Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Release Day! DS9: Force and Motion by Jeffrey Lang


Already showing up in bookstores and now available for download from e-book retailers, it's this month's newest Star Trek novel release: Deep Space Nine: Force and Motion by Jeffrey Lang!

Look below for the back-cover blurb and links to purchase from Amazon.

My Review



Publisher's description:
A thrilling original novel set in the universe of Star Trek: The Next Generation / Deep Space Nine!

In 2367, Captain Benjamin Maxwell of the starship Phoenix ordered the destruction of a Cardassian warship and a supply vessel, killing more than six hundred crew members. Maxwell believed that the Cardassians were arming for a new attack on the Federation, and though history eventually proved he was probably correct, the Federation had no choice but to court martial and incarcerate him.

Almost twenty years have passed, and now Maxwell is a free man, working as a maintenance engineer on the private science station Robert Hooke, home to crackpots, fringe researchers, and, possibly, something much darker and deadlier. Maxwell’s former crewmate, Chief Miles O'Brien, and O'Brien’s colleague, Lieutenant Commander Nog, have come for a visit. Unfortunately, history has proven that whenever O’Brien and Nog leave Deep Space 9 together, unpredictable forces are set into motion…

Purchase Force and Motion:



Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Cover for Legacies, Book 2 by David Mack!

Hey all! We have a new cover revealed today, this one for the second book in the upcoming Legacies trilogy, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Star Trek!

Look below for the cover, back cover blurb, and links to pre-order Best Defense by David Mack!



A DEBT OF HONOR

One brave woman ventures alone into a parallel universe to save her old shipmates, exiled there decades earlier by a mysterious device called the Transfer Key. She soon learns the alternate universe harbors not just an alien invasion force, but a secret that underpins its very existence.

A MISSION OF PEACE

A long-awaited Klingon-Federation peace summit convenes, led by Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan and Councillor Gorkon of Qo’noS. But both sides have enemies who prefer the two great powers remain at war — and who will do anything to make certain hate wins the day.

AN ERRAND OF JUSTICE

Captain Kirk and his crew seek the stolen Transfer Key that opens a door between universes, but the Enterprise crew soon becomes targets in a deadly crossfire—one whose outcome will decide the fate of two universes.

Pre-order Legacies, Book 2: Best Defense from Amazon:
(Release date: July 26, 2016)



Saturday, May 7, 2016

Literary Treks 145: A Skynet Brain-Sucker

Enterprise: Rise of the Federation: Live By the Code
by Christopher L. Bennett



In his Rise of the Federation series, Christopher L. Bennett has attempted an ambitious project: telling the story of the early days of the Federation, and showing how we got from there to here (to coin a phrase). Brain-sucking computers, smooth-headed Klingons, and interplanetary bigotry and conflict are just a few of the challenges that the young United Federation of Planets faces during this turbulent time.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Matthew Rushing and Dan Gunther are joined by Bruce Gibson to talk about Live By the Code. We discuss the interesting series, the greater good, Trip's soul and Section 31, Klingon connections, interference, fanatical racism, a full plate, the problem of dependency, and our ratings.

In our news segment, we discuss the latest comic in the Legacy of Spock series, Ongoing #56.


Literary Treks 145: A Skynet Brain-Sucker
Rise of the Federation: Live By the Code by Christopher L. Bennett






Previous episode: Literary Treks 144: Evil James Bond
Next episode: Literary Treks 146: A Mess of Thompsons


Friday, May 6, 2016

Literary Treks 144: Evil James Bond

Star Trek: Mirror Images



The Mirror Universe: there are many familiar faces there, but the reality is very different from our own. Rather than the kind, benevolent Federation we know and love, Earth is at the center of a vast empire, ruled by dark passions and the desire for conquest. There have been many stories set in this dark reality in the 50 years Star Trek has existed, each featuring familiar characters, but with a barbaric twist.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Matthew Rushing and Dan Gunther talk about the comic series Mirror Images. We discuss the fun, characterizations, a focused story, something's missing, more points, how it wraps up, an interesting interlude, and our ratings.

In the news segment, we discuss the news of DRM-free Star Trek books being available.


Literary Treks 144: Evil James Bond
Star Trek: Mirror Images comic from IDW






Previous episode: Literary Treks 143: Borg Kryptonite
Next episode: Literary Treks 145: A Skynet Brain-Sucker


Thursday, May 5, 2016

Literary Treks 143: Borg Kryptonite

The Return by William Shatner




Shortly after Star Trek: Generations was released, William Shatner pitched a story featuring the return of Captain Kirk to the land of the living. Paramount passed on the story, but undeterred, Shatner sold the idea as a novel. The Return would prove to be a great seller, with many fans wanting to read the story of the resurrection of a Star Trek legend.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Matthew Rushing and Dan Gunther talk about William Shatner's The Return. We discuss bringing back Kirk, maniacal Borg, V'ger and the Borg, an empty grave, Kirk worship, and our ratings.

In the new segment, we discuss the cover and blurb for Force and Motion as well as the penultimate issue of Starfleet Academy and Ongoing #55: The Legacy of Spock.

Literary Treks 143: Borg Kryptonite
The Return by William Shatner







Previous episode: Literary Treks 142: Star Trek vs. Godzilla
Next episode: Literary Treks 144: Evil James Bond


Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Literary Treks 142: Star Trek vs. Godzilla

The Original Series: The Latter Fire
Interview with author James Swallow!




Star Trek has always featured outlandish ideas such as huge space creatures and other pretty out-there science fiction concepts. However, at its core, Star Trek is really about the struggles that we all face in overcoming negative forces such as violence and fear to come together to build a better world. No one understands that basic idea more than renowned Trek author James Swallow!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Matthew Rushing and Dan Gunther are joined by James Swallow to talk about his latest book, The Latter Fire. We discuss the genesis of the story, world-building, fear, prejudice and preconceptions, a romantic foil, stretching the Prime Directive, a cosmozoan, everyone has something to do, what's next for James and where to find him.


Literary Treks 142: Star Trek vs. Godzilla
Interview with James Swallow, author of The Latter Fire







Previous episode: Literary Treks 141: Plastic Cage of Emotion
Next episode: Literary Treks 143: Borg Kryptonite


Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Literary Treks 141: Plastic Cage of Emotion

The Gold Key Archives, Volume 2: Part 2




The Gold Key comics: The Star Trek that might have been. Though the stories may be somewhat ridiculous and the artwork might not quite look like the Star Trek we know and love, there is still a lot to enjoy about these stories from Star Trek's early days. Giant space genies, disembodied Vulcan boogeymen, and swashbuckling pirates are the subject of this week's episode!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Matthew Rushing and Dan Gunther talk about the second half of Gold Key Comics Vol. 2. We discuss Sceptre of the Sun, The Brain Shockers, The Flight of the Buccaneer, and give our rankings.

In the news segment we talk about the latest book news from Margaret Clark.


Literary Treks 141: Plastic Cage of Emotion
The Gold Key Archives, Volume 2, Part 2







Previous episode: Literary Treks 140: Landed in Yoda's Swamp

Next episode: Literary Treks 142: Star Trek vs. Godzilla