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The Good, The Bad, and The Undecided: Greg Newman: Episode 1
★★★★★ “Very interesting story. A mystery, science fiction at its fascinating best. The characters are strong, the protagonist is believable and if I say more it will ruin the enjoyment of discovery.” - Amazon Reviewer
After the end of WWII, General Greg Newman is looking for new ways to add stars to his shoulders. A week after the claims of aliens in Roswell, he is presented with a unique opportunity, two powerful superior officers want his attention. One extending the hand of friendship and the other offering the promotion he’s wanted so desperately.
Greg takes hold of both, and for once, it seems everything is going his way. Then the illusion falls, and Greg finds himself in a downward spiral of deceit and betrayal. There’s only one person who can pull him out of it—himself.
Earth's Secret Alliance is a series of clean, family-friendly, uplifting, inspirational, relaxing, one-to-two-hour short stories. Suitable for all ages. It is s oft science fiction that deals with social problems, more than science and technology.
Audiobook, dyslexic and large print editions are available!
★★★★★ " I’m not a Sci-Fi or alien fan, but these books are great! They’re what they intend to be! Short, light with a little humour. Perfect if you have a spare hour. I’ve read Tony’s earlier books and they’re fitting in nicely together now to get a better picture of the characters. Can’t wait for the next Episode!" - Goodreads Reviewer
★★★★★ "I got this at half price. But, I think, if I needed anymore, I would pay the full price. It seems to be very good. I was delivered very quickly. I am fully satisfied.” - Amazon Reviewer
After the end of WWII, General Greg Newman is looking for new ways to add stars to his shoulders. A week after the claims of aliens in Roswell, he is presented with a unique opportunity, two powerful superior officers want his attention. One extending the hand of friendship and the other offering the promotion he’s wanted so desperately.
Greg takes hold of both, and for once, it seems everything is going his way. Then the illusion falls, and Greg finds himself in a downward spiral of deceit and betrayal. There’s only one person who can pull him out of it—himself.
Earth's Secret Alliance is a series of clean, family-friendly, uplifting, inspirational, relaxing, one-to-two-hour short stories. Suitable for all ages. It is s oft science fiction that deals with social problems, more than science and technology.
Audiobook, dyslexic and large print editions are available!
★★★★★ " I’m not a Sci-Fi or alien fan, but these books are great! They’re what they intend to be! Short, light with a little humour. Perfect if you have a spare hour. I’ve read Tony’s earlier books and they’re fitting in nicely together now to get a better picture of the characters. Can’t wait for the next Episode!" - Goodreads Reviewer
★★★★★ "I got this at half price. But, I think, if I needed anymore, I would pay the full price. It seems to be very good. I was delivered very quickly. I am fully satisfied.” - Amazon Reviewer
69 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2022
15 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Tony B. Richard
20 books10 followersTony B. Richard lives in Vancouver, Canada. He is a computer programmer (coder), instructor, and a Star Trek, Star Wars, and Stargate fan. He had this story in his head for decades, but during the Covid-19 pandemic, he thought it was time to put it down on paper.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 2, 2022
I’m not a Sci-Fi or alien fan, but these books are great! They’re what they intend to be! Short, light with a little humour. Perfect if you have a spare hour. I’ve read Tony’s earlier books and they’re fitting in nicely together now to get a better picture of the characters. Can’t wait for the next Episode!
September 21, 2024
3.5/5 stars
Having read the synopsis, this book seemed to be a really good read. I was actually one of the Beta readers, but I was originally intrigued because the author had placed this under christian fiction.
The book is really well written and fast paced. I was immediately hooked but getting a few chapters in there was no faith added to this story. I did ask about this and the author’s response was disheartening. Since this man is clearly very talented in his writing, I hate that he has chosen to fill his pocket over glorifying God.
He replied that (paraphrase) The christian message is about forgiveness but Christ isn’t mentioned because that doesn't sell. I was heartbroken to hear this because Tony B Richard is a very strong writer and I hope will be given the courage to put faith in books so that he can edify the body instead of himself.
This is episode one of a book series, each story is very short. I wish they were all released at once but I guess he is releasing them as each one is written which I think serves as a very unique experience for book readers that I think I would like to see more of (more specifically in christian fiction). Although, having read the book before the official synopsis I could understand if some become disappointed in some aspects.
Gre Newman is meant to be a very snide character, close to an anti-hero almost at the beginning who only cares about himself. But when we first see Greg (arguably at his worst) he doesn’t come across as that at all. He is a bit cheap, but he comes across as professional and prudent. The kind of man who would rise in the ranks as a general. He even schedules to see his mother every month and despite complaining about the price of the flowers to himself, he always buys them because he knows it makes her happy.
Greg comes across as someone who at worst isn't’ all that much of a team player because (with good reason) he doesn’t wholeheartedly trust anyone with anything worth worrying about.
I really enjoyed his thoughts especially in the beginning when General Jones was introduced into the story with a series of chess matches.
Greg Newman has a promotion at the forefront of his mind, but he isn't’ blinded by it as the synopsis suggests and the “entanglement of a diabolical plan” is not as intense as it seems. It is a problem that is resolved within a chapter. This part definitely should have been panned out a little bit more, if it wanted to suspense and the retro sci-fi uneasiness that I think was being aimed for.
This story wasn’t going to be 5 stars just because of the lack of Christianity in this book. Usually I wouldn’t consider this if it wasn’t listed as a christian book to begin with, but since I know it was, I think that should be taken into account. Especially since this book was 99.99% clean and I think that was because it was meant to be for Christians who want a good book that isn't sullied with sex and profanity. I did appreciate that. But God’s name is used in vain once and I find that very disheartening.
I had to read over it twice because at first I thought that it was a random prayer inserted in the book:
“G**, is this what I’m like? Is scornson what I could’ve turned into? A man with no morals, a man who does whatever it takes to win?” (pg 56)
This quote also makes a perfect segment into the ending. The antagonistic General Scornson wants to “win” at any cost. The implication is that he wants the alien technology for himself at the expense of the aliens. And the moral of the story is meant to be a parallel of what Greg was very close to becoming.
The only issue with that is that Greg was never at risk of becoming that man. From the beginning this man clearly had a heart, and at the end of it. Greg still gets his promotion that he wanted but with the good guys instead of Scornson (which, let’s be honest. Scornson was never going to give him that promotion).
In the end Greg sees life in a better light. He is more willing to give tips, he is more empathetic to people instead of just observant. (empathetic may be the wrong though, I would also say he is just more generous). But the reason why there is this new change makes no sense as on a character development scale.
I liked the end but I won't spoil that. It was simple and anticlimactic, but it definitely had a retro feeling to it which I really liked. I think this was the perfect short fall read. This is oddly specific, but if you are someone who lives a retro lifestyle or a housewife (i am both) and want a book that has that same feeling without watching tv all the time, this book would be it.
It is clean, but fast paced like a show. It is short too but if you are always doing housework and stuff you can stretch it out for a few days so you have something to look forward to every night on your shelf.
I would recommend this book and will follow it closely for the next one to come out, but I don’t think it will be that perfect read for me unfortunately.
Having read the synopsis, this book seemed to be a really good read. I was actually one of the Beta readers, but I was originally intrigued because the author had placed this under christian fiction.
The book is really well written and fast paced. I was immediately hooked but getting a few chapters in there was no faith added to this story. I did ask about this and the author’s response was disheartening. Since this man is clearly very talented in his writing, I hate that he has chosen to fill his pocket over glorifying God.
He replied that (paraphrase) The christian message is about forgiveness but Christ isn’t mentioned because that doesn't sell. I was heartbroken to hear this because Tony B Richard is a very strong writer and I hope will be given the courage to put faith in books so that he can edify the body instead of himself.
This is episode one of a book series, each story is very short. I wish they were all released at once but I guess he is releasing them as each one is written which I think serves as a very unique experience for book readers that I think I would like to see more of (more specifically in christian fiction). Although, having read the book before the official synopsis I could understand if some become disappointed in some aspects.
Gre Newman is meant to be a very snide character, close to an anti-hero almost at the beginning who only cares about himself. But when we first see Greg (arguably at his worst) he doesn’t come across as that at all. He is a bit cheap, but he comes across as professional and prudent. The kind of man who would rise in the ranks as a general. He even schedules to see his mother every month and despite complaining about the price of the flowers to himself, he always buys them because he knows it makes her happy.
Greg comes across as someone who at worst isn't’ all that much of a team player because (with good reason) he doesn’t wholeheartedly trust anyone with anything worth worrying about.
I really enjoyed his thoughts especially in the beginning when General Jones was introduced into the story with a series of chess matches.
Greg Newman has a promotion at the forefront of his mind, but he isn't’ blinded by it as the synopsis suggests and the “entanglement of a diabolical plan” is not as intense as it seems. It is a problem that is resolved within a chapter. This part definitely should have been panned out a little bit more, if it wanted to suspense and the retro sci-fi uneasiness that I think was being aimed for.
This story wasn’t going to be 5 stars just because of the lack of Christianity in this book. Usually I wouldn’t consider this if it wasn’t listed as a christian book to begin with, but since I know it was, I think that should be taken into account. Especially since this book was 99.99% clean and I think that was because it was meant to be for Christians who want a good book that isn't sullied with sex and profanity. I did appreciate that. But God’s name is used in vain once and I find that very disheartening.
I had to read over it twice because at first I thought that it was a random prayer inserted in the book:
“G**, is this what I’m like? Is scornson what I could’ve turned into? A man with no morals, a man who does whatever it takes to win?” (pg 56)
This quote also makes a perfect segment into the ending. The antagonistic General Scornson wants to “win” at any cost. The implication is that he wants the alien technology for himself at the expense of the aliens. And the moral of the story is meant to be a parallel of what Greg was very close to becoming.
The only issue with that is that Greg was never at risk of becoming that man. From the beginning this man clearly had a heart, and at the end of it. Greg still gets his promotion that he wanted but with the good guys instead of Scornson (which, let’s be honest. Scornson was never going to give him that promotion).
In the end Greg sees life in a better light. He is more willing to give tips, he is more empathetic to people instead of just observant. (empathetic may be the wrong though, I would also say he is just more generous). But the reason why there is this new change makes no sense as on a character development scale.
I liked the end but I won't spoil that. It was simple and anticlimactic, but it definitely had a retro feeling to it which I really liked. I think this was the perfect short fall read. This is oddly specific, but if you are someone who lives a retro lifestyle or a housewife (i am both) and want a book that has that same feeling without watching tv all the time, this book would be it.
It is clean, but fast paced like a show. It is short too but if you are always doing housework and stuff you can stretch it out for a few days so you have something to look forward to every night on your shelf.
I would recommend this book and will follow it closely for the next one to come out, but I don’t think it will be that perfect read for me unfortunately.
May 16, 2023
This might be one of my favorites in the series, it worked well with the world that was set. It had what I was looking for from Tony B. Richard, and I enjoyed how good it all worked. I enjoyed the scifi elements and am excited to read more from the author.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 28, 2022
.
.
Book stinks.
A cross between A CHRISTMAS CAROL and perhaps an undigested bit of really bad frozen pizza.
Or, maybe A CHRISTMAS CAROL and the Muppets Meet Steven Kyng.
Book is a terd,
I think I may throw up….
Book and whole story are absurd.
.
.
.
Book stinks.
A cross between A CHRISTMAS CAROL and perhaps an undigested bit of really bad frozen pizza.
Or, maybe A CHRISTMAS CAROL and the Muppets Meet Steven Kyng.
Book is a terd,
I think I may throw up….
Book and whole story are absurd.
.
.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews