Linkage

Narrows Of Time #1

by Jay J. Falconer

APOCALYPTIC TIME TRAVEL THRILLER

Physicist Lucas Ramsay violates university policy and emails a controversial paper on inter-dimensional travel to an online magazine, hoping to gain notoriety and sell it to the highest bidder.

He knows his revolutionary theory is correct. But what he couldn't know was his email would go viral, starting a chain reaction, bringing about the apocalypse.

The end of all life on Earth.

A swift and merciless extinction by an unknown and unstoppable force.

Genres: Science Fiction, Time Travel, Fiction, Amazon, Apocalyptic, Fantasy

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2011

About the author

Jay J. Falconer is an award-winning screenwriter and USA Today Bestselling Author whose books have hit #1 on Amazon in Action & Adventure, Military Sci-Fi, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Terrorism Thrillers, Technothrillers, Military Thrillers, Young Adult, and Men's Adventure fiction. He lives in the high mountains of northern Arizona where the brisk, clean air and stunning views inspire his day.

When he's not busy working on his next project, he's out training, shooting, hunting, or preparing for whatever comes next.

You can find more information about this author and his books at www.JayFalconer.com.

Awards and Accolades:
2020 USA Today Bestselling Book: Origins of Honor
2018 Winner: Best Sci-Fi Screenplay, Los Angeles Film Awards
2018 Winner: Best Feature Screenplay, New York Film Awards
2018 Winner: Best Screenplay, Skyline Indie Film Festival
2018 Winner: Best Feature Screenplay, Top Indie Film Awards
2018 Winner: Best Feature Screenplay, Festigious International Film Festival - Los Angeles
2018 Winner: Best Sci-Fi Screenplay, Filmmatic Screenplay Awards
2018 Finalist: Best Screenplay, Action on Film Awards in Las Vegas
2018 Third Place: First Time Screenwriters Competition, Barcelona International Film Festival
2019 Bronze Medal: Best Feature Script, Global Independent Film Awards
2017 Gold Medalist: Best YA Action Book, Readers' Favorite International Book Awards
2016 Gold Medalist: Best Dystopia Book, Readers' Favorite International Book Awards
Amazon Kindle Scout Winning Author

Reviews

[George Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Read the kindle version cover to cover in four hours. Couldn't put it down. Not sure about the ending. left me hanging a bit but I guess that's what the author wanted to do. Sets you up for the second book in the series. If you like fast action SciFi that challenges your ability to sniff out reality from fantasy then I strongly recommend this book. If you get queezy easily skip it. there are some parts of the story that simply dont hold back which I like. All in all I recommend the story. Humor, action, destruction, mahem, blood, guts, tech, and even a spaceship battle. A little of everything. Plenty of twists and turns to keep me reading. Pure entertainment.

[Boneist · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story initially started out with some promise, but the poorly written dialogue and bad character interaction was not inspiring. The science in the book is highly suspect, not to mention the gaping plot holes. All in all, I wish I hadn't bothered.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters and the plot are interesting. The brothers' connection, considering their personal histories, a bonus.

Surprising at times -- like when Drew was killed -- , with some of those surprises taking it to a higher level

Having seen the brothers be taken by the military right on the first chapter, had me thinking they were getting arrested by higher, rightful orders, due to their responsibility in the mass murder. So when that scene came again and the truth was not quite so pristine (but really the revenge of a grieving father who happened to have the power of the military behind him) took the plot to another level, making for a pleasant surprise.

.

Subtly controversial.

I really liked this side of the story. Using copies of oneself to escape deadly traps raises a lot of issues and has one thinking about the morality behind it. After all, it's said the copies have no feelings and yet that's not what we see when in L's place. We see him/it feeling and reacting exactly as Lucas -- deeply. For all the advanced scientific and technological knowledge, everyone was blind to the reality of things; no one could see what we, as the reader, see about a copy's true mind and heart. So, well done. And neatly done swap, too.

And the science that, at first seemed too advanced, made sense later on.

A very good read.

[Warren · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's a bad sign when the book starts out by telling you it seems like the plot of a cheesy low budget movie.

Unfortunately, it didn't get any better. I couldn't bring myself to finish. It was cliche, the characters weren't likeable, and the book suffered from some easy editing mistakes.

[Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linkage was an incredible science fiction novel!!!

Lucas and his brother Drew, while working in their lab conducting an anti gravity experiment, have a consequence they hadn't expected or planned. Next thing they know the whole world is in chaos with huge energy domes destroying and slaughtering mankind by the hundreds, then thousands then millions. Did they cause the catastrophe? They didn't know at first.... then starts a story that had me glued to my seat reading in anticipation as fast as I could.... growling at outside interruptions.

This author does an excellent job of setting up the story for later. As I was reading I was constantly going "OH!! that's why......" (no spoilers here :) The actions scenes were epic and fast paced and I could see a movie being made some day.... the big screen being filled with massive energy domes moving across the land devouring everything and leaving a black residue behind.

There were massive twists and turns that I TOTALLY did not expect! This was an excellent book from start to finish... ending with a cliff hanger that made me scream at the sreen "NOOOOOOO!!!!" I would recommend this book to lovers of science fiction. It has been a long long time since I have read a science fiction novel that was as unique as this one. I have begun to think the science fiction well had run dry of new ideas.... I guess this author just dug himself a new well. :)

My only criticism would be that I wish a glossary of terms would have been included. Some of the terms used were way above my head and sent me searching on the internet.
All in all.... I loved this book. Such fun reading it... this was probably how people felt way back in the day when they read Star Wars for the first time. :)

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book to have as a “train read” – something to pass the time for an hour train commute to Chicago and back. I ended up reading it in the evening including staying up well past my usual bed time, actual way, way past as I was fighting sleep because I didn’t want to stop reading.

The story is solid and there are no lags. The attention to even the tiniest detail really helps to provide the reader with a fly on the wall presence alongside the characters.

I also liked how the author dropped subtle clues and I enjoyed coming across the various clues.

In this debut book we meet the two Ramsay brothers – Lucas and Drew. There is a really nice balance with the two characters. As mentioned, the tiny details really added a lot to the story. We see early on that Lucas is carrying a secret (regarding his mother’s insurance) and that both Lucas and Drew are just like most other humans- wanting to do the right thing.

The story evolves into a very solid sci-fi read. It had a story that resonated well with me as it educated us about our two main characters and then brought us right into the middle of a full blown alien invasion- very nicely done dear author.

It had all the right elements to build suspense and also empathy for our two main characters. I knew by the halfway point that this was an author I would be reading again in the future.

I read a lot and I felt this book warranted every single star that I gave it as it was definitely a quality sci-fi read.

[Charles Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucas Ramsay’s birth mother died of a drug overdose. Drew Ramsay’s birth mother died in an auto crash that deprived him of the use of his legs. The two boys found each other in an orphanage and became inseparable. They were adopted together, and have formed a bond similar to that forged between men in combat—closer than blood kin.
They are now working together in an Arizona University, Lucas a research scientist and Drew a PhD candidate, under the supervision of Dr. Kleezebee. When their experiment goes awry, strange energy globes began destroying cities and killing people around the globe, and they find themselves accused of mass murder. Only Kleezebee can save them, but he turns out to be other than they’d previously thought.
Linkage: The Narrows of Time by Jay J. Falconer is a first novel that has a little bit of everything—thrills, science, alternate universes, and close human relations, and enough excitement to keep you reading until the indeterminate end. I won’t spoil it by revealing the secret that Lucas and Drew uncover, but it will astound you. Falconer has done a great job on his first book, and I look forward to the sequel.

[Willow Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow to start. Story took off at 51%. This is actually a really good story with enough twist and revelations to keep you turning the page. I really enjoyed the paradox and complexity of what was happening on earth. The question I kept asking and wanting an answer to was, "Is it possible to sift through time?" Well, this book answers the question and I know it's fiction, but what if?
I'd be more apt to believe in parallel universes.

Anyway, this book is full of scientific jargon. Many I've heard before but a few I didn't know what the heck the author was talking about. I only kept up by getting the gist.

I did truly like this book, however Lucas, the main character got on my nerves. He was so smart just to act so stupid at times. I mean he was a physicist who acted like a simpleton at times. I excused him because of how much he loved his brother and how far he would go to insure his brothers safety.

This book felt long to me, although it was only 400+ pages which is about right for many sci-fi /Fantasy books. Whatever.

I would recommend this book to somebody but I don't think any of my friends read this kind of stuff.

[M.D. Vance · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was optimistic, and felt this book started strong, but couldn't finish it. It lost steam, and there was a key element that bothered me.

Pros: Writing was pretty good; Story started strong; not too much techno-babble to weigh it down.

Cons: I took issues with some of the... 'continuity' I guess. The key issue with me was that the protagonists believed that they caused the events (won't give too much away - but there was some horrific stuff going on) - yet, in scenes/chapters away from those events, these characters seemed like happy-go-lucky dudes, complete with joking around, and oogling women. I don't see the two going hand in hand.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book seems to be about a guy who works as a scientist and for fun puts scientific theories out there. That's about as much of this book that I understood. Every time he mentioned his projects part of my brain exploded. Basically, I didn't understand a word of what the MCs were talking about, working on or what was meant to be happening in general. Are the giant mutant scorpions that invade his cheap home relevant to the story? What is the Schwarzenegger bodybuilder scientist adding to the story when he barely says a word?

Too complicated, too much science babble and obviously aimed at people much smarter than I am.

[Ann Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linkage is the first in the Narrows of Time Series and after reading it you won't be able to wait to read the next installment. It gets off to a pretty slow-ish start, but once it gets going it really gets going.


Drew and Lucas well fleshed out characters, and I really liked how Drew was handicapped, but he didn't let it slow him down. At all.

The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger, but the second book is out now! So that should be a problem for anyone at this point.

Solid five stars.

[Brian Mulkahey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read. Enjoyable characters that were not stiff. They totally fit the setting: college kids just trying to make a name for themselves. Plenty of surprises to go along with tons of action. Author even made me laugh a few times. Well written and easy to read. Cant wait for the next book in the series.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really a great read. It has a lot of action with some humor twisted into it. The action in the plot keeps you guessing with each chapter and it is hard to put this book down. I will definitely read again and again. Look very forward to more books by this author.

[Daiane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read these types of books and I have to say it is very well written. The characters and the plot are very clear. I look forward to reading more of Jay Falconer's books :)

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

beginning

I enjoyed reading "linkage". I completely enjoyed Drew and even Lucas as characters. DL is a bit intimidating being able to for see end results but liked his enthusiasm.
I will read the rest of the saga.....

[Jennifer Minor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It kept my attention through the whole thing and that is a big thing for me. I am not much of a straight on sci-fi reader but so loved this book. Can't wait to read the next one in this series

[John Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read

The author said there would be unexpected turns in this novel and he was true to his word! Even though the story has allot of death and destruction, the author found time to drop in some comic relief here and there!

[neal mirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unpredictable

A father's love, A adopting father's geniuses, unthinkable cruelty of a alien race. Make up most of the story and the main players you can not do with out. Make this story a must read.

[Henry Northcott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind blowing

An interesting gripping science fiction novel. At first you think you're on our Earth, then the inevitable twist occurs and the whole story shifts up a notch. Very enjoyable.

[Bill Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait for the second book in the series.

[Roy M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story

An enjoyable and fast read with plenty of action and some clever humor. I enjoyed it and plan to keep on with the series.

[Curt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally, I liked this book. Two Physicist brothers, Lucas and Drew conduct an unsanctioned physics experiment that kicks-off a chain of increasingly deadly events resulting in the death of thousands and if not stopped could wipe out life on earth in two weeks. Wracked with guilt, and trying to avoid the authorities, they try to determine what went wrong and how to fix it. They collaborate with Lucas's boss, who owns the lab in question and find out there more to this guy than they thought. Instead of being an eccentric professor, he actually a scientist from an alternate reality 400 years in the future.

Along the way, we seem to spend an inordinate amount of time exploring a new relationship between Drew and a lab assistant named Abby. , Of course, she gets killed (at least we think she does, and then comes back at the end. The amount of time we spend with the two just seems to feel excessive, but ... Falconer also introduces twists in the plot to which the characters' response seems somewhat unrealistic. Let's just say the way the characters respond seems different than how you would expect a person to react. Lucas sees his brother killed and himself knocked out. He comes to find himself back at headquarters (so-to-speak). He sees his mother and one of the staff and follows them through a teleportation device. Huh!? WTF?! No high-tech of that kind to this point. He goes through really freaking out. Instead freaks out when he sees his double. Partway through the book, there is a chapter that just appears and reads a lot like a Star Trek episode. At first, I thought the audiobook had messed up, but it is part of the story and once you are over the surprise, it does make sense and actually explains a lot of the far-out weird science that we were exposed to.

There is a cliffhanger at the end of the book - of course. The criticisms aside, the science is cool and the premise does make for interesting plot lines (and future books).

[Daniel Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent book, I think if I had not also been reading Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty I would have scored this a little better but the comparison was bad for this book. Its interesting for sure. I will read the next book in the series as well. My biggest issue with the book was the shift from them being in a relatively normal place to outright insanity was a little to abrupt for me. Some of the things that happen after they (lets say exit) the facility after it was hit was maybe a little too absurd. I hate giving spoilers in reviews so I wont be doing that but to take the first person and then shift that perspective the way they did was strange. How would the clone not know since all the others did? Why would it think it was the original when none of the others did? I just thought that section was bad and took a star off for that. It then shifts into overdrive from there and a few things I thought could have used more time to flesh out but the book spent too much time on the early part and I guess the author felt that he needed to keep the size down maybe? Also it was in Time Travel and there is a Time travel element but I would not call this a time travel book at all.

#scifi

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a weird book to rate. Our is a neat premise and tells an intriguing story, but I didn't really like the protagonist very much. I feel like he should have been more emotionally affected by the consequences of his actions, which made him not likable to me. Also, didn't enjoy how the author went out of his way to reinforce how truly heterosexual this guy is. Didn't seem really necessary/important to the story.

[Daniel Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disapointing

There are a lot of good reviews out for this book but if I didn't listen to part of it as an audio book I wouldn' t have made it as far as I did. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book that give it a really incohearant feeling. I made it about 85% of the way before I just couldn't deal with the writting or "evolution" of the storyline. Its not a fun or fast read, try something else.

[Erth · Rating 4 out of 5]

now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this book.

[Bruce McLennan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't the worst book I've ever read, but far from the best. Characterisation was poor. The plot was weak and relied on an improbable and unnecessary number of secrets revolving around the strange Professor Kleezebee. At one point the story got interesting but then the main protagonist Lucas's brother, Drew, gets killed, only for us to find out that he was just programmable jelly and not the real Drew, or for that matter, Lucas the real Lucas. It went downhill from there and I was glad to finish what was fairly unexciting fare.

[Aviar Savijon · Rating 5 out of 5]

an Epic Sci Fi fiction novel of excellence in adventure, action and writing skill JJ Falconer has done well with this book. Timely technical advancement investigative in moral and ethical advances and what they could lead to. I Loved it!!!!!!

[Adam Mahler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad, great story

I really liked the beginning of this book. It hit a bit convoluted towards the middle but all worked out for a good sci fi romp!

[Indigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very slow start. But once I hung in, it became really awesome.