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Damac Real Estate Development Ltd. (DMC) is bolstering Dubai's drive to lead the global Islamic economy with serviced apartments that are Shariah-compliant from their financing to their restaurants and saunas.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC (ADIB) is managing the project's funding as Damac, which issued its debut sukuk last month, sells the certified Islamic residences, Niall Mc Loughlin, the Dubai-based developer's senior vice president of communication, said May 12. The company's Constella property will have segregated swimming pools and gyms, separate floors for women and won't serve alcohol or pork.
Damac is benefiting from Dubai's real estate- and tourism-led economic recovery, with the government predicting property prices will surge as much as 40 percent this year. The emirate's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, set a three-year timetable in October to become the capital of the Islamic economy, seeking to overtake centers such as Malaysia.
"This is entirely consistent with Sheikh Mohammed's statement to make Dubai the center of the Islamic economy," Afaq Khan, chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Saadiq, said by phone from Dubai yesterday. "More clients are seeking Islamic solutions. It's been building up across the board, including in real estate."
Shariah-compliant financial assets total $1.21 trillion globally and are expected to reach $2.67 trillion by 2017, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP report in July.
Damac is responding to rising investor demand for Islamic products, Mc Loughlin said in e-mailed comments. Islamic hotelier R Hotels said last year it plans to spend 1.5 billion dirhams ($408 million) on its expansion, which include building a hotel on Dubai's man-made palm island.
"A Shariah-compliant offering isn't a bad idea," Sanyalaksna Manibhandu, an analyst at NBAD Securities in Abu Dhabi, said by phone yesterday. "Dubai is so well visited by a variety of people, and some of the Muslims who come here are strict. There's room for a stricter segment in the market."
The emirate, which is set to record the fastest economic growth since 2007 this year, posted an 11 percent increase in tourists last year. Dubai plans to lure 20 million people a year by 2020, when it hosts the World Expo, from 11 million in 2013.
Damac's profit climbed 79 percent in the first quarter to $210 million as it sold properties in Dubai, it said in a statement yesterday. The company sees "solid levels of demand in the luxury market" and plans to deliver as many as 5,000 units this year.
Not everyone is as bullish. The International Monetary Fund last week urged the United Arab Emirates to enact more measures to curb real estate speculation and prevent an "unsustainable" jump in property prices. Real estate values dropped as much as 65 percent from their peak in 2008 after the global financial crisis tightened credit.
The yield on Damac's junk-rated Islamic notes due April 2019 rose three basis points since they began trading April 3 to 5.28 percent yesterday. That compares with a 17 basis-point decline to 4.20 percent in the yield of Middle East sukuk, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. indexes.
Damac this year started work on projects, such as Trump Estates, which includes 104 villas and mansions, and luxury serviced apartments at Dubai's new airport.
Economic growth will sustain demand for residential and hotel properties, Damac's CEO Hussain Sajwani said in yesterday's statement. Hotels and serviced-apartment projects represent about 40 percent of our total pipeline, he said.-Bloomberg


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The Beep song issue is the most speculated news of the month in Kollywood. The women organizations were in full throttle in the opposition of the song. But lately various actors from kollywood have started extending their support in favor of the multi-talented actor Simbu.
Now Shiv Sena has joined the row spreading its voice across the state in favor of Simbu. The Shiv Sena leader had condemned the Nadigar Sangam for not supporting the "vaalu" actor in his shambles. They have also announced that if the protests against the actor is not stopped they will jump into protest in favor of Simbu all over Tamilnadu. They will join all the Hindu associations like Hindu Mahasabha, Hindu Makkal Katchi and Hindu Adhiradipadai.
The Tamizhar Munnetrapadai even attacked the building of Nadigar Sangam for their ignorance in the Beep song issue.

subset: commoncrawl


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The former chief financial officer of Arrow Trucking company was sentenced to 35 months in prison for his role in a scheme to commit bank and tax fraud, according to a news release from the U.S. Justice department.
The defendant, Jonathan Leland Moore, 38, of Waxahachi, Texas, was sentenced on Oct. 16 by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Gregory K. Frizzell of the Northern District of Oklahoma. Moore had previously pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2014, to one count of a dual-object conspiracy to commit bank fraud and to defraud the United States.
Moore conspired with former Arrow Trucking CEO James Douglas Pielsticker, 47, by failing to account for and pay federal withholding taxes on behalf of Arrow Trucking Company and by making payments to Pielsticker outside the payroll system. Pielsticker was sentenced to more than seven years in prison on fraud and tax evasion charges earlier this month, thanks in part to Moore's cooperation with investigators and testimony during Pielsticker's sentencing hearing last week. On Oct. 9, Pielsticker was sentenced to serve seven and one-half years in prison.
Judge Frizzell sentenced Moore to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term and ordered him to pay $21,026,682.03 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Transportation Alliance Bank (TAB), per the Justice Department release.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, in 2009, Moore, Pielsticker and others withheld Arrow Trucking Company employees' federal income tax withholdings, Medicare and Social Security taxes, but did not report or pay over these taxes to the IRS. Instead, the conspirators used the money to pay for Pielsticker's personal expenses, and submitted fraudulent invoices to TAB to induce the bank to pay funds to Arrow Trucking Company that were not warranted. In total, the conspiracy caused a loss to the United States totaling more than $9.562 million, prosecutors claimed.
During the hearing, Moore testified that Pielsticker instructed him and Joseph Mowry, former secretary and general counsel, to create a fraudulent billing scheme by inflating invoices to defraud TAB out of millions. Mowry, who was never charged, died of natural causes at his home in 2011.
In his testimony, Moore said Pielsticker instructed him to pay his own personal bills first before company expenses. According to the Tulsa World, Moore said Pielsticker said "f--- the drivers and f--- fuel" even though the company was clearly in serious financial trouble.
Despite the company's dire financial situation leading up to its collapse in December 2009, investigators claim company money was used to pay for Pielsticker's wedding, his Bentley and Maserati cars. Company money was also used to lease a private jet for personal trips and vacations, among other personal bills.
In February, Pielsticker pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of tax evasion after being indicted on 23 counts by a grand jury in December 2014.
Former Arrow Trucking drivers and employees have been waiting nearly six years for Pielsticker to see the inside of a prison cell. Pielsticker was at the helm of Arrow Trucking when the "Nightmare before Christmas" occurred. Hundreds of truck drivers were left stranded all over the country, many under loads, with no working fuel cards or paychecks just three days before Christmas in 2009. Meanwhile, former Arrow employees, as well as many in the trucking industry, banded together to get the stranded drivers home.
Contributing writer Clarissa Hawes contributed to this report.


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Books by Type/Genre
Books by Author
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Our titles are available on Amazon, in bookstores across the USA and around the world. Ebook versions of our titles are available through Amazon Kindle, iTunes, Nook, Kobo and their affiliates.
The Mahu series
#1 in the Mahu series
Neil Plakcy
Mahu---a generally negative Hawaiian term for homosexuals---introduces a unique character to detective fiction. Kimo Kanapa'aka is a handsome, mixed-race surfer living in Honolulu, a police detective confronting his homosexuality in an atmosphere of macho bravado within the police force.
A man of intelligence, strength, honesty, resourcefulness, and intense dedication to the people of Hawaii, Kimo is a hard-boiled hero you will never forget. Fast-paced, intricately plotted, thoroughly enjoyable, this is a sexy, surprisingly moving mystery about discovering oneself as much as catching a killer.
Buy at Amazon
Mahu Surfer
#2 in the Mahu series
Neil Plakcy
Mahu Surfer, Neil Plakcy's second mystery novel, sends openly gay Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka back to his surfing past. Rather than announce Kimo's public return to the HPD after the events of Mahu, his new boss asks the former competitive surfer to go undercover on Oahu's North Shore to find the killer of three young surfers.
In his return to the North Shore, Kimo discovers trouble in paradise, from an epidemic rise in the use of crystal meth to increasing pressure on real estate prices. As well, he rekindles an uneasy friendship with an old friend whose sexual assault drove Kimo into the police academy, and further into the closet, six years earlier.
Mahu Surfer showcases a handsome, sexy hero who struggles to overcome personal troubles and makes private sacrifices for the public good. Throw in an exotic tropical locale, plenty of aloha spirit and a dash of surf culture, as well as a slam-bang ending that puts Kimo and the people he cares about in danger, and you've got the makings of a page-turning mystery.
Mahu Fire
#3 in the Mahu series
Neil Plakcy
Mahu Fire begins six months after Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapaka'a's return to Honolulu from his undercover assignment on the North Shore. He's becoming more comfortable with his visibility as Honolulu's only openly gay homicide detective, including mentoring a group of gay teens.
Kimo, his family and friends are attending a local charity event in support of gay marriage when a bomb disrupts the gala. Kimo is determined to find out who feels strongly enough against the issue to kill-- but it's possible that his high profile will stand in his way.
A finalist for the 2008 Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Mystery
Mahu Vice
#4 in the Mahu series
Neil Plakcy
When a Chinese teenager dies in a fire at a Honolulu shopping center, homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka must overcome his issues with his ex-boyfriend, fire inspector Mike Riccardi, to investigate an underworld of illegal immigration, gambling and prostitution.
Fourth in the /Mahu/ series, /Mahu Vice/ is a ripped-from-the-headlines look at sexual obsession, the criminal mind, and the price of life in paradise. It's also a deeply romantic story of two alpha males struggling to find a way to love each other.
Mahu Blood
#5 in the Mahu series
Neil Plakcy
Two-time Lambda Literary Award finalist Neil Plakcy returns to the Hawaiian Islands with a new mystery about blood ties in a state torn by ethnic tension. Openly gay Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka must investigate a series of murders that threaten his own family as well as the citizens he struggles to protect.
Billions of dollars are at stake in a fight over who the land of the Aloha State really belongs to. Is it the United States-- or the indigenous people of the islands, many of whom feel their sovereign kingdom was overthrown by American businessmen?
At the same time, Kimo and his fire investigator partner, Mike Riccardi, deal with the stress of moving in together to create their own ohana --- a Hawaiian term which means family, as well as community.
Mahu Men
#6 in the Mahu series
Neil Plakcy
Mixing mystery and erotica, the stories in Mahu Men take readers into the world of openly gay Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka. Moving from pickups to murders, Kimo surfs the waves of his professional and personal lives in a sexy, sensual tropical paradise, where danger and desire lurk behind every palm tree.The stories fill the gaps between Neil Plakcy's Mahu novels, showing Kimo dating as well as solving cases and establishing a relationship with his new detective partner. Mixing the sensuality of Plakcy's erotica with the sharp-edged attitude of his mysteries, Mahu Men is a chance for new readers to meet Kimo, and for fans to delve more deeply into his world.
Zero Break
#7 in the Mahu series
Neil Plakcy
Openly gay Honolulu homicide detective and surfer Kimo Kanapa'aka investigates the murder of a young lesbian mother at the same time he and his partner consider having children themselves.
Zero break refers to the deep-water location where waves first begin, often far offshore. For Honolulu homicide detective and surfer Kimo Kanapa'aka, it means his most dangerous case yet.
A young mother is murdered in what appears to be a home invasion robbery, leaving behind a complex skein of family and business relationships, and Kimo and his detective partner Ray Donne must navigate deadly waters to uncover the true motive behind her death and bring her killer to justice.
Kimo is also in trouble at home, as he and fire investigator Mike Riccardi consider fathering children themselves.
Accidental Contact and Other Mahu Investigations
#8 in the Mahu series
Neil Plakcy
Sex, mayhem and justice in the Aloha State as openly gay Honolulu homicide detective tracks murderers, missing people & a dog with unusual appetites.
From murderers to missing babies to a shaggy dog with an unusual appetite, openly gay Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka has his hands full in this selection of ten short investigations in the Aloha State. Sun-drenched streets hide bodies in their shadows and clues lurk in the most unusual places, from a hearse to flowering hedge to a psychic who provides Kimo with an unexpected revelation. These sexy, smart and satisfying stories will please new readers and fans of the Mahu series as well.
Children of Noah
#9 in the Mahu series
Neil S. Plakcy
A few months after the birth of his twins, openly gay Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka and begins a temporary assignment to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. Kimo and his HPD partner Ray Donne are quickly thrown into an investigation into threatening letters sent to a U.S. Senator. Are these screeds about racial purity related to an escalating series of attacks against mixed-race couples and families on Oahu?
When arson at a day care center on the Windward Coast brings Kimo's partner, fire investigator Mike Riccardi, into the case, Kimo worries about the future of his and Mike's newborn twins on an island falling prey to hate and a cult leader bent on death and destruction.
Ghost Ship
#10 in the Mahu Series
Neil Plakcy
New fathers investigate the death of a young family.
When a sailboat carrying four bodies washes up on the Leeward Coast of O'ahu, openly gay Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka, on loan to the FBI, must discover what sent this young family and their deadly cargo on a dangerous trans-Pacific voyage. Leaving behind his partner and their infant twins, Kimo must work with his police cohort Ray Donne to unravel the forces that led this family to their deaths. From Hawaii's sunny beaches to a chillly island in Japan to the Pacific Northwest, Kimo and Ray step far out of their comfort zones to confront an evil much greater than any they've investigated before.
To learn about new releases join our monthly newsletter.


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|VANCOUVER DAZE showcases and highlights the lifestyle and cultural scene of our beautiful city, uncovering all the INTERESTING THINGS, misadventures, and shenanigans beyond social functions and local happenings.
We fiercely promote all the fun times, food, culture, and entertainment the city has to offer, along with the creative minds behind them.
Follow more of my work/coverage over at RICKCHUNG.COM and on Twitter at @RICKCHUNG.
You can pitch me HERE.
Volume 64: The Flats on Georgia's The Heart of Chinatown contest wrap up event at Caffe Brixton in Chinatown on April 11, 2012. Hashtag: #HeartOfChinatown. Photo courtesy of Ross Papa. More photos available on Flickr and Tumblr.
Chinatown is moving and changing. The folks behind the Flats of Georgia decided to celebrate and recognize those improving and changing the neighbourhood for the better.
I had the privilege of speaking and judging the nominees for the Heart of Chinatown community campaign with socialite Frances Hui and city councillor Dr. Kerry Jang.
Innovators and local charities showed up to see who would be recognized as a game changer in local community.
We judges looked for individuality, charity, creativity, and ingenuity from nominees Pull Focus Film School, the Get Warm Project, and the Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association.
The list was trimmed down to five nominees as folks packed Caffe Brixton for the wining announcement. I had a great time talking to local organizers and celebrating the community without it being too flowery. FYI, the food, coffee, and drinks were all delicious.
Congratulations to community organizer Mike Leung of Harvest Community Foods for winning the the Heart of Chinatown. The newly opened grocer was chosen for its fresh and and transparent food options as well as their taste for crowd sourcing.
Enjoy Harvest partner and fellow nominee Josh Michnik of This Space's beautifully stunning video love letter to the Chinatown/Strathcona neighbourhood below.


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Title: Second Nature
Series: Blood At First Sight
Author: Marie Lavender
Publisher: Solstice Shadows Publishing
Release Date: 9th December 2014
BLURB from Goodreads
She never expected it…
Desiree Edwards has a problem. She's been attacked, kidnapped and forced to get along with a vampire of all things. It's something right out of the story books she reads, or her worst nightmare. But, sometimes he's not the monster he appears to be. He seems so humanlike that she can't help it when her emotions betray her, when her body betrays her. To make matters worse, she finds out more about herself than she ever wanted to know.
She was unlike any other…
Alec has a problem. The animal in him wants Desiree. But, so does the man. The more he learns about her, the harder it is to deny what he wants. But, he's a freak, and she's just a human. The two species don't mix that way. Then an old enemy surfaces and Alec is forced to make a choice. His life or hers.
Can Alec's soul be saved by this unique human? Or will it be far too late?
Desiree Edwards has a problem. She's been attacked, kidnapped and forced to get along with a vampire of all things. It's something right out of the story books she reads, or her worst nightmare. But, sometimes he's not the monster he appears to be. He seems so humanlike that she can't help it when her emotions betray her, when her body betrays her. To make matters worse, she finds out more about herself than she ever wanted to know.
She was unlike any other…
Alec has a problem. The animal in him wants Desiree. But, so does the man. The more he learns about her, the harder it is to deny what he wants. But, he's a freak, and she's just a human. The two species don't mix that way. Then an old enemy surfaces and Alec is forced to make a choice. His life or hers.
Can Alec's soul be saved by this unique human? Or will it be far too late?
My name is Marie Lavender. I was born in a small town in Indiana, and I still live in the Midwest, though I hope to move to the Pacific coast someday.
Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
Yes, I feel like I've always wanted that. I briefly entertained other ways to connect with books: starting my own bookstore, being an editor or launching my own publishing company. But, I pretty much knew that writing was my calling.
When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
Since I can trace my writing roots back to the tender age of nine, I think it was around then that I started saying I was a writer. To me, a writer was someone who wrote something in hopes of someday publishing. Of course, that term has totally evolved. Funny story, though. One of my uncles once asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said, "I want to be a writer!" As a kid, I think I didn't clearly enunciate because he thought I was talking about horseback riding. LOL. Yeah, in hindsight, I should have said "author".
Did it take a long time to get your first book published?
If you consider that I started writing at nine years old, yes. My first self-published book came out in 2010, five years after I graduated from college. That's not a bad timeline to me. My first traditionally published book, Upon Your Return, which took me eight years to finish writing, was released in 2013. But, the timeline doesn't really matter. It happened the way it should have.
Do you work another job as well as your writing work?
Yes, I do. For now, I work as an appointment setter for an entertainment company.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?
My latest book is titled Second Nature, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy and it is book one of the Blood at First Sight Series. Here is my brief summary of the book:
Desiree Edwards encounters an "Other" world when she is abducted and forced to get along with sexy vampire, Alec Sullivan.
Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
A bit of both, actually. I have self-published sixteen books, and released four books traditionally through Solstice Publishing.
Do you have a "lucky charm" or "lucky routine" you follow when waiting for your book to be accepted by a publisher?
Not really. I just hit the 'submit' button and pray that it worked, that the cyber demons didn't eat it before the publisher received it. Then I go about attempting to distract myself for however long it takes to get a response back from the publisher about whether they liked it or not.
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
That really depends on the book. I would say that my historical romance series, the Heiresses in Love Series, has taken longer than any other book project, mostly because of the difficult research involved in it. Upon Your Return took around eight or nine years, while Upon Your Honor, the sequel, was finished in a year. I am currently finishing up work on Upon Your Love, the final book, and I would probably give that a year as well. Phew! My novellas don't take as much time, maybe a month to a few months to write and polish. The ideas for UYH and UYL actually came just after I received the contract for Upon Your Return in 2012. Suddenly, there were sequels in the works and though I did toil on them here and there, I didn't really put a lot of focus into one until the previous book was published.
What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I try not to pin myself down, but I usually focus on romance in one way or another. I do, however, try different subgenres. I have written contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance/fantasy, romantic suspense, literary fiction, mystery/thriller and poetry.
I have a manuscript I am polishing right now called A Little Magick, which is the sequel to Magick & Moonlight. It is just about ready to be published. ALM is a children's fantasy, something completely different from what I often write, and writing it was a fun way to dip into the genre. Beyond finishing up the writing on UYL, as aforementioned, I plan to finish the sequels in the Blood at First Sight Series. I also have plans to launch a new series about a coven of witches set around the time of the Salem witch trials. That will be titled the Witches of Moonhaven Series, and it will be a set of six books in the historical romance/fantasy genre.
What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I love romance - reading about it, watching shows or films about it. I always have. I love "love" so that kind of translates into writing romance novels. I think it's so awesome that the genre is evolving and we now have time travel romances and sci-fi romance, and really anything you can think of with romance thrown in. It opens up the genre so much, and allows writers to write about whatever they want instead of being boxed into a typical mold.
Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
Right now, the Heiresses in Love Series is my favorite. Though I will allow that the reason may be because I've been focused on that writing series for the most part, I totally love the characters, and hell, it makes me want to read my own books. That's not a bad thing, right? LOL.
Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
Fara Bellamont is my favorite. The young Fara, the mature Fara – it doesn't matter; she's awesome. Fara is a redheaded spitfire, as one reader termed her, and she will do everything she must to find love and have her own adventures. All this during the Victorian era. Go figure. She is a compelling character, and I'm so proud of that little "firecracker" for coming into her own. Yes, that's another term from a reader. I love my fans!
If you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and why?
Oh, goodness. You'll probably assume I'm going to pick Fara, but not for this one. I think I'd choose Desiree Edwards. I can relate to her interest in writing, and – do I really have to say it? – she gets thrust into her own adventure with a hot, hot, hot, um, vampire. Sigh. I love paranormal romance. If I could give my fiancé fangs, I would. LOL.
Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
No, it just comes to me wherever I am, which can be inconvenient if I'm in public. Good thing I decided to carry a journal with me so that I am prepared no matter what. Sometimes I listen to music while writing; it really depends on the story. At other times, I need absolute quiet. I can type on the fly on my PC, but I also use my Luddite fallback by flopping down on my bed and then I start writing in one of the cheap, one-subject notebooks I have on hand. And don't get me started on colored gel pens and decorative journals. Love those.
Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?
No, I never thought of doing that. I guess a beta reader is similar to that, huh? I definitely use critique partners and beta readers, and having that kind of feedback is paramount when polishing your own work.
Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?
Sure, I do. If a reader is willing to do an honest review, I do that sometimes. Mostly my freebies come through official book giveaways.
Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
I confess that I do just for fun, but I try not to let the occasional lower score get me down. The reason I got into this was for the love of writing, and one person's opinion is not going to keep me from pursuing my dream. I do love my readers though; I wouldn't be anywhere without them.
Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
No, no, and hell no. That is completely unprofessional. That is like going to your teacher in school, and saying, "Yeah, this isn't working for me. Could you switch that to an A+?" Not going to happen, and it makes you look stupid. If an author was doing that, I would ask them to reconsider. No matter what, you should keep your dignity. Reviews are reviews, good or bad. And who knows? Maybe that somewhat negative review can still spark someone's interest in looking a little further into your work.
If I am buying a book, I take many things into account: the cover, the blurb and then I see what most people are saying about it. Most of the time though, I don't worry so much about reviews when buying a book. Any other product? Probably. But books are a literary gift to the world. I just love words, and I love reading. Life is too short to be so petty anyway.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
It usually depends on the book. I would say that most of the time, the book comes first and title comes out of the process of writing it. Upon Your Return came out of a piece of dialogue in one of the scenes I wrote, and the titles for the other books came when I got the basic plot ideas for the sequels. I hadn't done any heavy writing at that point. Now and then, though, I do get a title in my head, and the plot naturally flows of that. Magick & Moonlight was that way. I also have an idea for a story called Mystery Falls; with that one, the title came first, the plot later. Also, sometimes I think I know the title, but then it changes later on. Like I said, it depends on which book I'm working on.
Which format of book do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?
I think I still prefer paperback over anything else. Ebooks are convenient if you have a reader, but if you don't, you're stuck trying to read them on the computer or on your phone. Hardbacks are nice collector's items, but they are pretty bulky to carry around.
What is your favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward. It is paranormal romance at its finest, and the male main character, Wrath, is my favorite book boyfriend. And yes, I have read it many, many times.
Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is your favourite/worst book to movie transfer?
Most of the time, I believe they don't transfer well. The creators of the movie have to cut out a lot just to adhere to time limits. For example, I once read Michael Chrichton's Jurassic Park, and in some ways I believe the book is better. There are ton of action scenes that weren't even included in the movie, but if they had bothered to put them in, the film would have been three or four hours long. I did enjoy the movie, but after reading the book, it sort of ruined the idea for me. I understand why certain scenes get cut, but sometimes I wonder about quality too. Often we are forced to rely on a director's perspective of something, and who's to say the author ever intended that in the first place?
Do I want one of my books turned into a movie? Yeah, who doesn't? But, I wonder how much we're sacrificing when a book goes straight to a movie. I never read the Harry Potter books, but I liked the movies. I learned a long time ago that sometimes it's best to do one or the other – either read the book or watch the movie. If you do both, in most cases, you're going to get disappointed. Whereas if you focus, you will only be judging it based on one medium.
Did you read a lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in your life?
Yes, I used to read a lot when I was a kid. I remember sneaking with a book light to read late at night when I was "supposed to be in bed". I also wrote lots of stories during my childhood. I look back on them now, and I find it amusing because they were quite immature. There is one book project we had to do for class in the third grade, and mine was titled The Mystery of the Golden Chair. I still have it, and I'll probably never show it to anyone. But, it reminds me that I've grown a lot since then.
Did you have a favourite author as a child?
I read the Bobbsey Twins and the Boxcar Children back then, and I was kind of obsessed with those Choose Your Own Adventure books. Eventually, I got into reading The Babysitter's Club Series and I remember reading two specific books from middle school: Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause and Say Goodnight, Gracie by Julie Reece Deaver, book very good books for different reasons.
Are there any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why should we watch out for them?
Yes. I recommend that you check out Mika Jolie and Linda Lee Williams. They are very talented writers.
Do you or would you ever use a pen name?
Yes, of course. I have one right now – Marie Lavender. I have also used Erica Sutherhome and Kathryn Layne.
Where can readers follow you?
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marielavender1


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The globe is currently in the midst of the worst Ebola outbreak in history, which the World Health Organization (WHO) says will likely stretch on for at least six more months and result in at least 20,000 more infections. As experts are scrambling to stem the rate of infections, the UN agency says it desperately needs more money, more staff, and more global support to get the job done.
Although WHO has been responding to the Ebola crisis for months, the outbreak has shown no signs of slowing. Nearly 2,000 people have died, and infections have recently spread to Nigeria and Senegal. A third American missionary was just infected in Liberia and flown to an isolation unit in Nebraska.
"We don't have enough health workers, doctors, nurses, drivers and contact tracers to handle the increasing number of cases," Keiji Fukuda, the WHO's assistant director-general for global health security, said on Thursday. "Most of the infections are happening in the community, and many people are unwilling to identify themselves as ill. And if they do, we don't have enough ambulances to transport them or beds to treat them yet."
The global health agency estimates that it needs about $600 million in additional donations to fight the deadly virus in West Africa. In order to accomplish that, the international response needs to scale up to about four times what it currently is.
Most of WHO's funding comes from donor countries and voluntary contributions from philanthropists like Bill and Melinda Gates. And, as detailed in the New York Times this week, recent budget cuts to the UN agency have undermined its ability to rapidly respond to public health threats. The global financial crisis forced WHO to slash nearly $1 billion from its proposed two-year budget, which led to a about a 16 percent reduction in staff.
"Its outbreak and emergency response units have been slashed, veterans who led previous fights against Ebola and other diseases have left, and scores of positions have been eliminated — precisely the kind of people and efforts that might have helped blunt the outbreak in West Africa before it ballooned into the worst Ebola epidemic ever recorded," the New York Times reported.
As global health experts are putting out increasingly desperate calls for help, some American institutions are attempting to lend a hand. This week, the U.S. National Institutes of Health launched a much-anticipated trial in hopes of developing an effective Ebola treatment. USAID has started seeking members of the medical community who might be willing to volunteer in Western Africa. And members of U.S. Congress are requesting a hearing on the ongoing Ebola outbreak to figure out what can be done to address the health crisis.
"We are not in a position where we can afford to lose even a day," David Nabarro, the senior system coordinator for the UN's response to Ebola, said this week. "This outbreak is moving ahead of efforts to control it."


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The NHS Litigation Authority (now NHS Resolution - 'NHSR') 2015/16 annual report stated that the authority received 10,965 clinical negligence claims. ,/P.
The estimated proportion of what the NHS expend on legal costs is over one-third of their total outlay. The efficient, economic and acceptable resolution of clinical claims is a matter of pressing urgency for the cash-strapped NHS.
As part of its examination into the best ways to achieve efficient, economic and acceptable resolution of clinical claims, The NHSLA (now the NHSR) ran a mediation scheme from mid-2014 to the end of 2015. Following the success of the pilot scheme, NHSR have promulgated a permanent mediation scheme. CEDR is one of the two appointed suppliers of mediations to this scheme, with Tony Allen being one of the leading mediators.
One of the leading cases dealing with mediation generally is an appeal relating to a clinical negligence claim – Halsey v Milton Keynes NHS Trust – probably the most discussed decision in the whole area of mediation. A very significant part of the Halsey judgment which had a very considerable impact on subsequent practice about whether judges can require parties to use mediation has been unofficially recanted in principle. Tying down what Halsey precisely means a decade since it was decided is important for mediation in general, and in particular for the mediation of clinical claims.
Clinical negligence mediation is one of the most emotion-driven forms of mediation. Undertaking a clinical negligence mediation enables parties to discuss remedies not available in court, including fast dispute resolution; improving clinical processes and procedures; avoiding damaging publicity; apologies or compensation where appropriate and the ability to restore relationships and trust.
With the use of mediation of clinical claims increasing year on year Mediating Clinical Claims dispels the ignorance of what mediating clinical claims involves. It:


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This book is a collection of letters, articles and essays, all by
Einstein, on various social issues to which he devoted his spare time:
pacifism; internationalism and world government; human rights and civil
rights; humanism; socialism; and opposition to nationalism, capitalism,
militarism, fascism, and weapons of mass destruction. Organized into
six sections by topic, it opens with a brief biographical sketch,
chronology, and introductions to the documents by editor Jim Green.
Also included is a brief bibliography of electronic and printed
resources for more information. Though by no means a complete biography, this "Rebel Lives" volume
provides a thoughtful and thought-provoking look at a side of the famous
physicist not widely known.
Albert Einstein - John Green
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June 30th, 2009 → 5:03 pm @ Jim Kukral // 0 Comments
You can't make this stuff up. Check out this story my friend Dave M. pointed me to.
An advertisement for Burger King's latest sandwich leaves little to the imagination and should be discontinued due to "distasteful" and unappetizing references to oral sex, advertising experts told FOXNews.com.
The print ad for the "BK Super Seven Incher" — a limited time promotion in Singapore, a society known around the world for its strict government controls of social conduct — shows the "mind-blowing" sandwich near the open mouth of a wide-eyed, red-lipsticked woman accompanied by the suggestive tagline: "It'll blow your mind away."
"Fill your desire for something long, juicy and flame-grilled," the ad continues.
Mark Duffy, a blogger and an advertising copywriter at a major New York City firm, said the advertisement is among the "worst" he's ever seen in more than 17 years of industry experience.
"I've seen a lot of sexual innuendo ads and this is about the worst, especially for something as mainstream as Burger King," Duffy told FOXNews.com. "I was a little repulsed by it. It's really misogynistic to women and it's also unappetizing."
But did it get your attention? And frankly, is it going to resonate with their target market, which might possibly be men who are probably laughing, and happy, about this imagery?
Time will tell. The bottom line is the agency for Burger King is pushing boundaries and they should be commended for getting noticed. Not for their subtlety.


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On the St. Valentine's day I invited my sweetest girl friends to enjoy Gyoza Party (Pot stickers Party) at my place. I have a huge electrical hot plate to cook pot stickers, about 50 pieces or so, all at once!
Many girls spend this special day with their boy friends, we, this year, decided to hold a GIRLS' Party to make the day much sweeter!
Including myself, there were 5 girls tonight! And we finished the plate within one hour! (Why not?)
Then we moved to the second main dish "Roasted Stuffed Chicken" cooked by REMOSKA (=my favorite Czech made Magic Pan)! It was so soft & juicy...and girls finished the chicken within 30 minutes...
Though we ate alot, we did not drink much tonight (...I think). ONLY one bottle of sparkling wine and another bottle of Japanese Sake from Nagano Prefecture.
Everybody was so happy to share the sweet Valentine's Day 2009.


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"I have worked with Patti Gentry for the past several years. I was first introduced to Patti by the President and CEO of the Coldwell Banker Arizona Brokerage Company. At that time Patti worked in the company's commercial division in Phoenix and the President recommended her for any commercial assignments that I might have. As it turned out, I employed Pattie to help renegotiate a lease renewal in our Phoenix Biltmore market. To that end, Patti was able to provide verifiable lease comps, alternative relocation sites, and ultimately negotiate a new lease with a rent reduction. Patti has since left Coldwell Banker Commercial to be an owner and operator of the Arizona Commercial Advisors, LLC, where she continues to provide real estate services to her clients. Coldwell Banker continues to partner with Patti on new site selections and commercial real estate market data, most recently, the relocation of our 9,000 square foot Scottsdale office."
Rick Fazendin, CPM®, CCIM, Vice President, Director of
Commercial Services Director of Corporate Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Commercial – NRT
"Patti is a pleasure to work with. She was very persistent in getting an office condo sold for Compass Bank."
Gina Franklin, Vice President/REO Asset Manager
BBVA Compass
"Finding commercial real estate to lease is always a daunting process. I hired Patti from a good friend and referral source. Patti's experience, expertise and personality made the process seemless, flawless and a fun experience. After meeting several other "experts" in the field, I would only recommend Patti to be the professional for your needs. Keep up the great work Patti. You are awesome!"
Kevin J. Newell, Chief Operating Officer
Hymson Goldstein & Pantiliat, PLLC
"I was told that Patti would get the bank's office condo listed properly and sold quickly and that's exactly what happened. Her expertise and professionalism made the transaction a breeze and the bank would use her again on any future transaction in this category. Great job!"
Larry Nusbaum, M.B.A., Vice President, Special Assets OREO
Heartland Financial USA, Inc.


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I will openly admit I know very little about Science Fiction. Not because I dislike it, but just because I read so little of it and I don't know where to start. It isn't often I thank Facebook, but in this instance it put me in touch with an old school chum, Becky, who is now married to Gareth L Powell, Sci Fi author extraordinaire. A Facebook chat ensued and Becky recommended The Reef to me as an introduction to her hubby's work. I duly trotted off to the library to get a copy.
The Last Reef is a series of short stories, some of which have given rise to full length novels. I am not sure I am going to be able to describe this book and do it justice, but I'll give it a try.
This collection may be catalogued under "Sci-Fi", and it is, it has all the hallmarks. Spaceships? Check. Alien planets? Check. Lots of cool tech? Check. It also has very human and well-drawn characters, driven by real emotions and thoughts and. The backdrops that Powell has created also feel strangely familiar, despite the futuristic setting. I guess human motivations don't change, just the tools at our disposal.
Out of the collection I had two particular favourites. The Last Reef explores the idea of artificial intelligence networks, and the mega-corporations exploiting them. I am not going to even attempt to explain this, it is far better to read the story. What really engaged me was the recognition that we may not be close to this level of technology yet, but I am not sure we are as far away as we think. The dire warnings from Professor Stephen Hawking on AI ran through my head as I read.
The second story which really got to me was Arches. Arches have been popping up randomly around the world, and when people go through them they don't come back. An arch opens up in Oxfordshire, and of course our heroes decide to drive through it to try and find a lost brother. On the other side they find various waifs and strays and end up in a camp for those trying to work out what is going on. It turns out, if I may borrow a Dr Who quote, that it is all a bit "timey-wimey", and really rather frightening too. As with all the stories, what makes these so believable is the characters, the setting makes life exciting, but I really bought into the inhabitants of Powell's worlds, and wanted then to survive.
Apologies to Gareth for my rather inadequate review. The long and the short of it is that I loved all these stories, many of which have stayed with me. I have read a few books this year which keep popping back into my mind, and I can add The Last Reef and Arches to that list. They are even now making a strange alliance in my brain with Meadowland, Stoner, and The Vegetarian. Make of that what you will.