Time To Repair

Simon Kingsley #1

by Mark Gallard

The year is 2262. Major technological advances, teleportation and a radical stringent way of governing have reversed a broken and rapidly declining society, creating a relative paradise. The world is recovering after millions perished in World War III. Could a long standing stalemate with Russia soon be coming to an end?

Simon Kingsley’s recent promotion to the Northampton Museum of Humanity as an Educational Historian, means he has a new start, in a new city, and can put the embarrassment of the damaging incident in Bristol behind him. Can he stay out of trouble this time and keep those closest to him safe? Will he keep his sexual urges and appetite under control?

Hillary Jane is a beautiful, yet dominant and powerful woman entrenched within the government. Her main objective is lasting world-wide peace with Russia. She is determined to succeed at any cost and won’t let anything or anyone get in her way. Can the new team she’s assembled close in on the traitor from within? Will they sever the leak to the press that threatens to thwart her goal?
At home her sexual desires and indiscretions have so far been kept between her and her devoted fiancé. Can she keep them that way and out of the press? How far would she go to keep her reputation intact?

When fate throws Simon and Hillary Jane together one night in New York, a chain of events is unleashed that will destroy one of them and jeopardise the precarious peace process. Only the stronger of the two will retain their reputation and rank; the other will fall into the claws of the vulturous press.

A mysterious old grey man travels back in time from 2285 and arrives in Northampton with an agenda of his own. His mission is one that is literally life or death. Will his plan to change the course of history for the better succeed? Or will he just make things a whole lot worse?

440 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2013

About the author

Mark was born in Dunstable in 1972, but has lived most of his life in Northampton. He became a carpenter and joiner in 1988 on leaving school and has remained in the trade to this day.
Three and a half years ago he decided to write a book before he was 40. He achieved his goal and that book has now been self-published on Amazon. The second book will be published in Autumn 2013. Mark wants a drastic career change and hopes to morph from a full-time carpenter to a full-time writer.

Reviews

[Mark Gallard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is from www.bookviral.com :

http://www.bookviral.com/time-to-repa...

'Science fiction thriller with a dystopian flare, Time To Repair is the debut novel from author Mark Gallard. A brazen foray into a future that nimbly manages to avoid those well-worn clichés often found in less imaginative works. Yes there are Orwellian undertones, but it is an altogether more optimistic future that he creates, where the balance of peace is dictated not by the overtly good or evil, but the greyer factions that have always sought influence and it makes for an altogether more plausible tale, with Gallard maintaining the tension and suspense throughout. Underpinned by an intricate plot that evolves through clever misdirection there’s always more to it than first meets the eye and it makes for compelling reading.

A strong and memorable debut, Time To Repair will certainly garner a host of followers for Gallard who looks likely to make his mark on the genre. Definitely recommended.'

[Sébastien · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Time to Repair", Mark Gallard takes his reader on a seemingly well-trodden path, however appearances are deceptive. It is not yet another sci-fi book, but indeed a clever combination of enigmatic conspiracy thriller and plausible interesting science fiction. The reader is spoilt for choices regarding levels onto which to read the book, from the storyline itself to the author's depiction of an Orwellian yet desirable future. It is impossible not to identify with at least one character, and the sheer pace at which Mark Gallard throws them into their chain of events is suitably exciting. Besides, questions and assumptions pile up on every plot twist and there's always more to it than the eye can see. Come the end of the book, you'll be left wanting for more.
You definitely want to read "Time To Repair " so as not to feel out of the loop when the Simon Kingsley series have become the new Bourne series.

[Annastew1144hotmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are expecting run of the mill dystopian fiction then think again. Time To Repair is one of the most original books I have read in recent years. It's dystopian for it eclectic view of the future but underpinned by well observed science fiction whilst author Mark Gallard has given significant thought to the evolving social impact of the changes he describes. A well written and intelligent book.

[Andrea Zuvich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time to Repair is unlike anything I've ever read before. Granted, I usually don't read science fiction, but this absolutely blew me away. Everything is so well described and plotted that I could see the whole thing before me like a film. I won't get into too much detail so I don't give anything away but I really, really loathed Hillary Jane. In fact, that is a testament to how good a writer Gallard is, to inspire such feelings about a character. I can't wait for the story to continue...roll on the sequel!!

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this sort of SF/Dystopian fiction falls into two categories. The plausible and the absurd. Time To Repair came across as very plausible to me. It is set far into the future where technology and social systems are highly involved. I really liked Mark Gallards style of writing and think he has a lot to offer to SF.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Mark Gallard proposes an interesting vision of the future in Time To Repair that really captures the imagination.It hooks you straight away
with a compelling plot that is both intricate and intriguing. Very impressed and looking forward to reading more.

[Myra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, very exciting!