Shift in the Purpose of this Blog....

I've decided that this blog will be dedicated to book reviews. I found an excellent website today called NetGalley where you can request an eGalley of a book. The publishers approve the request and send you the eGalley.

Look for upcoming reviews of the following books:
The Listeners by Harrison Demchick
Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick
Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel
The Future We Left Behind by Mike A. Lancaster

Synopsis for Linda Rondeau's New Novel "America II"

 

Following unprecedented climatic changes, resultant pestilence and war brought the world into chaos. Eventually, each nation surrendered its sovereignty to form a global democracy, initially known as The Accord. However, the democratic government proved too weak and was soon replaced by a faux democratic rule. 

The year is 2073, and current governor of Western America Province, Edwin Rowlands, is poised to become the Constitutional Government’s second president. Many fear that the sweeping reforms found in his proposed Preservation Act will set him up as a dictator. If enacted, defection both past and present would become a crime punishable by death, thus bringing all outlands into crushing subjection.

While most believe reform is critical, factions disagree on how to prevent the Preservation Act from becoming law. Ahmed Farid, second President, believes reform can be managed within the existing government. Leader of the Revolutionary Army, Jimmy Kinnear, trusts only in military intervention. However, Jacob Goodayle, Chairman of Western America’s illegal outland government, favors separatism.

As tensions rise, civil war seems imminent. Who will be the voice of reason in a world on the verge of a third dark age?

GUEST POST: AUTHOR LINDA RONDEAU

What is Dystopian Literature?

When I set out to write the America II trilogy, I wasn’t thinking in terms of a genre, especially not a genre within a genre. Sic-fi-speculative-futuristic-political-thriller-dystopian and all those labels were something I hadn’t anticipated. I merely entertained the idea: If societal trends that exist today continue full speed ahead, what would the world look like in 2073?

Then someone reviewed my book and called it dystopian. Someone else said it reminded them a little of Hunger Games, a book I hadn’t even read. I’ve heard other writers refer to their book in the same manner. So I did some research, and sure enough, America II falls within the definition of Dystopian Literature, although, it really is vastly different than Hunger Games, though it does contain some of the elements commonly seen in Dystopian books.

With the onset of the wildly popular The Hunger Games, dystopian literature is now the fastest growing preference in young adult fiction. Some experts argue the reason is because today’s young people are disaffected with today’s culture. They see little hope on the horizon.

Such was the climate of George Orwell’s 1984, written in 1948, a poignant story of a totalitarian government, a few years following the end of World War II. People were frightened of the growth of communism as well as the advent of the Atomic bomb. Hysteria and fear were rampant. World War II vets, returning from their service, could not get jobs.

C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, written post World War II, also explores this loss of hope in the world as it is an allegory of the fall of mankind. Narnia was once Utopia (The Garden of Eden) but became Dystopia, ruled by an evil Snow Queen.

With a stagnant economy, housing crunch, and wide unemployment, not just in America but world-wide, I wonder if we have not grown into another aura of paranoia regarding our future.  Hence, the resurgent popularity of Dystopian topics.

Dystopia is derived from the Ancient Greek and means a bad place. By definition, Dystopia is the opposite of Utopia which is a derivative of the Greek word meaning place and sounds like the English homophone (eutopia) which is derived from the Greek to mean good or well. In combination then, Utopia, has come to mean a good place. Utopia is often thought of as Heaven on earth, paradise today, where the world lives in peace and no one dies of hunger. Where there is no such thing as crime. In the classic, The Time Machine, a scientist creeps into the future to see if the world can cure its ills. He stumbles upon a seeming Utopia until he realizes human beings are being raised as food for underground monsters.

According to Wikipedia, Dystopian literature has these in common: idea of a society, generally of a speculative future, characterized by negative, anti-utopian elements, varying from environmental to political and social issues.

Most Dystopian themes will characterize society as oppressive or totalitarian. While the world seems dark and unappealing to the reader, the minor characters or society sees nothing wrong with the way things are. There is generally a character or characters that is dissatisfied and wants things to change. Therein is the conflict, the character pitted against society, like Don Quixote, flailing his sword at windmills.

Other classic dystopian literature includes: Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451, and The Iron Heel.

Unlike most Dystopian themes, and more like Chronicles of Narnia, America II: The Reformation offers hope for an improved society. It also reminds the reader of God’s continued interest and involvement in the affairs of His creation.

A native of Central New York, Linda Rondeau met and married Steve Rondeau, her best friend in life, and managed a career in human services before tackling professional writing. After thirty-four years of marriage, they have relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, leaving rural America to live in a city of one million.

While writing is her greatest passion, the more favorable temperatures of Florida allow her to follow another great passion--golf.

Linda is the wife of one patient man, the mother of three, and the grandmother of nine.

An award winning author, L.W. Rondeau first book, The Other Side of Darkness (written under Linda Wood Rondeau), released Fall 2012, and won the 2012 Selah Award for best first novel. America II: The Reformation is L.W.’s debut sci-fi book and is the first of a futuristic, political thriller trilogy. A prequel is planned in the form of serial editions.

America II: TheReformation is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

You can reach L.W. through Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Linked In. Soon to be on PInterest. 

Or visit L.W.’s website: http://www.lindarondeau.com

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PAPER TOWNS BY JOHN GREEN

All I can say is wow.

Weekly Tuesday Post

Yes, I know it's Wednesday, but that's beside the point.

A lot of things have been happening in my life recently and I haven't had time to post anything.

I just got my first real job (apart from writing books) and they've had me working like crazy. Plus I'm in the process of writing THREE new books because I never know when to stop coming up with things to write about.

I'm just glad to be doing something with my life.
Until next Tuesday,
Tayler.

The Outbreak to be Published!

A big thank you goes out to Trestle Press who has agreed to publish "The Outbreak." A tenitave release date has been set for September 21, 2012. As far as I know, it will be available on Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook. Not sure what the price will be set at, but it should be under $10.

Fyre is no more...

After fighting and fighting my laptop, I've scrapped Fyre completely. As of a few weeks ago, my computer deleted the file SIX times, so I said sayonara.

Out of those ashes, a new, better novel has been born. I'm calling this one Outbreak.

Randomness

Yeah. Haven't posted in a while. For daily updated epicness...follow me on tumblr: taylerwright.tumblr.com

Fyre Progress

I was tinkering with the layout of Fyre last night and completed a few more chapters. Now it's up to 108 pages and 18, 010 words. I'm so proud of myself for the accomplishments that I've made so far and I hope to see this thing almost finished by the end of the month!!!!