Yaya Diamonds Book Club July 2020 issue

BOOKS Y A Y A

D I A M O N D S

B O O K

C L U B

M A G A Z I N E

MAX HAWTHORNE’S KRONOS RISING

JULY 2020

SUGGESTED READING FROM YAYA DIAMOND

Paperback - Hard copy - Audio - Online

Max Hawthorne’s bestselling Kronos Rising novel series features monster marine reptiles from the time of the dinosaurs wreaking havoc on today’s oceans. The books have been a huge hit with readers, leading many to compare them to the late Michael Crichton’s legendary “Jurassic Park” books. With the series latest installment, “Kronos Rising: Kraken (vol. 3)” looming on the horizon, I reached out to Max for more information.

Q: Hi, Max. When the last Kronos Rising book ended (Kraken vol. 2), it was pandemonium. The secret military base known as Tartarus was in a state of upheaval, and the surprise identities of the base’s true villains came to light. When we last saw them, heroes Dr. Dirk Braddock and his Jamaican scientist love interest Stacy Daniels had literally been thrown to a monster, and a kaiju sized octopus was headed for the base with bad intentions.

Does the new novel pick up where KRK2 left off or has some time passed in between?

A: Hi, Yaya. The story picks up exactly where the last book ended. I left my readers with their jaws hanging open, courtesy of a plot twist that many felt was as shocking as “Darth Vader’s” famous, “No, I am your father,” line from “The Empire Strikes Back”. The new book jumps right in and kicks into high gear, taking the reader on a roller coaster ride of action and emotion as they, via my protagonists, struggle to survive.

Q: The title “Kraken” brings to mind a sea monster like the giant squid. Many think the Kraken was based on squid carcasses and encounters. What made you go with an octopus instead for your monster villain? According to what I read; the Kraken was an unidentified sea creature that only became associated with cephalopods in modern times.

A: As readers know, I draw upon known sightings and/or the fossil record when it comes to inspiration for my beasts. There is a published theory about a prehistoric octopus-like creature that is believed to have lived during the Triassic Period, known as the “Triassic Kraken”. It was estimated at one hundred feet long and ate Ichthyosaurs the size of whales. Also, the word “Kraken” comes from the German word “Krake”, which literally translates to “octopus”. So, an octopus it is. And a man-eating one at that.

Q: As you are undoubtedly aware, the Megalodon shark is very popular with readers of sea monster fiction. I believe you have one in your novels, too. Many people are hoping there will be a “sea beast smackdown” with the shark and or Kraken coming up against one or more of your monster pliosaurs.

Can you confirm whether we can expect to see this in the new book?

A: I’ve been asked many times whether a conflict like that takes place. I get it. People are hungry to know (pun intended) which monster is the biggest badass of all. Without getting into spoilers, let me just say all questions will be answered, and any “clashes of the titans” taking place will leave readers holding their breath and then cheering. Or maybe jeering, depending on who they’re rooting for.

Q: On a related note, how many books are planned for the KR series?

A: Currently, there are six books. I have tentative plans to write two more and possibly a prequel.

Q: I’ve read that the size of your giant pliosaurs has some basis in reality, based on a fossil found in Aramberri, Mexico. Can you give us some details about that?

A: According to paleontologist Dr. Eberhard Frey’s paper on the 42-foot Aramberri pliosaur (which many believe to be a juvenile) it was bitten several times in its life by much bigger pliosaurs. The Aramberri specimen has tooth crowns (the exposed part of the teeth) that measure 5.5 inches. But one puncture in its skull suggests an attacker with 12” crowns. This implies the possibility of a macropredator larger than the extant sperm whale. It’s exciting stuff, and I think it’s just a matter of time before enough fossil material becomes available to prove our oceans were once the domain of real-life sea dragons.

Q: In addition to the giant pliosaur fossils, you have also looked into to some strange modern-day attacks on large marine animals, including the 3-meter Great White that was eaten by something in the Bremer Canyon off Australia. Does this potentially indicate the present-day existence of something along the lines of one of your monster pliosaurs?

A: I did a detailed analysis of the data provided by the two “Super Predator” television documentaries.

After looking at all the info, I concluded that the creature that consumed “Shark Alpha” was not a fish or cetacean, but a huge marine reptile. Could it be a pliosaur? I doubt it. They’ve been gone for ninety million years. But there have been many anecdotal sightings over the years that suggest something along the lines of an oversized mosasaur. If a relic population of the marine monsters we see in “Jurassic World” turned out to still be with us, I would not complain. Unless I was in the water with one, of course!

Q: Last but not least, when is the release date for “Kronos Rising: Kraken volume 3”?

A: The Kindle version is on pre-sale now on Amazon. The formal release date for it and the full-size softcover is July 4th, giving people the perfect beach read. If you want something to scare you out of the water, Kraken three is just the ticket. And, with all humility, it’s a read my readers have been hungrily looking forward to.

-Max Hawthorne

My CafĂŠ au Lait is my skin, my essence, my beauty. The curtain that I have been draped in. Before getting comfortable, make the CafĂŠ au Lait recipe provided in the back of this book. Some poems are written as a call and answer so you can read along with your sweet thing! Whether alone or with someone, take a moment, relax, and enjoy some earthy, sultry, reflective poetry that will make you love the skin you are in and the hair you wear.

Author L. A. Davis earned her Doctorate of Education Degree with an Emphasis in Organizational Leadership and Development in 2018. She focused her dissertation topic on the Blind or Visually Impaired and their perception of gaining employment. She was born on the island resides in the United States. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, of St. Thomas USVI but Incorporated and is currently writing a series of children's coloring books for elementary school children.Davislad2018@gmail.comhttp s://drladavisblogspace.blogspot.com/C ontact InformationDr. L. A. Davis2403 W Stan Schlueter Loop #690923Killeen, Texas 76549

Comedy on the Road as Seen Through a Comic's Bloodshot Eyes The first thing you need to know about me is I never wanted to be a comedian. As young men, we inherently dream about our future and the moments we are going to seize. A path that we are going to set in motion in order to have everything our heart desires. The particular dream and path that I had and planned for my future was that of being a rock star but you know what they say, man plans and God laughs.

Upon discovering that her chances for inventing a time machine were rather slim, 8-year-old A.E. Rayne decided to pursue a career as a writer instead. She completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies, majoring in television, then trained as a graphic designer, while dabbling in poetry, and continually plotting her first novel.A.E. Rayne survives on a happy diet of historical and fantasy fiction and particularly loves a good Viking tale. Her favourite authors are Bernard Cornwell, Giles Kristian, Robert Low, C.J. Sansom, and Patrick O'Brian. She lives in Auckland, New Zealand, with her husband and three children.The Furyck Saga:Winter's Fury (Book I)The Burning Sea (Book 2)Night of the Shadow Moon (Book 3)Hallow Wood (Book 4)The Raven's Warning (Book 5)Vale of the Gods (Book 6)The Furyck Saga (Books 1-3)Visit her website:http://aerayne.com/

Ten years ago, four people were brutally murdered - one girl lived.No one believes her story. The police think she's crazy. Her therapist thinks she's suicidal. Everyone else thinks she's a dangerous drunk. They're all right - but did she see the killer?

Best Mystery-Thriller eBook of the Year Independent Publisher Book AwardsWinner Best Thriller - National Indie Excellence AwardsWinner Best Thriller - Silver Falchion AwardFinalist eBook Fiction - Indie Book AwardsSilver Medal Suspense - Reader's Favorite Book AwardsVoted Most Loved Cover NetGalley Readers Grab your copy of this award-winning psychological thriller today!As the anniversary of the murders approaches, Faith Winters is released from the psychiatric hospital and yanked back to the last spot on earth she wants to be her hometown where the slayings took place. Wracked by the lingering echoes of survivor's guilt, Faith spirals into a black hole of alcoholism and wanton selfdestruction. Finding no solace at the bottom of a bottle, Faith decides to track down her sister's killer - only to discover that she's the one being hunted.How can one woman uncover the truth when everyone's a suspect - including herself?From the mind of Wall Street Journal best-selling author Christopher Greyson The Girl Who Lived should come with a warning label: Once you start listening, you won't be able to stop. Not since Girl on the Train and Gone Girl has a psychological thriller kept listeners so addicted - and guessing right until the last chapter.. ©2017 Greyson Media (P)2017 Greyson Media