The Lazarus Men: A Lazarus Men Agenda By Christian Warren Freed - A Fun Story About A Guy Who Was In The Wrong Place At The Wrong Time

The Lazarus Men by Christian Warren Freed

I received a copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was attracted to this book because of the cover art and the blurb. It appeared to be something I might enjoy, and indeed I did, with a reservation.

The Lazarus Men is a good, solid story with numerous twists and turns. It opens with some good action, and after a lull in the middle, it closes with some fast-paced battle scenes. Among the author's strengths are the characters. I found myself invested in the principal character from the start and he held my interest for the entire novel. I hoped he would make it to the end, and it never appeared certain he would. Along with the principal, there were several other characters, all well-defined and made to seem real. The world building was adequate for the story, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the settings.

The story was clearly written mostly, but there is one area I found disturbing, and it tended to take me out of the flow of the text. More on that later.

It was just another shift on the job for Gerald LaPlant, that is, until his employer called him in and promoted him for his prior service. And that was the last good thing that happened to him for quite some time. Unfortunately, he witnessed a murder and lost his wallet. Those who perpetrated the murder began stalking him and even came close to taking him out. See, the murdered man placed an object in his pocket before he died. An object of some importance to two of the most powerful people in the galaxy.

To save his own life, he fled to Mars, where he was followed.

Next thing Gerald knows is he cannot shake those after him. And what's worse, nearly everyone he encounters is after the object. His friends aren't really his friends, his enemies aren't necessarily his enemies, and poor Gerald does not know who he can trust, other than himself.

What is this object and why is it so important?

Principal character, Gerald LaPlant is an ordinary guy. He works and goes home. When he gets caught up in a world of intrigue, he is forced to go on the run. Confused and scared, he runs into a lot of other characters. Those he meets all have an ulterior motive because he has a key to a treasure beyond imagination. He came by the key when he witnessed a murder when it was placed in his possession without his knowledge. On his travels to other worlds, he meets an attractive archaeologist, a man he thought was his friend, and more than a few ruthless killers, as well as the masterminds who want to get their hands on the vast treasure to be found on the planet Cestus III. He is just a good guy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and if he is not very careful, he will lose his life.

My favorite point of plot in The Lazarus Men is how the principal character seems unable to find allies in this story until he does find two. The ones he finds are the most unlikely people to be his friends. I loved this twist and the nature of the two people who help him because they are enemies and in competition until they decide to cooperate. Great irony there.

My takeaway from this tale is that when one holds the key to hidden wealth, one cannot trust anyone. Not everyone who is nice to you is your friend, and not everyone who is a threat to you are your enemies. Be careful how you choose your friends and keep your enemies close.

I found The Lazarus Men a great story full of twists and turns and is a fine sci-fi adventure one can get into. As I mentioned before, there is one thing that needs to be fixed in the book's text, and that is all the typos that appear through the whole thing.

I read enough that in nearly every book, I tend to find one or two typographical errors along the way, and mostly, I ignore them. It happens. If I know the author, I usually let them know I found them. Unfortunately, there are many in The Lazarus Men that interrupted the flow of the reading, and I had to stop and try to understand what the author meant to say. For this reason, I find I must give it a lower rating than it would otherwise deserve. With the copy I received being the third edition, I am a little disappointed the mistakes haven't been corrected at by now.

It is a great story that needs to be looked at by a copy editor.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Christian W. Freed was born in Buffalo, N.Y. more years ago than he would like to remember. After spending more than 20 years in the active-duty US Army he has turned his talents to writing. Since retiring, he has gone on to publish over 25 military fantasy and science fiction novels, as well as his memoirs from his time in Iraq and Afghanistan, a children's book, and a pair of how to books focused on indie authors and the decision making process for writing a book and what happens after it is published.

His first published book (Hammers in the Wind) has been the #1 free book on Kindle 4 times and he holds a fancy certificate from the L Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. Ok, so it was for 4th place in one quarter, but it's still recognition from the largest fiction writing contest in the world. And no, he's not a scientologist.

Passionate about history, he combines his knowledge of the past with modern military tactics to create an engaging, quasi-realistic world for the readers. He graduated from Campbell University with a degree in history and a Master of Arts degree in Digital Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He currently lives outside of Raleigh, N.C. and devotes his time to writing, his family, and their two Bernese Mountain Dogs. If you drive by you might just find him on the porch with a cigar in one hand and a pen in the other. You can find out more about his work by following him on social media.

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Home on Derange by David Gerrold - Thirty Stories Designed To Be Entertaining And Perhaps Disturbing

Home on Derange by David Gerrold

I purchased Home on Derange directly from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

In the introduction to this volume, David Gerrold writes:

"I suppose you are entitled to a warning.

"This is it.

"None of these stories are meant to be taken seriously."

He then proceeds to explain how the thirty entries in this anthology came into existence.

Home on Derange is a collection of thirty stories or other writings intended to be fun, and they most certainly are. It is a book full of varied speculations on life moving from the mundane into the extreme through the masterful use of language. If you enjoy reading tales with a twist, here is a book full of them. I found these stories so rich, I couldn't read them one right after the other. After almost every story, I had to set the book aside because my mind needed time to wrap itself around what I had read.

While I enjoyed every story in this book, I found a few favorites that stood out to me.

The first story is entitled "The Great Pan American Airship Mystery." A group of high-powered personalities take a trip on a passenger blimp across the United States. In their midst, there may be a threat as they discuss the more macabre aspects of their business.

Another of my favorites is "Crystallization." It is a look at a major city's problem of freeway gridlock if taken to the extreme. If you live in a rural area, this one will make you glad you do.

"The Kennedy Enterprise" is a speculation on what might have happened if the Kennedy family had gotten involved in Hollywood instead of entering politics. I found this one the most fun as I pictured JFK the way he was described. I couldn't help but laugh.

Those three represent only ten percent of what is contained in Home on Derange.

My takeaways from Home on Derange are twofold.

As a reader, I loved all the plot twists and swerves I found in this collection. These stories are all on the fringe and each one is bizarre. It is always nice to get away from serious sci-fi for a short time and enjoy something different. I found this an entertaining volume I will read again because there is so much to be found in those pages.

As an aspiring writer, I was mesmerized at the use of language. According to the author, every story, every chapter, every paragraph, and every sentence should be surprising to the reader. I loved the way he used the language to paint pictures of situations I found the characters.

Home on Derange is a marvelous collection of stories to read for fun and entertainment, as well as a diversion from life. If you're down, these stories will help one appreciate that no matter how bad one's own situation may be, it could be worse. A lot worse. They are all masterfully written and easy to digest a little at a time. It is not designed to be read from cover to cover in a single sitting. Each vignette is intended to be savored individually.

If you enjoy speculative fiction in small bites, this one is for you.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

David Gerrold lives in California with his son, daughter-in-law, and his toddler grandson. He is the winner of numerous awards for his writing. You can follow him on Facebook or through his Patreon page. He is a self-described curmudgeon, and you are highly advised not to tread on his lawn.

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The Relatives by Billy White - A Great First Novel From Canada!

The Relatives by Billy White

I received an advance review copy of the book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Relatives is a sci-fi novel in the sub-genre of colonization. It is very well written with good characters one can relate to, or perhaps even recognize. The world-building suffices to set the story in.

I will admit, it took me a little time at the beginning to get invested in the story. After the first few chapters of exposition, I got into the meat of the story because of the characters and their various individual agendum that carried the story forward at a detailed, moderate pace. For what the tale is about, I found this book relaxing to read, but it was also disturbing in several elements of the story that paralleled recent events. The writing style is to show the story through the actions of the characters, but the action doesn't explode off the page. I enjoyed this style of writing and enjoyed this book.

***Spoilers Ahead***

When a philosophical rift developed on Earth between the leader, known as the Singular Sovereign and the head of a corporation who seeks to colonize other worlds, there are three ships dispatched to a planet suitable for colonization. One ship makes it, another remains in Earth orbit, and another is wandering through deep space.

Move forward to the year 2408. The colony has prospered and is being led by a man named Jordan Graham. He takes a chance and sends a message to the two ships that didn't arrive. The message is received by the wandering ship, and they make their way to join the colony. There is just one small problem: the passengers are infected with a disease called the Shakes. Eager to join the colony, they leave out they are infected and proceed to the colony in a return message.

When they arrive, there is much consternation in Graham's government about the possibility the plague is contagious and will destroy the colony. His solution is to isolate the people on the ship from the colony while others want to learn how this plague was started, and who was responsible. There are also those in the colony who would like to find a cure, and still others who believe it is time for a change in leadership.

Graham, who reserves sole rule over the colony, makes some decisions that have dire consequences. Then when an armada arrives from earth, there could be even more disastrous results if Graham's plan is carried out.

As I mentioned before, what appealed to me were the characters and their development in The Relatives.

Jordan Graham is the narcissistic, charismatic leader of the colony. He is surrounded by advisors who try to advise him, but mostly they are a group of yes-men. If someone has the gall to disagree with him, they will be sacked and shunned. Jordan is very popular amongst many in the colony, but there are those who feel that he, and his relatives time has passed, and it is time to elect a new government. Jordan is quite taken with himself and believes he is infallible. He pays a lot of attention to his appearance and knows how to work a crowd. He has no empathy for others and has no qualms about removing problem people from his scope, should the need arise.

My favorite character was a young woman from the wandering ship, Janey Allen. She is a somewhat naive girl who had known no other life than being aboard the ship. She enjoys cooking for people and is quite accomplished at doing so. When she arrives on the planet, she is full of wonder and comprehends what planet-life can be like, and she enjoys it, including the discovery of a budding relationship with a member of the colony. She is a bright spot in this tale. Unfortunately, her story also is tragic when the plague is discovered.

Gus and Call are two young men in the colony who have graduated to adulthood. They are playful and have fun, but soon learn there is more to life than having fun. They quickly learn how things work on the colony through their experience and begin to believe there needs to be change.

Lorena is a stenographer who has the lofty goal of being in a relationship with Jordan until she learns what he is actually like. She takes it upon herself to investigate the shadier happenings on the colony and is appalled at the things she finds. Her adventures are a series of discoveries that leads her to oppose Jordan, and she finds her opposition carries consequences.

Other characters included in the story are all well written and contribute in various ways to building a complete picture of life under Graham rule.

My favorite point of plot for The Relatives is how it made me think about recent world events and how so much is has been mishandled. The parallels are veiled, but also astoundingly clear, if the reader pays attention. For me, as a reader, this tale is a warning, and I think it will clearly reveal itself as one reads.

My takeaway from The Relatives is to be careful of charismatic leaders who do not have empathy for others. It is important that one who leads believes they are the best person for the job, but they also must remember they are not without human flaw and need to remember the needs of the people they lead. There are no uncomplicated answers when one leads a large population, and those who do must tap into their empathy to be effective.

Another theme that presented itself to me is hard decisions must be carefully considered. There is no room for knee-jerk reactions that hurt people. 

I loved The Relatives for many reasons. I enjoyed the relaxed, moderate pacing as the story unfolded. After a long day, it was nice to just sit down and read a well-written entertaining story that wasn't too much "in-your-face." The characters are interesting and are developed to the point they could be real people. I could hear the voice as they spoke, and each one was an individual with a well thought out personality and backstory. There are characters in this to like, and those to dislike, and they play off each other in fascinating ways. The story unfolds logically and steadily and is easy to understand and follow. I found myself immersed in this and wanted to read on and on.

The Relatives is a story that is complete in itself, not part of a series. I look forward to more of the author's work in the future.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Billy White’s novels include The Relatives (and nothing else—for now!). Billy is a soon-to-be lawyer, meandering giraffe, and novelist, who resides in Toronto, Canada.

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The Controlled by P.J. Willett - What Happens When Schools Go Corporate? Find Out In This Great Debut Novel!

The Controlled by P.J. Willett

I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Now and then, one reads a book that delves into their very being and creates nightmares. The Controlled is one of those books. This one gets me on two levels. First, as a sci-fi reader, I found this a terrifying story where technology goes wrong and creates a group of relentless monsters who unwillingly want to destroy everything and everyone in their path. However, as a teacher in a public school, it hit me on a different level. This tale is a metaphor for the direction I see education taking; instead of letting those of us who are trained to teach do our jobs, it is the oversight of school boards, parents, and legislatures who want it done their way, even though most haven't even been in a classroom since they graduated from high school.

Now I must apologize because I digress. My view on schools is a subject for another time and place.

This tale definitely scared me as an educator because there is nothing more frightening to a teacher than the concept of the inmates taking charge of the asylum.

From the opening line, I was hooked on this story, not just because it involved my chosen profession, but because it is a well-written story full of swerves and one never knows what will happen on the turn of the next page. It is gritty and graphic; descriptions of violence and its aftermath are plainly shown in the prose and, in themselves, are disturbing.

Be warned, even though this story is about high school-aged students, it is NOT a young adult novel.

Welcome to Rego Ed Site 102 operated by the Rego Corporation.

In the near future, schools will be turned over to corporations and trusted to clean up the mess schools are supposedly in everywhere. Schools are referred to as "sites," and students have become "clients" to receive a much trimmed down curriculum of English, Math, Fundamental Values, and Occupational Preparation. Clients are not divided by grade level, but by how well they perform in school in four levels. There are high, medium, and low performers and at the lowest level are the "subs." Subs are the ones who are incorrigible. They are lacking in respect for any system, and they have deep-seated behavioral problems. Subs are, in a word, rebellious.

Rego's solution to helping the suns integrate into society as useful, contributing citizens is the creation of an app (called CTRL) designed to modify behaviors through a device called a "Halo." The Halo is a VR headset that is used to pacify clients with video such as "The Woodland Parable," an animated depiction of pleasant, calming woodland creatures going about their daily lives. Site directors claim they have had much success with this method of training, but that is the company line all employees (a.k.a. teachers/administrators) are required to repeat of asked.

At some point, something goes wrong with the app and clients go on a rampage of behaviors above and beyond what they have displayed before, and are powerless to stop themselves when in the grips of the app.

The story unfolds through following several principal characters. We get snapshots of their personal lives and then we see how their strengths, or weaknesses, fit into the big picture. Each character has his/her own quirks and things they need to suppress when on the job, which is difficult for some.

Dickie is the CEO (superintendent) of the site. His job is to deal directly with Rego and see to daily operations. He is a nervous sort that no one seems to take seriously. He is arrogant and condescending and is completely out of touch with what is happening on his site.

Sophie is the General Manager (principal) of the site and oversees the teachers and discipline issues. She has a bad home life, but is genuinely wanting to educate clients, but she isn't happy about the way it is currently being handled.

Tom is a teacher who has been traumatized and is returning to work after a long period of recovery from an incident that threatened his career. He is unsure of himself and nervous about the new teaching methods.

Dean and Ren are two clients who are considered subs, but they are not under the control of the CTRL app or have the ability to not be affected by it as others are. They like each other, but Dean has relationship problems. As you read, you will get to know these characters best.

Each character has their own chapter to make their acquaintance and better understand how they think and act.

My favorite point of plot for The Controlled is the focus on each character in their own chapter. Each one is a nearly complete picture of their lives outside of the site and who they are as real people. This technique of writing is one of my favorites because we get a lot of backstory in a small space, and the other chapters allow the author to tell the rest of the story using the unique points of view of the people involved.

Another plot point I enjoyed was the spiraling down into the depths. When I first started reading, I thought I was reading a comedy. I love British humor and the opening chapters struck me as having a tongue-in-cheek feel to them. As the prose moved along, it gradually became darker, with each scene revealing just how serious the whole affair was.

One thing I also noted was how the author focused more on the characters than the sci-fi elements. There isn't a lot of jargon to get through and the purity of the tale is preserved.

My takeaway from this story is to think one can control others are in for a huge disappointment, especially if one is trying to modify behaviors. Education has tried for decades to modify undesirable behaviors and have tried nearly everything, including drugs, with some, but limited success. Perhaps the focus on engaging students by taking the individual into account might be more successful.

Another takeaway is that education should be left to the professionals. Those with the training and understanding might do a better job if they are supported and trusted to do so.

Even though it was a terrifying story to me, I enjoyed it immensely. It is a real page turner that includes a plethora of plot twists and turns that were a delight. The Controlled is a great first novel and I look forward to further work from this author. Again, I will say that this story is not for youngsters. It is full of graphic scenes of violence and injuries to characters. The characters use a lot of language that many will consider inappropriate. None of those points are gratuitous in nature, they are necessary for illustrating the attitudes of the characters. If you can handle those sorts of things, I think one will enjoy this book.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

P.J. Willett is a British born author based in Birmingham. He's been a teacher of Drama, English, and Mats for fifteen years and has written columns for a variety of sports publications for a number of years.

The Controlled is his debut novel - inspired by his years attending and teaching in depraved schools, and his love for science fiction and horror.

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Assassination of Hope: Star Marked Book 2 By Justin Doyle - Another Action Packed Sci/Fi Fantasy Adventure

Assassination of Hope: Star Marked Book 2 by Justin Doyle

Note: This book will be published in September of 2022.

I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Assassination of Hope is the second in the Star Marked series of Young Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy Adventure novels by Justin Doyle. It was preceded by Embargo on Hope, which I enjoyed - you can find my review for Embargo HERE.

As with the first book, I also enjoyed Assassination immensely. Sometimes second books in a series can be a letdown from the first, but that is not the case here. It is well paced, written, and edited. If you are into action packed books, this one will appeal to you. There are two things I noted while reading Assassination. One is the growth of the characters. It was great to learn more of the background of Darynn and Fyra, but I think the character that had the most growth was Kaylaa, and it is ironic that Kaylaa was absent for a lot of the story. 

I also was fascinated with the world-building displayed by the author. In this volume, we move from Darynn's home planet to Kaylaa's frozen world where she is in the middle of a fight. The descriptions of the cold and how the characters handled it was well described, and the prose made me see and feel their plight.

I am not a fantasy fan as much as a sci-fi nerd, but I loved the way Justin could bring the science and technology together with magic to produce a plausible story all readers can enjoy. At the top of my list, along with a fine mixing of genres, were the battle scenes. The fights were epic in scope and the author went into great detail to describe them, but not so much as to make them difficult to read. 

Be warned, Assassination is not a standalone story, but a continuation on Embargo, so be sure to read the books to get the full appreciation.

Blurb from the book...

The destruction of the embargo has made Darynn Mark a lot of enemies: an interstellar bounty hunter, the Grand Cardinal, families of the fallen. On top of that, Darynn struggles with his new responsibility to discover the truth behind Vastire’s gods, while battling his growing internal desire to destroy.

Darynn and Fyra must travel to the frozen planet Yiptae to find the final pieces of the gods’ puzzle. But Yiptae has problems of its own, from a violent revolution to the assassination of a key immigrant rights activist. In the middle of it all is Kaylaa, whose mysterious past leads to new opportunities, conflicts, and enemies.

Darynn, Fyra, and Kaylaa must work with new allies to solve the secret to the past while navigating the revolution and solving the murder. If they don’t, they will be buried in a frozen wasteland, and the truths of three worlds will be obscured forever.

The principal characters, Darynn, Fyra, and Kaylaa are all well written and have come alive for me as a reader. All are concerned with justice, but their approaches to obtaining it, or seeing that it is done, are different.

Darynn is a bit of a hothead. He seems to be angry all the time and if someone get in their way, they are going to have trouble. He has a special talent for being a one-man wrecking crew. He leaves destruction in his wake. One thing that keeps him from destroying everything at every turn is his budding relationship with Fyra.

Fyra is a calming influence on Darynn, and they are falling for each other. Their relationship is just beginning, but they do complement each other. On first meeting Fyra, one might think she is a compassionate, gentle fawn who appreciates nature. But don't be fooled by first impressions, she can release some wrath when the occasion calls for it.

Kaylaa is the consummate warrior. She is always ready for a fight, but she also can think and plan her battles. She is intelligent and can see situations develop before acting. Kaylaa also has a soft side she rarely lets out. I was pleased about a reunion in the story involving one who I would have to say is my favorite of the three characters in the triumvirate.

As the principal characters, those three are the best developed, but there are many others, some good, some bad, that have enough development to know and care about.

My favorite point of plot is the marriage between the elements of Sci-Fi and Fantasy. We have space travel and interesting devices that do some amazing things, and I also like the way the magic is handled. I often find magic in a story becoming the deus ex machina used to get a character - or the author - out of a tight situation. Not so here. The magic in the story is always used with good purpose, and used sparingly, making this a character driven story who use science and magic as tools, but not as defining elements.

My takeaway from Assassination is how no matter what one has done in the past, the quest for justice is a never-ending journey fraught with twists and turns. This story is full of surprises, and it is a fun read.

Whether you are a Sci-Fi fan, or a Fantasy fan, there is something in this book for you. It is a story moving at a blinding pace full of characters one can care about, and one can love to hate. Sometimes, one doesn't know what to think about them, but you always discover in the end whether they are trustworthy. The banter between them is always fun and cleverly written and reading Assassination brought a smile to my face or made me laugh out loud several times.

There is also tragedy, great scenes of battle, and some blood and guts descriptions, but they are appropriately written and entertaining.

I recommend this second book in the Star Marked series, but as mentioned earlier, be sure to read the Embargo on Hope first to get the full flavor of the characters and settings.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Justin was born in Galveston, TX and raised in the Houston area. In middle school, he fell in love with two life-long pursuits: space and writing. He knew he wanted to work at NASA and write science fiction / fantasy on the side, and lo and behold, that’s exactly what he ended up doing.

He now works for the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, who manages the International Space Station National Laboratory. He lives in the Houston area with his wife, daughter, and various small mammals.

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A Rant About Fandom

I recently posted the following on my Facebook timeline...

After I posted, there were several people who jumped on the comment thread and began posting positive remarks. One posted a response I immediately removed from my thread. It went something like this...

"We have the right to complain. It's how we get the studio to change things."

I wish I had kept the original comment, but you get the essence of what was said. So, let me take one point at a time. Look at my original post again, now look at the comment. See any problems? I suggested if the television show, an entertainment, is not to your liking, if it is causing you that much angst, turn it off. Simple.

Streaming services like Paramount+ and Disney+ are putting out a plethora of content in the Star Wars and Star Trek universe I find to be very entertaining and fun. There are things in those shows that may not always jibe with what is considered canon. There are inconsistencies, mistakes, and so on that are not according to canon. So what? I find shows such as Strange New Worlds, and The Book of Boba Fett fun to watch. They are entertaining.

On the rare occasions I do watch television, I'm looking to be entertained, and if I am not, I choose not to watch. I have plenty to do to occupy my time. For me, television is a brain-break. I can take thirty-minutes, or an hour and not think.

Now, let's take the commenter's statements and look at them a little closer.

"We have the right to complain."

Yes, you do. I don't dispute that in the least. We all have the right to complain about anything and everything. Complain all you want. My original post didn't say one single thing about anyone's rights. 

Every day, there is something to complain about. I complain about the dozen times a day my phone rings with spam calls; I complain about the neighborhood dogs that bark constantly day and night every time something moves. I complain about not having enough time in the day to get the things done I want to get done - even when it’s usually my own fault. I just don't do it on social media. Why? Because nobody cares, and even if anyone did care, there's nothing they can do about it. But I have the right to complain, and so do you.

The question is, if you hate it so much, if it is causing you enough pain you feel you must take to the internet and shout it to the entire world, why? If it is a television show bothering you and making you so angry, why not stop watching?

Here's an analogy that may illustrate my point of view.

Let's say I go to the grocery store shopping for cookies. I see there are some I like and some I don't. Next to each other on the shelf are Oreos and Nutter Butter cookies. I like Oreos. When A package of Oreos come in the house, I can guarantee they will not last long. I do not like Nutter Butter cookies. So, I buy the Oreos and leave the Nutter Butters on the shelf. Logical? No one is making me buy Nutter Butters.

If there was a cookie fandom, I would have to stand there at the shelf and tell all my fellow shoppers how much I hate Nutter Butters.

"Excuse me, ma'am, but I hate Nutter Butters!"

"Hey sir, did you know I hate Nutter Butters?"

Or I can stand and holler at the top of my lungs, "I HATE NUTTER BUTTERS!" so everyone in the place hears me.

Maybe I can complain to the manager, and he will just say, "so don't buy them," and walk away shaking his head because I have shown myself to be the nutter.

I don't like them, so I don't buy them. It is my right not to consume products I don't like.

Are there Star Trek and Star Wars shows I don't watch? Yes, there are. 

Which ones? That's my business and you really don't care. Why don't I like them? That's my business and you really don't care. Do I watch them anyway? No.

Now, to the question of complaints effecting change. It ain't gonna happen.

Complain all you want on social media. I honestly don't think the executives at the studios are paying attention. Obviously, they aren’t because they keep making content triggering negative responses from fandom. Why are they doing this?

It's all about money in their pockets. People are subscribing to their service, people are watching the shows, they are making money. Seems like a simple enough equation.

Do you honestly believe that on the morning after an episode is released, the suits all sit around the table and think about what some guy in the middle of Nebraska says about their show on Facebook? I got news for you; they don't. They are looking at the numbers of subscribers who are viewing and pitching that to their advertisers to get them to continue sponsoring the show, in most cases.

Why are you tuning in? Is it to be entertained or is it so you can rant with your friends at the coffee shop, or around the drinking fountain at work, or so you can pick it apart and complain on Facebook?

Let's return to the cookie analogy. 

Assume I post a statement on Facebook saying: "I hate Nutter Butter Cookies. Why do they even make them? They are horrible and I cannot Stand them." Then I follow with all the reasons I find them disgusting. I will get responses from several people who agree with me, and some who don't, and those who think I'm stupid because they love them. Okay, so I've trashed a product I don't like. Some agree with me, but I don't think the execs at Nabisco are going to stop production because of it. As a matter of fact, I know they won't.

The execs at Nabisco are going to meet and look at the market numbers. They will see how many thousands of packages of cookies they are selling, and if they are selling, they will continue producing.

Now, let's assume, the execs look at their market analysis and see that no Nutter Butters have been sold for a long time. You will no longer see them on the shelves because no one is buying them.

If you want to effect change in the television shows you watch, stop watching. Unsubscribe from the service. Maybe even send an email or letter to the company telling them why you aren't watching. If enough people do that, there might be change, but it's going to take a lot of people doing those things to make a difference. That's just the way it is, and the way it will continue to be. Big companies pay a lot of money for market analysis, and have been doing so for a long, long time, and they trust their numbers. Not the opinions of a few malcontent fans.

Fandom has become toxic and worthless. It is a negative term meaning the opposite of what it should be. It has become something where the words "I Hate..." has become the mantra. There are complainers, nay-sayers, illogical arguments, and negativity everywhere. And it's all over nothing more than an entertainment. There are even death threats to people who are just doing their jobs! Death Threats? Come on!

Have you noticed that even celebrities are getting into the act? William Shatner has supposedly said that "Roddenberry is turning over in his grave" over the recent Star Trek iterations, and people from the cast of one show answered with a statement of their own. 

Aren't there more important things going on that would deserve that sort of attention? I can think of a few dozen things more worthy of attention than bashing an entertainment.

As far as fandom is concerned, I choose not to take part.

If I start reading a book I don't like, I probably won't finish reading it. I won't review it. Someone somewhere probably loves it and who am I to trash someone's work?

If I watch a television show and I don't like it, I turn it off and don't watch anymore.

If I don't like a movie, I leave the theater or turn it off.

Life is hard enough without adding more angst on purpose.

As I was growing up, I heard over and over, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything." It seems now it is different, more like, "If you don't have something nice to say, say it anyway." Is it fun to hurt people? Is it fun to get into arguments where people become mortal enemies? Do you feel better when you make someone else feel bad?

I was asked why I deleted the statement from the person I mentioned at the beginning of this. It's very simple. It had nothing to do with my original question, which was, "If you hate it so much, why don't you just turn it off?"

Social media can be a wonderful thing. It allows people to instantly be in touch with friends and family far away. It allows one to talk about their successes and get recognition from others for their accomplishments. It can help lonely people stay in touch with others and be less lonely.

But it can also be a toxic place.

David Gerrold once posted the rules for how he runs his social media outlets. He called his Facebook page his "electronic living room." All are welcome, but you are expected to behave, or you will be invited to leave - forcefully, if necessary. I like that.

If I post something on Facebook, your comment should be to the point and logical. If it is irrelevant, it will be removed. If you disagree with something I posted, just keep scrolling. The other option is to comment on your own timeline. I promise, if I see it, I won't give it another thought as I scroll to the next thread. I have plenty of weapons to deal with those who irritate me. I have the delete button, the block, the unfollow, and the unfriend. You have the same option I do.

So, in conclusion, I still don't have an answer to the original question. I probably never will, and the toxicity will continue, despite what I wrote here.

Oh, and by the way, I don't actually hate Nutter Butters. I've never even tried one. Maybe I'll go out and buy a package. Will I like them or not? Trust me when I tell you, you'll never know.

Well, there it is...

Qapla!

 

Crackle and Fire: An Angela Hardwicke Mystery By Russ Colchamiro - Hard Boiled Sci-Fi Mystery With A Noir Twist

Crackle and Fire: An Angela Hardwicke Mystery (Angela Hardwicke Mysteries Book 1) By Russ Colchamiro

I learned about this book from a Facebook post from the author promoting the third book in the series soon to be released. When I went to Amazon to pre-order that one, I saw there are two more in the series, so I thought it only natural I start with at the beginning. I contacted the author and asked if the book needed to be read in order and he assured me each story is a stand-alone and can be read out of order. The only element one could consider an arc is character growth.

Crackle and Fire is a sci-fi mystery story, but what really appealed to me was the pulpish-looking cover art suggesting a traditional detective story written in the noir style. That is exactly what this story is! The principal character, Angela Hardwicke, is a hard-nosed private investigator for hire. But a great character is not all there is to it, there is also a great backdrop of world-building for Angela to play in. When you also throw in good old-fashioned private eye sarcasm and cynicism, you get an eminently entertaining tale of intrigue.

There is so much to like about Crackle and Fire, I hardly know where to begin. I'll just start out with calling it a fun and entertaining rollercoaster ride.

In the blurb, it is said the story is a combination of Dr. Who, Blade Runner, and Philip Marlowe all rolled into one. All those elements are part of the tale.

Angela is a P.I. who knows her business and has a reputation for getting the job done. When she is approached by a man who wants her to track down some stolen corporate files, it sounds like an easy open and shut case. It turns out it is anything but easy as she must fight her way through a web of lies, being chased by elements of organized crime, a mysterious murder, and an insane malevolent traveler who us willing to travel long distances to get what he wants. Add to that her struggle with her own personal problems and nothing is easy for our hero as she works diligently to untie knot after knot, plodding through hopefully to a successful conclusion. 

Our principal character, Angela, is a P.I. from a place called Eternity where the universe is regulated. So, she's not just any gumshoe, and she has the smarts and instincts to rise above the pack. My favorite thing about her is how she handles herself when confronted by difficult situations. She never breaks character and stays just as hard-boiled as any other time. But there is more to her. She has a personal demon she is constantly fighting, and sometimes it gets the best of her. Her demon exists as a psychoactive drug that is powerful and holds one like a pair of vice grips. Angela is desperately trying not to give in to her addictions because if she does, she will forever lose what she cares most about.

No, I will not tell you, you're going to have to do your own investigation - read the book.

The entire tale is told through Angela's eyes. We get everything from her narrative, and it is all great.

My favorite point of plot is all the swerves the reader will encounter as the story unfolds. It starts out pretty simple and there is a constant crescendo in the action and just when one thinks it is ending, there's a new twist, or another wrinkle. It is just layers upon layers of brilliant storytelling in Crackle and Fire.

My takeaway from this tale is to remember that one should never take anything for granted. Something may look easy, but one can never know everything, even if one is highly intelligent, it is impossible to predict every contingency, especially when there are other people involved.

I loved Crackle and Fire. I love the protagonist, the style it's written in, and the colorful world building. I recommend this for anyone who enjoys mysteries in the noir style of storytelling combined with science fiction. I am looking forward to the next books in this series.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Russ Colchamiro is the author of the rollicking space opera Crossline, the zany SF/F backpacking comedy series Finders Keepers, Genius de Milo, and Astropalooza, Editor of the SF anthology Love, Murder, & Mayhem, and co-author of the noir anthology, Murder in the Montague Falls, all with Crazy 8 Press.

Russ has contributed to several other anthologies, including Tales of the Crimson Keep, Pangea, Altered States of the Union, They Keep Killing Glenn, Thrilling Adventure Yarns, Badass Moms, Brave New Girls, Camelot 13, and TV Gods 2.

For more on Russ and his books visit www.russcolchamiro.com, follow hom on Twitter and Instagram @AuthorDudeRuss, and 'like' his Facebook author page.

Russ lives in New Jersey with his wife, two ninjas, and crazy dog, Simon, who may in fact be an alien himself.

Well, there it is...

Qapla!