Bandit Book Bloggers - ARTIFICIAL ABSOLUTES,  a sci-fi thriller from Mary Fan

Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Release Date: February 25, 2013
Genre: Science Fiction (Space Opera/Cyberpunk/New Adult)

Blurb:

Jane Colt is just another recent college grad working as an Interstellar Confederation office drone—until the day she witnesses her best friend, Adam, kidnapped by a mysterious criminal. An extensive cover-up thwarts her efforts to report the crime, shaking her trust in the authorities. Only her older brother, Devin, believes her account.

Devin hopes to leave behind his violent past and find peace in a marriage to the woman he loves. That hope shatters when he discovers a shocking secret that causes him to be framed for murder.

With little more than a cocky attitude, Jane leaves everything she knows to flee with Devin, racing throughthe most lawless corners of the galaxy as she searches for Adam and proof of her brother’s innocence. Her journey uncovers truths about both of them, leading her to wonder just how much she doesn’t know about the people she loves.

About the Author:Mary Fan lives in New Jersey, where she is currently working in
financial marketing. She has also resided in North Carolina, Hong Kong,
and Beijing, China. She has been an avid reader for as long as she can
remember and especially enjoys the infinite possibilities and
out-of-this-world experiences of science fiction and fantasy.

Mary has a B.A. in Music, specializing in composition, from Princeton
University and enjoys writing songs as much as writing stories. She
also enjoys kickboxing, opera singing, and exploring new things—she’ll
try almost anything once.



Purchase Links:Amazon US (Kindle e-book)

Amazon US (paperback)

Amazon UK (Kindle e-book)

Amazon UK (paperback)

Barnes & Noble (Nook e-book)

Barnes & Noble (paperback)

Kobo (e-book)

iTunes

Social Media Links:

Website
Blog
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Facebook (book page)
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Reviews:

“I’d have to say this book combines some of the best robotic AI, like Asimov… It is unlike anything I’ve read before on this subject.”-

 James M. Butler, author of the “New Dawn” sci-fi series

 “…Engaging characters and a story with conflicts and struggles that are universal to all humans across time...”

- BigAl, reviewer for BigAl’s Books and Pals

 “A cracking tale of fights and escapes and conspiracies, set in a wonderfully and intricately evoked future world. The story rattles along at a fine pace, twisting and turning its way to and fro across the galaxy.”

-Mark Roman, author of “The Ultimate Inferior Beings”

“One hell of a sci-fi ride... The mystery in this story was incredible and really kept me at the edge of my seat... It really goes beyond the some other sci-fi reads.”

- Diana, reviewer for Offbeat Vagabond

“Artificial Absolutes is much more thanspaceships and robots... It is a timeless exploration of the complexity of family dynamics, the conflicts between faith and non-belief, and what truly defines a human being.”
- Julie H. Hughs, reviewer for Random Musingsof a Curious Mind

Excerpt:Jane had never been afraid of heights. As a child, she’d enjoyed
alarming her mother by climbing the tallest Venovian evergreens on the
Colt estate. Comparing her size then to her size currently, she probably
wasn’t much higher up. It was a little different hanging from the
underside of an elevator with only a hastily slammed hatch between her
and a killer robot.

Well, this sucks.

That she’d caught the bar after sliding down the hatch could only be
attributed to super reflexes reserved for times of great danger or to
the grace of the Absolute. If only those super reflexes or that divine
grace would allow her to reach the conduit Devin had mentioned...

The faint lights along shaft’s walls let her vaguely make out the
conduit’s square entrance. Jane saw another bar under the elevator,
parallel to the conduit’s top edge. She’d played on jungle gyms when she
was little and remembered the motion of swinging her body to catch a
bar an arm’s length away, but she’d forgotten how much the friction
burned her palms.

She grabbed the bar and swung forward. Her face banged into the wall. Ow.

After taking a moment to let the pain in her face subside, she
extended her body as far as she could, barely touching the conduit’s
floor with her foot.

Dammit! Wish my legs were longer. Good thing I wore flats today. And pants. If I had to do this in heels and a skirt...

The inane thoughts kept her from freaking out. Something about
talking to her brother had done away with the panic she’d felt before.
She wasn’t about to let it take over again.

The conduit was only half her height. Even if she could stand, she would probably fall backward if she tried.

Why are utility conduits so small? Are maintenance workers all midgets or something?

A small handle below her, right by the conduit, looked within reach.
She grabbed it with one hand. She had to let go of the bar under the
elevator to enter the conduit, but the thought was too scary.

Above her, the machine whirred.

Jane had never been remotely religious, but in a situation as
unthinkable as the one she was in, even she prayed, albeit facetiously.

Hello,
Absolute One. Please let the machine be too big to fit through the
hatch. And please keep me from falling. In return, I will compose a
magnificent motet for You. So be it, truly.

Jane closed her eyes and let go of the bar. She bit her lip to stifle a yelp as she dropped her body weight onto one arm.

She reached up with her free hand and pressed her forearm into the
conduit’s cold metal floor. By pulling, bending, and twisting, she
managed to fold herself into the conduit.

She collapsed against the wall in relief. Whew! Made it!

Jane listened for the machine, half expecting it to appear right behind her. Instead, a beep emitted
from her pocket. Wondering what the hell it was— and why the hell she
didn’t know the contents of her own pocket—she reached in. She pulled
out her company-issued videophone.

Oh, right. This thing.Other Works:

Synthetic Illusions (sequel to Artificial Absolutes)
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Genre: Science Fiction (Space Opera)

In the thrilling sequel to Artificial Absolutes,
Jane Colt finds herself combating the one person she always trusted:
her older brother, Devin. After the events of the first book, Jane hopes
to return to her ordinary life. But when the shadowy government agency
Devin works for orders him to capture Adam, the young man she loves, she
ends up in her brother's crosshairs as she helps Adam escape.

Although
Adam looks like any other seminary student, he harbors a secret he
hopes the rest of the galaxy will never uncover. Haunted by a menacing voice, he fights to control his own mind.

Meanwhile,
Devin uncovers his employer's clandestine agenda but, coerced by the
deadly consequences of noncompliance, must remain silent. He reluctantly
obeys the agency's commands while secretly plotting to expose the
truth.

Forced to choose between the two people she
loves most, Jane sets off on a journey that takes her into the darkest
corners of known space and challenges everything she believes.


Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil
Publisher: Glass House Press
Release Date: Summer 2014
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy/Dystopia

Part dystopia and part high fantasy, Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil
is the first book in a YA series that follows a spirited teen's efforts to
overthrow an evil government while battling supernatural beasts.

Long ago, the evil Lord of the Underworld ravaged the Earth. The
Enchanters, magical guardians of the Earth, defeated him, but his
monsters lingered. Nearly a century later, the Enchanters have turned
the former United States into the totalitarian Triumvirate, where
non-magical humans, known as Norms, are treated as second class
citizens.

Flynn,
a Norm boy, was ten years old when he witnessed his mother's death at
the hands of an undead giant. No one would tell him where the giant had
come from or what his mother had been doing that night. After six years
of wondering, he finally finds a clue and is determined to uncover the
truth - whatever the consequences. His journey takes an unexpected turn
when he accidentally commits an act considered terrorism by the
Triumvirate. He soon finds himself hunted not only by the government,
but also by supernatural monsters and a man with power over the undead.
Rescued by underground rebels, he is enticed by their vision of a
better world and joins their revolution. But as he struggles to
reconcile what he sees with what they tell him, he starts to realize
that the rebellion is not everything it seems.






New year, new book

 

 

Yep this blog does exactly what it says on the tin... er... title. Today saw the release of the second book in my fantasy series, it's called Warrior and here's what it's about -

 

The search for the merchant's daughter continues as Culainn crosses the mountains into the frozen north... home, to face his past and the many demons he left behind.

Striking a bargain with the witch-queen, Neeve, he agrees to fight her enemies, the Shadow Druids and Blue-Woads, in return for her aid in freeing the girl he seeks. Will she keep her word, or has she treachery in mind?

All the while, the dark god, Morrigu, continues to haunt Culainn's dreams, seeking to control him and make him her own champion.

 

You can buy Warrior here:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

 

If you need to catch up with book 1 first you can buy Tribesman here:

 

Amazon US

Amazon UK

 

 

 

 

 



Book Review: Erato (The Sophia Katsaros series Book ll)

 

 

 

 

Erato begins at the very moment where Lykaia (book 1) left off. Doctor Kat has arrived back from Greece, having discovered that both of her brothers were murdered in an ancient rite to, supposedly, prolong the lives of a pack of werewolves, alive since the time of ancient Greece, predating our own myths and history of the time. She arrives home to find a wolf in her apartment, having fled Greece and, what she thought, the clutches of the pack, it comes as somewhat of a shock to find a shape-shifter waiting for her.

I loved Lykaia, it was so refreshing to read a tried and often overused genre and discover something new and exciting. Stripping the lycanthrope theme back to its origins in ancient myth, Sharon Van Orman produced a story laced with intrigue, mystery and no small amount of spine-chilling moments. I’m happy to report that she continues in this vein with Erato. Yet, in book 2 she brings a fresh dynamic to the story. In Erato we learn more about the origins of the wolves, and the magic that created them.

The new alpha has sent the pack enforcers, The Efarmostís, after Sophia with one aim, to kill her. When she realises she is being hunted in her own hometown, she does something unexpected, she flies out to confront the new alpha. She discovers that the pack are being systematically killed off one by one and she is the number one suspect. Although they are responsible for the death of her brothers, and she has now killed several of their number with an enchanted dagger, she forms an alliance of convenience with the new alpha. She offers her help as a forensic scientist to uncover the truth about who is killing off the pack in return for his protection against the enforcers and the rest of the pack.

As well as a hugely engrossing story, Sharon Van Orman brings her wonderful writing talent to bear, once again, in Erato. Some of her descriptions are simply poetic, yet never over the top. The book is written in first person, bringing the reader closer to the action, experiencing every emotion and moment of tension in full Technicolor.

I would highly recommend both Lykaia and Erato to anyone who enjoys a good book.

 

 

 

 

You can buy Lykaia and Erato here:

 

 

Amazon - Lykaia US

 

                 Lykaia UK

 

                 Erato US

 

                 Erato UK

 

 



 

The Binding (Chronicles of Azaria Book One) - Bandit Book Bloggers.

 

 

BLURB

 

What do you do when you can't trust your heart?

 

All seventeen year-old Eliza Bryant wants is to avoid a Binding— the ancient spell that forces couples into a lifelong bond. It cursed her sister, and for the last two years it’s tried to claim her, too. Her monthly hiding ritual worked brilliantly, until the night she ran into Ryan, a mysterious bounty-hunter. Now Bound to him, Eliza must spend every moment at his side, else she’ll transform into an Unbound; a lifeless husk without mind or soul.

 

Unfortunately, Ryan’s not looking to settle, and Eliza is dragged into his crazy life on the run. Still, she’s not going to take this lying down. Between grappling with the false feelings conjured by the spell and fleeing an unseen enemy, she plans to find a way to break her Binding; a feat nobody’s achieved in two thousand years. The key to her freedom lies closer than she thinks, and it’s deeply connected to Ryan’s past.

 

 

 

REVIEWS

 

What an interesting concept, just seeing someone by chance and then provided the timing is right, you find yourself bound to them forever. Sounds a bit like a "love at first sight" only the two people have no choice in the matter due to a "Binding Curse." Eliza hoping to outwit the curse escaped into the forest only to be thwarted by a wild bear so was it fate or circumstance? I liked Eliza though I sometimes felt that honesty would have been the best policy. I did understand why she was reluctant to own up to the binding as she barely knew Ryan.

Ryan was actually a good guy and he seemed genuine though he was on the run himself and had secrets of his own that he was keeping from her. Desperate to hide the truth from her family, she flees her home with Ryan making up a sordid past for herself. A love triangle of sorts ensues when her childhood friend Adam finds out about the binding as he yearns for something more and sets out to find her.

When all the secrets have been revealed, will Eliza be able to distinguish how she really feels. If there is a chance that the curse can be reversed, who would Eliza pick if she was free to choose? Her childhood friend Adam that she shares a history with or Ryan who claims to love her now despite his binding to another. I can't wait to read the next book to find out more about this triangle and will true love eventually prevail? – Nereid, Amazon

 

4.5 Stars. This exciting tale for New Adult/Older YA crosses genres making it difficult to categorise in any one area. Set in another world it has elements of sci-fi, fantasy and a just touch of steampunk. The characters are magnetic and quickly draw you into this exciting world where curses and magic become real. This passionate tale becomes unstoppable leaving you devastated that the second instalment is yet to be published - not a cliff-hanger, just totally addictive writing. – Tracie, Goodreads

 

Awesome! Can't wait for the next one!!! – Molly Bonville, Goodreads

 

The Binding, by Sam Dogra, is an excellent read, with superb settings and characterisation. I really cared what happened to the main protagonist and the first person point of view, really helped me to become immersed in the story. Only one minor criticism. The, use of the word "to" instead of "at". For example: "Ryan looked to the moon", or "I looked to my lap". This jarred me a little, but apart from this nitpick, this is an almost perfect story and one readers of all ages will enjoy. Highly recommended. –Kate Jack, Amazon

 

 

AUTHOR BIO 

Sam Dogra is a junior doctor working in the UK, and is currently training to become a General Practitioner. Between reviewing drug charts and X-rays, taking blood, saving lives and getting grilled by consultants, she also writes fantasy fiction and is a fantasy artist. She has co-written 'Fated: A Timeless Series Companion Novel' with author Lisa Wiedmeier, and has also published her first novel The Binding, and its sequel, The Parting, with a third book in progress.

She's widely traveled, and has enjoyed her visits to France, Germany, Norway, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Rhodes, Turkey, Cyprus, Lesvos, India, Dubai, Australia, Canada and Idaho, Washington, New York, Seattle and Alaska, USA. Her other main interest is fantasy art.

In what little spare time she has, Sam also enjoys reading, baking, shopping, watching movies and anime, astrology, video games, collecting cuddly toy animals, and photography.

 

 

 

LINKS:

 

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PURCHASE LINKS for BINDING

UK ebook

US ebook

UK paperbook

US paperback