Saturday, October 21, 2006

Science Fiction: Star Wars: New Essential Guide To Alien Species by Ann Margaret Lewis and Helen Keier

*In book stores October 31, 2006—Star Wars®: The New Essential Guide
to Alien Species
by Ann Margaret Lewis and Helen Keier*

Discover who's who and what's what in the Star Wars universe with this
beautifully illustrated guide—now in full color for the first time.

When it comes to extraterrestrial life-forms, there's more to science
fiction's most famous galaxy than just Jawas, Wookiees, Ewoks, and
Hutts. From the skylanes of Coruscant to the worlds of the Outer Rim, an
untold number of species populate those planets far, far away. And if
you confuse Gungans with Gamorreans, or don't know a bantha from a
tauntaun, you definitely need the in-depth data that only this revised,
expanded, and updated guide can deliver.

This comprehensive overview includes beings from all six of the classic
movies—plus the novels, cartoon series, comics, and video games. It's
an even bigger cross section of species than what you’ll find in the Mos
Eisley cantina. And each entry, from acklay to Zabrak, from amphibians
to vacuum-breathers, features everything you need to know, including

• complete physical description and official designation, so you can
tell your sentients from your non-sentients, and your humanoids from
your insectoids

• homeworld: from dry and dusty Tatooine, stormy and waterlogged Kamino,
to arctic Hoth, and countless other strange and varied worlds

• phonetic pronunciation: Askajian, H'nemthe, Iktotchi, Ssi-ruu, Xexto,
and Quermian aren't as easy to say as they are to, er, spell

• notable appearance: a listing of one of the more significant
appearances of each species in the teeming Star Wars storyline

Plus, this brand-new edition includes a glossary of crucial descriptive
terms and a completely original, full-color illustration for each of
more than one hundred individual species. It's a big galaxy, and someone
has to organize it. Count on Star Wars®: The New Essential Guide to
Alien Species
—and don’t leave your homeworld without it.

Fantasy: The Duke's Handmaid by Caprice Hokstad

The Duke's Handmaid, by Caprice Hokstad.

Keedrina is a young peasant girl who lives on the outskirts of a prosperous seaport town. After marauders kill her family and burn her farmhouse, she meets Duke Vahn, who champions her cause, apprehending the outlaws and meting out justice. Orphaned and homeless, Keedrina envies the slaves who live in fine homes with luxuries she has never had. The duke offers Keedrina a position as his indentured servant. With very little left to live on, and intrigued with the handsome young noble, Keedrina accepts. Can the simple farmgirl find a family among the refined servants in the duke’s house? Not if the prejudiced and conniving duchess has her way!

Book one of a fantasy trilogy, The Duke’s Handmaid is packed with adventure, mystery, and even a little romance.

Reviews:

You don’t know me, but I bought The Duke’s Handmaid a few weeks ago. I really enjoyed it. You are an excellent author. I think the comparisons with C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien are justified.--Philana Crouch

I can honestly say that I have never read a book that has captivated me like yours did. --Andrew Broughton

It’s good to read interesting, clean books without cussing and crude sex! --Cheryl Close

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Sci-Fi: Infinite Space, Infinite God by Fabian et al

Is that religion in my science fiction or science fiction in my religion? The writers of the Catholic SF anthology Infinite Space, Infinite God (available at Twilight Times Books) have so seamlessly combined the two that it's hard to tell.

Infinite Space, Infinite God features fifteen stories about the future Catholic Church: its struggles evangelize aliens and lost human colonies and to determine the soul-status of genetically modified humans, genetically-designed chimeras, and clones made from the Martian sand; the adventures of religious orders devoted to protecting interstellar travelers or inner-city priests; and how technical advances allow monks to live in solitude on the Moon and help one criminal learn the true meaning of Confession.

But it's more than just a great read. With introductions exploring the issues at hand and current Church thinking, Infinite Space, Infinite God is bound to spark discussion and make people think--just as good science fiction should.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Welcome!

Welcome to Vitrual Book Tour de 'Net!

This spot is for you to advertise your book, find out about some great reads, and have the kind of fun that comes from sharing books.

Rules:
---No erotica, excessive violence or anythign that rates "R" in a movie
---Posts need to be clean. I will monitor
---Limit your fabulously blatant plug to 200 words
---Subject line should have genre or topic and book title
---To post here, you promise to post two of the summaries on your site or blog. I'll send you two in your genre, or you can request a post.
---For now, e-mail your plug to me at comment@fabianspace.com. I'll beautify the site and post everything in December for a grand opening!

Let's have fun!

Karina