A Chip In Time - First Review

Five-Star Review

Thrilling Detective Fiction, February 6, 2012

By

Mr. Aman S. Anand - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Chip In Time (Danny DeVille - Detective) (Kindle Edition)

This thrilling science fiction murder mystery opens with a terrific opening line: `The thing about cheating is that it's just plain stupid'. This charming, no-nonsense opening salvo sets the tone for a thoroughly riveting read. I took this book with me on holiday, and it was so intriguing that I found myself looking forward to returning to my hotel just so I could read A Chip In Time.

Danny DeVille, the book's protagonist and narrator, in his own words, works hard and works smart, and immediately endears the reader to himself with his acutely perceptive skills and general attitude.

I do not wish to give too much of the pulsating plot away, but Danny soon teams up with Olivia Harris, a Special Agent from the future, and together they work one of the most interesting mysteries I have encountered in any genre. That would be enough for most writers, but the dynamic between our protagonists is terrific and adds another layer to an already brilliant book.

A Chip In Time is one of those rare books that fully realises its dramatic potential. A must read for any fans of detective fiction.

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Wow! Thanks to Mr. Anand for his kind words. It is gratifying to know that the writing is actually enjoyable to some people. Many of us independent authors and publishers struggle with the writing, promoting, and constant waiting for reviews, good or bad. Not a lot of readers appreciate the energy and creativity that goes into a novel and few -- unless they have actually been through the writing wringer -- can understand the anticipation factor an author goes through waiting to see what others think of the work.

 

One review like this one makes it all worth while. Now I must get back to the writing, giving my arm a chance to heal after all the self-inflicted back-patting.

 

Finally!

On the first of the month I finally finished A Chip In Time and posted it for sale on Kindle. This represents an accomplishment of sorts, since this was actually my first published novel (out of a drawer full of finished manuscripts) and I think it is a good read, a good story.

I decided to publish this through Amazon so it could join its companion piece The Hand Is Quicker. Together they represent over 310,000 words describing my vision of a future high-tech Las Vegas with accompanying high-tech bad guys to go along with the glitter and glamor of Sin City.

Thanks to Christopher for another great cover, hopefully this image will evoke thoughts as to what is contained within the electronic covers. This would be classified as mature reading material and it does contain mature language and situations. You would expect as much when looking through the hard-boiled eyes of Danny DeVille of Triple-D Investigations. Complete with a beautiful agent from the future, assorted government baddies, plenty of action, and the ultimate descent down the rabbit hole -- an alien time machine -- this book has it all.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007415MG0

The story was completely rewritten and has some new content, but it is very close to the original paperback version. Your comments and feedback are welcome!

Getting Back To Work

Well, it's been a good month, haven't written anything other than emails and blog posts. I sorta like the idea of taking off the entire month of December. It gives me the chance to sort out old business, plot and plan new works for the coming year, and catch up on the things happening around the world. December is great for recaps, all of the media outlets blasting at me with their "important events" of the past year.

Which gives me a chance to reflect on my own year, and point out a few things: in 2011 I published four novels totalling 452,000 words. Maybe not in the same category as some of my more prolific fellow writers, but, for me, that's an all-time high. Lots of writing going on this year and more planned for 2012. I am getting the rights back for my first novel and expect a second edition of A Chip In Time to become available as an eBook around the first of February. Next on my list of things to do will be the fourth installment in The Belt Loop series, look for that to be done on April 1st. Then the third installment in the Danny DeVille future Las Vegas series (working title: The G.O.D. Machine) should hit around June and The Belt Loop (Book Five) is planned for an August release. Rounding out 2012 will be the sixth Belt Loop book, maybe by November 1st. Then it's the month of December 2012 to relax and let my fingers heal.

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Detail of Mind Over Matter © 1983 R. Jones

Having set my course for next year, all I have to do now is stick with it. Make my MIND up to get it done, spend all of the available productive hours in the day on writing and more writing. Now, if I can only get the MATTER to cooperate.

Next post: A Chip In Time update.

Fan Art

The third book in The Belt Loop saga is published and I thought I would share some of the artwork developed by my son for the books. In the image below, the Malguurian strongman Bale Phatie is giving marching orders to some of his shock troops. In the militaristic Varson Domain, the commands of the Piru Torgud — Supreme Military Commander — must be followed to the letter or one might wind up losing his head. Bale Phatie's ceremonial sword removes more heads than a French guillotine.

Eventually I might be able to convince Chris to convert some of my books into graphic novels. Plenty of action, beautiful space scenes, fierce battles, and a strong cast of characters would make for an interesting visual read.

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Artwork © 2011 Christopher A. Jones

The Belt Loop (Book One) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005HRNKA8
The Belt Loop (Book Two) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SC002S
The Belt Loop (Book Three) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006GLJMCO

The Belt Loop (Book Three)

       Bale Phatie wanted to know more about the new weapon. He was touring the weapons facilities on Rauud Mithie and, as was his custom, he inspected every department, interrogated every department head, and made a general nuisance of himself. After all, that was what a Piru Torgud — Supreme Military Commander — did.
       He braced Admiral Regiid, his new facilities department head, and demanded information about the new super weapon. He reminded the admiral not to bore him with useless engineering details. He was a warrior and a commander of men and not some pencil-necked bookworm who had time to bury his head in a bunch of technical manuals. Bale Phatie was feared by his men and he knew it. His mere presence in the room was enough to cause even the most battle-hardened military men to buckle in the knees and get jelly-legged when he spoke.
       “So, tell me again, admiral, why do you feel this new weapon is the answer to my prayers?”
       Ceendi Regiid stood about 200 centimeters and was lean and fit but he still had to look up at Phatie. The Piru Torgud was hovering over him like a dense cloud of toxic smoke on a breezeless day. Phatie shifted his weight slightly and the resulting noise from the array of chains and decorations he wore on his sash reminded Regiid of glass breaking. “Your eminence, this design is one for the ages, one the Deliverer himself would be honor-bound to support. It has all of the essentials you requested, it is a ‘Planet Killer’ without equal.”
       Phatie curled his bottom lip and put both of his fists on his narrow hips. His flowing green robe made swishing noises as he pushed his elbows to the side. He was excited about what he was hearing but he questioned the man invoking the name of the Deliverer. In Malguurian lore, the Deliverer — commonplace name for the central star of the home world of Canuure — was the Holiest of Holies. The star was called Voorsuune, a word that had been corrupted by the humans into “Varson” during the previous war. For the Malguur the star represented their one true God, the bringer of life, the Deliverer from all evil, the One Who Casts No Shadow. While not really a religious man, Phatie liked it when someone used the name of the Diety, affirming their absolute faith and belief in the things they espoused. If they were wrong, it made killing them much easier.

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Book Three in The Belt Loop saga released today, another deep-space adventure with the intrepid sailors of the Colonial Navy. A few twists on the personal side for Uri Haad, as he finally meets the woman of his dreams!

Congrats to Christopher A. Jones (my son) for another exciting cover illustration.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006GLJMCO

The Bad Guy

Book Three in the Belt Loop saga is nearly finished and headed to the editor. In Book Two I introduced the Colonial Navy to the head of the Varson Defense Forces, Bale Phatie. A militaristic madman that almost single-handedly resurrected the Varson Empire from the ash heap of defeat and launched the Orion-Cygnus arm of the Milky Way into another battle of supremacy.

Just what does this madman look like? He struts around the Malguur Domain with his cape and sword, has a propensity to remove heads at even the smallest of infractions, wears a chestful of medals and baubles, and his decorative chains rattle like the sound of breaking glass when he walks.

Given this discription, my cover artist Christopher Jones (my son) developed a visual for me. I was so mesmerized with his depiction of my Book Two baddie I wanted him incorporated into the cover illustration for Book Three.

Here is the first look at the Malguurian Madman, Bale Phatie:

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Bale Phatie illustration courtesy Christopher A. Jones, November 2011

Look for this image to grace the cover of The Belt Loop (Book Three) - End of an Empire sometime during the first week of December. Next post: excerpts from Book Three.

Sometimes I Amaze Myself

Product Details - The Belt Loop (Book One)

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 374 KB
• Publisher: Robert B. Jones (August 16, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005HRNKA8
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

  3 Reviews 5 star:  (3) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0) › See all 3 customer reviews...

• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,771 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  #34 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Space Opera
  #43 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Fiction > Genre Fiction > Science Fiction > Adventure
  #53 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Adventure

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I got up this morning, having totally spaced out setting the clock back, and stumbled into my man cave to check on the overnight stats. Much to my amazement, The Belt Loop (Book One) moved up in the standings quite a bit overnight. I say to myself, this can't be happening, I can't believe my own limited success. But that's why I write, to tell a good story and hope others appreciate it.

Book Three is well along and should hit the editors desk (the right side of my brain) in about two weeks. My editing process works like this: First, I reread the entire manuscript on the screen. I write directly in html so I also can check my coding as I go; Secondly, I look at the file in my browser, and take notes as I read it. Then the original file is corrected and I print out a hard copy. Third, once the hard copy is marked up, it's back to the original and final edits are done. Lastly, once satisfied with the product, I create a mobi file and send it to my Kindle reader on my PC. Final final final editing is done and then it's back to the original html file for those last minute deletes of the word "that" and others I find unnecessary.

So when the book is finished, I have read it four or five times. Yeah, I know, another set of eyes would be helpful, but, really? Trying to find someone to actually read a book these days is problematic. I am so thankful for the many fans I have out there in the e-verse that are willing to take a look at what I have to say and buy my books. Without a strong fan base of interested readers, this whole writing thing goes nowhere.

Just as a side note, Book Two is now solidly in the top 100 in both the science fiction/space opera and the science fiction/adventure rankings. What a grand day this is.