science fiction

Book Review & Giveaway: The Darker the Skies by Bryan Prosek

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Book Title:  The Darker the Skies by Bryan Prosek
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17), 292 pages
Genre: YA Science Fiction 
Publisher:  CamCat Books 
Release date:  November 2022
Content Rating: PG. It’s very clean.

It only takes one to make a difference.

Just days before Jake Saunders plans on proposing to the love of his life, Jake is called upon once again to save his home, Earth. The Earthen Legion troops and its allies think they’re battling only pirates, but a new, more powerful foe from another galaxy flanks their forces and invades, in search of a weapon the planet didn’t even know it had.

​When Jake learns that this new enemy was responsible for the death of his father many years ago, he realizes he can finally face his true nemesis. The odds are stacked against Jake, but with the help of his friends and allies he’s made along the way, he must rally the remaining Legion troops and retake Earth before it’s too late. The fate of Earth and the fate of his love, rest in the balance.

Buy the Book:
CamCat Books
Audible ~ Amazon
B&N ~ IndieBound ~ BookShop
add to goodreads

My Review

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from iRead Book Tours. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. The Darker the Skies is the second book in a series. The first book, The Brighter the Stars, was good, and I was looking forward to listening to this one.

It is seven or eight years after Jake and his best friend, Cal, helped to save Earth from attack. Now they are posted on the planet that Diane is on so that Jake can be near her because she is the love of his life.

Unfortunately, with peace for that long, Earth has gotten lax with its defenses so when there is an attack, they lose quickly. Again, it’s up to Jake and Cal to save Earth.

I like the character development which continues in the second book. I especially liked learning about some things that I knew had to have more of a backstory!

The narrator was very good. His pace and voice worked for this story. I was able to tell the difference between the different characters by just a small change in his voice for each one.

I’ve always enjoyed young adult books and this one is no exception. It has young love, loss, action and more. I recommend The Darker the Skies, and although it does stand on its own, I recommend reading or listening to The Brighter the Stars first. This series was written for young adults but adults who like sci-fi will enjoy it as well. The only thing I’m not thrilled about is that it ends on a cliffhanger, and the next book isn’t out yet!

About the Author

Bryan Prosek is a science fiction writer and business attorney. Along with his debut The Brighter the Stars and the forthcoming A Measure of Serenity, he has published books and articles in legal trade journals and magazines. When he isn’t writing or practicing law, you can probably find him watching science fiction movies or television shows. He loves the big screen and the small screen. There’s a good chance that he’ll be watching one of the numerous Star Trek movies or series, but he could be watching anything from Guardians of the Galaxy to The Conjuring.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of THE DARKER THE SKIES

(2 winners/USA only)

Gleam

Follow the Tour

Nov 14 –Rockin’ Book Reviews – books spotlight / giveaway
Nov 15 –Cover Lover Book Review – books spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 15 –The Momma Spot – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Nov 17 –Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Nov 18 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Nov 18 –Liese’s Blog – books spotlight
Nov 18 – Splashes of Joy – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Nov 21 – Books are a Blessing – audiobook review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Nov 21 – Splashes of Joy – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Nov 22 – FUONLYKNEW – books spotlight / author interview  giveaway
Nov 22 – Books are a Blessing – audiobook review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Nov 23 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Nov 23 – The Momma Spot – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Nov 25 – JennaReadStuff – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Nov 28 – Book Corner News and Reviews – audiobook review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Nov 28 – Lady Hawkeye – books spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 29 – fundinmental – books spotlight / giveaway
Nov 29 – Book Corner News and Reviews –book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Nov 30 – Jazzy Book Reviews – books spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 30 – Adventures of a Traveler’s Wife – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Dec 1 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Dec 1 – Leels Loves Books – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Dec 2 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Dec 2 – The Obsessed Reader – audiobook review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Dec 5 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Dec 6 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Dec 6 – Literary Flits – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Dec 7 – Literary Flits – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Dec 7 – Adventures of a Traveler’s Wife – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Dec 8 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Dec 8 – Leels Loves Books – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Dec 9 – The Obsessed Reader – audiobook review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
TBD – @Happy_planner_vibes – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
TBD – @Happy_planner_vibes – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
TBD – JennaReadStuff – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway

Book Review & Giveaway: The Brighter the Stars by Bryan Prosek

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Book Title:  The Brighter the Stars by Bryan Prosek
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17),  256 pages
Genre: YA Science Fiction 
Publisher:  CamCat Books 
Release date:  November 2020
Content Rating: PG. It’s very clean.

Caught between love and revenge, Jake has one chance to live up to the man his uncle was.

Earth crashed into interstellar politics as a lightweight, lagging so far behind other planetary weapons systems everyone feared they wouldn’t survive first contact with other worlds without quick action. By 2185, Earth had united itself into five geographic sectors and developed a defense system powerful enough to keep aggressors at bay—for now, at least.

Jake Saunders became a Legion soldier to honor the memory of his war hero uncle, who was brutally murdered in front of him when he was still a young teen. Fast forward a few years, and Jake and his best friend Cal have been tasked with escorting Cal’s older sister Diane to become Earth’s ambassador on a far-off planet. It’s the opportunity of Diane’s career, very likely a lifetime post. But for Jake, that could mean a lifetime’s heartbreak. He has loved Diane since they were kids, and every step closer to that ambassador assignment is a step closer to goodbye.

​But somebody is after more than Earth’s defense, and Jake, Cal, and Diane are on a trajectory to crash headlong into that dangerous plot. Somebody wants to play Earth against its most immediate threat, Craton, and convince both to develop super weapons—and he’s working with the person who killed Jake’s uncle all those years ago. When he reappears on Jake, Cal, and Diane’s journey to the ambassadorship, Jake is faced with difficult choices to look out for his friends and honor his uncle’s memory.

Buy the Book:
CamCat Books
Audible ~ Amazon
B&N ~ IndieBound ~ BookShop
add to goodreads

My Review

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from iRead Book Tours. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

The Brighter the Stars begins with Jake when he’s a teen. He lives with his aunt and uncle because his parents died when he was little, so his uncle is like a dad to him. Horrifically, he witnesses his uncle’s death. This changes his life to the point that he’s obsessed with finding and exacting revenge on the murderer, a Cratonite.

Eight years later, Jake and his best friend, Cal, have enlisted and are tasked with taking Cal’s sister and Jake’s lifelong crush, Diane, to a distant planet which happens to be near Craton. That’s when the adventure truly begins with close calls, twists, fighting for their lives, and more.

The narrator was very good. His pace and voice worked for this story. I was able to tell the difference between the different characters by just a small change in his voice for each one.

I’ve always enjoyed young adult books and this one is no exception. It has young love, loss, action and more. I recommend The Brighter the Stars to young adults as well as adults who like sci-fi. I’m looking forward to listening to the next book, The Darker the Skies soon.

About the Author

Bryan Prosek is a science fiction writer and business attorney. Along with his debut The Brighter the Stars and the forthcoming A Measure of Serenity, he has published books and articles in legal trade journals and magazines. When he isn’t writing or practicing law, you can probably find him watching science fiction movies or television shows. He loves the big screen and the small screen. There’s a good chance that he’ll be watching one of the numerous Star Trek movies or series, but he could be watching anything from Guardians of the Galaxy to The Conjuring.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of THE DARKER THE SKIES

(2 winners/USA only)

Gleam

Follow the Tour

Nov 14 –Rockin’ Book Reviews – books spotlight / giveaway
Nov 15 –Cover Lover Book Review – books spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 15 –The Momma Spot – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Nov 17 –Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Nov 18 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Nov 18 –Liese’s Blog – books spotlight
Nov 18 – Splashes of Joy – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Nov 21 – Books are a Blessing – audiobook review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Nov 21 – Splashes of Joy – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Nov 22 – FUONLYKNEW – books spotlight / author interview  giveaway
Nov 22 – Books are a Blessing – audiobook review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Nov 23 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Nov 23 – The Momma Spot – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Nov 25 – JennaReadStuff – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Nov 28 – Book Corner News and Reviews – audiobook review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Nov 28 – Lady Hawkeye – books spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 29 – fundinmental – books spotlight / giveaway
Nov 29 – Book Corner News and Reviews –book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Nov 30 – Jazzy Book Reviews – books spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 30 – Adventures of a Traveler’s Wife – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Dec 1 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Dec 1 – Leels Loves Books – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Dec 2 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Dec 2 – The Obsessed Reader – audiobook review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Dec 5 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Dec 6 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Dec 6 – Literary Flits – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
Dec 7 – Literary Flits – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Dec 7 – Adventures of a Traveler’s Wife – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Dec 8 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Dec 8 – Leels Loves Books – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
Dec 9 – The Obsessed Reader – audiobook review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
TBD – @Happy_planner_vibes – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway
TBD – @Happy_planner_vibes – book review of THE DARKER THE SKIES / giveaway
TBD – JennaReadStuff – book review of THE BRIGHTER THE STARS / giveaway

Book Review: Project Nowhere by Lucienne LeBeau

sleepygirl2

Preparation for desolation is the goal of one group of six scientists. Yet as they brave the cold and isolation of Antarctica, they face an unseen enemy that feeds off fear. An experiment-turned-trial that pits humankind against its greatest fears, who will survive to tell the tale?

My Review

Talk about an experiment gone wrong! Or did it? I had several questions at the end of the book, but I didn’t mind for a change. It was a good ending for a horror novel.

There is quite a bit of suspense although it could have been even more suspenseful if some of the characters weren’t so dumb! A couple times as I was reading, I kept saying, “No!” It was like watching a horror movie.

The author’s writing is easy to follow, and it was a quick read. I may have to check out more of her books when I have a moment. If you like horror/suspense, you’ll like this book if you don’t mind some unanswered questions.

About the Author:

Lucienne LeBeau is the author of the Silver Hollow trilogy as well as short stories and twisted fiction. Her background in mental health counselling has allowed her to experience life from both sides of the couch. She specializes in cosmic horror and bent realities.  Her other books include “The Walking Doctor”, “Dubbs House”, “Now Entering Silver Hollow” and “Mercy Hospital”.

Facebook

Amazon

More Reviews of PROJECT NOWHERE:

DMJ
5.0 out of 5 stars  Trapped in frozen isolation with nowhere to hide
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2022

“This is a gripping horror novel. It’s really well-written.

It takes place in the vast white remoteness of Antarctica where a group of scientists engage in an experiment which goes horribly wrong. There’s no place to escape, no place to run.

It reminded me of a movie I saw decades ago called “The Thing” which takes place in a research site in Antarctica.

Loved it! I would recommend this suspenseful thriller to others, and I think it would also make a good move.

I’ll probably read a few other novels by this author as well to see if they’re as good as this one.”

Cassandra
5.0 out of 5 stars

“This is a fiction piece that suits the genre of horror/thriller nicely with bits of comedic relief. The overall plot is compelling and I was left with several questions at the end, which I think is brilliant as it leaves the possibility for a sequel and/or it leaves it up to the mind of the reader to decide what they think was going on. If we assume this world and this creature are factual then the events are believable…

I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good thriller or horror genre as well as anyone that is okay being left with more questions than answers at the end.”

“Project Nowhere” by Lucienne LeBeau is available in paperback from Amazon at:

The e-book version can also be downloaded from Amazon at:

Audiobook Review: Progeny’s Descendants by Ray Jay Perreault

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Over 1,600 years after leaving an Earth made hostile by pollution, humanity developed faster-than-light travel and wanted to go home. The first ship enters Earth’s orbit and finds a pristine planet welcoming them, but they also find something else living there. Their first alien contact surprises them.

Generations of humans were told of Earth’s beauty, and they found an intelligent race of artificial beings living on what they thought was their home.

Can they have Earth back?

How will the confrontation between humans and robots end?

Amazon

Audible

My Review

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Progeny’s Descendants starts with humans who left Earth to go to their new planet, Horizon, after they depleted the resources that support life on Earth. It took 300 years to get to the planet, but they didn’t make the same mistakes that they’d made on Earth, and the planet remained clean.

Even though Horizon was a good fit, the goal of the people was always to return to Earth. After 1300 years of research, they learned how to travel light years quickly, so they were ready to return to Earth if it had recovered from their mistreatment.

I had read Progeny, so I knew that there were robots on Earth who didn’t remember that they were created by humans. When humans return to reclaim what they believe is theirs, I was skeptical about how things would turn out knowing how humans feel entitled. The story ended on a cliffhanger so I’m not sure how things will work out yet, but I’m looking forward to finding out in the next book in the series.

I like the author’s writing style, and the characters are well developed. I especially liked the main characters, the commander and Helen.

The author narrates Progeny’s Descendants. At first, I cringed when I saw that because the last book I listened to that the author narrated was a nightmare. Ray Jay Perreault did a good job though.

If you like science fiction, I recommend this book.

About the Author

Ray is a prolific author that enjoys science fiction. He feels that genre is fertile ground to understand ourselves and where we’re going. He has written a mix of Sci-Fi stories, but tends to focus on stories with computers, post-apocalyptic themes and stories with strong morals, loyalties, and drama.

Ray was a Senior Pilot in the US Air Force and traveled to 27 countries around the world. His C-130 assignments ranged from landing in a farm field in Paraguay to entering East Berlin and experiencing Russian controllers giving him false headings.

Ray’s other assignment was as a T-38 instructor pilot. “The T-38 is the best plane in the word; two pilots, two engines, and two afterburners.” Two of his remarkable experiences included training the first class of female pilots and receiving an Air Commendation medal for saving a T-38 that blew an engine during a touch and go, saving himself and the student pilot on board.

After his Air Force career, Ray enjoyed a long and exciting career with Northrop Grumman. During the 28 years at Northrop, some of the highlights included work as the Lead Wind Tunnel test engineer on the F-20, F-23, F-18, and B-2. His career progressed to be the Deputy Manager of Engineering for the Tri-Service Stand-Off Attack Missile (TSSM). Later he was responsible for all the computers at Ryan Aeronautical, then all of the computers on the B-2 Bomber program.

Ray hopes you enjoy his work, and he looks forward to sharing many new and exciting stories.

New Release: Project Nowhere by Lucienne LeBeau

sleepygirl2

Preparation for desolation is the goal of one group of six scientists. Yet as they brave the cold and isolation of Antarctica, they face an unseen enemy that feeds off fear. An experiment-turned-trial that pits humankind against its greatest fears, who will survive to tell the tale?

About the Author:

Lucienne LeBeau is the author of the Silver Hollow trilogy as well as short stories and twisted fiction. Her background in mental health counselling has allowed her to experience life from both sides of the couch. She specializes in cosmic horror and bent realities.  Her other books include “The Walking Doctor”, “Dubbs House”, “Now Entering Silver Hollow” and “Mercy Hospital”.

Facebook

Amazon

Reviews of PROJECT NOWHERE:

DMJ
5.0 out of 5 stars  Trapped in frozen isolation with nowhere to hide
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2022

“This is a gripping horror novel. It’s really well-written.

It takes place in the vast white remoteness of Antarctica where a group of scientists engage in an experiment which goes horribly wrong. There’s no place to escape, no place to run.

It reminded me of a movie I saw decades ago called “The Thing” which takes place in a research site in Antarctica.

Loved it! I would recommend this suspenseful thriller to others, and I think it would also make a good move.

I’ll probably read a few other novels by this author as well to see if they’re as good as this one.”

Cassandra
5.0 out of 5 stars

“This is a fiction piece that suits the genre of horror/thriller nicely with bits of comedic relief. The overall plot is compelling and I was left with several questions at the end, which I think is brilliant as it leaves the possibility for a sequel and/or it leaves it up to the mind of the reader to decide what they think was going on. If we assume this world and this creature are factual then the events are believable…

I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good thriller or horror genre as well as anyone that is okay being left with more questions than answers at the end.”

“Project Nowhere” by Lucienne LeBeau is available in paperback from Amazon at:

The e-book version can also be downloaded from Amazon at:

 

Press/Media Contact Details:

Darin Jewell (literary agent & publicist for Lucienne LeBeau)
Managing Director, The Inspira Group Literary Agency
Tel. 0208 292 5163
E-mail: darin@theinspiragroup.com

Audiobook Review: Progeny by Ray Jay Perreault

sleepygirl2

Their society was efficient and controlled by the Conformity Council who enforced the Four Laws. All was well until Helen followed the laws and discovered how her kind were created.

Helen followed the third law, to Expand Their Knowledge, and studied a lessor creator on their planet. Within that creature’s DNA she found a second DNA string which described another creature. That information along with artifacts of the lower creatures provided important clues.

Who created them, and why?
Should she use the second set of DNA, to clone their creators?

Amazon

Audible

My Review

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

This is an interesting short story. It’s a quick listen and intrigued me enough that I want to listen to the next book to see what happens.

I thought that I wasn’t going to like the narrator until I realized that the characters were all robots. He used a monotone voice because of that, and it didn’t take me long to get used to it.

It’s a whole new world in the future after humans have depleted the resources that support life and only robots remain. It’s been a long time because the robots don’t remember that they were created by humans.

Helen, one of the robots, finds evidence that humans created them, and although robots don’t have emotions, they are curious. She wants to create whatever the DNA string is that was left behind so long ago. Will she be allowed to do just that? I think the answer is in the next book (full-length), and I’m going to start listening to it right away!

About the Author

Ray is a prolific author that enjoys science fiction. He feels that genre is fertile ground to understand ourselves and where we’re going. He has written a mix of Sci-Fi stories, but tends to focus on stories with computers, post-apocalyptic themes and stories with strong morals, loyalties, and drama.

Ray was a Senior Pilot in the US Air Force and traveled to 27 countries around the world. His C-130 assignments ranged from landing in a farm field in Paraguay to entering East Berlin and experiencing Russian controllers giving him false headings.

Ray’s other assignment was as a T-38 instructor pilot. “The T-38 is the best plane in the word; two pilots, two engines, and two afterburners.” Two of his remarkable experiences included training the first class of female pilots and receiving an Air Commendation medal for saving a T-38 that blew an engine during a touch and go, saving himself and the student pilot on board.

After his Air Force career, Ray enjoyed a long and exciting career with Northrop Grumman. During the 28 years at Northrop, some of the highlights included work as the Lead Wind Tunnel test engineer on the F-20, F-23, F-18, and B-2. His career progressed to be the Deputy Manager of Engineering for the Tri-Service Stand-Off Attack Missile (TSSM). Later he was responsible for all the computers at Ryan Aeronautical, then all of the computers on the B-2 Bomber program.

Ray hopes you enjoy his work, and he looks forward to sharing many new and exciting stories.

Book Review & Giveaway: The Loneliness of the Time Traveller by Erika Rummel

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The Loneliness of the Time Traveller by Erika Rummel

Publisher:  Inanna Publications (June 18, 2022)
Category: Science Fiction, Time Travel, Crime, Suspense, Supernatural
ISBN: 978-1771338783
Available in Print and ebook, 298 pages

Loneliness of the Time Traveller

Description

“It is a dreadful thing to be possessed, to be invaded by a spirit woman who commands your body and soul and looks out at the world through your eyes. It happened to me in 1778. Pray it will never happen to you.”

Adele’s diary tells the story of her domination by an incubus Lynne, a serving girl in a London ale house who died a violent death and commandeered Adele’s body for eight years. Can Adele be held responsible for Lynne’s crimes? Will the evil spirit return and renew her tyranny over Adele’s mind?

Lynne has moved on into the 21st century, but the transmigration has left her emotions flat. Lynne is eager to go back to her first life and experience once more the passion she felt for her lover, Jack. To do so, she needs a channel to the past: the manuscript of Adele’s diary, if only she can find it.

A time-slip novel set in contemporary Los Angeles and 18th century London, The Loneliness of the Time Traveller is a story of love, crime, and adventure combined with fantasy, a little bit of Jane Austen-style irony, and a healthy serving of social criticism.

Amazon
Indiebound
Bookshop.org
Inanna Publications & Education, Inc.

Guest Review by Sal

With, ‘The Loneliness of the Time Traveller,’ Erika Rummel brings you into a world of strange creatures who prey on the weak and dying, and can sometimes take over a person’s life entirely. These creatures are called transmigrants, a type of supernatural spirit who, after losing their original body, can inhabit the body of another person and stay there indefinitely.

Most of the time, the bodies that transmigrants inhabit get used up, dying on their own after the creature usurps the soul of the rightful inhabitant. But not every time. Enter Adele Collingwood. Adele is only a young woman when she has a brush with death. After her father’s sudden death, Adele is struck down by a fever that nearly claims her life. It is during this time, while she is on her deathbed, that a transmigrant named Lynne finds her.

Lynne makes herself right at home in Adele’s body, and stays with the girl for the next eight years until a shocking event Causes her to move on. Adele and Lynne commit a crime together, and centuries later, after Lynne has been through many more bodies, she decides that she wishes to return to Adele’s life, and that she must find a sample of the girl’s writing to travel back.

Rummel has written what, I think, stands as a modern classic science fiction novel. ‘The Loneliness of the Time Travel,’ has action, supernatural elements, shocking twists and two main characters, one whom you love to hate and one whom you can only root for.

Do you like your Sci-Fi novels to mix in horror and historical fiction? Then this is the book for you. Rummel has an excellent talent that makes the reader engage with the story in a way that they wouldn’t necessarily do with other books. I highly recommend this genre bending, unique novel. Five stars all around!

About the Author

Award winning author, Erika Rummel has taught history at the University of Toronto and Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo.

She divides her time between Toronto and Los Angeles and has lived in villages in Argentina, Romania, and Bulgaria.

She has published eight novels and more than a dozen books on social history of the Renaissance. A recipient of international fellowships and literary awards, she was honored in 2018 with a lifetime achievement award by the Renaissance Society of America.

Erika’s Website: http://www.erikarummel.com/
Erika’s Blog: http://rummelsincrediblestories.blogspot.ca/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/historycracks

Giveaway

This giveaway is for 2 print copies and is open to Canada and the U.S. only. This giveaway ends on October 8, 2022 midnight, pacific time.  Entries accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Book Review & Giveaway: Saving the Seas for the Purple and Green by Nancy Carlisle

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Book Title: Saving the Seas for the Purple and Green: A Story of Cleaning Up the Ocean by Nancy Carlisle
Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 34 pages
Genre: Juvenile fiction/science & nature/environment
Publisher: Sage Green Press
Release date: March 2022
Content Rating: G. There is nothing even close to PG or R in this book, it is totally G

A young girl loves the tide pools that she sees on her runs by the ocean, but one day notices garbage amongst the colorful creatures she finds there. Along the beach she meets conservationists cleaning up the beach who educate her about the dangers that trash pose to ocean life. She decides to help also.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
add to goodreads

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from iRead Book Tours. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Violet likes to be outside and enjoys going to the beach. While she is there, she sees sea creatures in tide pools and elsewhere on the beach. Sadly, she also sees a lot of trash. She learns from people and posters that trash, especially plastic, is a big problem in our oceans.

Saving the Seas for the Purple and Green is a story for children about the ocean and the problem we have with plastic. There is also extra information given on many pages about recycling, ways to possibly help with the crisis, etc. What an inspiration for kids to get involved!

Saving the Seas for the Purple and Green gives children the hope of making a difference. Washed Ashore is honored to have our work highlighted.”— Angela Hazeltine Pozzi, Founder of Washed Ashore

“A simple, relevant, and informative read that gives kids a positive outlook on what can be done to reduce our impact on the ocean.”— Taylor Lane, Creator of the Cigarette Surfboard

About the Author

Nancy Carlisle is an author and illustrator who writes hopeful books for kids that interweave facts and fiction about the environment and global responsibility. During her 38-year career as a sustainable architect and researcher, her focus was on the environment. She led work nationally and internationally on sustainable and energy efficient buildings and communities and won awards for collaboratively designing award-winning sustainable buildings, a laboratory campus, and improving the energy efficiency of U.S. laboratories. Since retiring, Nancy has worked as a volunteer teaching English as a Second Language and mentors first generation college students. She is a strong advocate against plastic waste not only because it pollutes our oceans and water but also because it contributes CO2 to our atmosphere.

​Nancy enjoys the outdoors and international travel. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Society of Environmental Journalists. She studies botanical illustrating and French language. 

connect with the author: website

Giveaway

Enter to Win a Signed Copy of
SAVING THE SEAS FOR THE PURPLE AND GREEN
Plus $25 Amazon Gift Card
(one winner/USA only)

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Aug 15 – Character Madness and Musings – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Aug 15 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Aug 16 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Aug 17 – Booking.with.janelle – book review / author interview
Aug 17 – Sandra’s Book Club – book review / giveaway
Aug 18 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
Aug 18 – She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway
Aug 19 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Aug 19 – Hall Ways Blog – book review / giveaway
Aug 22 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book review / author interview / giveaway
Aug 23 – Reading is My Passion – book review / giveaway
Aug 23 – My Reading Getaway – book review / author interview / giveaway
Aug 24 – FUONLYKNEW – book review / giveaway
​Aug 24 – Triquetra Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Aug 25 – Paws.Read.Repeat – book review / giveaway
Aug 26 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
Aug 26 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review / guest post / giveaway
Aug 29 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Aug 30 – Kam’s Place – book review
Aug 30 – Captive Dreams Window – book review / giveaway
Aug 30 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Aug 31 – Deborah-Zenha Adams – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Sep 1 – Pick a Good Book – book review / author interview / giveaway
​Sep 1 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Sep 2 – The Phantom Paragrapher – book review / giveaway

Book Review: Gateway: Destination DC by Jeff Dawson and Larry Welch

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Muki, Abdul, Judith and Larry endured a harrowing thirteen days in the bowels of the Pioche Complex with Professor Leonoid Skorzenzy. Relieved they survived the adventure, will they be able to resume the summer vacation they originally started out on or will the events of the past continue to haunt them?

And what of Nathan Francisco? Will he allow the kids to leave the confines of Nevada unscathed or will he make sure they never enjoy their new found fortune?

Did the message Judith deliver to General McCulloch reach the appropriate authorities, or is there something more sinister infecting the US GOVERNMENT?

Strap yourselves in for the continuing adventures!

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. I read the first book in the Gateway Series, Gateway: Pioche, and really liked it so I was looking forward to reading the second book.

Muki, Abdul, Larry and Judith were students at Stanford who are geniuses (geeks) and decided to go on vacation before starting work. They went Vegas and won a lot of money after learning to count cards from Larry. The mob is after them because they want that money back.

The characters are different and fairly well developed. Judith was not likeable at all in the first book, but she is getting better the more she’s with the other three. Abdul continues to put things in a Star Trek scenario but not nearly as much as in Gateway: Pioche, maybe because their situation is much more serious right now. Larry seemed to be the “normal” one but now that he’s time traveled twice, he has some mental issues including anger.

Destination DC kept my interest throughout. There was a lot of action and the graduates had mobsters following them as well others trying to kill them because they knew too much. It’s an edge of your seat page turner. I don’t recommend reading this book without reading the first book first.

The only issue I had was that it was hard to keep up with the conversations sometimes, who was talking to whom.

I am going to read the next book in the series, Destination DC, soon because I have to know what happens next!

About the Author

Mr. Dawson was involved in the road construction business for over twenty-five years. He endured great highs and lows: fathered three children, went through a divorce, two failed business ventures, bankruptcy, multiple surgeries and a reunification with his high school sweetheart, Debbie, who he would kiss goodbye for the last time seven months later.

His last surgery in 2010 forced him to temporarily exit the construction industry. With one career behind him, he ventured into a new one—writing. The first stories he wrote are real life scenarios dealing with losing loved ones to cancer: his partner, father and Debbie. These works are both honest and heart-warming. He holds nothing back as he allows readers to look deep into the psyche of one who has loved and lost so much.

He has also written books in the following genres: science/fiction, time travel, Baseball coaching manuals, horror, poetry, alternative history and erotica.

He currently lives in the DFW area spending time with friends and family.

Audiobook Review: Our Dried Voices by Greg Hickey

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In 2153, cancer was cured.

In 2189, AIDS.

And in 2235, the last members of the human race traveled to a distant planet to begin the next chapter of humanity.

Several hundred years after their arrival, the remainder of humanity lives in a utopian colony in which every want is satisfied automatically, and there is no need for human labor, struggle or thought. But when the machines that regulate the colony begin to malfunction, the colonists are faced with a test for the first time in their existence.

With the lives of the colonists at stake, it is left to a bright young man named Samuel to repair these breakdowns and save the colony. Aided by his determined friend Penny, Samuel rises to meet each challenge. But he soon discovers a mysterious group of people behind each of these problems, and he must somehow find and defeat these saboteurs in order to rescue humanity.

Amazon

My Review

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

The idea that the human race gets lazy because everything is provided to them is interesting and probably spot on. From what I witness these days, if everything was provided for us, it wouldn’t take long for most people to devolve.

The main characters, Samuel and Penny, aren’t very well developed but that’s as it should be. The way Samuel solved problems was interesting, but there was too much detail/focus on those tasks.

It took me a while to get used to listening to the dialogue in Our Dried Voices. The narrator did a good job, but it was hard to get used to the way the people communicated with each other.

The book starts slowly, and I kept waiting for it to pique my interest, but it wasn’t until the last few chapters that I really got into the book. I’m glad I read Our Dried Voices, but it’s not a book I’d pick up to read a second time.

About the Author

Author of entertaining stories for smart readers. Download the short novel The Theory of Anything for free at https://www.greghickeywrites.com/anything-amazon.

Greg Hickey wrote his first novel, Our Dried Voices, while spending a year in Sundsvall, Sweden and Cape Town, South Africa, playing and coaching for local baseball teams. That novel was published in 2014 and was a finalist for Foreword Reviews’ INDIES Science Fiction Book of the Year Award.

Today, he still loves sharing stories while staying busy with the other facets of his life. He is a forensic scientist by day and endurance athlete and author by nights, lunches, weekends and any other spare moments. After his post-college travels, he once again lives in his hometown of Chicago with his wife, Lindsay.

Website: http://www.greghickeywrites.com/
Twitter: greghickey5