Much later than intended with this Sunday’s reviews/recommendations (I will neither confirm or deny that this was due to a series of unplanned naps as I sat in my way too comfy chair at this desk or as I prefer to call them “nap ambushes”), which I suppose would technically be Monday reviews/recommendations at this point. I’m sticking with the same format as last week with this one (1 book from my old short list, 1 underdog space opera not currently in the top 10, and 1 space opera currently in the top 10), so I’ll just jump right into it. As always, links are embedded in the bold text.

“Infinity Mind”  by   Patrick Jamison: Oppressive government? Mars colony? Telepathic assassin? Yes to all three, and the first 2 chapters presented here make me happy to have answered so. The first chapter serves as an excellent pressure cooker, serving to quickly introduce and humanize Mason through his extreme pain, both physical and emotional, during an ordeal which also serves as the hook to draw us into the main plot on hand. Chapter 2 pulls back from Mason to give us a real look at the larger world, or in this instance colony. What we are shown is a significant glimpse into a fully developed world, populated by real people and with a well laid out political structure. I am confident in the promise this glimpse makes, and am eager to continue reading about the El Dorado colony as well as the ordeals and intrigue which both it and Mason are most certainly barreling towards.

“The Inhabitants: An Unremembered Life”  by  Michael Sebby: Filled with excellent characterization, Mr. Sebby also does a wonderful job of juxtaposing the familiar waking world with the sometimes surreal, sometimes sinister, and often prophetic dreams of the main character, Jacob. Throughout the first 4 chapters presented here we are left to ponder the reality of the dreams as well as the waking world they so often intersect. Are they truly prophetic? Just what are the people/creatures encountered in some of the more unusual dreams? I look forward to reading more and finding out just what is real, unreal, and more importantly where this is all taking Jacob.

“The Lonely Space Lounge”  by  Gregory Wlasiuk and Venkat Malladi: Told in a series of transmissions from different crew members on the same ship, the narrative proceeds in a non-standard format which I immediately fell in love with. Assigned to the Healthy Beverage Division in the Cosmic Empire, the crew certainly has their individual quirks as they work alongside each other aboard what is best described as a brewery ship. The portions presented here show a wealth of wit, unique voices to each character, and just enough detail to give one the sense that something is not quite right. Delving deeper into that mystery alongside this cast of well-written, unique characters promises to be very much a joy.

Well, hello there...

Wait...what are those words in the corner?

Yes, what you see is really there. It isn’t a figment of your imagination. We have a cover blurb! For those of you that can’t quite see it, here it is in its full glory:

We are gearing up for the promotional/marketing push for the book as well. Hopefully we will be soon locating a great local venue to have an awesome launch party/signing, if you’re into that sort of thing.

For those of you that don’t remember the books publication date is slated for May 3, 2016. But the good news is that the backers will be getting it a bit before that (barring some unfortunate catastrophe). Why is that important, you may be asking yourself... Well, it’s important because that gives us plenty of time to jump start the reviews! In this crowded world of publishing reviews can make or break your book. I will be at your mercy one last time, in desperate need your help. In order for this book to dig its roots in and take hold we must a have a lot of great reviews. What’s a lot? Let’s shoot for a 3 digit number like 100 positive reviews. So that means, about 10% of the people who will be getting a copy. That seems totally doable.

Please, please, please don’t feel obligated to review (especially if you end up less than loving it; email me and tell me how to do better if you feel so inclined). I cannot thank you enough for all you have done to make this a reality. 

I’ll leave you with the following (slightly edited) infograph about the importance of reviews borrowed from my fellow Inkshares author, G. Derek Adams, author of Asteroid Made of Dragons.