#Review: INTERFERENCE by Brad Parks

  5 of 5 stars

Another spell-binding roller coaster of a story from Brad Parks! Quantum physicist Matt Bronik believes he's on the cusp of some ground breaking research in quantum mechanics, but when he starts to develop mysterious and puzzling seizures, doctors have no idea what's wrong with him. Could his research with a particular virus be the cause? When Matt goes missing after another seizure, veteran detective Emmett Webster is assigned the case when it was just a missing person case. With each day that passes, the case becomes more complicated and the suspects multiply in what is now a kidnapping case. What Emmett can't figure out is why Matt was kidnapped, but he's determined to find him and won't give up even if he has to fight the DOD and the federal agents.

There is a lot of quantum mechanics discussed in this story, but Mr. Parks breaks it down for the average reader to understand. If you enjoy science and physics in particular, this book will delight you. With the POV switching between Matt's wife, the detective and a billionaire, there's a lot to absorb in the book. The beginning of the story is a little dry as the stage is set, but events soon ramp up and I couldn't put the book down to find out what happened. Who had orchestrated this kidnapping and why was the DOD so intent of keeping Matt's lab under lock and key?

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

Blurb:

 Brigid Bronik is worried about her husband Matt, a quantum physicist at Dartmouth College. He’s excited about some groundbreaking, secret research he’s undertaken, but at the same time, he’s been suffering from bizarre, violent seizures that have no medical explanation. He thinks they’re unrelated to his work, but acknowledges he doesn’t fully understand the potential dangers of pushing certain quantum boundaries. In the midst of another seizure at the lab, Matt disappears, and all clues indicate that he’s been abducted. Suspects abound—jealous colleagues, Chinese competitors, an unscrupulous billionaire, and even the Department of Defense. Brigid, who has otosclerosis, which is gradual but almost complete hearing loss, won’t let her physical challenges get in the way of finding out what happened to her husband. And she soon comes to realize the very science that was making her husband sick may also be the key to his salvation.

Quantum entanglement. Mutated viruses. Medically inexplicable seizures. Science is one of the stars of INTERFERENCE, and Parks skillfully turns complex scientific concepts into grounded, understandable, and even thrilling aspects of this storyline that will enthrall readers.

Author bio:

Brad Parks is the only writer to have won the Shamus, Nero, and Lefty Awards, three of American crime fiction’s most prestigious prizes. His novels have been published in fifteen languages and have won critical acclaim across the globe, including stars from every major prepublication review outlet. A graduate of Dartmouth College, Parks is a former journalist with the Washington Post and the Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey). He is now a full-time novelist living in Virginia with his wife and two school-age children. A former college a cappella singer and community-theater enthusiast, Brad has been known to burst into song whenever no one was thoughtful enough to muzzle him. His favored writing haunt is a Hardee’s restaurant, where good-natured staff members suffer his presence for many hours a day, and where he can often be found working on his next novel.

Website: www.bradparksbooks.com

Facebook: @BradParksBooks

Twitter: @Brad_Parks

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brad-parks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2941328.Brad_Parks

Additional social media tags

Facebook: @amazonpublishing, @meganbeatiecommunications

Instagram: @amazonpublishing, @mbc_books

Twitter: @amazonpub, @mbeatie

NEW Sci-fi Release: SPECTRE DEEP 6 by Jennifer Brody

“Specter Deep 6 is awesome! Horror, science-fiction, great characters, devious twists, rampant weirdness and a heck of a lot of fun! Highly recommended!” -Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of V-Wars, Rot & Ruin and Black Panther: Doomwar”

In the vein of Flatliners and Ghost meets The Bourne Identity and La Femme Nikita, a diverse team of black ops “Spectres”―elite soldiers who died in the line of duty only to be reanimated by military scientists and brought back as actual ghosts―carry out illicit missions for the United States government in exchange for day passes to haunt their old lives and fulfill their unfinished business.

Spectre Deep 6 is a paranormal sci-fi graphic novel that centers on six reanimated spectres who have the tactical precision and paranormal abilities to carry out the most important and clandestine missions for our government. Missions that are too dangerous, illegal, and secretive to leave any trace―assassinations, regime toppling, technology theft, halting nuclear weapons programs, and more.

When the Spectre Team assassinates a target, they literally scare the victim to death, making it look like they had a stroke or heart attack, so the target appears to die from natural causes. Then they ghost from the scene, leaving no trace they were ever there. They’re the perfect weapons. The downside to spectre soldiers? They’re like batteries that need to be recharged, or they’ll disperse and pass on. That’s why they have to stay locked in containment most of the time, a glorified ghost prison located in a secret military bunker under Area 51 and powered by a nuclear reactor (it takes a lot of energy to charge a ghost). Oh, and ghost soldiers can get a bit … testy.

They don’t always get along or follow orders. After all, they didn’t ask to be brought back.

Buy link:

https://www.amazon.com/Spectre-Deep-6-Jennifer-Brody/dp/1684424135

Author bio:

Jennifer Brody is the award-winning author of "The 13th Continuum," the graphic novels "Spectre Deep 6" and "200," and the Disney Chills series, writing as Vera Strange. She's a graduate of Harvard University and a film and television producer and writer. She began her career in Hollywood on many films, including "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Golden Compass." She lives and writes in downtown LA, where she's hard at work on her next book. You can find her on Twitter @JenniferBrody, and Instagram and Facebook @JenniferBrodyWriter.

#Review: THUNDER WELLS by Terry W Ervin II

  5 of 5 stars

I've been a fan of Mr. Ervin ever since I read his first book, "Flank Hawk." Mr. Ervin is a talented author who bring to life what Earth would be like if we were attacked by a advanced technological alien species. The hero, Jack Fairbanks, is a college student in Ohio when the invasion is launched. Teaming up with another survivalist, Jack learns the basic of living in this new apocalyptic world. His territory is a park east of the city and he and a sometimes partner Lucia defend it against aliens as well as roving human gangs. Supplies, food and medicine are scarce and Jack has a stash hidden that others will die for trying to capture it. When the remnants of the US Army ask for his supplies and his help, Jack and Lucia, embark on a secret and dangerous mission to save the nation from the alien Mawks.

Mr. Ervin pulls no punches with this realistic story. Soldiers are lost along the way and Jack must come to grips with the reality of battling for his life every moment of every day. The story is a stark reminder of what life would be life if an alien species attacked with EMP waves. Pampered living as we know would evaporate in an instant. Jack is a fighter--he'll fight to protect his friends, he'll fight for the Army and he'll fight to save the world from the invading Mawks. Once you start this story, you'll want to read it all the way through. An absolutely excellent read and fans of science fiction will definitely enjoy this book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Amazon buy link:

https://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Wells-Terry-W-Ervin-ebook/dp/B01MRWESV9

The Vacation Route to Completing a Novel by Terry W. Ervin II

Just about every writer, and a good number of readers, knows one way to categorize writers is Pantsters vs. Plotters.

A ‘pantster’ just sits down and writes their novel, not knowing what happens next, until they reach the end of the story.

A ‘plotter’ outlines or plans their book and uses that as a guide while writing the novel, from beginning to the end of the story.

Of course, the division isn’t as black and white as that. For example, the degree to which an author plans or outlines their novels varies greatly.

In any case, this article isn’t intended to discuss which method is superior/should be used, because, in truth, there isn’t any single ‘right way’ to write a novel. What works for one author may or may not be efficient or effective for another. Anyone who believes there is only one ‘right way’ is, well, wrong. Otherwise, every successful author would use the exact same writing process—which they don’t.

What I am going to share is what works for me, and has worked for a number of writers that have struggled in the past…either ‘pantstering’ and writing themselves into a corner, or leaving a jumbled, rambling storyline with plot holes and tangents galore—something unmanageable to work with. Or the writers that can’t get beyond the outlining stage. And, if the outlining authors do, they can’t transition that outline into a compelling story.

I think of the way I outline and plan a novel before writing it as similar to planning a road trip for a vacation. For a vacation, you plan out a route to your ultimate destination. You plan where you intend to stop and visit along the way. How long the stop will be and what sights will be seen. As with any vacation, there will be detours and unexpected sights to see. Some anticipated stops will be shortened or bypassed all together. Some stretches of road will take longer than anticipated, with construction or crowded bottlenecks. Other sections will breeze by faster than anticipated. Still, along the way, even on the road, there are things to see and experience.

Just as with the vacation road trip, I plan out my novel, from the starting point to the final destination—how it will end. I identify major plot points or events along the way (major places to stop and visit). While I have an idea how long it will take to write certain scenes containing the various plot events, sometimes it takes more words (stay there longer). Sometimes I write something unanticipated (stop at an unanticipated destination along the way) and sometimes I eliminate something from the plot (bypassing a planned stop along the way).

The thing is, an outline isn’t written in stone, just as vacation plans shouldn’t be. The flexibility allows the story to grow and become more interesting along the way. Me? I plan in a spiral notebook, taking up about fifteen pages. I jot down relevant events, bits of interesting dialogue or places or characters to be introduced, things like that. With a two novels, I transferred the handwritten version to a Word document. This makes it easier to add or delete information, as opposed to adding new ideas in a different color pen or crossing things out. See, that outline is dynamic, and as ideas strike me over the course of writing, I have an organized place to jot (or type) them as they come to me.

Another hidden benefit is that I don’t get writer’s block. Why not? I know exactly which mile marker (event within the plot outline) I am at, and what mile marker (plot destination) I am traveling (writing) towards. At least that is how writing has worked out for me.

So, if you’re a writer that struggles (or a reader thinking about maybe writing a novel), whether you’re a pantster or a plotter, consider giving my method a try. Modify it to your needs and writing style (some authors use index cards or spread sheets). If you’re an avid reader who thinks you might have a good novel inside of you…consider starting out with this method to organize that novel (or novella or short story) so that it can be written.

Author Bio:

Terry W. Ervin II is an English teacher who enjoys writing fantasy and science fiction. Beyond his new release, Thunder Wells, Terry’s Crax War Chronicles (science fiction) includes Relic Tech and Relic Hunted, and his First Civilization’s Legacy Series (fantasy) includes Flank Hawk, Blood Sword and Soul Forge. His short story collection, Genre Shotgun, contains all of his stories previously published in magazines, ezines and anthologies.

When Terry isn’t writing or enjoying time with his wife and daughters, he can be found in his basement raising turtles.

To contact Terry, or to learn more about his writing endeavors, visit his website at www.ervin-author.com and his blog, Up Around the Corner, at uparoundthecorner.blogspot.com.

Amazon author page:

https://www.amazon.com/Terry-W.-Ervin-II/e/B01DAZWF0O 

Interview with K.N. Salustro, CHASING SHADOWS

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?

My most recent book is Unbroken Light. It’s the second installment of my Star Hunters scifi series, which follows a bounty hunter and a military officer forced into an unstable alliance by a mutual enemy. The books have plenty of action, aliens, and far-off planets, for those who are in to adventure space operas.

Do you have a favorite character?

Lissa. Definitely. She is one of the main characters of the series and is a bounty hunter who gets pulled into a struggle that she tried to run from all her life. She finally gets backed into a corner but she never gives up, and she’s not afraid to do what she thinks is right, even that puts her on the wrong side of the law. Actually, especially if that puts her on that side. I may not agree with her sense of morality, but she is one of my favorite characters to write.

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?

Yes. Yes I have. A prime example is Jason Stone, who originally had a much smaller role and nowhere near as much development in the earliest drafts of Chasing Shadows (the first book in the series). As I continued to work on Chasing Shadows, I found that Jason kept working his way back into the plot, and the more I explored him as a character, the stronger the book felt. He’s still not a main character, but he’s had a much, much stronger influence on the direction of the series as a whole than I ever thought he would, and he will continue to do so in the third book.

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?

For me, the biggest draw of self-publishing was the ability to keep total creative control over the content of my book. When I finished writing Chasing Shadows, I knew that the ending in particular would probably be a bit of a turn-off for most traditional publishers. The book ends on a cliffhanger, and most traditionally published first installments tend to have a more positive and more closed ending. That’s not a bad thing, but there was a very definite place that I wanted Chasing Shadows to end, and self-publishing let me keep that ending, along with all the other creative decisions I made.

How involved were you during the creative process for your cover?

I commissioned a freelance artist for my covers, and I was thrilled to be very involved with the creation of the images. I had admired the artist’s work for a couple of years before reaching out to him for the book covers, so I was excited to see what he would come up with and wanted to give him some creative freedom, but I did get to tell him what I was looking for concept-wise, what kinds of colors I wanted, and what specific elements I wanted to incorporate. I gave feedback when he showed me drafts and ask for changes as needed, but I was really happy with the images he created for me.

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?

When I first started writing, I was very much a go-with-the-flow kind of writer. I let the plot go where it wanted and the characters do as they pleased. Then I ended up with way too many characters and plot points to keep everything straight in my head. So, I started using sticky notes as a way to keep track of the important characters’ timelines. Each character has their own assigned color, and I handwrite their actions and the impacts of those actions on a note before I stick it on the designated wall. It’s an easy way to keep their movements in chronological order and keep an eye on the pacing of the action. This method also adds a lot of color to my walls, though most people tend to think it’s more weird than decorative. There are a lot of notes.

What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to be confident in my own work, and have patience. I started out small and it took time and effort to get to where I am now, and it will take even more time and even more effort to go further. As long as I am passionate about what I am doing, however, it is all worth it.

Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?

Yes! The print editions are available through CreateSpace, and other digital editions can be found through Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and the Apple iBook Store.

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?

Be prepared to be your own biggest cheerleader. You need patience, you need determination, you need thick skin, and you need to have enough confidence in your work to trust it to stand on its own. Confidence does not mean arrogance, however. Be willing to listen to criticism and take away the constructive parts so you can become a stronger writer. Put out the very best you can at this point in time, but never stop learning and growing as a writer. And, most importantly of all, editing and proofreading are your friends. Do not skimp in those areas.

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?

I actually double as a plush maker. I run an Etsy shop called Dragons by Kris where I make—you guessed it—dragons, though I’ve started branching out into custom patterns and other creations, including a couple of critters from my Star Hunters series. Plush making is something that can be frustrating, but I enjoy doing it, and I love holding my finished works in my hands. I’m still learning, but I’ve already come a long way from where I started three years ago.

Author Bio:

K.N. Salustro is a science fiction and fantasy writer from New Jersey who loves outer space, dragons, and good stories. In addition to writing, she also runs an Etsy shop, works as a freelance editor, and makes art for her Society6 and Redbubble shops.

Her debut novel Chasing Shadows was a finalist for the 2015 Cygnus awards, and is currently available for purchase through Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, the Apple iBook store, and CreateSpace. The sequel Unbroken Light can be purchased from the same locations.

#Review: RELIC HUNTED by Terry Ervin II

  4.5 of 5 stars

RELIC HUNTED continues the story of Security Specialist Kra Keesey. After miraculously surviving the Cranaltar IV brain scan with his memories intact, Keesey's contract is picked up by Intelligence. The action picks right up in the medical facility where Keesey is recovering and it  is under attack by the Crax. These aliens are winning the war. Humanity is on the brink of extinction, but then again, the Crax have underestimated Keesey's tenacity to survive. He single-handedly brought down Capital Galactic Corporation who had a secret alliance with the Crax, but not all of the CGC executives were caught. Keesey has become the most hated man in the galaxy and CGC has put a huge bounty on his head.

Mr. Ervin pulls the reader into the story with the opening chapter and from there it's one jaw-dropping scene after another. I could hardly take a breath wondering what would happen to Keesey next. Make no mistake, Keesey is no superman, but what he lacks in more advanced technical skills, he more than makes up for it with his mode of outdated fire arms. The cast of supporting aliens is inventive and was interesting to see how they interacted with humans. A slight criticism would be there were too many back story scenes especially at the end. I found myself skipping over those  paragraphs to get back to the action and the reason why this book didn't earn the full 5 stars. The story ends with a surprising twist, nicely setting up book 3. Can't wait to see what Mr. Ervin has in store for Security Specialist Keesey. Fans of science fiction/space opera will absolutely love the book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Amazon buy link:
 https://www.amazon.com/Relic-Hunted-Crax-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B01AIGC30U