A review!

Okay, so I wanted to share this with y'all..

The Kildaran

-Adam Gaffen and Richard Evans, based on a universe by John Ringo

It is rather curious that while I normally like John Ringo’s writing, Ghost was the only book of his that I couldn't really get into.  By around CH7 of the first part of the novel, my sense of the absurd was overpowering my suspension of disbelief and I gave up.  But then I read Book Two and found myself hooked.  The Paladin of Shadows series is politically incorrect, strongly masculine...in short, very much like James Bond.  Mike Harmon, former SEAL, is just what every man wants to be. 

The series is set in an alternate universe of sorts, where a tribe of families – the Kilder – live in a mountain settlement in Georgia (the country, not the state).  In Book Two, Mike accidentally becomes their leader and starts training them up as proper warriors.  This expands rapidly through the next three books, with the families eventually serving as a Special Operations force closely allied to the US military, battling terrorists, insurgents, criminals...and saving the world on more than one occasion.  John doesn’t sugar-coat anything; the villains are very evil, the barbaric habits and customs of certain cultures are illustrated, along with the result of criminal activities like drug trafficking and sexual slavery. 

Part of the charm of the series lies in the Kilder themselves.  At first, they appear to be just another tribe in a barbaric and deeply corrupt country.  As the series continues to expand, however, they reveal surprising depths – and their origins, drawn from a lost tribe of Vikings.  (This isn't entirely impossible.  There are suggestions that Romans, captured in Persia, eventually ended up in China.)  Some of their customs are thoroughly odd, but just right to appeal to the readers.  One example is a form of ‘bride price,’ with the bride selling her virginity to Mike for her dowry.  And even that has deeper implications...

One of the most important characters in the series is Katrina, a young girl who Mike rescued right back at the start of Book Two.  Unsurprisingly, she fell in love with him; surprisingly, Mike didn't move in on her at once.  Katrina set her sights on becoming the Kildaran, the wife of the KIldar, and was working towards it when John Ringo put the series on hiatus. 

Adam Gaffen and Richard Evens, however, have continued the series with The Kildaran.  With Mike settling into a kind of domestic life in the village, complete with harem, Katrina finally makes her move, convincing him to marry her.  In the meantime – because it wouldn't be the same without a B-Plot – several nukes have gone missing in Russia and one of them might be on the way to the village.  Another seems to be heading for Moscow...which is a problem, because Mike and Putin have clashed once before and Putin wants him dead.   

As Mike allows his relationship with Katrina to grow and develop, the teams scramble to hunt down the nukes before they can be deployed, unaware that a deadly shadow from the past has returned to take revenge on Mike – and one of his most trusted allies. 

I wrote two books set in one of John Ringo’s universes, but Adam and Richard took on a much harder task, using John Ringo’s characters.  I can offer no higher praise than to say that all of the characters sound right, very much like their original versions.  Even the ones who have grown up over the novel (and previous books) show very definite links to the past, particularly Katya.  It is a rare fan fiction writer who manages to mimic the original style so well, but this book definitely succeeds. 

Like the books written by John Ringo in this universe, the novel is delightfully and outrageously over the top.  Beautiful women, cool gadgets, villains who thoroughly deserve every bad thing that happens to them, a complete lack of political correctness...

What more do you want?

The Kildaran can be downloaded for free from https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260223

Or you can visit the author’s blog - http://www.thekildaran.blogspot.com/

And you can download the first five books from http://baencd.freedoors.org/Discs/Baen%2018/index.htm

ATTENTION READERS!

Sorry, I don't like to shout, but...

The final (for now) version of The Kildaran is available - I know, it took forever. 

It is NOT available by email.

Go to Smashwords.com and you can download the whole thing - FOR FREE!  The only condition is, we want reviews; honest reviews!  (Though, glowing 'we love the whole thing' reviews will not be refused!)

So go ahead.  I'll even give you a link.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260223

Adam

Next Big Thing Blog Hop

Before I begin at the beginning, I want to thank Kim Murch Emerson for getting the ball rolling and starting this hop on her blog, http://masterkoda.com/the-next-big-thing-blog-hop

So what's a blog hop?  You know, I asked the same question.  And the answer is - a single theme spreading from blog to blog, reflecting support both backwards (Kim) and forwards (the tags at the end).

What's the theme?  Well, here, it's ME!  Specifically, the next book.  Without further ado, on to the hop!

What is the title of your book? It's a long one:  The Cassidy Chronicles, Book 2: A Deadly Quest

Where did the idea for the book come from?   Well, it's a continuation of the Cassidy Chronicles, which started with Run Like Hell, and will continue past this for at least two more volumes.

What genre does your book fall under?  If I had to pick ONE, I'd say science fiction - because, after all, it's set in the 22nd century.  But it's an adventure, a thriller, a mystery, with comedic and romantic elements as well.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?  Self-published, most likely by the 1st of December.  As an indie author, just getting into the market, I am trying to spread the word and get my name out there, get the attention of some of the publishing houses.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your book?  I'm a bit odd, as I don't really do a outline/rough draft/first draft/final draft progression.  Each day, when I write, I begin by reviewing what I wrote the day before.  This allows me to refresh my memory, get back into the feel of the story, and smooth over any flaws that I find (especially continuity errors).  Then, as I write, I'm constantly going back and reading and editing what I just wrote.  The downside is, it takes me longer to write the story (this one took about two months).  The upside is, when I finish writing, I'm pretty well done editing.

Give a one sentence synopsis of your work.  Cass and Kendra have survived their cross-continental trip to Kendra's employer, but their feeling of relief is short-lived as the real world intrudes again.

What other works would you compare your story to?  Wow.  I intentionally modeled Kendra equally on Friday (Robert Heinlein), Dirk Pitt (Clive Cussler) and James Bond (Ian Fleming), with some unique touches to make her more human and sympathetic.  Cass, though - she's a bit of Maureen Johnson (Robert Heinlein) in that she not only has hidden depths but grows stronger throughout the stories, more capable as she gets more acclimated to her new situation.  Throw in some humor, a la the "On The Road" movies and the Hitchhiker books, and shake well.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?  Excellent question.  This story arc has been percolating for over a year, but it all started with the opening scene in the first book - the disrupted  wedding, and the need for Cass and Ken to find out why.  From there?  It's simply grown in what I hope is a logical way.

What else might pique the reader's interest?  One tidbit.  I have liberally sprinkled references to other famous SF (and other) works throughout the books, as little homages to authors and books I have enjoyed.  I hope that my readers find them and enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed including them.

And, I think I'll drop in just a taste of the book.

“Just do what moves you feel you need to avoid my attacks,” she said, beginning to rock again. “This is called the ginga. It's the basis of just about every aspect of the art.” As she spoke she kicked at him, which he instinctively blocked.

“You don't block, you evade,” she corrected. “Try something.”

He watched a few seconds then launched himself at her. Without breaking the rhythm of her moves she side-stepped his attack, coming around behind him and striking him with an elbow to his back as he passed.

“The ginga allows you to attack or defend,” she clarified. “You don't absorb the attack, you allow your opponent to show an opening then you attack yourself.”

“I see,” grinned Cordova, allowing his body to move to the tocque's beat. “But what if I do this?” He swept his leg out towards her. To his shock, she flipped backwards on her hands out of his reach, landed on her feet and immediately resumed her ginga.

“Esquivas,” she said. “Evade. You want to try again?”

He shook his head. “Why don't you attack inst-”

Before he could finish she had started turning cartwheels, careful to stay out of his reach until she had circled behind him. From her hands, still upside-down, she pushed off towards him feet-first. He blocked the kick, but her head impacted solidly with his chest and he fell back, converting the fall into a roll. She followed with another forward flip, this time connecting with her feet and knocking him onto his back. The sequence ended with her sitting on his chest, feet pinning his arms to the ground. She grinned, gathered herself, and bounced up and over his shoulders.

“Impressive,” he said, new respect in his eyes.

And now to the tags for NEXT week:

Alivia Anders, www.aliviaanders.blogspot.com
Koco Trajevski, www.legolasbt.blogspot.com
Allison Bruning, www.allisonbruning.blogspot.com
Hedonist6 (her pen name, obviously, but I'm sworn to secrecy), www.hedonist6.blogspot.com
Martin Schiller, www.martinschiller.webs.com

Thanks for reading!

The Cassidy Chronicles

BOOK 2 is FINISHED!  YIPPEE!

Okay, okay, so you're asking, "Huh?  Book 2 of what?"  Book 2 of the Cassidy Chronicles, the story of Aiyana Cassidy and Kendra Foster-Briggs, their problems and (occasional) solutions.  Book 1 is Run Like Hell, book 2 is A Deadly Quest.

To celebrage, I have put Run Like Hell on sale on Amazon - 99 cents for the Kindle edition, just for a few days, so go get it now!  (Run Like Hell, click that!)

And, as a special treat - the cover to A Deadly Quest!

Happy reading!

Adam

Thanksgiving

No, no Thanksgiving story from me.  Sorry.  Brain doesn't work that way (some people would say it doesn't work at all, but we won't go there).

Instead, I'm sharing a link to ANOTHER blog - and the author has a great little story up.  Have a read, have a laugh, and for my American readers, have a great Thanksgiving!

Adam

http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-thanksgiving-story-for-you.html#.UK0Zgmca6Sp

Tuesday Rambling

Like most writers, writing is not what I do to earn a living.

I know, I know, it shocks me too, but, you know?  It's not that bad.

I work two jobs, volunteer with Scouts, and generally try to help keep our unruly brood in check.  This all combines to keep me busy.

One job is your typically mundane job - in a restaurant (talk about your stereotypes!).

The other job is much more interesting.  It gets me out and talking with a wide variety of people, or at least as wide a variety as you can find in Maine.  I get to listen to LOTS of talk radio.  And then, once in a while, I come across a scene like this (Not this ACTUAL scene, but you get the idea) and my reaction is, BONUS!

Favors for Friends

Okay gang!

Got some links for you to follow – doing a little networking and support of my fellow authors! Please check them out and support them like you've supported me!

(And, just a tease for all you waiting for The Kildaran – have it being beta'd right now for a final FINAL time; when finished, I'm gonna – well, you'll see, but it's gonna be GREAT!)

First up:

Chris Nuttall, and the link is: http://chrishanger.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/new-kindle-bookand-promotion-2/

Vickie Johnstone, and HER link is: http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Realm-Ra-Series-ebook/dp/B00A8GS094

So go, check them out, see what's what with them and have some fun!