Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

 

I Love Books, A Christmas Video

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Alden and the Trash Truck

A Parent's Struggle: Helping Children Understand Alcoholism

A Lab Of A Different Color

A Quirky Christmas

The Mighty Pranksters of Bright Lives Academy

Dizzy's Diary

The Puppy Mill Escape

Hardy Belch and The Gold Train

If reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Dancer's Lament by Ian C. Esslemont

This author is fond of complexity and that forces you to pay attention. Li Heng is a city-state protected by the Protectress and her mages. Dorin, a professional assassin is trying to establish his “rep”.   To establish a reputation you need to assassinate someone notable or difficult.  On his journey, he meets Wu an aspiring mage who may be insane.  The two of them end up in Li Heng where they discover a surfeit of opportunities for wealth, knowledge, and reputation. 

 

Esslemont provides plenty of interesting characters such as the NightBlades, and Jaghuts that may or may not be the offspring of higher beings.  There is an allusion to another dimension.  One which seems to have had a devastating war. For unknown reasons, Wu wants to go there or at least control the beings he finds there.  They both run afoul of Li Heng’s criminal environment with disastrous results. The Kanese have decided to add Li Heng to their string of conquests.  They then besieged the city and challenged the mighty sorceress, the Protectress.   

 

Dorin has had his humanistic side burned out by his training.  He is befriended, much to his dismay, by a healer of birds.  She brings out normal human feelings that he was unaware of having.

 

The book provides a decent enough closure that you could read it as a standalone.  It is the first book in a trilogy that precedes another trilogy so their hooks aplenty to get you to buy the next book. 

 

Due to Esslemont’s attention to detail and the complexity of the plot, I would recommend reading the books in order. 

 

I recommend the book.This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

A Beast Within by Aidan Lucid

The Boyd family has a terrifying experience that leads to an unknown future.   Jeremy is an ex-con who can’t catch a break.  He encounters his childhood best buddy Stephen who is accompanied by Natalie his girlfriend.   The encounter leads to action and mayhem.

Lucid, paints Jeremy with compassion.  Lucid seems to see the challenges of the incarcerated population reintegrating with the normal populace.  He shows how both intentional and unintentional cruelty, even if verbal, can cause major injury to someone trying to change.

The Boyds have their morality play to contend with.   David, their son, requires morally questionable or even abhorrent help to survive.   Their solution has its own forboding knell.

Lucid provides scenarios that make you ponder on what your response might be in a similar situation.

A thought-provoking book that provides an entertaining read.

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Kakistocracy by Alex Shvartsman

Conrad Brent is a mage without magic.   A middling or possibly a god-in-waiting with an abundance of ethics and morals.   His power is in his out-of-the-box thinking.   He successfully offends a segment of the fae and comes home to discover that a wealth of enemies has invaded his city.  

Shvartsman has come up with a highly likable character who recognizes that occasionally it is imperative to be ruthless.  Kind-hearted and yet filled with righteous indignation over any kind of mistreatment of “his” borough citizens, Conrad gets his butt kicked but bounces back.

I’d hoped for a rapprochement with Herc would happen but perhaps in the next book.  Moira O’Leary has grown into a full-blown character.   She may be my new favorite with her skewed understanding of karma.

God, fairies, trolls, guns, spells, battles what’s not to like?

I recommend the book and the series!

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Happy Halloween!

Futility of Defense by Bryan Cole

I’m fond of a back story.  This book does not have one.   It is part of a saga, which is fine but you’re expectations are colored by confusion.  Krell is a paladin of ReckNor, a minor deity.  He is charged with defending his home against sea devils who oddly come from the sea which seems like the area where ReckNor is in charge.

There is action, fighting, interplay where Krell seems to be fascinated with an assortment of female characters and their physical characteristics. 

I never was able to invest in the book.  

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Titanian Chronicle: Journey of Destiny by Leisl Kaberry

A pair of elves and a human raised by elves venture into the outside world.   The venture is fraught with peril and they discover they have been cosseted and sheltered.  They meet other beings and races and deal with prejudice in their travels.  

Kaberry highlights naivety and foolishness in equal measure.   Afeelin seeks his future in the mystical arts.   Wolfang wants to spread his wings and see the world.  Lenna is road kill to their ambitions.  

The book provides a compendium of mythical creatures with action and violence. 

It was an entertaining read.

 

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Generation Ship by Michael Mammay

Mammay does a good job of showing a closed society can function.  Additionally, he shows how fragile a closed society might become under the appropriate or inappropriate influence.  I also found the concept of sentience quite interesting.  The need to define sentiency is staring us in the face.   Daily I get updates from two sources as to where AI might be going and what is it done or introduced today.   I’m not apprehensive about AI’s future, I’m optimistic!

The arrival of a generational ship at its final destination precipitates a crisis of conscience by the crew who are also the colonists.  The open spaces of a planet are daunting to a crew whose boundaries have been determined by the walls of the ship.

The behavior of major players led one to believe they thought their actions were to benefit the entire ship regardless of how diametrically opposed those actions were to other major players.

I enjoyed the book and worked diligently to avoid spoilers. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge Reissued!

Vinge is a real world, honest to goodness Computer Science professor.  His books are accurately described as hard science fiction.  This story describes a space faring group of merchants, the Qeng Ho, benefiting from the time dilation effect of interstellar travel.   They are traveling to a stellar anomaly and encounter a rival group of travelers.  Friction ensues.

The Qeng Ho see the universe through the long view.   They visit customers (populated planets) and often when they return after a century or more they see the decline or the acceleration of a civilization.   Their travel to the On/Off Star is predicated on scientific curiosity and the necessary profit motivation.  They encounter a race that has recovered from a civilization decline and are on their way back up.   Both space faring groups have different plans for the budding alien race on Arachna.   The budding race, not surprisingly, has plans of it's own.

Conflict between competitors is not unusual but the conflict here is beyond the ken of business is just business.  This is really a three way story with points of view from all three participants.   Adding flavor is the Leonardo Da Vinci of Arachna, Sherkaner Underhill.   His drive and vision have a multiplier impact on the story line.  There are highlights and low lights of viciousness and compassion for emotional counter play.

  

I highly recommend it.

Fan Based web site:  http://mindstalk.net/vinge/ /

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Halloween Book Blitz, FREE Kindle Copies Oct.3-7, 2023

Links are Active Oct.3-7,2023

Alden and the Trash Truck

Dizzy’s Diary

The Mighty Pranksters of Bright Lives Academy

A Parent’s Struggle: Helping Kids Understand Alcoholism

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Magic by Any Other Name by Alison LevyMagic by Any Other Name by Alison Levy

Ivy is in an abusive home and has to escape.  Her best friend is a Wood Nymph named Mei-Xing.   Together they escape Hazel the horrible, Ivy’s abusive mother. On the run they find themselves helping others who are also in horrible situations. 

This is not a kid’s book as some of the violence is graphic.  The other addresses situations with plenty of action and anguish.   There is a wealth of fantastic creatures who exhibit some very human characteristics, fears, and behaviors.  

I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next volume.

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

A Parent's Struggle: Helping Children Understand Alcoholism

BUY THE BOOK HERE

Vengeful Realm, Book 1 of the Scales of Balance

Vengeful Realm, Book 1 of the Scales of Balance

Complex plot and characters necessitate careful reading to avoid getting lost.   In a Romanesque setting a religious conflict is thoroughly intertwined with political intrigue.    An abandoned son, Laeden, works to gain notice of his father the kind.  The current queen is plotting against the king.   Zephyrus is a pawn for some god, not sure which one.   In other words, this book may require you to take notes. 

Due to the complexity of the book, I found myself unable to get into a rhythm reading it as I kept retracing my steps to find out who someone was and how they related to the plot.   I am a fan of magic and enjoyed that aspect grisly as it was.

If you are into intricate this may be the book for you.   I never was able to establish a flow but that may be me.   It seems well written. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Traitor of Redwinter by Ed McDonald

My recollection of this series wasn’t the whiny nature of Raine.   The book was good, a great follow-up to Daughter of Redwinter.  However, the whining was so incessant that I put the book down several times when I couldn’t stand the self-pity wallowing that Raine did.  The book had plenty of action to go with the whining and an appropriate amount of plot twists to maintain my interest.

The level of treachery and self-abuse was high.   It was hard to find a protagonist that wasn’t flawed and that brings a higher level of authenticity to the story.  Realistically the whining provided authenticity as well.  Having spent some time as a guidance counselor in both a junior high and senior high school, I can attest that whining can approach Olympic levels on some occasions.  

I enjoyed the book, I recommend it, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Devil's Gun by Cat Rambo, A reprise

This is a sequel to You Sexy Thing.   I almost didn’t read You Sexy Thing due to the title.  I’m not particularly interested in sex in my sci-fi but it was just the name of the ship.  The ship is a self-aware ship that illustrates some of the current concerns about AI.   Some of the ship’s decisions are decidedly questionable.  It is a major character in the book.   Captain Niko and her mixed alien crew are trying to go on the offensive with the pirate Tubal Last.  They pair up with a con artist and paladin and go on a quest.

Rambo does a good job illustrating the success and foibles of interpersonal relationships.  Talon’s loss leads him into questionable behavior but is a good study of how grief can impact the logical decision-making process.  

There is action, deceit, and acceptance.

I enjoyed the book.

 This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Where Peace is Lost by Valerie Valdes

Kel is lost, not literally but figuratively.  She isn’t herself she is someone else.   Kel is confused about her role and misled by her emotions.  Her life before her exisiting, not living on Loth is lost to her.  Then a remanent of the Pale, the autocracy that has destroyed her reason for living, threatens her new home, and she feels the overwhelming need to protect.

The characters in the book are good but not as thoroughly defined as I would like.  Kel has depth as well as Lunna but the other major characters, Savvy and Dare could use more depth.  With that thought, this appears to be the beginning of a new series and it is certainly possible that the backstories will be told in future books.   I hope they will as I enjoyed the book.

There is action, violence, love, and treachery, What’s not to like?

I recommend the book. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Defiance by C. J. Cherryh

This is the 22^nd book in the series.  I would suggest that you read all of them first or at least some of them.  This book is interesting but it is not a stand-alone book.  You really need a back story to make sense of it.   In the beginning Bren does some ruminating that gives some background but while a good story, I think it would be a great story if the books are read in succession.  

Bren is a stalwart hero if for no other reason, imagine trying to be the only human leader in a sea of otherness. 

I didn’t really enjoy the book as much as I could due to having lost track of the series several years ago.   I do recommend it to the series fans. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Contrarian by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

I’m never sure if Modesitt is pontificating on current political issues or if he is merely philosophizing. This book addresses political malfeasance as well as corporate corruption.   Both issues are prominent in the news.  Steffan Dekkard and his wife, Avraal, are targeted by corrupt elements in both business and political arenas.  

Modesitt delivers a well-thought-out character or characters.   He develops them by providing background motivation.   His only use of fantasy might be science fiction in the mental powers available to a rare few.   Regardless of the reason, his writing is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

I recommend the book but I suggest you read the previous books for a greater understanding of this book. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Spotlight on Knight's Wyrd by Debra Doyle and James D. Macdonald

KNIGHT’S WYRD (Tor Essentials; 8-22-23) is now available! After more than twenty years out of print, Debra Doyle and James D. Macdonald's Mythopoeic Fantasy Award-winning dark mediaeval fantasy KNIGHT’S WYRD is back with a brand new edition featuring an introduction by Sherwood Smith.

On the eve of his knighting, Will Oddoson learned his wyrd, or destiny: He shall meet death before a year has passed. Will decides to release his betrothed from their engagement and rushes up North. However, on his journey, he is beset by all manners of horrors, such as man-eating trolls, carnivorous mermaids and a magic working dragon. And he encounters something far worse; an evil unlike Will has ever faced nor imagined. Originally published ahead of its time, KNIGHT’S WYRD is an award-winning gem that’s perfect for revival and will appeal to fans of books like Hild and Spear, and films like The Green Knight.

Praise for KNIGHT’S WYRD

"Doyle and Macdonald got as close to what delighted our mediaeval ancestors as a contemporary person can, giving us a tale that might have been shared on snowy winters’ evenings during the time when jousting and tournaments were still being fought. Questions of honor and meaning, friendship and enmity, horror and awe, and of course laughter, entertained people a millennium ago, as they do now. Knight’s Wyrd shimmers with emotional complexity and liminal engagement with the numinous, evoking the mindset of a thousand years ago in a way that I find essential for a mediaeval story." —Sherwood Smith

“A complex, beautifully structured mediaeval wonder tale” —Lilith Saintcrow, New York Times bestselling author

About Debra Doyle

Debra Doyle (she/her) [1952-2020] lived in Colebrook, New Hampshire. Her previous SF novels co-written with James D. Macdonald (he/him)  include The Price of the Stars, Starpilot's Grave, By Honor Betray'd, The Gathering Flame, The Long Hunt, and The Stars Asunder. Their fantasy novel Knight's Wyrd won the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award.

About James D. Macdonald

James D. Macdonald (he/him) lives in Colebrook, New Hampshire. His previous SF novels co-written with Debra Doyle (she/her) include The Price of the Stars, Starpilot's Grave, By Honor Betray'd, The Gathering Flame, The Long Hunt, and The Stars Asunder. Their fantasy novel, Knight's Wyrd, won the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

August is Psoriasis Awareness Month--FREE Kindle Version of Joey's Psoriasis

As you may have noticed, I often promote my own books here, not just those I’ve read.   August is Psoriasis Awareness Month.  My book addressing this issue is Joey’s Psoriasis.  The impetus for writing this book was provided by my dermatologist.   As I was going through an examination she informed me that 50% of the kids diagnosed with psoriasis are also diagnosed with depression.   Knowing I am an author of children’s books, she flat-out told me I needed to write a book on psoriasis.   After researching and writing, she approved what I had written.  The result is Joey’s Psoriasis.

August is the month many kids return to school.  My book illustrates how demoralizing it can be to a child when they are ostracized due to a medical condition.  It points out that psoriasis is NOT contagious.  I hope that I can get that message out to as many kids as possible before they head back to school.

To facilitate that awareness:

The Kindle Version of Joey's Psoriasis

Will be FREE to download from Amazon 

from August 11, 2023, to August 15, 2023.

 

Listento an interview

 of William Bentrim By Anthony Crimmins, CEO of  

 AbundantNatural Health

Products to Provide Natural Pain Relief 

 

Spotlight on Josh & Sen Save the Multiverse: The Path of One” by David Behling

“Guardians of the Galaxy” meets “Ready Player One” in a riveting, hilarious romp through space

An inventive mixture of sci-fi, fantasy, mythology, and technology

Oahu (Honolulu), HI – Strap in for a humorous thrill ride through the colorful reaches of space and alternate timelines as two dudes, who have no idea what they're doing, try to save the universe (and their own butts) in one of the most fun sci-fi fantasies you'll read all year: “Josh & Sen Save the Multiverse: The Path of One” (Cadence Group, October 3, 2023). With the loveable banter of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and the inventive nods to technology and gaming of “Ready Player One,” this debut is unexpectedly heartfelt as it explores parenthood, perseverance, and the brotherhood between two men bonded by fate to save the multiverse.

 Josh was just trying to get his life together enough to reunite with his young daughter Sophie when he gets sucked into the multidimensional world of the immortals through his office elevator during lunch. Alongside his unexpected ally, Sen Marztanak, Josh must find a way to rise through the levels of mortal cultivation in order to reach Transcendence.

 Josh and Sen are eager to get back to their own path–Josh anxiously fighting his way back to his daughter and Sen desperately battling to reclaim his immortality and his family’s ruling seat. Get swept away with Sen and Josh through this exciting tale as they uncover their true destinies.

“Josh & Sen Save the Multiverse: The Path of One”

David Behling | October 3, 2023 | Cadence Group | Sci-Fi, Fantasy

Print | 979-8-9886535-0-9 | $14.99

Ebook | 979-8-9886535-1-6 | $4.99

 

DAVID BEHLING: is a Chicago born sci-fi, fantasy, and video game admirer. When he was younger and stronger, he was able to fight off his infatuation long enough to work as a Honolulu-based plaintiff’s malpractice lawyer for five years before attending med school and residency. Now he treats his patients on Oahu, where his office has been for the last fifteen years. He has trained in several fields of martial arts over the years, including Tae Kwon Do and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Older now, he would rather be surfing, snowboarding, and skating when he is brave enough! Most importantly, he is the proud father of four amazing children: Indigo, Tristan, Kireina, and Nina. They even text him sometimes. He is also the lucky owner of the world’s cutest chihuahua, Rosie.

 

Follow David on Social Media:

Instagram: @davidbehlingauthor | Facebook: @davidbehlingauthor

 

An Interview with

David Behling

 

You wrote this novel partly in response to the hopelessness amid the Covid-19 pandemic. What do you hope readers will take away when they read Josh and Sen’s story?

 

Everyone in the world has been affected by the pandemic. It is true that we can see the silver lining in some of the changes, and feel brought back to our roots in a lot of ways. Unfortunately, many of the changes have been devastating and will continue to be so for many years. You can see this very prominently in third world countries where the economies of tourism were completely shut down for long periods of time. When I first started noticing this, I remember thinking, “How good would it be if there were a couple of guys who would be willing to go to the wall to save us all?”

 

How did you create Josh and Sen? Were there any sci-fi/fantasy figures from your childhood that inspired the character’s stories?

 

          Everytime I sit down to write about Josh and Sen I learn more about myself and my motivations. Some things even surprise me. But, ever since I was twelve years old and my father took me to Merrionette Park in Chicago’s south side to see Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indy’s been my hero. One of my favorite spots is the classic line where he is trying to steal the ark back from the nazi’s, he lays out a plan and ends it with, “I dunno, I’m making this up as I go . . .” I would have to say this is a major inspiration for Josh and Sen. Don’t ask them how beforehand, but they will find a way to get where they need to be.

 

What parts of your personal life inspired your main character Josh and his relationship with his daughter Sophie?

 

I have the blessing and privilege of having four children. Ages 31, 27, 24, and 9. I also have unfortunately been through the tragedies of two divorces. The geological boundaries of living in Hawaii make routine custody spits difficult. When my two oldest were three and zero, and my x-wife moved to Ohio, I could only see them during the summers for 8 wks and every other holiday season. I know what it is like to be separated from your kids and not have a whole lot you can do about it.

 Why did you decide to weave bits of Greek mythology into the book?

 When I was growing up there wasn’t a lot of fantasy literature or TV shows. Where I turned to get it was the classics.  I loved Greek mythology when I was a kid. Particularly stories from the Age of Heros. When I started the first book and wanted Josh and Sen to travel underground to get their first Earth Attunement, Gaia, Mother of the Earth was just a natural fit. But you can’t talk about Gaia without getting into the serious family drama she has with her husband and the multiple sets of kids and grandkids, can you? Not to mention, all the stuff is public domain.

 What can we expect next from you as a writer? What are your big plans for Josh and Sen?

 Right now I’m finishing the third book. The second, “Karma and Bigger Fish” is already written and being polished for final release between 3-6 months after the Path of One comes out.

 Josh and Sen will be meeting some new folks. Some friends and some decidedly not so friendly. One of the things they are going to learn is that the iteration is a lot bigger than they are right now. They are also going to learn that Karma and Reality have some pretty big plans for them and the people that they care about.

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Vaulting Through Time by Nancy McCabe

Having family members involved in gymnastics, one of whom was nationally ranked, enhanced my enjoyment of this book.  Be warned though, it is, at best, convoluted.   If Elizabeth's rampant insecurities and impulsiveness are typical for a sixteen-year-old girl, I am speechless with gratitude that I had sons.  

Seeking her roots, Elizabeth finds herself more confused than ever, and traveling through time does nothing but fuel that confusion.

I had no difficulty putting this book down and still have mixed feelings about it.  If you aren’t interested in gymnastics and insecurity you may not like it. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Spotlight on Faraway and Forever by Nancy Joie Wilkie

Retired biochemist pens interstellar, spiritual short stories

“A high-quality anthology with a Christian outlook that embraces science”—Kirkus

Brookeville, MD—Nancy Joie Wilkie, a multi-talented artist by nature, is set to release her second collection of celestial stories that combine science fiction and faith. “Faraway and Forever—More Stories” (She Writes Press, July 18, 2023) is a collection of novelettes that will propel readers through space and time with introspective themes that reckon with the physical and spiritual world around us. Through concise and unique prose Wilkie introduces readers to complex characters that push the boundaries of science and faith to meet at a compelling intersection.

“Faraway and Forever—More Stories” is a compilation of interstellar fictional tales that takes the reader from the not-too-distant future to a time when travel between worlds is a common occurrence. Each stop along mankind’s journey outward to the stars is accompanied by a deeper look inward—from examining how extraterrestrial beings might use our

own biology against us, to whether a human consciousness can survive in a virtual environment, to how wishes are really granted. Original and thought provoking, these stories will stimulate the intellect and engage the imagination.

“Hatred and anger and a need for revenge have followed us as we’ve spread out into the stars. Perhaps such negative emotions are not things we can leave behind as we move on. Why did God create us this way?”—“Half the Sky,” “Faraway and Forever—More Stories”

NANCY JOIE WILKIE worked for over thirty years in both the biotechnology industry and as part of the federal government’s biodefense effort. She served as a project manager, providing oversight for the development of many new products. Now retired, she composes original music, plays a variety of instruments, and has recorded many of her original compositions. She also created a series of greeting cards that display her artwork and photographs. “Faraway and Forever—More Stories” is her second collection of stories.

“Seven Sides of Self” was published by She Writes Press in November 2019. She will be releasing a third collection of short stories, “The River Keeper and Other Tales,” in early 2024. She is

also working on a science fiction novel and a children’s story. She resides in Brookeville, MD. Her cards, prints, and more information about her books can be found on her website.

An Interview with

Nancy Joie Wilkie

What would you say to people who believe Christianity and science are at odds with one another? Why did you decide to weave faith and science into this collection of short stories?

I would say that while I do believe there is a divine intelligence running the show we call the Universe, I do not believe that to be at odds with science. Science is simply our attempt to understand what the Good Lord has created.

As for why I decided to weave faith and science into these stories, it really wasn’t much of a decision or anything requiring a great deal of thought. I am a scientist … albeit a retired scientist … and always interested in how things really work behind the curtain. And I am a deeply spiritual person. I think there must be a connection between science and religion somewhere.

Can you talk about your writing process and how you add “Easter eggs” into the stories that give readers insight into your motivations behind your writing?

I do love Easter eggs! And there are quite a few in these novelettes. Friends who know me well immediately recognize them. One dear friend recently told me he wished he didn’t know me so well such that when he was reading the stories his mind could stay in the story and not on me! It is me just having fun!

As for the writing process … whenever the Muses drop something into my head, I feel obliged to write it down! It is really that simple.

What was the most difficult short story for you to write in this collection, and what was the inspiration behind it?

One of the stories was written 25 years ago while the rest were written within the last two or three years. None of them were particularly difficult to write. But I can tell you the story that was the most fun to write … The Wishbringer! The trouble the main character has in finding a significant other is a reflection of own journey of ups and downs in that department. This story does seem to be everyone’s favorite!

In one of your short stories, “The Goldfire Project” you explore what you call “spiritual dynamics”. Can you talk more about that idea and why it was the inspiration for that piece?

Being a distant relative of William Thomson—better known as Lord Kelvin, a major contributor to the Third Law of Thermodynamics—and having been a scientist myself, I have always been interested in the Three Laws of Thermodynamics. After I lost my father to cancer 17 years ago, I started to rethink how I viewed the soul and the afterlife—trying to make some sense of my father’s passing—and then started thinking about our “before life.” It was then that I thought developing the Three Laws of Spiritual Dynamics would be an interesting analog and might be used in some of my stories. How do souls come and go from our physical bodies? A future story titled “The Natural Order of Things” (to be included in a fourth collection of stories titled "By The Light Of The Sun") will explore these ideas and how they came about in greater depth.

What do you hope that readers will take away from this collection?

●     The more mankind looks outward, the more he looks inward.

●     Is there really such a place as heaven? And if we are given an alternate path at the end of our corporeal life, would we take it?

●     Relationships between parents and children are complicated.

●     Do we really understand how the Universe operates and what if we are given a chance to look behind the curtain?

●     What was the message that Jesus Christ delivered during his time on Earth? And how would we respond to Him if He were to appear again?

What’s next for you in your author career? Are you working on anything new? Oh, yes! I am always working on something new! Those darned Muses never seem to leave me alone!

I have a third collection of tales that will be released by Austin Macauley Publishers LLC in early 2024—titled “The River Keeper and Other Tales.” One of the tales is about Aurora, a young girl who discovers a ring with magical powers and uses those powers to help a young knight battle an evil dragon. It isn’t until after the battle she learns that use of those powers came at a cost. The title of the story, not surprisingly, is “Aurora’s Ring.”

And for the record (pun intended), inspiration for the story came from a song of the same name, written by me after an idyllic day on the beach. After hearing the tune, my musical collaborator, Stephen Bloodsworth, suggested we compose and record a concept album telling Aurora’s full story! And so we did! “Dragon’s Door—A Tale of Ring and Sword” was released on Christmas Day 2022. You can hear songs from it on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Pandora, and our HearNow Web Page (https://sparrows-tale.hearnow.com/). It is also available on Amazon … complete with a really nice booklet!

Looking forward, I have completed a fourth work of fiction titled “Who Moved My Planet? —A Story For Those Needing To Understand Something About Needs (A Novella). I have several beta readers reviewing it now and hope to send it to a publisher in early fall of 2023.

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