When I Hear LM Preston - I Think Great YA Action!

First in Series
See My Review!

The Pack:
--Retribution--
Book 2:The Pack Series


By LM Preston






I have got to say that I've not found anybody writing YA that provides more action and adventure than LM Preston...OK, I don't read that much YA, but what I can guarantee is that Preston is an author who I trust will provide two things: Kids that fight against evil and strive for achievement--and some type of supernatural plus futuristic gizmos that are excitingly new and unique! Inventions, like a glide-board are now replaced by little gadgets that just fit on the shoes...plus you can use them to climb walls by placing them on your hands, for example. If Preston doesn't have the James Bond crew beat with her inventions, she at least rivals them for creative imagery that gets her kids out of the dangers they always seem to be involved with...Surely, you've read at least one of her books!

Just take a look at her cover for Retribution...fantastic, isn't it? I have this little habit of checking to see whether the front cover image matches the character in the book...This one I thought fit perfectly except for her eyes and you'll understand why when you read the book... The Pack series takes place on Mars, which has been taken over by Earth to house all criminals--rehabilitated or not... Earth has been crime-free for years and if something happens on Mars, people on Earth just cut off possible interaction with the planet...Now, wouldn't that be fantastic to have occur?

Shamira is the daughter of one of The Elite--those that live on Mars as the Lawmakers and Protectors. Shamira is now in training for becoming an officer, but, as she was earlier involved in crime solving (The Pack), she found a number of like-minded teens who started to follow and help her. They are now known as  The Pack and Shamira has been working and hoping that they all finish training and move on... The fact that some of them may have criminal backgrounds is not important to Shamira; she has learned to trust them. But that does not hold true for those making decisions.

It was the Pack that had destroyed the Monev--criminals and a location where drugs were being made and criminals continued the lives they had lived on earth. Now, Shamira's trainer and mentor has scheduled a final training review session at this site--she's not sure exactly why since it supposedly has been left as it was after being destroyed. Still, The Pack takes to the road, following Cal, when suddenly they are attacked, but they can't see their attackers (yes, they are invisible). One shot Shamira made had briefly fired open some of the material and she had seen part of one of their faces. Soon they were driving off, but one of The Pack had been hit, another was missing, and so was Cal!

They found Cal dead...

The Pack all were now under investigation and forced to stand down while others took over. Of course, Shamira knew that was not going to happen! So the group began to meet at various places to discuss what they were going to do. But one of The Elite kept her on edge, convinced that one of her friends had betrayed Cal and it could be any one of them, including Shamira...

But then a fire was set at Shamira's home and both her parents were seriously hurt. Shamira was afraid to trust anybody, even Valens, one of her friends who professed his love for her... Convinced that she had to act alone, she forced herself to argue with them and turned her back to investigate on her own...

What she discovered was that there were more missing kids on Mars...and much worse...

Can you tell I thoroughly enjoyed the second in this series! One small problem is that this writer is so prolific that proofreading errors slip through--but none that prevented the story from being totally enjoyed. Phenomenal One Press is still new, so I'm positive that these are clerical errors that will disappear in the future. This author is a great writer--and I'd have to tell her again, slow down and don't worry about publishing deadlines...Readers will wait for your books!


GABixlerReviews

Author: LM Preston, www.lmpreston.com
blog: http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/ (go to blog to see trailers and giveaways)

L.M. Preston was born and raised in Washington, DC. An avid reader, she loved to create poetry and short-stories as a young girl. With a thirst for knowledge she attended college at Bowie State University, and worked in the IT field as a Techie and Educator for over sixteen years. She started writing science fiction under the encouragement of her husband who was a Sci-Fi buff and her four kids. Her first published novel, Explorer X - Alpha was the beginning of her obsessive desire to write and create stories of young people who overcome unbelievable odds. She loves to write while on the porch watching her kids play or when she is traveling, which is another passion that encouraged her writing.

LM Preston
YA SciFi Author
WEBSITE: www.lmpreston.com
BLOG: http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/
PARTY BLOG: http://bookpartylmpreston.blogspot.com
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/LM_Preston
FACEBOOK:http://tinyurl.com/2fev6qc

Writing stories for and about kids that overcome the impossible...

Welcome to LM Preston's Blog Tour Announcing Explorer X Beta

Image by Gravitywave via Flickr

"...he really missed Earth. He'd never dreamed
that when his parents forced him to go to the
TEGRC space camp, he would find out that he'd
been created to conquer worlds. A crapped up
science project. That he would evolve into
something--not quite human..."

Explorer X Beta


By LM Preston






I just have to start by saying that I think this author is one of the most imaginative, creative writers around. That, together with her goal to "write and create stories of young people who overcome unbelievable odds" makes her a writer that I have come to admire and respect. Preston takes her YA readers on great adventures. Her characters are not perfect, but they do have a drive to achieve and become...more... I don't think I would be wrong in saying that young readers are bound to come away from her books with feelings that they can, indeed, overcome...issues in their lives!

Take, for instance, Aadi, a team leader for a group of teens who was sent to a space camp sponsored by TEGRC. In this second book, Aadi has grown--and changed tremendously--but still strives to retain the character traits that had been instilled in him by his parents...

Even though they, along with the other parents who had authorized their attending camp, had, in one way or another, betrayed each of their children! You see, as kids are prone to do, once they were at the camp, they had started to check out the facility and had found out that they were all part of an experiment! The camp was mostly made up of children who had been genetically altered before they were born. Others had later received the same genetic changes, but the DNA-type material had been synthetically altered. Still others were there as "control" groups.

Now the team had been broken up and sent out into space, only to be forced to land on various planets until they were able to reunite and return to earth. Aadi and Eirena had landed on a planet desert of brown rocky sandy which clearly had been destroyed at one time. They had been taken captive by the Femoh species and tortured. They had also discovered that their bodies had changed to that of the species that inhabited the planet. But with those changes, combined with the torture, their basic body makeup had also been permanently changed, so that once they had been able to escape the planet and had returned to their own bodies, they found they had gained power and certain abilities.

But they didn't have time to worry about that, they were on their way to find one of the team's ships that had been flown by Dakota and Carter. One of the attributes that Aadi had was that he was telepathic, so he had been able to find Dakota, enter his mind, and force him to remember his past and move to his present so he was able to locate where they had landed. But Dakota fought Aadi's entry into his mind--he was ashamed for what he had earlier done and, when they had landed, Carter was hurt, so had left him to try to find help, only to be captured. He had tried and tried to get back to Carter, knowing that he was dying...

"Eirena was the first to drop to the ground
in a convulsing heap. Aadi reached out a
shivering hand to stop her fall, but landed
on top of her in a trembling mass. Their veins
filled with ice, their body temperatures dropped.
Snake lines of dark blue traveled through her
face. The whites of her eyes brightened, as
the pupils clouded. Her face turned a pale blue
webbed by a darker hue. Ripping off his glove
he watched, shivering, as his own cinnamon
brown hand turned pale blue and cold...."
http://blog.timesunion.com/
outdoors/october-snow-doubles-the
-beauty-of-the-berkshires-really-it-does/6638/

But Addi had been able to pinpoint where they were and he and Eirena had found that the planet was nothing but snow and ice. At least, though, they realized this time what was happening as their bodies immediately responded to the planet's atmosphere and they turned...blue...

They split up, Aadi went to try to find Carter who had been taken from the space ship where he had been left...

Eirena went to find Dakota...

Both found themselves discovered and captured by the two warring species on the planet. Warring over the rights to the scarce water, because even though the planet was covered with snow and ice, it was not the same as on earth and could not be melted to water...

Because everybody on the planet was affected by this shortage, they had long ago felt that only the fittest could survive and therefore sent each teenager out on a personal quest--to kill or be killed! And once they made it through their quest, they were then "permitted"  to enter into games between the species which continued the kill-or-be-killed philosophy, until finally, each year they would fight to control the water.

But the earthlings were different enough that they knew their powers could affect what was happening there on that planet!

It is important to note that even on these different planets, there are violent people--but there are also good people who are trying to change things. The Explorer X team with their superpowers provide that "extra" support that those good people need to help improve and change, helping them to overcome what their pasts have been for many years...

If there is a young adult in your life, I highly recommend you consider introducing them to the books of LM Preston. Her creative genius will get them totally involved with each adventure, while what happens will show them much about the potential of change in their lives! Check below and read my reviews for her other books, you might want to get both Explorer X Alpha now and get the reading started! Because I know that if the first is read, then your YA will be ready for Explorer X Betal!


GABixlerReviews

Author: LM Preston, www.lmpreston.com
blog: http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/ (go to blog to see trailers and giveaways)

L.M. Preston was born and raised in Washington, DC. An avid reader, she loved to create poetry and short-stories as a young girl. With a thirst for knowledge she attended college at Bowie State University, and worked in the IT field as a Techie and Educator for over sixteen years. She started writing science fiction under the encouragement of her husband who was a Sci-Fi buff and her four kids. Her first published novel, Explorer X - Alpha was the beginning of her obsessive desire to write and create stories of young people who overcome unbelievable odds. She loves to write while on the porch watching her kids play or when she is traveling, which is another passion that encouraged her writing.

LM Preston
YA SciFi Author
WEBSITE: www.lmpreston.com
BLOG: http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/
PARTY BLOG: http://bookpartylmpreston.blogspot.com
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/LM_Preston
FACEBOOK:http://tinyurl.com/2fev6qc

Writing stories for and about kids that overcome the impossible...

From LM Preston - Earlier Reviews

http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadersheaven.blogspot.com/2009/11/review-ya-explorer-x-alpha-need.html
http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadersheaven.blogspot.com/2010/04/review-read-my-review-then-enter.html
http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadersheaven.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-ya-novel-bandits-by-lm-preston.html

Review: YA Novel BANDITS by LM Preston is Awesome!

Image via Wikipedia

Bandits


By LM Preston


The author's son wanted "a gritty pirate tale." Wow! I'd say he got that and more! After all, this pirate tale is not only gritty, it is out of this world--Merwin!

As you read the story, especially in the thrilling escapades, please be alert to pay attention to the images, the creatures, the seemingly impossible acts that her characters face. Preston has a genius for not only having the imagination, but carrying that skill down to the "nitty-gritty" details! I'm going to include just one scene of many that will blow your mind as part of the total book...too good not to use an example to let you feel some of the excitement, without giving away the storyline!

It looked like the bases of the trees were turning colors. He gazed down at the dead beast at the foot of the tree in front of him. Raised his gun and jerked his eyes from tree to tree as the beasts appeared to come out of the trees and stalk him. Their gaping mouths were filled with sharp, overcrowded teeth, and their mouths were just a slit from ear to ear on their coned heads....

Daniel and his family are Zukar. They were living on Merwin, a place which was populated by thieves, hit men, or other type of criminal who would do anything, as long as they were paid. Daniel and Nickel had been thoroughly trained by their father, one of the leaders of Zukar.

Now he had been murdered. Daniel knew they had to leave immediately and get to their father's trove. His father had not been fulfilling his duties for quite some time. Though angered and confused by the changes he saw in him, Daniel had taken over to complete much of his work.

Still, he loved his father and now Daniel was burning to find who had killed him, but the more important thing was to ensure they, too, were not killed, and to get to safety.

Whether he wanted to or not, his cousin Faulk would have to go with them. Daniel didn't quite trust him because Faulk's father had last visited so that he could persuade his brother to go back to earth and start a new life. Daniel thought their life was just fine and wasn't sure Faulk was not here to try to also convince them to return home, even though Faulk had left before finishing flight school and clearly said he was there to find the adventures that he felt could be found on Merwin.

One other would leave for the treasure trove--his best friend's sister, who had been the only one he could find who could get the key to her father's ship Jade had agreed to help, but only if she could go with them!

Setting off for what could be the most dangerous adventure of their lives, the four soon became close friends--except Faulk and Daniel were both seeing Jade with new eyes... But they needed to feel safer as a team, while they fought first into the trove of her father and then on to his father's. Each had been rigged with horrible traps to prevent others from entering. That meant now Jade and Daniel had to steer them through those traps without aid of their fathers!

But Daniel's father's secret began to be unwound. He had stolen a great treasure and, instead of sharing with the Zukar, had hidden it! But this treasure was not like any other--it had the capability to destroy not only their world, but so much more!

I'm hoping this book leads on to other adventures! Taking a request from her son, LM Preston magically zips him and us into a traitorous world where the entire population are pirates--the worst kind, those that kill for profit! What brings Preston's books to life are her wonderful, courageous young adults who are tough, but willing to face any adversity that comes their way.

Then Preston begins to throw everything she's got to force those characters to fight for their lives over and over and over...with weird, strange, other-world creatures or traps set up to hoard treasure from others! The adventure is fabulously compulsory, leading to a climatic adventure that forever changes those four young adults.

So what if I'm beyond my YA years! (Book recommended for 14yrs+) Preston has become a must-read author for me!

ARC Received Via
Phenomenal One Press

GABixlerReviews



And  the Trailer is Awesome as well!

Review: Read My Review - Then Enter Contest!

Visit Mars with


LM Preston

Image via Wikipedia

The Pack

By LM Preston
Phenomenal Press
ISBN: 9780984198979
316 Pages

By the year 2161, Earth is completely free of violence. Oh, there are still drugs, body organ theft and other “benefits” that the rich are willing to pay for, but if any problems arise, they just shut down travel to the planet! The Pack by LM Preston, who first captured everybody’s attention with Explorer X – Alpha has just released her YA novel, full of an action-packed adventure that I totally recommend—hey, you don’t have to be a teen to have fun reading about teen life! This book is definitely at 5+!

Mars is where it’s at! Or at least it is the place to be if you are a criminal. Originally, it was supposed to be that the criminals selected to colonize Mars were to be working to change—to create a new life. However, there were some hardened criminals who figured out how to relocate, figuring they would be kings there!

And they probably would have succeeded, if this possibility had not been predicted...

Major technological advances had been made. Mars had been built and colonized by the government, who had created a world as close to Earth as possible, including the generation of oxygen and other elements to approximate the control of temperatures there. Mars was colder in general and lacked the “green” of Earth, but it held its own beauty for those that had been born there and could not look back in their lives to miss their home...

For in addition to the relocation of criminals, there were also civilians who had been asked to spend time there. And a special Security Force Elite had been created.

With a body that had been developed from birth to provide extra strength and superior abilities...

But now, something had happened, the children of the original Security Force Elite were being kidnapped and several of the adults had been taken. There had also been other civilians adults and children taken, but the panic began because it should not have been possible for anybody to “take down” the Elite Force.

The daughter of two of the top-level Elite had had enough and wanted to save the children!

Shamira was a special young woman and even her parents did not know the extent of her abilities. In order to save her life when she was a baby, doctors had used advances that had only been used on adults before. She survived, but had been blind since then. Surprisingly, this had caused other children to shun her as a child and she had withdrawn into herself, allowing only her family to be loved and close. But the only one with whom she truly felt she could be herself was her younger brother David.

But then David was kidnapped also! And as Shamira roamed the streets trying to find out about all of the children and where they might be hidden—and during times her parents were working, she met Valens, whose sister had been taken. A hate-love relationship developed, Shamira hating the way Valens would not leave her alone, since she knew she could take care of herself. But then, after David was gone and he shared that his sister was also gone, she realized that it would take more than her own strengths to find them!

And The Pack was formed!

In addition to The Pack by LM Preston being an excellent action-filled adventure, there is a very comforting underlying story about friendship, parental guidance—and love. You can’t beat those additional qualities for a YA book! Preston writes/creates “stories of young people who overcome unbelievable odds.” In my opinion, they are some of the best around to help our children understand and live in today’s world!

G. A. Bixler

The publisher is excited about the contest for The Pack. Here is the contest being offered.

· Free signed book, poster  and magnet

· All of the winners from the Virtual Blog tour will automatically get a free copy of the next book released by Phenomenal One Press, BANDITS that comes out Spring of next year.

All you need to do to enter is to follow the lmpreston blog listed below and a fan at Facebook!

LM. Preston
YA Science Fiction AUTHOR
WEBSITE: http://www.lmpreston.com/
BLOG: http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000094441527&ref=mf

Upcoming Releases
EXPLORER X - Alpha (Feb. 2010)
THE Pack (Fall 2010)
Writing stories for and about kids that overcome the impossible...

Review: YA Explorer X-Alpha - Exciting Adventure & More!

Explorer X-Alpha
By LM Preston
Phenomenal One Press
ISBN: 9780984198900
366 Pages


LM Preston, in Explorer X-Alpha, takes pre-teens and young adults not only into the future but also to outer space and beyond! What an action-packed, magically futuristic, suspenseful ride!

Aadi really didn’t want to go to space camp—he didn’t mind going to a summer camp, and just about any sports camp would be great—but Mom and Dad had already signed him up because the company where they worked was sponsoring the space camp. Now they were trying to convince him that he would enjoy it. Aadi knew that only geeky kids were going to the TEGRC space camp. The Technical Exploration and Genome Research Corporation had tested the kids and they were to be the first group to learn about space travel and be able to give feedback to make it even more fun for other kids in the future.

He really wasn’t convinced, especially since there were guys going that he didn’t like, but to please his parents, he finally gave in. Fortunately, he had two secrets to take along. Ebu was a miniature robot he had made that had an intelligence chip; he was his friend and easily fit into his backpack. The other was between he and his mom. Just before he left, he swallowed a “telenex” a prototype that his mother had created which allowed them to secretly communicate!

Just over the first half of the book follows Aadi and his new team as they go through simulations of space travel and other preparations necessary for their first real flight. Aadi’s test had shown he was a natural leader; however, in the contest immediately before the first flight, he was beat out by another pair. They didn’t play fair!

Of course, that had not surprised the team (by the way, you can meet the entire team on the complementary web site!). Eirena had caught Aadi’s eye when they first met and the interaction between them was both competitive and friendly, so that when they finally paired up to travel to Mars, he was pleased to have Eirena as his partner.

For they had discovered much on the large space camp ship that had already alerted them to the possible danger they all faced. Many of the kids had become sick immediately after they had received immunization shots. Aadi’s team had sneaked into other parts of the big ship and knew what had really happened to those kids, even though they were told that those children had been returned home.

It was Aadi’s ability to communicate and report to his mother that started an investigation at home; however, there was no way to stop the flight to Mars from proceeding! And on that flight, almost immediately, the individual ships with each pair of children were sucked into a black starlit path by an invisible pull that took them directly into a wormhole.

Aadi and Eirena then crash-landed on Shrenas... Where Jantik, of Nutah, discovered them...

There is so much to do, so much to discover! Explorer X-Alpha, by LM Preston is the first in a series and you’ll want to start right now to find out what was discovered when the Explorer X team toured the ship and later what happened to Aadi and Eirena on Shrenas...and, ah, be prepared for some strange physical changes to both their bodies and minds! In space, anything is possible! Exciting and strange adventure waits for those who dare to attend...the TEGRC space camp!

G. A. Bixler