Kunati News and Famous Trailers!

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Critically-Acclaimed May 08 Releases from Kunati -- "Mesmerizing"

Kunati's May releases hot in advance orders --

MADicine by Derek Armstrong

STARRED FEATURED MYSTERY REVIEW American Library Association's Booklist (May 08 issue)
"Mesmerizing Satirical Thriller"
ISBN 9781601640178 Cloth $24.95

"Armstrong's first two novels (The Game and The Last Troubador, both 2007) amply demonstrated his talent, but his latest, a mesmerizing satirical thriller, is the best of the lot. Alban Bane, from The Game, returns as the caustic Scottish doctor who is head of the World Advance Response Team (with the unfortunate nickname WART). This time Bane is called upon when otherwise normal, happy people seem to be going on murderous rampages across the globe. Yes, Bane learns the cause of the pandemic (a virus intending to cure violent has made its way into society), but how can WART possibly stop its spread? Bane puts together a team made up of three women -- his "angels" (and you can call him Charlie . . . ) -- including his kung-fu expert assistant, a Harvard-trained (and gorgeous) doctor from the CDC, and a pop star; together they make a plan to save the world, which requires globetrotting from L.A. to Hong Kong to Africa as they pursue the virus and its origins. Armstrong manages the difficult proposition of satirizing the very genre in which he's writing but not settling for a simple spoof. Like Ian Fleming, he
somehow combines over-the-top satire with genuinely suspenseful action. His ear for funny and believable
dialogue goes a long way to making this trick possible. Celebrate the upcoming centeneary of Ian Fleming's birth by reading this book.
— Mary Frances Wilkens

View the scorching hot trailer below.

Callous by T K Kenyon
Author of Rabid

"Intrigue, Salicious carryings-on, scientific research, religious fervor, crisp character studies, considerable tension on the way up to a suprising finish." Booklist Review (May 08)

ISBN 9781601640222 Cloth $24.95

When the pretty daughter of Zeke James dissapears in the middle of the night, ADA Diane Marshall and her huband Deputy Max Konstantin investigate the missing girl's unusual behavior before her kidnapping. When forensics indicates a serial killer, a small town erupts in a paranoia-fest fed by false memories and sensational rumors. Neighbor suspects neighbor of being Satanists, serial killers, or worse. Readers of crime novels and psychological thrillers will meet their match in the labyrinthine plot. Themes of false memory and confession, criminal profiling, mob psychology, the meaning of religious experience and the nature of evil percolate through the story with satisfying intelligence and wit.

Views the "wicked" trailer below.

Miracle Myx by Dave Diotalevi

"A wickedly funny, suprisingly moving genre-bending tale of small-town secrets, lies, and revenge." STARRED Booklist Review (May 08)

ISBN 9781601641557 Cloth $24.95

Fourteen-year old Myx Amens has died twice and hasn't slept in three years. He fills his hours solving mysteries with his synesthetic mind and an eidetic memory. The most original crime-solver of the year!

Click on any screen to play the trailers from Kam Wai Yu (inventor of the book trailer in 1988)

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Two more Book Video Trailers from Kam Wai Yu for Kunati!

Two more stunning book trailers from the inventor of the book video Kam Wai Yu, this time for the critically acclaimed Bathtub Admirals by Jeff Huber and Linda Merlino's Belly of the Whale

- Bathtub Admirals reviews -- "A profane and hilarious parody of the post-Cold War navy … Populated by outrageous characters and fueled with pompous outrage, Huber's irreverent broadside will pummel the funny bone of anyone who's served." -- Publishers Weekly
# "A witty, wacky, wildly outrageous novel that skewers just about anything you'd care to name … a remarkably accomplished book, striking just the right balance between ridicule and insight." Booklist

- Belly of the Whale review -- "A riveting story, both powerful and poignant in its telling. Merlino's immense talent shines on every page."
—Howard Roughan, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Promise of A Lie Co-Author of SAIL and You've Been Warned

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Four New Novel Trailers from the Inventor of the Book Video

Award-Winning Creative Director Kam Wai Yu invented the book video / novel trailer back in 1988, according to Book Standard.

The trailer has become ubiquitous in the book industry, and thanks to Kam's work at Kunati books as creative director, and as principal of Persona Corp and Blogertize, the trailers have been widely adopted in other industries such as technology products and government awards programs.

Here are the latest four trailers for Kunati's critically-acclaimed spring season (Click on any image and wait for video to stream) from the ingenious creative mind of the inventor of the book video - novel trailer:

Critical Acclaim for the books profiled in these thrilling book trailers:
- MADicine, Derek Armstrong -- "Detective Alban Bane's second outing takes a satirical look at genetics research companies, zombie films and more in Armstrong's action-packed novel." -- Publisher's Weekly

- Hunting the King, Peter Clenott -- "A very readable thriller ... Da Vinci Code-like draw of this compelling variation on the familiar theme of a lost artifact that could change the world. Fans of intellectual thrillers and historical fiction will find a worthy new voice in Clenott." -- Booklist

- Unholy Domain, Dan Ronco -- "A solid futuristic thriller." -- Booklist

- Janeology, Karen Harrington -- "Harrington begins with a fascinating premise and develops it fully. Tom and his wife emerge as compelling, complexly developed individuals. This debut novel is as much a character study as a legal thriller." -- Booklist

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A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author and Movie Deal for Kunati 2008

31 Authors - Pulitzer Prize-Winner - NY Times Bestselling Author - Sequels from Hit Authors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Kunati Books, "a publisher to watch" according to ALA's Booklist, promises a big year in 2008 with the addition of twenty-two titles, including a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and a soon-to-be-a-motion-picture novel release.

"This year we're particularly excited to announce so many hot titles and authors," publisher Derek Armstrong said. "Pulitzer Prize winning NY Times bestseller John E. Mack joins our list with a commemorative illustrated edition of his Passport to the Cosmos. Joshua Corin is a most welcome addition, especially now that his amazing novel Nuclear Winter Wonderland is to be a major 2009 motion picture. Booksellers and reviewers really paid attention in 2007. But this year, Kunati's definitely the name to watch."

Spring 2008 has already seen strong advance orders for a critically-acclaimed list of unique fiction, including MADicine, the second Alban Bane thriller by satirical thriller novelist Derek Armstrong, and Hunting the King by Peter Clenott -- already being favorably compared by reviewers to Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code.

Libraries and chains have particularly responded to early buzz about Bathtub Admirals, a "true story" satirical novel of naval and political incompetence from retired US Navy Commander Jeff Huber. Returning from a great 2007 performance with Rabid, T K Kenyon's Callous is also hot on advance orders. Dan Ronco's UnHoly Domain has been compared by reviewers to Phillip K. Dick and earned praise from many bestselling authors.

Kunati's intelligent choices of unique voices has led to movie-option negotiations, development deals, a flurry of interest in translation rights, and:
· 31 authors
· Kunati's first Tarot deck/book set, a very unique set that combines Quantum physics and Tarot imagery in the Quantum Tarot

· Six acclaimed new thrillers, including MADicine, sequel to the 2007 hit The Game.
· Several non-fiction titles, including the much-anticipated Hide & Seek: How I Laughed at Depression, Conquered My Fears and Found Happiness, by sitcom writer Wendy Aron
· Blogertize, a breakout "How-to Make Money" book on blogging with secrets of a twenty-year expert marketer
· The return of Armstrong's hugely popular historical-fantasy-tarot trilogy in The Last Quest, book two after last year's hit The Last Troubadour.
· An inspirational book of hope for those who have suffered sexual abuse, Courage in Patience, from Beth Fehlbaum
· Breakthrough fiction, including: The Master Planets from Donald Gallinger; A Decent Ransom, A Story of Kidnapping Gone Right from Ivana Hruba; a twice-dead crime-solver in the sensational Miracle Myx from Dave Diotalevi; a legal thriller ripped right from the headlines in Janeology by Karen Harrington; Heart of Diamonds from journalist Dave Donelson an international adventure set in the darkest Congo; and Belly of the Whale, a powerful and poignant story of a woman battling cancer who finds the will to live after confronting a murderer.

"We're fortunate to have so many fine authors to choose from," Armstrong explained. "Our authors-first philosophy led to over 8500 submissions last year. Our 2007 cloth editions were so popular, most of them are releasing in trade paper in fall of this year."

Kunati's many titles in 2007 are still selling well in cloth, including unique titles:

· Mothering Mother, the family caregiving masterpiece from Carol D. O'Dell, a popular guest on TV, with appearances on CNN and FOX TV
· The Game, Alban Bane's first thriller from Derek Armstrong, a critically acclaimed jab at reality TV
· Rabid, from T K Kenyon, described as "impressive" by Publishers Weekly and landing to strong sales and starred reviews
· Popular post-Civil War historical Women of Magdalene from Rosemary Poole-Carter
· The Last Troubadour, which caught the imagination of historical fans and Tarot fans alike
· Truth or Bare, a stylish character-driven crime thriller from Richard Cahill
· On Ice from beloved humorist Red Evans
· bang Bang: How Paula Sherman Took On the Gun Lobby and Changed America, a literary masterpiece by Lynn Hoffman
· Whale Song from Canadian Cheryl Kaye Tardif, "already a hit" according to Booklist
· Golf slapstick with Todd Sentell's Toonamint of Champions
· UK humor from Andy Tilley's sensational Recycling Jimmy
· A journey back to the hip sixties in Shadow of Innocence from Ric Wasley
· Young adult adventure in Art Tirrell's popular The Secret Ever Keeps.

About Kunati

Kunati Books has been described as "a publisher to watch" from ALA's Booklist and "what a publisher looks like if the marketing department runs things" by Quill and Quire. With thirty-one authors, a Pulitzer Prize- winner, and movie deals for books, Kunati is a major force in independent publishing.

Kunati became an instant hit with its "authors-first approach." Founded by published authors, Kunati became an immediate focus for authors, with thousands of submissions per year. Careful selection led to critical acclaim for all published titles. Distributed internationally through Independent Publishers Group, Canadian Manda and other groups, and through all major wholesalers, Kunati quickly became popular with booksellers, and in particular the independents.

Kunati is also very loyal to its libarian friends.

Fresh, acclaimed fiction and non-fiction also makes Kunati a major target of movie-rights buyers. Nuclear Winter Wonderland, a Kunati title from Joshua Corin, is soon to be a major movie. Other titles are optioned or in negotiation.

About Kunati's Publisher
Best known for historical thrillers and mystery thrillers, Derek Armstrong is also a screenwriter, publisher and well-known marketing guru. His defining signature style was described by Booklist as "brilliance in which Armstrong blends comedy, parody, and adventure in genuinely innovative ways." Armstrong is the creator of Alban Bane, featured in the Alban Bane thrillers The Game and MADicine, a character affectionately compared by critics to House M.D., the TV character. He is the author of the popular Song of Montségurhistorical trilogy, including The Last Troubadour and The Last Quest. He is also author of two non-fiction titles: Blogertize-A Leading Expert Shows How Your Blog Can Be A Money-Making Machine and The Persona Principle: How to Succeed in Business with Image-Marketing. Forthcoming in 2009 is a breakthrough Harry Potter competitor: Magick Inc.

Derek Armstrong has won many awards for advertising copywriting internationally and wrote The Persona Principle (Simon & Schuster) with co-author Kam Wai Yu, now translated to five languages.
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Sizzling Hot Trailers from the Inventor of the Book Video
originally posted: July 14, 2007

In the early eighties, the principals of Kunati Books invented the book trailer. Kunati's spring and summer book trailers of 07 generated over 2 million hits to the videos on the web page.

Now, here's a sneak peak at hot new novel trailers for Kunati's Sizzling Hot Fall Releases!

Women of Magdalene
Post Civil War Historical by Rosemary Poole-Carter
The women of Magdalene are dying and no one seems to care, least of all the haughty Dr. Kingston, the director of the genteel Ladies' Lunatic Asylum. ISBN 978-1-60164-014-7.

To View More of Kunati's famous trailers, please visit our trailer page by clicking here.

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Fan Comments on The Last Troubadour, by Derek Armstrong, from Kunati Books: "I'm a big fan!" C. Gerus

"This is the best book I've read. I mean the best ever." Jenine

"I really enjoy how you used the tarot as a form of story telling and synchronistic insight. Visceral and exciting." M Cathcart

"I absolutely can't wait to read book two. You grabbed me. I couldn't put it down." J. Friday

"Very exciting. Thank you." J. Eckrich

"I sat down to savor. I gobbled it up in one weekend. Amazing." D. Carus

"Magnificent. Wise. Bawdy. Funny. Exciting. Tarot. What more could anyone ask?" Wise Tarot Magazine

"Don't miss this book! Derek Armstrong, get writing!! I'm ready for the sequels to this book. Very well written, engrossing, and just enough humor to balance the rather graphic description of people burning at the stake. I heartily concur with the jacket: "An author to watch"... and worth waiting for, although I want them NOW!! Great history, wonderful characterizations. So, Derek, are you ready to publish the next two books yet? This avid fan is very eagerly, but not so patiently, waiting." S Otis

"Wow!" S Fastow

"My only regret, next fall is a long time to wait for the sequel! I'm telling everyone to read!" E. McGee

"My only complaint is the ending. I didn't want it to end." B Cunningham

"I can't wait for the second book." M. Ross

"The Last Troubadour was amazing!" Ana

"Life is myth and archetypes and Armstrong depicts both with brilliance." K Harrington

"I love The Last Troubadour. It's thrilling!" S. Francis

"The Inquisition, a crusade, tarot, Cathars? I'm in! As soon as I found there was a quest for a holy relic, I was hooked, and stayed hooked until the conclusion." D. Diotalevi

"I really enjoyed it! More, please." Leslie

"if you're smart you'll get it. And love it." T Sentell

"Is it historical fiction, thriller, epic, romance, adventure, biting satire? All of the above." R Carter

"All the colors of humanity into his characters, among them duty, compassion, and humor." K Harrington

"This novel is like a house on fire. This story moves!" R. Metcalf

"Intriguing!" C Hawkes

"Itching to read the rest. Loved it." C. Bly

"Beyond fascinating. Loved it." E. Martin

"I have just had the enormous luck of having "The Last Troubadour - Song of Montsegur", by Derek Armstrong, cross my path. The key to this book ... at least in the eyes of most Tarotists, is that Armstrong has chosen to model his major characters after Tarot archetypes. His writing is superb, and his characters full blooded people, not two dimensional works of art on paper.

The setting for the novel is 13th century Europe, in the city of Carcassonne. The plot is one of cunning and intrigue. Part humor, history, part mystery, this rowdy, bawdy book is a marvelous read! "Bonnie

Comments from one of the biggest Tarot Forums online:
"Put this on your wish list for Christmas!"
"I loved your book!"
"My favorite character is Death. It helped me visualize the card. The whole novel is like a journey through the Tarot. Thank you."
"My only criticism is your Devil character. I have to wait for book two for the Devil? I loved it."
"Reading your book helped me overcome a block in designing my own deck. Your archetypes are perfect!"

Derek Armstrong is not only the publisher at Kunati Books, he is also known for his top-selling historical thrillers and mystery thrillers. His defining writing style was described by ALA Booklist as "brilliance in which Armstrong blends comedy, parody, and adventure in genuinely innovative ways."

Armstrong co-founded Kunati, a publisher with offices in both USA and Canada (distributed by Independent Publishers Group) and around the world in Australia, UK, Europe, US Military Bases, Hong Kong and most of Asia, the Middle East and most countries of Africa. Kunati has grown its list in two short years to include 37 titles including:a Pulitzer Prize-winning author(John Mack), a title with a movie in development with United Artists, and many critically-acclaimed strong sellers in both non-fiction and fiction. Armstrong is the author of the critically acclaimed The Game, MADicine, The Last Troubadour, The Last Quest and Blogertize.