North Carolina author Jon Batson will read a short selection from his latest science fiction novel Mars Quake at Bosetti Art Tile Showroom in Raleigh, NC. Guests are welcome to join in the book release and signing party September 8, 2013, 3:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday.
The central story of Mars Quake revolves around astronomer Dana Wright, PhD., who observes a quake and photographs what the shifting sands reveal: writing on the red planet. In her quest to convince NASA to launch a mission there, she meets Tom Matthews, a Senator's Aide who is willing to help her negotiate the red tape. However, Mathews has his own agenda. The Martian images evoke a memory from a long ago past. Buried deep within him is the knowledge that the images are not writing, but buildings, structures made by intelligent beings. How does he know?
"I started writing Mars Quake a few months before February, 2012, when scientists found evidence of relatively recent quakes on the surface of Mars. Seems by studying boulders that rolled off cliffs they could see the tracks the boulders left behind," said Batson. "Hope my Mars Quake shakes things up here on earth!"
What Readers Say
"Mars Quake is not just a story about life on Mars and space travel, but a journey across the universe of human perception and political secrets. Batson has created a story intriguing enough to propel the mind toward uncharted territory and yet possible enough to defy the limitations of scientific certainty. A book you won't want to put down until the last mind-blowing page." - Sandra Carrington-Smith, award-winning author of The Book of Obeah and Housekeeping for the Soul
"I just finished Mars Quake and thought it was great-not only for story, but also for suspense, insight, truths, and humor." - Lee Kessler, author of the White King series
"When I received this book I was 25% into another. ...Out of curiosity, I took a peek at the first chapter. Before I knew it, I was five chapters into it and didn't want to put it down. I loved this book so much that I ended up putting the first book aside. ...The questions [it raised] couldn't help but draw me into this fascinating tale" - James Paddock, reviewer
Published by Midnight Whistler Publishers, Mars Quake is Batson's third science fiction novel. Fade to Black: The Trasaron Chronicles was his first; A character-driven saga that weaves romance and action as Earthers fight to return home from a forbidding planet. His second sci-fi novel, Adventures of a Space Bum, released by Ink Smith Publishing, July, 2013, features a young Starwart Bacchus who looking for a home. With a pocket full of "Universals" and a ceramic blade strapped to her thigh, she travels the darkness in an automated repair vehicle.
For more information on Jon Batson, order copies of his books, or to invite Jon to speak to your organization about writing, go to his website www.TheRealJonBatson.com. His books are available from your favorite bookstore or on Amazon in both Kindle and paper formats.
About Jon Batson
Award-winning songwriter and author, Jon Batson is a storyteller at heart with CDs, five Hollywood produced musicals and over a dozen books to his credit. His writings range from micro, flash fiction and short fiction to novellas, novels and sagas. His stories have won first place in the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society's Short Story Contest numerous times, honorable mention in the Writers of the Future sci-fi contest and others. Visit www.TheRealJonBatson.com and email JonBatson@live.com
