A modern woman. A young man with a 3,000 year-old power ring with no social graces determined to make her Queen of the World. Or a concubine. She’ll do neither.
The past has a way of coming back to live in the present . . .
Jake’s Father is an archeologist who is in Israel to complete a dig on King Solomon’s Temple. As an eighteen-year-old American, Jake is unwelcome by the people in the territory. Defending himself against the townspeople is a constant torment.
Through a map Jake finds on his Father’s desk, he and his friend Avner decide to explore a newly discovered chamber. At the end of a dark and deserted tunnel, Jake uncovers the treasure of King Solomon’s Power ring. He puts it on his finger and feels his life changing.
Jake passes off the ring as a replica, but he starts to hear a voice that belongs to Smith. Smith provides him guidance on how to deal with his newfound powers. Jake wants to learn all he can about his new secret ring. Smith encourages him to sharpen his fighting skills by joining the Army.
Is Smith leading Jake to a newfound life where he can become a hero? Or will the decision to join the military endanger his life? Will Jake find out the ring he wears is good or will it be of evil intent? And who keeps trying to steal the ring?
Excerpt
“You hold a grudge forever don't you?"
"Holding a grudge is a simple way of guaranteeing you never forget."
Professional Reviews
Grady Harp
Tennessee author Sam B. Miller II made his literary debut with his book, THE ORIGIN OF F.O.R.C.E. followed by the equally impressive second book in this series, DAWN OF CHRYSALIS. Sam received his education firm the University of Tennessee - Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance. There is no evidence form his biographical data that he has published articles or short stories on the genre he has chosen for his books of science fiction, but it is evident that he has a keen interest in fantasy and how fantasy can prophecy possible reality.
Science Fiction tales, being fantasy, are enhanced when the author makes the decision to include ancient history and the supernaturalto the mix. And that is precisely what Sam does with SMITH. Yes, he continues to use his practiced supernatural atmosphere but in this novel he combines these elements with archeological themes as the story is placed in King Solomon’s Temple. Not only is the story fascinating to read but also the location and extensions of the themes are particularly timely at this point in our world history.
Early on we are introduced to the characters and place of the story simultaneously: ‘Rob Goddard was an archeologist first and a father sixth. Or maybe even tenth. The Harvard Department of Archeological Projects had needed him to represent the university during the investigation into the latest claimed discovery of King Solomon's Temple. The trouble was the dig was located around the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Jake had no choice about being dragged along for the journey. His mother had died from cancer when he was three, and he had no close relatives. Besides, living in the Middle East was a once in a lifetime opportunity according to his father. "I guess I'm just a natural-born troublemaker. Every Palestinian gang with a chip on its shoulder wants a piece of me. You should send me back to Boston."
Sam offers a tidy synopsis for this story: ` The past has a way of coming back to live in the present . . .Jake’s Father is an archeologist who is in Israel to complete a dig on King Solomon’s Temple. As an eighteen-year-old American, Jake is unwelcome by the people in the territory. Defending himself against the townspeople is a constant torment. Through a map Jake finds on his Father’s desk, he and his friend Avner decide to explore a newly discovered chamber. At the end of a dark and deserted tunnel, Jake uncovers the treasure of King Solomon’s Power ring. He puts it on his finger and feels his life changing. Jake passes off the ring as a replica, but he starts to hear a voice that belongs to Smith. Smith provides him guidance on how to deal with his newfound powers. Jake wants to learn all he can about his new secret ring. Smith encourages him to sharpen his fighting skills by joining the Army. Is Smith leading Jake to a newfound life where he can become a hero? Or will the decision to join the military endanger his life? Will Jake find out the ring he wears is good or will it be of evil intent? And who keeps trying to steal the ring?’
This is an especially fine new direction for Sam B. Miller, blending fact, possible fact, humor, mystery, fantasy and human interest into one very successful novel. Grady Harp, January18
Adventure, romance and a touch of historical fun
If you can’t get enough of supernatural elements, then this is definitely a book for you. The author combines real stories with his own to create a story that will have you on the edge of your seat. The main character, Jake, has a lot to learn in the beginning of the story, which makes it a treat to see him develop under the power of a ring that doesn’t have his best intentions in mind. You won’t be able to put this story down though as there is so much adventure in every page that you will feel like you’re missing out.
The strongest point in this novel is the amazing writing though. Everything is structured well to create an atmosphere that will make you feel like you’re in the story. There is even humor strung throughout the story to add a final touch that makes this book a must read. I’d recommend it to fantasy and sci-fi fans as well as those that love history.
A great and exciting read!
This is a fast-paced and action-filled thriller written in casual and conversational tone making it an easy read. The suspense is kept in high level right from the first up to the last page. Moreover, the plot is written in a way that even the readers find it difficult to decide whom to believe and trust. Furthermore, the author created two well developed characters that while Jake proves himself to be more than just an ordinary and naïve teenager, Smith who sounds like a funny, fun-loving and lighthearted disembodied voice proves himself to be capable of something else. My favorite character, however, is Inspector Nava Kilman. She is smart and brave, and she shows strength of character despite her youth, a real queen material. In addition, though the twist is, somehow, predictable, it is still a twist and it adds to the excitement of the already exciting story. Finally, the ending is exactly how I want it.
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Reviews for "Smith"
Reviewed by Michael Hartnett
4/11/2018
A Rambunctious, Crafty Adventure Tale
Every once and a while the voice that’s in an out of our hero’s head assures, “Fear not, for I am with you.” That voice is what will be called Smith, a voice from ancient and potent times. That voice – at once droll, clever, mercurial, and deliciously brutal – is one of the many highlights of Sam B. Miller’s lively adventure novel, Smith.
When Jake, an 18-year-old American, discovers the long lost (say 3000 years) ring of power of King Solomon, Smith (an interface of the ring) comes with it. Smith gives Jake great power, but with it comes a tremendous amount of trouble. Plus, Smith is a constantly demanding (and at time commanding) voice in Jake’s head. Their interactions are part of the fun in this novel, especially given Smith’s Old Testament attitudes towards women, social protocol, and absolute power. Since Jake is constantly being attacked – the all-powerful ring being quite a magnet for villains – he must carry out internal monologues and external debates as he confronts continual crises and battles.
In those battles, Smith delivers all modes of creative ways to defeat their (I say their, since Jake and Smith seem like two more often than one) opponents from turning gunpowder into sand to twisting bodies into creative positions. The incredibly skilled and often quite hostile security agent Nava gives the novel an additional layer of spice as Jake’s partner and budding love interest. In fact, Nava’s strong personality serves as a fine foil to Smith’s as she (even more so than Jake) understands the costs of all the mayhem and death that Smith cavalierly dismisses as collateral damage toward a greater goal.
Smith is filled with many nifty twists and turns, including numerous surprises that fill the novel as much as the ubiquitous smell of sulfur. Miller continues to deliver right to the novel’s conclusion as the seer Koffka imbues the earlier action with both wit and wisdom. In fact, the last scene of Smith is extremely satisfying, worthy of this rambunctious, crafty adventure tale.
Following several murders, means, motive, and opportunity all point to out-of-work actresses Bootsie Kittredge and Babs Harrison. Their claims of righteousness and lack of guilt seem fabricated, thanks to a cheerfull announcement made to the patrons
