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I hope everyone is staying warm! Here in Oklahoma, it's cold cold cold!
Unfortunately, the family and I are feeling a little under the weather. So we're just gonna hibernate this weekend. Plenty of time to catch up on some reading!
Now on to the books!
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FREE for a limited time! Captain Caleb Shepperd, an ex-con and smuggler, lives recklessly, avoiding morality and the law as he navigates the nine systems. But his plans take a dangerous turn when he discovers a synthetic stowaway on his ship. This isn’t just any synth—she’s a killer with hidden memories that could unravel Shepperd’s life and destabilize the entire galaxy.
As Shepperd debates whether to sell her or get rid of her, he doesn’t realize he’s her target. With only 1,000 synthetics ever built, her existence is an anomaly tied to a deadly conspiracy. In a world of corporate oppression, Shepperd must confront the ghosts of his past while trying to survive the threat aboard his ship.
Note: This story is intended for mature audiences, featuring explicit content, including violence, drug use, and strong language.
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FREE for a limited time! Former assassin Sei thought her daughter was gone forever—until she learns there’s a chance she’s still alive. Fueled by hope, Sei sets out on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth, embarking on one last mission that will push her to the limit.
In Ty Hutchinson's gripping Sei Assassin Thriller series, the first three books follow Sei as she faces impossible odds.
Packed with suspense, action, and emotional stakes, this bestselling series has captivated readers worldwide.
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FREE for a limited time! FBI Agent Mary Cage and her team are experts in finding missing persons before time runs out. When a twisted kidnapper begins trapping victims in bizarre ways, Mary is thrust into a high-stakes race to crack his cryptic methods and rescue the captives before it’s too late.
In Far From Here (Book 1 in the Mary Cage FBI Suspense Thriller series), author Taylor Stark introduces a complex and driven heroine battling her own demons while confronting the darkest corners of humanity. With gripping suspense, unpredictable twists, and a fast-paced plot, this debut thriller is perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Lisa Regan, and Robert Dugoni.
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FREE for a limited time! Materials engineer Zoey Butler lands her dream job at Future State Energy, expecting to make groundbreaking strides in renewable energy. Instead, her career comes crashing down when the FBI raids the company for fraud. Left jobless and ostracized, Zoey reaches out to Special Agent Alexis Thompson—the only person who believes she was an unwitting victim.
Zoey is soon recruited into the FBI's Riverbend K-9 Academy, where she bonds with Tasha, a mischievous rescue dog, under the guidance of Agent Liam Graham. But when evidence surfaces that the Future State case isn’t over, Zoey agrees to return to the company as part of the investigation.
With Liam and Tasha at her side, Zoey must uncover the explosive secrets that threaten to destroy everything—and everyone—involved.
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PUBLISHING SCAM
A grand jury in San Diego has charged three individuals with running a publishing scam that defrauded elderly authors in the U.S. of nearly $44 million between 2017 and 2024. Gemma Traya Austin of Chula Vista, California, allegedly organized the scam through PageTurner Press and Media LLC, falsely claiming to provide publishing services and connections to literary agents, film studios, and streaming platforms. Michael Cris Traya Sordilla and Bryan Navales Tarosa, based in the Philippines, allegedly supported the scheme through Innocentrix Philippines, contacting authors with unsolicited offers.
The indictment reveals that victims were tricked into believing their works were selected by publishers or studios, leading them to pay for fraudulent services. Over 800 victims were identified, with some losing as much as $800,000. The Authors Guild and Writers Beware raised early alarms about PageTurner, contributing to the FBI's investigation.
The suspects were arrested in December, and the FBI seized the PageTurner website. They face charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
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SCHOLASTIC CYBERATTACK
Scholastic, the education publisher, is investigating claims that a hacker, known as "Parasocial," stole data belonging to eight million users. According to reports, the hacker allegedly accessed customer information, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, and home addresses, by stealing an employee's log-in credentials through malware.
Anne Sparkman, a Scholastic spokesperson, stated that the company immediately launched an investigation with internal security teams and third-party cybersecurity experts upon learning of the claim. While the investigation is ongoing, Sparkman emphasized Scholastic's commitment to data privacy and security, stating that protecting customer trust remains their highest priority.
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- Did You Know?: The first printed book using movable type was the Gutenberg Bible, printed in 1455, which revolutionized access to literature.
- Fun Fact: The longest sentence in literature is found in Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, spanning over 800 words!
- Book Trivia: J.K. Rowling’s original pitch for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was rejected by 12 publishers before being accepted by Bloomsbury.
- Literary Fact: The world's smallest book, Teeny Ted from Turnip Town, is 70 micrometers by 100 micrometers and can only be read with an electron microscope.
- Interesting Tidbit: The phrase “Open Sesame” from Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves in One Thousand and One Nights is believed to refer to the way sesame seeds burst open when ripe.
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Whether you’re diving into a new book or working on your next big writing idea, remember that every page is progress. Keep nurturing your creativity, and never stop reading and learning. As always, thanks for being a part of MY journey as I continue to write books and work to build this newsletter into something that will hopefully help and inspire people. See you next week!
--Mark
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