Friday, January 15, 2016

Cubeball Blog Tour! (+$50 Amazon GC Giveaway!)

Title: Cubeball
Author: Michael Leon 
Series: N/A
Pages: 282
Date Published: 2015
Publisher: BookPOD
Format: Kindle
Genre: Sci-Fi
Source: Goddess Fish Blog Tours
Buy Me!

Synopsis:
A naturally gifted ex-national champion and a savant with a computer-like mind compete against the world's best in the 22nd century's most popular sport - CUBEBALL - the chess-like, technology-enhanced, snooker of the future where the world stage is dominated by gambling, drugs and massive audiences.
~Try an Excerpt!~
Jules’ gaze emboldened Mickey to reveal his special gift to her. He strode confidently to the cue-ball and lined up one of the most difficult shots in cubeball. Then with little thought, he cracked the cue-ball with a force that matched the passion he was feeling. The curve on the first line was more pronounced than the programmed line set by the computer.

Mickey had struck the perfect shot. Sam and Riley sat staring at the console, mesmerised by what they had just seen and eager to re-capture its perfection on replay. Only champions could play this way and it was clear to all that Mickey was developing into one.

“Fucking incredible,” said Johnnie. His eyes were wide. Filled with awe for Mickey’s skills and expectation with how much he could earn from it.

Mickey didn’t hear his appreciative manager. He didn’t see the small tear that had formed in his kid sister’s admiring eye. His gaze remained on Jules. She brushed her hair back on to her shoulders before resting her slender hands on her hips. Her mouth was wide open, breathing in her excitement for what she had just seen. Then her eyes revealed that there was more to her feelings than that of an adoring fan. Her gaze began to fill with a stirring hunger. Fate was beginning to move into Mickey’s life like an evening moon tide.
~Meet Michael!~ 
I worked with national and international organisations as a business analyst in Australia and overseas. I authored many business books analysing the foodservice and food retail industry in Australia, Europe and Asia, as well as agribusiness global trends. I also ran a consultancy business that assisted Australian enterprises to develop new markets in Australia and overseas.

I commenced writing science fiction novels full time in 2009. It was a life-long interest of mine. I have written five novels - all exploring contemporary social issues in future speculative worlds. They are: Shadow Dance; Extinction; Cubeball; Titan Sages and Alive. My novels blend speculative science, new age and poetry. Readers of novels such as Carl Sagan’s Contact would enjoy my novels.
 Michael will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

75 comments:

  1. thank you for the chance to win

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  2. I love the cover of this book, I'm looking forward to reading it :)

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  3. The excerpt was interesting. I think I would like this book.
    kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Thank you, Kelly! I really enjoyed writing this book. I hope you get as much joy reading it! And good luck with the giveaway!

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  4. Thanks to Andra for hosting this stop today. Wishing everyone good luck in the giveaway and happy reading!

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  5. Hi Lisa! Good luck with the giveaway and a big thank you for your support!

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  6. Thank you so much, Victoria! I hope you enjoy my novel. I would greatly value your feedback! And good luck with the giveaway!

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  7. Great cover; I love learning more about an author's background too.

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  8. Thanks Chirt! Check out my blog or website if you'd like to know more.

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  9. I'm trying to get my head around 'chess-like, technology-enhanced, snooker '. Intriguing.

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    1. Hi Mary! Yes it was quite a challenge to conceive! I played many games of snooker on a traditional table as I imagined how play on a 3D cube, guided by super computers would change the old game. A fun way to do research though, don't you think?

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  10. Great! Thanks for the chance to win!

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    1. Hi Kenny, thanks for visiting and the best of luck with the giveaway!

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    1. Thank you, Rita! Best of luck with the giveaway!

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  12. Thanks for the spotlight and excerpt!

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  13. It sounds very intriguing!

    --Trix

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  14. Thanks for the chance. Best of luck, everyone.

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    1. Thank you, Laney! I've been very fortunate to have had a number of interesting careers. But I rate my writing career as the best! Good luck with the giveaway!

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  17. What is your faborite novel? Thanks for the giveaway. I hope that I win. Bernie W BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com

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  18. Hi Joseph. Tough question! I enjoyed Cormack McCarthy's The Road. So it squeezes to the top of my best five reads. Good luck with the giveaway!

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  19. I enjoyed the excerpt and can't wait to read more. Thank you for sharing.

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  20. Hi Ree! I'm glad you enjoyed the excerpt. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about my book. Thanks for visiting!

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  21. I have a friend who I'd like to gift this book to.

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    1. Thanks Kristen! I hope your friend enjoys the read!

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  22. I have a friend who I'd like to gift this book to.

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  23. Which is a dead character you’d like to bring back to life?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Mai! Killing Hans Solo was a shock! But I guess Harrison Ford was getting on in years.

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  24. Really great excerpt. I loved it.

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    1. Thank you so much for your wonderful support, MomJane!

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  25. Sounds interesting especially with the gambling mention.

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  26. Hi Barb! Thanks for visiting. Yes, we can already see the impact of gambling on sport. In my novel, I envisage a world where ever more powerful technology and gambling is allowed to grow unchecked.

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  27. Sounds like an interesting read. What is your target audience?

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    1. Hi! Thanks for visiting! Cubeball is a combination of sport and science fiction, so it will naturally appeal to the fans of both genres, male and female. That said, I have weaved lost love and romance into the story, so it will appeal to a wider audience. Thanks for your great question!

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  28. Seems the author was quite successful even before to him starting writing science fiction novels full time in 2009. I wish you much success in this newest endeavor, seems you have already

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    1. Hi Katie! Yes, I have been lucky in previous careers, but my writing career has brought me the most satisfaction. Thank you for your good wishes!

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    1. You're welcome, Holly! Good luck with the giveaway!

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    1. Hi Alexandru! I am really enjoying the tour and reading all the comments. Thank you for visiting and good luck with the giveaway!

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  31. thanks for the great contest

    my rafflecopter name is aarone mawdsley

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    1. Hi Eda! Thanks for your feedback and good luck with the giveaway!

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  33. Love the cover and it sounds awesome!

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    1. Thanks for your encouragement, Judy! I will pass on your thoughts about the cover to my publisher!

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  34. Great cover, thank you for the chance to win

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  35. Thank you for this chance to win such great prize, wish you great promotion and book selling.

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  36. Thank you for this chance to win such great prize, wish you great promotion and book selling.

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    1. Hi Z! Thanks for your good wishes. I appreciate you visiting and best of luck with the giveaway!

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  37. You're welcome, Patrick! Good luck with the giveaway!

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  38. Thanks for the giveaway and the great book review!

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    1. Hi Amanda! Thanks for visiting and good luck with the giveaway!

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  39. Thanks Simon! Let me know what you think, should you read it. Good luck with the giveaway!

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  40. Good luck on the tour...thanks for the giveaway

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  41. You're welcome, Ronald! Good luck with the giveaway!

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  42. Thanks Lysa! Good luck with the Giveaway!

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  43. Interesting story! Excited to read this :)

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  44. Hi Roselle! Thank you for visiting. I hope you enjoy my novel. I look forward to your feedback. Best of luck with the giveaway!

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  45. I love the unique cover! I wonder how much of a say did you have in its design?

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  46. Hi Birgit! I have to give all the credit to my publishers! They put together half a dozen prototypes, including that one. I immediately liked it. It was simple, but effective.

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