I guess I’d forgotten that each month has it’s own special ‘birth flower’. For July it’s the larkspur. It symbolizes light and pure fun during the warm summer months. Man, warm is right. 🥵🥵 As a side note, I’m thinking of starting a blog series called #SaharasMusings which will be random thoughts/ideas that pop into my head during the month. Might be fun. Might not be. 🤣😂
My name is Officer Thomas Nolan, and I am a saint.
I can smell evil. I show mercy to the lesser criminals – the desperate. Even those I’ve put behind bars seem to like me. But now there’s a serial killer bringing darkness beyond imagination to my city. I can smell his stench a mile away. But how can I prove it?
How do you do forensics on a killer possessed by a demon?
MY REVIEW:
I was leary about picking up this book because I don’t believe in the cultism of religion, especially Catholics. But, I love a good horror thriller so took the chance. And, I’ll try to put my prejudice aside. Something the author should’ve done.
This story definitely fit the bill for dark and gruesome. His descriptions of the crime scenes were well depicted. You could almost smell the evil that Nolan did. It’s also action packed with lots of encounters so it was mostly a fast paced read.
The characters were okay. But, no one I could really relate too. Mostly because they’re one dimensional and Nolan was a real jerk. I consider myself a moderate conservative and he disgusted me with his extreme right-wing ideology. So, reader beware. If you’re Pro-Choice, you do not want to read this book.
Aside from the overly political nature of this story, my other complaint is the weak storyline and how actions and deeds were done that were so unbelievable. The NY DA would never speak to a suspect that way or jump to conclusions without some shred of physical evidence. Then, there was the lack of editing which kept throwing me out of the story.
I can’t say I enjoyed the book and I felt like I needed to flush out my brain afterwards. However, I can see where readers who are extreme right leaning and Pro-Life will love the story. I give it 3-stars.
Classic Space Opera in the Jack Vance mode told by critically acclaimed science fiction novelist, Matthew Hughes
Released by Spatterlight / The book is available worldwide in all formats
“I really enjoyed Barbarians of the Beyond. Matthew Hughes does Jack Vance better than anyone except Jack himself.”— George R. R. Martin
Twenty years ago, five master criminals known as the Demon Princes raided Mount Pleasant to enslave thousands of inhabitants in the lawless Beyond. Now Morwen Sabine, a daughter of captives, has escaped her cruel master and returns to Mount Pleasant to recover the hidden treasure she hopes will buy her parents’ freedom.
But Mount Pleasant has changed. Morwen must cope with mystic cultists, murderous drug-smugglers, undercover “weasels” of the Interplanetary Police Coordinating Company, and the henchmen of the vicious pirate lord who owns her parents and wants Morwen returned. So he can kill her slowly…
“Lock the door, turn off the phone, get into a comfy chair, and deep-dive into a marvelous continuation of Jack Vance’s Demon Princes series. Matthew Hughes is a treasure and Barbarians of the Beyond is a terrific adventure.” — David Gerrold
“Matthew Hughes follows nimbly in Jack Vance’s footprints, then breaks some fresh trail. First-class space opera.”— Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of Hominids
“Engaging and enchanting…a fine companion adventure to Jack Vance’s The Demon Princes series, told with Matthew Hughes’s excellent sense of charm, ethical complexity and exotic worldbuilding. Let’s hope this is just the beginning!” — Kurt Busiek
“Barbarians of the Beyond is just plain old-fashioned space opera fun with a relatable heroine who is sometimes fallible, rather than some Shaolin Temple kung fu megamaster. I enjoyed it a lot.” — Glen Cook
“…a tale that captures that special ‘golden age’ feel in which mankind has travelled far into the stars yet still behaves as though it’s the Wild West.”— David White, RNR Magazine
More from Matthew Hughes:
Winner of the international Endeavour Award
In the mid 1500s shipwrecked African slaves melded with the indigenous peoples of coastal Ecuador and together they fought the Spanish colonial power to a standstill, to remain independent for centuries. The story of the people of Esmeraldas is told through the eyes of three characters: Alonso, an escaped slave; Expectation, an a-gender shaman; and Alejandro, a priest on the run from the Inquistion.With its slipstream elements this novel carries a flavour of South American magical realism tradition into a grand historical epic. Both sweeping and intimate, it is a delight to read from beginning to end.
About Matthew:
Matthew Hughes is a Canadian author of science fiction and fantasy.
His speculative fiction novels are: Fools Errant, Fool Me Twice, Black Brillion, Majestrum, TheCommons, The Spiral Labyrinth, Template, Hespira, The Other, The Damned Busters,Costume Not Included, Hell to Pay, Song of the Serpent and Wolverine:Lifeblood (both as Hugh Matthews), A Wizard’s Henchman, A God in Chains, Baldemar, and Passengers & Perils.
His magnum opus is What the Wind Brings, a historical novel with magical realism elements. It was the first Canadian work to win the international Endeavour Award. He waited more than forty years to write the novel, and spent a year composing several drafts, made possible by a $25,000 grant from the Canada Council for the Arts.
His major influence as a writer of speculative fiction is the Grandmaster Jack Vance. Booklist has called Hughes Vance’s “heir apparent.”
In 2021, Vance’s estate (Spatterlight Press), published Hughes’s Barbarians of the Beyond, an authorized companion novel to Vance’s iconic revenge series, The Demon Princes. The book prompted George R.R. Martin to say, “Hughes does Jack Vance better than anyone except Jack himself.”
His short fiction has appeared in Asimov’s, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Lightspeed, Pulp Literature, Postscripts, Storyteller, Interzone, Amazing, Unfit, and several anthologies edited by Gardner Dozois and George R.R. Martin, including the bestseller, Rogues.
His works have been short-listed for the Aurora, Locus, Nebula, Philip K Dick, A.E. Van Vogt, Neffy, Alberta Book Publishing, and Endeavour Awards.
In 2020, he was inducted into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association’s Hall of Fame.
Before turning to writing fiction, he spent three decades as the top-ranked speechwriter in British Columbia, writing for leaders of all three provincial political parties and CEOs of the province’s largest corporations.
Since 2007, he has traveled the world as a housesitter, living in twelve countries.
To request additional review copies or an interview with Matthew Hughes, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
The book is published by Squirrel House Publishing and is available worldwide in print format
In the second collection from D.A. Andrews, author of To Fight Fire With Sun, the poet shares the lessons life has taught her with an audience sure to be spellbound by the strength of her poetry. Exploring themes of familial grief, the heavy weight of expectations, and what it means to come into oneself, Andrews weathers the storms of life with grace and strength, inviting the reader to explore what Embracing the Tempest might look like in their own lives.
More From D.A. Andrews
To Fight Fire with Sun is a chapbook of poetry that dives into the experiences of love and loss. From conception, we have known love (or the lack thereof) and have grown to understand how this experience makes us the humans we are today. Loss comes in all forms. Whether through a friend, lover, or ourselves, we seek to find some method with which we can understand this pain and heal from it. To Fight Fire With Sun is just that- a queer girl’s exploration into how one can love, lose, and heal through the power of words.
“There is a lyricism to these poems that echoes through the pages, words of how to face experiences, adjust, and heal, DA Andrews is a spirit to follow.” _ Grady Harp, Top 100 Amazon Reviewer
“Poetry is subjective. It’s symbolism can take new meaning with each read, which makes it such a fascinating art form. D.A. Andrews does a nice job of modernizing it while giving it an everyday style of language.”, J.M Northup, Editor Norns Triad Publications
About D.A. Andrews:
D. A. Andrews was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. Throughout the years, she has developed wide interests in various aspects of life, such as coffee, weddings, books, and psychology. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus with a BSc. in Marine Biology and Psychology (Honors) and is currently pursuing her MBA. She considers herself a nomad at heart and has changed cities and apartments quite as often as she changes her clothes. She is currently resting her head in Brunswick, Georgia, with her black cat (and familiar), Luna.
To request additional review copies or an interview with D.A. Andrews, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
Every 4th of July I spend the night sitting on my patio watching the neighborhood fireworks. I live in an area with lots of apartment buildings, so the variety changes from year to year as people move around a lot. Sometimes, I see amazing displays. Other years it’s disappointing. This year it was a little of both.
We all know that our economy sucks right now, money is thigh, and everything costs so much more. I can’t even imagine how much fireworks cost this year. What I noticed was hardly any banging or popping prior to the 4th. Of course, Omaha didn’t make them legal to shoot until the 2nd. Still, usually I hear a build up before the 4th. And none were heard AFTER the 4th.
What I also noticed was that a lot of the ground fireworks were missing. Even though I can’t see them, I can hear them. I can tell when Roman Candles are going off or fountains erupting by the sizzling sounds. I guess people chose to spend their money on the WOW factor than the fun one. Which was fine by me.
While I was watching, I thought, why aren’t I recording them? Duh. So I ran into my apartment, grabbed my camera nd started recording. Sadly, the colors didn’t show up as well as I hoped. But I uploaded them and put them in a video format. Along with some music. Got to have the music. Without it, it’s just colors exploding in the air. That’s why tv shows and movies use music.
A WAR IN SPACE AS TOLD BY CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AUTHOR, ALAN SMALE
Set for release this July and published by CAEZIK SF & Fantasy, an imprint of Arc Manor Books!
The novel will be available in eBook and print form across all platforms!
“A nail-biting thriller.”−Publishers Weekly
From the Sidewise Award-winning author of the acclaimed Clash of Eagles trilogy comes an alternate 1979 where the US and the Soviets have permanent Moon bases, orbiting space stations, and crewed spy satellites supported by frequent rocket launches.
Apollo 32, commanded by career astronaut Vivian Carter, docks at NASA’s Columbia space station en route to its main mission: exploring the volcanic Marius Hills region of the Moon. Vivian is caught in the crossfire as four Soviet Soyuz craft appear without warning to assault the orbiting station. In an unplanned and desperate move, Vivian spacewalks through hard vacuum back to her Lunar Module and crew and escapes right before the station falls into Soviet hands.
Their original mission scrubbed, Vivian and her crew are redirected to land at Hadley Base, a NASA scientific outpost with a crew of eighteen. But soon Hadley, too, will come under Soviet attack, forcing its unarmed astronauts to daring acts of ingenuity and improvisation.
With multiple viewpoints, shifting from American to Soviet perspective, from occupied space station to American Moon base under siege, to a covert and blistering US Air Force military response, Hot Moon tells the gripping story of a war in space that very nearly might have been.
PRAISE FOR HOT MOON:
“I loved it. Great ‘hard’ science fiction with convincing space battles.” −Larry Niven, Nebula and Hugo Award-winning author of Ringworld
“Alan Smale is one of the brightest stars in the hard-SF firmament, and Hot Moon is his best novel yet. Enjoy!” −Robert J. Sawyer, Nebular and Hugo Award-winning author of The Oppenheimer Alternative
Alan Smale writes alternate and twisted history, and hard SF. His novella of a Roman invasion of ancient America, “A Clash of Eagles”, won the Sidewise Award. Alan has also sold over forty short stories to Asimov’s, Abyss & Apex, Writers of the Future, and other magazines and anthologies.
Alan grew up in Yorkshire, England, and earned degrees in Physics and Astrophysics from Oxford University. By day he performs astronomical research into black holes and neutron stars at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, with over a hundred published academic papers; by night he sings bass with high-energy vocal band The Chromatics, and is co-creator of their educational AstroCappella project, spreading astronomy through a cappella in schools nationwide.
Find him online at https://www.alansmale.com, Facebook/AlanSmale, and Twitter/@AlanSmale.
To request additional review copies or an interview with Alan Smale, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity by email: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com or by phone at 403.464.6925.
The bestselling book on the power of relationships includes tons of real-world stories and in-depth guidance for making connections in both the online and offline world.
In this zippy read packed with true-life stories, Jen Nash explains how the opportunity to connect is everywhere and how we can get more than we ever dreamed of out of life if we make the effort to lean in and say hello.
Get inspired when you realize that making time to connect is the most productive thing you can do to thrive at home or at work. In fact, as you read this fun, fast-paced book you’ll see how powerful connections support your happiness, health, and well-being.
Although it’s packed with relatable stories and smart snippets of insightful research on how we listen, talk and crave connection—Jen Nash also gives you lots of practical tips for making connections on a daily basis. Not sure how to follow up with that amazing human you just met on a bus, plane, train or an event? It’s in the book. Not sure how to connect more deeply on social media? Also in the book. Jen Nash breaks all sorts of situations down, and really digs into why building our social capital and growing our networks is the most valuable thing we can do to expand our lives.
Whether you want to go to more parties, get a better job, make more money, or be a better person—reading this book can give you practical strategies for doing it all. A happier, more successful, and more fulfilling life is within your reach and The Big Power of Tiny Connections will show you the way
MY REVIEW:
A friend suggested that I read this book. Any words of wisdom to help improve myself was okay by me, so gave it a try. From page one I was very impressed by the excellent writing style of the author.
So much of the book resonated with me. Unfortunately, since I’m in my mid 60’s, I feel that I’ve missed the boat for most of her teachings/suggestions. Still, there can always be room in one’s life for growth, no matter the age.
As an introvert, how many wonderful connections did I miss because being a wall flower was safer? I’ll never know. And in todays modern world of cellphones and social media, how many young people have totally ignored their tiny connections as they’re glued to their screens. Life is passing them by.
Throughout the book, Jen has stories/examples of how some random encounter turned into amazing connections. I found them quite relatable and fascinating.
What I didn’t like was that she seemed too over the top with her suggestions. Jen did say that it takes practice and she didn’t find it easy either to just start talking with total strangers to make a possible connection. Still, the vast majority of people will never go to the extreme she has. But, lessons can be learned to help oneself become a better person during the process. That part I can say YES too.
If you’re a person looking to change their lives, whether a job, relationships, or just better friends, I highly recommend this book. In my opinion, everyone should read it. I give it a resounding 5-stars.
Major Rake Ozenna’s mission is simple: gain access to the Kato family – Japan’s most dangerous crime empire – and stop the threat to America. But when the secret son of the Russian leader is executed and Rake’s target, Sara Kato, is implicated in the murder, a political crisis between Russia, Japan and the US is set in motion.
It’s a race to protect Sara and earn her trust whilst escaping the inhospitable terrain of the icy Aland Islands. Meanwhile, Russia wants revenge for the murder, a catastrophic move when it is revealed that Japan is not the trusted ally America thought it was.
As Rake learns the true extent of their deadly plans, he must draw on every ounce of his training to succeed. Because if he fails, it won’t just be his life that will be lost . . . the consequences will be global!
Reviews for Humphrey Hawksley’s thrillers
‘Hawksley’s excellent idea is to move the battleground from Eastern Europe to the Arctic north. When a maverick Russian commander decides to occupy a tiny American island in the Bering Strait, there’s only one man who can prevent the situation from escalating into a nuclear war: Rake Ozenna of the elite Eskimo Scouts’ Mail on Sunday, Thriller of the Week on MAN ON ICE
‘Knuckle-whitening suspense, bloody violence, dirty tricks, and plenty of surprising twists make this a gripping, can’t-put-it-down read’ Bookliston MAN ON ICE
‘Die Hard meets 1984, fast moving, sophisticated’
WashingtonPost on SECURITY BREACH
‘Humphrey Hawksley is one of only a handful of writers taking the thriller in important new directions’ Craig Thomas, author of the MITCHELL GANT series
Humphrey Hawksley work a as a BBC foreign correspondent has taken him all over the world. He is a regular panelist and speaker and his writing has appeared in most mainstream publication such as the Guardian, The Times, Financial Times, and Yale Global. His latest non-fiction book is Asian Waters: The Struggle Over the Asia-Pacific and the Strategy of Chinese Expansion. Hawksley’s television documentaries include The Curse of Gold, Bitter Sweet and Aid Under Scrutiny.
@hwhawksley | humphreyhawksley.com
To request additional review copies or an interview with Humphrey, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com /403.464.6925.
![What the Wind Brings by [Matthew Hughes]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41U0S7-YphL.jpg)
![To Fight Fire with Sun by [D. A. Andrews, Roux]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41DC2HjxIqL.jpg)
