COVER REVEAL - LIVE ME - PIECES OF BROKEN NOVEL BY CELESTE GRANDE

Title: Live Me 

Series: Pieces of Broken novel 

Author: Celeste Grande 

Cover Designs: Najla Quamber Designs

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
Publication date: November 2015

BLURB supplied by Xpresso Book Tours

Broken…
Shattered…

How can you begin to live again when you’ve already been forced to…die?

Evangelina Ricci is trapped in a world that’s a never-ending nightmare, a constant ache in which consumes her every breath. Unable to bear the torture any longer, she does the one thing she can to take back control.

Run.

With her best friend Jace in tow, Evangelina attempts to escape her darkened past by leaving for college and diving head first into an aggressive schedule, determined with everything she is to make a name for herself. There’s only one problem—she can’t run away from the demons she struggles with. The demons that’ll forever be there, locked inside, battering her soul. Hiding behind a flawless façade, Evangelina faces her ghosts until her world is turned upside down, invaded by…him.

Blake Turner. Sweet, witty, flirtatious and drop-dead gorgeous, he finds Evangelina at every turn. Scared he’ll uncover the truth she keeps so well guarded, Evangelina tries her best to put on her act, deterring him like she has so many times before—only this guy’s different. He’s relentless. Utterly, absolutely and completely relentless. He sees her and he wants her and won’t stop until she’s his.

Will Evangelina succeed in pushing Blake away? Or will he break down her walls and be the person to make her realize life is worth living?

Goodreads Link

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A New York workaholic, mommy and wife, Celeste Grande has always been a lover of words. From an early age, poetic words opened her heart, releasing her emotions through pen and paper.

Then she heard the shouting.

These characters were trapped souls in her head, screaming at her for release. Celeste quickly fell in love with the beautiful story she was being told and knew she had to share it with others.

Her first new adult romance novel, Live Me, will be released in 2015.

AUTHOR LINKS

http://celestegrande.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Celeste-Grande/753468191345511?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/CelesteGrande

https://instagram.com/authorcelestegrande/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8339067.Celeste_Grande

SPOTLIGHT BLOG TOUR - NOTHING LEFT TO BURN BY PATTY BLOUNT

From the YALSA and RITA Award-nominated author of Some Boys, a smoldering new contemporary YA about love, loss and finding a place to belong.

Title: Nothing Left To Burn

Author: Patty Blount

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction 

Release Date: 4th August 2015

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Dear Dad,

I promised Matt I’d do this—become a Junior Cadet. That I wouldn’t let you break me down. I know you hate me. Blame me for everything you lost. But that day I lost my brother and my dad. You could never be proud of me, could you? I was too “different.” So, just in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m saying goodbye. Maybe someday, you’ll miss me.

Reece

Reece’s words make her ache. Amanda understands wanting to belong. As a foster kid, the firehouse where she volunteers is the only place that feels like home. She wants to help Reece, but his dad is her boss. And she won’t risk her place as a Junior Cadet—it’s all that she has. But when a string of arsons suddenly point to Amanda, her whole world is about to go up in flames. And the only way to save themselves is to risk getting burned.

Goodreads Link

PURCHASE LINKS

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Apple 

BAM 

B&N 

Chapters 

Indiebound 

EXCERPT

The loudest sound I had ever heard shattered the air before I could think about it anymore.

The tones!

I leaped from the table and hurried to the apparatus floor, forgetting all about my jellied leg muscles. I’d never seen the trucks dispatched.

My heart pounded, and I caught up to Amanda, standing out of the way as the crews from Truck 3, Engine 21, and Rescue 17 donned turnouts and climbed aboard.

Engine 21, Truck 3, Rescue 17. Residential fire. Second alarm. 78 Juniper Court. Trapped occupants.

“Please, please let this not be another arson,” one of the men muttered as he swung onto the truck.

Goose bumps rose on my arms. Trapped occupants? Arson? God. The apparatus bay doors rolled up with a rumble I could feel in my stomach. Lights and sirens on, the trucks rolled out, Chief Duffy’s official car in the lead.

Nobody hesitated.

Every person on those trucks was a volunteer. A second alarm meant this fire was big and dangerous. People were trapped.

And nobody hesitated.

Dad was on Engine 21. Warmth slowly spread from the center of my chest to the rest of my body and it took me a few minutes to recognize it.

Pride.

I watched the trucks disappear down the street, only then realizing Amanda was next to me. “I’m in, Amanda. All in.” I didn’t stop to analyze it. The words left my mouth, and I knew in my heart that I meant it. I wanted this. Not because of Dad or Matt, but because of me. Laughing, I grabbed her arms and planted a smacking kiss on her lips.

She went still.

Holy shit. What did I do? I was just about to let her go when she leaned in and kissed me back.

Really kissed me.

It didn’t last long. A whisper. A sip. A breath. But it damn near rocked my socks off. She jerked out of my arms like a rubber band snapping. I was still grinning like a moron. And Amanda?

She looked like she’d been gut-shot.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patty Blount writes contemporary issues novels for teens. Her debut novel, SEND, was a 2012 Junior Library Guild fall pick and a short version of the story was a Writer’s Digest 79th Annual Writing Competition top ten finalist. Her latest release, SOME BOYS, was inspired by the Steubenville rape case. Patty lives on Long Island, NY. Visit her at pattyblount.com.

This August critically acclaimed author Patty Blount releases her latest smoldering YA, Nothing Left to Burn. To celebrate her new release, Patty has agreed to sit down with us for a quick Q&A!

QUICK AUTHOR QUESTION

If you could invite three favorite writers to dinner, who would you invite and why?

This is easy… I actually do this!  I’d invite Jeannie Moon, Jolyse Barnett and Jennifer Gracen. The four of us are my writing sisters. They write contemporary romance and women’s fiction.

BOOK BLITZ - THE GLASS MERMAID - FALLING IN DEEP COLLECTION BY POPPY LAWLESS

Title: The Glass Mermaid
Series: Falling In Deep Collection

Author:  Poppy Lawless

Publisher: Love Potion Books

Release Date: 07/14/15

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Kate

I'm the last mermaid.

I’m back on shores of Lake Erie, but the cold waters are silent. There is nothing here for me but ghosts and the beach glass that litters the rocky shore. Long ago, I lived below the waves. Now, I am the sole survivor, and at long last, my mermaid glamour is leaving me.

Every day, I walk the beach. Every day, I wonder what happened to my people. The little pieces of colored glass that wash ashore give me simple pleasure. They are gifts from the lake, reminders of home. I fashion them into trinkets: necklaces, earrings, bracelets. They are beautiful things. The humans seem love them.

Every day, I walk the beach. Nothing ever changes, until the day he says hello.

Cooper

I’m dying.

It’s not a question, it’s a fact. The cancer is eating me alive. They told me I have six months to live, maybe less. I came home, back to Chancellor on Lake Erie, to die. The sunsets are vivid there, and I will relish every one.

I've never seen anything more beautiful than a Lake Erie sunset until I see her.

All life is fragile as glass.

What would you sacrifice to save the one you love?

Goodreads Link

PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon US
Amazon UK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Romance author. Cupcake connoisseur. Certified herbalist. Beach bum. Fan of all things Starbucks. Holistic healing advocate. Surfer girl wanna-be. Lost guru. Maker of dandelion wine. Counselor. Paranormal buff. Etsy addict. Secretly Jedi. So not a geek girl. Gifted in sarcasm. Hot wife. Ninja mom. And now, I'm ready to share a whole head full of witty, mouthy, smart, lovely, heart-warming, and hot characters with the world. Are you ready?

Poppy Lawless is the author of the forthcoming series Love & Chocolate releasing in 2015 and The Glass Mermaid. Poppy holds degrees in English and Psychology. She is a counselor in the field of mental health and is a trained herbalist. Poppy's new series blends the best of romance with a Practical Magic or contemporary Bewitched appeal.

AUTHOR LINKS

   

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BOOK PROMOTION & GIVEAWAY - THE ATLANTIAN - THE VISION QUEST SERIES BY DEBORAH PRATT

Title: Atlantian

Series: The Vision Quest, Book One

Author: Deborah Pratt

Publisher: Voir Group Media

Release Date: 19th June 2015

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Sometime after the great quakes that rocked the 21st century changed the world as we knew it, a host of courageous humans survived and evolved the planet into a glorious new age; a brave new world filled with equality, unity and hope for a better mankind. To save humanity and expand the population, humans combined their DNA to create several new species of genetic Splicers. Those human based Splicers, remembered the limitless powers of the mind repressed by society and then forgotten over the millenniums.

But technology was, as ever, racing ahead. Human DNA was also infused into biologically based robots called Biodroids and once they became aware and discovered emotions, the need to survive took over. They began to rise up, threatening the world that had been so carefully reconstructed after the Great Quakes.

Our story begins on the risen continent of Atlantia when a group of young friends led by Lazer, a teenage boy, finding it hard enough to stay out of trouble and grow up, has his life altered when a rebellion is launched by a rogue band of newly, sentient, biologically based Biodroids. Their violent actions transform Lazer’s life and the lives of everyone around him. His world is rocked by a series of tragedies that shocks him into adulthood. With his best friends Cashton and Kyla, life as they knew it on Atlantia was about to change forever. Kyla, who had loved Lazer since they were twelve, knows the one truth Lazer hasn’t figured out, that he is the hero this changing world needs and this will be his first call to destiny.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon US

Amazon UK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deborah M. Pratt is a significant force in Hollywood. She’s an American director, writer, television executive producer and actress. She was executive producer of “The Net” for USA network, co-executive producer and head writer on iconic NBC series the “Quantum Leap” and “Tequila and Bonette” for CBS. She wrote for multiple television series including Quantum Leap, Magnum, P.I., The Pretender and Airwolf. She made her directorial debut with Cora Unashamed for the BBC, PBS and Masterpiece Theatre’s The American Collection.

Ms. Pratt is a five-time Emmy nominee, a Golden Globe nominee, and recipient of The Lillian Gish Award from Women in Film, The Angel Award, The Golden Block Award, and Six B.E.N. Awards. From the award-winning series Quantum Leap to the internationally acclaimed Masterpiece Theatre’s Cora Unashamed.

Deborah M. Pratt’s vision is an inspiration to audiences worldwide. A master storyteller with a spiritual dream for a better world, Deborah M. Pratt breaks the mold of science fiction and creates a genre of science fantasy with the soul of the universe and a key to the human heart. Intricately layered with scientific fact and fascinating detail, The Vision Quest is a riveting journey into the future of our world. The books have a spiritual theme and she is building the worlds accompanying Web presence.

AUTHOR LINKS

CONTACT | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

THE CONTEST

So GAME ON all you Pretty Little Liar, Quantum Leap and Airwolf fans, your champion has put up their entry for best fan book-trailer and they need your vote to win!

And don’t forget to add your entry in the RaffleCopter located below the fan trailers! The more you vote the better your chance to win!!!

THE PRIZES

GRAND PRIZE

iPad Mini OR Apple Watch

One signed copy of The Atlantian: The Vision Quest Book 1

One signed copy of Tosadae: The Vision Quest Book 2 (Upon Release)

One signed copy of the Pretty Little Liars

2nd PLACE

One signed copy of The Atlantian: The Vision Quest Book 1

One signed copy of Tosadae: The Vision Quest Book 2 (Upon Release)

One autographed copy of the Pretty Little Liars poster.

3RD PLACE

One signed copy of The Atlantian: The Vision Quest Book 1

GO TO thevisionquest.net to enter the raffle!

SERIES PROMOTION - END TIMES BY MAIA SEPP

Title: An Etiquette Guide To The End Times (a novella)

Series: End Times 

Author: Maia Sepp

Release Date: 6th June 2014

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Good manners never go out of style…do they?

There aren’t any zombies (yet), but the world is still at the brink of destruction: It’s 2028 and global warming has led to rising oceans, crazy weather, and resource scarcity. On top of that, someone just turned the Internet off. Seeing as how it’s humanity’s last chance to turn things around manners are, understandably, a bit frayed. 

Bookish etiquette buff Olive O’Malley is busy micro farming her urban property and minding her own business (and her chickens) when the government comes calling. Their goal is to push the populace towards carbon-neutrality while keeping kvetching to a minimum, and they come with a proposal: transition Olive’s popular etiquette column to a radio show for the masses, and they’ll help Olive find her grandfather, who’s gone missing.

Olive doesn’t trust the hipster government officials who try to bribe her with delicious-but-probably-a-little-evil chocolate pastries, and declines their offer. (Politely, of course.) But they won't take no for an answer, and soon Olive is knee-deep in turmoil, eco-terrorism, and missing chickens. Now she has to untangle herself from their demands and figure out how to make sure her family (and her poultry) are safe before it’s too late.

Goodreads Link

Link to My Review

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon US

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Title: Wake (a novel)
Series: End Times 
Author: Maia Sepp
Release Date: 5th June 2015

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It’s 2020, and there’s an environmental crisis brewing in the depths of the Greenland ice sheet that’s a threat to everyone on the planet. But California girl Camilla Brightly is an expat just trying to make a buck, working for a PR firm that specializes in raising public awareness about their clients’ products, even ones like eco-friendly bouncy castles and almost-vegan honey. Their most recent project? Everyone on staff has to get their “domestic helpmates”—anything from dishwashers to disco balls—networked via a new client’s “smart” home automation system. Camille doesn’t want Big Brother knowing that the only thing in her freezer is the makings for a vodka smoothie, but that’s not the worst of her problems.

A hacker intent on taking down one of her firm’s customers stumbles across a secret Camilla didn’t even know she was keeping, and her refrigerator turns out to be so smart it’s figured out how to stalk her. Global warming has reached a tipping point—and so has Camilla. She can’t stop the impending apocalypse but can she save herself?

With the help of an adorably nerdy co-worker and his polyamorous cousin, Camilla has to try to untangle herself from her less-than-harmonious home, foil a blackmailer, and face down an ecological disaster that might change life as she knows it forever. “Wake”—the prequel to “An Etiquette Guide to the End Times”—is a novel of climate change, unruly appliances, and finding a place to belong.

Goodreads Link

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon US

Amazon UK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maia Sepp is an author of humorous contemporary and dystopian fiction. She left the tech sector to write about sock thievery, migraines, the future, and...the tech sector.

Her latest is a humorous near-future dystopian novella, titled, "An Etiquette Guide to the End Times," available now!

"The Sock Wars" is her debut novel. The first chapter of "The Sock Wars" was published as a short story/novel excerpt titled "Irish Drinking Socks," and became a Kobo bestselling short story. "The Sock Wars" has been a top-100 digital bestseller on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the iBookstore, as well as a genre and Writing Life bestseller on Kobo. It is available in print and ebook formats.

Maia's second novel is "The Migraine Mafia," a story about a nerdy thirtysomething's quest to come to terms with a chronic illness. It is available online everywhere in print and ebook formats. It has been a genre bestseller on Kobo.

Find Maia online at www.maiasepp.com

REVIEW - EARTH 2788 - THE EARTH GIRL SERIES BY JANET EDWARDS

Title: Earth 2788

Series: The Earth Girl

Author: Janet Edwards

Cover Art: Alex Storer/ http://www.thelightdream.net/

Release Date: 11th June 2014

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EARTH 2788 - The Earth Girl Short Stories

You can read this set of stories for free on the author's website until at least the end of 2015, http://janetedwards.com/free-stories/. They are also available as a Kindle ebook.

A collection of eight prequel stories, set in the distant future of the Earth Girl trilogy (Earth Girl, Earth Star, and Earth Flight)

In the year 2788, people use interstellar portals to travel between over a thousand colony worlds scattered across six sectors of space, each with their own contrasting cultures. On the rich worlds of Alpha sector, you aren’t considered fully adult until 25, while the frontier worlds of Epsilon sector expect a girl to marry at 17. Clan centred Beta sector is notoriously permissive, while Deltan worlds consider it shocking behaviour to kiss in public. In Kappa sector, the military battle to make new worlds safe for colonization, while Earth is a semi-abandoned ruin.

Each story features one of the characters from the Earth Girl trilogy. Eight people, with eight very distinctive backgrounds and problems, all destined to get caught up in one girl’s fight for acceptance. A fight that will change Earth forever. 

EARTH 2788 – Short story. Jarra trespasses on forbidden ground.

ALPHA SECTOR 2788 – Short story. Dalmora’s sheltered life is about to change.

BETA SECTOR 2788 – A novelette. Lolia’s marriage is falling apart.

GAMMA SECTOR 2788 -Short story. Krath’s life is literally on the scrap heap.

DELTA SECTOR 2788 – Short story. Fian’s father is planning his future for him, but Fian has his own ideas.

EPSILON SECTOR 2788 – Short story. On a frontier planet, Amalie is considering possible husbands.

KAPPA SECTOR 2788 – A novelette. As he hands over a new world to its first colonists, Colonel Riak Torrek plans to retire.

ZETA SECTOR 2788 – A novelette. The heroic Major Drago Tell Dramis has finally found something that scares him.

Goodreads Link

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon US

Amazon UK

INITIAL THOUGHTS

I purchased my daughter Rachel (of Rai29BookReadNReview) Earth Flight at Christmas as we had both read and thoroughly enjoyed Earth Girl and Earth Star and I was taking a look at the series on Goodreads when I discovered Earth 2788. So I took a look at it on Amazon and couldn't resist. After reading the description I decided to learn more about the characters featured in the series.

MY REVIEW
I bought this story collection from Amazon. I know they are free to read on Janet Edward's website but I strangely cannot read on a computer or laptop long enough to read even a novelette before it triggers my meniere's disease. The book is listed as 0.5 but I think after reading it that fans would enjoy this collection before, during or after reading the Earth Girl Series.
The cover fits in well with the rest of the series. The main features on it are a portal and a female standing looking through the portal. The female could be Jarra? 
So would the cover make me pick up this book in a book store shelf? Being totally honest, I'm unsure, if I hadn't read the other books in the series possibly not. If I hadn't read the other books in the series I would be worried this one would be too "Star Trek/Star Wars" for me. However being part of this great series, the book cover wouldn't put me off!

EARTH 2788 – Short story. Jarra trespasses on forbidden ground.
This story is centered on the characters of Jarra and Issette when they are just 6 months away from "freedom". Soon they will be moving on in their studies, though as they are both "handicapped" they cannot use the portals and go to other sectors. They will always remain on earth. This short gives us an insight into how the Portals system works as well as giving us a taste of the predjudice that those confined to earth go through, such as being referred to as "apes" or as having the "throwback" gene.

ALPHA SECTOR 2788 – Short story. Dalmora’s sheltered life is about to change.
We learn more about Dalmora, daughter of the famous TV Vid maker and historian Ventrak Rostha. Dalmora is also soon to become 18 years old. To be considered an "adult" in Danae, in the Alpha Sector you have to be 25 yrs old. Until you are 25 years old though you may vote, it only counts as 1/2 a vote. As an 18 year old female Dalmora will take on more responsibility and stand at her mothers side during any parties they have. Dalmora's family are so well off they have their own portal! It is decided that Dalmora will attend University Asgard to follow in her fathers footsteps into becoming an historian. A meeting with one of the Professors from the course is set up. Though to begin with the Professor thinks Dalmora a spoilt child, he soon realises she has a genuine interest in the studying history, from reading the books to doing the dirty work of digging at the sites on earth re-discovering lost treasures.

BETA SECTOR 2788 – A novelette. Lolia’s marriage is falling apart.
This short story takes place in the Beta Sector. Poor Lolia is devastated as her marriage is disintegrating before her very eyes. Lolia is 24 yearsold and is part of what is referred to as a triad marriage. So there are three people in her marriage. In reality she has two husbands, Ardeath and Lolmack. Ardeath has decided to remove himself from the lease on their co-rented home and file for divorce too. This is a great shock to Lolia and she wonders what will happen next. Will her other husband Lolmack also leave her? Whilst the rest of her clan is quiet, Lolia is surprised when help appears to be coming from her Great-Uncle Lolek. Is he trying to help her or perhaps further his own interests? Can Lolia come out of this mess with any dignity?

GAMMA SECTOR 2788 -Short story. Krath’s life is literally on the scrap heap.
This short story is based in Gamma Sector and is about 17 year old Krath who is presently working for his father in the family business of a scrapyard. Krath has traveled around to many different planets. Krath never seemed to be anywhere long enough to make friends. Krath's father also runs a kind of pirate radio channel, one that according to him tell's the real news. So Krath is in a somwhat dead end job with not much to look forward to until his Aunt Galina turns up one day to offer Krath a much different future and the support he needs to change his life.

DELTA SECTOR 2788 – Short story. Fian’s father is planning his future for him, but Fian has his own ideas.
We visit Delta Sector in this short story, in which Fian's father is telling him that he is a disgrace to the Ecklund family. Fian's father does not approve of Fian's "too long blonde hair", which is the number one reason Fian keeps his hair that way!
Fian's father is taking his disappointments that Fian came second in the school physics test! Fian's father reminds him that his older sister Gina scored 97% on her test, and got her degree when she was just 20 years old. Fian'd father goes on and on, saying Fian should be thoroughly ashamed of himself, as he is the great-grandson of the brilliant Jorgen Ecklund! Fian's father blames his son's interest in history, a subject he considers worthless! Fian's father has his son's life all mapped out, at 18 years old he expects Fian to do a physics degree at Hercule University. What Fian's father does not know is that along with another two fellow classmates, Fian has been secretly studying history. So what will happen when Fian's father discovers his sons wishes?

EPSILON SECTOR 2788 – Short story. On a frontier planet, Amalie is considering possible husbands.
We are in the Epsilon Sector with Amalie in this short story, she has been babysitting her younger siblings and is running late for her afternoon school session. She is hurrying along to the portal knowing full well that Torrin Summerhaze is probably somewhere lying in wait, to jump out on her and taunt her calling her an "old maid". Amalie is the only girl actually left in class now. All the others girls have given into the social pressure from their families and others and are now married.
All males in Epsilon Sector need good exam scores so that they can then register for their 3 years community service to earn a farm. All the males have to earn their farm, except for Palmer whose rich father has bought him a farm. So Amalie is sick of receiving marriage proposal's but is growing weaker and running out of excuses for not marrying as every day passes. Her teacher Lomax suggests a way out of having to marry. A fantastic opportunity, a great way of being her own person, not needing a man. Then she receives a marriage proposal from a surprising source. . .What will she/should she do? 

KAPPA SECTOR 2788 – A novelette. As he hands over a new world to its first colonists, Colonel Riak Torrek plans to retire.
In this short story of a more novelette length, we are in Kappa Sector on Planet K21228 which is going from the first colony stage to Colony Ten stage. It is to be Colonel Riak Torren's last ever handover. We read about the Colonel talking to a young recruit, encouraging them to "stick with it" as an officer once did to him, many years ago. The Colonel ponders what he will do or can do with the rest of his life. It would be easy to carry on, take on another new Planet, plenty of Officer's have asked him to stay on, to continue his great career. There is always a party after the pomp and ceremony of the official handover. It's during this party that one of the Colonel's clan asks him to don a toga and run with him. At first the Colonel says no but he is eventually cajoled into joing in with the rowdy run to celebrate the Planet handover. The Colonel reflects a lot on his career, from when he first started out, from those he has loved, to those he has lost. Will he be allowed to retire fully? . . .Only fate can answer that.

ZETA SECTOR 2788 – A novelette. The heroic Major Drago Tell Dramis has finally found something that scares him.
Another shorter novelette length story about the heroic, unafraid, Major Drago Tell Dramis. We have already met Major Drago Tell Dramis in the previous novelette, we know he is a respected military man, by both his superiors and those under his command too. In this short tale we actually discover that Major Dramis Tell Drago does have a weakness. He has feelings for a female officer but is unsure of how to approach her, and how to reveal his feelings for her. He has a trip home and visits a friend and what I would describe as a pub owner called Asante. Though Asante's place is more than a mere pub. It is a place to drink, to flirt and get a woman. It seems "What happens in Asante's place stays there". No communication devices are allowed at all no exceptions . Major Dramis discusses his dilemma, his feelings for the female officer with Asante, during which his phone rings. At first Asante is offended with Major Dramis for breaking the "house rules" until it is revealed it is an emergrncy call. It seem's the problem of coming up with a reason to contact the female officer will no longer be a problem, as she is needed for this emergency. Major Dramis and his chosen crew will need to travel to Planet Zeta, and make it safe to be colonized at a later date. It see's fate is throwing the female officer and the Major together again sooner than he thought.

FINAL THOUGHTS
I really enjoyed having the insights these short stories and novelettes have given into the back stories of some of the great characters from the Earth Girls Series. I am now really looking forward to reading Earth Flight. Some of the stories are funny, some explain the perhaps more odd or intricacies of the characters and how and why they react to each other in certain ways. For example the way of the Beta Sector people who show lots of flesh, have different types of marriage, duo, and triad. I also loved the use of the "slang" that Janet Edwards came up with for this series. Some easier to translate into "our normal language" and explain than others, such as amaz = amazing, nardle = idiot etc. I also enjoyed the poignancy in the short story about Colonel Riak Torreck as he stands looking at pictures from when he first joined the military and we learn he was in a triad marriage. Just brilliant!

So did I enjoy this collection of short stories? I loved it, learning the back stories of the existing characters.
Would I recommend this collection? Yes, it's a must read for fans of the Earth girls series. And a great way of sampling the books, it could, in my opinion, be read and enjoyed before, during or after the series.
Would I want to read more of this series? Yes, I have yet to read Earth Flight, and I'd like to read the Earth & Fire 0.2 novella even though I have read the first two chapters within this collection. Having said that I have yet to find it on Amazon UK.
Would I want to read other titles by this author? I have loved the style of Janet Edwards writing, she really pulls you in and the original thought up slang is really great too, or should I say amaz! or zan!