No Words Alone - Review

No Words Alone by Autumn Dawn First book in series Genres: Science Fiction, Romance,   Fantasy

     This novel is the perfect example of why I avoid reading the first book of a series. I loved it and I want to read more. Science fiction is predominently a man's genre, written by men for men, full of geeky high tech text that can make my eyes glaze over when I don't understand it. I have always enjoyed the concept of space travel though and marveled at the main stream egocentric idea that the earth is the only planet in the entire universe capable of sustaining any form of life.

     Xera is stranded on a planet that contains hungry hostile native creatures. She is in the company of her shipmates and the crew of an enemy alien race that also crash landed on the planet. As the only woman, she doesn't trust either group of men further than she can throw them.

     Author Autumn Dawn has taken two genres which are not my normal first choice to read and combined them to make this very original romantic story within a science fiction setting. The alien nation that resides within the Scorpio constellation is seen as savages by the human population but on closer inspection have some very gentle and caring customs within their society. Outsiders, however, are another story.

     Autumn Dawn also succeeds in avoiding a couple of pitfalls that many authors fall into that annoys the heck out of me: The "he loves me, he loves me not" scenario, and the cliffhanger. In spite of some editing issues, it is a great read that I highly recommend and that I moved into the folder on my kindle reserved for series books that I want to read more books of.

Destiny: Illusions by Daniel Rafferty - Book review

Destiny: Illusions - The Crime Of Our Ancestors by Daniel Rafferty Book 1 in series Genres: Science Fiction, Action Adventure

     Is there intelligent life on other planets? If so, how would those of us on earth react to such knowledge? Would we panic and assume they were hostile and become hostile ourselves? Would the aliens just become yet another culture subject to racial hate by the close minded people who already have such attitudes? Could we learn to live in harmony and trust without fear of differences? These questions make some wonderful food for thought. Author Daniel Raffety provides us with a scenario where aliens have come forth in peace and a friendly alliance is made. Both races benefit from shared technology and a seemingly strong bond is formed between the two planets. But when Earth falls victim to an attack from space will our underlying tendencies to distrust outsiders lead to a full scale intergalactic war?

RIP (Rest in Peace) by Bob Kat - Serial Sunday Review

RIP (Rest in Peace by Bob Kat CUL8R #4 Genres: Mystery, Young Adult,    Romance, Paranormal, Science Fiction

     Four high school teens; Kelly, Scott, Austin, and Zoey; find adventure using an invention that they have named the Spirit Radio. Kelly's aunt's historical house had been the resting place of this technological marvel that had been created by Thomas Edison and lost for years. With some modern tweaking by Scott, the group's technogeek, the radio now picks up voices of spirits which the group travel through time and space to try to help the spirits' ability to rest in peace.

Seeker by Jerome Gilden - Fun Read Friday Book Review

Seeker by Jerome Gilden Timeline Series #2 Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

     Jerry Daniels is back for this sequel to the original book Tracers. He is a bit older, wiser and much more powerful. It required massive amounts of damage to have killed off the entire Royal family and Jerry is determined to find out how and why, hopefully before those behind it decide to unleash their power onto the mortals of the world.

Tracers by Jerome Gilden - Book Review

Tracers Timeline Series #1 by Jerome Gilden Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

     Imagine being a normal average teenager in high school, until one day you come home from school to find your home ransacked and your adoptive parents missing without a trace. This situation takes the phrase "without a trace" to new extremes as there aren't even any records left to show that his parents ever even existed. Since he was 17, he was allowed to live on his own without guardians. He made it through high school graduation without any further bizarre incidents. Until suddenly he finds himself in the future with no idea of how he got there. He learns that not only is he descended from a race of super-beings but he is of Royal blood and is a very powerful Tracer.

Section 51 - Serial Sunday Book Review

Section 51 by V.G. Harrison Book 1 in Project Solstice series Genres: Science Fiction, Paranormal

     This book is a great combination of science fiction and paranormal. Ava Frost is a triplet who shares an empathic connection with both of her brothers. When she suddenly feels no connection to her closest brother, has trouble reaching him on the phone, and receives a bad vibe from him when she does speak with him she decides to pay a surprise visit to investigate. What she finds puts conspiracy theories to shame. Not only has the government tried to cover up the death of her brother, but they are genetically engineering what they hope to be an unstoppable army.

The Tommyknockers - Listen While You Work Audiobook Review

What I listened to ...

The Tommyknockers by Stephen King Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller,    Fantasy Narrator: Edward Hermann

     THIS is the audiobook that I SHOULD have started with. Granted, I would rather experience new books, but I think as a starting point that I should have began with a book that I am already familiar with the story line. I have read The Tommyknockers a couple of times and I must say that this was the most enjoyable experience yet in my adventures into audiobooks. While it is true that only listening to books that I have already read can really limit my choices, I think that by "re-reading" a couple of books may really help me with the whole visualization process that I have been having with audiobooks. Also it may not be such a horrible way to revisit some books that I have wanted to re-read but just have not found the time to do so.

Gone Home - Book Review

Gone Home by Kim Welsman Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

     This book is a sequel to Welsman's Going Home. To give a little background, the main character, Peggy, is of the alien race that lives on the planet Sylax. She was genetically created and not conceived in the usual way. She is often the victim of racism because of the difference in her creation and psychic abilities. In the first book, Peggy had been sent on a mission to Earth. This book reveals to us little bits of information about that mission and tells of Peggy's conflict to convince the Sylaxian Council to allow Earthers to serve on the council, now that she has returned home and reported of her findings on Earth.

Dragon Circle - Fun Read Friday Book Review

Dragon Circle by Casey Fry Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

     Dragons guard the humans of the world. But who watches over the dragons? Throughout history 5 humans are appointed as Guardians to help out the dragons when needed. But when the Guardians were last called upon, one thousand years ago, all did not go as planned. Now, in modern day times, a group of high school students learn that they are the reincarnated souls of the Guardians and are being called upon to set things right.

The Lost World - Featured Author Book Review

The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Genres: Classic, Science Fiction

     On first look this book seems very similar to Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park sequel with the same name. This is where the similarities end. In Doyle's version it is the fact that creatures from the Jurassic era have survived on their own, not genetically engineered. It had all started with Professor Challenger's visit to South America. He returns home with fantastical stories about having seen animals and foliage that had previously been thought to be extinct. Unfortunately, Professor Challenger becomes a laughing stock and nobody believes him.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Featured Author Biography May 2013

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Born:   May 22, 1859 Died:   July 7, 1930 Main genre:   Mystery, Science Fiction

     Born in Scotland, Doyle was an author and physician. While he is most known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes he also wrote historical books and a series of science fiction novels as well. He traveled extensively, employed as a ship's surgeon before opening his own ophthalmology office which he purportedly had no patients.

War of the Worlds - Featured Author Book Review

War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells Genres: Classic, Historical Fiction, Horror,    Science Fiction

     War of the Worlds was originally written in 1898 during a time when aliens was not a common every day theme in entertainment. This classic novel tells of the panic and destruction when aliens from Mars invade earth, wanting to take it over for their own use. The horror component is fairly soft core compared to today's standards, but in its day, it was one of the first books published depicting a conflict between earth and invading extraterrestrials. Told as a first person narrative by an unnamed survivor, he also tells us of his brother's experiences during the invasion.

The Invisible Man - Flashback Friday

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells Genres: Classic, Science Fiction

     When I announced my featured author picks for the month I bet it seemed strange that I had neglected some of H.G. Wells most popular titles. I knew that I had already reviewed The Invisible Man and that I have also recently read Time Machine though I have not reviewed it on here. Originally I had planned to re-read and review Time Machine but while researching the author biography post I learned of his Anticipations book and decided to read it instead. Ok, so that was a mistake as I had found Anticipations incredibly dull. But to be honest, the whole reason that I started the featured author segment was to motivate myself to read some of the books that have been sitting on my "to-read" list for ages that I would not normally pick to read. So, at any rate, I HAVE reviewed H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man and if you'd like to read my review, you can link to it here.

I gave it 4 stars!

The Island of Doctor Moreau - Featured Author Review

The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells Genre: Science Fiction, Classic, Horror

     This story is told in the first person point of view of a man who has been shipwrecked and rescued at sea by a passing ship. It is hard to imagine the inconveniences of such situations back then. Pendrick pretty much is powerless over his future as his circumstances put him at the mercy of wherever the ship is sailing to. To complicate matters, the captain of the boat is a drunkard and becomes spooked, forcing Pendrick to disembark on the secluded island where he is dropping the other passengers and cargo. Pendrick relates to us the horrors of the creatures that he finds residing on that island.

March Featured Author - H.G. Wells

H.G. Wells Born:   September 21, 1866 Died:   August 13, 1946 Main genre:   Science Fiction

     Born Herbert George Wells in Kent, England and called Bertie by his family, Wells had poor health as a child, in fact his parents were often worried that he wouldn't survive his childhood. At the age of 7 he was bedridden for several months with a broken leg. This started his love affair with the written word as he read several books during this time, even some written by Charles Dickens and Washington Irving. As a teen, he was apprenticed to a draper but didn't care for the profession much. Instead, he continued his education with the aid of a scholarship to the Normal School of Science where he studied physics, chemistry, astronomy and biology.

Somewhere in Time - Pick of the Month Review

Somewhere in Time by Barbara Bretton Genres: Science Fiction, Romance,    Paranormal, Historical Romance

     Emilie Crosse is a historian who specializes in fashion, making her living mainly as a consultant in movie wardrobe departments. She is thrown for a loop when her ex-husband shows up at her door asking her to authenticate the civil war uniform that has been in his family for generations. After a night of passion, she tries to leave it as a one-night stand but Zane has other ideas. They manage to find their way to a time warp that is worthy of Bermuda Triangle theories and are transported back in time. Emilie feels instantly at home in the era while Zane is out of his element for once. As can be expected, the experience brings them closer as they learn to live within the technologically deprived year they are stuck in and attempt to find their way back home.

Fire Country - Fun Read Friday Review

Fire Country by David Estes Country Saga #1 Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult,    Dystopia

     Estes' provides us with a dystopian world that is truly hell on earth. Even in the winter the temperatures are hot and nothing but cacti grow. The very air they breathe is poisonous and few people reach the age of 35. To keep the tribe populated, girls are forced to mate, with randomly selected males, at the age of 16 and have children every 3 years. They are referred to as Bearers and have little purpose other than being baby factories and raising children. 15 year old Siena faces her coming of age with dread and dreams of a better life.

     As one of David's beta readers, I received an advanced copy of this last year. I can still recall how horrified I was at this world that Estes has created. I remember telling him that I suppose that would be a compliment to a dystopian plot. Imagine the worst possible life that you could endure and multiply it by a hundred! Yet in classic Estes style, if nothing else, we are encouraged to dream. No matter how oppressed his characters are they still have hope for a better future. They still believe that life CAN and WILL get better. That a handful of youths can make a difference if they don't lose faith in themselves.

Myths of the Modern Man - Fun Read Friday

Myths of the Modern Man by Jacqueline T. Lynch Genres: Science Fiction, History

     A strange genre combination as science fiction meets history. The earth is dying. John Moore is sent back in time to observe the rebellion of a Celtic tribe against the Romans. It is often stated that we can learn from history to refrain from continuing to make the same mistakes.

     While the telling of John's adventure in ancient Celtic times was riveting, I'm still not entirely clear as to what knowledge he was supposed to bring back with him, or how it would help the scientists save the earth from self destruction.

The Dread Dimensions - Saturday Shorts Review

The Dread Dimensions by Tom Morris Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction

     This short story took less than an hour to read but was intriguing none the less. The main character seems to share my same attitude towards the occult, neither believing nor disbelieving. He posseses a curiosity that leads to further in-depth research.

     He stumbles across an ancient book that with the help of his friend's translations they discover a new way to travel. But there is an ominous lesson to be wary of experimenting with knowledge that you do not entirely understand and to take heed to warnings issued by those with more experience in such matters.

     You can download this story for free on smashwords.

The Ouijiers - Book Review

The Ouijiers by Matthew Ballotti Genres: Science Fiction, Horror

     In all honestly, I didn't have very high expectations for this book. I had downloaded it out of curiosity because the author is a frequent caller on a pod cast that I listen to, and because it was free. But this book was incredible.

     Paul buys a Ouija board as research for the college paper he is writing for his occult history class. Strange things begin to happen immediately. This story asks the ages old question "Are Ouija boards truly doorways into another plane of existance?" Take this theory one step further and suppose that it is not a one-way doorway and you have the main plot of The Ouijiers.