Historian Details Centuries of History on His Search for the Meaning of the Holy Grail in New Book

In his new nonfiction, "Finding the Holy Grail" debut author Sean Mac Aodhagain covers countless centuries of history surrounding the legend of the infamous Holy Grail and its major influences on the people of today's world.

Open to the first page and embark on a voyage on your own quest of discovery. Glimpse the mythical lives of some of the most renowned individuals who have helped weave the fabric of our cultural collective and ideas about heroes, salvation and even faith. To feel the symbolic, cultural and religious power of this divine relic and quickly become intoxicated with its historical relevance, one needs only read Mac Aodhagain's introduction, where he states:

        Throughout all the quests, the searching, surmising, and guessing
        that has gone on since Jesus at the last supper surrounded by the
        apostles took the chalice ... in his hands and said, 'This is my
        blood, the blood of the new covenant, which will be shed for all men
        so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.' The same cup
        that caught the stream of blood and water that ran from the side of
        Jesus on the cross and from then on became just a shadow, an icon of
        the death of Christ and the saving of the world. It was carried in
        safe keeping to all corners of the world to proclaim and to imitate
        the last supper so that the entire world would know and revere its
        power of salvation until the end of time.

Here's your opportunity to realize how the myths, the magic, and the strength of previous generations, evolving from the Romans to Medieval church to major motion pictures, have undoubtedly shaped all modern people, in "Finding the Holy Grail," a journey of the mind, spirit and of self-discovery. The unending search for the cup of cups continues even today, and as such, Mac Aodhagain's book will continue to awaken the minds of modern knights for centuries more.

The author writes under the name of Sean Mac Aodhagain, the Irish translation of his name, which means "John Son of Fire," the fire in this case being his writing. In addition to "Finding the Holy Grail," his first book, Mac Aodhagain has eight books of poetry ready for publication, covering topics including Celtic poetry, life experiences, wit, humor, love and even lost love. He also has been working on a collection of short stories that he plans on publishing in the near future. Aodhagain has been crafting his poetry and prose since he was only 9 years old, and after 40 years of studying the Irish and European history of the Celtic people (eight years of which was an in-depth study of Celtic Irish history), he is finally able to share his knowledge with the world in his amazing book, "Finding the Holy Grail."

SOURCE AuthorHouse

Dorothy Gilman, celebrated author of the Mrs. Pollifax series of spy novels, has been chosen as this year's Grand Master by Mystery Writers of America (MWA). MWA's Grand Master Award represents the pinnacle of achievement in mystery writing and was established to acknowledge important contributions to this genre, as well as significant output of consistently high-quality material. Gilman, a New Jersey native, has written and contributed to over 30 books that feature uncommon and unique characters. Her writing has continually kept readers coming back for 60 years.

"What a lovely surprise!" Gilman said. "The list of past Grand Masters is like a Who's Who of the great mystery writers of the last century. To be chosen for this award by my professional peers has to be the greatest honor of my 60 years as an author. Thank you, Mystery Writers of America! And thank you, too, for your important work on behalf of our profession."

"During her long writing career, Dorothy Gilman has helped to shape the mystery genre," Frankie Y. Bailey, Executive Vice President of MWA, said. "MWA is delighted to have this opportunity to honor Ms. Gilman for her work, including the 'unexpected Mrs. Pollifax,' a widow past her youth, whose curiosity, humor, and humanity make her a protagonist that readers of all ages have enjoyed accompanying on her exotic adventures."

Two extraordinary members of the mystery community with a collective respect for the genre will also be honored by MWA with the Raven Award at this year's Edgar Banquet. Zev Buffman, distinguished Broadway Producer, and the Mystery Lovers Bookshop, one of the largest specialty mystery bookstores in the U.S., will each be presented with Raven Awards. Established in 1953, the award is bestowed by MWA's Board of Directors for outstanding achievement in the mystery field outside the realm of creative writing.

Mr. Buffman's experiences incorporate a vast variety of entertainment ranging from Hollywood acting experiences to producing more than 40 Broadway shows and 100 national tours. He has served as President and CEO for many "first class" performing arts centers, including the Jackie Gleason Center in Miami Beach, the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale, and the historic Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. Zev Buffman's vision and drive make him the ideal candidate for the Raven Award.

Zev Buffman said, "I have just learned something that exceeded my wildest expectations! Mystery Writers of America have selected me as one of two recipients of the 2010 Raven Award. I will accept the award with the kind of reverence and appreciation that only comes to a person after years, nay - decades of reaching for the moon and the stars. Thanks for getting me up there..."

Mystery Lovers Bookshop (MLB) of Oakmont, Pennsylvania is receiving the Raven Award in recognition of the constant support and dedication they have shown to the mystery community. MLB in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, opened its doors on Halloween 1990. In the 19 years following, it has grown to be one of the largest and most recognized mystery bookstores in the country. The store was founded by Mary Alice Gorman, formerly director of a victim services agency, and her husband Richard Goldman, a former software executive.

Mystery Lovers Bookshop is perhaps best known for its annual Festival of Mystery, an event held each spring which regularly attracts over 400 mystery readers to a one-evening extravaganza involving fifty or more authors. Monday, May 3, 2010 will be the date for the fifteenth Festival.

"Wow, that's terrific" was the initial reaction of co-owner Richard Goldman to the news about the Raven. Said his partner, Mary Alice Gorman, "We're honored at this recognition but the credit for our success really goes to our staff, our customers and, most importantly, to the authors who make our Festival such a success."

Previous Raven winners include Kate's Mystery Books in Cambridge, MA, The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and The Poe House in Baltimore, MD.

The 2010 Ellery Queen award is being awarded to Barbara Peters and Robert Rosenwald of Poisoned Pen Press (PPP). The Ellery Queen award is given to editors or publishers who have distinguished themselves by their generous and wide-ranging support of the genre. Barbara Peters and Robert Rosenwald founded Poisoned Pen Press in 1996. Its original mission was to publish reference and out of print books but it quickly shifted gears to original work and today averages 36 new novels a year with a backlist fully in print. The press' authors have earned numerous award nominations and wins and a basket of starred reviews.

Barbara said, "Robert and I are surprised and delighted to receive the 2010 Ellery Queen Award. What wonderful company we are in. I remember introducing my dear friend Susanne Kirk, formerly with Scribner, the night the Ellery Queen award was given to her and thinking how awed I was, and am, with her achievements. And Rob and I will be thinking of Sara Ann Freed, another booster of our fledgling press and recipient of the award. Nothing could be more meaningful to us professionally and personally. MWA has been key to our pursuing publishing with Poisoned Pen Press since the very first book we published was nominated for an Edgar for Best Critical/Biographical Work. It energized and inspired us to stick with an otherwise insane adventure."

Over the years, James Lee Burke, Sue Grafton, Bill Pronzini, Stephen King, Marcia Muller, Dick Francis, Mary Higgins Clark, Donald Westlake, Lawrence Block, P.D. James, Ellery Queen, Daphne du Maurier, Alfred Hitchcock, Graham Greene, and Agatha Christie have been honored as MWA Grand Masters.

The Edgar Awards, or "Edgars," as they are commonly known, are named after MWA's patron saint Edgar Allan Poe and are presented to authors of distinguished work in various categories. The Edgar Awards Banquet will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City on Thursday, April 29, 2010.

Celebrating their 65th anniversary in 2010, MWA is the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime writing field, aspiring crime writers, and those who are devoted to the genre. The organization encompasses almost 3,000 members in three categories of membership that include authors of fiction and non-fiction books, screen and television writers, as well publishers, editors, and literary agents. For more information on Mystery Writers of America, please visit the website: www.mysterywriters.org

SOURCE Mystery Writers of America

Taste of Home, the #1 cooking magazine in the country, introduces The Comfort Food Diet Cookbook, featuring America's favorite comfort recipes with only a fraction of the fat and calories.

The Comfort Food Diet Cookbook, on shelves December 31, 2009, is a sensible approach to eating, cooking, and living that helps readers shed pounds without feeling deprived. Enjoy pizza, lasagna, mac-n-cheese, pulled pork and even cheesecake while loosing weight. The perfect diet for those who love hearty, satisfying foods, the cookbook is packed with low-calorie versions of the mouthwatering staples that families enjoy most. Each recipe has been tested by a registered dietician to ensure the nutritional value fits into a healthy lifestyle. The new Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Cookbook features tips for a balanced diet, portion-size chart, six-week meal plan, 80 "free foods" and worksheets to plan meals ahead. To motivate and inspire a healthier lifestyle, real success stories of individuals who have dropped weight with the Comfort Food Diet are included. With 433 recipes of the foods most craved, the Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Cookbook is the diet that doesn't feel like a diet.

"There is an overwhelming number of diets that are extremes of what people should be eating," says Peggy Woodward, a Taste of Home Food Editor and Registered Dietitian. "These diets are unsuccessful because of all the restrictions that leave dieters feeling deprived. The Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Cookbook offers an alternative to extreme diets and incorporates lighter versions of favorite foods for long-term success."

To ensure weight loss success, The Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Cookbook has tips on exercise, portion control, ordering healthy when dining out, and a removable clip-and-keep calorie guide for the person the go. Also included is access to exclusive web content at www.ComfortFoodDietCookbook.com, the online community featuring additional recipes, success stories, and helpful tools. As a special bonus, a dietitian is available online to provide support, answer questions, and offer suggestions. The Comfort Food Diet Cookbook takes the guesswork out of losing weight and helps you keep it off.

"Taste of Home has always provided easy-to-make, budget-friendly recipes that use everyday ingredients," said Catherine Cassidy, Editor-in-Chief of Taste of Home. "The Comfort Food Diet Cookbook is another way that Taste of Home is meeting the needs of today's families, by offering healthy meals that are as satisfying as they are good for you."

The Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Cookbook focuses on what people can eat, not what they have to give up. Each recipe is reviewed by a registered dietician and tested by the Taste of Home Test Kitchen to ensure it is healthy, affordable and successful each time it's prepared. Taste of Home reflects the caring and sharing that home cooks across America serve up every day. This new cookbook is a guide to healthy eating that teaches simple changes for weight loss success and maintaining your goal weight.  

SOURCE Taste of Home

 Harlequin Enterprises Limited a global leader in series romance and one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction, and SOFTBANK Creative Corporation one of Japan's leading publishers/producers of digital content, announced today the digital distribution of Harlequin comics for Kindle, the eBook reader distributed by Amazon.com.

Harlequin manga are comic adaptations of Harlequin's romance novels and are currently digitally distributed by Harlequin and SoftBank Creative within and outside of Japan. The digital comics, just released for Amazon's Kindle, are English versions of Harlequin's Japanese manga, which have been digitally distributed in that country since 2007. An ideal blend of "East meets West," the manga are acclaimed for their perfect marriage of Japanese-style comics and Harlequin's world-renowned romances.

Harlequin's digital comics have been optimized for viewing on Kindle DX. Amazon.com's Kindle DX has a 9.7" screen capable of displaying PDF files. Six Harlequin digital manga are currently available on Kindle at an introductory price of $3.99 USD per title. Subsequent comics will sell for $4.99 USD each in the United States.

Harlequin also announced today the mobile digital distribution of Harlequin comics to subscribers of two major North American mobile service providers, AT&T and Verizon, in conjunction with For-side.com Co., Ltd. The digital comics are available on pay-per-download basis at E-Books & Comics, a mobile digital book distribution site developed and operated by For-side.com for North American mobile service providers.

Harlequin is currently a leader in selling digital versions of its text-based books in the U.S. and Japan. The company -- which releases more than 110 titles per month -- was the first major publisher to make its complete frontlist catalog available in the eBook format. Harlequin has pursued a goal of meeting the needs of its current audience and reaching a new and diverse base of readers. It is Harlequin's ambition to offer stories to readers in all formats, for consumption at all times.

SOURCE Harlequin Enterprises Limited

In her Caribbean fairytale of untouched beauty and effervescent wildlife, "Islands Enchanted" Kathy Badenock brings to life the stories of a family of islands, sharing their unique temperaments and the dynamics that develop between each family member and the humans occupying their bodies of land.

Revolving around five main islands who live on the Enchanted Sea, Yuru, Hairo, Noan, May and Uni, "Islands Enchanted" shares their eclectic personalities and adventures. Yuru is the eldest sister island and looked upon as the most beautiful of all the islands in the family. Full of pride over her beauty, Yuru began to ignore the advice and thoughts of others and became a victim of her own vanity when she was punished with a cold. After sneezing, coughing and hurling hot rocks and lava, she finally learned her lesson and began to feel better.

The other siblings include Hairo, or "Land of the Clouds," who plays hide-and-seek among the clouds with her sister Yuru, and May, who loves to play and is reluctant to grow up. Uni is the quietest of all the siblings, she likes humans and enjoys looking at them and providing for them. In turn, her humans return her attentions with care and festivals. Sometimes, the humans are not as loving and turn to fighting and hurting each other. Uni, a truly objective judge of events, makes peace between them in interesting ways. Despite the small troubles, she still loves the sound of the drums when the humans dance to bring rain or celebrate a wedding, cherishing most of all humanity's ability to stand together unified.

The world in the Enchanted Sea will be forever changed when the Europeans approach their shores for the first time. How will the island family react to their presence? Can they survive through the changes that these visitors will bring?

Based on the rich history and cultural background of the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines of the Caribbean, "Islands Enchanted" offers readers a fresh perspective on the stories held within the heart of a land. The intimate relationships between the sibling islands and the dynamic connections between the landscape and its inhabitants prove that the old adage "no man is an island" still holds true.

Escape to beautiful, sunny isles and discover their mysteries within the pages of "Islands Enchanted."

Kathy Badenock grew up on Union Island of Grenadine and completed most of her studies on the mainland. She earned her bachelor's degree in physical education and sports and currently lives and works on St. Vincent as a physical education teacher. This is her first book.

SOURCE AuthorHouse

"Veggiesaurus Lex" Teaches Children that Eating Vegetables Is Important and Fun

At a time when parents spend more each year on fast food for their children than on books, educational materials, DVDs, music, trips to the movies and video games combined, it can feel like instilling healthy eating habits is a losing battle. With the publication of her third book, "Veggiesaurus Lex" (published by AuthorHouse), Karen Fine offers parents, educators and caregivers a new resource to combat the seemingly endless array of easy, cheap and available unhealthy food.

Meet Lex, a big pink dinosaur who has a big tummy ache after she eats too much junk food. Lex, feeling sluggish and slow, seeks the advice of her vegetarian friends who immediately have an answer for her. Fine writes:

    Veggies are great
    And they don't slow you down.
    They're easy to find all around town.

    Carrots are roots
    That grow in the ground.
    Peas are quite yummy; smooth, green and round.

    Looking for color?
    There's plenty, they said.
    Green peppers also come in yellow, orange and red!

As her friends go on to describe other types of tasty vegetables, Lex decides to try some for herself and discovers that they truly are delicious! With charming illustrations by Ross Novak that bring Lex and her friends to life on each page, "Veggiesaurus Lex" combines a fun, rhyming story with an important message: to stay fit and energized, it's important to eat vegetables. Find out more in the pages of this whimsical new book.

Karen Fine was inspired to educate children about living a healthy lifestyle after her oldest son was diagnosed with celiac disease and restricted to a gluten-free, wheat-free diet. Her other books, "How I Eat Without Wheat" and "Nature's Candy" (both published by AuthorHouse) are the first two installments in a trilogy she hopes will inspire children to make healthier choices.

For more information, visit http://www.karenfine.com.

SOURCE AuthorHouse

"Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas" kicks off the storytime series this Saturday, Nov. 14

Besides the wonderful opportunity to gather with others to hear "Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas," kids will also enjoy a coloring activity, a raffle with fun prizes including jingle bracelets -- and to top off the hour of "splendiferous" fun, a holiday parade around the store. Since kids are encouraged to attend the party dressed in their holiday best, the event will give parents the opportunity to take some adorable photos of their children enjoying the parade and all of the festivities. Attendees can also sample delicious drinks such as hot chocolate for kids and the Peppermint Mocha Trio coffee drink for adults, as well as a variety of holiday-inspired pastries. Activities may vary by store. Visit Borders.com and click on the Store Locator tab for a participating Borders location.

Upcoming events

In addition, kids and their families can look forward to the following storytime events slated for November and December at Borders:

• "The Polar Express" Pajama Party Holiday Storytime, Saturday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m.
• Grinchfest Holiday Storytime, Saturday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m.
• "Beckett the Bear" Holiday Storytime, Saturday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m.
  

Borders will share additional details about these events at a later date.

Additional offerings for kids

Borders recently expanded its Children's Department to include hundreds of high quality educational toys and games that promote discovery, foster creativity and help build cognitive skills in youngsters, all of which are critical to developing good learning and reading habits -- and a lifelong love of reading. The Borders kids' specialist will be on hand to answer questions about all of the toys and games as well as Borders' extensive offering of children's books.

SOURCE Borders

Just in time for National Shelter Dog Month, "Darby's Story: The Life of an Adopted Dog", the colorful new children's book by Martha Steward, shares the story of Darby, an adorable dog that only wants to find a loving home to take him in.

Based on the true story of an adopted dog who finally found his home, "Darby's Story" is a heartwarming family tale for readers and listeners alike. For Christmas one year, a single mother and her 5-year-old son decide to visit a local pet store chain to see whether any rescued dogs would be the right choice for them to adopt. Upon arrival, they saw many dogs in need of a good home and lots of love, but they were looking for that one special dog that would be perfect for them. Upon seeing Darby, they knew he was the right one. Steward writes:

        The other dogs were nice and friendly, but there was a special
        connection between Darby, Drew, and myself. I was seeking a specific
        temperament -- a combination of a certain kind of personality and
        behavior. For our household, a relaxed temperament was ideal. The
        looks of the dog or the special breed did not matter. After many
        licks, Darby just brushed up against me, as if he were giving me a
        hug. Drew, almost the same height as Darby, gave Darby a hug. In
        return, Darby gave a very wet lick up the side of Drew's face. Those
        watching laughed at the surprise on Drew's face and at the warm
        connection we seemed to share with the dog. We knew he was the dog to
        bring home.

Once settled into his new home as a part of the family, Darby's family discovers his many likes and dislikes, including his love of Swiss cheese and frozen grapes and his dislike of leaving his family unprotected. Join Darby on his many adventures in "Darby's Story: The Life of an Adopted Dog," a wonderful story about the joys that an adopted dog can bring to any family.

Martha Steward lives in Northern California with her adopted cats Bear, Mim, Goober, and Widdle One and her horse Picabo. She enjoys writing her children's book series, which follows her adopted pets. She has a passion and love for unwanted animals, and throughout her stories she encourages her readers to be aware these animals need love and a home.

AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com.

SOURCE AuthorHouse

Tor Books is proud to announce the release of The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson, Book Twelve of The Wheel of Time and the first of three novels to conclude the beloved and international bestselling fantasy series.

The Wheel of Time series has sold over 14 million copies in North America and over 30 million copies worldwide with translations into 28 languages. The last four books in the series were #1 New York Times bestsellers, and readers have been eagerly awaiting the conclusion to the epic story that first began in 1990.

The release of The Gathering Storm is especially memorable, as it honors the legacy of the late great Robert Jordan. The conclusion to the series was partially written by Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson, the bestselling author of the Mistborn trilogy, was then chosen by Jordan's editor -- his wife, Harriet McDougal -- to complete the series based on the notes and materials left behind.

Brandon Sanderson begins a 25-city national author tour with special appearance by Harriet McDougal at select events. Events kicked off with a lively midnight release party in Provo, UT with several hundred people in attendance and continue later today with a special launch event in Charleston, SC, the home of Robert Jordan. This year also marks the inaugural Storm Leader program, for which the largest Wheel of Time site hand-selected a dedicated team of fans to head up community outreach in each tour city.

The Wheel of Time comic books debuted this year from the Dabel Brothers, and the comics will later be collected and published as graphic novels by Tor books. A New Spring graphic novel with bonus material is scheduled to release next year.

Universal Pictures acquired the movie rights to the Wheel of Time in August 2008 and plan to adapt The Eye of the World as the first movie. A video game is in progress and a documentary on Robert Jordan is in post-production.

The final two books in the Wheel of Time series will be titled Towers of Midnight and A Memory of Light. The Gathering Storm marks the beginning of the dramatic conclusion to an amazing series, one whose journey began almost twenty years ago.

SOURCE Tor Books

On the 80th Anniversary of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 (October 24-29th), regardless of the gyrations in the current stock market, there will be hope for anyone who loved the movie TITANIC and enjoyed reading THE GREAT GATSBY. Beginning in the last decadent days of the roaring twenties, 1929 AN UPPER CLASS AFFAIR is a riveting love story that poignantly recreates the Stock Market Crash and ends as America emerges from the Great Depression.

"Whether you are looking for a book to read on the subway, train, bus, or airplane, in the bathroom, or even under the covers with a flashlight, once you get into the story, you will find it hard to put down," states Alice Jacobs, Founder and CEO of IntelligentMDx.

Given the economic turmoil of the past year and comparisons to the 1929 Crash and ensuing depression, after doing significant research that involved conducting oral histories as well as going through traditional documented accounts and published works, Margaret Chai Maloney wrote 1929 AN UPPER CLASS AFFAIR primarily for a female audience in the hope of generating interest in the period while providing light entertainment and strong role models.

According to Terrence Yang, who has had 15 years experience as a Wall Street bulge bracket investment bank officer, "If you work in the financial services sector, 1929 AN UPPER CLASS is the perfect gift for your girlfriend, wife, mother or any family member who you'd like to understand more of what happened. It's a light, fun read but also explains what happened financially." He adds, "Even for finance people, there are some little known fascinating facts."

Chai Maloney, who studied history at Mount Holyoke College and Oxford University, meticulously remains true to the period in terms of the lifestyles, attitudes, events, places, music, books, movies, stores, clothes and of course people. The fictional main characters interact effortlessly with the famous real people of the period. The heroine watches the Stock Market Crash from the New York Stock Exchange with Winston Churchill, who did in fact witness the first day of the carnage. Readers also get a chance to mingle with the famous at Texas Guinan's New York City speakeasy and meet the infamous cross-dressing prohibition agents Izzy Einstein and Mo Smith, watch Helena Rubinstein, the beauty industry doyenne, lose millions on board Cunard Liner's Berengaria, which had the first online brokerage and was steered by Captain Ronston, who had rescued surviving TITANIC passengers and see Joseph Kennedy slighted by Jack Morgan and then wisely pull out of the market before the crash.

"This is a must read, especially if you're a fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Jane Austen. You'll be completely enraptured by Josie and her feisty and engaging personality as you follow her through her various adventures and love triangles that are a behind-the-scenes look into a New York socialite's life during the roaring 20s and Crash of 1929. You'll get an insider's view into the differences between the greed and naivety that fueled that period which also happens to be rather pertinent to today's environment. In addition to the character complexities, I particularly enjoyed the New York architectural references and the level of detail behind the Crash itself and those who saw it coming (e.g., JP Morgan, Joe Kennedy)," states Suzanne Messere, Director of Investor Relations, at Organogenesis and former investment banker.

Chai Maloney has also developed a website with resources for those interested in learning more about the period as well as the opportunity to document one's own family histories from the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and Great Depression. The author is most interested in encouraging everyone to record their family stories before they are forgotten or lost.

For more information visit: www.1929anupperclassaffair.com or pre-order "1929 AN UPPER CLASS AFFAIR" at amazon.com or via Kindle.

SOURCE 1929 Productions