Wednesday, December 2, 2009

On My Nightstand - A Star Curiously Singing by Kerry Nietz

No, you're not seeing things. And, yes, I'm recommending a Sci-Fi title. The author, Kerry Nietz, did an interview on Sharon Ball's blog a couple of months ago. His concept hooked me and reeled me in enough to comment. Well, Mr. Nietz contacted me and asked me to read his book since, according to him, I'd "thrown down the gauntlet." After some email reassurances that the book contained no aliens or space creatures, I agreed.

Kerry sent me his book, and I resigned myself to reading about bizarre worlds. By the end of Chapter 1, I found myself rooting for the main character, Sandfly, a human with a special brain implant. He's a mid-level debugger, fixing all manner of robots and machinery. The implant allows him access to the stream, a database for information related to his job.

The downside of this futuristic world involves total loss of freedom. If Sandfly's thoughts wander into forbidden territory, he gets a nasty zap from his master. One day, he is summoned to the master's office and sent to space for a debugger job. Poor guy, he's not thrilled with heights.

There he uncovers a plot that threatens his existence, as well as a mysterious star song that nearly fries his brain. The book even has a futuristic budding romance for all you gals.

Okay, Kerry, you win. I enjoyed your book and look forward to the next one. How can I resist finding out what a futuristic romance looks like?

Now for the fun part. One of you will win, "A Star Curiously Singing," in a drawing. Please note that due to regulations the contest is open to U.S. Residents only and no fee has been paid to enter this drawing. The author has provided the book, and I'm passing it along to the winner.

Leave a comment with the spam-busting format of your email address. Example: susanjreinhardt (at) ____ (dot) com. The contest ends Saturday, December 5, 2009, at midnight. The winner will be notified via email and an announcement on the blog on Sunday, December 6th.

36 comments:

Kerry Nietz said...

Whew, looks like we survived the gauntlet! Had me worried there for a bit. (;

Thanks for the kind review, Susan. Really appreciate it!

Jessica Nelson said...

Huh. That sounds kind of interesting. Too funny that he said you threw down the gauntlet. LOL

Bess said...

brittany.mitchell@knoxcounty.org

I have to say, I wouldn't normally read a book like this but your review had me curious. Aren't blogs wonderful?

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jess -

I'm not even sure I know the definition of "gauntlet." I should look it up. LOL!

Anyway, I'm glad he challenged me because I enjoyed the book.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Jeanette Levellie said...

Susan: I am so proud of you, that you broke out of your "not liking sci fi" box, and got a blessing as a result. I guess we can't judge a book by its genre, huh?

Please enter my name and thanks!

Hugs,
Jen

Kerry Nietz said...

From Wikipedia:

To "throw down the gauntlet" is to issue a challenge. A gauntlet-wearing knight would challenge a fellow knight or enemy to a duel by throwing one of his gauntlets on the ground. The opponent would pick up the gauntlet to accept the challenge.

(:

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jen -

Poor Kerry. I gave him the third degree on space aliens and other persona non grata. LOL!

He took it in good humor and convinced me to read the book. I'm so glad I did. Now, I can't wait for his next installment in the series.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kerry -

Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Did you feel like Sandfly when he was trying to escape the clutches of the villain? LOL! I sure don't want to be a villain.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kerry -

Thanks for the definition of "gauntlet." :)

Blessings,
Susan

Lillian Robinson said...

OK, I'm game... I'm not the biggest sci-fi fan. I never buy that genre and have read very few loaners. But if it swayed you... who knows? I might become a big fan!

enter me for the drawing: mzzlily at live dot com

Kerry Nietz said...

Anyone who "steps out of the boat" to try something outside their comfort zone is a hero to me. :)

Unknown said...

Kerry's book premise hooked me too. I'm glad he "threw down the gauntlet." :-) One of my other blog guest, Kirk Outerbridge, praised Kerry's book and peaked my interest even more.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Shmologna -

I'm with you, but a review and Kerry's persistence paid off.

Thanks for entering.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sharon -

Your review piqued my interest, resulting in the comment. Thanks for introducing me to Kerry's work. It's very different from the usual Sci-Fi offerings.

Be assured, however, I will not be donning any Trekkie type costumes in the near future. LOL!

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Lily -

Thanks for entering. His premise grabbed my attention. After reading a sample chapter, I wanted to find out what happened.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Susan, don't enter me, but I'm not a sci fi fan either, however I might just have to take a stab at his second book if it really does have a large romance thread.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Eileen -

I think the second book will have a stronger romance thread than the first. However, you'll miss a lot of background if you don't read the first book. (Kerry, correct me if I'm wrong about the stronger romance thread in book 2.)

Blessings,
Susan :)

Kerry Nietz said...

Oh, they'll be a little more interpersonal relations, without question. It'll have its own futuristic spin, of course.

However, if you consider the gospel a romance, than this book fits that bill nicely too. (;

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kerry -

Thanks for the scoop on book 2.

There you have it, folks - straight from the author's pen. :)

Blessings,
Susan

dizzyjam said...

Hi, I'm a big fan of Jeff Gerke's Marcher Lord Press that Kerry got his book published through. I have a copy already, but if I were to win this one, I would donate it to a nondenominational Christian children's home I was at when I was in high school. dj (at) beyondthecharts (dot) com

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi DizzyJam -

Welcome to my blog, and thanks for commenting. I post here Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

I met Jeff Gerke at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference in August. Great guy, and I enjoy his writers' tips.

As long as you're a U.S. resident, you're welcome to enter whether or not you already have a copy of the book. I know Kerry would be delighted to know his book would be available to this organization.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Terri Tiffany said...

I'll admit-- I rarely read sci-fi but am impressed that you liked it. So it was that good huh? It was nice of him to suggest you read and review it. Opened some of our eyes.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

Even though it's not my usual reading material, I liked the book a lot. I don't read Sci-Fi that's laden with aliens, weird creatures, vampires, or the occult. This book didn't have any of those elements.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Kerry Nietz said...

Terri(and all),

I think the book is unique in alot of ways. It deals with very relevant topics, like the meaning of freedom and redemption, but it also has a very unusual voice.

Part of that comes from it being written in first person present tense. Very unusal tense for novels, but it fits the content and the character. It puts you in Sandfly's mind in a whole new way. I think after your brain makes the switch, you'll find you like it.

But, even if sci-fi isn't your cup of tea, you could always get a copy for someone else in your life who likes that kind of stuff, and then borrow it from them. (;

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kerry -

Thanks for the detailed info.

Blessings,
Susan

Anonymous said...

i'm intrigued by this book...enjoyed your review...would love to read it...

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Karen -

Thanks for entering the drawing. Have a great weekend!

Blessings,
Susan :)

WHHayes said...

Your synopsis of the book does ring true to what's happening in the real world. With every advance in communication comes a corresponding loss of personal privacy. I hope the message of the book is that God delights in us no matter how devalued we might feel.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi WH Hayes -

Welcome to my blog, and thanks for commenting. I post here Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Grace Bridges said...

I've read an e-copy and this is a really good book! Certainly not your usual sci-fi.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Grace -

Welcome to my blog, and thank you for your testimonial. I'm glad to have another opinion weighing in here. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Kerry Nietz said...

Thanks for chiming in, Grace! You can read Grace's full review on Splashdown Reviews. I have a link to it (and other reviews) on my website here: http://www.nietz.com/Reviews-ASCS.htm

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kerry -

We've had lots of fun here. The drawing deadline is fast approaching - midnight tonight!

I'll email the winner and post an announcement on the blog tomorrow.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Israle Surrnak said...

I want this book
jojasiah67(at)gmail(dot)com

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Israle -

Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. I post here Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Kerry Nietz said...

Thanks to all who read Susan's post and entered the contest. Hope that some of you who didn't win purchase a copy for yourselves or a loved one this Christmas season. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and direct from Marcher Lord Press. Sample chapters can be viewed on Scribd.com.
Thanks again!
Kerry