Dec 6 2016

AudioBook Review – Arisen Series 7-10

Slow to post these, but THIS IS THE BEST series I’ve come across so far, like really, really.

RC Bray nails this, and I totally had to buy more of the books he narrated, introducing me to loads more great writers.

Death of Empires: Arisen, Book 7 | [Michael Stephen Fuchs, Glynn James]
Death of Empires: Arisen, Book 7
UNABRIDGED
Reviewed: 13/11/16

“A slower pace”

Overall
Performance
Story

As far as this series goes, it’s pretty awesome. I’ve breezed through the books just wanting the next, and the next, this one did have a much slower pacing, with some flashbacks, and I think that was okay. It can’t all be so fast-paced, we as readers and listener do need a break.

Great work as usual to both writers and of course, the narrator, he’s been totally awesome throughout the whole series.

Book 8 –

Empire of the Dead: Arisen, Book 8 | [Michael Stephen Fuchs, Glynn James]
Empire of the Dead: Arisen, Book 8
UNABRIDGED
Reviewed: 13/11/16

“It’s back!”

Overall
Performance
Story

This defo picks up the pace once more, nothing that the operators go through here is easy. And it’s action packed once again.

From the JFK fighting for its life against the Russian cruiser, to which the injured command lets the ship down in the biggest way, once again not believing what he’s told about the Russian’s and their own operators, thank goodness for Homer, what a guy. And some just totally on the edge scenes.

I really, also enjoyed the UK scenes in here, I think and believe this is exactly how London might fall in the ZA. It’s just so almost true you really can believe it, and of course, One Troop really do fight tooth and nail, almost as much as the operators.

Excellent listen and sped through these like a demon. 🙂 (where is the next books 11 and 12) haha

Book 8.5 –

“Excellent side story!”

Overall
Performance
Story

I was a little unsure of this one because of how it sat in the series, but I was pleasantly surprised, it wasn’t a bad trip backwards at all.

This really set up and let me understand how and what happened at the start of the ZA and some of the reasons to why. I can totally see the next book getting really complicated and scary and all sides coming together for a big fight.

I was so excited to get to the end of this, and move forwards. Thank you for the huge amount of weekly entertainment this has totally made my start to love zombies. Not sure if that’s a good thing, as I started watching TWD as well. haha.

Fab job from all parties as well. 5 stars for this one.

Book 9 –

 

Cataclysm: Arisen, Book 9 | [Michael Stephen Fuchs]
Cataclysm: Arisen, Book 9
UNABRIDGED
Reviewed: 13/11/16

“Such bad luck for them, sigh”

Overall
Performance
Story

I really have had a blast with these, but there are some really hit and miss sections of just pure bad luck. These guys are so highly trained, yet they do make the really craziest mistakes. I can forgive it because they’re Zombie and fantasy books, with a whole lot of real life, character situations and days without sleep. But they’re still pretty daft mistakes, that I really do hope highly trained people wouldn’t make.

However, this is one of the most entertaining series I have had the pleasure of listening to, and the action and character development, even if sometimes things seem odd, is brilliantly done. Yes, I am now a big fan, and I don’t mind admitting it. I just went to look up the writers and narrator on facebook….

Thanks for being so awesome. (PS I saw book 11 is on the cards for audio, squee)

B00k 10 –

The Flood: Arisen, Book 10 | [Michael Stephen Fuchs]
The Flood: Arisen, Book 10
UNABRIDGED
Reviewed: 13/11/16

“Fab, just don’t want it to end!”

Overall
Performance
Story

With everything coming to a head, things are just so tense, all the time. These guys haven’t had a decent break, and I’m glad that at least there are somethings that keep on being the usual!

I was literally on the edge of my seat while driving and listening to this. There was such desperation, such heartfelt emotions and inner soul searching from everyone in this book. I don’t want it to go wrong, I love these characters, all of them, I’ve lived with them for the last few weeks, day in day out, 5 hours a day! I really want the next audiobooks, but I know they’re not done yet. I will have to wait and I think that will kill me. haha. Best audiobook hangover EVER. Thank you guys.

Book 0.5 –

“Great Intro listen to at anytime.”

Overall
Performance
Story

As I said above, this is a great addition, and you can really listen to it at anytime. I got through all the 12 books and then had the worst hangover, so this was a nice addition to the series. The two Seals with the guys in here, are fab characters, both fought till their last breath, as said in the main series, but going through it with them is hard on the emotions.

Great job to both writer and narrator. Ray is now one of my fav’s and I’m already on another series he narrated 🙂

Nov 27 2016

Author Interview – Wesley Britton

 

“The Blind Alien is a story with a highly original concept, fascinating characters, and not-too-subtle but truthful allegories.  Don’t let the sci-fi label or alternate Earth setting fool you–this is a compelling and contemporarily relevant story about race, sex, and social classes.”

–Raymond Benson, Former James Bond novelist and author of the Black Stiletto books

 

Hello everyone, I’m Wesley Britton, author of all sorts of things including the Beta-Earth Chronicles ebook series published by BearManor Media. Book One, The Blind Alien, came out in Sept 2015; book five, The Third Earth, was just published this Nov.

 

Book six, Return to Alpha, is presently in the hands of an editor but the most exciting news I’m announcing here is that, throughout 2017, the series is coming out as paperbacks! This is to meet the demands of readers who prefer their books in the old-fashioned way, and reader requests has much to do with everything I do!

 

The epic opens when Malcolm Renbourn, a young history teacher, walks into an ordinary bank on an ordinary day. Suddenly, he feels excruciating pain. Unexpectedly, he loses his sight and discovers he has been drawn against his will across the multi-verse to a slave-holding country on a parallel earth. He doesn’t understand a single word he hears, but he soon comprehends that he  is the focal point in the quest to end  a plague that kills three out of four male babies their first year on Beta-Earth.

 

Branded state property, he must escape, but where can a blind man in a strange world dominated by desperate scientists run? And on a world where polygamy is the norm, how can Malcolm Renbourn adapt into becoming the husband of five independent wives who never expected to be the mothers of a generation a planet hopes carry the genes that will change everything? And that’s just part of the story.

 

—-

So the original premise was exploring how an ordinary human can cope on an alien world after going blind—for which I draw from many of my own experiences.  Here’s what just a few reviewers had to say about the debut novel:

 

“An excellent work of new SF that hearkens back to the classics of Asimov and Heinlein. Told from the viewpoint of the different characters, it is a tale of a man from our earth (Alpha) being unwittingly transferred to a parallel earth (Beta) where he must learn to adapt to new cultures, attitudes, languages at the same time as coming to grips with the loss of his sight. Each of the characters are fully developed and well defined and being able to hear their thoughts about each encounter brings a richness to the narratives. Politics, religion, social mores and relationships are all examined from both without and within.”—Dave Massengale, Amazon review

 

“Spymaster and imaginative author, Dr. Wesley Britton has another big hit! His book takes the reader on a compelling journey of an Alpha earthling who has been spirited to planet Beta. Science-fiction, yes, but much more. The book explores science, medicine, commerce, education, spiritual life, family life and sex on an alternative planet which

at times is insightful and hilarious in its comparison to our own Earth. In an ingenious way, Dr. Britton has created a new grammar and vocabulary to continually intrigue the reader. A true winner!” –Bobbi Chertok, Amazon Reviewer

 

Find out more about The Beta-Earth Chronicles at:

http://drwesleybritton.com

 

And keep up with all sorts of entertainment insights and news at:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/295635.Wesley_Britton/blog

 

Nov 23 2016

Cover Reveal! TSK’s book-2-First Contact

 

I’ve been slacking a little as I’ve had so much to do, but here it is!

First-Contact-final-best (2).png

Book Description – 
FIRST CONTACT.
With their journey from planet Letháo fraught with peril, the Aonise finally arrive at what they hope will be a new home. Earth offers a new start for the displaced race, and Kendro, King of the Aonise, desperately seeks a peaceful end to their voyage. However, once they make first contact, not all is as expected. Some humans are not as welcoming to the alien species, and their resettlement onto Earth is faced with resistance from splinter groups determined to drive the Aonise away from their planet. Coupled with internal strife, can Kendro appease all, or will greater misfortunes come to pass?

Excerpt

A loud ringing echoed through the house. Prime Minister Robert Walker bolted upright. His wife, Christine, still slept, her chest rising and falling in even breaths. Is that… the…

His heart pounded in his chest, as the ringing stopped. Silence. No…

Glancing at Christine, he let out a breath seeing she hadn’t stirred. The chemo from yesterday had wiped her out. They were trying to rest, and now, he was terrified what little rest they’d had at their country holiday home would be ruined. As the phone rang again, Walker threw the covers off, and reached out for it. Damn, this will wake her.

Monday, 23rd Sept 2041 – 1:14 AM flashed on his clock.

Picking up his phone. Walker hit answer, and slid out of the warm bed into the cooler air of their hallway.

“Hello.”

Christine murmured, turning over, and searching blindly in the bed for him.

“Robert?” The Chief of Defence’s adrenaline-pumped voice almost screamed across the line. Walker listened to words he never thought he’d hear. “We’re at Threat Level Critical. A copter is on its way. Suffok will meet you at the nearest hotel conference room.”

What? Critical? The UK hadn’t issued critical status ever. What on Earth is going on?

“I’ll be right there.” Then, Walker thought of Christine. He couldn’t leave her alone. Not tonight. Phoning his sister-in-law, he asked her to come over and stay with Christine.

There were highly trained nurses stationed in the house, but they weren’t family. Guilt clutched as his conscience, as he headed back to the bedroom and dressed.

Christine had settled back, and he perched on the end of the bed, stroking the back of her head. “I’ve got to go out. Ani is on her way. She’ll stay with you tonight.”

His wife turned to face him. “At this hour, seriously?” The annoyance on her pale face and bloodshot eyes spooked him.

Walker sighed. Christine knew his job came before lots of things. “I’ll see you for dinner.” He kissed his wife gently on the forehead.

Christine didn’t respond. She turned her head away from him. Concern filled him, as he gave her one last look before hurrying to the door. He had no way of knowing if he would be home for dinner today, or next week.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Dawn Chapman has been creating sci fi and fantasy stories for thirty years. Until 2005 when her life and attention turned to scripts, and she started work on The Secret King, a 13-episode Sci Fi TV series, with great passion for this medium.

In 2010, Dawn returned to her first love of prose. She’s been working with coach EJ Runyon who’s encouraged her away from fast paced script writing, to revel in the world of TSK and Letháo as an epic prose space journey.

This year her experience of working with Producers/Directors from the US and AUS has expanded. From Drama, Sci Fi to Action, Dawn’s built a portfolio of writing, consulting and publishing.

 

Books by Dawn Chapman

The Secret King, Lethao
The Secret King Lethao – audio book
The Truth Hurts –  novella audio book

Bree’s results – novella audio book
https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Chapman/e/B014A0RUBC

Coming soon
First Contact book 2 of The Secret King scifi series – Release 20/12/2016

The Secret King – anthology TBA

How to find Dawn Chapman

Face book fan page – https://www.facebook.com/TheSecretKing

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Chapman/e/B014A0RUBC

Twitter TSK – https://twitter.com/

Twitter Dawn Chapman – https://twitter.com/kanundra

Website – https://www.thesecretking.com