Review: Spartacus, by TL Mancour

Spartacus by T.L. Mancour
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was a huge ST:TNG fan as a kid and teen, and I still love the series. I haven't read one of the novels in years, but I found this one for 50 cents at a thrift store and thought to give it a whirl. I can't recall if I read this one in high school or not, but I didn't remember it, if I did.

In this one, Picard and the crew, having just come through a long, rough storm, comes across a ship in need of repairs. The ship and its crew declares itself as a refugee ship, so all aide is rendered. The situation is made more complex when the strange crew's secrets are revealed, and a force comes in pursuit of the refugees. The destruction they were fleeing is revealed to be not as simple as they presented it.

If you are familiar with the series, you'll guess that this book has a lot of the same themes from the show, including the meaning of compassion and humanity, and the practical applications of the Prime Directive, and various humanistic ethics and positions. These things are pretty standard in any TNG piece. This one also has some interesting exploration of the meaning of freedom, and allusions to earth myth and history (which is also common to TNG). It also has relevance for discussions we hold today over the pros and cons of excessive leisure, entertainment and electronic conveniences, which was not something I had expected. I found this last theme to be quite fruitful.

The story itself is interesting enough, though the races encountered were not as interesting as some of the species in other Star Trek books and shows. We really don't learn a great deal about the Vemlans, but I frankly wasn't all that curious about them, anyway. They seemed quite stock in nature, to be honest.

However, all the favourite characters from the show are here, with very little Troi (a big plus for me), though the Guinan bits were few and felt tacked on. Some reviewers have called this book a "Data story," but he doesn't overwhelm the book, and it's more of a Picard/Data story, which suits me very well.

The worst thing I can say about the story is that it held very few surprises, but I'm not sure that's a major problem. Naturally, most of the Enterprise's stories end up happily, or at least skillfully resolved by the crack Starfleet crew, and this novel holds little surprise for anyone who's familiar with the series. (Many of the themes, issues, and events are quite similar to materials from the show, actually.)

The writing was less enjoyable. I recall an old Elmore Leonard quote, "When it sounds like writing, I rewrite it." Well, brother, did this book sound like writing! A lot of purple going on, with an excess of big words where simpler ones would do, and so forth. It made it slightly tough going, and almost put it down to 2 stars for me. (But the editing seemed fair, and the style doesn't stop me from recommending the book to those who enjoy TNG novels, so I'm going with 3. I did like it, and I found it entertaining.)

One odd thing that did keep me from putting it above 3 stars is a strange misogynistic twinge in the book; especially near the end, where a man working under a woman was likened to slavery, and the comparison went completely unchecked. Granted the actual woman in question was insufferable, but it still bugged me. Perhaps the editors did not expect women to read Star Trek novels?

Spartacus took me a long time to read; it was my "bus book," so it stayed in my backpack for about a month, and I only took it out while on public transit. It didn't grab my attention all that well from the get-go. However, once I got into it, it kept me entertained, and I plowed through the final 3/4 or half in a weekend. I might not have stuck with it early on if I wasn't already a ST fan, though, and I think Masks (#7) remains my favourite of the ST:TNG novels.

If you're a fan of Picard and Data, and the ethical ruminations this series was best at, you might enjoy this book, warts and all.

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New Erotica from Jessica Coulter Smith!

Vaaden Captives: Sorcha



Science fiction just got a whole lot hotter! The Vaaden Captives series, published with Changeling Press, features sensually erotic love scenes, drama, and a romance that cannot be denied. When Sorcha finds herself on another planet, forced to be a sex slave, she’s terrified – until she meets her own. Thale is tall, blond, and gorgeous… but when Sorcha finds out he’s married, she’s miserable.

When she meets Thale’s brother, Valen, she’s immediately drawn to him. The opposite of Thale, Valen treats her with respect. It doesn’t hurt that she desires more than she’s ever wanted a man before. But what will happen if she falls in love with him?

Will Thale give her up, or force her to stay with him?

PG-13 Excerpt:

We entered Thale’s home and he carried me to his bedroom. Setting me gently on my feet, he turned to a set of double doors. They slid open revealing a neatly organized closet.

He selected a knit shirt and handed it to me. “This should work until I can get you something else to wear.”

My face flamed in embarrassment. If you hadn’t ripped my dress, I wouldn’t need something else. I knew voicing my opinion out loud wouldn’t end well, but I figured making snarky remarks in my head was okay.

Accepting the shirt, I slipped it over my head, removing the tattered dress in the process.

Sufficiently covered, I stood awkwardly, not knowing what he wanted from me. My eyes strayed to the bed, a large round thing that dominated the middle of the room. I hadn’t seen anything quite like it before, but it looked comfortable. Would he expect me to share it with him? Or, as a slave, would I sleep elsewhere?

The floor under my feet was soft, but the material was foreign to me, something between carpet and fur. I noticed a beveled mirror on one wall, running from ceiling to floor. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was part of the wall and not hanging on it. Another metal door was off to the side and I wondered if it was to the bathroom.

Thale noticed my line of sight and smiled. “Would you like to clean up a little?”

I nodded and waited.

He walked over to the door and pressed a hand to its surface. The door whooshed open, disappearing into the wall much the same as the closet doors had. Inside, everything was a bright white. To the right was an open area with jets both above and below. I assumed it was some sort of shower and watched as Thale placed his hand over a small knob, and water began to stream from the jets. “You can get in; the water comes out nice and warm.” He nodded toward the shower.

I realized he wasn’t leaving and assumed he was going to watch while I undressed and bathed. With shaking hands and a flaming face, I removed the shirt I had donned just moments before and stepped into the watery paradise.

Closing my eyes, I tried not to think of the man watching me. I let the water stream over my hair and face, trickle down my body; I let it soothe my shattered nerves. So much had changed in such a small amount of time. The life I knew was gone, and now I found myself living a new one, a life in which I was no more than a captive, a slave to the whims of the man who had claimed me.

~*~
Jessica Coulter Smith is a reviewer with The Novel Blog, and author of over a dozen works available through Wild Horse Press and Changeling.

Available from Wild Horse Press: Whispering Lake (2008/2009), Moonlight Protector (2009), Magnolia Magick (2009), Moonlight Hero (2009), and Moonlight Guardian (2009), Vicus Luna (2009), Heart's Desire (2010), Moonlight Champion (2010). Available from Changeling Press: Vaaden captives: Sorcha (10/2010).

Coming Soon from Wild Horse Press: The Demon's Princess (10/26/2010), Christmas Magick (11/30/2010, anthology), Holiday Haunting (11/30/2010, anthology), The Fallen Angel's Faith (12/21/2010) and The Raven Wars (12/2010). Coming Soon from Changeling Press: Creaole Nights (11/5/2010), Yuletide Spirit (TBA), Vaaden Captives: Enid (TBA).

Interview with Clare Dargin

"I'm sure that's the case but how can I not be excited over this? It's the find of a lifetime," she said reveling in the thought of making contact with extra-terrestrial life.

"You don't have to try to impress us. Just do you your work and you‘ll be fine."

"What does that mean?"

"It means you don't worry about it. There is plenty of research to be done. You could spend your entire lifetime studying the Jugis Star Cluster alone."

"Haven't you ever looked up in the sky and wondered if there was anyone else out there?"

"Of course I have. And if anyone back home asks, tell them it's just us," he said finishing off his drink.

***
Clare Dargin has, like many of us, wanted to be a published author from childhood, and like many she has had experience with rejections and setbacks. In June 2010, Clare's sci-fi romance, Speculative Sky, was released by Red Rose Press, and she is now on their Best Seller list!

Recently, I had a chance to find out a bit more about Clare, and her work.

What inspired you to write this book?

Well, ever since I was a child I always wanted to be a writer. It was a dream of mine to be published and to write stories that everyone could enjoy. Speculative Sky was created because I've always had a fascination with stories about Extra-Terrestrial Life and S.E.T.I. and I wanted to integrate such a story with a female character as a strong and intelligent lead.

Do you have a specific writing style?

Yes I do but I am not sure what to call it. When people read my work I want them to feel as if they are right there in the midst of it all. I want them to be able to hear, taste, smell and see the action as if it is happening all around them. I also tend to write tight stories with quick pacing. It's what I like to read and consequently how I write.

How did you come up with the title, Speculative Sky?

To be honest I've always been attracted and fascinated by the abstract and the symbolic. I wanted the title to be symbolic of what April Mullen, the main character, has to deal with as an Astronomer and all that came with her assignment.

What is the book about?

It is about a woman who takes a chance and leaves for an assignment on a science colony far away from Earth. As an astronomer it is her job to monitor the stars at night and to record her findings. Nothing more than that. But when she arrives, she notices that her new home is a bit odd, and that though there is evidence of life out there… they don't want her to either acknowledge it or do anything about it. She of course finds this troubling.

What books have most influenced you?

To be honest, in fiction category, it would have to be the old star wars books that came out in the eighties after Return of the Jedi. The expanded universe books taught me more about atmospheric and expanded universe development then any book I know! I read them over and over again and learned about non-human creature development, planetary science fiction and description of space travel and not to mention how to write a cool leading man. I still read them!

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Douglas Preston and/or Lincoln Child. They write incredibly compelling books of which I generally can't put down.

What book are you reading now?

To be honest and I am almost finished with Book of the Dead with Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I'll be going through their back list very soon in order to get caught up.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Last night I was thinking about the Friday House about D. K. Gaston and how it's a compelling story about assassins who have no memory of their being programmed and stuff. I think it's cool. And several books on the military scifi romance front that I have recently heard about. I write in a tiny subgenre so it's nice to see what other authors are doing in it. That way I don't get lonely!

What are your current projects?

Presently I am finishing up the final editing for Ice and Peace, the sequel to Cold Warriors. As well as having another expanded universe book in the works. Not to mention, two futuristic romances that are completely different from my military fiction.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

The Motown Creative Writers Group-- they helped get on the road to being published. And not to mention the many groups in the Romance community. They really pointed me in the right direction. I'm grateful for that.

Do you see writing as a career?

Yes! One day I hope to do it full time.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Yeah that's why I have to hurry up and get it out of my hands cause I keep changing it!

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

As a child my father use to encourage it. I use to write stories for my family and give it to them and they would say, "Maybe one day you could get this published!" I was like five.... and then when I was in middle school I found out that S. E. Hinton had been published at sixteen-- I became truly determined then.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Yea, getting through the first draft!

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Just get the first draft down on paper and don't be afraid to make stupid mistakes and have dumb lines on paper cause it's the first draft and you are allowing the characters to come alive. Later on you can fix and micro manage but don't try to do it the first time through cause it will stifle your creativity.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Don't give up on being published! Try every avenue! There is away for you!