This is part of the weekly meme over at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where book bloggers can share the books and blogs they have written.
It’s been a good week. I’ve managed to get lots of writing done – now 24,000 words into my major rewrite of Miranda’s Tempest, I am really delighted at how well it’s going. The weather continues warm and fine, though the evenings are drawing in fast, berries are appearing and autumn is knocking on the door.
Unfortunately, I ran into big problems with my knitting project – with all the typing I’m doing, my left hand got very upset about the knitting as well, so my sister stepped up and has taken it over, bless her. It should be ready for the film rehearsals next week.
I now have sorted out a release date for Running Out of Space, the first novel in my space opera series The Sunblinded – 11th October. I’ve decided to finally go for it now and get this series self published. Wish me luck!
The grandchildren are now staying over for their last stay with us before they return to school for a new academic year. They asked for a ‘lazy day’ time, so we didn’t go out and about with them yesterday. Today we’re going to have breakfast and the Look and Sea Centre with my sister and visiting the beach before taking them back home in the afternoon.
This week I have read:
The Uploaded by Ferrett Steinmetz
In the near future, the elderly have moved online and now live within the computer network. But that doesn’t stop them interfering in the lives of the living, whose sole real purpose now is to maintain the vast servers which support digital Heaven. For one orphan that just isn’t enough – he wants more for himself and his sister than a life slaving away for the dead. It turns out that he’s not the only one who wants to reset the world…
This one is fun. Lots of action set in a dystopian world with a really intriguing premise – I loved how the dead ended up running the lives of the living.
Just Off the Path by Weston Sullivan
Hansel never asked to be a hero. He never wanted to fall in love with Rapunzel, Queen of the East. He didn’t ask to be raised by Gothel the Wretch, and he certainly never wanted to be credited for her arrest. But more than any of that, Hansel never wanted to lie: but he did. He lied about everything. He thought that he was done with it all when he and his sister Gretel retreated into the woods to reclaim their land, but he should have known better. Years later, Rapunzel’s guards knock at his door, and they say the words he hoped that he would never hear: Gothel has escaped. As he and Gretel take refuge inside Rapunzel’s castle in the eastern capitol of Hildebrand, Hansel is thrust back into everything he never wanted in the first place: his lies, his legend, and his lust.
This is a really interesting idea – a real mash-up of a number of Grimm fairytales told by one of the child victims – Hansel. It goes in unexpected directions and it is huge fun waiting to see who next turns up.
Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill
BRITTLE started out his life playing nurse to a dying man, purchased in truth instead to look after the man’s widow upon his death. But then war came and Brittle was forced to choose between the woman he swore to protect and potential oblivion at the hands of rising anti-AI sentiment. Thirty years later, his choice still haunts him. Now he spends his days in the harshest of the wastelands, known as the Sea of Rust, cannibalizing the walking dead – robots only hours away from total shutdown – looking for parts to trade for those he needs to keep going.
I loved this one. Brittle’s strong first person narrative took me right into this shattered, dystopian world where the robots are locked in a final battle for survival. Beautiful writing and plenty of action – great fun.
The Dazzling Heights – Book 2 of The Thousandth Floor series by Katherine McGee
New York City, 2118. A glittering vision of the future, where anything is possible – if you want it enough.
Manhattan is home to a thousand-story supertower, a beacon of futuristic glamour and high-tech luxury… and to millions of people living scandalous, secretive lives. Leda is haunted by nightmares of what happened on the worst night of her life. She’s afraid the truth will get out – which is why she hires Watt, her very own hacker, to keep an eye on all of the witnesses for her. But what happens when their business relationship turns personal? When Rylin receives a scholarship to an elite upper-floor school, her life transforms overnight. But being here also means seeing the boy she loves: the one whose heart she broke, and who broke hers in return.
Avery is grappling with the reality of her forbidden romance – is there anywhere in the world that’s safe for them to be together? And then there’s Calliope, the mysterious, bohemian beauty who’s arrived in New York with a devious goal in mind – and too many secrets to count.
Here in the Tower, no one is safe – because someone is watching their every move, someone with revenge in mind. After all, in a world of such dazzling heights, you’re always only one step away from a devastating fall….
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and was delighted when I saw this one pop up on Netgalley. We get to follow the tortuous lives of these youngsters who have it all – including a hatful of knee-buckling problems… A real page-turner with another cracking climax.
My posts last week:
Review of The Cold – Book 5 of Star Wars: Adventures in Wild Sapce by Scott Cavan
Teaser Tuesday featuring Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill
Tough Travelling – Strongholds featuring The Just City by Jo Walton
Review of The Heir to the North – Book 1 of Malessar’s Curse by Steven Poore
Interesting/outstanding blogs and articles that have caught my attention during the last week and a bit, in no particular order:
SPRAOI – Source to the Sea https://inesemjphotography.com/2017/08/26/spraoi-source-to-sea/ This wonderful series of photos of this amazing parade is yet another slice of life by this amazingly talented photographer
Riders of the Storm – Hurricane Harvey Rising Water https://familytravelhostusa.com/2017/08/27/riders-of-the-storm-hurricane-harvey-rising-water/ Sad pictures this time – family photos no one wants to take…
Space Features of the Week http://earthianhivemind.net/2017/08/26/space-features-week-26-july/ This invaluable, enjoyable weekly roundup is becoming a regular feature on this blog – with good reason
Sex Scenes: How Did it Happen http://melfka.com/archives/2438 This enjoyable article made me realise this isn’t a subject much discussed by readers – and yet we all read them, don’t we?
Jo Walton Interview – 2017 Edinburgh International Book Festival http://fantasy-faction.com/2017/jo-walton-interview-2017-edinburgh-international-book-festival I was thrilled to read this extensive interview where this highly talented, versatile author discusses her canon of work.
Thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to visit, like and comment on my site and may you have a great week.
Way to go on your writing! And good luck on your self-pub coming in October 🙂
Fall suddenly arrived here yesterday, the temps went down from 94 to 59, and I have to wear socks again 😦 I’m quite happy it’s cool at night, but it could stay a bit warmer during the day for a while longer.
Enjoy the last day of grandchildren before school starts again! Lazy days are the best 🙂
Have a wonderful week ahead, happy reading and writing!
Thank you, Lexxie for your kind good wishes:). Oh my goodness – that’s one HECK of a plummet in temperatures. We have been ‘enjoying’ temperatures in the low 60s for quite a while now, but they are now falling away at night quite sharply. Yes… we had a lovely week-end in the event, watching our past camcorder DVDs and building Lego together:).
The Uploaded sounds like a fascinating concept! Love the sound of it. And The Dazzling Heights has me reconsidering since I passed on that series initially- that’s a different cover than the one I’ve seen, and I like it. Good luck with your pending release, and with your work in progress as well. Happy writing!
Good luck with the self publishing! I never did well when I tried knitting-kept dropping stitches all over the place!
Thank you! Yes – it’s a real adventure, but I’m very excited about it:). I used to knit a lot when a girl and have made a series of knitted square blankets over the years – they are great fun and very warm. I just wish that I could have completed the scarf…
You have been very busy, Sarah! I love that you’re self-publishing your urban fantasy series. Good luck with it. Take care of your hand.
Uploaded and Sea of Rust sound especially good to me. They both have such interesting ideas. As always I love reading about your links. I can easily spend several hours following these links!
I hope you have a great week!
Thank you Jan:). Fortunately since I stopped knitting, my hand has recovered well. The Uploaded and Sea of Rust are both really interesting books – Sea of Rust blew me away with the marvellous writing. I hope you, too have a great week, Jan.
That’s awesome you got a lot of writing done! I am sorry about your left hand, I hope it’s doing better soon. Have fun with your grandchildren visiting this weekend!
Seems like you got a lot read this week as well! It sounds like you enjoyed them all.
That’s exciting you decided on a release date for your book. I am curious to hear more about it. And thanks for booking a blog tour for your book with Lola’s Blog Tours. I sent you an e-mail about it last week, please let me know if you didn’t receive it!
Have a great week!
Yes! Sorry I didn’t get around to replying to your wonderful, very professional email, but I ran out of time before the grandchildren arrived. I’m putting together a pack with all the elements you require and hope to get back to you tomorrow:). Thank you for your kind comments and support – I’m really glad you will be alongside me for this adventure…
Great job on your writing! And your release date coming up too. Have a fantastic week.
Jenea’s Book Obsession’s Sunday Post
Thank you, Jenea:). Hopefully this coming week will be a busy, productive one! And thank you for popping by.
Congrats on your writing progress”
I like the sound of The Uploaded…I can visualize myself as one of those elderly people “living” within the computer network…and meddling.
Thanks for sharing, and her are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
lol… Yes – I think that probably would be me too, Laurel:)). Thank you for popping by and I hope you have a great week.
October 11 is so soon! Good luck 🙂
Thank you! I’ll need it…
Thank you for linking my post! ❤
You’re welcome – it’s a magical slice of life:)
Sounds like you had a quiet stress-free week. The fact that I posted a Sunday (Evening) Post indicates how close are to getting back to our (new) normal. Check it out at http:powerfulwomenreaders.wordpress.com
Will do!
Yay! Congrats on getting your book self published! That’s awesome! Have a good week. 🙂
Thank you… *takes a deep breath* Looking forward to the experience!
Great week Sarah, well, apart from the problems with your hand (is that a bit of repetitive stress injury with too much keyboard work??) I sometimes get a little of that I think – I use the keyboard a lot for both work and play.
Good luck with your book 😀
Lynn
Yes, I definitely think that’s what it is… And the knitting was a step too far. I’ve cut out all keyboard games for the time being and after lots of massage, use of my TENS machine and cutting out sugar, the pain has now receded, thank goodness.
October 11th?! That’ll be here before we know it! 🙂 I’m really excited to read the final version of Running Out of Space. What formats are you planning to publish it in? (By that, I mean e-book, print, or both?)
Good job on your progress with the Miranda’s Tempest rewrite. But your wrists – ouch. :S It’s good that your sister is able to help you with the knitting project, but I hope you feel back to normal soon. How is your sister doing, btw?
I know! It’s literally only around the corner, but if I don’t take the plunge, then I’ll only find another sensible-sounding excuse to put it off… I’m going to be releasing the ebook version at present. Hopefully in the New Year, I’ll be in a position to release print copies. And by then, I’m hoping to have Dying for Space also published.
Fortunately as soon as I stopped knitting, my hand immediately calmed down, which is a huge relief. My sister is okay, but very, very tired and needing a lot of sleep – unsurprising given the shock and nature of her injuries, I think. But her face is clearing up so that the bruising is almost gone – amazing given just how dreadful it was.
I know! For the time being, I’m only going to publishing the ebook version, though maybe in the new year, I’ll also add in a print version – I also want to publish the next book in the sequel before Christmas, Dying for Space.
Yes… the hand became very painful, but thankfully since I stopped the knitting it has settled right down again. My sister is still continuing with the healing – the grandchildren were both relieved and delighted at how much the bruising has improved as Oscar said, ‘You look like our aunty again.’ She is still needing a great deal of sleep, but then she suffered major concussion and it takes a long time to settle down, in my experience.
WOW! Well done on the rewrite! You are BLAZING! I’m sorry your hands have been suffering though. Best of luck publishing The Sunblinded! How exciting!
How is your sister doing? I hope she is better now.
Lazy day time sounds fabulous and I hope that you all had a great one.
That cover for Just Off the Path is gorgeous.
Hope you’re having a lovely week!
Thank you, Di:) Yes, I did really well last week with the rewrite and feel I’m really on track. Thank you for your kind good wishes regarding The Sunblinded trilogy – I’m excited and terrified in equal measure right now. My sister is okay, though very tired and sleeping a lot. Given what she’s been through, I think it’s an understandable reaction. Thank you for swinging by and I hope that you, too, have a great week, Di.
Oh. Hope your hand feels better! Hope you have a good week.
Yes, thank you – it’s now fully recovered since I stopped knitting:). Thank you for swinging by and I hope that you, too, have a great week.
I’m behind on my blog reading this week due to the beginning of school. Good luck with your release of The Sunblinded! I hope you had a great week.
Thank you so much, S.J.:) I very much appreciate your good wishes.
Looks like you’re rocking your rewirte, Sara! (I hope that it’s still going well – or is already done)
Also, congratulations on your release! I saw several tweets about it, so I’m assuming everything went according to plan!
Yes, it did, thank you very much:)). Though was a lot more low key than I would have liked, given I was suffering with flu at the time of the launch.
If you managed to do this with a flu, you’re even better. 😉