I've often been asked in interviews and in group talks if I have a favorite book. For 12 years my answer has been, "I love each book equally, they are each like a child. Well, now I must admit I do have a favorite: GRIM REAPER. This book took me to places in my mind that I never knew existed, and every time I read it I learn something knew. It is the deepest story I have ever read, let alone wrote. It means so much to me to be able to share it first with my loyal newsletter readers, and every month until it debuts on 10-10-10 I will share a little bit more. Here's the opening Author Message and the PROLOGUE. All excerpts are from the unedited Advanced Reader Copy, so there may be typos. First edition hardbacks can be preordered at Amazon or through your local bookstores. I PROMISE, they will be collector items.

The paperback is filtering into stores. Tor/Forge is using BOTH covers of the Megalodon featured in the Tanaka Lagoon viewing tank. If you never read the story, you are in for a treat.

We've done a total revamp, including an opening trailer and great new images.

When will they listen? I wrote about this in 1996!!!!

Just Right T-Shirts provides custom screen printing, embroidery & promotional products that can promote any business, product, or party. I've known Rex at Just Right T-Shirts for 20 years. He's trustworthy, does excellent work, and has the best prices. Please contact Rex Knofsky for information & price quotes. Visit him online or call (954) 772-8401. Mention you're a fan of Steve Alten (promo code SA-NEWS) when you call to receive special pricing."

**Do you have a product or service you can offer Steve Alten fans at a discount? Send me a brief description and we may be able to include it in a future newsletter (no fee, just offer my readers something special).

Go to the link below.

*IF YOU HAVE A LIVING TIP YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, please e-mail to me at [email protected] Put LIVING TIP in the subject line.

From Steve:

Since being diagnosed with Parkinsons, I decided to grow organic fruit trees in my backyard. It's frightening how much pesticides are absorbed in our fruit we buy in stores. The trees have really been a blessing. I recently met BILL MEE, perhaps the most knowledgeable organic fruit tree grower in Florida. Bill owns a Lychee Fruit Tree farm in South Florida and ships trees everywhere. I now own three Lychee trees and asked Bill to write something for the reader newsletter. I highly recommend you check out his website and order a tree, they are inexpensive, grow fast, and can feed your family and improve your help! Tell Bill you heard about it in my newsletter and he'll give you the VIP treatment.

From Bill: Lychee fruit originated in Southern China and are the most popular tropical fruit in Asia. They are growing in popularity within the U.S. as more people try them and discover the unique and delicious sub-acid sweet flavor and intriguing fragrance. Lychees are grown in Southern Florida where the climate is sub-tropical. The fruit grows in clusters on an attractive evergreen hardwood tree and ripens in late May and June. Like many popular fruits there are several varieties of lychee with different flavor and physical characteristics with common names such as "Sweetheart", "Brewster", "Mauritius" and "Emperor". A thin reddish brown to greenish yellow skin encloses a juicy aril with the consistency of a grape. Normally, you peel away the skin and pop the fruit into your mouth and enjoy a marvelous taste sensation. Lychee fruit are very high in vitamin C and a recent study has shown that they contain the compound Oligonol, which can promote the loss of belly fat. Lychees from our orchard in Broward County Florida are grown organically. We use no pesticides, chemical fertilizers or herbicides. During the season we hand pick the fruit and ship them throughout the US via express shipping. To learn more about lychee fruit, trees and recipes go to the link below.

Amazingly, everything in The Loch details these new revelations:

Why can't Helen Keller drive? Because she's a woman.

Two men walking down the street witness a dog licking its privates. One man says, "Boy, I wish I could do that." His friend responds, "You'd better see if you can pet him first."

*IF YOU HAVE A JOKE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, please e-mail to me at [email protected] Put JOKE in the subject line.

Recipe by : Elizabeth Powell. Serving size : 8 Preparation Time :1:30 Categories : Ethnic Vegetables

Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds eggplant -- peeled & sliced, 1 pound zucchini - sliced, 1 large sweet green peppers - sliced, 1 1/2 cups onion - sliced, 3 cloves garlic - minced, 1/4 cup olive oil, 4 large red ripe tomatoes -- peel, seed, & slice, 1 teaspoon basil, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, black pepper.

Combine eggplant slices, zucchini slices, and green pepper slices in a large oven-safe bowl. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of salt and pour a quart of boiling water over the vegetables. Let stand 10 minutes, drain and pat dry. In a large skillet, cook the onions and garlic cloves in olive oil until softened. Spread onion mixture on the bottom of an oiled shallow 2 quart baking dish. Arrange half the vegetable mixture on top of the onion mixture and spread it with half the tomato slices. Sprinkle the tomatoes with 2 tablespoons Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Arrange the remaining vegetables and tomatoes in layers in the baking dish and season them with 1/2 teaspoon basil and salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and bread crumbs and drizzle with olive oil. Bake at 400�� for 45 minutes.

IF YOU HAVE A RECIPE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, please e-mail to me at [email protected] Put RECIPE in the subject line.

Congrats to Mike Esola on the publication of his book: "You Have A College Degree, Now What?" The transition between college to the real world can be challenging and mystifying. It is this unknown journey that can leave individuals in a position where recovery may never be possible. This book will help you theorize, strategize, and execute for a future that many college graduates hope to obtain. As a father of a sixteen year old, I know Mike's book would serve as a valuable resource. Go to the link below.