Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those
neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything
like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in
your stacks.
Planet-sized amusement parks, robo-pirates, and a sentient placenta! Step right up! Captain Carl the robo-pirate is one of the few Artificial Intelligences living on Venus-the amusement park planet. When Carl is given the spark of intelligence by his creator, he becomes a creator himself. No longer just an automaton from a pirate ride, Captain Carl creates the love of his life and searches for her perfect body. He thinks he’s found it in a big placenta. But programming is everything. When the placenta’s desire to reproduce kicks-in, the whole park is endangered as the organ grows to monster size, spreading placenta babies across the planet and eating all the rides (and the people riding them!). Captain Carl must band together with a cat, a creator, and the Pope of The Church of Transubstantial Birth Fear to stop his love from killing everyone and destroying the park. Yarrrrr!
Well, who the hell knows how this came to be on my TBR, even those I am always on the lookout for something new and different. It seems like a hoot, sooooo, I may get to it when I’m in one of those moods where nothing seems to fit what I want to read. It is a novella, so it should be a quick read. I added this on 9.8.12. How about you? Do you step outside your reading comfort zone?
Alien Skies by Carmen Webster Buxton is the third novel in the Wankanrean science fiction series and I am lovin’ it. The out of this world romance is filled with intrigue and characters that grew on me the more I read.
Aliens Skies is the third book in the Wankanrean science fiction series by Carmen Webster Buxton and I have become engrossed in the characters lives. We have romance and intrigue that arises because of their desire to be together, even though they are different races. Not races like ours, but of the alien kind.
There are many who feel like people should stick to their own kind and will go to extremes to keep it that way. They will kidnap and kill to accomplish their goals.
BUT, there are those that feel a prophecy will be fulfilled because of it and do whatever they can to protect them.
We do have humans amongst the Wankanreans, Milorans, Terrans, and other species.
It all started with Yulayan’s mother marrying a Terran, a human. No one considered the possibility of her becoming pregnant and delivering not one, but two part human/part Wankanrean babies.
Alien Skies is Yulayan’s story and it is filled with love, romance, intrigue and danger.
Them, and the characters that surround them, have quickly grown on me as I learn their differences and likenesses to each other. Their love is so deep, yet filled with problems, politics, insecurities, work, kids, cooking, laundry and things that we all deal with on a daily basis.
The best way I can describe the mating habits of Wakanrean’s is that it’s like imprinting for werewovles. They don’t have a choice, it is a biological occurrence that doesn’t end until one of them dies. Not so for us humans, so part of the couple’s problems is navigating the ins and outs of the Wakanrean’s shagunrah and the human’s marriage.
I do recommend reading the books in order because each book leads to the next. I did accidentally read the second book first, went back to the first book, then read the third book and didn’t get lost, but felt I missed out on the full story.
I have gotten lost in this wonderful series that brought to mind Star Trek and Star Wars because of the different species and worlds, though we spend most of our time on Wakanreo. The characters are richly developed and grow as the story is told, becoming more real in my mind. Now, that’s some great writing.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Alien Skies by Carmen Webster Buxton.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Kamuhi Hailoaka’s desire to see other worlds led him to Wakanreo, the only world in the galaxy where the dominant species mates for life. Kamuhi met and married half-human, half-Wakanrean Yulayan Bellaire. After the Third Confederation of Planets rescued Yulayan from Inchauro Perduay, the man she found herself mated to, Kamuhi enlisted in ThreeCon. Now constrained by their rules and regulations, he and Yulayan work at being married and raising a child. Kamuhi has always excelled at academic subjects, but simultaneously navigating the pitfalls of bureaucracy, interspecies politics, marriage, and fatherhood at the same time is more of a challenge. Once he is assigned back to Wakanreo, the challenge becomes not only harder but more dangerous. For one thing, Inchauro Perduay still sees Yulayan as his mate.
ABOUT CARMEN WEBSTER BUXTON
Carmen Webster Buxton spent her youth reading every book published
by Ursula LeGuin, Robert Heinlein and Georgette Heyer. This combination
of far-future worlds, alien cultures, and old-fashioned courting
customs influenced her writing, especially in her ThreeCon series.
Carmen was born in Hawaii and experienced a
childhood on the move, as her father was in the US Navy. Having raised
two wonderful children, she now lives in Maryland with her husband
Charlie, and a beagle named Cosmo. She writes science fiction and
romance, mostly set in the far future, and the occasional fantasy.
She
has published several books, including THE SIXTH DISCIPLINE and its
sequel NO SAFE HAVEN. TRIBES, SHADES OF EMPIRE, and THE NOSTALGIA GAMBIT
are in her ThreeCon series; these books are set in a shared universe
but do not share any characters. WHERE MAGIC RULES (a novella) is her
only published fantasy. KING OF TREES crosses genres, as it is a time
travel/alternate history/science fiction novel with fantasy overtones.
SARONNA’S GIFT is her first book to be available as a paperback as well
as an ebook, and the first overt romance. TURNABOUT is young adult
dystopian science fiction that starts in the real world. ALIEN BONDS is
another science fiction romance, the first book in a planned trilogy.
The second book is ALIEN VOWS. The third book ALIEN SKIES will come out
in 2019.
Carmen often blogs about ereaders, digital publishing,
writing, and speculative fiction. Visit her blog to see what’s coming
out next! To send her feedback on her books, send email to
carmen.webster.buxton (at) gmail.com.
Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those
neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything
like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in
your stacks.
When a soulless, inhuman force descends upon Professor Li Jun Wong’s Antarctic expedition, search and rescue operations discover only his mutilated crew and a cryptic journal left behind. Confronted with the malevolent force, a covert government agency discovers a sub-oceanic base long abandoned by aquatic aliens in the northwest Pacific. Someone, or something…is reactivating the alien base, threatening to collapse the earth’s magnetic field, exposing the planet to catastrophic solar effects.
Ex-Special Forces Commander, Joe Dalton, leads the interdiction force…unaware it will exhume old secrets long since buried with Professor Wong’s ill-fated expedition. Amidst the emerging threat, Dalton reassembles his former Special Operations team; finding each man imperiled among the most remote deathtraps on earth.
Joe then reunites with his former love interest, Sunjida Wong, heiress to her missing father’s International Institute of Oceanography. Aided by her scientific genius – and the secrets of an ancient alien sarcophagus in her possession – The Omega Team launches into desperate battle against parahuman forces…in a bold quest to save the human race from impending cosmic destruction.
The Omega Option by Rick T Hodges has been on my TBR since 9.8.12. I can’t remember exactly why I grabbed this, but I think a sub oceanic base and aquatic aliens could play a part. I do love anything to do with water. Sounds different and I always enjoy something out of the ordinary. What do you think? Do you read Science Fiction?
Across The Floors of Silent Seas by C S Jonson is another story I read while traveling. It looks like I was on a water reading binge. LOL How could I resist the cover and I have read some of her other work and loved it, so I felt this would be a good one too….and it was.
It’s hard to give a short story prequel four thumbs up, but C S Johnson has hooked me with this wonderful look into Paga, Jay’s world, and I want to see where they go next…and the crew?, oh yeah, I wantta know more.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Do mermaids believe in humans?
While working on a deep-sea diving assignment at the University
of California, oceanography student Jay Bishop is dragged into a
volcanic tube towards the earth’s core and certain death.
But
much to his surprise, Jay not only survives the fall, he finds himself
taken prisoner by a community of mermaids and kept alive as a science
experiment. Confused and disoriented, Jay’s only hope to escape back to
the surface is found in Paga, an elder of the community who believes
Jay’s unexpected arrival marks the fulfillment of a terrifying prophecy.
With
the community rising against them, Jay and Paga face dangerous choices
— and their consequences — if Jay is ever to see home again. Will Jay
make it back to the world on the surface? And even if he does, how can
his life be the same ever again?
Carmen Webster Buxton approached me, asking if I would like to read her Wakanreo series. I have read some of her other work and enjoyed it, so I said yes. She sent me the lovely books and I put them near the top of my reading list. Aliens Vows is Book II in the series.
I accidentally read Alien Vows out of order in the series, but the story is Yulayan Bellaire’s life so I feel the books could stand alone. Each book is one character’s story, but I immediately picked up Book I, Alien Bonds to learn her mother’s story and how Yulayan came to be.
We start out with familiar problems, racism of the alien kind, wanting to keep one race separate from the other. Just goes to show how much everyone has in common. We all want the same things…sorta.
She is mixed race, part Terran (human) and part Wakanrean. She is also divine and I looked forward to seeing what that meant. She is alone, unapproachable, because of her status…until Kamuhi Hailoaka, a Terran (he is half human and half Wakanrean) physicist. He quickly becomes enamored by her. He isn’t counting on shahgunrah, he is going to woo her.
Wakanreans find their mate through a biological process called shahgunrah. It’s like imprinting is for werewolves.
Their courtship and interactions are frank, sweet, and innocent.
It took me a while to get the hang of the alien words, meanings, and names, but I put my own spin on them, making them my own and easier to pronounce.
I quickly became immersed in their world, which Carmen Webster Buxton did an awesome job of creating. I love the unique characters and got lost in their romance. Yulayan is brave, adventuresome and willing to do whatever is necessary to be with the one she loves.
It was funny and sweet, as she tried to figure out her feelings, which were not only new to her, but…well, I don’t want to spoil anything, so you will need to find out for yourself.
As I read along, the world opened up to me and the characters came to life. Alien Vows was so much more than I expected and I can hardly wait to read Book III, Aliens Skies, which I will begin shortly, after going back to read Book I, Alien Bonds. I am sooooo loving this series. They are out of this world.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Alien Vows by Carmen Webster Buxtonn.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Yulayan Bellaire has
grown up knowing she’s different. Her mother is human but her father is
Wakanrean. No matter how Wakanrean she looks, no matter how much she
tries to blend into Wakanrean society, her human half is still there.
Still, Yulayan expects to mate as all Wakanreans mate, totally by
chance, as soon as she comes near a man with compatible pheromones. And
then one day she meets Kamuhi Hailoaka, a physicist from Terra who finds
her unique genetic combination appealing, and she discovers that her
human half is more in control than she had thought possible.
ABOUT CARMEN WEBSTER BUXTON
Carmen Webster Buxton spent her youth reading every book published by Ursula LeGuin, Robert Heinlein and Georgette Heyer. This combination of far-future worlds, alien cultures, and old-fashioned courting customs influenced her writing, especially in her ThreeCon series.
Carmen was born in Hawaii and experienced a
childhood on the move, as her father was in the US Navy. Having raised
two wonderful children, she now lives in Maryland with her husband
Charlie, and a beagle named Cosmo. She writes science fiction and
romance, mostly set in the far future, and the occasional fantasy.
She
has published several books, including THE SIXTH DISCIPLINE and its
sequel NO SAFE HAVEN. TRIBES, SHADES OF EMPIRE, and THE NOSTALGIA GAMBIT
are in her ThreeCon series; these books are set in a shared universe
but do not share any characters. WHERE MAGIC RULES (a novella) is her
only published fantasy. KING OF TREES crosses genres, as it is a time
travel/alternate history/science fiction novel with fantasy overtones.
SARONNA’S GIFT is her first book to be available as a paperback as well
as an ebook, and the first overt romance. TURNABOUT is young adult
dystopian science fiction that starts in the real world. ALIEN BONDS is
another science fiction romance, the first book in a planned trilogy.
The second book is ALIEN VOWS. The third book ALIEN SKIES will come out
in 2019.
Carmen often blogs about ereaders, digital publishing,
writing, and speculative fiction. Visit her blog to see what’s coming
out next! To send her feedback on her books, send email to
carmen.webster.buxton (at) gmail.com.
Just looking at the colorful, gorgeous cover of Meow, and the title, and Catnip Assassin, how could I possible resist. I devour my Amazon freebies when I travel and do mini reviews to share them.
So many delicious supernaturals abound in this purrfectly exciting, sexy tale of cats, kitties, wolves, and humans, and Meow Investigations tackles many problems that exist in the human world, murder, poisoning children, slavery, making Kat, an assassin, change from working alone to gathering a team that will do whatever is necessary to stop The Pack and I can hardly wait to read more of their adventures.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Kat is used to
killing people, but for a blank cheque, she’s willing to do the opposite
and help solve a murder – even though it sounds boring as hell. That
is, until she finds some body parts in her fridge, makes friends with
the neighbourhood cats and realises there may be an assassin better than
her…
Suddenly, things have become purrfectly exciting.
An urban fantasy full of cats, secrets and murders. This is a
slow-burn reverse harem where Kat will find her love interests over
time. Book one in the Catnip Assassins series.
My Review For From The Sky: Twilight with aliens and I love it! Conspiracies, danger, UFOs, aliens of different kinds and a guy and a girl in love. What more could I want?
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
She was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary secret, but it wasn’t that her boyfriend was an alien. An interdimensional being that’s stranded on earth learns what it means to give up everything for one human. From the Sky weaves first love into an edge-of-your-seat mystery populated by fallible humans and otherworldly beings that question the inevitability of aliens among us. Finalist in the Book Excellence Award! Mills Press science fiction second-place award.
My Review For Equinox: She’s special and alone. Danger and loneliness at every turn. Who can she talk to? Who can she trust? Lovin’ it! Very much like Twilight but with aliens. I do love it and the characters.
4 Stars
AMAZON SYNOPSIS
Never trust an alien.
The Sequel to From The Sky. “Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe, or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” Author C. Clarke. From the Sky Saga Continues! The day after the winter solstice, Samantha Hunter is found naked and bleeding in a remote cabin in the Sandia Mountains of New Mexico. As Sam works to understand what’s happened to her, she is whisked into the Underground—a secret community of scientists, civilians, and aliens that are connected to her story and to the alien boy she’s in love with—Lucien. This is where the fight begins, and Sam must decide what price she’s willing to pay for life and love. “Equinox gives the reader a totally different way of thinking about extraterrestrials. Anyone with interest in the possibility of life outside this planet—and for those who love a great romance—this book for you. It is exceptionally written and will leave you wanting more!” —Kelly Fait Goodreads “American teenagers have to grow up fast because dark forces are out to get them—J.E. Nicassio gives us a fast-paced and exciting tale full of car chases, close calls, and the angst of star-crossed love. Teens and even older readers will love From the Sky.” —Ray Simmons for Readers’ Favorite
Kudos to J E Nicassio. I don’t read many series to the end, but this a must for me. I gotta know…….I have added Book III, Aurora’s Curtain to my wish list.
I got these for free on Amazon back in September of 2017. Thank you J E Nicassio.
Title: TETRASTATUM Author: Dr. Richard & Tim Smith Publisher: Epigraph Publishing Pages: 300 Genre: Time Travel Thriller
In their debut novel TETRASTATUM, authors Dr. Richard and
Tim Smith combine heady concepts about the universe with a thrilling
science fiction story about the search for a new kind of time travel.
The result is a stunning mixture of dense cosmology and old-fashioned
storytelling that will appeal to a wide readership, from science
professionals to lay fans of science fiction.
“Dr. Richard” and “Tim Smith” are the pseudonyms of Dr. Richard Connor and Marcus Rodriguez, respectively.
“TETRASTATUM (‘the fourth state’) is the culmination of my
30 years working in the field of photonics,” Dr. Richard says. “I am an
avid reader of sci-fi, and I wanted to create a new type of work that is
both educational and entertaining in the genre. TETRASTATUM gives
the reader a unique understanding of the existing laws of physics and
extends them to provoke further thought from novice readers as well as
advanced experts in the field.”
Kirkus Reviews notes that “authors Dr. Richard and Smith … tell their
cerebral story with a heady mix of dense theory and absurdist humor.”
The Independent Review of Books declares: “TETRASTATUM is like nothing you have ever read before. This is an impressive work of science fiction …”
The San Francisco Book Review adds that, “These recurring themes of
characterization and distortion feed into the concern that is being
voiced over the current state of our political climate…The layering of
these themes is ultimately what gives TETRASTATUM a relevance that will keep readers turning pages and asking questions.”
“The book ultimately explains how human perceptions alter the future
and puts forth a model based on quantum physics to explain ‘reality’,”
Dr. Richard continues. He calls science fiction “the perfect genre to
explore socio-political ideas within the context of futuristic
technologies and scientific theories.”
Dr. Richard and Smith are currently working with Norith Soth on adapting TETRASTATUM into
a screenplay. Mr. Soth has penned work for Justin Lin (“Fast and
Furious”), Stephen Chin (“War Dogs”), and Norman Reedus (“The Walking
Dead”).
“Well, Dr. Smith, your colleague…uhm, whom you claim is watching us on some monitor-type device, has quite an imagination.Images, imagination, create that which brings wonder into the realm of understanding.I concede that I didn’t contemplate the idea of two spheres and two sets of waves when I derived my equations.I missed the duality, nature’s constant.But I confirm that this
appears to be mathematically accurate and a plausible theory as to the nature
of reality, itself.”–Dr. Erwin Schrödinger
______________________
teaser
_____________________
meet the author
Dr. Richard has been involved in the field of Photonics for over 30
years. He received his BA in physics (honors) from the University of
California Fullerton. He was in a full scholarship PhD program in
physics at the University of California Irvine and a PhD program in
philosophy at Claremont Graduate School. Dr. Richard completed his two
dissertations (involving human interpretations of laser and
electro-optical images) while under top secret clearance. He also has an
advanced placement teaching credential, an advanced certification (from
the University of Wisconsin) in laser and optical design; and other
advanced certifications in fiber optics, computer programming,
technology business development, financial products, dance, anatomy and
physiology.
Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those
neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything
like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in
your stacks.
Ran-Del Jahanpur is a warrior of the Sansoussy Forest, trained in both the mental and physical Disciplines of his people. He thinks he’s prepared for any danger the forest might hold, but his skills prove useless when he’s caught in a hi-tech trap. Soon Ran-Del finds himself in a city so alien it might as well be another world—machines speak, vehicles fly, and his captors’ weapons can inflict pain without touching him. Every time Ran-Del tries to escape, he’s foiled by a technology he doesn’t understand. As terrifying as the city is, his kidnapper, the enigmatic Baron Hayden, exudes a jovial affability that worries the Sansoussy even more. What can such a powerful man want with a Sansoussy warrior, who can neither read nor write and knows nothing of city ways? The Baron’s daughter Francesca clearly knows more than she’s saying, but Ran-Del’s psy sense tells him only she’s being truthful, not what she’s thinking. And it’s only after it seems that Ran-Del has escaped the city and its dangers, that he finds out how thoroughly he has been caught.
I downloaded The Sixth Discipline from Amazon on 7.7.12 and added it to my TBR on 7.28.12. I love paranormal stories, so this is one I will keep on my list, hoping to get to it.
Series: Children of the Fifth Sun (Book 1) Paperback: 414 pages Publisher: Vesuvian Books (July 25, 2017) Language: English ISBN-10: 1944109404 Praise for CHILDREN OF THE FIFTH SUN
“An action-packed, globe-hopping science fiction thriller… pedal-to-the-metal pacing and relentless action make it easy to turn pages…” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Insane! What Gareth did here was incredible! This author took a global look at America, China, and Russia, and added a species from another era into the mix, to create a well-researched novel of suspense, intrigue, with dashing individuals. The characters travel the world on a unique mission while trying to stay out of the line of fire as rogue government agencies from several different countries try to stop them. It’s a wild ride from California to Peru, from Egypt to Siberia. The amount of research put into this novel is on par with a Michael Crichton novel. The main character, Kelly Graham, reminded me of Dirk Pitt from Clive Cussler’s novels. Overall, an incredible read and a book I’m recommending.” ―Jonas Saul, Best-selling author of the Sarah Roberts Series, April 2017
Suspend disbelief and let yourself travel on a downriver, undersea, and overland adventure in this well-constructed novel. The author takes you on a fast paced journey full of intrigue, government secrets, unusual creatures and just a tad of romance. Superlatives abound and the literary illumination paints an image so clear you feel you are there with the characters. For those who know the author, there are bit of his personality revealed which makes reading the novel even more enjoyable. A bit Tom Clancy, a hint of Dan Brown — authentically Gareth in his debut work. ―Charity Scripture
“Scientist Worthington’s understanding of the complexities and possibilities of marine biology and endocrinology are evident.” ―Publishers Weekly, May 2017l
AWARDS WINNER 2017 LONDON BOOK FESTIVAL — SCIENCE FICTION FINALIST 2018 SILVER FALCHION AWARD — SCI-FI/FANTASY/HORROR
Genre: “Science Faction” – science fiction, action and adventure with fact-based science, theories and mythology
IN ALMOST EVERY BELIEF SYSTEM ON EARTH, there exists a single unifying mythos: thousands of years ago a great flood devastated the Earth’s inhabitants. From the ruins of this cataclysm, a race of beings emerged from the sea bestowing knowledge and culture upon humanity, saving us from our selfish drive toward extinction. Some say this race were “ancient aliens” who came to assist our evolution.
But what if they weren’t alien at all? What if they evolved right here on Earth, alongside humans . . . and they are still here? And, what if the World’s governments already know?
Kelly Graham is a narcissistic self-assured freelance photographer specializing in underwater assignments. While on a project in the Amazon with his best friend, Chris D’Souza, a mysterious and beautiful government official, Freya Nilsson, enters Kelly’s life and turns it upside down. Her simple request to retrieve a strange object from deep underwater puts him in the middle of an international conspiracy. A conspiracy that threatens to change the course of human history.
You can purchaseChildren of the Fifth Sun at the following Retailers:
Photo Content from Gareth Worthington
Gareth Worthington is a trained marine biologist and also holds a doctorate in comparative endocrinology. Currently, Gareth works full time for the Pharmaceutical industry helping to educate the World’s doctors on new cancer therapies. In his spare time Gareth has a number of passions, including: martial arts – he trained in Muay Thai at the prestigious EVOLVE MMA gym in Singapore and currently trains in MMA at Phoenix Sportkampf, Switzerland; playing acoustic guitar; studying ancient history; drawing; and most of all writing fiction.
An award winning author, he hopes to one day hang up the pharma hat and write full time.
![Equinox (Beyond Moondust Trilogy Book 2) by [Nicassio, J. E.]](https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51vpNsxyiML.jpg?w=584&ssl=1)
