All’s Fair in Blogs and More: 2012 Blogger Book Fair: Day 3

Ready for Day 3 of the All’s Fair in Blogs and More 2012 Blogger Book Fair? Today I’m featuring books by Alan Zendell, whose works range from science fiction to paranormal to political thriller. You don’t want to miss these. And be sure to check out the other participating authors and bloggers. Tomorrow is the last day of the book fair!


Wednesday's ChildWednesday’s Child

Dylan Brice is living his days out of order, but it hasn’t always been that way. One Tuesday evening in July, he went to sleep expecting tomorrow to be Wednesday, but when he woke up the next morning it was Thursday instead. A frightening and confusing day ensued with Dylan trying to figure out whether he was losing his mind or the victim of some cosmic prank.

If struggling to come to terms with his new reality on his surreal Thursday wasn’t enough of an ordeal, late in the afternoon, just as his anxiety was finally beginning to subside, a voice from the past he’d hoped never to hear again added a terrifying new dimension to his situation. Dylan had once been a warrior in the battle against nuclear terrorism. A sleeper since the months following nine-eleven, he has suddenly been activated to help combat a new, deadly threat. His nerves in a shambles, he finally drops off to sleep hoping he’ll wake up to find Thursday was a dream.

When, after his harrowing Thursday, he awakens on the Wednesday morning he thought he’d missed, he doesn’t know what to believe. He cannot believe Thursday’s events were coincidental. He must be living his days out of order for a reason — some powerful, unknown entity has cast him in a role he never asked for, and everything he holds dear may be at stake. He “knows” he will continue to live Thursdays before Wednesdays until he figures out how to use the unique perspective that gives him to avert a disaster that may be global in scope.

Where to find Wednesday’s Child:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobobooks | Google Books | Bookbrewer


The PortalThe Portal

Harry Middleton is born in an America staggered by a century of decline, a time of medical and technological marvels beyond the reach of most people in a shattered economy. Pessimism and despair are more common than optimism and hope, and a desperate government bets the future on space.  The lunar and Martian colonies have not provided the hoped-for salvation, so despite an angry, disillusioned public, the first star mission will soon be launched.

Harry is a special child, smart, precocious, his only confidante an embittered grandfather.  When the old man dies, Harry is lost, until he meets Lorrie.  At thirteen, they bond, certain they’ll spend their lives together, but a year later, she disappears, and Harry is desolate.

With help from his friend Carlos, Harry begins a quest to find her, but he quickly learns how powerless he is.  Even the police lack the resources to help.  Harry and Carlos can only depend on themselves and each other.  An unlikely duo, Harry is an academic prodigy while Carlos is a stud athlete.  Realizing that school and baseball are their  tickets out of the morass they’re caught in, they inspire each other to greatness in both.

Trying to move on with his life, Harry has a college sweetheart, but as long as Lorrie haunts him, he knows the relationship is doomed.  He gains celebrity and wealth, but the thing Harry wants most, finding and saving Lorrie from whatever fate took her from him remains beyond his reach.  And always, in the background, are the deteriorating state of the country and the coming star missions.

Where to find The Portal:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobobooks | Google Books | Bookbrewer

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Critical Focus

Jamie Williams had fought against corruption, war, and oppression all his life.  A former campus radical, he published the popular newsletter, Uncommon Sense.  Middle age had banked some of his fire, but not his values.  And it had taught him that if he wanted his voice to be heard, it had to be reasoned and balanced.

A fragile economy exacerbated by corporate greed, unchecked militarism, terrorism, and out-of-control energy prices, had left millions of people feeling powerless and disenfranchised.  Now, a new Internal Security Agency was eroding civil liberties, and there were rumors of a secret military initiative in Africa.

With a weak, indecisive President, Uncommon Sense was needed more than ever.  Jamie had a loyal following, but it was growing too slowly to make a difference.  Big changes were coming and Americans needed to hear his voice…if only there were a way to reach them.

Where to find Critical Focus:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble


For more Alan, check out his links:

Website
Goodreads
Blogs: Maryland Dream Weavers | Alan’s blog

Fluctuations by Nancy M. Griffis

Nancy M. Griffis, who has been interviewed previously on my blog, has a new science fiction novel out! Fluctutations is currently free on Smashwords! Hope you’ll check it out! I love the cover and am looking forward to reading it.

The blurb:

A state-of-the-art cruise ship with wealthy vacationers out for a thrill travels into The Fluctuation, a dangerous region of the galaxy where anything can happen. When an heiress, a telepathic feline alien, a sarcastic robot, and a young runaway get left behind after a catastrophic event, the Fluctuation is a chance to find out exactly what they’re made of… if they live through the experience.

Get your copy of Fluctuationshttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/175059

Nancy M. Griffis writes novels and screenplays of the scifi/action/adventure/urban fantasy genres, adores tv and movies, and is a fangirl at heart. Check out her blog at http://nancygriffis.wordpress.com/.

Would Sydney be part of the 99 percent?

I was recently talking with a friend about book marketing and she made a comment that my book has some timely themes because fighting oppression is an important element of the story. Considering the state of the world these days, it is a timely topic, both here in the U.S. and around the world. Sydney, the heroine of Thief of Hope, is an unlikely leader, although she does have a strong sense of right and wrong and the desire to stand up for what’s right. She despises those with money and power and wants the commoners of the feudal society in which she lives to have a better quality of life and more control over their own lives. Hmm, sound familiar?

Anyone who knows me knows these are ideas that are important to me. I’m not sure I set out to incorporate them into the book, but they crept in there. My heroine is an illiterate pickpocket, occasional prostitute, and she’s also homeless. And she’s battled drug addiction. She’s not exactly a role model. She’s at the bottom of the barrel. Over the course of the book, however, she fights hand over fist to overcome her past and prove she is worthy of the expectations placed on her.

One of the things that drew me to the SF/fantasy genre is the ability to explore social issues in a different context. Lots of authors have done this brilliantly. Two of my favorites who immediately come to mind are Ursula K. LeGuin and Octavia Butler, whose books explore race and sex and other cultural issues. These large ideas, in my opinion, are what make a book “literature.” It doesn’t matter whether it’s set somewhere out in space or in an imaginary world. It makes you think or view your life or the lives of others in a different light. It touches you in some way. I can only hope to someday be able to do that with my writing.

I’m not sure Sydney would be hunkered down with the OWS protesters. It’s not exactly a fair comparison. The world of my book is much bleaker than what most of us experience in the United States and the setting is a feudal society where a select few have money and power and the rest of the population has very little and no rights. But as history has shown, people who are committed to their ideals and willing to fight for them can be a powerful force for change. Even in a made-up world.