Friday, September 26, 2014

Character Interview: Haylwen Rightad from C.H. MacLean's YA fantasy 'Two Empty Thrones #characterinterviews





We’re thrilled to have here today Haylwen Rightad, from C. H. MacLean’s YA fantasy, Two Empty Thrones. She is coming to us all the way from the great state of California.  It is a pleasure to have her with us today at The Literary Nook!

Thank you so for this interview, Haylwen.  Now that the book has been written, do you feel you were fairly portrayed or would you like to set anything straight with your readers?

Oh, C. H. did a fine job. I watched him during the whole process. Some of the story is personal so it took him a few times, but he finally got it right.

What do you believe is your strongest trait?

I'm sure my Dad would say my stubbornness. (Not that he's one to talk, of course.) My brother, Cadarn, he might go for my temper. But I think it's my wanting the world to be a better place, a love for everything and everyone. It gets buried sometimes, but it's what I think of when I think of me, ya know? 

Worst trait?

I hate my lack of confidence. Deep in me is an unshakable but completely wrong belief that I'm not good enough. 

Do you have a love interest in the book?

Yes and no. It's complicated. 

At what point of the book did you start getting nervous about the way it was going to turn out?

Oh, I bit my nails the whole time. The only times I wasn't nervous about it turning out horribly were the times I was convinced it would end horribly. Well, except for that last bit at the very end. 

If you could trade places with one of the other characters in the book, which character would you really not want to be and why?

Mr. Johansen. I mean, he gets what he deserves, probably got off better than he should have, actually. But he's such a loser, just trying to imagine being him for a second makes me shudder.   

How do you feel about the ending of the book without giving too much away?

Of course, I loved it. I was really surprised, though. By Tommy, my Mom and Dad, but mostly myself. I guess you don't even know yourself until faced with the choice.

What words of wisdom would you give your author if he decided to write another book with you in it?

Well, he'd better write faster! He's got a lot going on, I know, and he is getting better quickly, but still. There's something really big coming, I just know it. 

Thank you for this interview.  Will we be seeing more of you in the future?

Oh, definitely. Like I said, there's something really big coming. I'm just beginning to understand what it is, but it's huge and I’m right in the middle of it. And I have a sinking feeling it's not going to be pretty.

About the Author:


To young C. H. MacLean, books were everything: mind-food, friends, and fun. They gave the shy middle child’s life color and energy. Amazingly, not everyone saw them that way. Seeing a laundry hamper full of books approach her, the librarian scolded C. H. for trying to check them all out. “You’ll never read that many before they expire!” C. H. was surprised, having shown great restraint only by keeping a list of books to check out next time. Thoroughly abashed, C. H. waited three whole days after finishing that lot before going back for more.

With an internal world more vivid than the real one, C. H. was chastised for reading in the library instead of going to class. “Neurotic, needs medical help,” the teacher diagnosed. C. H.’s father, a psychologist, just laughed when he heard. “She’s just upset because those books are more challenging than her class.” C. H. realized making up stories was just as fun as reading, and harder to get caught doing. So for a while, C. H. crafted stories and characters out of wisps and trinkets, with every toy growing an elaborate personality.
But toys were not mature, and stories weren’t respectable for a family of doctors. So C. H. grew up and learned to read serious books and study hard, shelving foolish fantasies for serious work.

Years passed in a black and white blur. Then, unpredictably falling in love all the way to a magical marriage rattled C. H.’s orderly world. A crazy idea slipped in a resulting crack and wouldn’t leave. “Write the book you want to read,” it said. “Write? As in, a fantasy novel? But I’m not creative,” C. H. protested. The idea, and C. H.’s spouse, rolled their eyes.

So one day, C. H. started writing. Just to try it, not that it would go anywhere. Big mistake. Decades of pent-up passion started pouring out, making a mess of an orderly life. It only got worse. Soon, stories popped up everywhere- in dreams, while exercising, or out of spite, in the middle of a work meeting. “But it’s not important work,” C. H. pleaded weakly. “They are not food, or friends, or…” But it was too late. C. H. had re-discovered that, like books, life should be fun too. Now, writing is a compulsion, and a calling.

C.H. lives in a Pacific Northwest forest with five cats, two kids, one spouse, and absolutely no dragons or elves, faeries, or demons… that are willing to be named, at least.

His latest book is the YA fantasy, Two Empty Thrones.

For More Information





Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Miracle Man Book Blitz #bookblitz



We're happy to be hosting William R. Leibowitz and his Miracle Man Book Blitz today!


About the Book:


Title: Miracle Man
Author: William Leibowitz
Publisher: Manifesto Media Group
Pages: 428
Genre: Cross-genre Thriller
Format: Paper/Kindle

Purchase at AMAZON

REVERED   REVILED    REMARKABLE

The victim of an unspeakable crime, an infant rises to become a new type of superhero. 

Unlike any that have come before him, he is not a fanciful creation of animators, he is real. 

So begins the saga of Robert James Austin, the greatest genius in human history.  But where did his extraordinary intelligence come from?

As agents of corporate greed vie with rabid anti-Western radicals to destroy him, an obsessive government leader launches a bizarre covert mission to exploit his intellect.  Yet Austin’s greatest fear is not of this world.

Aided by two exceptional women, one of whom will become his unlikely lover, Austin struggles against abandonment and betrayal.  But the forces that oppose him are more powerful than even he can understand.  

Book Excerpt:

  A tall figure wearing a black-hooded slicker walked quickly through the night carrying a large garbage bag.  His pale face was wet with rain.  He had picked a deserted part of town.  Old warehouse buildings were being gutted so they could be converted into apartments for non-existent buyers.  There were no stores, no restaurants and no people. 
  “Who’d wanna live in this shit place?”  he muttered to himself.  Even the nice neighborhoods of this dismal city had more “For Sale” signs than you could count.
  He was disgusted with himself and disgusted with her, but they were too young to be burdened.  Life was already hard enough.    He shook his head incredulously.  She had been so damn sexy, funny, full of life.   Why the hell couldn’t she leave well enough alone?    She should have had some control. 
 He wanted to scream-out down the ugly street, “It’s her fucking fault that I’m in the rain in this crap neighborhood trying to evade the police.” 
  But he knew he hadn’t tried to slow her down either.   He kept giving her the drugs and she kept getting kinkier and kinkier and more dependent on him and that’s how he liked it.   She was adventurous and creative beyond her years.  Freaky and bizarre.  He had been enthralled, amazed.  The higher she got, the wilder she was.  Nothing was out of bounds.  Everything was in the game. 
  And so, they went farther and farther out there.  Together.  With the help of the chemicals.  They were co-conspirators, co-sponsors of their mutual dissipation.  How far they had traveled without ever leaving their cruddy little city.  They were so far ahead of all the other kids. 
  He squinted, and his mind reeled.  He tried to remember in what month of their senior year in high school the drugs became more important to her than he was.  And in what month did her face start looking so tired, her complexion prefacing the ravages to follow, her breath becoming foul as her teeth and gums deteriorated.  And in what month did her need for the drugs outstrip his and her cash resources. 
  He stopped walking and raised his hooded head to the sky so that the rain would pelt him full-on in the face.  He was hoping that somehow this would make him feel absolved.  It didn’t.  He shuddered as he clutched the shiny black bag, the increasingly cold wet wind blowing hard against him.  He didn’t even want to try to figure out how many guys she had sex with for the drugs. 
The puddle-ridden deserted street had three large dumpsters on it.   One was almost empty.  It seemed huge and metallic and didn’t appeal to him. The second was two-thirds full.  He peered into it, but was repulsed by the odor, and he was pretty sure he saw the quick moving figures of rodents foraging in the mess. The third was piled above the brim with construction debris.
  Holding the plastic bag, he climbed up on the rusty lip of the third dumpster.  Stretching forward, he placed the bag on top of some large garbage bags which were just a few feet inside of the dumpster’s rim.   As he climbed down, his body looked bent and crooked and his face was ashen. Tears streamed down his cheeks and bounced off his hands.  He barely could annunciate, “Please forgive me,” as he shuffled away, head bowed and snot dripping from his nose.

About the Author: 

William R. Leibowitz has been practicing entertainment/media law in New York City for a number of years.  He has represented numerous renowned recording artists, songwriters, producers and many of the leading record companies, talent managers, merchandisers and other notable entertainment businesses.  At one point, he was the Chief Operating Officer/General Counsel for the Sanctuary Group of Companies, a U.K. public company that was the largest ‘indie’ music company in the world (prior to its acquisition by the Universal Music Group). 

William has a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and a law degree from Columbia University.  He lives in the village of Quogue, New York with his wife, Alexandria, and dog, George. 

William wrote Miracle Man because of its humanistic and spiritual messages and because he feels that in our current times – when meritless celebrity has eclipsed accomplishment and the only heroes are those based on comic books, the world needs a real hero –and that, of course, is Robert James Austin, the protagonist in Miracle Man.
For More Information

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Cover Reveal for 'Dear Carolina' by Kristy Woodson Harvey

dearcarolinacoverreveal

We’re happy to host the cover reveal today for women’s fiction “Dear Carolina”.

Dear Carolina High Resolution

About the Book

Title: Dear Carolina
Author: Kristy Woodson Harvey
Genre: Women’s Fiction

One baby girl.
Two strong Southern women.
And the most difficult decision they’ll ever make.

Frances “Khaki” Mason has it all: a thriving interior design career, a loving husband and son, homes in North Carolina and Manhattan—everything except the second child she has always wanted. Jodi, her husband’s nineteen-year-old cousin, is fresh out of rehab, pregnant, and alone. Although the two women couldn’t seem more different, they forge a lifelong connection as Khaki reaches out to Jodi, encouraging her to have her baby. But as Jodi struggles to be the mother she knows her daughter deserves, she will ask Khaki the ultimate favor…

Written to baby Carolina, by both her birth mother and her adoptive one, this is a story that proves that life circumstances shape us but don’t define us—and that families aren’t born, they’re made…

Author Bio

Harvey Port 02 retKristy Woodson Harvey’s novel, Dear Carolina (Berkley), debuts on 5.5.15. She blogs at Design Chic about how creating a beautiful home can be the catalyst for creating a beautiful life and on her author site about everything else. Kristy is a contributor to Domino, Houzz and Live the Life You Dream About. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication and holds a master’s in English from East Carolina University. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and son.
Author site and blog: www.kristywoodsonharvey.com
Design Blog: Design Chic, www.mydesignchic.com

Monday, September 15, 2014

Character Interview: Landon Kingsley from Megan Whitson Lee's 'Song From the Ashes'





We’re thrilled to have here today Landon Kingsley from Megan Whitson Lee’s inspirational fiction, Song from the Ashes.  He is coming to us all the way from the great state of Tennessee.  It is a pleasure to have him with us today at The Literary Nook!

Thank you so for this interview, Landon.  Now that the book has been written, do you feel you were fairly portrayed or would you like to set anything straight with your readers?


I think it was more than fair. She may have even cut me a few breaks. I think I actually smoked more than she suggested, and although I’m not proud of some of the behavior portrayed in the novel, I actually think the thoughts in my head were worse than she let on.


What do you believe is your strongest trait? 

 
A guilty conscience? (laughs) No, actually my strongest trait is probably my restraint. I tend to think things through before acting upon them. That’s a big part of my struggle in the novel—I’ve always been so careful and methodical. I’ve always done what was expected of me. When faced with possibilities that seem a little reckless, a little exhilarating…well, a lot of consideration goes into those decisions.


Worst trait?   


Indecision.


Do you have a love interest in the book?   


Yes. Two, in fact. April May and Ella Casey. April is much younger than me. She’s twenty-five, I’m thirty-seven, and April’s extremely tied to her parents.

Ella Casey is this fantasy woman for me in a lot of ways...but she’s also April’s cousin. Ella’s always lived her life the way she’s wanted—pursuing her dream of having a career in Nashville. She’s free…and I admire her for that.


At what point of the book did you start getting nervous about the way it was going to turn out? 


Well, my engagement to April comes right around the time I realize I’m having deep feelings for Ella. It’s a terrible place to be because I feel committed to April and her family. As I previously stated, I’ve always done the right thing—always followed through with my responsibilities—and suddenly I find myself seriously contemplating dumping April for a more exciting possibility.


If you could trade places with one of the other characters in the book, which character would you really not want to be and why? 


I think I really wouldn’t want to be Joe Josephs. That poor guy has one problem after another. First his daughter disappears into the drug community, and then his wife comes down with Hodgkin’s Disease. Tragic. Made my problems seem pretty small.


How do you feel about the ending of the book without giving too much away? 


I think it was the right ending—and although some may disagree, I think I made the right choice. I sort of feel like God had a hand in the way things worked out. It wasn’t an easy ending, and events and people didn’t necessarily “fall into place”—but that’s life. It’s hard sometimes. At any rate, things worked out for the best.


What words of wisdom would you give your author if she decided to write another book with you in it? 


I hope she’d allow me to give up my smoking. I just can’t seem to kick that habit—and I’m really sneaky about it, too. And if she really wanted to write an exciting book with me in it, she could write about my college days. Whoa. She’d have some tales to tell there…but that book would have to be in a different genre all together. 


Thank you for this interview.  Will we be seeing more of you in the future?


I think I will be retiring for now. I mean, you never know—you may see me in some future novel serving as some character’s attorney, but I think I’ve had enough excitement for my own lifetime.



About the Book:

Attorney Landon Kingsley craves order and normalcy, and aside from his well-hidden vice of smoking, he lives the life that everyone expects from him
in his hometown of
Kingsport, Tennessee. Recently engaged to beautiful nursing student, April May, Landon’s new fiancée is everything he could want in a wife. She is devoted to her faith and family and truly loves him.

April’s cousin, Ella Casey, has returned to Kingsport after ten years of pursuing a career as a country music singer in Nashville. Ella’s failed career and affair with a married music producer scandalizes her in the eyes of the town, but her legal troubles drive her to Landon for help. Landon finds himself increasingly attracted to Ella and more discontent than ever with the path he has chosen for his life. Amid a firestorm of family and town gossip, Landon is tormented by his past and the complicated decision of whether to listen to God’s voice or follow his own desires.

SONG FROM THE ASHES, a modern retelling of the classic Edith Wharton novel The Age of Innocence, explores the dilemma between the pursuit of dreams and personal happiness versus contentment in God’s plan for marriage and love.

For More Information

 About the Author:

Megan Whitson Lee grew up in Tennessee but moved to the Washington, D.C. area as a teenager.  She worked for criminal attorneys before earning her master’s degree from George Mason University’s MFA Program in Creative Writing. Previously she received a Bachelor of Arts in Music followed by a year-long residence in London where she worked as a Literary Assistant. Her self-published first novel All That is Right and Holy won second place in the 2009 Christian Choice Book Awards. Megan teaches high school English in Fairfax County, Virginia where she lives with her husband and two Greyhounds.
Her latest book is the Christian fiction, Song From the Ashes.
For More Information
 

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Book Watch: What is Growing Out of Your Ear? by Angela Graham #bookwatch



 
Title: What is Growing Out of Your Ear
Author: Angela Graham
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Pages: 24
Genre: Children's Fiction
Format: Ebook
Purchase at AMAZON

It is summer and Angela eats a bowl of cherries. After she swallows some cherry pits, her Grandpa warns what will happen -- “A cherry tree will grow out of your ear.” Angela thinks that is silly. Do you believe a cherry tree can grow out of Angela’s ear?
  amazon 
 Angela Graham lives in Ottawa, Canada with her husband, two lively children and their dog. She has enjoyed writing stories for her children since they were young to inspire the love of reading. Angela’s stories add a humourous twist to real life. This story is motivated from Angela’s own childhood.
 

Angela is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

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Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate or Paypal Cash.
  • This giveaway begins September 1 and ends on September 13.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, September 16.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Watch: Half the Man I Used to Be by Brian Ray Gross #bookwatch


  Half the Man I Used to Be
Title: Half the Man I Used to Be
Author: Brian Gross
Publisher: iUniverse
Pages: 167
Genre: Self-Help/Motivational
Format: Ebook
 Purchase at AMAZON

All humans have weaknesses. Even mythical warriors and superheroes have a weakness. For author Brian Ray Gross, that weakness is food. This creates an interesting paradox: food is intended to strengthen, nourish, and sustain—but when we consume too much, we become weakened by it. In this weakness, we cannot be the people God intends for us to be. In Half the Man I Used to Be, Gross shares his story about food, weight, and his weight loss journey. He tells how it all came to head in October of 2012, when he found out that he was diabetic and that his liver was failing. He was at his weakest point, and he had a choice to make: he could continue to let the weakness dictate the rest of his life, or he could seek the strength to overcome. He chose the latter, and the kind of strength he needed could only come from God. This memoir discusses Gross’s lifestyle changes and his weight loss success. His story serves to communicate there is hope for all who face the same challenges. It’s not too late to regain the life you desire. You have a creator who made you in his image, and he wants the best for you. You can do this, and when you do, you’ll be glad you did.

  amazon
 Brian Ray Gross earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Morehead State University. He is a social studies and English teacher for the Raceland-Worthington Independent School District. Gross lives in Russell, Kentucky, with his wife, Kristy, and their three children. Brian is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
  645
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate or Paypal Cash.
  • This giveaway begins September 1 and ends on September 13.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, September 16.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Character Interview: Gavin from Karen-Anne Stewart's New Adult Romance Suspense, Ash to Steele #characterinterviews


 


We’re thrilled to have here today Gavin from Karen-Anne Stewart’s New Adult Romance Suspense, Ash to Steele.  Gavin’s coming to us all the way from the great state of Massachusetts.  It is a pleasure to have Gavin with us today at The Literary Nook!

Thank you so much for this interview, Gavin.  Now that the book has been written, do you feel you were fairly portrayed or would you like to set anything straight with your readers?

Let’s see…sexy? Cocky? An asshole who loves a good fight some of the time, lovable most of the time?  Yep, I think I was portrayed pretty straight on, for the most part.

What do you believe is your strongest trait?

I’m loyal.  It may take me some time to get to like you, but, if I do, I’d kill and die for you. 

Worst trait?

I don’t see that it’s such an issue, but Breck and Jess love to give me hell about my love of a good brawl.  If someone’s stupid enough to start a fight at the Dark Hole, they deserve for me to kick their ass. I am the bouncer…it’s a prerequisite of the job. 

Do you have a love interest in the book?

I haven’t been as lucky as Breck and Emma yet, but I’m enjoying the nights when I get to try out who might end up being ‘the one’.  

At what point of the book did you start getting nervous about the way it was going to turn out?

Pretty much from the moment Breck and Emma met.  She’s everything he does his damnedest to avoid.  We are a tight group and it’s rare for anyone to infiltrate our circle, but Emma did what I never thought was possible by taming Breck Steele. 

If you could trade places with one of the other characters in the book, which character would you really not want to be and why?

Justin.  He’s Emma’s ex-boyfriend, and he’s a suffocating bastard.
 
How do you feel about the ending of the book without giving too much away?

Damn, I love how Breck and Emma end up, even though they went through some serious shit to get there.  And, knowing that I’m getting my own story told in 2015 just makes it that much better ;).  

What words of wisdom would you give your author when she starts writing the book with you in it?

I’d tell K-Anne to show all of me, the good, the fucked-up, my dark side along with my sensitive side.  I’m the whole package, sweetheart.

Thank you for this interview.  Will we be seeing more of you in the future?

Absolutely!  I can’t wait until we meet again.  Until then, hang out with K-Anne to see some updates on Feel, the paranormal romance she’s working on now, and my story – which she needs to hurry her ass up and give a title too soon.  

About the Author:
 
Karen-Anne Stewart has always adored reading and has now fallen in love with writing. Her written works are The Rain Trilogy: Saving Rain, Healing Rain, and After the Rain, and the newly released stand alone novel, Ash to Steele. Her debut novel, Saving Rain: The First Novel in The Rain Trilogy, was a nominee for the Book Junkie’s Choice Awards, and Saving Rain and After the Rain were nominees for the 2014 RONE Awards. 

When Karen-Anne isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, and visiting new places. She fuels her addiction of creating new stories by her only other addiction, caffeine, and listening to a myriad of musical genres. Tucked away near the
Blue Ridge Mountains, Karen-Anne lives with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and their cat. She plans on writing new adult romance as long as her fingers maintain dexterity.

For More Information
About the Book:

Emma

Who I am and all I believe is marred with just one glance into angry, steel blue eyes. He seems to control my air, my ability to breathe. He makes me crave everything I know is a sin. Pure becomes tainted and lines are blurred. It's my fault; I'm the one who isn't strong enough. I've been damaged...broken. Breck's words haunt me...'There's a consequence for every choice you make.'

Breck

I've had so many women I can't even remember over half of their names, but none of them are mine; I make damn sure of that. I take what I desire and never look back. I don't need or want anyone, ever...not until I met Emma. Those eyes bore into what's left of my soul and her touch sears me, weakens me. I want to hate her for that. She is my ruin...my sweetest hell.

For More Information


Monday, September 8, 2014

Book Watch: The Darkest Side of Saturn by Tony Taylor #bookwatch



THE Darkest Side of Saturn
Title: The Darkest Side of Saturn
Author: Tony Taylor
Publisher: iUniverse
Pages: 492
Genre: Science Fiction
Format: Ebook
Purchase at AMAZON

 It’s 1997 at a mountaintop observatory in Southern California where spacecraft navigator Harris Mitchel and astronomer Diana Muse-Jones discover a dangerous asteroid which may hit the earth within two decades. As the asteroid tumbles through space towards an uncertain impact, Harris and Diana fight bitterly over how to announce their discovery. When Harris goes public to a skeptical world—at the cost of his and Diana’s careers—he sends their already turbulent relationship into a blaze of conflicting passions. As his notoriety builds, a fanatical preacher and his unhinged followers stalk him while an obnoxious radio personality provides disruptive help. Harris becomes an unwilling Pied Piper for his own overzealous followers hungry for belief and eager for guidance into an uncertain and tumultuous future. In this science fiction drama the characters battle each other in contests of Damn your world view! against a background of hard science, religion, romance, metaphysical speculation, and the forces of nature versus human passions and dreams. Meanwhile an asteroid hurtles through the solar system and global salvation or disaster hangs in the balance. “A courageous and visionary work … an instant classic.” —BlueInk Reviews

amazon    

Tony Taylor spent a long career navigating NASA spacecraft—including Voyager, Cassini, Mars Polar Lander, Galileo, and MESSENGER—to every planet in the solar system. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and earned an MS in physics from the University of Arizona. Tony and his wife, Jan, live in Sedona, Arizona.
 

Tony is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

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Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate or Paypal Cash.
  • This giveaway begins September 1 and ends on September 13.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, September 16.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Book Watch: Lieutenant Henry Gallant by H. Peter Alesso #bookwatch






Title: Lieutenant Henry Gallant
Author: H. Peter Alesso
Publisher: Video Software Publishing
Pages: 320
Genre: Science fiction space opera
Format: Paperback/Kindle

Purchase at AMAZON

In an era of genetic engineering, Lieutenant Henry Gallant is the only Natural (non-genetically enhanced) officer left in the fleet. Many of his superiors, including rival Anton Neumann, have expressed concern he is not up to the challenge. However, his unique mental abilities have proven essential to the defense of the United Planets in its fight against the Titan invaders.

Serving on the first FTL prototype, the Intrepid, on its maiden voyage to Tau Ceti, Gallant finds a lost colony on the planet Elysium. Cyrus Wolfe and his son, manipulate planet politics against the democratic opposition led by James Hepburn and his granddaughter Alaina. Wolfe has allied himself with an ancient Artificial Intelligence which had lain dormant on the planet for millennia, but is now willing to protect the colonists against the Titans.

With Alaina’s help, Gallant discovers the ancient AI has a sinister ulterior motive and he matches his unique and exceptional mind against the complexity of machine intelligence to escape the ultimate trap and prevent the extermination of humanity.

In Lieutenant Henry Gallant, one man pits the naked human mind against the perspicacity of machine intelligence.

Book Excerpt:




They walked into a room with paintings along the wall and a small table with fine art sculptures. Sunlight streamed into the room from a large window and fell upon a charming sitting area with a table. His mind wandered as he looked at the drawings around the room. Portraits, landscapes, and even abstract art showed a wide variety of talent. These were possessions of hers, small bits of artistic flair, all of which he assumed were her own work.

He viewed the exhibits with a keen interest and when he paid particular interest in an item, she said, “Ah, oh,” but nothing more.

“It’s good of you to allow me into your personal gallery. All your work?”

She blushed. “Perhaps. You’ll have to discover that for yourself.”

“Why? How will I discover that? What is there to unearth?”

“Oh, come, sit down.” She led him to a chair by the table. “Really, Henry. Just because I jumped on your flyer and we had an exciting adventure, you shouldn’t feel you know everything about me. I had a life before we met, you know. I think interesting people are complicated—aren’t you?”

“I guess I’ve got a lot to learn about a great many things,” he said, enjoying the sweetness of the day.


“Tell me about the people you know, your friends. Do you have many friends?”

“Enough. We are a small community, but close enough so we are aware of each other’s business on a daily basis. Grandfather mostly keeps to himself, so I am left with a great deal of time to find my own diversions. I lived my whole life in this city. The people here are my entire universe. We are, after all, a collection of beings transplanted from another star. My friends support my causes and we rally to each other’s needs.” She leaned back in her chair.


“Then I guess we’ve done enough talking,” said Gallant, leaning over and kissing her gently on the lips. He placed his hand on her shoulder and started to slide it down when... a loud baritone voice from the hallway interrupted them.

“I’ve finally finished the painting. I’ll hang it here, next to your landscape piece, okay? Okay, Alaina? Huh?” A tall, lanky young man with long, jet-black, wavy hair stood in the hallway outside the sitting room with a painting in one hand, trying to attach it to the wall.

He looked into the room.

Gallant stood up beside the table and looked back.

Alaina remained frozen in her chair, not moving a muscle.

After an interminable silence, Gallant said, “I’m Henry Gallant,” extending his hand.

“Liam Larson,” said Larson, shaking Gallant’s hand with a mild grip.

Alaina remained sitting, unblinking. The awkward moment seemed never to end.

Larson broke the silence. “I’m glad to meet you ahead of the event. I’m sure Alaina has told you all about PUP and our action this afternoon. It’ll have greater impact with you there. Alaina will make a speech, but a show of support by you would be terrific.”

Both men turned and looked once more at Alaina.

A fox with its leg caught in a steel trap couldn’t have been more still than Alaina sitting in her chair.