Public Book Shelves An Interesting Concept

Public bookshelves are an interesting concept. The link is to the article in the San Francisco Chronicle. I have noticed in the local Perkins and sometimes in the local grocery store, shelves that are available to leave books for others to read. Years and years ago, I set up a book swap in a store I owned with hopes of encouraging reading. This was in the late 70s. It never took off, now things like Book Crossing seem to do well. Frankly anything that gets people to read is probably worth trying.


Particularly if they are reading books I have written. LOL go to www. bentrim.info for links to my books. ( I couldn't help myself.)

Coming in January
Fantasy GiveAway from Seventh Star Press
and
Azure Dwarf
Check Back for Details

Scholar by L.E. Modesitt, jr

In the spirit of the terrific Recluce series, the Imager series debuts a new world of similar interest. Imagers, much like mages in the Recluce series seem both powerful and powerless. This book deals with an Imager who, in self defense, has masked his skills and lives his life as a simple scholar, who really is not that simple.

Modesitt has a distinct style that permeates his books. I enjoy the self depreciating nature of his protagonists and their normalcy in dealing with extraordinary talents. Quaeryt is a likeable character from the get go. The scenarios are well set and the descriptions of both people and scenery are accomplished with the aplomb I have come to expect from Modesitt.

As in most of his books there is a fair amount of philosophizing on human behavior, almost a miniature sociological treatise. He sometimes borders on the pandemic but never reaches the point of distraction from the plot nor does he deter from the excitement.

This is the fourth book in the Imager Portfolio but it stands alone well. That being said, I plan on getting the three previous as this is another well done series by a surprisingly prolific author.

I highly recommend.

Body of work of L.E. Modesitt</a>

Site: http://www.lemodesittjr.com/

May Your Holiday Be Out of This World!

Merry Christmas!

Cobra Alliance by Timothy Zahn; Book 3 of the Cobra War Series

Once again the augmented human warriors called Cobras are thrust into the fray. This book details the defense of their home worlds, “gifted” to them due to humanities inability to live comfortably with these formidable warriors.

I loved the first Cobra trilogy and this is a logical continuation after a long and impatiently waiting hiatus. Cobra’s are just too cool for words. What is most fascinating to me is that from the first book Cobra, published in 1985, until now the strides made in real military technology make the Cobra far more realistic than they were in 1985. Nanotechnology has progressed dramatically since 1985. Therefore the plausibility factor has increased dramatically.

The book has the typical plot twists and actions that Mr. Zahn is known for and I love every breath taking moment. If you were in an interplanetary war you would definitely want the Cobras on your side.

I highly recommend the book.

Body of work of Timothy Zahn

Web site: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Timothy-Zahn/432874

The Demon Queen and The Locksmith by Spencer Baum

Three teens slurp up an unlikely concoction and change the world, saving it from the Demon Queen.

Premise wise, this was one of the more bizarre books I have read. I read it on my beloved Droid which certainly had no impact on the story or plot. Kevin is an unlikely protagonist who finds new companions and the three go where most imaginations would never travel. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the book, it was just skewed from almost anything else I have read. Kind of like a naturalist Brothers Grimm, dark fairytale urban fantasy, if that makes any sense. Give it a try, it should expand your horizons.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Spencer Baum=

Web site: http://www.spencerbaum.net/

Coming in January--Fantasy Free For All

Preview of coming attractions:
Six of Seventh Star Press Singleswill be given to three winners in January in Kindle or Nook/iPad format. Keep checking back for details.