Press release: Imajin Books Releases 'Under a Texas Star', a Historical Western Romance by Alison Bruce

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EDMONTON, AB, May 14, 2011 - Imajin Books is pleased to announce the release of Under a Texas Star, a historical western romance by Alison Bruce that is already receiving rave reviews. Midwest Book Review calls it, "A delightful Western tale that blends engaging adventure with spirited romance. Reminds me of Louis L'Amour novels." Award-winning author Phyllis Smallman says, "This is a rollicking adventure and Marly Landers is a girl with True Grit."

So what's Under a Texas Star about?

Disguised as a boy, Marly joins a handsome Texas Ranger in the hunt for a con man and they must bring the fugitive to justice before giving up the masquerade and giving in to their passion.

When Marly Landers is fooled by con man Charlie Meese, she's determined to bring him to justice―even if it means dressing up as a boy and setting off across the plains to find him.

Texas Ranger Jase Strachan is also after Meese, for crimes committed in Texas. He joins forces with the young boy in a journey that takes them to Fortuna, where a murder interrupts their mission. Jase is duty bound to find the killer, no matter the cost.

Marly carries out her own investigation and comes to the aid of Amabelle Egan, the sister of one of the suspects. But appearances are deceiving, and Marly is mistaken for Amabelle’s suitor, making her a target for the killer. Not to mention, Charlie Meese is still out there.

Under the Texas stars, Marly and Jase are drawn together by circumstances beyond their control, yet fate plots to tear them apart. Will Marly finally get her man? 

"Alison Bruce's western tale of intrigue, murder, and love is a page-turning, action-packed, made-of-awesome read. UNDER A TEXAS STAR belongs on every reader's keeper shelf―it already has a place on mine! Love, love, loved it!" ―Michele Bardsley, national bestselling author of Never Again

"Filled with realistic dialog and a good attention to period detail, Bruce manages to create a believable story that captures our imagination. Well written with a compelling plot, Under a Texas Star brings a delightfully new and strong heroine to the literary world. Highly recommended." ―Allbook Reviews

Under a Texas Star is available in ebook edition via Amazon and Smashwords. It will soon be available at other ebook retailers and a trade paperback edition will be released this summer.

Alison Bruce is a Canadian author and this is her first published novel. Bruce writes mysteries, romance, westerns and fantasy. Her protagonists are marked by their strength of character, the ability to adapt (sooner or later) to new situations and to learn from adversity. "Getting a publisher was the beginning of a new set of adventures," she says. "Fortunately, everyone at Imajin Books has been a joy to work with."

You can learn more at http://www.alisonbruce.ca and http://www.alisonebruce.blogspot.com

Imajin Books is an innovative, unique Canadian publisher with an eye on exciting, ever-changing trends and opportunities in publishing that opened its 'doors' to authors worldwide in late February 2011. They promise great reads by wonderful authors, with ebooks priced under $5 and trade paperbacks under $16.

From ImajinBooks.com: The future of reading is ebooks, and the future is NOW!

http://www.imajinbooks.com

Disclaimer: Imajin Books is not associated in any way to the US company ImaJinn Books.

Press release: Imajin Books - An Innovative Publisher of 'Quality Fiction'

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EDMONTON, AB, May 12, 2011 - In February 2011, an innovative, unique Canadian publisher with an eye on exciting, ever-changing trends and opportunities in publishing, opened its 'doors' to authors worldwide. Owned by bestselling suspense author Cheryl Kaye Tardif, Imajin Books has been in business since 2005, publishing only the author's books up. But now it has a list of debut and established authors who are about to release some sensational reads starting this May.

"Other writers asked me if I'd consider publishing their works and I always said no," Tardif says. "But just over a year ago, I researched the possibilities. With the number of publishing companies that have closed their doors or amalgamated their imprints under one roof, it's a bit risky to start a new publishing venture. But I am a risk taker and I knew I could make this work."

Tardif's goals were simple: fulfill a need and publish what was selling. This led her to do something few publishers are doing―offer ebook contracts as a primary right and paperback contracts as a subsidiary right. This is backwards from the antiquated system that has been in place for decades.

"Ebooks are where the money is," Tardif states. "Print sales have decreased and ebook sales have increased to the point of outselling print. As ereaders come down in price, which has recently been seen with the $114 Kindle with wi-fi offer, more readers will be tempted to test one out. And once they do, they'll be hooked. We want to provide readers with affordable, stimulating, unique books that they can't put down."

Imajin Books promises great reads by wonderful authors, with ebooks priced under $5 and trade paperbacks under $16. Throughout the year, various ebooks will be on sale for even less, some even priced at $0.99. You can also expect contests and other specials, like ebook bundles.

Imajin Books promises its authors a unique experience in publishing, where authors don't take a back seat as with most traditional-type publishers. Authors published with Imajin Books will have more say in the content of their book, their book titles, the creation of book covers and trailers. "We treat our authors like the partners they are," Tardif says. "We respect their creative intelligence and want them to be happy and proud of their book."

Debut novelist Alison Bruce is awaiting the May release of her western romance, Under a Texas Star. "Working with Imajin is going to spoil me," Bruce says. "I'll be expecting personal attention, excellent work and sound advice from everyone. The creative, editorial and marketing skills I've found at Imajin have made the launch of my first novel a joy."

Awaiting the June release of her debut romantic fantasy, Rowena Through the Wall, author Melodie Campbell says, "What makes Imajin outstanding is the personal attention they give to the author and project every step of the way. This is evident in the care they take to solicit author input…The marketing people at Imajin are first rate…And the best part―the people are so darn nice, I want them as friends."

Other than Cheryl Kaye Tardif, who has a reputation as a skilled book marketer, Imajin Books has brought in a number of freelance professionals, including book cover designers, editors, a book video designer, a production manager, and a research and marketing assistant.

Jennifer Johnson, from Sapphire Designs, is the senior book cover designer for Imajin Books. "Working with Imajin Books has been a dream come true for me. It has allowed me to fulfil one of my biggest dreams in being a cover artist and for that I can't thank them enough. The people at Imajin Books are a true pleasure to work with in every way; I can't say enough good things about them!"

Canadian fantasy author and book video designer, Kelly Komm, has this to say: "Imajin Books puts out excellent novels and the same can be said for their authors. They are always eager to work with me toward a common goal: creating an effective, intriguing, and entertaining book trailer."

From ImajinBooks.com: The future of reading is ebooks, and the future is NOW!

Writers interested in querying Imajin Books should check the submission guidelines at http://www.imajinbooks.com. Submissions are currently open until June 30, 2011.

Press release: You Have 10 Seconds to Make a Decision: Let A Kidnapper Take Your Child, Or Watch Your Son Die. Choose!

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NEW YORK, NY, March 15, 2011 -- Every parent's worst nightmare is that something horrible will happen to their child, that they'll be lost, abducted or worse, and it is this intrinsic fear that makes mothers and fathers hold their breath when their child screams, check in on their sleeping child and ensure that doors and windows are locked at night.

Bestselling suspense author Cheryl Kaye Tardif poses a terrifying dilemma to readers of her latest suspense thriller, Children of the Fog: "You have 10 seconds to make a decision: Let a kidnapper take your child, or watch your son die. Choose!"

What a choice that would be! On one hand, it's easy to react with: "That's an easy choice; I'd fight for my child." All parents believe they'd fight to the death for their sons or daughters, and so they may. But given this specific choice, a parent may pause. Perhaps if they allowed the abductor to take their child, it would ensure the child stays alive―at least long enough to be rescued. There's no easy choice. It's not cut and dry. Either way a parent would be left feeling guilty, remorseful and full of grief.

This is the dilemma that "Sadie" faces in Tardif's highly anticipated supernatural suspense thriller, Children of the Fog. Sadie chooses to let the kidnapper take her son and her actions lead to immeasurable grief. Readers may not agree with her decision, but they'll certainly commiserate with her during this terrifying journey.

Set in the towns of Edmonton, Hinton and Cadomin in Alberta, Canada, this thriller draws upon unique landscapes to portray a chilling story of grief, madness and love, ending with a couple of poignant scenes that may have you reaching for a tissue. Children of the Fog is what blockbuster movies are made of―thrills, chills and a gripping story that you'll never forget!

From the back cover:

YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS TO MAKE A DECISION:
Let A Kidnapper Take Your Child, Or Watch Your Son Die.
Choose!

Sadie O'Connell is a bestselling author and a proud mother. But her life is about to spiral out of control. After her six-year-old son Sam is kidnapped by a serial abductor, she nearly goes insane. But it isn't just the fear and grief that is ripping her apart. It's the guilt. Sadie is the only person who knows what the kidnapper looks like. And she can't tell a soul. For if she does, her son will be sent back to her in "little bloody pieces".

When Sadie's unfaithful husband stumbles across her drawing of the kidnapper, he sets into play a series of horrific events that sends her hurtling over the edge. Sadie's descent into alcoholism leads to strange apparitions and a face-to-face encounter with the monster who abducted her son--a man known only as...The Fog.

Reviews:

"A chilling and tense journey into every parent's deepest fear." ―Scott Nicholson, The Red Church

"A nightmarish thriller with a ghostly twist, CHILDREN OF THE FOG will keep you awake...and turning pages!" ―Amanda Stevens, author of The Restorer

"Reminiscent of The Lovely Bones, Cheryl Kaye Tardif weaves a tale of terror that will have you rushing to check on your children as they sleep. With exquisite prose, Children of the Fog captures you the moment you begin and doesn't let go until the very end." ―bestselling author Danielle Q. Lee, author of Inhuman

"Ripe with engaging twists and turns reminiscent of the work of James Patterson, Tardif once again tugs at the most inflexible of heartstrings…Children of the Fog possesses you from the touching beginning through to the riveting climax." ―Kelly Komm, author of Sacrifice, an award-winning fantasy

Children of the Fog is published by Imajin Books and is available in ebook edition at Amazon Kindle Store and Smashwords. Order your copy today.

It will also be available in trade paperback edition in late March 2011 at Amazon and Createspace, as well as ebook editions at other e-tailers. Watch for it!

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Cheryl Kaye Tardif is the bestselling author of Children of the Fog, Whale Song, Divine Intervention, The River, Skeletons in the Closet & Other Creepy Stories, Remote Control and Lancelot's Lady (written under the pen name of Cherish D'Angelo). Her next thriller, Divine Justice, book 2 in the Divine series, will be released in May 2011.

For more information on Cheryl and Children of the Fog, please visit:

Follow Cheryl on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cherylktardif