Book Review on Tease by D.K. Gaston

Keith Gaston stretched his writing chops with this story and hit it out the park. Tease is about a mysterious man who sometimes works (off the books) for the government, when the government can't get the job done legally. This mysterious man goes by the name Shaw, and he's chasing a want-to-be world player, named D-Shroud, who stole three suitcase nukes. Now D-Shroud wants to sell them to the highest bidder. The problem is, Shaw has to get by a one woman hit squad, appropriately named Tease. She is sexy, dangerous and cunning...a combination that knocks Shaw for a loop. Warning: this book has graphic sex scenes that would make James Bond blush.


Tease is vivid, thrilling and exciting.

Book Review on Revenge - Osguards Guardians of the Universe

"World Building At Its Best!”

Everyone has a defining gift. For Michael Genesis, the First Osguard of the Universal Science, Security and Trade Association of Planets-USSTAP, that gift is vision. Just as Michael is being prepared to assume position as Chief Executive Osguard and President of the Universal Science, Security and Trade Association of Planets, a space storm causes havoc, sending him to an alternate universe. Similarly, Billy Red, a street thug, murderer, pimp and drug dealer, becomes intertwined with his world situation. When their paths had crossed as teenagers, Michael and Billy became bitter enemies. Billy Red carries his thirst for revenge to the end.

In this fourth entry, the author spins a complicated plot in which the main character must deal with political intrigue in the universe, as well as survive on Earth in a drug infested neighborhood. It seems that everyone is out to kill him, including Billy Red. Personally, I felt the author was at his best in military war strategies and space battles, and was a little distracted by the urban fantasy element in the adventure. But the story was well told, and kept my interest throughout. The Star Trek Prime Directive element didn’t escape me, either. I even got a kick out of the main character’s “escape phrase”.

There is one closure at the end concerning Earth, but I’m not sure if this is the final volume in the series, or if more stories are planned. I can certainly see possibilities for future novels in the series, but would like to see the author move away from the urban background on Earth, and give us a better look at the many worlds comprising his universe; the galaxies, planets, moons, and races that inhabit them.

Tom Johnson,
--Editor Fading Shadows

Rating:

5-Stars

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Osguards:Guardians of the Universe is a gripping ride through time and space, detailing the horrors of antebellum south, the strife of the post reconstruction era, the grit of U.S. urban life at the turn of the century and ultimately the terror of an escalating war played out in the heavens above present day unsuspecting Earth--all surrounded by complex military and political stratagems for power. Osguards is a detailed space odyssey, framed in American History, peppered with intrigue, filled with adventure and coated with technical wizardry.

Rage On Science Fiction: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Rage...

Rage On Science Fiction: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Rage...: "Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blac..."

Do you think reading sci fi makes you a Geek?

Why don't you like science fiction? Is it because you think only Geeks enjoy science fiction. Or is it because you think it will turn you into a Nerd. Or is it simply because you think it is not cool and only the lonely, social outcasts follow science fiction. It is a common misconception that people who like science fiction are Geeks or Nerds.
This is not so. Science fiction is a misunderstood genre. Science Fiction is a complicated genre made up of many genres that tell love stories, adventures, mysteries, spy thrillers, and even comedies with imagination, innovation, technology and science. Science fiction stimulates the imagination with eye popping, jaw dropping scenes and plots that move a story along while dealing with the future, alternative timelines, space travel, aliens, time travel, dreams, wars, and even comic book superheroes.
Think of James Bond movies, Jason Bourne movies, Harry Potter, Avatar, Iron Man movies, Inception, X-Men movies, Transformers movies, I Am Number Four, Tron, Priest, Star Trek movies, Paul, Green Lantern, Thor, Cowboy vs. Aliens, Alien movies, Predator movies, The Adjustment Bureau, Hitchcock, Megamind, Superman movies, Batman movies, Species, Monsters vs. Aliens, Time Travelers Wife. The list is too exhausting to write, but you get my point. You've probably seen a science fiction movie and didn't realize it. Now think of your favorite T.V. Shows, Lost, 24, V, Walking Dead, The Event, Undercovers, Charmed, and Supernatural just to name a few.
Hopefully, you can see, science fiction is where man first dreamt of computers, flight, rocket ships, moon landings, cell phones, laptops, iPads, smart phones, Velcro, GPS, Radar, calculators, HDTV, microwaves. Face it, without science fiction or at least the imagination that science fiction stimulates, we would still be riding horses, sailing in wooden ships and hunting for our food.
So no…liking science fiction doesn't make you a Geek or a Nerd, it makes you exciting, stimulating and insightful. It fuels you as a soldier of the future.
Do you still think science fiction is only for the Geek or Nerd? Sound off; let me hear your voice.
Malcolm D. Petteway, Rage Books LLC

Rage On Science Fiction: Rage on Science Fiction Movies

Rage On Science Fiction: Rage on Science Fiction Movies: "Advertising a movie as science fiction seems to be a no-no in the industry today, even though most movies are technically science fiction. T..."

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Rage on the Movies

Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too.


If you are a fan of the Pirates movie, I say this one is one of the best…right next to the first movie. Jack is back!

Captain Jack Sparrow finds himself stranded in London in search of a ship. After saving his friend and first mate Gibbs (Kevin McNally) from the gallows, he searches for the person impersonating him. The fake Capt Sparrow is, gathering men for a voyage on a ship. His finds his former lover, Angelica (Penélope Cruz ), impersonating him. Angelica then kidnaps and ferries him aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge, commanded by Angelica's (maybe) father, Captain Blackbeard (Ian McShane). There aboard a ship full of enslaved pirates and comatose zombies, the adventure begins. Their quest is the fountain of youth. But they aren’t alone, a Spanish fleet and Capt Barbossa are also in search of the fountain of youth, although for different reasons.

The movie is filled with special effects; off-the-cuff humor; swashbuckling sword fights; explosion; and the requisite fantasy/horror that make the Pirates franchise such a hit with fans. The mermaids were a very nice touch, reminiscent of the walking dead and zombies of the earlier movies. Depp owns this movie. His screen presence is grand. Rush plays a very likable and convincing bad/good guy and Cruz’s character was an exciting addition to the cast.

A small love story plays out that I feel added nothing to the film and doesn’t really have a solid conclusion. McShane’s character was more bark than bite. McShane walked through his lines like a third year college student and did not elicit any emotion (fear or hate) from the audience. The rollercoaster ride was well over prior to McShane’s exit, because the audience really didn’t care what happened to him.

Overall, this is a great movie. I did not see it in 3-D, but I’m sure if you do, it will be well worth the money. The Pirates saga is back on track. I rate this movie 8 out of 10 stars--tied with the second Pirates movie.



Malcolm D. Petteway

Rage Books LLC

About Malcolm Petteway-fReado

Sci fi with soul check out the Osguards and find out About Malcolm Petteway-fReado

Rage on the Movies: Priest

A priest (Paul Bettany) disobeys church law to track down the vampires who kidnapped his niece.It is as simple as that, not complicated at all. The only complication with this movie was setting it up for the audience. It is an apocalyptic tale of man versus vampire. After the obligatory action opening scene to grab the audience's attention, a graphic animation plays out to set the scene. The animation is full of promise that the movie will be gory and blood-filled. The movie delivers on that promise. It is also jam packed with special effects and action sequences. However, the action sequences seem a bit forced and the special effects are reminiscent of the Matrix movies. The plot is somewhat rehashed. It is about a bruiting good guy simultaneously fighting against the establishment and the forces of evil. Along the way he picks up two sidekicks that offer nothing to the plot other than a distraction. This movie is a club sandwich of special effects layered between three slices of action. If you are looking for the excitement and thrill of Ironman or even Thor, you won't get it here. But if you like slaying vampires, fight scenes, explosions and stimulating visual effects, this is your movie. I rate it 3 stars out of 5…wait until it comes out on video

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It is the third generation and the fourth age of mankind. Earth has become an unwitting pawn in the Kulusk Empire's thirst for revenge against the Universal Science, Security and Trade Associations of Planets—USSTAP. Maxum Ritchen, the leader of the Kulusk Empire, has set into motion the destruction of USSTAP and with it the destruction of Earth. Michael David Genesis, the First Osguard, and his family are the leaders of USSTAP. He and his family are descendants of twin princesses from the planet Chaktun who fled their war ravaged world, escaped to Earth and lived in the antebellum South as slaves. USSTAP is the Osguards’ inheritance. They facilitate scientific advancement, assure universal security and promote fair trade amongst the sixty known galaxies. Michael and the other Osguards use diplomatic, economic and military tools of power to keep the peace. But like most peacekeeping organizations, there are always challenges. For Michael the challenges are the Kulusk – the dogmatic empire that has waged war with Chaktun for centuries; the Tuits – a warrior race bent on revenge; and the Moslecks – universal nomads terrorizing the universe. Can the Osguards save USSTAP…can they save themselves?


Buy Osguards: Guardians of the Universe. Available direct from Rage Books, or through Amazon.com. If you have an E-Reader, all available formats for E-Books are available here. Also available on-line at Borders, Books A Million and Barnes and Noble. Ask you local book dealer about Osguards. If they don't have it. They can get it.

Rage on the Movies: Thor

When the warrior Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard for his arrogance, he is sent to Earth to live among humans. Falling in love with scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), he learns some much-needed lessons, and his newfound strength comes into play as a villain from his homeland sends dark forces toward Earth.


I really didn’t expect much from this movie. Frankly, I thought the superhero genre in the movies was fading after Iron Man II. But I must say this movie was a pleasant surprise. I am not much of a Marvel Comics Fan, so I knew little about Thor, which I think was an advantage. I watched the movie, learning as it played. It was full of adventure, special effects and humor. Chris Harmsworth did an excellent job bringing the Nordic god to life. The character’s arrogance was overpowering. So the audience loved it when Thor was taken down a notch or two by normal humans with their puny little gadgets. I never warmed up to Natalie Portman’s character. Jane Foster is one of those women that can give you a headache. She is so driven, to the point of stupid. Kate Dennings as Darcy Lewis was the real gem of the picture. Additionally, Tom Heddleston as Loki gave a sparkling performance. We see his transformation better than we see Thor’s transformation. The action was exciting, grand and worth watching in 3D. The storyline was good, but had dry spots.

For a superhero movie, I give it 4.5 stars.

Book Review on Armageddon - Osguards Guardians of the Universe

Armageddon
By Malcolm Dylan Petteway
ISBN #0984364528
Rage Books www.ragebooks.com/
328 Pages
Price: $15.50
Science Fiction

Rating: 4 & Half-Stars

“Entertaining novel with vivid imagery!”

With this third entry in the Osguards series, the Tuits invade the protected zone of the Universal Science, Security Trade Association of Planets (USSTAP) eliminating everything in their path with a weapon capable of destroying planets. They make their first strike, wiping out a solar system with five planets. Killing thirty-five billion people in less than ten minutes! The Guardians of The Universe find themselves outnumbered and faced by superior weapons!

The author, a retired AF officer, brings his knowledge of tactical weapons and strategic military background to the series in creating the universe of the Osguards: Guardians of The Universe. The story is well written, and the characters come to life. Battle scenes are fast and furious, with vivid descriptions. My main problem with the story was my own fault. I read the first two novels in the series years ago, and have read hundreds of SF books since, so my memory of the previous entries was foggy, the characters not as clear as they should have been. This is a series the reader needs to read in sequence, and not with a long lapse of time between each story. I also felt there was too much of the story taking place on Earth, when the action should have been kept in space. For instance, when the Tuits destroy the five-planet solar system with thirty-five billion inhabitants, the reader is at a wedding on Earth. True, we are learning more about the characters, and Earth does have a role in the story, but I felt the action is unnecessarily slowed down to lengthen the book. Being a military science fiction novel, especially of this length, it should have had more space battles and less inaction to keep the story moving. Still, the author spins an exciting tale, and the Osguards have a fascinating history, with an even more interesting future.

Although each book is a stand-alone novel, I highly suggest the reader start with the first novel in the series. These are thick volumes, and the price is right, so begin reading them today!
 
Tom Johnson, Editor

Fading Shadows Magazines

Rage Books May 2011 Book of the Month

Christina Nightbird Little Wolf Cesar is transcended more by her Haitian and Native American backgrounds rather than by her unusually unique name. Her two backgrounds are two cultures paralleled in the belief of the supernatural. She is haunted by consistent dreams compounded with strange and mysterious pains that are rooted in a tragic time in her life. There are two murders, possibly linked to one another, being investigated by Officer Castillo that may have implications of danger for Christina.


It all comes to a head when the person who is the source of the dreams and pains makes their way to claim Christina s life. She is protected by her loving mother, Claudia Little Wolf Cesar, who is of Haitian descent. Shilah Little Wolf, her uncle who is of Native American descent, juggles the tasks of getting revenge for his brother s murder and risking his life to protect his niece. The protection she gets from her family is also in combination with help from her late father, whom she s never met. Her best friend, Cecilia Cruz, treks on an adventure as Christina s life continues to hang in the balance.

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Book Review on Homecoming - Osguards Guardians of the Universe

A very imaginative book about a black family descended from an alien race who uses their special skills to protect the Earth from a coming galactic war. The book really takes off when it takes us back to the family origin among the horrors of American slavery. Homecoming is the first in a series consisting of 4 books.


Milton Davis,
Author

Revelations - Osguards: Guardians of the Universe

Be part of the experience. Watch this trailer and "Jump Start Your Imagination".
Revelations - Osguards: Guardians of the Universe is the second book in the Osguard Saga

Homecoming - Osguards: Guardians of the Universe

Homecoming - Osguards: Guardians of the Universe Book Trailer. Join Michael Genesis and the other Osguards as they lead USSTAP in protecting mankind.

April 2011 Book of the Month

Immortal: Second Edition
by Valjeanne Jeffers
$11.99

Her dreams are terrifying. In the year of our One 3075 Tundra has been at peace for 400 years. There is no racism, poverty or war. Karla is a young, Indigo woman working as a successful healer. Yet she is tormented by lucid and erotic dreams. Dreams in which she is Immortal. Two men emerge from these phantasms: the first a Copper Shape shifter and the other a demon more dead than alive. But when this creature appears in her apartment Karla realizes that they share a lust that may one day consume her. His will unlock a mystery. Joseph always dreamt of becoming an artist, a warrior...and a shape shifter. Now he's dreaming of a sorceress who commands that he leave his homeland. Together they will journey to the end of time. To a nightmarish world of revolution and magic. But will they save Tundra or perish in it's destruction?

Book Review on The Promise by D.K. Gaston

A crooked cop, Detective Roman Stefan promised his dying father that he'd do better and make him proud. Soon after, Roman is handed a no win murder case, the death of a prostitute who is the sister to a super star news anchor Hallie Warner. The police chief wants him to fail. His captain wants him to fail. His fellow cops want him to fail. And deep down inside, Roman wants to fail. But he is a man of his word and he promised his dying father, he will do better. Motivated by the beautiful and sexy Warner, who appears to be the only one who wants Roman to succeed, he pushes on. But appearances can be deceiving.


In the beginning of the book I wasn't sure if I would like Detective Roman. His character was the type of cop I quickly despise in other books. But his struggle to please his father and the crudeness of his character soon turned me into a cheerleader for the character. I was almost praying that Roman wouldn’t let me down as I read the book.

Once again, Keith Gaston has done spectacular job. This book is similar in nature to his other books, but different in context. It is full of suspense more than his normal action packed writing. But the D.K. conspiracy, twist and turns are still sprinkled delicately throughout the pages in a masterful way. Again, you think you know who did it, but you don’t.

I highly recommend that you read The Promise. It is more than a page turner, it is a workout book. It gets your heart pumping.



Malcolm Dylan Petteway
Rage Books Reading Club
http://www.ragebooks.blogspot.com/

Book review on the Darkest Hours by D.K. Gaston

Joseph Hooks is back and he is better than before. The exciting, but bruiting detective from Lost Hours is back. Now he’s divorced and free from his past. His latest client is the billionaire, Montgomery Webb. When Hooks visits Webb at his secluded stately mansion, he finds Webb half-naked and tied to a chair. Tortured near death, Webb whispers his dying words “La…Ta…Doll…Lost”. These words starts Hooks off on another adventure, which threatens his life and the lives of people around him.


Hooks along with his ex-partner Kool-Aid are the epitome of a buddy cop team, with one thing on the mind… ‘Find the killer, no matter what the cost.’ I have read almost all of D.K. Gaston’s books. I am truly a fan. Lost Hours brings back one of my favorite characters in the D.K. universe…Joseph Hooks. D.K. puts Joseph into challenging settings and spins intrigue and action that grabs you; while the story hypnotizes you. This is a must read.



Malcolm Dylan Petteway
Rage Books Reading Club
http://www.ragebooks.blogspot.com/

Book Review on The Friday House

D.K. Gaston stays in the world of science fiction with a character we first saw in XIII, Special Agent Jamaica Kurtz. In The Friday House, Agent Kurtz has recovered from the gunshot wound to the head, which she received in XIII, and has to cope with the loss of her partner. She returns from a six month medical leave and her first assignment is psychologically profile two dead terrorists, who were prominent and noted members of society and the U.S. government.




While she conducts the investigation, she realizes the gunshot wound has left her with clairvoyant abilities. She fights to interpret her visions as she delves in deeper into the case and picks apart the connections that the CIA and people associated with the White House desperately try to cover up.



D.K. Gaston does a masterful job of weaving intrigue, mystery, double-cross, murder, adventure and conspiracy into a well polished story. He uses misdirection and anomalies to keep the reader guessing. When you think you have the story figured out, D.K. hits you with more excitement to keep you guessing.



The Friday House by D.K. Gaston is a splendid read. He spins multiple characters into an old fashion “Who Done It’, while pushing the action and adventure similar to Tom Clancy. I love the plot. This is a fantastic book that keeps your interest from page one to the end. D.K. is a marvelous author and a very talented storyteller. I highly recommend this book for all readers of thrillers, conspiracy and mystery as well as to my science fiction followers.



Malcolm Dylan Petteway

Rage Books Reading Club
www.ragebooks.blogspot.com