Lieutenant Henry Gallant by H. Peter Alesso - Book Review and Giveaway

This review in conjunction with a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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.

Review:

H. Peter Alesso does it again with his second entry in the Henry Gallant series. Gallant is now a Lieutenant serving on the Intrepid on its maiden voyage. The book can also be read as a standalone, but the reader will have a better understanding of what is going on if the first book is read. It's a great combination of space opera/action/drama/early Star Trekkiness.

The book does not flow linearly, but starts off with an action sequence and travels back to show how Gallant wound up in that situation-- so you are really getting two stories in one: the non-stop action in the present and the story in the past which led to it. The characters are all three-dimensional and this new book introduces a new female interest for Gallant.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series to see what other adventures Mr. Alesso has for our hero. 4 flowers.

About the Author:

As a scientist and author specializing in technology innovation, H. Peter Alesso has over twenty years research experience at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). As Engineering Group Leader at LLNL he led a team of computer scientists and engineers in innovative applications across a wide range of supercomputers, workstations and networks. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. and served in the U.S. Navy on nuclear submarines before completing an M.S. and an advanced Engineering Degree at M.I.T. He has published several software titles and numerous scientific journal and conference articles, and he is the author/co-author of seven books.

You can visit his Web site at: http://www.hpeteralesso.com/Default.aspx

Goodreads Address: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/413852.H_Peter_Alesso
YouTube trailer for Henry Gallant Saga: SciFi Book Trailer: Midshipman Henry Gallant
Facebook for Henry Gallant Saga: https://www.facebook.com/MidshipmanHenryGallantInSpace
Author Blog Address: http://cosmologysymmetrybreaking.blogspot.com/
Amazon link for Volume 1 of the Henry Gallant Saga: http://www.amazon.com/Midshipman-Henry-Gallant-Space-Volume/dp/1482640325/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Book Reviews for Volume 1:

Past Reviews of the first volume: Midshipman Henry Galant @2013

"The author has created a wonderful piece of work with his first novel in the Henry Gallant Saga. Between Henry Gallant beginning his new life on the United Planets' battle cruiser Repulse and trying to save the world the author has came up with it all. Henry Gallant is an admirable character with many wonderful features such as courage, intelligence, humility, kindness and special powers. ... the odds stacked against him pretty high. But maybe through it all, Kelsey will see the remarkable things about him." Ashley Patts, Teenage Rush teenagerush.blogspot.com

"This story moves along at a swift pace, with interesting character development and plot surprises. The characters are complete and engaging. This could develop into a good series." Rae

"Its style and flavor reminded me of The Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell." - JJH

"Space Opera at its finest. Rousing read, introverted young man against impossible odds, a girl to win or lose, an enemy or is he? Way too much fun...can't wait for the next one." - vrzepka

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Victorian Scoundrel by Stephanie Burkhart - Review and Giveaway

This review is in conjunction with a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Stephanie will be awarding a $25.00 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

It's 2011 and compressed natural gas has taken over from the coal producing steam machines of the Victorian Age. Alice Windsor, Princess of York, follows her mischief-making cousin, Edmund of Wales, back to 1851 where Prince Albert is hosting Britain's Great Exhibition.

Alice soon finds herself over her head in trouble. Edmund is determined to help Prince Albert build a dirigible and the prime minister appears intent in preventing her from stopping Edmund. Alice knows it's too early for the massive flying machine to take to the air. Complicating matters is the passionate Grayson Kentfield, Earl of Swinton. Alice can't stop her pulse from pounding when she's near him.

Can Alice give her heart to a man from the past while working to stop Edmund from changing history?

My review:

What a fun read. Stephanie Burkhart has brought us a time travel romance that combines elements of steampunk (love the idea of scent-mail). It's not a long book and is an easy evening's read.

The main characters, Alice and Edmund, are cousins who are actually more like brother and sister. When Alice discovers Edmund going back in time, she follows him to try and keep him out of trouble, because where Edmund goes, trouble seems to follow. And, she finds out that what Edmund is attempting could very well change the future/their present so Alice has to try and stop him. Add to that the complication that both Alice and Edmund fall in love durint their time in the 1850s and you have the essence of the story.

There were some very neat elements of steampunk scattered through the story-- the Victorian age Alice and Edmund find themselves in is just a little different from what historical England not to mention the current time for Alice and Edmund where things are powered by compressed natural gas and glasses exist to help dyslexia.

I was hoping for a little more characterization -- I liked the characters, but I didn't feel like I connected with these characters as much as I have with other characters the author has penned. It was more like reading about what was happening to them rather than being drawn into and becoming a part of it myself. However, this is just the first book of a series, so hopefully we will see the characters grow and develop in the future books.

I could easily see this book as a series--it reminded me in tone a bit of the original Wild Wild West--fun banter between the main characters, some interesting inventions, and a problem to solve. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. 3.5 flower rating: This was a good book. I liked it.

Enjoy an excerpt:

She nibbled on her lower lip, a curious habit she had. When she was indecisive, perhaps? Then she drew the necklace over her head, giving it to him. He placed the coin flat in the palm of his hand, and let the chain dangle through his fingers. It was bronze or brass, with a strange sequence of numbers and letters. He furrowed his brow. Alice bent over and used her finger to push her glasses firmly back onto the bridge of her nose.

"It's some type of alpha-numeric code," Grayson mused out loud.

Alice looked on, a murky expression on her face. "Perhaps."

Grayson looked up. "I've seen a similar code on the datamancers they introduced in Parliament."

"What's a datamancer?" she asked.

He tried not to get lost in those soulful cerulean eyes of hers. "You don't know what a datamancer is?"

"No."

"It thinks for itself--"

"Grayson, what's in your hand?"

Grayson and Alice turned in the direction of the door. Sir John briskly walked toward them escorted by a soldier and another gentleman Grayson recognized as the prince's secretary.

About the Author:

Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. She was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. After serving 11 years in the US Army she currently calls Castaic, California her home. Stephanie was married in Denmark in 1991 and has two young sons. She adores chocolate, is addicted to coffee and enjoys early morning walks. She's also an assistant den leader for her son's Cub Scout den and is a Boy Scout mom. She writes paranormal, contemporary, and steampunk romance and has two children's books published with 4RV Publishing.

WEBSITE: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor
GOOD READS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart
YOU TUBE CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?feature=mhee
PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/sgburkhart/

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Trust Me by Nora LeDuc - Book Review and Giveaway

(Romantic Suspense)

This review is in conjunction with a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Nora will be awarding a $40 Starbucks GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Ela Danforth seeks sanctuary in the small town of Rockypoint, New Hampshire, where she believes her days will return to normal, until a mysterious stalker threatens her refuge, just as a charming lawyer, Nash McCain, enters her life.

My Review:

I fell in love with Nash in the first few lines -- it's obvious he's a good guy, caring and fun and interesting. Nora LeDuc should be commended for her skilled character creation. From the moment we meet each character, we get to know them well, without having descriptions shoved down our throats.

The story starts up with a bang... a car being forced off the road and down an embankment.  From that moment on, it's a page turner.  It's not that the action is constant, but there's this edge of worry that seasons all the interactions in the story.  Ela is a good woman in difficult circumstances who's been betrayed by the people she trusted and loved, and she's trying her best to take care of her flighty (and occasionally annoying) younger sister, Suz, all the while having someone stalking and threatening her.

She wants to trust Nash.  And I want her to, too.  I really fell for him and his daughter. They're such a great team.  But I also understood why she struggled with believing he was who he appeared to be.  Nash falls a bit more quickly, and when he understands she's being threatened, he's determined to protect her.

I admit I struggled to like Suz. I think I was supposed to, but she felt so incredibly selfish and thoughtless and it made her a character I couldn't enjoy. Still, as things progress, and I wondered what Suz was involved in and whether she had something to do with Ela's troubles, it certainly made her a believable suspect (along with many others).  Honestly, just like Ela, we don't know who to trust.

The romance was sweet and really touched my heart. They both have suffered loss in the past, so their relationship was that much sweeter.  And the author did a great job weaving the romance into the suspense. Neither is lacking and it's an exciting, sweet, fast-paced book.

4.5 flowers - This was a very good book! I'd recommend it to my friends.


Enjoy an excerpt:

As for Nash, she’d experienced gratitude mixed with a touch of infatuation since he’d saved Suz’s life. He’d been the hero of the evening. His hazel eyes surfaced in her mind and refused to leave. They had been different. They were full of curiosity, compassion and—

Her phone rang. Splitting her concentration between her musings and the incoming call, she dug out the cell from her pocket.

“The Lord will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity. You must repent and forgive or you will suffer—”

She hit the off button. Her body shook. If her mind hadn’t been in overdrive, she’d never have answered without checking the caller ID. What should she do now? What would he do next?

About the Author: Nora LeDuc lives in New England with her family. TRUST ME is her 12th published book. She loves to watch the daily Headline News Channel with all the latest on crimes. Currently she is working away on her next novel of murder and love. Please visit her website NoraLeDuc.com or visit her on Facebook. She loves to meet new friends.

Buy the book at Amazon.

Blog Event: To Comment or Not to Comment?

Nat at Reading Romances has posed the question:

Should Authors Comment On Reviews?

Now, I've seen this same question on many, many discussions by authors and by reviewers. As a side note, I also review for a large reviews site, so am coming at this question from a couple of perspectives.

As a reviewer, I love, Love, LOVE to hear from authors. It makes me feel as though I've been heard, as though my little blog and my reviews matter somehow. I try to be kind, even when I don't love a book -- In that instance, I try to find the good things and to be gentle and constructive with the things I didn't enjoy. I don't believe it tearing apart an author's book.

Do I think an author should comment on reviews? Yes, but ...

I don't think they should defend or explain those things that a reviewer may not have liked. That's going to start a battle, and in the long run all it will do is make the reviewer and the author (and quite possibly a bunch of other folks) really annoyed.

In this world of massive social media, it's amazing how quickly word gets out about someone who's being less than gracious. I've watched authors AND bloggers get torn to shreds because of something they've said or done.

If it's a rave review, there's no harm in an author gushing a bit ("Thank you so much -- I'm SO glad you loved the book!"), and if it's not so great a simple "Thank you for taking the time to review my book." works. It's classy. It's kind. And I think the reviewer will appreciate it.

I know that a common thought amongst authors is to NOT comment on reviews. I disagree. If someone does you a favor -- holds the door for you, helps you pick up what you've dropped, pays for your coffee -- you say thanks. You don't spend an hour telling them how much it meant to you, but you do say "Thank you."

Or you should.

What do YOU think? I'd love to hear from both authors and reviewers on this. And I'm sure these other participants would, too!