Andy Zach's Blog: The Unlikely life of Andy Zach, page 2
March 31, 2021
Get Your Favorite Science Fiction and Fantasy Books
Get Your Favorite Science and Fantasy Books from my reviews. I've been busy reading and I try to review every book I read. Here are the very best books I've read this month.
If you want free audiobooks, you can get them here, through my newsletter by clicking here. If you want a free ebook (and laughter!), just contact me here and I'll send you one, Zombie Turkeys, my first novel.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Books - You Begin Here
David Weber's book
David Weber once again creates a page-turning series. This one focuses on an invasion of the Earth by an alien species sent from a galactic empire.
The Earth is devastated. Half the population is killed from kinetic bombardments. Will the Earth surrender?
With vastly superior technology, the alien species is confident of conquest. Too bad humanity doesn't know how to surrender.
The plot proceeds somewhat predictably but ends with a surprise twist. Some reviewers hated the twist. I liked it. Maybe I'm twisted?
If you like David Weber's Honor Harrington series or John Ringo's Posleen series, you'll probably like this one
Andy Zach's review on Goodreads and Amazon
Here Comes Your Fantasy Book Review
Song for the Basilisk by Patricia McKillip
This was my second reading of 'Song for the Basilisk', the last one was over 20 years ago.
It's even better the second time. I read it more slowly and understood the political machinations and the mysteries the author presented the reader. Patricia McKillip definitely has the 'mystery' + 'fantasy' combination to herself.
The premise is simple. There are four factions contending for rulership of the kingdom. The Basilisk slaughters one that has ruled for hundreds of years. One child escapes to a school for the bards.
The bards are musicians, storytellers, and magicians. But they only come to power by going to the hinterlands, where the magic is.
Meanwhile, the Basilisk rules in peace for 37 years. He has several daughters, one of which grows up learning all his magic.
Ms. McKillip brings all the elements together in a dramatic and surprising novel. It's one of her best and that says a lot.
Review by Andy Zach on Goodreads and Amazon
Your Last Chance to Get My Free AudioBooks
New review for Zombie Turkeys on Audible!
Posted by Zombie Turkeys on Saturday, March 20, 2021
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of...
New review for Zombie Turkeys on Audible!
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
Dumb...silly...juvenile...couldn't put it down. Comfort food for that juvenile part of you that never quite outgrew your comic books. Just forget that it's preposterous (after all, you were already warned by the title; what did you expect?), and go with the flow...
Andy 03-20-21 on Audible
September 18, 2020
Your latest science news and book reviews
Your latest science news and book reviews are right here! Hot off the internet, let's start with the world's fastest animal. It's not the cheetah. Or peregrine falcon. It's . . .
But that's only the first science video. I've got more. But first a word from our sponsor . . .
https://www.facebook.com/pacificnorth...
That's right. Zombie Turkeys are sponsoring this post. Oh, and I've got this great new review of Oops! Tales of the Zombie Turkey Apocalypse, coming up next.
Oops! Click to get yours.
Your Latest Book Review Follows
You'd think after three oddball novels, Zombie Turkeys (How an Unknown Blogger Fought Unkillable Turkeys), My Undead Mother-In-Law (The Family Zombie with Anger Management Issues), and Paranormal Privateers, that Andy Zach would have exhausted all the comic possibilities in his world of killer zombie turkeys and superhero zombie human.
You'd be wrong. How about flying zombie pickles? Zombie zucchini? Zombie caterpillars? (How can you tell a zombie caterpillar from a normal one? Andy Zach can tell you.)
How about being injected with zombie blood which can cure any ill, regrow any lost limb, and be quickly cured with a widely available antidote? Who needs insurance with that sort of help? How about organizing a zombie worker union at Amazon when zombies can outperform robots? And suggest the story is based on two real people, Anthony and Ravan Jones who contribute the foreword to the book? Or zombie residents of a nursing home taking over the place?
But all this silliness is just part of what Andy Zach has collected in Oops. He has included other short stories by other authors like "The Story of Sound" by Olivia Smith and his own "A Phoenix Tale" before diving into his zombie world. Then he offers a batch of stories based on his other book series featuring disabled middle-schoolers who become superheroes, the Secret Supers. Oh yea, there are the aliens who first appeared in Paranormal Privateers who are defeated by zombies working for the U.S. Government. The aliens can provide you legal assistance in the form of a sexy avatar who looks exactly like Marilyn Monroe.
From Dr. Wesley Britton on Book Pleasures
Your latest science news and book reviews Part 2
But all this silliness is just part of what Andy Zach has collected in Oops. He has included other short stories by other authors like "The Story of Sound" by Olivia Smith and his own "A Phoenix Tale" before diving into his zombie world. Then he offers a batch of stories based on his other book series featuring disabled middle-schoolers who become superheroes, the Secret Supers. Oh yea, there are the aliens who first appeared in Paranormal Privateers who are defeated by zombies working for the U.S. Government. The aliens can provide you legal assistance in the form of a sexy avatar who looks exactly like Marilyn Monroe.
If you're getting the impression that one Mr. Andy Zach has a wide and wild imagination, you are on the right track. One obvious audience for his quirky tales is the YA readership, especially for all the contemporary references like video gaming and computer lingo. But even grumpy old sixty-somethings like me can have a lot of fun with Andy's characters, scenarios, and plots. I'm still laughing at the image of migrating flying zombie pickles. Hard to get more original, unique, or surprising than Zach's "Life After Life" series. Have some fun with Andy Zach in 2020!
From Dr. Wesley Britton on Book Pleasures
More Science News for You
I have to include this article about the latest SpaceX booster, SN8. It looks just like rocketships from 50s science fiction.
My CFO finds a great article.
Posted by Andy Zach on Monday, September 14, 2020
Here's another post on this rocket, including a video.
Space technology marches on! Who's with me on the first commercial trip to the Moon?
Posted by Andy Zach on Sunday, September 6, 2020
Now for something completely different. The scientific history of the highest jump.
So what science article, video, or review did you like best? Let me know and I'll give you more in my next post.
August 20, 2020
8 Awesome Gifts for August from Andy
8 Awesome Gifts for August - Rather than the end of summer, think of this as the beginning of Christmas. I've got 52 free SciFi and Fantasy books for you immediately below.
52 SciFi Novels for You!
Did you know this includes the first of my SciFi series, the Life After Life Chronicles? Gaze upon this next book:
Get your free Zombie Turkeys here!
But hurry! This giveaway expires on August 12th! That's 3 days from now. Who knows how close it is to you in the future?
Continuing With Awesome Gifts for August
But that's not all I've got for you! I've got a free Zombie Turkeys right now for newsletter subscribers. Click and win a a flock of turkey laughs.
Zombie Turkeys in Shedd Aquarium. Click to get audiobook
Your Third Awesome Gift Comes Right Here
How about 26 free Paranormal books?
Get your 26 books by clicking here!
And with this giveaway you get another book of mine:
Get your free copy here!
Awesome August Continues - What's Next?
An interview with me, Andy Zacy, by author Karina Kantas.
Get up close and personal with Andy. Reply to Youtube or directly to me here.
Yet More Gifts for You - Free Short Stories
A Phoenix Tale - Andy Zach tells the tale of how he caught his first phoenix.
A Hamster's Tale - Andy Zach's short story written between Secret Supers and Villain's Vacation.
Click to listen to free sample of Secret Supers.
Villain's Vacation is my newest novel.
Villain's Vacation - Click to get it.
Your Last Three Gifts - Gift 6 Next
. I'm sharing the best selections from two dozen authors I've met on Facebook. The topic: 'Fight Scene'. Enjoy!
Countdown: Now You Get Gift 7
Relive the drama of the landing of Mars Curiosity six years ago.
Your Last Bit of Awesomeness
Woohoo! One of my favorite reviewers, Rebecca McNutt, has reviewed 'Zombie Turkeys'. And she likes it!
This book is quite an eclectic mix of themes and genres. It's not quite horror and not quite comedy, but rather a variety of both, including some sci-fi and adventure elements, a clever and witty social commentary on modern American digital culture, and a more original story to rise from the over-saturated zombie horror genre as something that carves out its own path in the fiction world. In some ways, it reminded me of those 1980's horror films I used to watch back in high school, and in other ways, with its themes of a modernizing, changing America, it reminded me of films like Steven Spielberg's Gremlins.
More at my Facebook post.
May 7, 2019
Give Zombie Turkeys for Mother's Day - Here's How
Naturally, EVERYONE wants to Give Zombie Turkeys for Mother's Day. But how, exactly?
To begin with, click here. Or you can click below:
What's going on is a Zombie Turkeys giveaway for Mother's Day. You click and subscribe to my newsletter and you get a free Zombie Turkeys ebook.
Here's the back cover:
Click here to get your free Zombie Turkeys
Give Zombie Turkeys - But I'm Already a Subscriber!
You are? Great! Thanks a lot! If you don't have a copy of Zombie Turkeys, just email me and I'll send you an ebook. All I ask is for a review.
After you get it, you can send it to your mother (or mother-in-law) in time for Mother's Day.
Give Zombie Turkeys - But I Want Another Book!
No problem! We've got lots of them for free for our giveaway. And you can win $25! Just click here or on the next image below.
But I Want to Give My Undead Mother-in-law!
Naturally! Who doesn't? And you can give THAT free too!
Click to get your free copy!
This giveaway works the same way as my Zombie Turkeys giveaway:
You click on the link
You subscribe to my newsletter
If you're already a subscriber, just email me and ask for a copy.
I'll send you a copy, but please write a review.
Get a Free Short Story - And Read it to Your Mom
Here's a short story I've only offered to my newsletter subscribers. Now you can get it!
What's this science fiction short story about? Here's a hint:
"Um, Andy?"
"Yes, dear reader?"
"What does a hummingbird have to do with your story?"
"Read and find out!"
What's Next? Andy Zach Sightings!
First one is May 19th in Springfield Illinois. Read below.
But June 7-9 is the BIG ONE.
The Tremont Turkey Festival! Three days of personal book signings and Zombie Turkeys performances by me!
Andy Zach performing with his Zombie Turkeys puppet.
April 8, 2019
1636: The Vatican Sanction - an alternate history mystery
1636: The Vatican Sanction by Eric FlintMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow! Eric Flint and co-author Charles Gannon managed to put a new wrinkle in 'Ring of Fire' series of alternate history novels. What did they do? They managed to write a mystery from the criminals' point of view and the heroes' point of view and keep the reader guessing what would happen to the very last chapter and page.
The set up is, Pope Urban II is fleeing for his life from Cardinal Borja who wants to kill him and control the papacy. What's got Borja's knickers in a twist? He's trying to get all the uptimers from Grantville West Virginia declared as agents of Satan, whereas Pope Urban is trying to bring Vatican II type changes into the 17th century.
So much for motives. Borja hires ruthless killers, who hire more ruthless killers, who are supervised by other ruthless killers until you wonder how many layers of puppet masters there are. The United States of Europe (USE), basically West Virginia in Germany uses radio technology and superior firepower to defend the pope who's holding an ecumenical council.
Lots of people die. Guns, bombs, grenades, oh my! And when the ammo runs out you always have people to be sewn up by Sharon Nichols, and people to be skewered by her husband, master swordsman and chief of Security Ruy, a Spanish hidalgo.
Recommended to mystery lovers and alternate history lovers everywhere.
View all my reviews
March 20, 2019
2 New Science Fiction Books from Andy Zach
"2 New Science Fiction Books? I thought you just had one book coming out this month, Andy."
On pre-sale on Kindle. You can get the paperback now.
Nope. I'm also in this new anthology about disabled heroes.
A charity anthology
"A charity anthology? What's the charity?"
Special Olympics gets all the profit.
"So what's Challenge Accepted all about?"
Here's the book description from the back:
From Amazon
A blind spaceship pilot.
Cops and maintenance personnel in wheelchairs.
Taking on bad guys with only one leg or no arms.
It's not what you are that makes you something special. It's who you choose to be.
Seventeen stories about people who rise above anything that tries to stop them, even their own limitations.
With stories by Stephanie Barr, Micha Burnett, J. A. Busick, Adam David Collings, Steve Curry, Scott G. Gibson, Joyce Hertzoff, Jane Jago, Clarence Jennelle, Jeanette O'Hagan, Layla Pinkett, Jen Ponce, Connor Sassmannshausen, Lynne Stringer, E. M. Swift-Hook, Margret Treiber, Andy Zach.
Coordinated by Stephanie Barr with all proceeds to go to the Special Olympics
"Sounds really good. So what do you have in there, Andy?"
I have a story from Secret Supers where the four 7th-graders use their superpowers for the first time to fight crime.
"And these guys are disabled?"
Yup. One has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. One is blind. Another can't talk and can barely walk. And the last one lost her legs in a car accident.
"I've gotta read that just to find out how they make that work."
There are seventeen other stories too.
"Do you have the origin story for your Secret Supers?"
Only in my book.
Front and back covers of Secret Supers
What's Next After "2 New Science Fiction Books"?
First, there's the Secret Supers book launch party March 29th from 9 am to 5 pm. I'm giving away free books and I'll have other great authors to entertain you and give stuff away. Join up here.
I've got some author appearances coming up next month in April. If you're near Peoria, please stop by. I'd love to meet you and sign your books. I also give live puppet shows as I read from Zombie Turkeys.
Andy Zach reading from Zombie Turkeys
The first one is April 5-7 at Northwoods Mall.
Then, on April 20th, I have the Peoria Quad Con.
Here are the details:
Join us for a Pop Culture Celebration! Peoria-Con is about coming together and enjoying different aspects of pop culture. Video games, comic books, pop vinyls, cosplay, board games, sci fi, toys, and much more. If you are interested in selling your items, or have other questions, email vintagetorque@gmail.com
If you've gotten this far in my post, thanks! I'll send you an excerpt of any book, any character you'd like. Just let me know and click here. Or you can comment to this post.
Enjoy this next fun video to finish up.
March 17, 2019
7 Great Science and SciFi Stories for Story Fuel
7 Great Science and SciFi Stories--why am I writing about this? I love science. I love learning new and surprising things. Maybe you do too. The first story is next.
7 Great Science and SciFi Stories - the first
Plate tectonics, geologic history, and astronomy--oh my!
Who would think the earth's rocks record the Solar System's planetary movements? I sure didn't. Yet that is what the rocks are showing. Can you write a science fiction story based upon this? Reply in the comments or here and I'll send you an ebook of your choice.
7 Great Science and SciFi Stories - the second
Then we have the famed Mars Rover Opportunity giving us this glorious picture.
The photograph is so spectacular, I took it from the NASA site and put it here:
Click here to go to NASA's article
What can top that? Maybe the next story.
7 Great Science and SciFi Stories - the third
In case you don't click on the link, here's an index of what's there:
Mysterious radio signals Nuclear Pasta Haumea Has Rings A Moon with a Moon Dark-Matter-Less Galaxy? The Most Bizarre Star Highly Electric Hyperion A Guiding Neutrino The Living Fossil Galaxy Double Quasar Image Infrared Stream from Space Rogue Planet with Auroras
If you love this kind of news or if you hate, be sure to send me a comment. If you hate it, tell me what you want me to blog about instead.
Next we have this.
7 Great Stories - the fourth
Do you think quantum computer will change soon? When do you think we'll be able to buy one? Best prediction (most accurate) gets a free book from me. Email me.
7 Great Stories - the fifth
A hypersonic jet could get you anywhere in the world in thirty minutes. How would the world and society change?
7 Great Stories - the sixth
Do robotic dogs creep you out? Or do they make you think of the Jetsons?
The future?
7 Great Stories - the last
I have a soft place in my heart for exoskeletons, because the cover of my next book features my character, Jeremy Gentle, wearing one:
Did you know you can get the book Secret Supers right now?
3 Free Books from Andy Zach’s Birthday
"Andy Zach's Birthday? How old is he?"
Old enough not to talk about his age. But I will tell you how to get free gifts from me.
Andy Zach's Birthday - The First Book Zombie Turkeys
Zombie Turkeys lead the way!
Andy reads excerpts from Zombie Turkeys
Here's a scene from my unpublished graphics novel version of Zombie Turkeys:
The beginning . . .
"I'm impatient Andy! Tell me how to get free books!"
You can scroll down to the bottom or just click here.
Satisfied? If not, I can tell you other ways to get my books for free.
Andy Zach's Birthday - The Second Book My Undead Mother-in-law
Imagine your mother-in-law and all your inlaws turned zombie. Then they invite you over for Valentine's Day to celebrate the engagement of two zombies. What could possibly go wrong?
Valentine's Day dinner with the zombie-in-laws
I read this excerpt for you here:
St. Valentine's Day Zombie Massacre
Andy Zach's Birthday - The Third Book Paranormal Privateers
"We've got zombie turkeys, zombie humans, what else do you have for us, Andy?"
How about zombies working on a luxury yacht as privateers under a letter of marque from President Trump? They're sent to areas too sensitive for the US to meddle directly. Here's the ship, the Resolute Too. That's the undead mother-in-law on the prow.
The Loving Zombie Privateers
Curious? Check it out for free by clicking.
Andy Zach's Birthday - 4 Ways to Free Books
Simply win in either of my two monthly drawings. Enter here. Just pick up any book through Kindle Unlimited. Free ebooks, you know. Get your free audiobook through Audible. Zombie Turkeys, My Undead Mother-in-law, and Paranormal Privateers are all free for your listening pleasure with your Audible subscription. Simply write a review on Amazon or Goodreads and I'll send you an ebook of your choice. Contact me here and I'll send you the ebook for a link to your review.
That's it for today! I pick the free books tomorrow from my subscription list. Don't miss out, get on the free book list.
February 3, 2019
9 Great Links For You from author Andy Zach
9 Great Links For You – The First
Here you go, the very first link. I laughed and laughed as I watched this. I remembered some scenes from my childhood, fifty years ago. Others I’ve never seen. Have you seen these scenes before? Let me know what you think in the comments or contact me. I’ve got a free ebook for the best comment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLuT3...
Full blog post here:
https://www.andyzach.net/9-great-links/
January 1, 2019
6 Days of Christmas Left! Get Your Gift Now!
6 Days of Christmas Left - What do I mean? I mean I'll give away six more ebooks. Join now to get yours! I have a drawing daily for new subscribers!
Just click on the next image:
The three ebooks I'm giving away. Which will you win?
6 Days of Christmas Left - How does this work?
Simple: One: Click and subscribe to my news letter and you'll be entered into my drawing with all the new subscribers.
Two: If you want a free book for sure, then write a review of one of my books on Amazon or Goodreads. Then send me the review, and I'll send you the ebook of your choice!
A third way of getting free books is to remain on my newsletter list. I have two drawings for free books every month. But first make sure you've subscribed.
6 Days of Christmas Left - 6 Fun Links
My first fun link, an interview of me by author JC Steel. I love this next interview! Let me know what you think in the comments below or send me an email.
Second Fun Link
Here you go! How would you even categorize this one? Let me know in your comments. As always, the best comment gets a free ebook! So start writing now.
Link 3 is . . .
Next we have story fuel for you writers out there! Write a story of any length on this image and get an ebook from me!
Behind Door Number 4
Then there are a lot of space-related links! Here's one of them. What would you write on the back of this postcard from Mars, the next time you are there?
On the Fifth Day of Christmas, Andy Zach Linked to me,
A zombie virus cure! What'll they think of next?
Don't believe me? Then check out this preview of My Undead Mother-in-law.
On the Sixth Day of Christmas, Andy Zach gave to me . . .
A previously unseen picture of Andy Zach!
Andy Thinking of Zombie Comedy
Zombie TurkeysMy Undead Mother-in-lawParanormal Privateers
The Unlikely life of Andy Zach
“More Good Things About 2020? Andy, I didn’t know ANYTHING good about 2020.”
“Then you need to read my first post, Why I’m thankful for 2020 – Author And ...more
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