the Rust Bucket series:

Boson Books, Aug. 00, ISBN 0-917990-15-3

Available at Boson Books, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, and other booksellers

Reviewed in Baryon Magazine by Barry Hunter.

In this latest novel from one of the best selling enovelist, we see some of the preliminary events that lead into other books he has written. He has his future history logged out and is continuing to maintain a high level of consistency of writing and reader enjoyment.

In SPACE RESCUE ONE, we meet Richard Saber, a man with much on his mind who is drinking too much and has too few friends. Shelley Laumer, a concerned friend, wants to get to the bottom of his secret and help him straighten himself out, especially after he disobeys orders to save her life. There are plenty of adventures as we find out what demons Richard is fighting and then the Mars and Venus Colonies decide to declare their independence causing more work for the rescue teams to try and save lives during a war.

There is plenty of action, adventure and romance as we find out the answers to our questions. ATK Butterfly starts this new series with a winner and those who are familiar with the RUST BUCKET series will recognize the beginnings of the history that leads to that series. This is another terrific space opera from the best practitioner of the art today.


Painting "Holding The Truth" by Joel Barr

Boson Books, Mar. 98, ISBN 1-886420-50-5


Boson Books, Oct. 98, ISBN 1-886420-53-X

Available at Boson Books, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, and other booksellers

Reviewed in Baryon Magazine by Barry Hunter.

In this open-ended series about the future of the Navy, Dave Oden is being released from the Academy because the Navy is downsizing and only those with wealthy parents are being kept. Dave is able to obtain a job with a freighter service as a gunner to protect the shipments from being taken by pirates. Dave continues his training with correspondence courses and when war breaks out he is reactivated and the freighter ships are commissioned to aid in the war effort.

Dave puts his training to work and uses knowledge from studying the old Naval records. He shows knowledge, creativity and initiative in defeating the enemy and rising in rank until at the end of the first novel is in charge of the Naval Academy.

In the second novel (Attack Butterfly), we meet the first graduates of Dave's schooling and end up at war with a new race who are out to conquer the federation. Dave's points have been well learned by this new class and they also show initiative in creating new methods of warfare.

Both books are well written and the battle scenes are realistic and well researched. The books flow well and are fast reads. The supporting characters only add to the enjoyability and as some of their secrets are revealed, the pieces fall into place and only add to the enjoyment of the story. This is modern space opera in the best sense of the term. This is different from the last work, WILL FIGHT EVIL FOR FOOD, but it shows another side of Kuzminski. Both sides are entertaining and give good value. If you enjoy space opera as much as I do, these are not to be missed.


Painting "Next Year, Even Better" by Joel Barr

Boson Books, Nov. 99, ISBN 1-886420-61-0

Available at Boson Books, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, and other booksellers

Reviewed in Baryon Magazine by Barry Hunter.

This is the third and perhaps final volume of the story of Dave Oden that started out in RUST BUCKET. This is Space Opera at its finest and there's not enough of it to go around so we need to support those who are keeping it alive.

In this fast paced story, the Union of Planets is almost suckered into giving up all human rights to gain some new members and Oden is accused of mutiny by trying to fight a war against Malak; maintain a vigil over the Ape-oid planet as they seek to break out of the quarantine; to stop Serapha from attacking Opal to destroy them for their atheist culture; and, to keep the Navy operating to its' potential.

There is plenty of action in this one. David also gives a view of a religious right that is almost out of todays papers. There are still some comic moments that he is well known for. Be sure to get this one, its a good fast read and makes you hope that there are more to come. Thanks, David, it's another winner in my eyes.


Boson Books, Aug. 01, ISBN 0-917990-36-6

Available at Boson Books, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, and other booksellers