Discovery

#SciFi Worth Watching: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 #MovieReview

popular science fiction movie

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 takes us back into the vibrant and eclectic world of Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot, and their galactic friends. With this latest installment, another exhilarating space adventure is delivered but the story also delves deeper into the emotional cores of our beloved misfit heroes, especially Rocket.

The film strikes an engrossing balance between heart and humor, weaving an intricate narrative that explores family, sacrifice, and redemption. While the stakes are undeniably high in their intergalactic quest, it’s the characters’ personal journeys that anchor the storyline, inviting us into a compelling odyssey.

Visually stunning and narratively ambitious, Vol. 3 dazzles with its mesmerizing CGI and breathtaking cosmic landscapes. Gunn’s distinct directorial style infuses the movie with a vibrant energy, seamlessly blending action-packed sequences with poignant character-driven moments.

The chemistry among the cast continues to shine, with each actor bringing depth and nuance to their respective roles. Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper (voicing Rocket), and Vin Diesel (voicing Groot) breathe life into their characters, allowing us to laugh, cry, and root for this ragtag team as they navigate personal struggles and the chaos of the cosmos.

Moreover, the film’s soundtrack, a hallmark of the Guardians series, once again proves to be an integral part of the storytelling, transporting audiences through time and space with its eclectic mix of nostalgic tunes. While the movie delivers on the expected thrills and humor, it also surprises with moments of genuine poignancy.

Beer while watching is optional to enjoy the film but not required.

 

 

Laughs that Defy Gravity! Spaceberg: A Cosmic Catastrophe with Bite #scifi #sciencefiction #scifibooks #sciencefictionbooks

 

Spaceberg, a science fiction novel brimming with disaster, humor, and the resilience of the human spirit where even the most improbable alliances hold the key to survival.

science fiction humor novel

The Arrival

In the vast expanse of the outer solar system, where the mysteries of the Oort Cloud remain mostly unknown, a calamity emerges—Spaceberg. This colossal entity crashes into the colonized minor planets in the Outer Sol, leaving devastation in its wake. The giant chunk of ice is bad enough, but it also has a bite—carnivorous balls resembling moss with lots of big teeth. Panic grips the solar system as Spaceberg tumbles toward the heavily populated Saturn system, and hope seems as distant as the farthest stars.

Enter Nikili Echols and Orbital Rescue Squad 51

Amidst the chaos there is a beacon of courage and resilience—Orbital Rescue Squad 51. Led by the indomitable Nikili Echols, the most decorated first responder in the solar system, the Squad races against time to mitigate the catastrophic aftermath of Spaceberg’s impact.

Nikili, a force of nature herself, navigates the dangers with unmatched determination. Her resolve is not only to save her family but to extend a lifeline to every soul caught in the perilous grip of the disaster. Yet, as the clock ticks relentlessly, she faces an unexpected twist—the need to join forces with her ex-husband, whose mere presence invokes a maelstrom of emotions.

Unlikely Allies and Superstitious Antics

Cosmic irony pairs Nikili with her ex-husband, a man whose superstitions are as abundant as space dust. Nikili finds herself grappling not only with the threat of Spaceberg but also with her ex-husband’s peculiar beliefs. His superstitions grate against her pragmatic nature like the irritating hum of cosmic static. However, in a surprising turn of events, their clash of ideologies holds the key to success—a blend of luck and organic plastic that could tip the scales in their favor.

The Race Against Time

The tension soars when it’s discovered Spaceberg is more than a crisis of ice in Jupiter proportions. On Spaceberg, mossy balls live that nibble at anything within reach. Saturn and the colonies on its moons are in its path, then the trajectory will take Spaceberg to Earth unless Nikili and her team can stop it.  She’ll need some of her ex’s superstitions to help her plan relying on luck and organic plastic.

 

CHILL WITH SPACEBERG TODAY!

Spaceberg is available at all ebook retailers!

SPACEBERG

 

 

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

Deep in the Umpqua Forest in the Casdades…
Weird and Wild Oregon

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.

 

 

Fantasy Worth Reading: Something from the Nightside #BookReview #fantasybooks

best-selling fantasy novel Something from the NIghtsideSomething from the Nightside by Simon R. Green is another novel I devoured in a mere few hours. It’s hard-boiled detective meets Neverwhere, and it’s a wonderful treat. Don’t deprive yourself of this gem.

The voice of the main character, John Taylor, is strong and bleeds atmosphere into every paragraph. The Nightside’s dark alleys, neon-lit streets, and eerie locales are described with such detail that they almost become characters themselves. The author’s atmospheric prose adds depth and richness to the narrative, making the Nightside a place readers can visualize and get lost in.

Nightside is a realm within London filled with darkness and mystery. Mostly darkness. It’s always 3:00 a.m. there and is populated by the bizarre and disturbing. John Taylor swore five years ago he’d never go back, but a rich lady walks into his office when he’s desperate for money. She needs him to find her runaway teenage daughter. He has a magical gift, a third eye, which makes him an expert at finding things in the Nightside. Only, something is blocking his sight. That’s never happened before.

The plot twists into creative and imaginative jaunts that made it unpredictable in the best of ways. The final twists were delicious. I will certainly be acquiring more books in this series. Highly recommended and it gets beyond five stars from me.

Here’s the blurb:

Taylor is the name, John Taylor. My card says I’m a detective, but what I really am is an expert on finding lost things. It’s part of the gift I was born with as a child of the Nightside.

I left there a long time ago, with my skin and sanity barely intact. Now I make my living in the sunlit streets of London. But business has been slow lately, so when Joanna Barrett showed up at my door, reeking of wealth, asking me to find her runaway teenage daughter, I didn’t say no.

Then I found out exactly where the girl had gone.

The Nightside. That square mile of Hell in the middle of the city, where it’s always three A.M. Where you can walk beside myths and drink with monsters. Where nothing is what it seems and everything is possible.

I swore I’d never return. But there’s a kid in danger and a woman depending on me. So I have no choice—I’m going home.

Lepsi: A Backworlder’s Quest for Redemption #scifi #sciencefiction

 

In the vast and diverse universe of the Backworlds series, one character stands out for his tumultuous journey from a life of privilege and suffering to redemption and the pursuit of a noble cause. Lepsi has faced unimaginable challenges and personal demons. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the quest for redemption in the face of profound mistakes.

Lepsi from the best-selling science fiction series, the Backworlds

Childhood in Doka: A Life of Misery

Lepsi’s early life was far from idyllic. Born into a noble family on the unforgiving world of Doka, he was subjected to the cruelty of his father and brother. Their unkindness and abuse drove Lepsi to seek solace and escape in the form of a friendship that would change the course of his life forever.

The Bond of Friendship: Talos and Lepsi’s Great Escape

Lepsi found a ray of hope in the form of Talos, a friend who would become his closest ally. Together, they devised a plan to escape Doka. Fueled by determination and the desire for a better life, they embarked on a journey that would take them to the edge of the Backworlds.

A New Beginning: Pardeep Station

On their journey through the planets on the Edge of the Backworlds, Lepsi and Talos encountered Craze, who played a pivotal role in their lives. With Craze’s help, they acquired a spaceship, The Sequi, and together, they created a home on the remote moon, Pardeep Station. For a time, it seemed that Lepsi’s troubles were finally behind him.

Tragedy Strikes: Lepsi’s Enslavement by the Quassers

However, fate had other plans for Lepsi. He fell victim to an evil and enigmatic alien race known as the Quassers. These sentient, living ships kidnapped and enslaved him, plunging Lepsi into a harrowing ordeal that would scar him deeply.

A Desperate Quest for Redemption: Lepsi’s Ill-Fated Plan

The war with the Quassers pushed Lepsi to the brink. In a desperate bid to save Talos and end the conflict, he sought to lead the Quassers through a connection forged during his time as a slave. Unfortunately, this attempt went terribly awry, leading to dire consequences. The Quassers killed billions while Lepsi led them.

Lepsi’s Redemption

Haunted by the consequences of his actions, Lepsi embarks on a journey to find redemption. He dedicated himself to rescuing other aliens in captivity and helping them return to their homelands, seeking to make amends for the devastation he unwittingly caused and many blame him for, even some he calls friend.

A Glimpse into Lepsi’s Physical Appearance and Character

Lepsi’s seven-foot-tall frame, curly red hair, and piercing blue eyes make him a distinctive figure in the Backworlds universe. His loyalty and unwavering commitment to doing the right thing define his character, despite the deep regrets that weigh on his conscience.

Follow Lepsi’s journey through the Backworlds with a free book!. The Backworlds is free at all ebook retailers.

Shopping direct from me really helps me make a living as an author, so thank you. You can also find my books at your favorite online bookstore.

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Audiobook:  Audible / iTunes

 

 

Discovering the Charm of Antelope, Oregon #NaturePhotography Photography #ghosttown

It’s Spooktober! Let’s visit a ghost town. How about Antelope?

off the beaten path Oregon

Amidst the rolling hills and rugged landscapes of central Oregon, Antelope has a big story to tell. This quaint town is a hidden gem, offering a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and a sense of timelessness.

A Glimpse into Antelope’s History

In the mid-19th century, Antelope began as a station along the wagon road connecting The Dalles on the Columbia River with gold mines near Canyon City. After about 1870, the wagon road became known as The Dalles Military Road. When the highway was moved, Antelope became a quiet town of ranchers.

Is most notorious chapter came in the early 1980s when it briefly became the home of the Rajneeshpuram commune led by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. A circle of leading members of the Rajneeshpuram Oregon commune were arrested for crimes including an attempted assassination plot to murder U.S. Attorney Charles H. Turner as part of the United States’s first recorded bio-terror attack calculated to influence the outcome of a local election in their favour; the effort ultimately failed. Salmonella bacteria were deployed to infect salad products in local restaurants and shops, which poisoned several hundred people.

hidden gem of Oregon, Antelope

Remnants of the Past

Antelope has many old building.

Oregon ghost towns, Antelope

 

weird and wild Oregon

 

hidden gems of Oregon

 

Antelope offers breathtaking vistas…

exploring Oregon, Antelope

 

And creepy ones… I envisioned this school when writing the second book in the Rifters series.

off the beaten path, Antelope, Oregon

Antelop was an awesome place to visit!

 

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