Books Unbound D. Lee & Kammy Bonias Category:  Science Fiction Publisher: Books Unbound ISBN-10:  1592010008 Type: Fiction Pages: 215 Copyright: Jul 3 2000 Earth thought they were all powerful. they thought they could defend the planet. They were wrong again. The Pontenz have claimed earth for their Empire. The choice is agree to work with them or risk domination. It becomes clearthat earth must decide between two evils. The Pontenz, or the Garovoks who have already laid claim. Commander Rahul fights his own people and the Garovoks to bring earth to a new age. And in so doing finds the one he had unknowningly been searching for. Jade is mistakenly transported to the alien spacecraft. Then finds herself thrown in the middle of the galactic battle between warring races and her own confused planet. Amid the chaos she finds herself drawn to the man who could either destroy her world, or save it. Excerpt Valder never answered. His orders were to cover the Admiral's retreat, and that was what he was going to do. His ship dove towards the fleet, all weapons firing. After this pass, he would enter sub-light to join the Admiral. "Destroy him," Rahul ordered quietly. He watched the forward screen as the fleet opened fire, sending Valder into a flaming ball of metal. Rahul sighed and looked at Duran. "Never follow me that blindly. Promise me that if I ever demand that of you, you will shoot me." Duran sighed and shrugged non-committed. He would follow Rahul into a black hole, but then he respected him and knew if he went there, there would be a good reason. "Tell the squad chasing the Admiral to contact us when they get a general idea of where the Admiral is going. Right now all I want is to get Jade and secure this sector." Duran nodded and proceeded to instruct the ships to sweep the area for any lurking Garovoks.

A Gourmet Meal

I am an avid reader, but I don't read science fiction and I don't read romance. I shun science fiction because I'm jealous. When an editor catches me in a misspelling, I have to prostrate myself and ask for forgiveness. Science Fiction writers just respond that "womam" is the way aliens spell woman in their language. When the editor points out that it was correctly spelled in other parts of the book, they reply that the alien is obviously learning our language. As to my dislike of romantic novels, maybe my wife is correct. I don't have a very romantic nature.

Don't get me wrong. I'll read science fiction and romance. It helps me while the time away as the dentist drills into my teeth. I have even read romantic stories in women's magazines on long flights. The fact that every other magazine was written in Russian, Slav, or Swahili may have had some influence.

Now I am a changed man. I will read Science Fiction willingly. I look forward to more romantic tales. My only stipulation is that Lee and Bonias write the book.

These two authors turned out to be master chefs. Picture this. You take a leg of science fiction and marinate it in a light, sweet romantic wine. Rub it with a little spice of mild erotica. Bake it over the hot fire of nonstop action until the adventure splits the meat with a bone shattering finale. That not the best part. These ladies serve the dish with a sweet sauce made from a dry but humorous port. It was my favorite part because it adds a subtlety to the entrée. The humor is not sickeningly sweet, like slapstick. It is dry, subtle and has you laughing uncontrollably at many points during the read.

A Love Story with a Twist

I don't reveal plots. I hate reading reviews that tell me the butler did it. Why should read the book if I know the intricacies of the plot, including the ending. No, I far prefer to give the potential reader a tantalizing taste of they joy before them. I humbly offer this sampler platter to stimulate your palate for the gourmet delight that awaits within the covers of Beyond the Horizon.

This is a love story, pure and simple. Boy meets girl. They fall in love. Fate steps in and makes it difficult. You wonder right up to the last whether love will triumph. Sometimes it does; sometimes it doesn't. Thus is the fiber of this book. Standard romance, right? Wrong. There's a twist. In this book, our authors decided that the boy is an alien, a warrior from the planet Potenzia.

As it happens, he is visiting Earth for volunteers. He needs one million of us to start a colony on a planet in a faraway solar system. He makes it sound enticing, but blows his sales pitch when he mentions the alternatives. He may force people to volunteer, a concept not unfamiliar to those of us who have served in the military. Alternately, he may simply sterilize the planet. With lines like that, I doubt if anyone would employ him as a used car salesman.

This is where the humor weaves its way through the story. As in any relationship, there can be gaps in communications and our alien does not necessarily mean what we think he is saying. For example, he looks deep into the eyes of his beloved Earthling female and whispers softly. "I own you." I am not an expert on love and relationships, but I can't imagine that as a good line to use if you want a relationship to deepen and flourish. At the very least, it's a one way ticket to the couch. More likely, there will be some intense pain followed by a removal from the premises.

There is also a myriad of bad people. One is the hero's leader, an Admiral, who displays all the moral values of one of our former Presidents at an intern convention. Then there is another race of aliens who claim to have staked prior claim to Earth. Their appearance is strangely like descriptions whispered in Roswell. Finally, we have a group of white supremacists that see this mass migration to another galaxy as an answer to their prayers.

In fact, this is really an updated story of Cinderella with a few minor differences. The pumpkin turns into an intergalactic battle cruiser, not a coach. The wicked stepmother is not anyone's mother; he is an Admiral. Cinderella wears a bullet-proof vest because people are shooting at her and the glass slipper becomes a deadly dagger. The coachman runs a motorcycle gang that has decided they want a pet alien. The mice don't turn into white horses; they just wear white sheets and burn crosses. And at the stroke of midnight? You're treated to a battle scene that only George Lucas could capture on film.

Should You Read Beyond the Horizon?

Yes. Absolutely. Positively. Two thumbs up, a real "must read."

I say that with only minor reservations. First, there is a bit of erotica. It is tastefully done and is sans body parts, but it is directed to an adult audience. I realize that by saying this, I may cause teenage boys to run to the bookstore. It certainly has the necessary attributes for addition to the boy's locker room library at the local high school. I rate it between PG and R.

Second, if you're looking for a deep philosophical read, go pick up Voltaire. This is not your cup of tea. If, however, you want a riveting, fast read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you've found your book. I warn you. Once you've tasted the dish these talented cooks have prepared for you, it's addictive. You'll want seconds and thirds. Fortunately, we are in luck. This is the first book in a trilogy.

Genre: Science Fiction
Wayne Arnold

Beyond the Horizon

The world is abuzz with the news of aliens landing on earth. Reporters scramble to get their stories an be the first to the phone, especially junior reporters like Jade and Sarah. When the assignment to cover the president goes to the veteran team, Sarah hatches a plan to send the veteran crew on a wild goose chase, leaving the press conference to themselves.

When they arrive, they move to the front, wondering why the seats were empty. Soon enough, they find out why when they can't get a clear picture of the president. In a short speech, the president informs everyone that Aliens had contacted him The room erupts and the reporters surge forward, forcing Jade to stumble forward and grab the podium, just in time to be kidnaped with the president onto the alien space craft.

I have always been intrigued on how two people can write a story so seamless. From scene to scene, there is no change in style and the flow is continuous, from start to finish. The story does not insult your intelligence, like many Sci-Fi stories do, and the romantic portions are done with a grace all onto their own, neither shocking you, or leaving you wanting.

This is the second story that I have reviewed for these ladies and they continue to impress me. This story, like the first, is a high quality read and highly recommended for those who enjoy a down to earth sci-fi rolled into a romantic tale. I give it four stars +. A must for your book shelf.

Ken Mason
Author of the Riley Chronicles