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Bob and Nikki #48

Steamed Punks

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A truly strange derelict leads the crew to a planet that doesn’t quite make sense. Figuring it out takes time, and hard work. Fixing it takes even more. Come see how BSR deals with their latest adventure.

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2024

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About the author

Jerry Boyd

67 books293 followers
I’m a house husband. I keep things together while my wonderful wife makes our living. I’ve worked as a machinist, short order cook, electronics assembly tech, and several other jobs. My hobbies include vehicle maintenance, (I’ve had the transmission out of my truck. Twice) free flight airplanes, electronics, and shooting.
I was born and raised in the Ozarks, and now live in Mid-Missouri.

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5 stars
719 (70%)
4 stars
224 (22%)
3 stars
64 (6%)
2 stars
8 (<1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Beau.
316 reviews7 followers
July 1, 2024
I always enjoy Bob and Nikki

Now that Mr Boyd is in a monthly schedule, I’ve been getting my Bob and Nikki fix regularly. The withdrawal isn’t as severe when I know how long the wait will be.

It’s amazing how he keeps such a large cast fresh. And the Wilson kids are growing up.

Some great possibilities for new BSR revenues opened up in this book. What a great imagination!
15 reviews
July 5, 2024
Punked and Steaming!

Okay... Who wrote this volume? It reads as if someone took Jerry's notes and outline and had never read ANY of the other 47 volumes of Bob and Nikki. Or a new editor who also "doesn't get it", ripped ALL the familiar (and admittedly sometimes overly repetitious) elements we've grown used to out for the sake of brevity and lost the soul of the narrative along the way. Often pedantic in the relating of the reasoning behind an action, much of the fun of the series is gone. If this had been the first volume I'd picked up to read, I'd never have picked up another. Dry and missing so many familiar references and references to characters, who if they are not actually needed for this story, ARE needed to keep up the flow and continuity. Such as Janice and Juke, and Jackie and Master Bruce. Why hasn't Bob been to the Range or the Gym? Even if not in a descriptive arc, at least in passing. And while I personally feel that the play by play details of every game of pool or checkers were TOO much, cutting them totally was an uneeded pendulum swing in the opposite direction. The family interactions were a better attempt at trimming, but traded frequency for feeling, and felt more like filler than when they Were filler... LOL!
And the twice daily meetings with Jim in the grass room and the subsequent breakfasts lost both feeling, fun, and reparteé.

Now for the Excellent Parts (mostly 😉)... The Storyline/Plot was different and exciting where some previous volumes seemed a bit stale or merely more of the same. The Steampunk technology was fun and interesting but it could have been expanded and expounded on more. Same with the Boatmen's society.... (In comparison with previous cultures in previous volumes).

So I guess you could say this book is like what all my teachers' told me all those years ago. It/He doesn't live up to It's/His full potential... 😁
And whoever Did pen this story lost their passion and seems not to have had fun writing it.... Or was not able to capture and duplicate the original author's whimsy

I await Number 49 to see if this was a glitch.. Or the beginning of a trend.
Profile Image for Lori.
172 reviews2 followers
July 4, 2024
I look forward to every new book in this series, and this one didn't disappoint.

Every time I sit down to read a new book in this series, it's like putting on my favourite old leather jacket, or curling up on the sofa in a comfy quilt made by grandma.
There were plenty of familiar antics, but also lots of new excitement to keep things interesting. The crew also learns a new trick that I'm eager to see more of in the future

The standard disclaimers apply:
if you're new to the series, start with book one and read them in sequence.
The author has his own writing style, with liberal use of commas, no chapter breaks, and not really much in the way of scene breaks. That being said, it is NOT difficult to follow along, despite the unconventional formatting. There are very few typos, FAR fewer than I see in many books that have allegedly been professionally edited. It is an easy, comfortable read and I always eagerly look forward to the next book.

If you like lighthearted sci-fi with some comedy and excitement, you should definitely give this series a try. It may not be as "epic" as book series' like 'Dune' (by Herbert), 'Odyssey One' (by Currie), or 'Ender's Game' (by Card), but the Bob & Nikki series will always be at the top of my list when I need a little escapism from life's troubles.
Profile Image for Pamela.
127 reviews
November 10, 2025
These are great stories. They read fast but there are more too!!!

Bob always seems to find simple ways to fix every problem by asking the right people silly questions!!!!!! Makes me wonder how many times I asked ,"silly" questions to the wrong people.
BSR finds a planet with low tech that managed to get a super high tech ship that crashed back into space with cleverly used low tech. He tracks it down realizing what they thought was a problem is actually the solution if BSR can pull off an impossible job for them. Of course the local government turns out to be as big a problem as their problem and they will need Bob to put his best on fixing it.
If you have high school age kids that are 9n the spectrum these are great books that just make them realize was school treats as their silly problem just might be their advantage one day. I know I wish I read these back then!
4 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2024
BSR comes through again!

It's amazing what someone can accomplish with a honking big fleet of spaceships and the best crew in this corner of the galaxy! (I just wish they'd send a saucer to Spokane, WA to pick me up -- I wanna work for BSR!) It's no wonder that this author's loyal readers just keep coming back for more of the ongoing saga of Bob and Nikki. Keep up the good work Jerry -- we love your books!
502 reviews1 follower
July 2, 2024
Another extremely well written and very exciting book in this series!

This time Bob and Nikki are helping some new folks and, WOW was it an exciting time for them. Additionally, Nikki and Janet learned a whole lot of new things and some Metals in the process. What did they learn and why did they get Metals for their work? Well, I guess you will just need to read the exciting adventure to find out.
22 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2024
BSR better than previous books!

This is one of the better of this series. I liked the early ones. Then it seemed 50% was take dog potty,have supper,play with kids etc.Just fluff to make it long enough to sell as more than a short story. The author has a whole galaxy to choose from and new first contacts with unknown people and worlds. I had about given up on BSR. I'll try the next one.
54 reviews
June 29, 2024
Another one....

.....hit out of the park! A good plot and enough action to keep me awake last night. Mr. Boyd has finally got writing storeys down pat. It took him long enough. Geesh 48 books to get the hang of it! 48 books to thoroughly enjoy. Thanks for the journey through the Galaxy! Well Done Sir. Well Done
169 reviews3 followers
July 2, 2024
Another excellent episode!

Plenty of action and keeping family involved and the usual Jerry Boyd jokes and down home Wisdom-humor. Good clean fun for all.
Throw in a little drama and stress from the evil side of life.
And politicians being politicians!
Thanks for writing Jerry! 😁
Profile Image for Jim.
810 reviews
July 8, 2024
Book 48 in the series

Bob and the crew start to examine a derelict ship that they picked up and find some unusual things about it along with two crew members that are in autodocs and can’t tell them anything. Strange things start to happen and the fleet has to deal with them. A great story.
3 reviews
July 12, 2024
Great!

As usual this story meets and exceeds expectations. -I feel like a kid at the movies waiting for the next adventure reel to start.- Imitations are the greatest form of flattery, and your stories are so good, you should be flattered by the copyists out there. Although your are much better.

42 reviews
May 17, 2025
Shaping a solar system is the new standard.

BSR has stepped up their game with new tech and techniques beyond shaping worlds, now they move planets. A bit of a leap from farming on Earth. The people and the plots continue to deepen and expand making the series even more interesting. Totally worth the time and investment to get caught up and join the flow.
22 reviews
June 27, 2024
BSR accomplished another grand undertaking

Reorganizing a planetary government and shuffling planets and asteroids is just another day for Bob's Saucer Repair.
It is a genuine pleasure to see what Mr. Boyd's mind can come up with. Thanks for another great read.
7 reviews
June 27, 2024
A great read

As always, Jerry has written a book that's an enjoyable read. I didn't want to put it down, and that can be a bad thing while I'm at work, let me tell ya. Looking forward to the next book, and what adventures are in it.
14 reviews
June 27, 2024
Great read

Another Great.read.by Jerry Boyd! Giving us insight to all Things in the black. So glad things are looking up for everyone. Was happy to have Nikki and Janet do some amazing Flying.
Can't Wait for more
52 reviews
June 30, 2024
Excellent Read 📚

This book was so very hard to put down that I stayed up to finish it. I plan to reread it again tomorrow. It was very interesting and exciting from the very first page clear to the end. I can't wait for the next book to come out.
28 reviews2 followers
July 2, 2024
great as always!

As always I want more, also Jerry, only one typo stood out. Because I am pretty sure you know the difference between Ordinance and Ordnance. Thank you again for bringing this story out for everyone. ;)
Profile Image for Wilbur G. Lloyd, Jr..
93 reviews
July 4, 2024
Fantastic

Anyone that likes sci-fi stories will love this one. I hate to say this, but, Jerry Boyd's Bob & Nikki's books are better then his magic one so far but that may change in the future when he has a few more written. Great work Jerry Boyd.
501 reviews4 followers
July 4, 2024
Planet, asteroid who's got the asteroid?

These stories just keeping delivering fun reads. The message to and from the children is always enjoyable with their wisdom. I hope we all fly safe.
4 reviews
July 6, 2024
Great Read for whole series

This series really captured my interest. I enjoyed the characters and their development over the length of the story. Author put out in good mix of tech, personalities and interpersonal relationships. Looking forward to what comes next.
65 reviews
July 8, 2024
Jerry Boyd does not disappoint. Just when you think it can't get any better, it does. This outing featured sailing the dark and steam punk sharing the spotlight. Your imagination evidently knows no bounds. I always know when you publish a new book that I'm in for an adventure.
Profile Image for Tee Jacks.
24 reviews
July 9, 2024
She cranks my tractor.

I really love these books. Thank you Mr. Boyd, you write a fine story. You have a strong following here in Alabama.
Things can sure get hairy out in the black, but Bob and the gang pull it out in the end.
Profile Image for Ben.
46 reviews2 followers
July 12, 2024
One more great installment

Really enjoyable read yet again. I enjoy how the characters have been developed, especially the kids.
I am looking forward to see if Bob and Nikki get into flipping star systems as a business... Could be fun and profitable!

Profile Image for Robert Cerio.
Author 7 books1 follower
July 13, 2024
another fun ride

BSR rides into action again, helping make the galaxy better a planet at a time! Enjoyed this book, but would like to see Bob face off with a real threat instead of the usual petty bureaucrats and cheap thugs. Still a fun, well paced read.
8 reviews
October 10, 2024
Another great book in the series!

Even though I've gone thru 48 books in this series, it still keeps my attention, and I look forward to seeing where their adventures take them. Great writing Jerry
36 reviews
August 12, 2025
Interesting Plot Twist

This book is different from most of the others. I expected more action and I was surprised how little was used. Lots more background information than before.
Profile Image for Kenneth Dreger.
61 reviews2 followers
June 28, 2024
Another reason to read the series

Mr. Boyd does it again! Great idea for a good read. Enjoyed the idea he had for this book. Looking forward to the next one!
657 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2024
Nice city

Cool way to produce a steampunk world! And now they've opened up the entire universe for some truly astonishing commercial opportunities. Fun.
Profile Image for Keith.
2,232 reviews6 followers
June 30, 2024
Satisfying

Another well crafted installment for the series. Bob and crew continue to work their brand of sci-fi magic on new clients, with some unexpected twists along the way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews