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Kris Longknife #3.5
Training Daze
An exciting military Science Fiction novella set between Mike Shepherd’s third and fourth Kris Longknife novels. Kris Longknife dodges assassins, gains an unwelcome (though rather handsome) bodyguard, and puts together a training squad to travel from planet to planet, preparing crews for the newest, fastest, and deadliest fighting ship. And, of course, nothing goes as planned!
55 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2011
19 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
About the author
Mike Shepherd
78 books563 followersA pseudonym used by Mike Moscoe.
Mike was born in the Philadelphia Navy Yard Hospital -- and left that town at the age of three days for reasons he does not presently recall. But they had to draft him to get him back there. He missed very little of the rest of the country. Growing up Navy, he lived about everywhere you could park an aircraft carrier.
Mike was one of those college students who didn't have to worry about finding a job after graduation. In 1968, his Uncle Sam made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Two days into boot camp, the Army was wondering if they might not have been a bit hasty. Mike ended the day in the Intensive Care Unit of the local Army hospital. Despite most of Mike’s personal war stories being limited to "How I flunked boot camp," he can still write a rollicking good military SF yarns.
Mike didn’t survive all that long as a cab driver (he got lost) or bartender (he made the drinks too strong) but he figured he could at least work for the Navy Department as a budget analyst. Until he spent the whole day trying to balance the barracks accounts for paint. Finally, about quitting time, a grinning senior analyst took him aside and let him in on the secret. They'd hidden the money for refitting a battleship in that little account. Slowly it dawned on Mike that there were a few things about the Navy that even a kid who grew up in it would never understand.
Over the next twenty years, Mike branched out into other genres, including instruction memos, policies, performance standards and even a few labor contracts. All of those, you may notice, lack a certain something. Dialogue ... those things in quotes. In `87, Mike’s big break came. He landed on a two year special project to build a digital map showing where the trees, rivers, roads, Spotted Owls and other critters were in western Oregon. The list went on and on with no end in sight and two years became ten.
Since there was no writing involved in his new day job, Mike had to do something to get the words out. He signed up for a writing class at Clark Community College and proudly turned in a story ... Star Wars shoots down the second coming of Christ.
Two years later, Analog bought "Summer Hopes, Winter Dreams" for the March, 1991 issue. Four years later he sold his first novel. In the ten years since then, Mike’s turned in twelve novels and is researching the next three.
Mike's love for Science Fiction started when he picked up "Rocket Ship Galileo" in the fifth grade, and then proceeded to read every book in the library with a rocket sticker on its spine.
Mike digs for his stories among people and change. Through his interest in history, he has traces the transformations that make us what we are today. Science launches us forward into an ever changing universe. Once upon a time, the only changes in peoples lives came with the turning of the seasons and the growing wrinkles on their brows. Today, science drives most of the changes in our daily lives. Still, we can't avoid the pressure of our own awakening hormones or hardening arteries. Mike is happiest when his stories are speeding across thin ice, balanced on the edge of two sharp blades, one anciently human, the other as new as tomorrow's research.
Trained in International Relations and history, salary administration and bargaining, theology and counseling, Mike is having a ball writing about Kris Longknife ... coming of age while the world her grand parents built threatens to crash down around her ears. These are books I think you’ll love ... and my granddaughter and grandsons too!
Mike lives in Vancouver, Washington, with his wife Ellen, his mother-in-law and any visiting grandkids. He enjoys reading, writing, watching grand-children for story ideas and upgrading his computer -- all are never ending.
Mike was born in the Philadelphia Navy Yard Hospital -- and left that town at the age of three days for reasons he does not presently recall. But they had to draft him to get him back there. He missed very little of the rest of the country. Growing up Navy, he lived about everywhere you could park an aircraft carrier.
Mike was one of those college students who didn't have to worry about finding a job after graduation. In 1968, his Uncle Sam made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Two days into boot camp, the Army was wondering if they might not have been a bit hasty. Mike ended the day in the Intensive Care Unit of the local Army hospital. Despite most of Mike’s personal war stories being limited to "How I flunked boot camp," he can still write a rollicking good military SF yarns.
Mike didn’t survive all that long as a cab driver (he got lost) or bartender (he made the drinks too strong) but he figured he could at least work for the Navy Department as a budget analyst. Until he spent the whole day trying to balance the barracks accounts for paint. Finally, about quitting time, a grinning senior analyst took him aside and let him in on the secret. They'd hidden the money for refitting a battleship in that little account. Slowly it dawned on Mike that there were a few things about the Navy that even a kid who grew up in it would never understand.
Over the next twenty years, Mike branched out into other genres, including instruction memos, policies, performance standards and even a few labor contracts. All of those, you may notice, lack a certain something. Dialogue ... those things in quotes. In `87, Mike’s big break came. He landed on a two year special project to build a digital map showing where the trees, rivers, roads, Spotted Owls and other critters were in western Oregon. The list went on and on with no end in sight and two years became ten.
Since there was no writing involved in his new day job, Mike had to do something to get the words out. He signed up for a writing class at Clark Community College and proudly turned in a story ... Star Wars shoots down the second coming of Christ.
Two years later, Analog bought "Summer Hopes, Winter Dreams" for the March, 1991 issue. Four years later he sold his first novel. In the ten years since then, Mike’s turned in twelve novels and is researching the next three.
Mike's love for Science Fiction started when he picked up "Rocket Ship Galileo" in the fifth grade, and then proceeded to read every book in the library with a rocket sticker on its spine.
Mike digs for his stories among people and change. Through his interest in history, he has traces the transformations that make us what we are today. Science launches us forward into an ever changing universe. Once upon a time, the only changes in peoples lives came with the turning of the seasons and the growing wrinkles on their brows. Today, science drives most of the changes in our daily lives. Still, we can't avoid the pressure of our own awakening hormones or hardening arteries. Mike is happiest when his stories are speeding across thin ice, balanced on the edge of two sharp blades, one anciently human, the other as new as tomorrow's research.
Trained in International Relations and history, salary administration and bargaining, theology and counseling, Mike is having a ball writing about Kris Longknife ... coming of age while the world her grand parents built threatens to crash down around her ears. These are books I think you’ll love ... and my granddaughter and grandsons too!
Mike lives in Vancouver, Washington, with his wife Ellen, his mother-in-law and any visiting grandkids. He enjoys reading, writing, watching grand-children for story ideas and upgrading his computer -- all are never ending.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 4, 2019
You can skip this. Book 4 gives you the gist in the first chapter.
January 27, 2015
This is a novella #3.5 in the Longknife series. Kris and her crew are tasked to set up a training command for foreign navies buying Wardhaven’s fast attack boats.
Kris’s body guard, who works for the Secret Service is drafted into the Marines. This is explained in humorous detail. This adds lots more detail of how Jack got into the marines.
I am enjoying the series and that also includes the novella. Please note it is best to read this series in order, otherwise you will feel lost. I am enjoying the banter that goes on between the key characters. This short story fits in well between book number three and book number four.
I am enjoying the adventures of Kris Longknife and I would like to have my own Nelly. This is a fun easy read. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Dina Pearlman narrated the story.
Kris’s body guard, who works for the Secret Service is drafted into the Marines. This is explained in humorous detail. This adds lots more detail of how Jack got into the marines.
I am enjoying the series and that also includes the novella. Please note it is best to read this series in order, otherwise you will feel lost. I am enjoying the banter that goes on between the key characters. This short story fits in well between book number three and book number four.
I am enjoying the adventures of Kris Longknife and I would like to have my own Nelly. This is a fun easy read. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Dina Pearlman narrated the story.
February 4, 2013
It filled in some missing pieces of things that happened between the books, but it really wasn't any of his best work. Worth the read, but not worth raving about.
September 19, 2020
Author Mike Shepherd brings us the continuing adventures of Kris Longknife after the events of Defiant. Once Kris and her crews had shown that the fast attack boats can defeat warships. Several other planetary governments have ordered several small fleets of the boats. With the first two planets they didn't really have navies but with the third and fourth planets they had a better grip as to what Kris wants to teach them and prepare their boats should they come under attack. This is a great novella that continues the story from the last book and makes you want to read the next in the Kris Longknife series. I highly recommend this novella to all science fiction fans.
February 10, 2025
A sensible fill-in
I originally read the first batch of the Kris Longknife novels back in 2004 when they were released. Not only was this novella not released until 2011, but I hadn’t fully switched over to the e-book format. So I hadn’t discovered the great way of having the decimal point novellas in between the books. I just found this last week!
This story picks up immediately after the events of the Battle of Wardhaven in Defiant (book 3). We experience the teething pains of Kris and her fast attack boat training program. Definitely adds to the story arc as worthwhile reading!
I originally read the first batch of the Kris Longknife novels back in 2004 when they were released. Not only was this novella not released until 2011, but I hadn’t fully switched over to the e-book format. So I hadn’t discovered the great way of having the decimal point novellas in between the books. I just found this last week!
This story picks up immediately after the events of the Battle of Wardhaven in Defiant (book 3). We experience the teething pains of Kris and her fast attack boat training program. Definitely adds to the story arc as worthwhile reading!
July 17, 2022
As this was just a way to bridge Kris Longknife: Defiant and Kris Longknife: Resolute, there's not much to comment on or to review. I did laugh at Trouble playing Kris, though. And the whole bit with Jack getting drafted got a sensible chuckle out of me.
August 16, 2017
Very short novella that I am glad I borrowed from the library rather than bought from Amazon. Didn't notice the errors some other have mentioned.
I can see why it was cut from a book as it does little to the story other than force Jack and Kris together.
I can see why it was cut from a book as it does little to the story other than force Jack and Kris together.
April 14, 2019
Poor Kris. Maybe she should change her name?
April 8, 2021
Quick Novella on how Jack the bodyguard was co-opted into the Marine Core, audio book is only an hour long,
Not much other character development, but bridges the gap between Book 3 & 4.
Not much other character development, but bridges the gap between Book 3 & 4.
February 16, 2023
Feb 2023 - re-listened.
3.5 stars.
I upp'd it by 1/2 star because I did find it quite amusing that nobody wants Kris to be killed on their watch and kept moving her off their planets.
_________________
April 2021
3 stars.
This took place directly after Defiant and Kris is given the task of training other friendly planets on how to use the ships she used in that battle. But it appears there are lots of people who wanted her dead! Luckily she's got Jack, Abby and her other friends with her...
3.5 stars.
I upp'd it by 1/2 star because I did find it quite amusing that nobody wants Kris to be killed on their watch and kept moving her off their planets.
_________________
April 2021
3 stars.
This took place directly after Defiant and Kris is given the task of training other friendly planets on how to use the ships she used in that battle. But it appears there are lots of people who wanted her dead! Luckily she's got Jack, Abby and her other friends with her...
October 25, 2011
This novella fills in some of the events following Kris Longknife – Defiant. Kris and her cohorts are tasked to set up a training command for foreign navies buying Wardhaven’s fast attack boats.
It’s a cute little piece with plenty of banter between the now familiar main characters, in particular Kris and Jack. How the latter was drafted into the Marines is explained in humorous detail.
Note: Shepherd has previously written about our heroine’s great-grandfather Raymond under his real name, Mike Moscoe.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1294
It’s a cute little piece with plenty of banter between the now familiar main characters, in particular Kris and Jack. How the latter was drafted into the Marines is explained in humorous detail.
Note: Shepherd has previously written about our heroine’s great-grandfather Raymond under his real name, Mike Moscoe.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1294
February 3, 2014
I've not given this more stars because it started great but then suddenly seemed to get bored with itself and peter out. Yes, it's a short story and I really enjoyed seeing how Jack became a marine but then after Harmony we get shorter and shorter on details. I'd've liked a bit more detail about the various attempts on Kris' life before leaving each successive planet. I hadn't read this before as it wasn't out when I first purchased the books and while it was nice to see, it's not necessary for plot furtherance apart from the Jack marine thing.
February 11, 2013
That was fun - I hadn't read this one before, so it was good to get some fresh material in between re-reading the first few books of the series. Resolute does fill you in on the essentials enough that it doesn't matter if you have missed this, but I did like learning the extra details, and especially getting that look inside Jack's head.
August 5, 2022
This is a very quick 55 page short story about how Jack was 'drafted' to ensure he could continue to stay close enough to Kris to keep her alive. Not much happens other than a cute exchange on how Uncle Trouble plays both Jack and Kris to ensure this happens. The next novels will give you a summary anyway so you don't need to have read this before the next book to understand what's happening.
November 29, 2013
I really enjoy the adventures of Kris Longknife and her lethal associates. This interlude really didn't add much to the story, except how Jack became a Marine. Clever short story, but not up to the standard of the full-length stories.
January 18, 2016
This is a good short story add in to the book series, This book was really made in two different parts first you see the training Kris is giving other planets and the second is a very humorous look into how Jacks tricked into recrutiment into the marines.
February 23, 2016
Kris has trouble
Everyone can appreciate that Kris has ability if only people didn't keep trying to kill her. That makes her an inconvenience to have on your planet. We also learn how Jack became a Marine and it was Trouble's idea. The usual fun in a novelette.
Everyone can appreciate that Kris has ability if only people didn't keep trying to kill her. That makes her an inconvenience to have on your planet. We also learn how Jack became a Marine and it was Trouble's idea. The usual fun in a novelette.
April 12, 2013
All of his books in this series are amazing! love them! Incredibly visceral characters and inordinately detailed action and worlds!
May 16, 2013
Enjoyed the short story a lot.... It filled in the blank between Book 3 and 4.
February 16, 2014
An OK novella in the series. Given that many of the volumes in the series read as if they were two novellas lumped together, I'm not certain why this is a stand-alone.
July 16, 2014
Short but good.
January 31, 2015
Great series, reasonably entertaining novella. Not as funny as they can be, but it gives some very good background.
April 19, 2015
Ties up some loose ends from the full length novels of the series, but it's really not much of a story.
June 16, 2015
You need to read this little e-book to understand # 4.
January 6, 2016
This could have just been the first 55 pages of the 4th book in my opinion, i first picked that up and i felt like i really missed some info in this little book.
March 1, 2016
Fun little novella to a series I really enjoy. Only problem I have is the obvious one - I miss Tommy. Jack's great, but I really miss Tommy.
May 6, 2016
Meh. I usually enjoy novellas and short stories that elaborate on an existing series, but this just reads like a chapter or two that were cut from the previous or following book.
June 24, 2023
Novella
February 5, 2017
a neat look at the earlier life of Kris.
June 22, 2014
I liked the story but it was way too short for $2.99
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews