Cool Book Of The Day

Pitch reporters with our up-to-date media databases:

Question: Who is the intended audience?
Answer: Secret of the Sands is suitable for kids and adults, anyone ages 12 & up. It’s got the fun, silly, light-hearted aspects of movies like The Mummy and Indiana Jones series, paired with deep, underlying meaning & messages…Our intent in writing the story was to make it accessible to a wide audience, in the same way our favorite stories and movies are. If your kids liked Harry Potter – then they can certainly read our story.

Q: What is the book about?
A: Secret of the Sands is a mystery novel exploring the origins of ancient Egypt, a pre-pharaonic time, and it has a dual, intertwining storyline between Egypt’s past & present… For 12,000 years a dark and deadly secret has been hidden deep below the Great Sphinx of Giza. In present day Egypt, a frightening, yet awe-inspiring story unravels as archaeologists race against time to decipher an ancient truth…

Q: Why are you the best person to write this book?
A: My co-author and I have been fascinated by ancient Egypt since we were small children. We also share
a love of epic stories, so much so we had to create one of our own. In addition, I (Rai) was a member of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities for many years and I have taken two (non-credit) university courses in Egyptology. Further, I have always held certain beliefs about the Great Sphinx of Giza. That coupled with a program I saw on The Discovery Channel many years ago, where they were talking about how the actual age/origin of the Great Sphinx is still a topic of debate today, fueled my fire to write this story.

Q: How is this book different from other books on this topic?
A: It has a dual intertwining storyline throughout the novel – as mysteries are discovered in present-day Egypt, a window to the past opens and the reader learns the origins of the mysterious artifacts. Each jump back in time sheds more light on the present and the truth of the discovery. In addition, this story presents an alternate (fictional) historical account of ancient Egyptian history. Our book touches on many speculations out there today…

Q: Is there anything else we should know about this book?
A: It is a repeated Amazon.com Bestseller in the category of “Books, Religion & Spirituality, Fiction”. We are also in the process of making Hollywood connections to have it made into a feature film one day. Filmmakers – give us a call, we have a future summer blockbuster for you!

To learn more visit: www.secretofthesands.com and our MySpace page:

Pitch reporters with our up-to-date media databases:

Question: Who is the intended audience?
Answer: The publisher places The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley in the 8-13 age category; Amazon places it in 9-12 category because they have no 8-13.

I actually wrote it for young adults but geared it for adults, too, as Harry Potter was written. It’s proving to be quite popular with adults––men and women alike––so the book is spanning the generations. Children from all cultures will love the good TOONIES for their fun-loving natures and the bad TOONIES for the excitement and havoc they create. In fact, children around the world will enjoy the entire book because in this computer-generated age everyone wants to learn more about Silicon Valley.

Q: What is the book about?
A: Toonies is a sci-fi fantasy adventure about cartoon characters who reside inside a Silicon Valley boy’s computer. The good TOONIES escape into our world and are soon followed by the bad TOONIES (ape-bird characters with an evil leader who wants to take over computer companies for their ink supplies which is their food source). They lay seige to “Orange Computer” (satire of Apple, of course), but the Valley is saved by the boy, his friends and parents. Steve “The Woz” Wozniak, the real-life co-founder of Apple Computer, gets involved and helps rid the world of the bad TOONIES. 

Q: Why are you the best person to write this book?
A: I’m the only person who could write this book because the characters sprang to life through my imagination. There are no other characters like them in any book.

My experience with computers helps too; I’ve used computers since 1984 when I bought one of the first Macintoshes. Other reasons I am the “best one” to write this book: because I had a “romp” creating the characters and I love them; I understand children, having six myself; I know Silicon Valley well, having lived there for forty years; and because, as a career journalist, I grew tired of writing “facts,” so I welcomed the opportunity to write fiction and to give my imagination full rein. To learn more about me, visit my website (now under construction): http://bettydravisauthor.googlepages.com/

Q: How is this book different from other books on this topic?
A: This is a unique book with no others like it on the market; to my knowledge it’s the first where cartoon characters come to life and escape into our world. Readers will be surprised at how these ingenious “humanoid” kids use “good old chicken-noodle soup” to round-up the rogue TOONIES in order to send them back inside the computer. Another first is that Steve “The Woz” Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer, graciously gave permission for me to use him as a speaking character in this book.

Here is why Jennifer Wardrip, owner of TeensReadToo.com, thinks TOONIES is so “different.”:

” … This is a great science-fiction fantasy story for kids of all ages, or for those who are young at heart. Although the story of good versus evil has been told thousands of time, it’s never been told quite like this. You’ll appreciate Ms. Dravis’ insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of a young teenager’s mind, and laugh-out-loud at the humorous scenarios her humans and Toonies find themselves in. This story is a real winner!”

Q: Is there anything else we should know about this book?
A: TOONIES is in many libraries across the country and has five-star reviews from MidWest Book Review, Kids Read Too and many other prestigious reviewers. One mainstream author wrote that TOONIES is “already a cult classic”; many reviewers suggest that TOONIES would make a “great animated movie”; and one well-respected reviewer had this to say about my book:

” … Between the unique description of the Mischief Makers, and the distinctive “good guys,” it was reminiscent of some of Baum’s magnificent creations in his classic Oz series. … “ – T. Burger, Top 500 Amazon Reviewer

Also, this is the first in a series; I’m currently working on the second book, titled The Toonies Invade New York.

Pitch reporters with our up-to-date media databases:

Question: Who is the intended audience?
Answer: Science Fiction and Fantasy readers from ages 18 and up. For those who like classic science fiction or fantasy with a sense of mystery and adventure. Even though it is classic sci-fi, it also has its share of action, drama and suspense. There is some appeal as well through the use and development of the strong female heroin for those who read standard fiction; along with the family dynamics and relationships that develop.

Q: What is the book about?
A: The protagonist, Dara Drew’s son is born on the moon colony; she is told he has died; her disbelief launches her into a series of events that uncovers the secret of what is happening on the moon. She has a few days to find her son and save him from the clutches of the alien Inner Circle. The group she gathers together discovers an alien race is taking over control of the moon and its inhabitants. Charles, the father of her closest friend, explains that their only hope is to escape the planet. Although the group believes it’s a suicide mission, they agree it is their only hope.

Dara discovers and learns to draw from an e.s.p. ability that she uses to defend herself, as well as, uses it to make contact with an alien woman who will guide her through all she has to face.

Q: Why are you the best person to write this book?
A: There is no one else that could. It is drawn from my personal dreams, feelings, experiences and beliefs. This mixed with my love of science fiction and the possibilities of what’s out there on other planets, made it a very personal journey.

It is written from my point of view. Although many others share my point of view on pollution or people’s complacency and lack of action, they couldn’t have mixed it with my personal challenges.

Q: How is this book different from other books on this topic?
A: There are strong female protagonists emerging more and more in science fiction, movies and other genres as well. The difference is bringing in the family dimension and personalities to make you care about the characters, which makes you pull for them as they go through their trials and tribulations. It is not just about the space travel or alien battles, it’s about people struggling to survive. I love books and movies where I feel exhausted at the end from helping the heroes make it through.

This book uses rich characters to pull the reader in and make them connect to the people and want to help them through their challenges. I have a strong female protagonist in a story that uses her fight to save her son as a catalyst for her to go from a wife and mother to a warrior. The evolution of the main character is what drives the story and makes this story unique yet still filled with the usual sci-fi mythology. This growth will continue in the next 2 books as well.

Q: Is there anything else we should know about this book?
A: I have tried to take science facts and mix them with science fiction; which I believe all good science fiction should do. The reader will find many parallels between the problems we face in our world and country today and what my characters battle through.

Pitch reporters with our up-to-date media databases:

Question: Who is the intended audience?
Answer: Ages sixteen to infinity: this is a book which can superficially capture readers from ages sixteen up with fast action and suspense, but clings to an older audience with humor.

Q: What is the book about?
A: This book ranges from a tale of aliens living concealed on Earth, to brainwashed alien assassins who don’t realize they’re aliens, to lost royals having to decide whether it’s better to go back and claim their rather stagnant heritage, or continue to flounder—but have fun—on Earth.

Q: Why are you the best person to write this book?
A: I trained in science, and consider life a fantasy. Gilded Folly negotiates the weaving path in-between. I’ve written quite a bit of fantasy, action, and suspense, always with a scientific edge. Chills and thrills are what I enjoy creating most.

Q: How is this book different from other books on this topic?
A: I don’t believe there are other books on this topic. It is unique.

Q: Is there anything else we should know about this book?
A: Gilded Folly is neither deep, nor thought-provoking. It is, however, most enjoyable for those with a sharp mind and keen wit. GF was my eighteenth published novel.