbers of English speaking students aspiring to serious textual study.

The essays were translated by Rabbi Y. Eliezer Danzinger, and are fully annotated in Hebrew and English. The volume is further enhanced with a detailed bibliography and comprehensive index.

New Blog Post: Bodies of Subversion

Bodies of Subversion by Margot Mifflin

Bodies of Subversion was the first history of women's tattoo art when it was released in 1997, providing a fascinating excursion to a subculture that dates back to the nineteenth-century and including many never-before-seen photos of tattooed women from the last century. Newly revised and expanded, it remains the only book to chronicle the history of both tattooed women and women tattooists. As the primary reference source on the subject, it contains information from the original edition, including documentation of:

•Nineteeth-century sideshow attractions who created fantastic abduction tales in which they claimed to have been forcibly tattooed.
•Victorian society women who wore tattoos as custom couture, including Winston Churchill's mother, who wore a serpent on her wrist.
•Maud Wagner, the first known woman tattooist, who in 1904 traded a date with her tattooist husband-to-be for an apprenticeship.
•The parallel rise of tattooing and cosmetic surgery during the 80s when women tattooists became soul doctors to a nation afflicted with body anxieties.
•Breast cancer survivors of the 90s who tattoo their mastectomy scars as an alternative to reconstructive surgery or prosthetics.

The book contains 50 new photos and FULL COLOR images throughout including newly discovered work by Britain's first female tattooist, Jessie Knight; Janis Joplin's wrist tattoo; and tattooed pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber. In addition, the updated 3rd edition boasts a sleek design and new chapters documenting recent changes to the timeline of female tattooing, including a section on: celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D, the most famous tattooist, male or female, in the world; the impact of reality shows on women's tattoo culture; and, therapeutic uses of tattooing for women leaving gangs, prisons, or situations of domestic abuse.

As of 2012, tattooed women outnumber men for the first time in American history, making Bodies of Subversion more relevant than ever.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

New Book Release: Black Firsts

Black Firsts: 4,000 Ground-Breaking and Pioneering Historical Events by Jesse Carney Smith

A testament to a rich but often overlooked part of history, this work captures the stories of barrier-breaking African American pioneers in all fields—arts, entertainment, business, civil rights, education, government, invention, journalism, religion, science, sports, and more. With hundreds of illustrations and a daily calendar of firsts, this chronicle reveals stories of those who overcame adversity to emerge triumphant and celebrates those who have won personal victories against the forces arrayed against them. A vital collection of more than 4,000 entries, this book is proof that the celebration of African American accomplishments is ongoing.

New Book Release: Perfect Homecoming

Perfect Homecoming by Sandra Sookoo

Sometimes the future meets us when we’re not looking.

Andrew Grabel is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air and Space Force. It’s tradition for his family, so is never being home for Christmas. Though he longs to celebrate the holiday with all its feel good nostalgia, the reality of space travel doesn’t make that possible. Neither does an R & R stint on a far-flung space station since Christmas is unique to Earthlings.

Mira Nisirian is on Epsilon station for one reason only—to steal anything of value then get out for her next destination. She’s a thief and a criminal, and though she might dream of fitting in with Earth people and their culture, nothing can erase her Neptune origins or her real alien form. Choosing Andrew as her first victim is her first mistake…

…falling for him is the next. What’s more, Andrew’s constant talk of Christmas fascinates Mira. She covets the home she sees in his eyes. Andrew’s future outlook is shaken as he finds himself trying to convince her the Earth holiday is a state of mind, but Mira’s compulsion to share her truth might damage their budding relationship.