Give Thanks...Getting To Know A Few Authors

 Friday, the family checked out an estate sale a mile or so from our house. They hired a company to hold the sale. That was a little different than the usual estate sales held around here. Let's just say we were not prepared for what we experienced when we walked through the door.

I've seen Deseret Industries with less stuff to sell.

They had...everything. Appliances, DVDs, clothes, collectable dolls, dishes, at least seven fax machines (that I counted...), food storage, and books. Lots and lots of books. I noticed one right off the bat, Robison Well's The Counterfeit. I've read a couple of Robison's books. Never heard of that one. I had to get it.

I've been doing this author thing for about a decade. In that time I've met many authors. I know some better than others. Robison and his brother Dan are local favorites. It's strange that I didn't know these people a decade ago and now the authors I've met are some of my favorite people.

Something that surprised me from the start is, at least the authors I've met, is how nice and genuine they are. Almost all of them want you to succeed, to finish those WIPs, to be bold in the words you produce. I'm thankful for those friendships. I'm thankful for the help they've given not only me, but so many others. I'm thankful that when I enter a home with literally hundreds of books from both big and small, I found one written by someone I've met and done panels with and who I can call a fellow Utah author.

It's a cool feeling.

Robison Wells's "Dead Zone"...A Book Review

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Last week I read Robison Wells's Dead Zone. I don't think I've ever finished a book series so quickly. Of course, it helps that the series consists of two books, and that I listened to them as audiobooks at 2X speed. 

And that they are well-written and excellent--that always helps me get through a book.

Dead Zone is the sequel to Blackout. The books center around teenagers with special powers. It's a common theme, so i order to make a story interesting and engaging, they have to be good. 

And they are.

Thanks to Wells's effective cliffhanger in Blackout, I couldn't wait to read Dead Zone. The first book introduces us to the main characters and what powers they possess. We meet Aubry and Jack, two teenagers who find themselves caught up in domestic terrorism. The army steps in to test the teenagers to see if they possess these powers. If they do, they're called "Lambdas" and they're given new assignments.

In Dead Zone the teenagers are now soldiers and sent on missions to help fight a war. In this book, it's no longer disgruntled millennials the government has to deal with, but world powers that are invading the Pacific Northwest.

There's one aspect to a story like this that I enjoy very much--it's the vast possibilities available to the writer. The virus the kids contracted gives them these powers and, just like each of us, the powers are unique. Because Wells created such a complete world, there's no end to what could be done. As I read/listened, I wondered where it would go because it really could go anywhere.

In my critique of Blackout, I wrote that if you like dystopian YA stories, you will enjoy Blackout. The same holds true for Dead Zone. It's quick, safe (if you've got a child who enjoys reading this genre...) and just plain good.

This time, my recommendation is to get both books. You'll be glad you did.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/20452184-dead-zone

Robison Wells's "Blackout"...A Book Review

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Imagine, if you will, if seemingly unlimited powers were suddenly bestowed on millennials. Well, you don't have to--Robison Wells wrote a whole series using that theme.

I've only read one other of Robison's books, Variant. The booked focused on a troubled teenager who is transferred to a new school, a school that is not what it seemed and more than he could possibly imagine. I'm waiting to read Book 2 of that series.

In Blackout, I can definitely see a maturity in his writing. I imagine it's still considered a YA novel, but anyone who enjoys dystopian stories with a factor of mutant killers thrown in will love this book.

Right from page one Robison grabbed me. I just saw on Goodreads that there's a Blackout 0.5 story in the series. Not that the book necessarily needed it, but I can see where a prologue would be useful. Even without an extensive setup, I enjoyed having to focus a little bit on what was happening to Aubry and how she was able to do the things she did.

We're introduced to teenagers with special powers, powers they use for both good and evil. Because we're thrown into the story so quickly (it's a very fast read, or if you've go the audiobook version, a fast listen...) that it wasn't as clear to me why some of the kids were so evil. Some of those details could be contained in Going Dark, Book 0.5, and some of it is explained as the story develops. Still, it's not enough to detract from an engaging tale and kept me entertained from cover to cover.

If Robison has a trait that I dislike, it's how effective his cliffhangers are. He really knows how to make you want to read his next book. Actually, it's a love/hate thing with me. I'm just glad I was able to download Book 2, Dead Zone and was able to begin reading/listening immediately after I finished Book 1.

So, get a copy of Blackout, sit back and enter a world where millennials have all the power. Heaven help us all!

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/17332588-blackout

To Help A Friend...

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you could no longer financially support yourself or your family? Believe me, as I get older, I think about it more and more. Of course, it doesn't help that my work involves dealing with individuals facing major disabilities as well as nursing home care. 

Who would you turn to? Family, friends, strangers? My parents and grandparents are gone. I have in-laws who would help, and siblings. Still, even with the knowledge that there are people out there you could count on to help, it is a frightening thought.

A local writer is facing this very question. His name is Robison Wells. I met Robison for the first time last month at Comic Con, though I've known of him for years. I attended his book launch of years a few years ago (I blogged about it, too...) and I remember thinking, This guy's in such a great position! He'd just secured his first of a multi-book deal. He had worked hard to obtain a "regular job," even going to grad school. He'd gone through the ups and downs we all seem to experience and it looked like he was on his way up. Everything seemed to be coming up roses.

Then life happened.

Robison began to experience health problems, so much so, he was unable to write with any regularity. Being a writer as a family's main source of income is hard enough. Throw in health issues, and it's next to impossible.

That's where his friends stepped in. Writers attract other writers. You meet them at conferences and book signings. You "friend" and follow them on social media sites. You get to know them. Robison has some amazing friends. They assembled a book of short stories, donating their talents for one of their own.

They also started an Indegogo fundraiser (you can access the site: HERE) and tonight, they reached their goal. For a writer (or for anyone, really...) the perks were AMAZING! Oh, how I would have loved to buy a couple of those. I'm glad they reached their goal. It's something positive for one who's had a lot of negatives.

The book's titled Altered Perceptions and I'm really looking forward to reading it because I know the reason it exists is to help a friend.