martedì 2 febbraio 2016

Book Blast & Giveaway: Cubeball by Michael Leon


Cubeball
by Michael Leon

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GENRE:  Sci-fi

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BLURB:

A naturally gifted ex-national champion and a savant with a computer-like mind compete against the world's best in the 22nd century's most popular sport - CUBEBALL - the chess-like, technology-enhanced, snooker of the future where the world stage is dominated by gambling, drugs and massive audiences.

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EXCERPT:



Jules’ gaze emboldened Mickey to reveal his special gift to her. He strode confidently to the cue-ball and lined up one of the most difficult shots in cubeball. Then with little thought, he cracked the cue-ball with a force that matched the passion he was feeling. The curve on the first line was more pronounced than the programmed line set by the computer.

 Mickey had struck the perfect shot. Sam and Riley sat staring at the console, mesmerised by what they had just seen and eager to re-capture its perfection on replay. Only champions could play this way and it was clear to all that Mickey was developing into one.

“Fucking incredible,” said Johnnie. His eyes were wide. Filled with awe for Mickey’s skills and expectation with how much he could earn from it.

Mickey didn’t hear his appreciative manager. He didn’t see the small tear that had formed in his kid sister’s admiring eye. His gaze remained on Jules. She brushed her hair back on to her shoulders before resting her slender hands on her hips. Her mouth was wide open, breathing in her excitement for what she had just seen. Then her eyes revealed that there was more to her feelings than that of an adoring fan. Her gaze began to fill with a stirring hunger. Fate was beginning to move into Mickey’s life like an evening moon tide.


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I worked with national and international organisations as a business analyst in Australia and overseas. I authored many business books analysing the foodservice and food retail industry in Australia, Europe and Asia, as well as agribusiness global trends.  I also ran a consultancy business that assisted Australian enterprises to develop new markets in Australia and overseas.

I commenced writing science fiction novels full time in 2009. It was a life-long interest of mine. I have written five novels - all exploring contemporary social issues in future speculative worlds. They are: Shadow Dance; Extinction; Cubeball; Titan Sages and Alive. My novels blend speculative science, new age and poetry. Readers of novels such as Carl Sagan’s Contact would enjoy my novels.

Links: 


Buy link:


Advice for writers.
First and foremost, write a story that is important to you. Writing a book to publisher stage is a long and exhaustive process, sometimes taking years! So make sure you believe in the project. Then you will be more likely to succeed.
I’m not from the school of writers who overly plan. Don’t get me wrong, I do research for many months before commencing my novel. But once I commence the process of writing a first draft, I try to write it quickly. So I rely more on my creativity to develop the plot. Then I work with my characters to move the action forward.
Some of my best science fiction ideas come from science fact. I’ve always enjoyed reading popular science, as so much of the work carried out by scientists in the last century has been awe-inspiring. I am a voracious reader and viewer of popular science books and shows. Studies of the cosmos are of particular interest, starting way back with Carl Sagan’s Cosmos. I liked the way he blended physics with poetic verse. Brian Cox is of a similar vein. I enjoyed his Wonder of the Universe series.

My next novel actually pays tribute to a fascinating area of physics, known as multiverse theory. Some scientists believe that we live in a multiverse made up of possibly an infinite number of universes. If this were true, it could mean that we have an infinite number of lives – a mind-boggling thought!

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE


One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

21 commenti:

  1. Thank you LibriAmoriMiei for hosting me today and thanks to Goddess Fish! Wishing everyone good luck in the giveaway!

    RispondiElimina
  2. Cubeball! What an interesting concept.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Hi Silvia! Thanks for visiting! I'm glad you found it interesting. I tried to imagine how sport would evolve in the next century. If you find the time to read Cubeball, I hope you enjoy it and I'd appreciate your feedback!

      Elimina
  3. I appreciate the advice!

    --Trix

    RispondiElimina
  4. Hi Trix! You're welcome. I appreciate your wonderful support! Good luck with the giveaway!

    RispondiElimina
  5. Sounds like an awesome book - I'm looking forward to checking it out :)

    RispondiElimina
  6. Thanks, Victoria! Your support has been awesome, too! Best of luck with the giveaway!

    RispondiElimina
  7. Love the review,the title and cover are very catchy also....can't wait to read the rest..

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Thank you, Bethany! I appreciate your feedback and encouragement!

      Elimina
  8. Sounds like a great read, thank you for sharing!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Thanks for your visit and support, Dario! Good luck with the giveaway!

      Elimina
  9. How did you go from the food service field into writing?

    RispondiElimina
  10. Hi Jenny! I worked in food retailing for a decade before I moved to trade development. They got me leading missions overseas and writing reports about the findings. I ended up writing around ten books on the subject and gaining a lot of experience in researching, writing, editing and publishing. So admittedly, it was a long-winded way of becoming a science fiction writer, but I learnt a lot about the processes of writing, before making the change.

    RispondiElimina
  11. I used to play on the Busch League in 8 ball pool. Our team advanced from local to the World Championship of Pool in Las Vegas. That was years ago, and I haven't played pool since; Playing computer pool just isn't the same, lol. I'd also like to read your book!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Hi Jan! If you read my book, I'd very much value your feedback! Thanks so much for visiting!

      Elimina
  12. You made major career changes. Was it difficult?

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Hi Mystica! I've made two big career changes. They seem difficult at the time, as it can take a number of years to build your new career. But I have had no regrets. Thanks for visiting!

      Elimina

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