Malcolm Torres's Blog

If you're like me you have 30 science fiction novels on your all time top-10 list (LOL). You may ask: "Malcolm, how can you have 30 books on your top-10 list?" And I will answer, "Well, Shipmate, the decimal system allows for an unlimited number of numbers between 0 and 1. So there."

Seriously though, if you have not read Hyperion by Dan Simmons, read it and get ready to say "Move over Enders Game, Snow Crash, Dune, Neuromancer, 2001 Space Odyssey, Fahrenheit 451, The Martian, Starship Troopers, 1984, Infected, Altered Carbon, The Island of Doctor Moreau, Jurassic Park, et al. All y'all gotta move on over because I'm putting Hyperion on this lofty shelf." Hyperion won the 1990 Hugo Award and I've hear rumors it's in development with the SYFY Channel.

WATCH MY VIDEO BOOK REVIEW HERE

When it comes to Sea Stories Joseph Conrad is one of the kings, the grand daddies, the true old salts before whom even today's saltiest sailors are nothing more than deckhands. Joseph Conrad is right up there with Jack London, Herman Melville and Homer himself. Conrad was born in Poland, grew up in France and joined the English merchant Navy where he spent several decades working aboard sailing ships trading between Europe, Africa and the Far East during the second half of the 1800s.

Perhaps you've read The Heart of Darkness, Nostromo, Lord Jim, The End of the Tether, Under Western Eyes, The Secret Agent, Victory or Almayer's Folly? Conrad has written several books that are considered to be classics, but his short story YOUTH is my favorite. It's a true sea story from the very first word to the last, complete with adventure, tall tales, a crazy captain, storms, disasters, near mutiny, and a voyage to top all voyages.

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW ON YOUTUBE

Since El Faro sank in 2015 I've been wondering what happened. I mean seriously, how the hell does a big cargo ship steam into a hurricane and sink ... especially in this high-tech day and age? Lucky for me and all us old salts who care about ships and sailors, Rachel Slade has been wondering what happened to El Faro too. Rachel Slade is a top notch investigative journalist who set her laser-sharp attention on the sinking of El Faro and spent several years finding the answers to all the tough questions.

Watch my no-spoiler video review here on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdExX...

A San Francisco homicide detective uncovers a cult of killers living in the forgotten catacombs beneath the city. Part alternate reality and part police procedural, with really nasty bad guys and swashbuckling good guys. Hard core science fiction, horror & crime fans can listen to Nocturnal as a free serialized podcast at www.scottsigler.com or read it in paperback, hardcover or eBook.

WATCH MY NO-SPOILER VIDEO REVIEW ON YOUTUBE



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This book by Catherine Steadman checks all the right boxes for me: ✅ Crime ✅ Thriller ✅ Sea Story. Steadman is a skilled actor and author who has the ability to create tension on the page. She also wrote Mr. Nobody and has The Disappearing Act coming out in June 2021.

Watch my no-spoiler video book review for SOMETHING IN THE WATER by Catherine Steadman on YouTube.

HiroshimaAugust 2016: It’s been 71 years since the US Army Air Force dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. These controversial moves forced Japan to surrender and brought about the end of World War II.

To commemorate these events I’m giving away MAKING PEACE WITH JAPAN, a Sea Story on Amazon Kindle. All I ask is that you post an honest review on Amazon.

Thank you,
Malcolm Torres

Malcolm Torres

SHARK TOOTH ROSARY, A SEA STORY
#1 Rated Travel Adventure
Free on Amazon Until July-3

https://www.amzn.com/dp/B01496JYTI

Young Sailor With Catholic Guilt Experiences Debauchery in the Philippines (Hilarity Ensues)

This story has a gritty edge that took me by surprise in a good way. A young sailor arrives on a Navy ship in a "down and dirty" waterfront town in the Philippines. The main drag is full of bars and hookers and hustlers. Don't get the wrong idea, it's actually well written and engaging. The sailor wants to get to the bus station and take a trip into the country. He wants to see rice paddies, fishing villages, coral reefs and volcanic peaks. He wants to go on a genuine adventure, but he's been at sea for weeks and he's horny and thirsty for beer. It is funny and sweet how this young guy (with Catholic Guilt), who genuinely wants to go on an adventure has to figure out how to deal with the crazy bus station, get past all the hookers and hustlers and bars. You will be pleasantly surprised by how he finally deals with the whole situation. You will probably understand better than the sailor himself where the rest of his life may be going. The author tells this very original story with grit and humor and a healthy dose of Catholic guilt.

Grab it free on Amazon until July-3.
If you enjoy it, please post an honest review.
https://www.amzn.com/dp/B01496JYTI

This is a funny and mostly true story about the USS Enterprise’s visit to Sasebo, Japan in 1983. In this tale we go ashore with the ship’s crew as they encounter thousands of anti-nuclear protesters. If you would like a free copy in exchange for an honest review send me your email address via my web page www.malcolmtorres.com and I'll gift you copy on Amazon Kindle.

Making Peace with Japan, A Sea Story: Sailing Adventures Aboard Battleships at Sea and in Ports of Call Around the World

Post an honest review on my free short story and win a paperback copy of one of my novels and a $25 Amazon gift card by Dec 18th.

Here's the deal:

1. Grab my free short story SIXTY-FOUR DAYS (An Amazon & Smashwords #1 Short Adventure Thriller) from one of the many eBook sites: www.malcolmtorres.com/free.html

2. Post an honest review on the site where you grabbed your free copy (Amazon, iBooks, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords) and copy your review over to here on Goodreads.

4. Send me a message here on Goodreads or at malcolmtorres1@gmail.com and tell me where you posted your review. I'll enter you to win a free paperback copy of either SAILORS TAKE WARNING or SAILORS DELIGHT. Descriptions of these paperbacks can be found here www.malcolmtorres.com/books.html

5. Four lucky individuals will receive a paperback and two lucky readers/reviewers will also receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

7 I'll do the drawing on Dec-17 and Overnight UPS or FedEX the paperback and giftcards so the winners will have them before the holidays.

8. I understand if you don't want to share your home address. I'll gladly send the books and gift cards to a local UPS or FedEx store or any MailBox type store near you. You tell me where to send them.

Thanks for your interest and feel free to drop me a note at malcolmtorres1@gmail.com with any questions.

Malcolm Torres
www.malcolmtorres.com

Shipmates,

Back to the Philippines is the latest addition in the Sea Adventure Collection and it's free on Amazon Kindle and Kindle App from Nov-11 to Nov-15.

Shipmates,

Please spread the word, grab your free copy of this new short crime thriller and post a review on Amazon.

Smooth Sailing,
Malcolm Torres

BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES, A Sea Story
Global Amazon Link:
http://mybook.to/btpi