Cowl b. Neal Asher

Cowl by Neal'>http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/56353.Neal_Asher">Neal Asher

My rating: 4'>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69065498">4 of 5 starsIf you like hardcore science fiction with a bit of Barron von Munchausen, a tad of time-manipulating demonspawns, a splash of Bladerunner and a whole lot of complex scientific terminology then you will love this book. I must admit, it was a bit heavy for me and I was never truly clear of the mechanisms behind the time travel but was impressed by the weight of the scenes and descriptions none the less. Definitely need to read some fluff now.
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Free Read: The Thief of His Heart

Not every work gets published, not every work fits the guidelines or quality level of publishers, this I know. And while I love getting contracts on works, sometimes and with some stories, they need to be set free. "The Thief of His Heart" is the second free novel released on my website and while it is a little rough around the edges, I think it's a charm filled with cat wickedness.

Some have said why don't you revise it and try to get it published, but like the other free read on my website "An Alpha's Desire" I just didn't want to. Both stories were rejected several times, I'll be the first to admit and while, with some work they might garner me profit, I just didn't want to change them.

Perhaps, I'm impatient or lazy, and after a few pages of reading, maybe the stories are no more than clumsly works in need of a strong critique, but...they're free and they're mine and better luck with the next story getting published, I say.

I have a few works that are looking for contracts now, but even if they fail to, one writer's rule I follow faithfully is : Keep On Writing!

Artwork by P.L. Nunn

"Servant: The Acceptance" b. L.L. Foster

Servant: The Acceptance by L.L. Foster


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I liked this book and found the L.L.Foster's idea of the contemporary paladin idea really fascinating. I really enjoyed the main character, Gabrielle Cody's relationship with her handsome, by the book cop. It is so filled with anticipation that I hung on their every scene. What I didn't understand, was the villian/s, who were so evil that I really did expect more of a supernatural bent to their background. This book can be read as stand alone as it touches upon enough backstory for me. Although there is a book before this one, I am interested to see the sequel...for one, I want the two main characters to hook up.

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"The Lost Colony" b. John Scalzi

The Last Colony by John Scalzi


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What can I say about this last book in what has proven itself to be a really tight and expertly woven trilogy? In this last book, threads that begun in "Old Man's War" came together with "The Ghost Brigades" in a very durable cloth. The arrogance of the CDF against the threat unlike any other (seriously) is the back drop for John Perry, the hero from the first book and his wife Jane (ex-Special Forces). Suffice to say, I was blown away by the scope of odds, and even more so by being able to understand the so called villains perspective. This is not a light read by any means, but the ending resolution fit perfectly!

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"The Ghost Brigades" b. John Scalzi

The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Picking up where 'Old Man's War' left off, "The Ghost Brigades' focuses on the special forces members of the Colonial Defense Federation. A much more philosophical book than the first, it really delves into what it means to be human. Special forces soldiers are made from the dna of the deceased rather than the consciousness of live ones in this book, and they give new meaning to the term 'superhuman.' One solider in particular, Jared Dirac, has the fate of the entire human race in his hand. Made from the dna of a traitorous scientist, and imbued with the man's ghost of consciousness, he is both the greatest threat and salvation of humanity, in a hostile universe and the suspect Federation. More so than with the first book, this one effects the emotions.

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Oh yeah...It was for a great cause too!!

So after work today, I got on the red line and headed downtown to attend the "Readers for Life" Literacy Signing sponsored by RWA. As the mighty romance convention is this week and being held in Washington, D.C., I decided to head on down and see the sights. Boy, did I feel like the intimidated wall-flower. With sci-fi novel in hand, I stood in line for almost an hour before being released into a veritable den of authors, for the mass charity signing. To say it was overwhelming would be an understatement. Over a hundred authors were there and after grabbing the two signed books I specifically came to get, I ran into two other must have reads. God, but I would have loved to stop by every table. As it was, I got to chat with Ally Blue and Shayla Black, two authors with e-publishing chops and Lori Foster, whose convention I would love to attend. Sabrina Jeffries also gave me a wonderful autograph for my friend at work! The authors were there in force with goodies and it really made me excited and determined to one day join their ranks...in the meantime, I have a lot to read :D

"Old Man's War" b. John Scalzi

Old Man's War by John Scalzi

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am really enjoyed this book. Currently on a sci-fi kick, I was referred to this gem of a series by a friend. I must say that coming off the Huff "Confederation" series, kinda tainted my awe of the features of this piece but that Scalzi's sense of humor and respect for mortality really made it stand apart. I liked the idea of senior citizens being chosen for intergalactic battle and most of all, the first half of the book is simply phenomenal. The speculation, the hope and the anguish of a man who has lived his life through and who is about to start another, is a gripping moment to focus on and I really look forward to starting the second in the series "The Ghost Brigades" soon. Aliens, war, technology and new worlds abound, but throughout, John Perry the main character proves why the experience of an Old Man is just what the human race needs.


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