M. Pax's Blog, page 14
April 7, 2024
#Fantasy Worth Reading: A Starlet’s Secret to a Senstational Afterlife #BookReview #fantasybooks #Booklover
Looking for a fun and fantastic read with a bit of the supernatural and a little romance? A Starlet’s Secret to a Sensational Afterlife by Kendall Kulper is the novel you need.
A Starlet’s Secret to a Sensational Afterlife is a mesmerizing tale that effortlessly blends the unglamourous side of Hollywood with a touch of mystery and a sprinkle of romance.
Set during the golden age of Hollywood, the novel introduces us to the charismatic protagonist, Henrietta. She announces to her family over dinner once evening that she’s going to be a star and leaves Chicago. As a newcomer to Hollywood, Henrietta finds it’s not so easy to get into pictures. Then she starts seeing dead starlets. Wha??
This mystery of the many, many dead girls gets entwined with her shot at stardom. What’s a girl to do?
Then she meets Declan, who has his own secrets. He can’t die. At first this serves him well as a stuntman. Then, it becomes a problem when there’s an accident where he should have died and he’s not even injured. He had a hard life and came to Hollywood hoping to find his mother. She had run off to try her hand at stardom when he was a boy.
The pacing is well-balanced, keeping the reader engaged with a combination of suspenseful revelations and heartfelt moments.
I loved the balance of supernatural, mystery, history, and romance. I highly recommend this book.
Here’s the blurb:
A budding starlet and her handsome-but-moody co-star go from bitter enemies to reluctant partners when they get tangled up in the disappearance of a beautiful young actress in 1930s Hollywood.
Eighteen-year-old Henrietta arrives in Los Angeles in 1934 with dreams of trading her boring life for stardom.
She’s determined to make it as an actress, despite her family’s doubts and rumors of would-be starlets gone missing. And by the skin of her teeth, she pulls it off! A serendipitous job offer arrives and Henrietta finds herself on a whirlwind publicity tour for a major film role—with a vexingly unpleasant actor tapped by the studio to be her fake boyfriend.
But fierce Henrietta has more in common with brooding Declan than she realizes. They both have gifts that they are hiding, for fear of being labeled strange: he is immune to injury and she can speak to ghosts. When the co-stars get tangled up in the disappearance of a beautiful young actress, they go from bitter enemies and pretend lovers to reluctant partners—and possibly even friends.
Together, they might be the only people in Hollywood who can do something about these poor missing girls. And in doing so . . . they might just fall in love for real.
This whip smart, seductive caper by the author of Murder for the Modern Girl has the perfect combination of romance, vengeance, and a hint of the supernatural, set in the Golden Age of Hollywood.
The post #Fantasy Worth Reading: A Starlet’s Secret to a Senstational Afterlife #BookReview #fantasybooks #Booklover appeared first on M. Pax.
March 31, 2024
Exploring the Cosmos: Alien Double Feature Takes Readers on an Interstellar Journey #scifi #sciencefiction #bookrecommendation
An exhilarating voyage through the cosmos! Alien Double Feature is a captivating collection eager to explore worlds beyond imagination.
Two stories of first contact told from the alien point of view.
Aftermath: A Tale of Sacrifice and CourageNoret, who is unaccustomed to the horrors of war, grapples with the aftermath of a devastating attack one of her world’s moons. She must navigate the complexities of duty and sacrifice to protect everything she holds dear. The narrative unfolds with gripping intensity, exploring themes of courage, resilience, and the true cost of war.
Wings of the Guiding Suns: A Hero’s QuestAmidst the solar winds, Sita, a member of the dragonkind, embarks on a mission of unparalleled importance: to save a dying world from certain destructionrace of people from extinction. The narrative unfolds with epic proportions, as Sita confronts impossible odds and races against time to fulfill her destiny. Themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the interconnectedness of all life resonate throughout this enthralling adventure, drawing readers into a world where the fate of an entire civilization hangs in the balance.
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The post Exploring the Cosmos: Alien Double Feature Takes Readers on an Interstellar Journey #scifi #sciencefiction #bookrecommendation appeared first on M. Pax.
March 29, 2024
Valentina Tereshkova: Breaking the Cosmic Ceiling as the First Woman in Space #WomensHistoryMonth #Space
In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova etched her name into history books as the first woman to journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Tereshkova’s iconic mission aboard Vostok 6 marked a monumental leap forward for women in space exploration.
Born in 1937 in the Soviet Union, Tereshkova’s humble beginnings did not deter her from dreaming of the stars.
Selected from a pool of skilled parachutists, Tereshkova’s fearless spirit and determination propelled her into space.
During her three-day solo mission, Tereshkova orbited the Earth 48 times, conducting experiments and gathering crucial data.
Her historic flight shattered gender barriers and inspired generations of women to reach for the cosmos.
Tereshkova’s legacy as a space pioneer paved the way for future female astronauts to venture into the unknown.
Decades later, her indelible mark on space exploration continues to inspire humanity’s quest for discovery.
Valentina Tereshkova’s journey into space serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment, proving that the sky is no limit for those with the courage to reach for the stars.
Look at this tiny little thing she traveled in! Wow! Vostok 6 capsule (flown 1963). Photographed at the Science Museum, London, March 2016
Andrew Gray, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The post Valentina Tereshkova: Breaking the Cosmic Ceiling as the First Woman in Space #WomensHistoryMonth #Space appeared first on M. Pax.
March 28, 2024
#SciFi Worth Reading: Saturn Run #BookReview
Saturn Run by John Sandford and Ctien
I love a great space mystery. This one starts with an alien space vessel spotted entering orbit around Saturn.
The race begins. The US and China compete to get to Saturn first, to be the first to meet the aliens, to be the first to gain new technologies. Then, the ship leaves. But the race is no less intense.
What did the alien ship do at Saturn? Did it leave something there? Is there something there we can’t see by telescope?
Well, I really wanted to know. So I kept reading.
The character interactions are really captivating, and the characters have layers that get peeled away as the story goes on. I thought a really, really long time was spent on how the engines and propulsion worked. Too much time. However, that didn’t take away from me enjoying the story.
Once the ship finally gets to Saturn, the thrills and twists keep going. I wish more time had been spent at Saturn and the mysteries there. But again, I still really liked this book. A lot.
A lot of the plot was pretty intense, pushed along by the race with the Chinese, the politics, and the issues with building a vessel that could get to Saturn in a relatively short time frame. Very well done.
Here’s the official description:
The year is 2066. A Caltech intern inadvertently notices an anomaly from a space telescope – something is approaching Saturn, and decelerating. Space objects don’t decelerate. Spaceships do.
A flurry of top-level government meetings produces the inescapable conclusion: Whatever built that ship is at least 100 years ahead in hard and soft technology, and whoever can get their hands on it exclusively and bring it back will have an advantage so large, no other nation can compete. A conclusion the Chinese definitely agree with when they find out.
The race is on, and an remarkable adventure begins – an epic tale of courage, treachery, resourcefulness, secrets, surprises, and astonishing human and technological discovery, as the members of a hastily thrown-together crew find their strength and wits tested against adversaries both of this earth and beyond. What happens is nothing like you expect – and everything you could want from one of the world’s greatest masters of suspense.
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March 25, 2024
#SciFi Worth Watching: Dune Part 2 #MovieReview #DunePart2 #Dune2 #science fiction
Dune Part 2 was sooo good. It was also very looong. (Be prepared to have to take a restroom break).I think this was one of the best sci-fi movies ever made. Part one was really good, but this one was even better. The acting was seamless, like you didn’t notice acting. They were the people of Dune. The cinematography was flawless and grand and sweeping, adding to the emotions of the scene.Husband and I were never bored. Not once during this 3 hour masterpiece. And, I don’t say that lightly. Dune is one of my favorite series, and I’ve not been overly fond of earlier attempts at making it. But this one, this one, I feel as if I’m watching the pages of the novel unfold. Spectacular!They need to hurry up and make part 3!!!I won’t say anything else, because I don’t want to spoil the experience for you. If you have yet to see Part 1, it’s currently streaming on Hulu.The post #SciFi Worth Watching: Dune Part 2 #MovieReview #DunePart2 #Dune2 #science fiction appeared first on M. Pax.
March 22, 2024
Caroline Herschel: Pioneering the Stars as the First Woman Astronomer #WomensHistoryMonth #astronomy #science
Caroline Herschel, a trailblazer in the field of astronomy, made her mark as the first woman to earn recognition in this male-dominated realm.
Born in 1750, Herschel’s journey began as an assistant to her brother, renowned astronomer William Herschel. Despite societal norms that confined women to domestic roles, Herschel’s passion for the stars propelled her forward.
In 1786, she discovered her first comet, forever cementing her name in astronomical history. Herschel’s meticulous observations and groundbreaking discoveries challenged the notion that science was exclusively a man’s domain.
Her relentless pursuit of knowledge led to significant contributions in cataloging stars and nebulae.
In 1828, Herschel became the first woman to receive the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, paving the way for future generations of female scientists.
Her legacy serves as a testament to the power of determination and curiosity, inspiring women everywhere to reach for the stars.
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March 18, 2024
#ScienceFiction Worth Reading: Starter Villain #BookReview #scifi #sciencefiction #booklover
A riotous rollercoaster that delivers a fresh and uproariously funny take on the world of supervillainy.
Warning: This book often made me laugh out loud!
Packed with wit, charm, and unexpected twists, this novel isdelightful and had me laughing from start to finish.
Charlie, a divorced substitute teacher with dreams of opening a pub, finds himself thrust into an unimaginable situation. When his long-lost uncle Jake dies, he bequeaths Charlie a supervillain business complete with an island volcano lair. What follows is a madcap adventure that turns Charlie’s life upside down.
Scalzi’s comedic genius shines through every page with clever humor and witty dialogue. From the absurdity of giant laser death rays to the complexities of managing a lair with unionized dolphins, Starter Villain keeps the laughs coming. Scalzi’s ability to blend humor with depth and heart makes this novel a standout in the genre.
The plot, filled with unexpected twists, takes readers on an eccentric journey. The cast of characters, including hyperintelligent talking spy cats and a terrifying henchperson, adds layers of charm.
Charlie’s reluctant journey into the supervillain world is a joy to follow. Scalzi deftly explores themes of identity, family, and the choices that define us, all while maintaining a lighthearted and humorous tone. The pacing is spot-on, with each chapter delivering new and hilarious challenges for Charlie to navigate.
In a genre often filled with clichés, “Starter Villain” stands out as a refreshing and original take on the superhero/supervillain dynamic. It’s a testament to Scalzi’s storytelling prowess that he can inject so much humor into a tale that also explores the complexities of power and morality.
I definitely recommend. This is now my favorite Scalzi read. Here’s the blurb:
Inheriting your uncle’s supervillain business is more complicated than you might think. Particularly when you discover who’s running the place.
Charlie’s life is going nowhere fast. A divorced substitute teacher living with his cat in a house his siblings want to sell, all he wants is to open a pub downtown, if only the bank will approve his loan.
Then his long-lost uncle Jake dies and leaves his supervillain business (complete with island volcano lair) to Charlie.
But becoming a supervillain isn’t all giant laser death rays and lava pits. Jake had enemies, and now they’re coming after Charlie. His uncle might have been a stand-up, old-fashioned kind of villain, but these are the real thing: rich, soulless predators backed by multinational corporations and venture capital.
It’s up to Charlie to win the war his uncle started against a league of supervillains. But with unionized dolphins, hyperintelligent talking spy cats, and a terrifying henchperson at his side, going bad is starting to look pretty good.
In a dog-eat-dog world…be a cat.
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March 15, 2024
The Force of Princess Leia: A Beacon of Strength in Sci-Fi #WomensHistoryMonth #scifi #sciencefiction
Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan emerged as a trailblazing symbol of resilience and independence in the realm of science fiction. In the original “Star Wars” trilogy, Leia shattered stereotypes by showcasing her unwavering courage and intelligence.
Unlike traditional damsels in distress, Leia was a leader of the Rebel Alliance, fighting alongside her comrades on the front lines. Her iconic line, “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope,” wasn’t a plea for rescue but a strategic move to save the galaxy.
Leia wielded blasters and diplomacy with equal prowess, proving that strength knows no gender. Behind the iconic hair buns and regal attire lay a woman unafraid to challenge tyranny and fight for justice.
Carrie Fisher’s portrayal infused Leia with wit, warmth, and an indomitable spirit, inspiring generations of fans. Princess Leia remains a beacon of hope and empowerment, reminding us that true strength comes from within.
Here was a princess who really didn’t need rescuing, changing stereotypes and giving young women a great role model.
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March 14, 2024
Sci-Fi Book Blast! March 15 and 16! Load up with FREE science fiction for a limited time! #scifi #sciencefiction
Load up your eReader for FREE, no strings attached, with mind-blowing sci-fi.
Hurry, this sale lasts two days only!
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March 8, 2024
Mary Shelley: The Mother of Science Fiction #WomensHistoryMonth #BookTwitter #scifi #sciencefiction
Rothwell, Richard; Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley; National Portrait Gallery, London; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/mary-wo...
In 1818, Mary Shelley gave life to “Frankenstein,” igniting the spark of science fiction.
Her tale of a scientist defying nature’s laws set the stage for a new literary frontier.
Shelley’s visionary storytelling delved into the ethical dilemmas of scientific advancement.
“Frankenstein” challenged readers to contemplate the consequences of playing god.
With its blend of gothic horror and speculative science, Shelley birthed a genre that continues to captivate minds today.
Her pioneering work laid the foundation for future sci-fi luminaries to explore the boundaries of imagination.
In Shelley’s creation, we find not just a monster, but the birth of an entire genre—science fiction.
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