Devil's Gun by Cat Rambo

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

I Bring the Fire Part I: Wolves by C. Gockel

This is a story in the Loki series.  Gockel has brought mythology and technology together with complex interpersonal interactions.  Loki is shown to be both more and less than his reputation and Amy Lewis’ life changes with his abrupt introduction to it.

Gockrel borrows from the past with the use of serialized teasing.   Gockrel often gives away the initial story of a series with the intent of sucking your interest in so thoroughly that you can’t help but want to buy the next book.  I sit here in awe as I see the strategy, admire it, and succumb to it.   In addition, Gockrel’s Facebook presence is ubiquitous and amusing.   Ugh, I am impressed, distressingly so as I, too, am an author without all of those skills.  

On to the review, Loki shows up as a savior in Amy’s life and she discovers that many of the “historical” facts about Loki are wrong, and some aren’t nearly known as well as commonly thought.   Amy gets caught up in Loki’s quest and it changes her life.

Plenty of highly imaginative action and lots of tongue-in-cheek fun.   I loved the story and will be reading more. 

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

The Engineer’s Apprentice by J. R. Martin

A steampunk future USA where racial diversity is barely tolerated.  The industrialized eastern seaboard appears to want to extend its borders to the west coast.  Industrialization is through uranium-fueled steam technology.   The Native Americans have embraced rune magic and used that magic to protect their border. The Freed Men are former slaves who have been accepted into the Native American community.  Issa, a master engineer, takes Annie on as an apprentice and they find themselves faced with both political intrigue and personal revenge.  

Issa and Annie, discover each has strengths to complement the other.   Mrs. Miller, Issa’s housekeeper has a mysterious past and a nurturing nature.

Fascinating inventions and a merging of diverse paths toward the future are accompanied by action and passion.

I found the book interesting and enjoyable. I recommend 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

Does Anyone Notice? Does Anyone Care?

I change my header for this blog, every month.  

Does anyone notice?

Does anyone care?

I do, 

That is enough.

We are destined to be alone!

Hate is transformative, I'm a pretty simple person, I read, a lot, and to me, a clear example of what hate does is shown in Lord of the Rings. A hobbit becomes Gollum, and love of evil leads inexplicably to hate.

My home state of Pennsylvania, the cradle of liberty, has garnered a top place in the dissemination of hate propaganda. Is it any wonder that it is statistically unlikely we are alone in the universe but no one (aliens) has visited us?

If we hate each other, my goodness, how much would we hate someone truly different. Why would we ever visit such despicable behavior where hate is rampant? Unless we clean up our act, we are destined to be alone!

A Plea for Sanity

 

Who Am I and Why Do You Hate Me? ©

I’m fourteen years old, and I’m not sure who I am but I’ve felt your hate.

I love cars and motors and my favorite color is pink.

Is that why you hate me?

My hair is long and has streaks of red, gold, and green in it.

Is that why you hate me?

My Dad is Jewish.

Is that why you hate me?

My Mom is Christian.

Is that why you hate me?

I like boys but have never kissed one.

Is that why you hate me?

I like girls but I have never kissed one.

Is that why you hate me?

I’m not sure about gender orientation.

Is that why you hate me?

My brother came back from overseas with a Muslim bride.

Is that why you hate me?

I love my cousin and he loves me and he loves guns.

Is that why you hate me?

My Dad’s brother and his wife voted for Biden.

Is that why you hate me?

My Mother’s sister and her husband voted for Trump.

Is that why you hate me?

Puppies and kittens make me tear up.

Is that why you hate me?

I enjoy karate and throwing people to the mat.

Is that why you hate me?

I’ve gone target shooting with my cousin.

Is that why you hate me?

I won’t ever hunt; I won’t shoot at animals.

Is that why you hate me?

I love to read.

Is that why you hate me?

I go to a school that has banned books.

Is that why you hate me?

I’ve read many of the books that my school has banned.

Is that why you hate me?

I want to learn history, the good parts and the bad.

Is that why you hate me?

I’m not sure what WOKE means.

Is that why you hate me?

I’m not sure what Critical Race Theory is.

Is that why you hate me?

I don’t understand why BLM scares people.

Is that why you hate me?

My second cousin is a cop and I love him.

Is that why you hate me?

I’m Caucasian.

Is that why you hate me?

My brother-in-law is Black.

Is that why you hate me?

I’m sure you have found a reason to hate me.

I don’t hate you.

I don’t know you.

I don’t understand why you hate me.

I do understand that hate is contagious.

Hate likes to surround itself with more hate.

Hate is a dark path that spirals to nowhere good.

I don’t hate you; I don’t know you.

I don’t know me and I sure don’t hate me.

I confuse myself.

I perplex me.

I sometimes despair over myself.

I don’t know who I am,

YET

I will,

I will find myself and I will do it without labels.

I will do it without hate.

I will not hate you because I love me.

I can’t be me, filled with hate.

I can only become me by my soul being filled with love.

I don’t hate you.

I cry for you, your hate will destroy you.

I believe.

I believe that many people don’t know who they are.

I believe that it is sometimes hard to love yourself.

I believe that to find out who you are you must give up hate.

Giving up hate will free you to find yourself.

Don’t ban books.

Don’t ban flags.

Don’t bully.

Don’t shoot.

Don’t despair.

Don’t let your fear of someone different than you fill you with hate.

Letting your fears rule your life is bleak indeed.

I don’t know who I am.

YET

But I will.

I will do it without hate.

 

William G. Bentrim, I’m not fourteen, I’m old.  I lament over the overt hate that has been focused on our kids.  This free-form poem’s goal is to initiate some thought as to the damage hate is doing to this generation of children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lake House by Sarah Beth Durst

Once again, Durst has blown off my socks.  I’m an admitted fan and as an author myself, I’m humbled at how well she writes.  This story captures the insecurities of not just teens but all of us who practice self-deception or deflection or whatever tool necessary to protect the ego.   Three different personalities are stranded in a dismal, unregulated forest environment and faced with circumstances far beyond their control.  Forced to confront their insecurities to survive, the three girls find depths in their souls that they have never plumbed before.

As a certified counselor of kids in a former life, I would have tried to have this book read by many of my students. It’s that good.  

Durst captures your attention, fastens tentacles of interest around your cerebrum, and encourages introspection all the while entertaining you with a fascinating story. 

This book targets young adults, I’m certainly not young, and my status as an adult has been called into question on multiple occasions.   I loved the book, the story, and the messages.  I highly recommend it. 

Purchase Link

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