The A to Z April Blogging Challenge 2013 is moving full steam ahead, and we’re done with the first week! Are you a participant? I’m co-hosting it on Amlokiblogs, so drop me a comment there if you have something to say about the challenge itself. On this blog, I’ll be featuring mostly indie-published book excerpts for all of April. I love reading, and supporting author-friends, and this is a good way to do both.
Today, for G, I give you a new adult urban fantasy/science fiction : Gateway to Reality by Becca Campbell
Elevator Pitch: When Wes discovers that the real world exists in his dreams, not when he’s wide awake, he is thrown into chaos. The worst casualty of this paradigm shift is his relationship with his girlfriend Emily who only snubs him in real life. Now he wishes he didn’t know the truth—but if he returns to ignorance in the false world, he’ll never be with the woman he loves.
Excerpt: Wes turned full circle, scoping out his surroundings. This place resembled the Chicago he knew, but little things were off. He stepped up to the Bean and froze, seeing the human reflections. They made faces back out at their matches, sneering or laughing—expressions that didn’t match the people looking in.
It’s a dream. It’s just a dream. The thought helped to steady his footing. Nothing to be worried about. I’m just here for a bit, then I’ll wake up …
The colors of the world before him were vibrant—brighter than he was used to. Here, he saw—felt—what had been missing the day before. The air was sharper, crisper. His vision was clear, focused. Not like getting a prescription adjusted. More like taking off shades that shrouded reality. All of his senses seemed more alive here.
How could a dream feel more real than his own life?
I had one of those “mind popping” moments just reading the elevator pitch. Great book choice!
Thanks, Daniel!
Wow, this sounds incredible. Love the excerpt.
Thank you, Heidi.
Intriguing. I’ll have to pick this one up. Thanks!
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it!
Very interesting premise! MORE!! thanks
Glad you like it. If you want more, you can always grab the sample from Amazon and try it for free.
Always glad to read about authors and their novels. Thanks for the introduction.
Yeah. Indie writers have to stick together and support each other. I’m all for it.
Its caught my attention now. I used to read Sci-fi a LONG time ago. Maybe this book’ll renew my interest again?
Gateway to Reality does have a good deal of the surreal going on, but no aliens or space ships like traditional sci fi, so I’d consider it more of a low sci fi read. I’m curious as to what you’ll think.
Dreams and reality, sounds very interesting !thanks for sharing ..
Yep, two of my favorite things to read about. Thanks for the comment. 🙂
Awesome cover art! Drew my eye first. I nearly got chills of excitement on the first line of the elevator pitch though. Thanks for sharing this book! It sounds like something I will LOVE. Can’t wait to get it.
Thanks so much! Anna Howard did the cover and I’m thrilled with her execution. It works great at portraying the vibe of the book. She rocks!
Huh, that is a surreal premise. I’d imagine there’s a twist about the shift being wrong, but if not, you could go to some really interesting places there. I’ve never successfully done a story like that. Will have to check it out!
from John at The Bathroom Monologues
Ahh, there are a few twists for sure, but not what you’re expecting. You’ll have to read it to find out. 😉
Very interesting thank you! Will check it out .. BUT I see YOUR book on the top right hand side of this and I am mightily intrigued by this: on Life and Death no less! Another book to check out! And how kind of you to promote indie authors!
Susan Scott’s Soul Stuff
Thanks for stopping by, and yes, thanks to Damyanti for hosting me!
Sounds very interesting !
Thanks, Diana.
The story sounds really intriguing. The part about the mirror images doing different things reminded me of Poltergeist.
I haven’t seen Poltergeist, but I can imagine that’s very creepy. Thanks for stopping by!
That kind of life could drive anyone nuts. Cool choice thanks for sharing.
I thought it would be interesting to see what a free spirit would do if you put him in a truly free environment. Wes always wished he could get away from the confinements of work and structured life, but when he’s thrown into that chaotic place, he gets more than he bargains for. Thanks for the comment!
Nice review. A must read.
Thanks!
Some really great books here!
I agree–and featuring indie authors was an excellent idea for the A to Z challenge!
This sounds great!
Thanks, Rebecca!
Dreams, reality… always an interesting subject. Would love to read this book.
Thanks!
Have bookmarked this!! Looks very interesting! 🙂
Thanks!
and that feeling of Deja vu!
http://ektakhetan.blogspot.in/2013/04/the-grasshopper-experiment.html
It’s definitely similar to that feeling of deja vu, when Wes wakes up in this new place. But he quickly realizes it’s nothing like the world he knows.
I am not into science fiction yet, but I suspect a good amount of inquisitiveness about this sort of writing .. Keep reading keep inspiring.
Hey, we all have our own preferences. Thanks for stopping by!
This has piqued my interest ! 🙂
Thanks!
I was really drawn to this one – it’s a question I’ve often asked. Is life the reality or the dream. Thanks for posting. Will make note of the book.
Sounds like you think like me. I love stories that question our assumptions about what is real and what isn’t.
Sounds a little bit like Matrix and that De Caprio movie combined!
I’m a fan of both, so there are definitely a few similarities, though this story is all its own. 🙂
Although science fantasy fiction is not really something that interests me… this review sounds interesting ! Maybe I should add it to my to read lists ! 😀
Glad to hear you’re pushing the boundaries a bit and considering stepping outside the comfort zone. Interesting that you mentioned this, because the sort of sci fi I write isn’t exactly typical. I write character-driven stories that have a bit more depth than what’s considered “normal” for the genre. If you decide to check it out, I’ll be curious to hear what you think.
What a promising excerpt! thanks Damyanti!
Thanks. 🙂
I love your theme and think it is awesome that you are using this month’s challenge to promote fellow author’s work. Gateway to Reality sounds exciting. The premise, pitch and except all have a strong hook.
Thanks, Melissa!
I suspect it’s not a dream!
Aha, you are quite right. 🙂