Army of Tomorrow Blog News with Walter Rhein

Welcome to the Army of Tomorrow Blog News!

Today we are welcoming our spotlight guest: WALTER RHEIN, author of THE LITERATE THIEF.  

But before we introduce our spotlight guest for this week, we have the winner of the 4-book Robot Paperback Giveaway! Congrats SUZ READS!  The books EXOTIQA, THIRTY (novella), SPHERE, QUANTUM STATE, and ELECTRIC GARDENS will be sent to her next week! Don't be jealous, we have another contest the month too! 


Win a paperback copy of ELECTRIC GARDENS or QUANTUM STATE!  2 winners will be picked, one for each book! LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG and WIN! Leave eMail!

 

FAN TIME: I just want to say thank you for all the amazing emails I've received about Electric Gardens and I'm so glad so many of you love the story so much! Some of my favorite Fan eMails are below:

"Omigod!! I am LOVING this series!"

"Another great read!"

I loved this book.

 "It's crazy how real your stories feel!"

"This one put a movie in my head!" 

SPOTLIGHT with WALTER RHEIN

Read/Buy The Literate Thief 

When ignorance means slavery, knowledge must be stolen . . . 

The Reader of Acheron bid them travel: Quillion the scholar, Cole the swordsman, and Kikkan the once-enslaved. In Edentown, he promised, they would find a keeper of the sacred knowledge . . .

Though Kikkan remained resolute in the guidance of his mentor, Quillion could not escape the grip of encroaching doubt. Was it a fool's errand? Would their quest bring them to a champion? Or could they expect nothing more than a living husk, crushed by the burdens of unjust expectation, scurrying in the alleys, having risen to no higher station than that of a Literate Thief?

Who is Walter Rhein?

When did you start writing stories?

I remember going into a Waldenbooks or a B. Dalton when I was little and purchasing a Moleskin notebook when I was around ten. A spiral ring notebook was out of the question because I needed something that looked like a book. Telling stories is something I've enjoyed doing for as long as I can remember.

What was your favorite book growing up? Now?

I've always been a big fan of Roald Dahl. I recently read 'Danny the Champion of the World' to my daughters, and I was again impressed with how well written it is. These days I'm most inclined to pick up Charles Bukowski because I've always been impressed with the readability of Bukowski's work. It's a rare thing to write a book that appeals to people who aren't necessarily inclined to read. You have to fight for a reader's attention with so many different distractions these days that readability is vital.

If you could live anywhere in the world where money was not a factor, where would it be?

I've been fortunate in that I've been able to do a lot of traveling. Peru's Sacred Valley is a wonderful place to live, and the food is fantastic. I've also spent a fair amount of time in Germany which is also wonderful (although I'd like to spend more time in Europe). These days I'm living in Northern Wisconsin because I enjoy cross-country skiing and access to beautiful wilderness. I think I'd pick Italy or France, somewhere I could pick up another foreign langauge over a year or so, but I'm quite happy where I am right now as well.

How did you come up with the story?

I'd met Janet Morris on Facebook of all places, and after having some interesting discussions on my Heroic Fantasy group, I thought I'd come up with an idea for a book series. Morris is the type of publisher that doesn't shy away from intense, philosophical ideas, in fact, she embraces them. I've worked with other publishers who say things like, "Vampires are big right now, write something with vampires." Morris is the opposite. She is not interested in chasing after trends like a man chasing his hat, she wants something good and is content to wait for the general public to discover it. It's a good place for me.

What are your current writing plans?

I have outlined the third book in the series that began with 'The Reader of Acheron' and continued with 'The Literate Thief.' I hope to finish that in the next four to six months. I also have some pretty extensive notes for a project on education. That will be kind of a memoir style book with some anecdotes from growing up in Wisconsin that most people aren't going to believe.

One word answers:

Horses, sharks, or eagle?

Horses

Robots, animals, or people?

Robots

Simon and Garfunkel, Metallica, or Queen?

Queen

Novels, novellas, or short stories?

Novels

Morning, afternoon, or night?

Night

Thank you and good night! 

Thanks for having me!

I love to review books! I read a book a week, usually on Kindle unlimited. This week, my review pick is WITHER! 

Read/Buy WITHER

I read this as a paperback actually, instead of my usual KU reads. 

I got a Barnes N Noble gift card. Peppy!

So, the basic premise is that people are dying young and women are valuable because of this. Some are forced to marry and we follow the main character who is forced into her marriage. I really enjoyed this story and liked the world it was in. A bit dark, but very interesting too! If you enjoy apocalyptic types of scenarios, this one is good since it is not the usual world blowing up, rather it is our genes have gone bad. 

I liked most things about this first story and for those that want a good read to take them into another world, I would give this one a go!

I give it five stars out of five!

EXCERPT for the Week!

from new release: Electric Gardens

   My mind is too foggy to know if I’m hearing anything for sure, too foggy with images of Lucy717, of Mom and Dad, or Delsin, or my life before, but I think I heard the Class Tin say, that Grids are be- ing erected all over the country, to protect us, to keep the Compound and the Electric Gardens secure. I think it said that the Electric Grids will become our new maps and lines—that our old maps are gone, de- stroyed forever, and will now be called the Nets.

   In Electric Strings, I walk in like I’m a ghost of a girl, on autopilot—my mind reeling over everything I heard in Coms and Nets. It can’t be true. Can’t be true. Tins are, have, taken over everything. Even if we get out, where the hell are we going to go, run to? Where can we even hide? 

If you enjoyed this blog news or want to enter to win the paperbacks, please post a comment! Leave your Email!

Until next time!

M.Black

Army of Tomorrow Blog News with special guest Patrick Tomlinson and THE ARK

Welcome to this addition of Army of Tomorrow Blog News. We are a few days late this week do to some personal matters, but enjoy the read!

WINNER OF ELECTRIC GARDENS paperback giveaway from March-April is LAURA STOCKMAN

The contest for this April-May is a Robot 4-book paperback giveaway!Win all four of these books below simply by commenting on this blog! It is a post-apocalyptic-dystopian-survivalist-AI-robot-enthusiasts dream!

Feel free to check them out by clicking the image to the left on this blog. 

Special Guest Today is Patrick Tomlinson, author of THE ARK

Welcome, Patrick Tomlinson author of The Ark from Angry Robot Books. 

“There is so much good stuff wrapped inside The Ark: a locked-room murder mystery, bare-knuckle action, and the kind of hard-boiled science fiction that will make your brain pop. Climb aboard.”

– Adam Rakunas, author of Windswept

READ/BUY

A murder mystery set on a generation ship months from reaching Humanity's new home.

INTERVIEW:

When did you start writing stories?

PST: On a whim in 2009, I started writing a Hitchhiker’s guide to the Galaxy fanfic novel. After a long and circuitous route, it became the bones of my first original novel, GATE CRASHERS, which is coming out in June from Tor Books.

What was your favorite book growing up? Now?

PST: As a kid, my favorite book was probably SPHERE by Michael Crichton. Then I saw the movie and it managed to wreck both of them for me forever. Now? SPEAKER FOR THE DEAD still stands out, but my tastes are constantly growing in new and unexpected directions. THE FIFTH SEASON and THE THREE BODY PROBLEM are both up there as well. Next month? Who knows.

If you could live anywhere in the world where money was not a factor, where would it be?

PST: New York City after they put it under a climate-controlled dome.

How did you come up with the story?

PST: The story of THE ARK literally came to me in the shower. I’d just finished watching a Discovery Channel show on the physical requirements and technological hurdles of building a generation ship and started thinking about what sort of people would be selected to live on one, how society, cultural practices, and laws would have to adapt to the limitations placed on the residents. Then I started thinking about what sort of people would step off the ship after a couple centuries. I had the book outlined within a few hours and got to work. Six months later, I had a rough draft.

What are your current writing plans?

PST: Currently, I’m smack in the middle of a three book contract with Tor Books writing sci-fi comedies set in a universe we’re calling The Breach. The first book, the aforementioned GATE CRASHERS, is a first-contact story with humans basically running around waving their dicks at the rest of the galaxy and daring them to do something about it. The next book, STARSHIP REPO, is exactly what it sounds like. I just finished writing it and it’s spectacularly ridiculous.

One word answers:

Horses, sharks, or eagle?

PST: Giraffe.

Robots, animals, or people?

PST: Animal/human hybrid cyborgs.

Simon and Garfunkel, Metallica, or Queen?

PST: Foo Fighters.

Novels, novellas, or short stories?

PST: I’m not much of a reader…

Morning, afternoon, or night?

PST: The equatorial region of a tidally-locked planet.

Thank you and good night!

PST: Thanks for having me on.

Thank you so much for joining us Patrick Tomlinson! We will have special guest WALTER RHEIN in May! 

  REVIEW for this Blog New is FOOL's GOLD

I don't normally go for a book like this, but I was very bored one day and saw it being advertised. My job has time between work where I can usually write or take notes and read books. So, I chose this for my week. It was definitely fun and put me in another space I don't usually go into. I had to  look around at times while blushing. LOL.

I wouldn't say it is the best slight erotic book out there, but if you were a Fifty Shades of Grey fan, which actually I was not, you would probably like this read. 

Warning: It is not a post-apocalyptic or dystopia and there are no robots;)

But it will make you wish you were alone reading it. LOL

READ/BUY 

EXCERPT from Electric Gardens:

READ/BUY

     “You are to report to the Confinement Center, for a meeting.”  

     Words like Confinement Center and meeting are never good. The Tins want to know something, something they think they will get from Kyle53.

     I stand too, beside my best friend. I see the sweat dripping from his neck; his breaths get faster, and his hands shake. 

     “What is this about?” I say loudly, to deaf ears.

     The Tin turns, with its grip still on Kyle53, and he has to comply, has to follow, or his arm will be ripped off from the socket. 

     “I’ll talk to you later, Lex!”

     “Later, it will all be fine. Just tell them what they want to know.”

     I say that for a good show. Kyle53 knows me well. I don’t want the Tins to know anything we know. Our secrets, are our secrets. The one thing we have that the Tins can’t take from us. The one thing that belongs to us solely. 

     My hands clasp the table beneath me, and I feel my chest huff a few times, shocked. I can think of a few things they might want to know. Why we were talking about our classes in my room; if he’s ever seen me go into the vents; if he knows where his sister is. 

     That’s got to be it. The Tins figure he is her brother. He’d be the one she’d reach out to if she returned to the Compound. Then again, maybe she’s lost somewhere on the outside, as far as the Tins know.

     I can’t finish my breakfast, and return my tray with the single thought, don’t let them break you. Don’t let them break you. 

I hope you enjoy this weeks Blog News and I'll see you again, twice as a matter of fact, next month! 

Any questions or comments can be sent to the author M.Black: touch-of-grace@hotmail.com 

Blog News for Mid March

Thank you to all my readers! I love communicating and connecting with all of you.


First round of business is the winner of the paperback QUANTUM STATE is:Ashleigh Hack

She has been contacted. If I don't hear from her, I will pick another winner.


Second round of business, be sure to comment to win the ebooks ELECTRIC GARDEN in the thread below:

Third round of business...I am finished writing books one and two in the ELECTRIC WORLD series and am working on book 3 now. I will keep you all posted for when the series will be releasing. Currently, it is set for book one to be released in Mid-March, but I will let you know if things change.

It is a very interesting premise, with Tins ruling our world. Teenagers are sequestered in a Compound which is watched by the Tins (robots) and Lexi019 just wants to break out.


Fourth round of business is that one paperback of ELECTRIC GARDENS is up for grabs and can only be won by commenting on this blog news post. So, post here with your eMAil and win the first paperback released of ELECTRIC GARDENS before it's release date! Winner will be chosen  Mid-March.




Fifth round of business:
BOOK REVIEW of MATCHED by Ally Condie.

I had the pleasure of reading this last week and I didn't think I would be impressed. Like many dystopian and romance stories, I thought it would an overdone plot with cheesy characters and an even more cheesy romance, but I absolutely loved it. In fact it has become one of my favorite dystopian romance stories!

The author has a way of not only making you care about the characters, but to care about material things such as a compass or compact! That's good writing. Ally draws you into the story and the characters and lets you in on who they are, developing them all well.

I was not sure which way the romance would go, and am still pleased with how everything played out. I am sad they did not all get to have a happy ending, and I have to say my only disappointment is that the book ended and I'll have to pick up the next one to finish this story. 

Highly recommended dystopian romance reading!

M.Black/

Ami Blackwelder 

Sixth Round of business is an EXCERPT from the upcoming release ELECTRIC GARDENS:

   “Wait,” his voice sounds crunchy like the red apple. His hand barely grazes the top of the gravely cell wall. I just see his worn finger tips and a folded, flat rice-milk carton. Another note. He lets the note drop from the top of the cell wall and I catch it on the other side. “I hid it under my shirt.”

     When the thick folded paper touches my palms, I feel a warm fuzz surge through me. I’m always excited to read his notes. Seems he has a new one every month. I try to keep as many as I can, but sometimes I have to bury them in the dirt behind the Compound. Writing on paper is forbidden in here, and he can be glitched if caught. Still, he does it.

     “Thanks.”    

     The rustic-horn is going to blow, and it is time to return to the Re-Learning center. We only get twenty minutes to ourselves outside, and I have to use part of that time to get to and leave the cells. I fold the note again and slip it between my shirt and breasts, anxious to read it when I’m finally back in my Compound room.

     At age twelve, the Tins began allowing us more freedom from the usual routine. We could leave for lunch and eat outside on the nearby grounds, or walk the Compound. Felt like a breath of fresh air, even though the air outside the buildings is harder to breathe. Seemed like such a big deal when we were first allowed outside again. Seven years I was stuck inside, with just brief moments outside to walk directly from Building C to the Re-Learning Center. The freedom we were given at lunch was only twenty minutes, always is, but still we—humans—relish it. 

     I head away from the cells, away from Kyle53, and toward the Re-Learning Center. A few Tins scratch across the grounds in my passing. I nod with a short smile. It’s important to acknowledge them. One stops and its red eyes peer over at me, scanning me, “Lexi019, good afternoon.” 

     “Yeah, sure.” 

Seventh Round of business is my book pick for this week. 

Over 500 pages of monsters, myths and murder! Plus, a sneak peek at book three, The Medusa Coin. Follow Detective Greg Loren and Soriya Greystone as they hunt the most dangerous creatures of myth and legend down the shadowy streets of Portents.

Buy here

Army of Tomorrow Blog News

Welcome to the Army of Tomorrow Blog News. 

Win the paperback set of EXOTIQA WORLD, books 1-3 by commenting on here: WIN Exotiqa!

If you want to check out the book to buy, please click EXOTIQA

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Exciting stuff is happening. The ten minute Animal Graph script for the pilot show on Amazon Prime is done, now Amazon just has to accept it! The writers and I are planning a twelve part season one broken up into ten minute episodes. The short is the new hot thing.

What do you think? Feel free to comment. Would you watch a ten minute episode of Animal Graph?

Animal Graph and the 6 part series is also going to be on tour with RockStar Book Tours from Feb 12th-16th and 19th-23rd. Please stop by and post comments on the stops. I will post the link for you to see all stops in February.

In the meantime feel free to check out the series that readers are calling a "Concept never read before" and a "Hunger Games meets Dr. Moreau" here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072M7BVXR

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In other news, Quantum State, an A.I. Dystopia where the powerful A.I. controls all decisions inside the small town of Cherni, will be on tour with RockStar Book Tours Feb 19th-23rd and Feb 16th-March 2nd. I will post the link to stop by in February. 

Quantum State went free last week and hit the top of the charts #2 Hard Science Fiction, #4 in YA Dystopia and #2 in YA Survival Stories. Read a sample here: Quantum State 

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New Years Recipe for the cold:

I am a fan of veggies and chili! So, I came up with a recipe I love and have been using for years. I wanted to share with you all because I'm that generous!

 As many of you know I am mostly vegetarian, except for occassional fish, so here is an easy peasy veggie four bean chili that you are sure to love!

You can buy beans fresh or canned (I prefer canned because it is faster). 

1 can black beans

1 can of white beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can chickpeas

1 can of roasted corn

1 cut large onion, sauteed

1 large can of roasted tomatoes

2 cut fresh medium tomatoes

1 jar of pasta sauce (I prefer Publix Vodka or herbs)

1 can of coconut milk (add the secret ingredient last)

Optionals: 1 can mushrooms, 1/2 bag of cooked and cut carrots

Put them all into a big pot. Warm and stir.

Flavor:

Add pepper, salt, tumeric, paprika, mexican pepper or hot pepper, chili powder or cayenne, all to taste.

Optional: Tarragon for a more exotic flavor. 

When all cooked for about ten minutes, serve. 

Optional: Add parmesan cheese on top.

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Update: 

This month I will be releasing the 6 book Box Set GRAPH WORLD on the 15th of January, along with ELECTRIC GARDENS on Kindle Scout. I will give you links to both when the time comes, so you can check out Graph World and vote for Electric Gardens. All reads and votes help! 

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                       NEW RELEASE: 

Forever Elf is essentially a YA Elf Romance Action-Adventure Fantasy. Here is the link: FOREVER ELF

Forever Elf 2 will be out next month. Join an adventure of a lifetime with Michael meet Evelyn and she draws him into her mystical world in the forest. Twilight meets Lord of the Rings!  

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MY REVIEW of CREWEL

I loved the beginning and it drew me in, but about 1/4 into the story I wasn't sure if this was for me because of the fantastical premise of weaving space and time. I also was not happy with the lack of descriptions on what this actually entitled, but for paranormal and fantasy fans they will likely be more satisfied. By the middle though I was engrossed and wanted to know what would happen next. About 2/3 of the way done, we are told that they are not living on Earth and so this helped me to better justify this fantastical premise. I did enjoy this story, and I thought the world building and characters were suitable, though not fully done.

I am interested enough to read book two and I think that is the goal of all authors. In that extent, she did succeed!

M.Black

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My book picks for this week:

If you are a fan of paranormal you definitely want to check out this box set!

Find it here: SIGILS and SPELLS

This looks yummy. I'm not typically a fan of paranormal romance, but it does look good. Find out more here: Dracones

For those of you looking for something more on the SFF side, try this top seller: Hell Holes

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That is it for now gang, and I hope you enjoy something and learned something!

Till next time!

M.Black