Speculative Previews: Blue ~ by Lou Aronica; Polyxena ~ by H. Allenger; Me and Bobby McGee ~ by Chad Coenson

 

The Never Ending Book Collection in our “speculative preview” format  ~ linking newly acquired books for review.

This is our last listing of previews for the year. Can you believe it is almost 2011?

A note about our previews:  With these three interesting  titles we have included publisher’s or author’s blurb, an author bio, and Amazon purchasing links. Our opinions will be coming in the personal reviews of each of the books.

Today we have three books included in this preview and listed below:

• Blue: a novel ~ by Lou Aronica
• Polyxena: a story of Troy  ~  by H. Allenger
• Me and Bobby McGee ~ by Chad Coenson

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Blue: a novel ~ by Lou Aronica

About:  Chris Astor is a man in his early forties who is going through the toughest stretch of his life. Not long before, Chris' world sparkled - he was doing significant work, he had a good home, and his young daughter brought him more joy than he ever could have imagined. Now, divorce and estrangement have left him confused and all too often alone.

Becky is Chris' fourteen-year-old daughter, a girl who overcame enormous challenges in her early years to become a vibrant, vital young woman. Her parents' divorce has left its mark, though, most significantly in her relationship with her father. Once, they told remarkable stories together. Now, they barely speak. Emotional detachment from Chris is not Becky's biggest concern, though.

Miea is the young queen of a fantasy land that Becky and Chris created when Becky was little - a fantasy land that has developed a life of its own. Miea knows nothing of Becky and Chris. She only knows that her beautiful kingdom - a place of remarkably varied flora, dignified and distinctive fauna, and an ecology that works in symphonic majesty - is in terrible, maybe fatal trouble.

At the most challenging junctures of their lives, Becky and Miea discover each other and Miea shares this discovery with Chris. For Becky, it is nearly inconceivable that a place she created has come into existence. For Miea, it is nearly inconceivable that a child created her land. For Chris, it is beyond inconceivable that he is again sharing something important in his daughter's life. For all of them, it as though a world of opportunity has opened up before them.

But time is not on their side. In fact, time might be running out. 

Amazon pre purchasing links for US|UK|Canada; Paperback: 400 pages; The Fiction Studio (January 16, 2011)

About the Author:  Lou Aronica is the author of several novels and works of nonfiction, including a New York Times bestseller. He lives in Southern Connecticut with his wife and four children. Two places to link with the author/publisher are at his website and on Goodreads.

Layers of Thought:   I am particularly excited about this book since this is the début title for Lou Aronica’s new publishing endeavor – The Fiction Studio. He has years of editing experience for award winning titles like The Healer’s War (links to the recent review) a Nebula Award winning novel.

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Polyxena: A Story of Troy  ~  by H. Allenger

About:  A moving story of forbidden love, about a young woman who is an integral part of the romantic legacy surrounding Troy.

After Troy falls, Neoptolemus claims Polyxena as his prize, but she rejects his advances. In a fit of rage, Neoptolemus contrives a story that dooms the ill-fated Polyxena. As the daughter of King Priam of Troy, she knows her misfortune has been to have Neoptolemus fall in love with her. As she prepares to die at the commemoration rites for Neoptolemus's father, Polyxena reflects over her past year, relating her thoughts to Aphrodite, the Goddess she believes is responsible for orchestrating the events that have beset her. She knows what she must do to survive, but she cannot change her destiny.

Amazon links for US|UK|Canada; Paperback: 412 pages; iUniverse (July 31, 2009)

Author Bio:   H. Allenger earned a BA in Public Administration and a MA in International Relations. After thirty-one years with the Seattle School District, he is now retired and pursuing his true passions which include mythology, archeology, and writing. He currently resides in Seattle, Washington, and enjoys traveling the world. For more information see the author’s web page.

Layers of Thought:   This book was specifically chosen for the Read a Myth Challenge; the badge to the left links to more details about it.

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Me and Bobby McGee ~ by Chad Coerson

About:  A thrilling comedic adventure seen through the booze-blurred eyes of Keesey Cypher, a government-trained killer with an ill-fated abundance of classified memories who has since resigned himself to a regrettable existence, sipping away his tainted past.

Cypher's hunger for games of chance  lead him to New Orleans' coziest dive-bar the day after Fat Tuesday where one night of seeming misfortune leads to a frighteningly funny reality of subversive politics, corporate greed, backwards logic, and star (double)-crossed romance.

A gripping social satire of modern times, Me and Bobby McGee pokes fun at the inane absurdities ingrained in our society, proving that freedom is truly subjective and karma is not just a philosophy, but a fate that is unwavering.

Amazon links for US|UK|Canada; Paperback: 282 pages; Inkwater Press (September 17, 2010)

About the Author:   Chad Coenson has a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona, and a home in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two dogs.

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As stated above, this is our last post of previews for the year or 2010. We have some amazing titles coming up for the new year, several of which are promising to be very popular books.

Have a great Saturday!