Did you ever sit down with a book intending to read just a few pages and end up devouring the whole book and wishing for more?
I found such a book, “Free Range Protocol, Tales of the Tschaaa Infestation”. It’s written by Marshal Miller, “Mark” to his friends. Miller is a retired military man who had jobs in Home Land Security, and several other security positions. His writing is fast-paced and full of action.
“Free Range Protocol” is the first book in a series of four. It contains the beginning details of how the other stories in “The Tsunami,” “The Gathering Storm,” and “Typhoon of Steel,” came to be.
I met Miller a few years ago when I attended one of the writers group meetings held in Bremerton. When I found out he was retired from Homeland Security, I had lots of questions because at the time I was just planning my book about a retired Homeland Security lady and I needed detail.
He was gracious enough to correct my misconceptions and give me good usable details. Since that time, we’ve attended many writing events at the same time, and now his books are finished and published.
Science Fiction is not my usual genre to read, but this story caught my attention immediately. Imagine this: There is a society on another planet that is male dominated, but everything is geared to putting children first. They eat first, receive the best care, best education, and are generally regarded as “precious jewels” by all the adults.
This society is also very technically and electronically advanced for protection and for scouting purposes when traveling to other planets. So, when their food source seems to need replenishing, they already know where to go to get stock for their herds. Does it surprise you that that “stock” is here on earth?
As the author describes it, these beings are “good guys that come from a very caring society, but they need to provide.” Just as we earthling maintain and care for cattle as a food source, they maintain and care for humans, and when the need to build up their herd happens, well, earth here they come.
Their army contains soldiers who are half living beings and half machine, and the “regular” guys are a type of amphibian, sort of lizard-octopus, that are good-to-go on land and water.
Lots of imagination went into this book with great descriptions and battles. And then we find out these Aliens are good, caring beings that really aren’t fighters at heart.
As I said, I started to read the first book which sets up the other three in this series, and I was hooked. For all of you mystery readers out there, give it a try and I think you’ll be hooked, too. This book is available at your local book stores (Liberty Bay Books and Eagle Harbor Books) and also on Amazon.com.
Now, as you no doubt know, there are many, many surveys out in the writing world that tell readers what are best sellers, etc. But recently, there were polls published saying which book was most read in each state.
One poll said that “Snow Falling On Cedars” by David Guterson was the most read in Washington State. Another poll said that “The Twilight Series” by Stephenie Meyer won first place in our state and certainly among teens. Have you read either one or both? I’ve met both authors and their books are good reads, but I think you have to of a certain age to enjoy either one, don’t you think?
Quote for today: “Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it yet.” – L. M. Montgomery, “Anne of Green Gables.”
Donna Lee Anderson is a published author and writers weekly for Kitsap Weekly. You can reach her at welltoldtales@aol.com.
