reviewsbyerin

In the summer of 2008 I read a series that I absolutely fell in love with. It immediately jumped to "favorite" status and claimed a spot on my keeper bookshelf. Recently I decided to reread them and was convinced all over again that these are some wonderful works of fiction which more people need to know about! :-)

"Mars Hill Classified" series focuses on astronaut John Wells, Navy Pilot and family man. Known as "Space MacGyver" for his ability to keep things running, John is serving on the International Space Station when a terrorist attack strikes at the heart of the United States' military institutions. In the first book, "The Evidence", John is stuck far away from home and country while extraordinary things are hapening on Earth. A new religion centering on the mysterious Father Race is sweeping the world, fed by false prophet Malcolm Raines. The whole world is fascinated when images begin beaming back from Mars from an exploration vehicle that had died 20 years previously. When FBI agent Terrance Kerry begins connecting the dots on the terrorist attacks, he enlists John's unique perspective to help bring it all into focus. Meanwhile John's wife Amy struggles with the separation from her husband and knowing how to raise their four children on her own.

"The Proof" is the second novel and it is the most captivating for me. Even on this second time through I could hardly put it down! It begins with the blast-off of the first manned mission to Mars and has an explosive end which will catch you by surprise. It's about faith and frustration and setbacks... and more about the deeply religious and political happenings on Earth. This book is exciting and emotional and one of the best-written books I've read.

In the final installment, "The Return", we jump six years into the future and I always feel that this gets the novel off to a slow start. We have to play catch-up with our characters and get back up to speed with them. New main characters come into play as well, clamoring for their own share of attention. It's a great finish, however, and will leave you thinking about the ethics of many situations that are explored. Wrapping up loose threads and brilliantly tying them all together, "The Return" does its duty in concluding this entertaining adventure.

The series is written by Austin Boyd, who was himself a Navy pilot and an astronaut candidate finalist. John Wells is a semi-autobiographical character and I believe that is what gives this series such a resonating tone. The author knows his stuff inside and out and lets us step inside the walls of NASA with authenticity. As a girl who grew up on "Star Trek", this is right down my aisle of interests. :-)

Check out Austin Boyd's website for more information on these books (or his new one which released this month and I can't wait to read it!), and while you're there watch the interview he gives about the series. Be sure and let me know if you decide to read it for yourself!