Kevin L. Nielsen's "Colonial Prime: Humanity"...On Sale Now

Kevin Nielsen's newest book, Colonial Prime: Humanity is now available through Amazon, the digital version. You can buy it: HERE. I'm excited for this one--it's the newest publication from Immortal Works Press.

Since I haven't read this one yet, I can't really comment on the book, but I can say a little bit about the author. I've known of Kevin longer than I've known him. When I first began writing and attending conventions, I started to get to know many of the local authors, each having achieved various degrees of published success. I've written before about how generous and helpful other authors have been to me, even though they had no idea who I was and my published credits only totaled a few short stories.

Kevin, by comparison, had several novels published with more on the way. I did at the time--and still do--have a lot of respect for anyone who has written a novel. Kevin was always nothing but friendly to me whenever I'd see him at events and conventions. Side note--if you go to these events and conventions, he's easy to spot--always wearing a purple shirt. You can't miss him. 

In the past year especially, I've gotten to know Kevin a little bit better. He and I are both Acquisitions Editors for Immortal Works Press, and now we're both authors from the same imprint. Unfortunately, I've only read one of Kevin's books, Sands, and it is good. I expect no less from Colonial Prime: Humanity.

Here's more on the book from its Amazon page: 

Captain Amara Corrin, hero of the late Solar Wars, commands the first colonial fleet. Full of hopeful dreamers looking for a new home, world-weary ex-soldiers, and those just seeking escape, five ships set out from Earth with the hopes of humanity behind them.

Full of hopeful dreamers looking for a new home, world-weary ex-soldiers, and those just seeking escape; five ships set out from Earth with the hopes of humanity behind them. But Amara soon finds herself with more trouble than she can handle. The Council, Earth's new governing body, has saddled her with their political rivals, exiling them to a place where they can do no harm.

Struggling to find balance, Amara appoints a fresh-faced first officer with a hidden past, Nathan Esquina, as she fights to keep her son, Jaelyn, free of the political machinations of those aboard the ship who would destroy their fragile peace. When a message from Earth alerts them that The Council has fallen, Amara, Nathan, and Jaelyn find themselves in a pitched battle where a single mistake could end not only their own lives, but those of every person aboard their colonial fleet.

Yes--this looks great. If you're looking for something new, give Kevin's latest a try. If you do, you'll probably end up a Kevin Nielsen fan, too. 

Clint Richins...Until Next Time, Cowboy

This was one I didn't want to write. In fact, I've put it off for several days. But it's time. I've mentioned how interesting it is living in the same town where you grew up, and not only in the same town, on the same street.

It seems you're constantly reminded of you childhood. The memories can be wonderful--you remember people and places, the good times of youth. However, as there is opposition in all things, the memories can--and are often--be painful. That's especially true when you lose friends, which is why I stayed home from work today; which is why I delayed writing about my friend Clint Richins.

Today was his funeral.

He was forty-nine years old.

Funerals are amazing, in their own weird way. We usually hear talks from those who knew the person best. Today we heard from Clint's five siblings--each shared touching memories of a man who was more than a brother, but a friend, a protector, a confidant, a comedian, a healer. What I knew about Clint was not only bolstered, but I found out other things as well. If you know Clint--even a little bit--you know some of the basics: he loved Rush, the band, he loved history, he was a great artist, and he was a cowboy. It's as if he sometimes had a tough time living in such a complicated and crazy and illogical world. I know he had demons following him--we all do. I know he went through a lot.

Of course, there's a lot I didn't know about the man, things I would have liked to know, conversations I would have loved to have had. As I sat waiting for our turn to participate in the program (we sang a beautiful song by Antonin Dvorak...), I noticed Clint's absolutely beautiful casket--a simple wood box. I also thought about my father who passed away at forty-nine, and who had his funeral in the same building forty-four years ago, almost to the day.

A friend asked me why I missed work today. I told him. He asked, "Why so young?" I responded that I believe Clint was a man out of time, not that he ran out of time, but he was just in the wrong time. Now, he's home and in his perfect time. God speed, Cowboy.

Eve Nicholson's "The Tripartite Soul"...A Book Review

Today I finished a book written by a good friend. This is one book I should have finished sooner. The book, The Tripartite Soul, is best categorized as a fantasy romance. Now, I haven't read a lot of books in this genre, but good storytelling is good storytelling.

In The Tripartite Soul we meet a servant girl--Eviona, a soldier--Dyre, and a dragon--Zefforah, three beings that have a unique connection. They can see, feel, taste, touch the things each other sees, feels, tastes, and touches. They also have an ability to stop this connection, which is a good thing (the thought of sharing every sense with others can be a little unsettling...). The story is told through the voice of Eviona, a servant girl who experiences the trials and joys of her first love, love lost, and love renewed. Eviona has special skills--among other things, she can bake and she's good with a sword.

Nicholson creates a fantastical world where you never know what's going to happen. Eviona's search for not only love, but understanding in a reality that's not solely her own. I've never read a book like this and I loved thinking about all the possibilities these characters could experience.

The Tripartite Soul is a romance, is a fantasy, is even a philosophical study on how we make choices, and more importantly perhaps, why we make those choices. If you'd like to read it, click: HERE to access Nicholson's Amazon page. This book is unlike anything I've read before. Chances are, if you read it, you'll feel the same way, too.

Just Me, The Clouds, And The Sun...

Tonight, as the country (mostly...) stayed inside watching a game, I split time going in and out cooking dinner. And because of that, I watched as the sun fell from the sky, between the clouds and below the horizon.

It was beautiful.

I'm not knocking everyone who stayed inside. Heck, I've stayed inside and missed more sunsets than I can count. I try and take pictures of the good ones, but I admit--other things come up. We live in such a hurry-up world, everything vies for our time.

Tomorrow, everything--the game, the sunset, our dinner--will all be in the past. Some will remember this particular game for the rest of their lives (for better or for worse...). If past is prologue, this game will most likely blend into other Superbowl games contained in my memory and get fuzzy. And because I see amazing sunsets so often, I'm sure this one will blend into many others, too. But, for some fleeting moments as chicken and hamburger evenly cooked on a grill in our front yard, I saw beauty on the biggest canvas I know. I watched as it grew in intensity until it disappeared forever into the night.

And I was glad I saw it.

Pre-Superbowl Shopping...Kind Of Crazy

I thought it would be crazy at the store, and truth be told, it wasn't that bad. But the football banners and balloons were in full view. It's Supberbowl Weekend, after all. And grocery stores and electronic stores are like Venus flytraps to consumers. 

It must work well--you'd think it was Christmas in the stores.

A few years ago I used to think the Superbowl was not a big deal. I mean, I know millions of people watch, but the whole country doesn't shut down because of it. I remember living in Europe during a world cup. In Denmark I can honestly say that when their national team played in a world cup, the country shut down. I wondered what that would be like in America. The closest thing we have to this is the Superbowl.

But the game means more than just people watching one team battle another. Earlier in the day I was at Walmart and saw several TVs on sale. I wonder, if we didn't have a big game, what would the sales figures be at stores like Walmart and grocery stores this weekend? Probably the same as the week before or the week after. And when you think of all the little things, the snacks, the drinks--we're talking big bucks. Add the big things, the TVs, the couches, you name it--we're talking bigger bucks.

I suppose, in some ways, trying to get as much money from people because of a sporting event is a little unsettling. But, on the other hand, the event's supposed to be fun, and picking up some extras can add to the enjoyment. I guess as long as you don't go too far, it's a good thing. 

Almost makes whoever wins a bit irrelevant.

Almost.

In This Picture You'll Find One Of My Heroes...

I recorded last night's Utah Jazz game, their biggest win of the season, a 129-99 beat down of the reigning NBA World Champions, the Golden State Warriors. A reporter was interviewing Ricky Rubio, the Utah Jazz starting point guard after the game ended (Rubio had a monster game...). And during that interview I spotted a hero of mine--no, not the former first-round draft pick from Spain. My hero stood in the background.

He's one of the fans.

And he's my friend.

I first met Jeff in January 1985. Six strangers moved to a complex to learn how to communicate in the Danish language, and how to be good and effective missionaries. I can't believe it's been thirty-three years and a few days since we met.

When we lived in Denmark we pretty much did the same thing--we were missionaries. When we returned home, I think we all went to college. We all ended up getting married, having kids, and now our kids are going on missions, getting married, and having kids. The circle of life.

Why is Jeff one of my heroes? He's kind of amazing. Businessman, philanthropist, husband, father, and grandfather. He's run a successful business for almost twenty years, and he and his family have been nothing but fantastic to me and my family, even to the point of helping us out when we needed it. Even through he's obtained much success, he's still that same downed-to-earth guy I met years ago.

Jeff's a huge sports fan as well. He and his wife attend numerous sporting events, hence me spotting him after the Utah Jazz epic win. He's even invited me and my kids to attend games with them and I've had a blast every time.

It's fun spotting Jeff and his family at the games. He's kind of like a celebrity. If you know Jeff, you know he's got a heart as big as his personality, and I'm proud to call him my friend.

And a hero.

Why...Can't I Just Enjoy The Art?

When I drive to work, I pass a few restaurants. Last week as I drove by, I noticed that one of them had an airplane in its parking lot. It's not that unusual to see planes on my drive home from work--we're about two miles from the Salt Lake International Airport. I wondered, though, if it was just a prop, or someone's functional plane that needed a place to stay.

Yesterday, I got my answer.

It's not just an airplane, it's now art.

I took a break from work to see if I could walk over to the restaurant and get a couple of close-up pictures of the plane. When I arrived a team of men with a crane were working to place it atop a tall pole--it's new home. I wished I could have filmed it being raised, but after about ten minutes of waiting, I had to go back. After work today, I snapped a picture of the finished work of art.

So why couldn't I enjoy it?

 I should clarify. I do enjoy it on some levels. I think a restaurant taking a plane and putting it twenty-plus feet into the air is cool. I appreciate all the work that it took to get that thing up there. It's eye-catching, a great feature for people renting rooms in the many hotels that surround the restaurant--most, I imagine, flew into the city on a plane. But when I realized what they were going to do with it, I kept thinking about stuff like--

What legal hoops did the restaurant have to jump through to get this approved? 

How much did it cost for them to buy the plane, or did the find it on Ebay?

Was the plane grounded due to mechanical issues?

And, perhaps my biggest issue, will the artwork survive the intense winds we sometimes get?

In the end, of course, the goal is to bring more traffic into their establishment. And honestly, I didn't even know a restaurant was there before the plane showed up. Chances are I will probably not eat there (because I'm so cheap...), but if I do, it will be because of that plane.

I hope all their work brings the results they want. I hope the plane stays up in the air (albeit stuck on a tall pole...) for years and years to come. And I hope next time I see something like this, my mind can enjoy it more. But knowing how my brain works, that probably won't happen.