What do you think?
Rate this book
Earth's Only Hope #0
Connecting
We are entering another ice age. In less than a year, my brother and I will freeze to death, unless we starve first. Experts have created biodomes, built tunnels, and rationed food and fuel to make the end more tolerable, for a bit. When Lon of planet Kaipra contacts me, claiming he has the key to our survival, I have to listen. He’ll help humans survive the ice age, but at the ultimate cost—I must agree to leave my brother, my friends, and the entire planet I call home to travel across the galaxy with him. Can I trust him? What are his plans with me? And do I even have a choice? You’ll keep turning the pages of this post apocalyptic survival novel, because it's filled with action, adventure, and an across-the-galaxy romance. Scroll up and 1-click this book today! Books in the Earth's Only Hope Connecting (Book 0) Departing (Book 1) Surviving (Book 2) Returning (Book 3) Connecting was previously published in the Rogue Skies Boxed Set.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2019
107 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Joynell Schultz
69 books486 followersJoynell Schultz spends her days working in a “reliable profession” as a veterinary pharmacist, which pays the bills, but isn’t nearly as exciting as creating alternative worlds writing speculative fiction. While shivering through the long northern Wisconsin winters with her husband, two children, and numerous pets, she enjoys reading, writing, and planning her next vacation.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 24, 2021
Ever since learning Earth was heading towards an Ice Age, people divided into two basic groups that were given the buzz terms: the hopeless and the hopeful.It's been eight years since Jana and her father sent messages into space using his NASA radio. Those messages begging for help were heard, and someone is coming to help Earth.
I absolutely loved the first 80% of the story. I wish that the heroine had been a little more mature. For someone who is 20 years old, she acted more like a teenager than an adult.
I really liked how
The end was a big disappointment for me. While there is a ‘love' story of sorts, the most connection between the characters is a kiss. I would have liked to have seen more of them together, how they handled
I’ve looked into the next book in the series and it’s a different couple! I’ll probably still read it and hope that I am given more insight into Lon and Jana. Really?! That’s all we get?
March 14, 2022
This is a prequel but it’s actually a short novel size it seems to set the stage for the upcoming series and it’s a sweet clean love story. The earth is dying heading towards an ice age and the human race's days are numbered. Our narrator here is Jana a young twenty-year-old girl who lives with her grandmother and younger brother. Jana’s late father believed the answer to their current situation lay out amongst the stars so years ago he sent a distress signal into space and it has now been answered many years later in the form of Lon an Alien currently travelling alone through space in his spaceship.
Lon is a Kaipraian his planet was destroyed by a meteor and many of his species died he’s since been living aboard his ship and he might just have the answers to saving Earth and the only thing he wants in return for his assistance is Jana. Lon is humanoid blue in colour and slightly larger in size than humans though he speaks another language his primary way to communicate is through telepathy which is universal to all and this is how he manages to make contact with Jana.
This was well written but the pace did feel quite slow and it took forever to get to the point. I wasn’t always a fan of Jana as her behaviour could be quite erratic and she seems to take aeons to come to any logical conclusion. I just didn’t find her very proactive. I mean when she’s first contacted by this alien entity does she even try and make contact with the powers to be no she just acts all defeatist. She also takes forever to decide she’s going to take Lon’s deal and I’d have thought she’d have jumped straight away to save her family at least. The majority of this Lon and Jana are apart so I couldn’t really feel a developing connection between them and I thought Lon’s reaction to Jana drinking was a bit extreme I mean it was hardly excessive.
Still, this was imaginative and I’m definitely intrigued with what’s to come so I will probably pick up the next book in the series I’m just wondering now if the whole series is going to be a clean one going by this I’m leaning towards a yes.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
July 26, 2020
Connecting was an interesting romance, a refreshing take on the alien romance trope.
When the entire Earth enters an ice age in a year's time, there won't be enough food or energy to sustain life. People have resigned themselves that the end of the world is almost upon them, and they will starve/freeze to death.
Until 20-year-old Jana is contacted telepathically by an alien named Lon. He claims that he can save Earth provided he receives something in exchange....Jana herself. She has no idea if his intentions are good, what he looks like--and going with him to who-knows-where means leaving her beloved 11-year-old brother and elderly grandmother (her parents were killed in a domestic terrorist attack).
Connecting is an interesting story, and it kept me guessing. Author Joynell Schultz threw out a red herring, which I totally fell for.
My one pet peeve with this story is that I wish the heroine had been older. The dystopian/post-apocalyptic genre leans toward YA/New Adult, but he person making the "save the world" decision should have been older. Although Jana generally acts mature, she IS still young, and as a result of her youth, a couple of times she said some ridiculous stuff.
For example: she was attending college online to become an engineer when her school shut down. When she has opportunity to visit some biodomes, she said, "working on such a project had been my life long focus, and now, my chest constricted with the realization that I'd never have the opportunity." Life long focus? She's 20! How long could she have been focused? Two years?
Or this:
"I had been alone for too long, and the thought of having a companion like Lon, who seemed to care about me, was what brought me warmth every time we communicated."
Alone too long? Again, she's 20. Most people don't meet their spouses/partner by age 20. And she wasn't alone! She had her grandmother and her brother AND there was bartender she'd dated who liked her a lot.
You can't talk about having a life-long dream unless you're at least 30. And that would be the minimum.
But, that's just my gripe. It IS a great story, and I highly recommend the book.
When the entire Earth enters an ice age in a year's time, there won't be enough food or energy to sustain life. People have resigned themselves that the end of the world is almost upon them, and they will starve/freeze to death.
Until 20-year-old Jana is contacted telepathically by an alien named Lon. He claims that he can save Earth provided he receives something in exchange....Jana herself. She has no idea if his intentions are good, what he looks like--and going with him to who-knows-where means leaving her beloved 11-year-old brother and elderly grandmother (her parents were killed in a domestic terrorist attack).
Connecting is an interesting story, and it kept me guessing. Author Joynell Schultz threw out a red herring, which I totally fell for.
My one pet peeve with this story is that I wish the heroine had been older. The dystopian/post-apocalyptic genre leans toward YA/New Adult, but he person making the "save the world" decision should have been older. Although Jana generally acts mature, she IS still young, and as a result of her youth, a couple of times she said some ridiculous stuff.
For example: she was attending college online to become an engineer when her school shut down. When she has opportunity to visit some biodomes, she said, "working on such a project had been my life long focus, and now, my chest constricted with the realization that I'd never have the opportunity." Life long focus? She's 20! How long could she have been focused? Two years?
Or this:
"I had been alone for too long, and the thought of having a companion like Lon, who seemed to care about me, was what brought me warmth every time we communicated."
Alone too long? Again, she's 20. Most people don't meet their spouses/partner by age 20. And she wasn't alone! She had her grandmother and her brother AND there was bartender she'd dated who liked her a lot.
You can't talk about having a life-long dream unless you're at least 30. And that would be the minimum.
But, that's just my gripe. It IS a great story, and I highly recommend the book.
May 22, 2021
I’m not really certain why this is a ‘prequel’ when it’s the size of a full book since prequels are usually novella-size.
The world is about to go through an ice age in a little less than one year. Jana’s scientist parents first discovered this when she was young and warned the world. Her father knew that their best chance for saving the world was to contact alien life, and reached out via his ham radio. Now in her 20s and living with her younger brother and grandmother, with both of her parents dead, Jana’s nightly communications to the stars gets an answer from an alien named Lon. He tells her he has a way to save the Earth’s population, but he wants one thing in exchange. He wants Jana.
I loved this story! I’m a sucker for an apocalyptic, so I loved the idea of the world ending soon hanging over their heads. I loved the idea of alien life contacting us, and I loved that she couldn’t see him through most of the book and had to just imagine what he was like from the voice in her head. And I loved the idea of what the world would be like with things shutting down and people sliding into depression and people trying to carry on and others trying to answer what they would do with the remaining time they have left and the shortages (though with things being as tight as they were, it didn’t really make much sense for Jana to be driving so much). The largest problem I had with this book was Jana. She was a good narrator for the most part, swinging between hope and depression, and I loved the love she had for her brother. But there were times I wanted to knock her upside the head. Like she gets contacted by an alien who says he can save her race and that he needs to speak to the president. Does she try to contact the president or even try to figure out how she’d even go about contacting the president? No. She sits on it for several days until he contacts her again. So, when they tell her that to save the human race (which would include her brother and grandmother), Lon wants her to go with him. Does she immediately say yes? No. She wavers and argues. I didn’t much care for Lon making such a big deal of her drinking. It seemed rather unreasonable for him to insist on total abstinence from alcohol. Not that I’m into drinking, or support Jana wanting to get drunk with the world about to end, but he objected to her even having a drink at her friend’s wedding. Yes, this is a romance, and I did love the relationship Jana and Lon grew into. Lon reminded me more than a little of Doctor Who (which probably isn’t a coincidence), especially his need for a companion in his travels around the galaxy (and I know so many fan girls wanted a romance between the Doctor and Rose, so this is full-filling that want). Yes, I can’t wait to see where the story takes Jana and Lon to next.
The world is about to go through an ice age in a little less than one year. Jana’s scientist parents first discovered this when she was young and warned the world. Her father knew that their best chance for saving the world was to contact alien life, and reached out via his ham radio. Now in her 20s and living with her younger brother and grandmother, with both of her parents dead, Jana’s nightly communications to the stars gets an answer from an alien named Lon. He tells her he has a way to save the Earth’s population, but he wants one thing in exchange. He wants Jana.
I loved this story! I’m a sucker for an apocalyptic, so I loved the idea of the world ending soon hanging over their heads. I loved the idea of alien life contacting us, and I loved that she couldn’t see him through most of the book and had to just imagine what he was like from the voice in her head. And I loved the idea of what the world would be like with things shutting down and people sliding into depression and people trying to carry on and others trying to answer what they would do with the remaining time they have left and the shortages (though with things being as tight as they were, it didn’t really make much sense for Jana to be driving so much). The largest problem I had with this book was Jana. She was a good narrator for the most part, swinging between hope and depression, and I loved the love she had for her brother. But there were times I wanted to knock her upside the head. Like she gets contacted by an alien who says he can save her race and that he needs to speak to the president. Does she try to contact the president or even try to figure out how she’d even go about contacting the president? No. She sits on it for several days until he contacts her again. So, when they tell her that to save the human race (which would include her brother and grandmother), Lon wants her to go with him. Does she immediately say yes? No. She wavers and argues. I didn’t much care for Lon making such a big deal of her drinking. It seemed rather unreasonable for him to insist on total abstinence from alcohol. Not that I’m into drinking, or support Jana wanting to get drunk with the world about to end, but he objected to her even having a drink at her friend’s wedding. Yes, this is a romance, and I did love the relationship Jana and Lon grew into. Lon reminded me more than a little of Doctor Who (which probably isn’t a coincidence), especially his need for a companion in his travels around the galaxy (and I know so many fan girls wanted a romance between the Doctor and Rose, so this is full-filling that want). Yes, I can’t wait to see where the story takes Jana and Lon to next.
March 4, 2020
I have read all of Joy's books and loved every single one of them, without exception. This book, however, has surpassed all my expectations. She has written about vampires, angels, werewolves, the Devil, androids, dragons, superheroes and their wives, fairy godmothers, you name it, she's probably written about it! But this book marks a completely different direction for Joy. Her books are usually, on the surface, quite sweet but actually contain hidden depths, with characters that are flawed, and darker themes than at first appear. This new series is more obviously darker and deeper, with characters that are definitely and openly flawed, and a world that is dying. Whilst this may sound all doom and gloom, think again. Joy has woven a tale of family, hope and love amid a backdrop of worldwide despair and a bleak outlook for Earth.
Jana and Lon are connected by a one in a trillion chance and that connection grew throughout the book, developing into a relationship that may save not only Earth, but also each other. Jana is not as instantly likeable as Joy's other female characters but Lon is a sweetheart. Their differences were marked, and their temperaments completely opposite but their growing feelings for each other drove the story along and had me rooting for them.
Joy's world-building is marvellous. She has created different planets and alien races for this series and made it easy to picture the worlds and races with her clever description. It felt at times as if I was watching television or a film, rather than reading, so vivid was her prose. I have also read the first book in the series, Departing, and loved it just as much, if not more. Joy has excelled herself with this series and it is definitely my favourite of hers. I cannot praise it highly enough.
Jana and Lon are connected by a one in a trillion chance and that connection grew throughout the book, developing into a relationship that may save not only Earth, but also each other. Jana is not as instantly likeable as Joy's other female characters but Lon is a sweetheart. Their differences were marked, and their temperaments completely opposite but their growing feelings for each other drove the story along and had me rooting for them.
Joy's world-building is marvellous. She has created different planets and alien races for this series and made it easy to picture the worlds and races with her clever description. It felt at times as if I was watching television or a film, rather than reading, so vivid was her prose. I have also read the first book in the series, Departing, and loved it just as much, if not more. Joy has excelled herself with this series and it is definitely my favourite of hers. I cannot praise it highly enough.
December 1, 2020
What would you think if you started getting images in your head of an alien and places you’ve never seen before? Would you think you were going crazy or just perhaps your mind is able to be open and receptive to the thoughts of an alien race?
Earth is freezing and there aren’t enough places for people to stay alive. Millions will die but contact with a race from another planet who is also facing extinction offers a hope if both peoples can work together to find another planet to support both of them.
Earth’s leaders decide to take the alien’s offer but they decide to offer them expendable humans-those who are already condemned to death to travel with the aliens. If they die no great loss.
Thus this series begins and it takes the reader into space with mutiny among the passengers on both sides. As to be expected some can’t co-habit but others would like to make it work.
There are many exciting journeys and battles ahead as desperate races try and find a planet that will be
acceptable to both.
Joy has spun a yarn that is sure to captivate all her readers! Follow their experiences in space and see how they cope with the challenges they will face.
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the future books in this series to see just what will happen. I recommend this book to lovers of sci-fi no matter how old they may be!
Why not get this book and join me in this out of this world adventure! I feel sure you won’t regret it!
Earth is freezing and there aren’t enough places for people to stay alive. Millions will die but contact with a race from another planet who is also facing extinction offers a hope if both peoples can work together to find another planet to support both of them.
Earth’s leaders decide to take the alien’s offer but they decide to offer them expendable humans-those who are already condemned to death to travel with the aliens. If they die no great loss.
Thus this series begins and it takes the reader into space with mutiny among the passengers on both sides. As to be expected some can’t co-habit but others would like to make it work.
There are many exciting journeys and battles ahead as desperate races try and find a planet that will be
acceptable to both.
Joy has spun a yarn that is sure to captivate all her readers! Follow their experiences in space and see how they cope with the challenges they will face.
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the future books in this series to see just what will happen. I recommend this book to lovers of sci-fi no matter how old they may be!
Why not get this book and join me in this out of this world adventure! I feel sure you won’t regret it!
April 14, 2020
Connecting" is a significant departure from the fantasy-based sweet paranormal romances that I best know Joynell Schultz for, but it is clear from the reading that Joynell Schultz can write in other genres than paranormal romance. This novella combines first contact, alien romance and a soon-to-be-apocalyptic world to produce a surprisingly sweet new-romance growing-up story that questions what it means to be human, to be morally strong, to be in love while fighting addiction and despair. "Connecting" is very different from Joynell Schultz's usual work, but it appeals to those who want a deeper, more thought-provoking read than her usual. If you enjoyed the movie "Interstellar", you ought to enjoy this read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 11, 2020
What a Prequel!
Connecting: Earth’s Only Hope Prequel
By Joynell Schultz
Kindle unlimited purchase
Earth's time is up. The sun is dying. Eight years ago, Jana spent countless hours with her father with his NASA issued radio listening to the sound of static. Most called him craze. When Jana started hearing a man's voice she thought she was going crazy, too. But come to find out Lon was real but can he save the day like he says?
I enjoyed this book! Not heavy on the sexual content as Jana and Lon don't actually meet in person until later in the book. But it does have a HEA for them. The problem with the planet continues into the next book. So guess what I'm renting next? I recommend reading this Prequel before reading book 1.
Earth’s Only Hope
(0) Connecting
(1) Departing
(2) Surviving
(3) Returning
Connecting: Earth’s Only Hope Prequel
By Joynell Schultz
Kindle unlimited purchase
Earth's time is up. The sun is dying. Eight years ago, Jana spent countless hours with her father with his NASA issued radio listening to the sound of static. Most called him craze. When Jana started hearing a man's voice she thought she was going crazy, too. But come to find out Lon was real but can he save the day like he says?
I enjoyed this book! Not heavy on the sexual content as Jana and Lon don't actually meet in person until later in the book. But it does have a HEA for them. The problem with the planet continues into the next book. So guess what I'm renting next? I recommend reading this Prequel before reading book 1.
Earth’s Only Hope
(0) Connecting
(1) Departing
(2) Surviving
(3) Returning
November 9, 2020
An interesting take for a world ending story.
"Connecting" is very different from Joynell Schultz's usual work, but it appeals to those who want a deeper, more thought-provoking read than her usual books : think "First Contact" meets "The Day After Tomorrow"
The protagonist is not the most likeable of women, but that's ok. It's grittier, more real. Lon, the alien would-be saviour, is just a love, a ying to her yang. This is a great prequel to what looks like it will be a really amazing series .
Onward and forward to the next book
highly recommend !
"Connecting" is very different from Joynell Schultz's usual work, but it appeals to those who want a deeper, more thought-provoking read than her usual books : think "First Contact" meets "The Day After Tomorrow"
The protagonist is not the most likeable of women, but that's ok. It's grittier, more real. Lon, the alien would-be saviour, is just a love, a ying to her yang. This is a great prequel to what looks like it will be a really amazing series .
Onward and forward to the next book
highly recommend !
December 1, 2022
The Earth is swiftly heading toward another Ice Age when Jana is contacted telepathically by a space alien named Lon. He could help the human race survive this deadly environment but, can he be trusted? With all the obstacles to overcome and so many questions to be answered, is there time to change humanity's future? This is a fast-paced drama filled with so many different emotions. Although vulerable, the cast is tough and hopeful they will survive. Read this story and see how the human spirit breaks through barriers. Good Read!!!!
January 10, 2020
What hit me the most in this book was living the moment. Most of us have no idea when we will die. In this book, there is a day to day countdown. There is no if, it’s when. What would you do if you knew how long you had? Quit work? Spend all your money? There are the believers...those who trust that something or someone will prevent the disaster from happening and those who have no hope. Which would you be?
January 11, 2020
Wrong Number
I keep doing this, I press 3 instead of 4. This reasonably short book deserves better than three. It's a good story about climate change and aliens. Sure to be a hit with anti science people and with green peace. Problem is, we are now at the stage where science is needed to fix things. This book series recognises this. It's written for a young audience but mature readers will see past that silliness.
I keep doing this, I press 3 instead of 4. This reasonably short book deserves better than three. It's a good story about climate change and aliens. Sure to be a hit with anti science people and with green peace. Problem is, we are now at the stage where science is needed to fix things. This book series recognises this. It's written for a young audience but mature readers will see past that silliness.
April 12, 2020
Love at the End of the World
An interesting take for a world ending story. A world where so many have given up hope, our main character Jana keeps searching for some way she and her brother can survive the end. Her parents believed help could come from beyond the stars and Jana listens every day hoping against hope that she'll receive a massage. Until one day she hears...her name. I really enjoyed the read and recommend this story.
An interesting take for a world ending story. A world where so many have given up hope, our main character Jana keeps searching for some way she and her brother can survive the end. Her parents believed help could come from beyond the stars and Jana listens every day hoping against hope that she'll receive a massage. Until one day she hears...her name. I really enjoyed the read and recommend this story.
July 7, 2023
2.5 stars
I found the FMC really difficult to connect with. Her thoughts, emotions and opinions changed back and forth every few pages. It was hard to get a sense of who she was because of it. Also, as far as romance goes, it was very sparse on not really based on knowing each other at all. I was very underwhelmed by the whole thing, and even though I already have the next book, I’m not sure if I’ll bother reading it.
I found the FMC really difficult to connect with. Her thoughts, emotions and opinions changed back and forth every few pages. It was hard to get a sense of who she was because of it. Also, as far as romance goes, it was very sparse on not really based on knowing each other at all. I was very underwhelmed by the whole thing, and even though I already have the next book, I’m not sure if I’ll bother reading it.
January 1, 2020
Not a bad read, although it did take a while to get to the point not to mention I found it quite hard to realise that ‘voice’ in Jenas head was actually an alien and not the fact she was bonkers. I’m not sure if I will be recommending this book to other people but if they were to ask for a book to read it’s a possibility.
February 23, 2021
Love the romance!
There were many moments of excitement, sadness, fear and grief throughout this lovely romantic scifi novel. But for me it was the growing relationship between Jana and Lon that left me smiling. It was handled beautifully and there was nothing jarring to skip over. A wonderful start to a great series.
There were many moments of excitement, sadness, fear and grief throughout this lovely romantic scifi novel. But for me it was the growing relationship between Jana and Lon that left me smiling. It was handled beautifully and there was nothing jarring to skip over. A wonderful start to a great series.
June 18, 2022
Earth girls are easy!
I didn't expect much from this book but I'm pleasantly surprised it has humour,love and the maybe destruction of earth 🌎, likable characters that you care about, can't wait to read the 2nd book .
I didn't expect much from this book but I'm pleasantly surprised it has humour,love and the maybe destruction of earth 🌎, likable characters that you care about, can't wait to read the 2nd book .
December 9, 2019
Loved this book. A true sci-fi adventure. Hope there will be more about Jena and Lon and more stories to follow. This book is well worth your time, read it and you will agree.
December 11, 2019
A family-friendly apocalyptic tale of the coming sub-zero ice age and the only possible chance for survival.
December 29, 2019
More of a YA story than anything.
February 15, 2020
Great prequel
I loved this prequel! I can’t wait to read the rest of the books. I have to know what happens!
I loved this prequel! I can’t wait to read the rest of the books. I have to know what happens!
June 19, 2020
So enjoyable and intriguing
How would you treat someone that offered to save your world could you trust them would you trust them or would you rather perish
How would you treat someone that offered to save your world could you trust them would you trust them or would you rather perish
Read
March 31, 2022Read as part of the Rogue Skies anthology.
November 13, 2019
For the past three days, Jana has thought she heard someone whisper her name over the transmission radio, full of static, crackles, and pings. Her father had spent years showing her how to reach out to space for help, but nothing ever came of it. The planet was dying, the sun could not sustain it anymore. Her 11-year-old brother Newton walked up and asked if she was nearly done yet. They had almost a year left before they would all freeze to death – or they could starve first if they miscalculated on the rations. Until then, Jana tried to keep herself, Gran, and Newton in the “Hopeful Group” who continued with daily activities keeping life “normal” until the very end. So Newton still had to go to school and had extracurricular activities in which he participated.
This was the one night in the week Jana got to drive Gran’s car since it got so cold in the evening after drama club and they couldn’t safely walk home in those temperatures. As she drove, Newton said her name, “Jana?” But when she responded, he said he had not said anything.
When Jana dropped Newton off at home, she jogged to McTipsy’s Irish Pub to relax. Unfortunately, there was news on the TV about sun-spots cooling things even faster than predicted. Her peppermint schnapps lessened the tension in her shoulders and warmed her insides. “Jana?” The voice this time was clearer and definitely male. So she snapped, “What do you want?” And the voice answered! “I’m answering your father’s plea for help.” What?? Could she dare hope? Could someone out there among the stars help them? But is the cost too high when Lon of planet Kaipra tells her she will have to leave Earth and everyone behind and travel the galaxy with him!
This book is so well-written! The description of the world and living in that environment makes it so real and clear to the reader what they are going through. Even the little time left becomes even less until even Jana is running out of hope. And then . . . don’t miss this story!
This was the one night in the week Jana got to drive Gran’s car since it got so cold in the evening after drama club and they couldn’t safely walk home in those temperatures. As she drove, Newton said her name, “Jana?” But when she responded, he said he had not said anything.
When Jana dropped Newton off at home, she jogged to McTipsy’s Irish Pub to relax. Unfortunately, there was news on the TV about sun-spots cooling things even faster than predicted. Her peppermint schnapps lessened the tension in her shoulders and warmed her insides. “Jana?” The voice this time was clearer and definitely male. So she snapped, “What do you want?” And the voice answered! “I’m answering your father’s plea for help.” What?? Could she dare hope? Could someone out there among the stars help them? But is the cost too high when Lon of planet Kaipra tells her she will have to leave Earth and everyone behind and travel the galaxy with him!
This book is so well-written! The description of the world and living in that environment makes it so real and clear to the reader what they are going through. Even the little time left becomes even less until even Jana is running out of hope. And then . . . don’t miss this story!
November 14, 2019
As with everything I've read by this author, I absolutely loved it and had a terribly difficult time putting it aside when I should have been going to sleep! It sucked me right in from the start; I immediately felt like I knew the characters and the world they lived in; I was invested in the outcomes of the plot and actively cared about the futures of the characters. I felt like I could empathize with both Jana and Lon - understanding their histories and the reality of what they were currently facing in this story. I had no trouble rooting for them, individually and as a couple. I am so happy about the way this chapter of Jana and Lon's story has been wrapped up and I'm hopeful for Earth. Though I know Ms. Schultz has some twists and turns in store for us going forward, I'm excited to see what will happen with our planet and with Jana, Lon, Newton, Lila, ... even with the president and the secret service agents.
Truly, I love everything I've read by Ms. Schultz and I'm constantly impressed by her creativity; she is somehow able to span multiple genres with unique plots and detailed world-building that consistently draw me in and keep me engrossed until the very end. In this case, this is a prequel to what I believe will be a trilogy; I am already completely hooked and can barely wait for the next installment!
Truly, I love everything I've read by Ms. Schultz and I'm constantly impressed by her creativity; she is somehow able to span multiple genres with unique plots and detailed world-building that consistently draw me in and keep me engrossed until the very end. In this case, this is a prequel to what I believe will be a trilogy; I am already completely hooked and can barely wait for the next installment!
November 13, 2019
Connecting by Joynell Schultz is a science-fiction/paranormal romance about a human named Jana who is trying to save Earth and ends up connecting with an alien in outer space. The story keeps a good pace and there are different relationships that Jana has to process how to handle. It's her love for her younger brother that keeps her going. She has to be strong and keeps a brave face in a very trying time. One of her vices is turning to alcohol to numb her feelings. I'm a volunteer at a drug and alcohol rehab in South Africa and I think the author did a brilliant job with this aspect of the story. I don't want to give too much away. One or two things that I thought were going to be weak points in the story turned out not to be, and there's an interesting twist at the end. This is the prequel to Departing, which I also thoroughly enjoyed.
February 25, 2020
Jana and Lon
He’s been talking to her for days. Is she finally crazy waiting for the end of the world. Earth was quickly freezing - they had 365 days to go.
Lon promises he has the means of saving earth.
Short story about an alien that comes to find a certain little girl and she turns out to have grown into a woman
Enjoyed this story and immediately started Departed, the next in the series.
He’s been talking to her for days. Is she finally crazy waiting for the end of the world. Earth was quickly freezing - they had 365 days to go.
Lon promises he has the means of saving earth.
Short story about an alien that comes to find a certain little girl and she turns out to have grown into a woman
Enjoyed this story and immediately started Departed, the next in the series.
June 16, 2020
One stand out story!
Really interesting in this is that the Alien is more humane than the humans.
Intense connections and separations between friends, family and beloveds - and lethal and obvious restrictions on resources- not as subtle as in contemporary times.
unique and uniquely appearing story, I read it on Kindle Unlimited. I also received an advance copy from Booksprout.
Loving it!
Really interesting in this is that the Alien is more humane than the humans.
Intense connections and separations between friends, family and beloveds - and lethal and obvious restrictions on resources- not as subtle as in contemporary times.
unique and uniquely appearing story, I read it on Kindle Unlimited. I also received an advance copy from Booksprout.
Loving it!
November 12, 2020
The Earth is heading into another ice age. Jana's father sent messages into space calling for help from any aliens that heard the messages.
Years pass and he died but Jana keeps sending the messages.
Lon finally answers the call ... but he still has distance to cover and space pirates to deal with.
It's a nice developing relationship between Jana and Lon.
Humans still aren't nice to strangers, though.
Will people survive?
Years pass and he died but Jana keeps sending the messages.
Lon finally answers the call ... but he still has distance to cover and space pirates to deal with.
It's a nice developing relationship between Jana and Lon.
Humans still aren't nice to strangers, though.
Will people survive?
November 13, 2019
A Thought-Provoking Read
In a day and age where this sort of thing is ever-increasingly becoming a possibility, this book speaks of the what-ifs that become reality. The world as we know it is quickly coming to an end. What would you do to try to save the ones you love? A very nice intro to something people are already pondering. Great read!
In a day and age where this sort of thing is ever-increasingly becoming a possibility, this book speaks of the what-ifs that become reality. The world as we know it is quickly coming to an end. What would you do to try to save the ones you love? A very nice intro to something people are already pondering. Great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews