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Dune (2021): #SciFi #MovieReview #sciencefiction

Movie Review, Science Fiction Movie / M Pax / December 12, 2023

Swept away to another world…

Of all the attempts to make Dune into a movie, this is the best one. Narrowing the scope of the story had to be done, and this one did a good job of paring down the story into something understandable and exciting. Dune remains one of my all-time favorites. I read every book written by Frank and spent years lost in his epic, vast universe. It’s not an easy story to whittle down small enough for a movie, so I give those who wrote the screenplay credit for doing a good job of it.

It’s a stunning movie that is beautiful to look at and very well acted. There’s a good amount of action and tension. We spend some time with the bad guys and get a taste of the politics at work in the galaxy. The politics drive the story and what happens. Honestly, I was prepared to dislike this movie, because the scope of the novel is so vast, but I didn’t hate it. I quite liked it. A lot. Color me surprised.

In this installment, the Atreides are assigned to take over Arrakis and the spice production. Spice is integral to interstellar travel. The previous manager of Arrrakis, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, wants the planet and spice trade back. His ruthlessness and plots drive the story into the desert of Arrakis where Paul Atreides will discover his destiny.

The movie shows Fremen riding sandworms. Very cool. In the desert is where the story really comes to life.

More sand worms! I look forward to part two in March. Dune can only be done correctly in parts, IMO.

This movie earns the coveted ‘beer is optional’ rating.

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The Psychology of Time Travel: #SciFi Worth Reading #BookReview #sciencefiction #booklover

The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas.

The story begins with four women, who invent time travel. The human trials are done by the scientists. They take all the risk as to whether it is safe. Everything goes fantastic until they do an interview for a worldwide broadcast and one of their fellow travelers has a bit of a breakdown. This is the little grain of sand that sends the novel spinning.

There is a thoughtful exploration of how time travel affects different travelers and how the woman in charge tries to prevent any further embarrassments. By trying to prevent any further mental issues, the preventions appear to cause more of them. Then there is the murder. Ooo! This mystery keeps driving the plot forward even as we sometimes jump back in time.

The author caught my attention early on and held it. Besides showing the effects of time travel through various perspectives, there’s also the murder mystery wrapped up in it all. The first question that has to be answered is, who is the body?

Well-written with interesting characters and cleverly plotted, this novel is well worth reading. The almost entirely female cast was a pleasant surprise as well. I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it.

Here’s the official description for the Psychology of Time Travel:

In 1967, four female scientists worked together to build the world’s first time machine. But just as they are about to debut their creation, one of them suffers a breakdown, putting the whole project—and future of time travel—in jeopardy. To protect their invention, one member is exiled from the team—erasing her contributions from history.

Fifty years later, time travel is a big business. Twenty-something Ruby Rebello knows her beloved grandmother, Granny Bee, was one of the pioneers, though no one will tell her more. But when Bee receives a mysterious newspaper clipping from the future reporting the murder of an unidentified woman, Ruby becomes obsessed: could it be Bee? Who would want her dead? And most importantly of all: can her murder be stopped?

Traversing the decades and told from alternating perspectives, The Psychology of Time Travel introduces a fabulous new voice in fiction and a new must-read for fans of speculative fiction and women’s fiction alike.

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December has Epic Deals on Sci-Fi & Fantasy Reads! #scifi #sciencefiction #fantasy #ebooks

Sale, Science Fiction Books / M Pax / December 6, 2023

What better way to celebrate the holiday season than by diving into fantastic worlds of science fiction and fantasy? If you’re an avid reader or looking for the perfect gift for the bookworm in your life, you’re in luck! Throughout December, several incredible ebook promotions are offering steeply discounted books that are bound to captivate any reader’s imagination.

Epic Sci Fi & Fantasy

Transport to galaxies far, far away, or to realms of magic and wonder. From epic quests to futuristic adventures, there’s something here for every speculative fiction enthusiast.

EPIC

Fantasy and Sci-Fi Lovers

Calling all fantasy and sci-fi lovers! This promotion is a treasure trove of enchanting tales, daring heroes, and mind-bending adventures. Find your next favorite book and get lost in a world unlike any other.

SF&F LOVERS

Collections, Anthologies, and Boxed Sets

Discover curated collections, anthologies, and boxed sets featuring multiple books in one convenient package. It’s the perfect opportunity to binge-read series or explore various authors and worlds all in one go.

BOXED SETS

Fantastic Fantasy Megasale

Unleash your imagination with this mega sale dedicated to fantasy literature. From mythical creatures to epic battles, these discounted ebooks are sure to delight any fantasy enthusiast.

MEGASALE

Holiday Sci-Fi Sale

Celebrate the season with out-of-this-world adventures! Dive into futuristic landscapes, encounter advanced technology, and embark on thrilling journeys through the cosmos with these discounted sci-fi reads.

Holiday

Explore these promotions throughout December to snag your favorite titles at steep discounts. Happy reading and happy holidays!

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Holiday Sale! Prices Slashed on All Boxed Sets! #scifi #sciencefiction #fantasy #ebooks

Fantasy, Sale, Science Fiction Books, Space Opera, Speculative Fiction / M Pax / December 1, 2023

All boxed up, the Backworlds and Rifters series are Ready for the Holidays

You deserve a present! Your family and friends deserve presents! Give them a ticket to other worlds!

An Unforgettable Journey with the Backworlds Series – Special Holiday Sale!

Are you ready for an exhilarating voyage through the Backworlds? Prices have been greatly reduced for holiday joy on The Backworlds Box Collection: Books 1, 2, and 3, and The Backworlds Box Collection: Books 4, 5 and 6! Meet the charismatic Craze, who after being banished from his home planet, finds himself thrust into a whirlwind odyssey that will mold him into a most unlikely hero.

Prepare for Mind-Blowing Plot Twists: The Backworlds series is renowned for its jaw-dropping plot twists that will have you hanging on to the edge of your seat with every page you turn.
Everyday Heroes: A defining element of this series is its focus on ordinary individuals rising to meet extraordinary challenges. These relatable characters make the Backworlds series an absolute must-read for fans of science fiction and epic adventures.
Exciting News for Fans: Brace yourselves for thrilling news, fans! A brand new book is set to join the Backworlds series in 2024!

Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers – catch up on Craze’s incredible journey before the next installment arrives.

The Backworlds Box Collection: Books 1, 2 & 3

In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This set contains the first 3 novels in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure. This set includes the Backworlds novels: The Backworlds, Stopover at the Backworlds’ Edge, and Boomtown Craze.

Box 1, 2, 3 BUY DIRECT

Amazon Links: US / UK / CA / AU / DE / FR / ES / IT / NL / JP / BR / MX / IN

The Backworlds Box Collection: Books 4, 5 & 6

The galaxy beyond the Backworlds is rife with trouble. The desperate search to save a friend ends in the discovery of an unstoppable enemy. This set includes the Backworlds novels: Beyond the Edge, Worlds on Edge, and Precipice.

Box Set 4,5,6 BUY DIRECT

Amazon / UK / AU / CA / DE / FR / ES/ IT / NL / IN / JP / BR / MX

Googleplay / Smashwords / Kobo / B&N / Apple / More

Discover The Rifters Series: A Fusion of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Steampunk – Unmissable Holiday Discount!

If you’re in search of something truly unique and enthralling, The Rifters series beckons you. This extraordinary western series seamlessly melds science fiction, fantasy, and steampunk in the charming setting of an Oregonian town. As part of our Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, you can now immerse yourself in all four of these remarkable books at an astounding 45% discount.

Journey through Breathtaking Landscapes: The Rifters series will take you on a mesmerizing voyage through the awe-inspiring landscapes of Oregon, where the ordinary meets the extraordinary in the most unexpected ways.
Prepare for Heart-Pounding Mysteries: Join Daelin Long as she sets off on an adventure to the Wild West, with hopes of starting anew. Instead, she discovers her sister has gone missing, and a phantom is stealing heads. Get ready for a series of twists and turns that have earned The Rifters a dedicated and enthusiastic following.

Don’t Let this Rifters deal slip away! The Box Collection includes the novels: The Rifters, The Initiate, and The Reader.

Rifters Box 1-3 BUY DIRECT

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The trees stand as storytellers, each leaf a page in a grand saga of life and transition. #LandscapePhotography #NaturePhotography #NatureBeauty

Oregon, Photography, Weird and Wonderful / M Pax / November 29, 2023

Deep in the Umpqua Forest in the Casdades…

In the heart of the Umpqua National Forest, autumn unfolds like a vivid tapestry painted by the hand of time. Here, the trees stand as storytellers, each leaf a page in a grand saga of life and transition.

Amidst the emerald guardians, the forest becomes a living cathedral, where sunlight weaves through the branches, dappling the earth below in a mosaic of gold and amber. The crisp air hums with the whispers of transformation, as the trees, adorned in their vibrant attire, prepare for their seasonal ballet.

Maples, like flames in the forest’s cathedral, ignite in shades of fiery reds and oranges, illuminating the woodland stage with their fervent passion. Birch trees stand in elegant contrast, donning robes of buttery yellows that sway in the gentle autumnal breeze.

Every leaf, a tiny vessel of life, pirouettes and descends, performing a graceful waltz to the forest floor. There, a new chapter begins as they form a vibrant tapestry, creating a mosaic carpet beneath the giants that birthed them.

The world lives on these trees, in the stories etched upon their bark, the whispers carried by the wind through their branches, and the symphony of colors they orchestrate. Life here is a cycle, a dance of seasons that paints the landscape in hues of nostalgia and anticipation, reminding us of the beauty in letting go and the promise of renewal.

The trees stand as storytellers, each leaf a page in a grand saga of life and transition. #LandscapePhotography #NaturePhotography #NatureBeauty Read More »

Escape from Doka: A Backworlds Adventure Cover Reveal! How to get your FREE Book! #scifi #sciencefiction #freebooks #giveaway

Science Fiction Books / M Pax / November 28, 2023

This brand new novel will be my gift to you this December. Are you ready for more Backworlds fun? This is the story of how Lepsi and Talos became Lepsi and Talos.

The son of a nobleman and a young man from the poorest part of the city strike up an unlikely friendship that changes the course of their lives.

In a lord’s manor on the planet Doka, Lepsi wallows in loneliness and misery. As the youngest son of a down-and-out noble, Lepsi’s father can only afford to raise one son as his heir. Lepsi is forced to forsake all dreams to serve his cruel father and heartless brother.

Meanwhile, in a neighborhood in an impoverished part of the city, Talos mourns the death of his mother, the only person to believe he had any worth. As his mother succumbed to a plague, he gave up apprenticeships and education to take care of her. He doesn’t regret it but longs for a better future. Without skills and without money, he’s forced to beg and steal.

They both want to leave the planet and the lives they’re leading, and their chance arrives when a premier cargo transport desperately needs more crew. Lured by opportunity and the prospect of a future beyond Doka, both Talos and Lepsi sign up.

Yet, as their fortunes shift, fate intercedes with ruthless intent. Talos runs afoul of a pirate gang, and Lepsi’s father comes after him using every resource available to the aristocracy of Doka.

Can the two of them thwart the relentless pirates and ruthless lords that mean to end their dreams? Can their friendship withstand such harrowing tests? Most of all, can they escape?

Escape from Doka: A Backworlds Adventure Cover Reveal! How to get your FREE Book! #scifi #sciencefiction #freebooks #giveaway Read More »