"Kuro-Sil: The Book of Humans, Reptuuls, and God," by: Michael Small — Book Tour & Giveaway!

Hi everyone. Today I am featuring a Science Fiction Fantasy novel by Michael Small. Check out a sneak peek and book details for his book "Kuro-Sil: The Book of Humans, Reptuuls, and God." Dive into the details today and purchase your copy now. Happy reading everyone. :)

****

In a galaxy nearly conquered by Reptuuls, one boy will change everything, not by destroying them, but by befriending them instead. 

Kuro-Sil: The Book of Humans, Reptuuls, and God

Book 1

by: Michael Small

Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy

Add to your TBR List!

GOODREADS

Check out Reviews and Recommendations!

BOOKBUB

   “Beginning warm up training,” the drone said.

   Orren spent a few minutes practicing with the drone. It floated around the boy, shooting a laser blast here and there. Orren dodged them easily, and managed to land a few hits with his sword. He was still a novice, but a close friend gave him three simple steps to an easy victory:

   

   First, breathe. You can’t focus if  you lose your temper.

   Second, observe. There is  always a w eakness to  exploit.

   Third, stand. Stand tall and strong, and never let your foe use your fear against you.

   These tips he took to heart, and he had learned a lot about proper sword training in a relatively short time.

   Eventually, the warm up ended, and Orren felt invigorated. “Now comes the real test,” the drone said, “Skill level set to one.”

   “Level one? Who set it there?” Orren said. His partner must have done that. It annoyed him when he was treated with kid gloves. “No, give me level five.”

   “Level five is too difficult for young humans,” the drone said, “Are you sure you want to continue? This is your final warning.” The drone projected a “yes” and a “no” box in front of  him.

   “Yes, I’m sure!” Orren said, hastily pressing the “yes” option. “Now hurry up! I don’t have much time.”

   “Affirmative,” the drone said, “let us begin.” It projected a humanoid hologram the size of  Orren. It was armed with its own holographic blade to protect its owner.

   “Alright, let’s do this!” Orren said, holding his sword firmly in both hands. “I won’t let you beat me this time.” Orren adjusted his sleeve, prepping a Reptuulian dagger he secretly took from his bag. This would be his key to victory.

   Orren and the hologram circled around each other, Orren laser-focused on his prey. The hologram was just a distraction. His real target was the drone. The hologram lunged first. Orren sidestepped it, and lunged at the drone, striking a blow to the machine, making the hologram fizzle a bit. “Ha! Gotcha!” Orren exclaimed.

   The image recovered, and quickly drifted to the side to avoid the drone as it shot three stinger blasts from its central eye. Orren dodged one, blocked another, but the last grazed his arm, giving him a sharp sting. “Ow! No fair, you’re too fast!”

   “You chose this level, not me,” the drone retorted, its central eye light dimming in a mocking manner. “You get what you ask for.”

   Orren lunged again, but the drone dodged. He swung to his right, but the hologram jumped in his way and blocked with its own blade. He clashed with the image again and again, hoping to find an opening, but he couldn’t find one. The longer this went on, the more frustrated he became, failing the first rule.

   Orren backed off  slightly, and crouched down, focusing his energy on his feet. As he did, he came up with a plan. First, he would throw the dagger, then he would boost forward with his energy stored up, and slash through the drone before it recovered. He hadn’t used this technique before, and he hoped he could pull it off.

   But just as he was about to throw the dagger, he noticed something hovering in the air outside the barrier, out of  the corner of  his eye. He noticed it right as the dagger left his fingers, allowing for the hologram to deflect it easily. Orren was in shock, and he lost focus of  his energy, making him stumble. His plan was ruined! He knew he shouldn’t have set the drone to level five.

   But what was the floating thing? It looked like another drone. He turned to look, and the drone fired a concussion blast at his chest the moment he took his eyes off  it, knocking him to the ground, his pendant falling off  without him noticing.

   “Hey! You cheated!” Orren complained.

   “I only took advantage of  your lack of  focus,” the drone said, “You forget the most important rule of  sword fighting–”

   “Never take your eyes off  your opponent, yeah, I know,” Orren said frustratedly.

BLURB:

I am the Chronicler, hear my story:

In the year 5027, humanity will be enslaved by an alien race called the Reptuuls.

But what if I told you a young boy befriended their oppressors?

Orren Hawkins is a boy with a dream: to make friends with the Reptuuls, no matter the cost. It won't be easy due to the Reptuuls hatred of humanity. But by the grace of a long forgotten God, Orren has found two great and unusual friends, and they must learn to work together to rescue enslaved humans, as part of their destiny to unite man and Reptuul under God.

There's just one problem: Orren is himself a drulak, a slave of Reptuuls. Can he still accomplish his dream?

Will you dare read the true story of a forbidden friendship no government wants exposed? Then welcome, one and all, to the legend of the Kuro-Sil!

"This book was so different from anything I’ve read and I enjoyed it. Small did such a great job with this storyline and plot." - Yvette Garcia, Goodreads, 4 stars

"I found the whole concept of this book fascinating." "It’s a brilliant debut from the author." - Tami Wylie, Goodreads, 5 stars

Purchase your Copy Today!

AMAZON | APPLE | B&N | KOBO

****

Michael Small

Michael Small didn't plan on becoming an author. He initially wanted to be a video game programmer, though he couldn't wrap his head around the subject. But he always had a story to tell, and seeing how woke and especially anti-Christian messaging had started infesting modern entertainment, he dropped out of college in 2016 and taught himself how to write, spending the years since creating his own world, which became his debut novel Kuro-Sil: The Book of Humans, Reptuuls, and God. 

Michael is a Christian and goes to church regularly, using his faith to inspire his stories. He is also an avid gamer, and has been playing video games since he was three. He mainly likes pop culture stuff like movies, tv, and more recently manga, but he likes to try many things, like going on walks and drives, and working out (though he's not a pro at it). 

He is currently thirty two years old and lives in Washington state.

Follow Michael at the Following Links:

WEBSITE | X | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | AMAZON | GOODREADS

****

Enter to Win:

Kuro-Sil Swag Pack,

$20 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card

— 1 Winner Each!

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Next Stop on the Tour:

Girl with Pen 

"The Quest for Freedom," by: Matthew Devitt — On Sale for 99¢ Tour & Giveaway!

 Hi everyone. Today I am featuring Matthew Devitt's book "The Quest for Freedom." Dive into this Dark Epic Fantasy novel today and find out how you can get it for 99¢ for a limited time. Don't miss out on this special deal and purchase your copy today. Happy reading everyone :).

****

One man against the world

The Quest for Freedom

The Conquest Trilogy Book 1

by: Matthew Devitt

Genre: Dark Epic Fantasy, Action, Adventure

Add to your TBR List!

GOODREADS

Check out Reviews and Recommendations!

BOOKBUB

"Death is a part of freedom. Blood will be spilled whether we fight this war or stand down and stay as slaves. I'm trying to put humans back at the top where we belong. It's all I've ever thought about…freedom and victory. My only purpose in life is to rectify the disposition of this damn world, and I'll do whatever it takes to do that." - Fletcher Rush 

“They should be here any minute,” Fletcher muttered.

They’d managed to take care of all the preparations Fletcher had planned, and now he was standing on the city wall by the main gate along with Ji.

“I’m surprised we finished everything,” Ji said, glancing across the field in front of them.

“Me too,” Fletcher admitted. “I think we have a good chance to win this fight.”

“We either win or we die,” Ji said, shuddering after he said it out loud.

“Or they capture us and enslave or torture us.”

“Not helping.”

“Just fight like your life depends on it, because it kind of does,” Fletcher said, casting his gaze out to the path.

“What if they don’t come?” Ji asked.

“Trust me, they’ll come. I might not have confirmation, but based off what that elf said, and Light’s temper, I would bet my life on them attacking.”

The two didn't say anything after that; instead, they just kept watch. The light breeze swayed the leaves and small branches of the many trees that dotted their vision. It had grown quite dark and was hard to see, but Fletcher and Ji still saw the dirt kicking up from the large convoy of vehicles headed toward them.

“Looks like that’s the elves,” Ji said, pulling out an arrow and notching it in his crossbow.

“This should be fun,” Fletcher said, taking the remote control from his pocket and getting ready to use it.

The vehicles got closer and the two saw truck after truck approach, stretching out as far as they could see, each of them packed with bloodthirsty elves.

“Hey, Ji, no matter the outcome of the battle, I just want to say thanks. I wouldn’t be here today without your help,” Fletcher said, turning to his friend.

“Don’t be getting sappy on me now, man,” Ji said, giving Fletcher a light shove. “But seriously, I feel the same… Thanks, Fletcher.”

The car in the lead started closing in and the two of them saw it had a large metal ram built on the front of it.

"Fuck, I think they're going to ram into the gate," Fletcher said, turning to the inside of the city where two dozen soldiers were waiting. "GET READY FOR THE FIRST TRUCK, AND DON'T LIGHT THE OIL UNTIL I GIVE THE ORDER!"

Fletcher turned back to look at the approaching army just before the truck slammed into the main gate. The gate exploded, sending splinters of wood flying in every direction and shaking the strong stone walls.

“Damn—” Fletcher said, getting thrown to the ground by the impact. He got up and looked at the inside of the city. Elves were already rushing out of the vehicle, drawing their weapons before advancing forward.

"I'LL HEAD DOWN!" Ji shouted, shooting off an arrow before he dropped the crossbow and ran down the stairs.

Fletcher turned his attention back toward the convoy that was approaching very fast.

“Wait…” Fletcher softly muttered to himself, his finger resting on the trigger to the makeshift bombs.

The sound of the engines grew louder as the cars neared the city, none of them slowing down in the slightest.

Just a bit more…

“SEE YOU, MOTHERFUCKERS!” Fletcher shouted as he pressed the button, causing the bombs to go off.

The ground ripped apart as the explosions detonated, making contact with the trucks milliseconds later and blowing them to hell.

A fire quickly took over the front lawn of the city as the explosions mixed with the gasoline in the vehicles’ fuel tanks. Over two dozen trucks were obliterated, another five had caught on fire, and the pathway had been completely destroyed. The cars that weren't affected by the blast stopped in their tracks, and the one in the front got rear-ended after stopping so fast, making Fletcher smile. 

BLURB:

Affer was once a peaceful planet, until a war broke out between its six inhabiting species. The humans, who were once the mightiest force on Affer, were massacred in droves, and the ones who survived the onslaught were reduced to mere slaves. The five other species divided the humans amongst themselves and returned to their respective kingdoms.

The years passed, turning into decades and centuries, without any change. Eventually, the humans had accepted their fate as slaves. All except one. Four hundred and seventy-three years later, Fletcher Rush starts his journey to free his kind...and conquer the planet.

**Use the code “silver” for $3 off the paperback at 

The Author’s Website!**

**Only .99 cents!**

Purchase your Copy Today!

AMAZON | B&N | BOOKSHOP.ORG

****

Matthew Devitt

I've always had a love for fantasy, and to this day LOTR and The Inheritance Cycle remain some of my favorite books. There are limitless possibilities when you're writing, but with fantasy, it's different. You don't have to adhere to rules or logic; you can create whatever type of world you want. Characters can live in a dystopian society, a grand futuristic city, a picture-perfect world, or a medieval wasteland. Time, technology, and magic are all there for the taking, and as a writer, you get to choose what defines your story.

Follow Matthew at the Following Links:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | AMAZON | GOODREADS

****

Enter to Win:

Print Copy of "The Quest for Freedom" (US only),

$10 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card (WW),

— 1 Winner Each!

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Next Stop on the Tour:

Haley Cavanagh Books

"The Mars Man," by: Charles Anthony — On Sale 9th - 16th Tour & Giveaway!

 Hi everyone. Today I am featuring Charles Anthony's book "The Mars Man." His book is on sale from November 9th-16th. Dive into the sneak peek of chapter one below and find out all the details on this dystopian science fiction novel today. Happy reading everyone. :)

****

Three StarZ corporation ships are sent to forge a new civilization on Mars. But when a massive solar flare cuts off all communication, no one knows what is happening on Mars. The only one who does - Commander John Santo - arrived back in an escape capsule: and he has disappeared.

The Mars Man

by: Charles Anthony

Genre: Dystopian Science Fiction

Add to your TBR List!

GOODREADS

Check out Reviews and Recommendations!

BOOKBUB

1 Escape

19:36 hours

28 February+4 (Martian Days)

Year: 2034

Mars Orbit

The StarZ Escape Pod’s mini boosters did not break the Martian gravity. The SUV sized craft hit its zenith. The forward viewing window paused on a vision of the central Milky Way, strung across time and space. The ship quivered between orbit and gravity for a second.  Through the front viewer Commander John Santo saw his intended destination: the StarZ Resupply Vessel, an automated craft the length of a football field, that had been dispatched to deliver critical resupplies six months into the colony’s life. It hovered barely 60 metres in front of the craft, so near, yet out of reach.

Come on. Just a bit more altitude. Otherwise I'm not gonna make it.

The Resupply Vessel was now over the drop zone. In the next 30 to 60 seconds the cargo bay doors would open, jettison cargo and then close again. That had been the window he had been waiting for. It was slipping away with every second. 

The forward momentum is gone.

He swore, fogging up his damaged helmet. There was no way the StarZ Escape Pod and the Resupply Vessel could draw closer together. Any second now and his tiny craft would start tumbling uncontrollably to the Martian surface below, smashing into sand and rock with him inside, becoming another piece of rubble alongside the shattered base and fractured landing pads, all that remained of Mars Base One. His grave would be unmarked, perishing in silence like the other colonists had. 

The Escape Pod began dipping as it turned towards the Martian surface. The window filled with the ocre sand. The pitch and roll got heavier, started by the spluttering death of first one and then the other two of the three engines. The uneven thrust had warped the craft out of an upright and uniform path. The view alternated between a red Martian tundra and stars. The fuel gauge read 0%, using all the methane they had manufactured. Mars’ claw of gravity took a stronger grip on its prey, tilting and distorting the craft’s trajectory into a downward parabola.

John’s mind veered towards panic. The tiny capsule was not designed for re-entry or controlled landing. The three mini thrusters, spaced evenly around the circumference of the cone shaped capsule were made for adjusting on docking and undocking, not emergencies. Soon it would spin wildly out of control. Even if he could get it on an even plane, there was no way he could land it. Each rotation filled the window with contrasts: the redness of Mars and the void’s blackness, broken only by the thin Resupply Vessel.

He tried to stabilise. He grabbed the two joysticks: one for pitch, the other for roll. He pressed gently. Thinking quickly, he used the Martian redness as a reference point to try and level out. He hoped he could control it just enough and keep it as close as possible to the Resupply Vessel. He turned the left hand for pitch and pushed down for roll. Miraculously, the Escape Pod steadied. Mars’ red curve filled the lower half of the forward view window. The Resupply Vessel was almost directly above, but still too far. The red surface was creeping up the front viewing window. The craft was also rotating, heading for a flat spin.

He looked up. The Resupply Vessel’s bay doors were opening. The size of whale fins, they shielded his view of the payload that jettisoned out in a flash, powered by many smaller thrusters attached to the cargo. He winced as it passed the Escape Pod by inches to his right. The open doors stayed hanging. 

I can crash land inside this craft, or there's just a chance I can...

His 30 to 60 seconds were counting down. His mind worked rapidly.

He punched the belt release and sprang out of the pilot's seat. He had to be quick if his desperate plan was going to work. Pulling himself to the roof, he grabbed the emergency hatch release handle, yanked, and held on as the roof hatch exploded out, carrying him outside. His heart pounded in his suit, looking up at the Resupply Vessel only 50 metres away with the vastness of space all around it.

The Escape Pod began to rotate, flat spinning. Holding onto the handle, he could keep himself in place, but began to feel the growing centripetal force. He had to adjust to the spinning. Like a ballerina, he kept his eyes fixed on the Resupply Vessel. He would need all his concentration for this move. He had to time it perfectly. He did the calculation in his head. Holding onto the ship, he was within the arc of a sling. He could turn the centripetal force of the tumbling craft to a tangential force like a released stone. With his heart counting down like a stopwatch he felt his time slipping away. When the pod swung around again, he released his hand and pushed his legs against its shell. The push sent him away from the pod, however, the uneven force from his two feet (one had been almost fully extended whilst the other was bent) sent him tumbling end over end towards the Resupply Vessel. He was rising wildly. He knew it was only a matter of seconds before the bay doors closed and he would have no way of getting inside. On each forward spin he saw the grab handles used to open the bay doors in emergencies. These handles stuck out like redheads, the same size as emergency release handles on an aircraft. They were a small target, but they were the only thing he could grip onto and stop his momentum. He knew that if he went clean inside, he would smash against the bulkhead and bounce back out. He had to grab the handle in the next two or three rotations. If not, he’d continue on tumbling into space beyond, or Mars would drag him back to its dead surface below.  He tensed his muscles. He counted the swings. The handles were so close now. 

Three…two…one…

He sucked in one last breath on the bottom rotation. The redness lit his sweaty face for the last time. He thrust out a hand for the handle, hoping against hope that he would find it.

BLURB:

In a world grappling with a climate crisis, a shrinking population and dwindling resources on Earth, billionaire Ezra Graff has founded StarZ. Its mission: begin the first Martian colony. The three hundred pioneers of The Mars Man are the first to venture forth, forging a new civilization on the rust-colored expanse of Mars. But when a massive solar flare cuts off all communication, no one knows what is happening on Mars. The only one who does know is the single occupant of an escape capsule that crashed into the Atlantic ocean one year after the colony’s founding: Commander John Santo. To get the full story, they must find him. With time running out until the second wave launches for Mars, only Commander John Santo knows what is happening to the first colony as they grapple with the harsh realities of their new home, confronting the strange environment outside and the forces of evil within.

The Mars Man weaves a tapestry of adventure, intrigue, and human resilience against the backdrop of a planet that challenges every notion of survival. With richly developed characters and a narrative that balances suspense and wonder, Anthony creates an immersive experience that will leave readers hungry to keep reading.

**On Sale Nov 9-16!**

Purchase your Copy Today!

AMAZON

****

Charles Anthony

Charles Anthony was born in the Hunter Valley, Australia, in 1990. He moved to New Zealand in 2017, obtained a Master of Laws degree from the University of Auckland and then moved to the Waikato where he works as a lawyer and is actively involved in his community. 

In the summer of 2021 he began writing. Working in the evenings and on the weekends, he produces short stories, poems and novels. In 2025 he launched his first novel, the Mars Man, on Amazon. 

Charles Anthony lives in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Follow Charles at the Following Links:

WEBSITE | FB | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | AMAZON 

****

Enter to Win:

$10 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Next Stop on the Tour:

Author Sahara Foley

New Release: "Against the Red Sky: Mission X," by: Kristen Illarmo

 Hi everyone. Today I am featuring Kristen Illamo's new released book "Against the Red Sky: Mission X." Dive into the sneak peek, book details, and more with this post. Check out how to purchase your copy today and you can get goodies through the author store unlike Amazon on the rest. Happy reading :).

****

Two missions, one conspiracy, zero room for mistakes- or feelings.

Against the Red Sky: Mission X

by: Kristen Illarmo

Genre: YA Science Fiction Thriller

Add to your TBR List!

GOODREADS

Check out Reviews and Recommendations!

BOOKBUB

What readers are saying:

"This YA novel is one long dopamine hit, an insightful saga with crush-worthy protagonists. Enzo, pulled between his ecoterrorism world and a gnawing realization that there may be flaws to his organization's methods, is a vibrant, well-executed character. Maddie's journey parallels his in many ways, and her resolve, spirit, and appealing energy make her equally entertaining. Their two paths collide, and Illarmo delivers a twisty examination of greed, loyalty, and the dark motives that drive people when pushed to their limits." Rated 10 out of 10.

-The BookLifePrize

“This is one of the best books I’ve read this year and I have read over a hundred so far! This is a nail biting, page turning masterpiece that will completely have you mesmerized and under its spell by the first few chapters!” 

-ARC reviewer

“Great, fast-paced fun story with lots of twists and turns

that kept me turning the pages. It has elements of academy, romance, scifi, and thriller that kept me up late reading.” 

-ARC reviewer

BLURB:

Enzo Cruz knows sacrifice. After a failed mission to assassinate the billionaire behind the Mars colony—and the loss of his grandfather—he’s ready for redemption. His new target? The Mars Ascendance Academy shuttle. His orders: infiltrate, sabotage, escape.

As the youngest operative in Terra Primera, Enzo’s talent with explosives could tip the balance in Earth’s fight for survival. But inside the Academy, nothing goes to plan—especially when Maddie Westing enters the picture.

Maddie has dreamed of joining her mother on Mars since she was ten. Now she has her shot: one of thirty elite students in the Academy’s inaugural class. But being the niece of the colony’s powerful founder comes with strings—and shadows.

When Enzo’s mission collides with Maddie’s quest for truth, both teens are thrust into a conspiracy that threatens Earth and Mars alike. Loyalties will be tested. Secrets will be exposed. And the greatest danger may not come from the skies—it may lie in their hearts.

In this heart-pounding YA thriller, survival means risking everything—including the people you thought you hated most.

For fans of The Hunger Games, Red Rising, and Aurora Rising—Against the Red Sky delivers explosive tension, star-crossed loyalty, and a high-stakes rebellion that could destroy two worlds.

**Order from the author and get extra goodies!**

Purchase your Copy Today!

AUTHOR'S STORE | AMAZON

****

Kristen Illarmo

Kristen Illarmo is a New Orleans-based author of young adult science fiction and fantasy. Her action packed, character-driven stories explore the ripple effects of real-world choices, set in decaying societies and with tangled family dynamics. Her debut duology, Kirasu Rising, was featured at the 2023 Louisiana Book Festival.

Follow Kristen at the Following Links:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | BOOKBUB | AMAZON | GOODREADS

****

Hardback Copy — 2 Winners (US only),

Paperback Copy — 2 Winners (US only),

$10 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card — 1 Winner (WW)

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Next Stop on the Tour:

Jody's Bookish Haven

October 14th

New Release: "Switched," by: Angela Lam

 Hi everyone. Today I am featuring Angela Lam's New Released Book "Switched." Dive into the sneak peek, book details, and more to find out why you should purchase your copy today. Happy reading everyone. :)

****

What would you do if you woke up a different age and gender?

Switched

by: Angela Lam

Genre: Dystopian Cyberpunk SciFi Fantasy

Add to your TBR List!

GOODREADS

Check out Reviews and Recommendations!

BOOKBUB

Maxine slung her backpack over her shoulders and tiptoed down the staircase and across the kitchen floor. Early morning sunlight streamed through the dining room window. In the adjacent living room, her mother sat on a sofa, listening to the morning-show hosts mutter warnings about the end of the world, for everyone was changing—man to woman, old to young—and no one could do anything to stop it. 

“Armageddon,” one of the hosts said.

Holding her breath, Maxine stiffened. Her best friend, Patty, had recently changed from a young college student to an elderly man.

“Where you going so early?”

Maxine yelped, releasing her breath, her heart rate racing in her chest. 

Her mother loomed in the doorway like an apparition glowering between this world and the next.

“You scared me,” Maxine said, placing a hand on her chest. 

“Serves you right for leaving without saying a word.”

Maxine didn’t want to argue with her mother. It was all they had done since the change had started. Older feminists squawked about the appropriation of the perimenopausal phrase to describe the ungodly phenomenon afflicting certain segments of the population. But until a scientific name was given, the colloquial one, appropriated or not, would do.

“Well?” Her mother tapped her foot. “I’m waiting.”

The morning-show hosts’ voices carried into the room, buffering the silence. 

An insidious tension coiled throughout Maxine’s body. The way her mother’s eyebrows pinched together made her feel like an errant child and not a twenty-two-year-old college senior. She tucked her chin toward her chest. She was a small woman, barely five feet, but her mother’s anger and disapproval made her feel even smaller. If she were a great actress, she could make up a story, and her mother would believe her. But Maxine’s body quivered like a plucked string whenever she fibbed, so she resigned herself to the truth. 

“I’m picking up Patty and taking her to breakfast before our first class.”

“You seem to be spending a lot of time with old people. Men especially.”

Not this again. Maxine’s hands curled into fists. “Mom, Patty’s a woman, trapped in a man’s body.”

“Yeah, I know. That’s why you shouldn’t be spending time with her.” Her mother spread her arms wide and lifted her shoulders like she was a prophet calling upon God. “Who knows if she’s contagious?”

From what Maxine had read, the change wasn’t a virus or something that could be transmitted from person to person. Scientists couldn’t pinpoint or explain why the phenomenon only happened to certain people under certain circumstances at certain times. To her, it all seemed random. To her mother, it seemed like a medical version of manifest destiny. 

“I won’t catch it, I promise.” Maxine crossed her fingers behind her back in the event the change happened to her someday.

A low grumble erupted from her mother’s stomach.

An idea blossomed, and Maxine smiled. “I’ll make you coffee and toast before I leave.” 

Food was always a bribe. She hoped it worked.

Her mother beamed. “That’s my girl.” She patted her shoulder before shuffling to the living room. 

Maxine poured a mug full of rich-smelling coffee and drizzled maple syrup over two pieces of toast and sprinkled them with cinnamon and powdered sugar. After grabbing a fork, a knife, and a cloth napkin from a drawer, she placed everything on a tray and carried it into the living room, where her mother slouched on the sofa, her gaze riveted on the images on the TV. Some medical experts were talking about the change, which was now being referred to as “the switch” since it caused people to flip-flop ages and genders. This expert suggested it might be the result of some alien invasion that had scrambled our DNA while we slept. 

“Oh, thank you, child,” her mother said, inhaling deeply. She snatched the napkin and laid it over her lap before cutting a slice of the cinnamon toast and tucking it into her mouth. “Mmm-mmm. You sure cook good, girl. Your daddy would be proud. God rest his soul.”

Hmph. Her dead father would have been proud, but her living mother wasn’t. Why was it always easier to please the dead than the living? Tension knotted in her gut. 

“Bye, Mom.” Maxine bent to kiss the top of her mother’s head. The hair tasted greasy and smelled like wilted flowers. “I’ll see you after my last class ends.”

BLURB:

A global phenomenon is rewriting the laws of biology, causing men over fifty-five and women between eighteen and forty to suddenly and inexplicably switch their ages and genders. No one understands it, and no one can stop it.

Maxine thinks she can stay on the sidelines, supporting her brilliant boyfriend-turned-girlfriend Jo—an audacious biotech pioneer, who’s breaking new ground with brain-to-brain communication. But when the transformation strikes Maxine, her reality is flipped upside down.

Now facing an unexpected future, Max must grapple with their identity, struggling to align who they were with who they have become. Can they reclaim control over a life that’s no longer theirs, or will they be swept away by the changes they never asked for?

Purchase your Copy Today!

AMAZON

****

Angela Lam

Angela Lam writes across all genres, from romance (The Women of the Crush series) to memoir (Red Eggs and Good Luck) to thrillers (No Amends) and science fiction (Switched). Sometimes, she writes under a pen name to keep things interesting (The Heroic Adventures of Madame X). The rest of the time, she is busy exploring mixed-media art and teaching others what she knows.

Follow Angela at the Following Links:

WEBSITE | FB | X | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | AMAZON | GOODREADS

****

Enter to Win:

$10 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Next Stop on the Tour:

C.A.Milson