Tag: Paranormal Thriller

Good day, my fellow book lovers. Did you know that November 15th-19th is “National Young Readers Week?” I try to keep up with all things bookish, but this was new for me. As many of us turns our minds towards gift purchasing and giving for the next few months, what could be better than gifting books? (In my mind, the only thing better than books are gift cards to bookstores. But that’s me.) If you have a young reader in your household or life, I hope you’ll consider gifting them the entire StarPassage series by Clark Rich Burbidge, including the most recent addition StarPassage: Book Four – Cyber Plague. I’m honored to welcome Mr. Burbidge, author of this award winning series, to the blog. He’ll be providing us with a look “behind-the-scenes” of this series. I hope you will enjoy what he has to say, add these books to your holiday buying list, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway. Thank you, Mr. Burbidge for sharing with us today, the blog is now all yours.

A Glimpse Behind The Scenes

Writing fantasy, and within that historical fiction, requires numerous parallel lines of research. This was by far my most complex book yet. It was necessary not to just continue the science and mythology of time travel I have created but also flip it on its head when suddenly you are pulled into the future. The technology must be well thought through without dwelling on it. Concepts like pathogens, AI advancement, trans-human tech, societal breakdowns and how they might evolve and/or be repaired, computer virus damage and how to effectively deal with it, personal stories all add to the challenge. One of the passages I am most proud of is the trip to the St. George Sanctuary, especially their meetings with the mayor and the town meeting. Having attended many of these small-town events, I found it really fun to put the flow of them into my writing. I initially thought the book could be over after the experiences at the lab but there was more in me that needed to get out. The futures of Dr. Powell and some of the other characters needed to be examined and, of course, where did the stars come from. I really like the scene in the Oval office, especially at the end after the travelers leave.

I have inserted characters from my own life into these books. Martie always has reminded me of my youngest sister and, of course, that may make me like Tim. My father came home with PTSD from Korea, and it was a twenty-year battle with his demons. I am so proud of him, but the scenes played out early in the first book are ones I know a lot about. Some of the bad guys are people that have mistreated me or my family over the years. I did not assign their traits, only their names, and I guess it’s a bit passive aggressive, but their story didn’t end well for any of them. Donny in particular had to die twice. I tried to slip most of my grandchildren’s names into the books, some subtly and others more prominently. One of our sons has two daughters who are not twins but share the traits and names of Callie and Courtney. Books last forever, and long after I am gone, a simple choice of a name will bind me to them over time and space.

And last, the title went through several iterations, but I decided to keep it simple, the words Cyber and Plague pull certain visceral emotions out of people nowadays.

StarPassage: Book Four – Cyber Plague by Clark Rich Burbidge
ISBN: 9781632695789 (hardcover)
Publisher: Deep River Books LLC
Release Date: October 28, 2021
Genre: Fiction | Middle-Grade/Young Adult Fiction | Paranormal Thriller

In Book One, teenagers Tim and Martie are desperate to end their parents’ downward spiral. Then an ancient Christmas ornament reveals its secrets, sending the siblings across the centuries on a search for hope. But Tim and Martie aren’t the only ones hunting through time. They’re being watched by dark figures-Trackers doomed to haunt history. These Trackers believe the teens’ ornament is their key to freedom, and they will do whatever it takes to steal it.

In Book Two, Bobby and Mike are struggling after a tragic accident rocked their family. With the help of the Carson family, they go on a dangerous adventure to solve riddles, save lives, escape the stronger, faster Trackers, and experience some of the most dreadful and exciting moments in history.

In Book Three, Mike longs to help a struggling new patient who may hold dangerous secrets. An evil Tracker has escaped to the present, bringing with him plans to end the world. Our growing band of travelers work together to resist the powerful Trackers at every turn while trying to solve the relic’s riddles and guard against the ever-growing risk of betrayal.

Now the Gold Medal winning saga continues with Book Four. Contemporary twin sisters are thrust into a compelling adventure with a mysterious warrior from the past who holds secrets even he does not understand. In the most dangerous adventure yet, our unlikely heroes are thrust into a dangerous and uncertain future where humanity is on the verge of extinction. Pulled from the pages of our modern world, a dangerous cyber plague, societal breakdown, and the relentless Trackers must be overcome to preserve the future. Our inexperienced new travelers must learn quickly to survive while overcoming a series of impossibly complicated and interwoven threats.

 

Meet the Author

Clark Burbidge was born and raised in the high mountain valleys of the Rockies. He earned an MBA from the University of Southern California and a BS from the University of Utah. Clark and his wife, Leah, live near Salt Lake City, Utah, where they enjoy their blended family of ten children and nine grandchildren.

Clark’s award-winning works include the StarPassage series, Giants in the Land trilogy, the acclaimed Christmas book, A Piece of Silver: A Story of Christ and a nonfiction work, Living in the Family Blender: 10 Principles of a Successful Blended Family.

Connect with the author via: Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website

Giveaway

This is a Rafflecopter giveaway for one (1) print copy of StarPassage: Book Four – Cyber Plague by Clark Rich Burbidge via The Book Diva’s Reads. This giveaway ends at 11:59 PM ET on 11/23/2021 and the winner will be announced by 10:00 AM ET on 11/24/2021. Giveaway is limited to US residents ONLY. Any entry received with a non-US address will be disqualified. Void where prohibited by law.

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If you’re unable to enter via the above link, click here to enter.

This virtual book tour brought to you by PR By The Book