First Chapter Review & Giveaway: Omniscience by Janine Frances

 

Omniscience by Janine Frances is a dystopian thriller I found through Goddess Fish Promotions. At the end of this First Chapter Review, you will find a giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card.

BLURB: A family seek refuge in the Australian outback as tyranny takes hold, but who can they trust?

The world is at war and an authoritarian government has taken control in Australia. A terrorist group known as Day One is attempting to destroy civilisation so humanity can start again.

Shareen Miller gets caught up in a bureaucratic nightmare when she’s detained by an Auto-Enforcer for not having the right travel permit on the way to a job interview. Shareen’s detention sets off a chain of events that lead to her five-year-old twins being taken by the government.

With her husband Daniel, grandmother Alma, and sister Layla, Shareen seizes her children and escapes from the city. On the road, she reveals a secret about her missing mother Veronica that she’s been hiding from her family for five years.

What follows is an intense journey into the harsh Australian outback where nothing is as it seems, and no one can be trusted. As they fight for survival, Veronica’s family finally learn the truth about why she left them.

The stakes couldn’t be higher as the future of humanity hangs in the balance.

COVER: Totally works for the genre and the location. Love everything about it. 

FIRST CHAPTER: Shareen Miller is on her way to a job interview when she is detained by an Auto-Enforcer for not having the proper travel permit. 

KEEP READING: Definitely! Dystopian novels never used to be on my radar, but The Hunger Games changed all that. Since then, I add them into my reading schedule from time to time. 

From the opening paragraph, this novel had me hooked. What Frances has done with Omniscience is create a world where extremes have run amok. Having witnessed the world's evolution and read the news over the last couple of years, some of what Shareen experiences feels like it could happen down the street or in a connecting city. Frances has created a world that is both fascinating and terrifying. Fascinating in the aspect of interesting technology, but terrifying in the loss of everyday freedoms. People being detained only to never be heard from again. No use of cell phones and government run social media. 

Knowing what is in store for our main character, lets the reader know it is going to get worse. Perhaps it won't get better. Therefore, you are drawn into Shareen's story and must continue to see if she and her family can survive. 

Read an Excerpt:

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Miller, but unfortunately, you won’t be able to take your children today.” His tone was perfunctory, as if he was informing her that her favourite brand of toothpaste was out of stock. “Once they’re in the system, they have to be assessed fully. This can take several days or longer based on the complexity of the case. You will be interviewed―” 

“Wait a minute,” she said, leaning forward so that her forehead was pressed against the barrier. This couldn’t be happening. “My grandmother was told we don’t have permission to live at her place, but that’s not true. I have it right here on my iD. I can show you.” She lifted her wrist. 

“That won’t be necessary. Even if it is a mistake, we need to follow protocol. If you’ll just be patient, you should see them again soon.” 

“We don’t need to follow protocol because we’ve done nothing wrong.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m not leaving without my children. Either get them now or get a manager out here.” 

He sighed dramatically. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. The best thing you can do is go home and wait until we notify you. I’m sorry you were called in unnecessarily. We take child protection very seriously, and there’s no special treatment for anyone, not even you.”

Purchase this book from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Ot7fwE 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thorpe-Bowker (February 12, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 317 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0645411019
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0645411010

Janine Frances lives in the Hunter Valley, Australia with her partner David and dog Banjo. She loves reading thrillers and decided to have a go at writing her own. 

Janine chose to write a speculative thriller because it’s an exciting genre that asks important questions about the future.

You can find her on:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Omniscience-dystopian-thriller-Janine-Frances-ebook/dp/B09S32YXMG/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22233273.Janine_Frances 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanineFrances5

Janine Frances will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a digital copy of this book from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Blog Tour: Collapse by Richard Stephenson

Join Richard Stephenson, author of the dystopian thriller, Collapse, as he tours the blogosphere May 6 - May 31, 2013 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

ABOUT COLLAPSE

America is falling, ready to join the Roman Empire as a distant memory in the annals of history. The year is 2027. Tired and desperate, the American people are deep in the middle of The Second Great Depression. The Florida coastline is in ruins from the most powerful hurricane on record; a second just like it is bearing down on the state of Texas. For the first time in history, the Middle East has united as one and amassed the most formidable army the world has seen since the Third Reich. A hidden army of terrorists is on American soil. This is the story of three men: Howard Beck, the world’s richest man, also diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Richard Dupree, ex-Navy SEAL turned escaped convict. Maxwell Harris, a crippled, burned out Chief of Police of a small Texas town. At first they must fight for their own survival against impossible odds. Finally, the three men must band together to save their beloved country from collapse.

Purchase:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

ABOUT RICHARD STEPHENSON

Richard Stephenson was born in 1975 in Denison, TX and spent his childhood in North Texas. In 1992, he graduated high school after only three years. He then pursued his degree at Oklahoma Christian University, once again accomplishing the task in three years. Richard then married his best friend before going off to basic training to be a military policeman with the US Army. With his new wife joining the adventure, they spent the next four years at Fort Polk, LA and had two children.

Just before his son turned five, Richard and his wife were told that their oldest child had Asperger's Syndrome. Nine years later, Richard's son would become the inspiration for the character of Howard Beck.

After leaving the armed forces, Richard continued his law enforcement career in the federal sector and has been with the Department of Justice for eleven years.

Richard enjoys many things. He reads constantly with the thanks of his trusty iPad. When he can find the time, he can be found playing Mass Effect, Fallout: New Vegas, or Modern Warfare 2. When a friend or a friend of friend needs a computer fixed, Richard is on the case

You can view his website at http://rastephensonauthor.blogspot.com.

His latest book is the dystopian thriller, Collapse.

Connect with Richard:

TWITTER | FACEBOOK

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Collapse Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

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Monday, May 6 - Book featured at The Book Connection

Wednesday, May 8 - Interviewed at Examiner

Friday, May 10 - Character interview at You Gotta Read

Monday, May 13 - Guest blogging at Janna Shay

Tuesday, May 14 - Guest blogging at Working for the Mandroid

Wednesday, May 15 - Book featured at Cheryl's Book Nook

Friday, May 17 - Interviewed at Digital Journal

Tuesday, May 21 - Guest blogging at The Top Shelf

Thursday, May 23 - Interviewed at Yahoo Voices

Friday, May 24 - Interviewed at Review From Here

Monday, May 27 - First chapter reveal at My Devotional Thoughts

Tuesday, May 28 - Book featured at My Cozie Corner

Wednesday, May 29 - Book featured at Authors and Readers Book Corner

Thursday, May 30 - Interviewed at Literal Exposure

Friday, May 31 - Book reviewed at The Top Shelf

Interview with Helen Smith, Author of The Miracle Inspector

Helen Smith is a member of the Writers Guild of Great Britain and English PEN. She traveled the world when her daughter was small, doing all sorts of strange jobs to support them both – from cleaning motels to working as a magician’s assistant – before returning to live in London where she wrote her first novel which was published by Gollancz (part of the Hachette Group).
She is the author of bestselling cult novel Alison Wonderland. She writes novels, poetry, plays and screenplays and is the recipient of an Arts Council of England Award. She’s a long-term supporter of the Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture and mentors members of an exiled writers group to help them tell their stories.

Her latest book is the dystopian thriller The Miracle Inspector.

Visit her website at http://www.emperorsclothes.co.uk.
Friend her on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/ emperorsclothes
Become a fan at Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/authorhelensmith
Friend her at Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2833648.Helen_Smith
Pick up a copy of The Miracle Inspector at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Inspector-Helen-Smith/dp/0956517056


Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hello! I’m a novelist and playwright. I live in London, England.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in London but then my family moved first to Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent, then to Dorset, not far from Weymouth where the sailing events were held for the 2012 Olympics. Dorset is very pretty, with thatched cotttages and lovely countryside, but I longed for the excitement of London and couldn’t wait to move back here when I was eighteen.

When did you begin writing?

I used to write dreadful poetry when I was about eight years old. I wrote a shambolic play that was performed at school, and of course I wrote various stories as creative writing assignments when I was at school, too. But really, I began writing in earnest when I was about twenty-nine years old. I loved reading so much that I always knew I wanted to write. But what would I write about, if I hadn’t lived a little first? So I had a plan to live an interesting life and then start writing when I was thirty. I cheated and gave myself a year’s head start.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

I write during the day and often go on into the night. I find it easier to write in concentrated blocks of time rather than snatch a few moments here and there.

What is this book about?

The Miracle Inspector is set in the near future. It’s about a young couple called Lucas and Angela who try to escape from London. England has been partitioned and London is an oppressive place when poetry has been banned, and theatres and schools have been shut down. There are rumours that other places in England are more liberal, but there’s no way of knowing for sure because a fence has gone up around the city and communication with the outside is forbidden. Still, Lucas and Angela think it’s worth taking the chance. The book is about what happens to them after they decide to leave.

What inspired you to write it?

I volunteer as a writing mentor with a group of exiled writers in London through an organization called Freedom From Torture. I wondered what it would be like if I had to flee London because it was no longer a safe place to live, and that gave me the germ of the idea for this book.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My daughter, Lauren, reads all my manuscripts before I send them to my agent. She’s always very encouraging about my work. This book is dedicated to her.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

The print book is available online from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Barnes & Noble, Blackwells, The Book Depository, Foyles, W H Smith, Waterstones, and from your local independent bookshop.

The ebook is available from Kindle stores including Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Do you have a video trailer to promote your book? If yes, where can readers find it?

I have a very short trailer for The Miracle Inspector here. It does little more than show the cover and a few quotes, but I hope it will be enough to persuade readers to check out the book.

What is the best investment you have made in promoting your book?

I have signed up for a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. Over the years I have had some lovely reviews for my books from book bloggers and I have kept in touch with some of them. I wondered about whether to try and set up my own virtual book tour but there’s a lot of work involved. I realised that if I hired someone to set up the book tour for me, they would be able to get my book to many more bloggers than I could hope to contact, they would vet the blogs on my behalf, and they would do the work while I concentrated on writing the next book. It’s a great division of labor and I’m very happy with it.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Just keep writing. All you have to do it finish your book and make sure you’re pleased with it. It’s harder than it sounds but you’ll get there.

What is up next for you?

I am writing a mystery series featuring an amateur sleuth called Emily Castles. It is set in London and it’s light-hearted and fun – it would be characterised as a cozy mystery series. I have already published two novellas featuring Emily and her side-kick, a philosophy professor called Dr. Muriel, and they have had some great reviews from readers. I have just finished the first full-length novel in the series and I’m currently working on the second.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Thank you for hosting me on the blog. I have enjoyed answering the questions.