Star Marine

Book Title: Star Marine

Author: John Bowers

Niche: Science Fiction

Price: $9.50

Size: 38,000 words (143 pages paperback equivalent)

“It takes all kinds to fight a war” according to the book’s jacket. Well, the story makes good on that claim.

Bowers follows the exploits of three major players during the height of the Sirian War setting of The Fighter Queen saga:

Rico Martinez: A Star Marine, a grunt.  Almost killed in the Titan operation, he is one of six who survives, but his war has only begun

Regina Wells: The only child of Federation Senator Henry Wells, Regina promises her dad she won’t join the military.  But does anyway, as a civilian “expert” on Sirian culture. Unfortunately, her safe billet doesn’t last long.

Wade Palmer: A graduate student and a jock.  When his father is killed in battle against the Sirians, Wade joins the Space Force, but his degree in statistical analysis lands him in the Polygon planning the war instead of fighting it.

The rather large story zips by so fast, that I didn’t realize I was reading something half the size of War and Peace. It was over long before I was ready to put it down.

Bowers manages, with his usual flair, to keep all the characters straight, even in my easily confused mind. He also never lets the reader breathe long enough to become bored with a section of the book (and there are precious few “breathing” moments). His best book so far, Bowers always seems to top himself with each new book.

And yes, Onja lovers, The Fighter Queen herself does make a couple of cameo appearances in the story.

Chronologically, Star Marine falls between A Vow to Sophia and The Fighter Queen.

Get ready to face the enemy, up close and personal.

Formats: Adobe Reader (pdf), ePub, Kindle (prc), Microsoft Reader (lit), Mobi (prc)

No DRM

Reviewed by Allan Kalar, Washington state

By it now at AKW Books

Brownbird’s Luck

Book Title: Brownbird’s Luck

Author: Kriss Erickson

Niche: Fantasy

Price: $2.50

Size: 38,000 words (143 pages paperback equivalent)

This delightful fantasy is the first in a new series called The Land Behind the Veil. It features elves, unicorns (always a favorite), evil forces, and a quest.

The book will probably appeal most to pre-high school kids (including girls since the protagonist is a 14-year-old girl) and those who are still young at heart. Since I’ve never grown up (I may grow old, but I refuse to grow up), I also enjoyed the story.

If I had to criticize anything in the book, it would be the rather slow start. The scene setting seems to be necessary, but I’m one of those who wants to get into “the good stuff” right away. However, Erickson handles even that part of the book skillfully. I could almost taste the dust of the barnyard in my mouth and smell the crops her “Da” grows.

Her characters are real and engaging. Although they speak with an almost backwoods accent, it doesn’t get in the way of the story nor is it difficult to follow. Rather, it adds to the “reality” of the yarn and draws you into Deila’s world.

The sense that this is more than just a story about a poor farm girl becomes evident early on with the mysterious death of a new foal and the strange new foal that takes its place. Lessons in life given by her grandmother, “The Dark Weaver” add to the conviction that something extraordinary is happening.

Erickson doesn’t disappoint. Soon Deila is drawn into events that are far beyond the mundane world she lives in. A great setup for the next book in the series, Brodentia, which is due out in April.

Let go of your grip on reality and enjoy this trip into a different world of fantasy and mystery.

Formats: Adobe Reader (pdf), ePub, Kindle (prc), Microsoft Reader (lit), Mobi (prc)

No DRM

Reviewed by Allan Kalar, Washington state

By it now at AKW Books

Review: KGB in High Heels

Book Title: KGB in High Heels

Author: Valentina Maltseva

Niche: Mystery / Spy Drama

Price: $4.50

Size: 65,000 words (250 pages paperback equivalent)

This book was a best seller in Russia and Israel under the title: KGB v smokinge (you can see why the English version has a new title). It was made into a 16-part miniseries.

Written in Russian, it’s been excellently translated into colloquial English. It reads just like it was originally written in English.

Valentina works on an artsy Newspaper in the old Soviet Union. She’s not political and is happy puttering around in the art world, writing stories and reviews.

Unfortunately for her, her boyfriend gets her involved with non other than Yuri Andropov (head of the KGB) and she finds herself shipped off to Argentina and plunged into the world of espionage.

Nothing goes as planned and the body count rises as her chances for survival plummet. Three spy agencies are after her and two of them would rather see her dead.

Valentina is no James Bond. She’s not suave or sure of herself. She’s just terrified and wants to go back to her safe life in the art world.

Like many people, I love the Bond movies.  I also read all of the Ian Fleming Bond books. This isn’t Bond by any stretch of the imagination. This is much more realistic than Fleming’s books ever were. A refreshing look into the spy world from another perspective, where spies are highly fallible and plans rarely go well.

I enjoyed every paragraph. My only complaint is that it wasn’t a longer book. However, sources tell me there may be a “part 2″. Oh goody!

So, grab your knife and gun, and sit down for a great roller-coaster ride into danger.

Formats: Adobe Reader (pdf), ePub, Kindle (prc), Microsoft Reader (lit), Mobi (prc)

No DRM

Reviewed by Allan Kalar, Washington state

By it now at AKW Books