Barton Books

I have to balance the 1st review and say that I loved this book. The handling of a child's murder was shocking but well done and the whole espionage thing seemed fairly plausible to me - after all, THIS IS FICTION! One has to suspend one's picking at points of reality when reading it. I liked the strength of the female character and felt the author did a good job with that. The difficult transition from anger to forgiveness was perhaps not handled perfectly but it is always the problem with writing fiction - the handling of changing emotions and characters. Overall, I think this is a great book and one of my few keeper books.
Check out - Blind Spot - Romantic Suspense with environmental theme

Wow. That about sums this book up. Beverly Barton did an extrodinary job of expressing characters emotions.

Ellen Denby is the CEO of The Dundee Agency, who is called in to find a kidnapped child and her nanny. She is unaware that the father of the child, Theo Constantine, has called in his own backup.

Ellen is shocked to see Nikos, the man she had a two week fling with nearly 15 years ago. Nikos is more than shocked to find Ellen, whom he knew as Mary Ellen, the CEO of the agency. He as been undercover for the British SIS for the past 18 years, but he had never forgotten Mary Ellen, whom he fell in love with the two weeks they were together, but couldn't put her life in jepordy. If only he knew......

When I read what Ellen went through when she got back to the states after her fling, I couldn't stop crying for 10 pages. Being a mother, it was especially hard to read and I almost had to put the book down.

This is a book that takes us through the ups and downs of Ellen and Nikos' relationship, Theo and Dia, and later in the book Faith (the nannny) and Worth.

This was one of the silliest books I have read this year. I am surprised to read that Howard's input was sought by Barton. Is this true? The book started out so promising as it's a thriller set in a (fictional, I think) island near Greece with the unlikely name of 'Golnar'. The sexual antics of the hero and heroine soon made me want to fire them both and send them off the case. They are on Golnar to spearhead the rescue mission of a billionaire's kidnapped daughter yet while waiting for contact by the terrorists, these two clowns are either rubbing their genitals on each other or having sex. I'm supposed to believe these are professionals totally dedicated to the mission which involves an Osama-like terrorist? Then there's Barton's annoying overuse of the word, 'agkelos', which the hero says means 'angel'. I take it from here that Nick is speaking Greek but the Greek word for 'angel' is not spelt that way as it ends up being pronounced incorrectly. By all means use foreign words but get the research right so that it doesn't end up laughable. Theo, the father of the kidnapped kid is a billionaire of the Onassis-Niarchos league yet Barton has, in her narrative, the consideration of the cost of hiring a helicopter to join in the rescue! Doesnt Barton know that mere millionaires go to work in helicopters just to beat the morning traffic? Obviously not in the US but certainly in the congested middle east and Asian cities. Yet she has a Greek billionaire in her story and Barton raises the issue of cost of a measly helicopter to rescue his daughter when the man has reapeatedly told them he wants no cost spared. These and other improbable scenarios make On Her Guard an embarrassment to the genre of Romantic Suspense. Barton fares very much better with her single titles which are like literary soap operas - lush and full of spice and personal intrigues.

In this latest addition to her Protector Series, Beverly Barton has engaged the help of fellow author Linda Howard to brainstorm - and the central protagonist Nikos Pandarus emerges irresistibly dark, haunted and every bit an archetypal alpha male. An SIS spy for the English, he has earned the hatred from Hakeem - the honcho of the fearsome terrorism organisation Al'alim when he killed his son. Hakeem's brother Omar has commandered his son Wasim to kidnap the daughter of Theo Constantine - a influential Golnar businessman and will set her free on the condition that they release their imprisoned brothers. Theo enlists the assistance of Ellen Denby who heads the protection agency and his best friend Nikos without knowing they were erstwhile lovers. The tension between them stems from a deep hatred when their short affair compromised Ellen's life -and caused unbearable grief for the loss of a loved one which is unknown to Nikos.

With searing poignancy and complexed characters, Beverly Barton brings a resonant drama on lost innocence, guilt and remorse that pulsates with the rhythm of frenetic action. Ms. Barton's scrupulous research on espionage and military operation breathes realism into the plot without forsaking on the romance and kinship. She makes every side-character including the grieving mother Dia, comrades Sawyer and Lucie textured and relevant to the plot and even concocts a beautiful secondary romance between the nanny Faith and tough-guy ranger Worth. Yet the element that excruciatingly tugs our heartstrings is the bittersweet romance between Nikos and Ellen where it shines with compassion, smoldering passion and ultimately forgiveness. The unguarded emotions found in this elegant and simple tale makes this one of the best read I have had this year.

On her Guard is truly a raw and special read. The characters are real and gritty, the plot is both realistic and interesting and the heat between Nikos and Ellen and Faith and Worth are sure to keep you reading til the last page. I have to admit even though Nikos and Ellen are the main characters, Faith and Worth's story really hit home because Faith wasnt the stereotypical beauty in most romance books. She was an average woman who had a real connection with a man who shared a emotional, scary and traumatic experience with her. I enjoyed Worth because he was not only sexy, but he had real insecurities about love that all people feel when they have met someone who challenges there opinions on love. I was so in love with Faith and Worth's story that I am planning on buying their continuing story in "SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS". Not to mention the love scenes by both couples are steamy, realistic, hot and sensual. I swear you will never want the story to end. Plus there is a heartbreaking discovery that will definetely bring a tear to your eyes...this is wonderful read..you wont be disappointed.

Baby Duck does not like her new eyeglasses at all. She feels that they're too big, they push against her cheeks, and she no longer looks like herself. Worst of all, Baby no longer wants to do her favorite things because she's worried that her glasses will fall off.

Baby is definitely down on her glasses, that is, until Grampa comes to the rescue. He first plays a fun game asking her what color they are, and then shows her that he wears glasses just like them. More, he helps her to see that she can still do everything she loves, even with her glasses. And maybe even more, now that she can see better.

I really like this book. The illustrations are playful and fun. Baby Duck has a real problem, or at least, she thinks she does. But Grampa helps her to see things in a new way.

This review is #3 in the series "Agent0042 Goes Ducky," in which I review books featuring cute talking duck or duckling characters. The second was "Little Quack Dial-a-Duck."

Baby Duck is unhappy about the new glasses she has to wear because she thinks she can no longer hop, dance, or play or they will fall off. She also thinks she looks ugly in them. But, her bespeckled grandfather saves the day by reaassuring her about her glasses. He says they "are very fine . . .[b]ecause they are red like mine." He convinces her that they won't fall off when she plays by having her splash in water and twirl around. Finally, he gives her a surprise - a new little boat with her name on it - which she can now read with her new glasses. Heartwarming, beautifully illustrations and large text make up for the somewhat skimpy story. Recommended for ages 2 to 8 and highly recommended for those with eyeglasses or young friends or family members who just got eyeglasses.

Avast, Baby Duck! At last we meet again! Having first come in contact with the creation of author Amy Hest and illustrator Jill Barton in the unfortunate, "You're the Boss, Baby Duck", I wasn't planning on enjoying this companion book in the series. After all, "You're the Boss", wasn't really my cup of tea. Imagine my surprise then when I found "Bad Eyeglasses" to be fairly good. Tackling that ancient problem facing children worldwide (getting glasses for the first time), Baby Duck's plight serves to help kids in similar situations as they submit themselves to the indignity of spectacles.

Baby Duck is not pleased. Though her parents attempt to convince her that her new eyeglasses are sweet and useful, she is having none of it. She does not hop with them for fear of them falling off. She does not dance with them for fear of them falling off. She pretty much stays stationary, singing a sad song to herself about the horrid glasses perched on her face. Fortunately, Grampa is once again to the rescue. He points out that her shiny red glasses are rather similar to his own. He encourages her to run around (and the glasses do not fall off). Finally he gives Baby Duck a little boat of her own, allowing the ecstatic youngster to make up a much happier sounding song at the end of the day.

As with all the books in this series, illustrator Jill Barton is at the top of her game. Whether she's drawing sly looks from Grampa or just including delightful details in her pictures (note the sports page on the cover of the book that Baby's dad is reading), Barton knows what she's doing. There is a world of difference between a down n' out Baby Duck, and a happily rowing about Baby Duck. Amy Hest's story is rather nice as well. Grampa gives good advice and plays with Baby Duck in a wonderful manner. Of course, there is the fact that Baby Duck's songs never rhyme and rarely scan. I suppose that's because they're meant to imitate the songs toddlers sing to themselves while young. Just the same, it makes them a little difficult to sing to your own kids in the context of the story. Just a thought.

On the whole, however, I was pleasantly surprised. "Baby Duck and the Bad Eyeglasses" may not be winning any awards in the near future, but it's a sweet story about accepting the inevitable. With an adept illustrator at the helm and some simple but well written writing, this book is a nice addition to every bespectacled child's library. Now if only Baby Duck learned how to rhyme...

This is a heart-warming book. I think all children can relate to feeling "left out" or "different" at some point in their young lives, and this book is a gentle reassuring message that it doesn't matter what's on the outside--inside you're still you, and that's what counts!

Dead Crowd is the third novel in the sensational Biff Kincaid comedian who likes to dabble in the odd murder investigation adventures. Barton's Kincaid character is to the world of comedians what Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar is to the world of sports agents.

In Dead Crowd Biff Kincaid is short changed by Bernie Coleman the manager of Flugelhorn's Comedy Cabaret so takes with him a video tape of a comedy performance at the Ojai Prison which resulted in a violent riot where two prisoners escaped. The tape is of extreme value to Bernie, which Kincaid will swap him for the rest of his money the next night. Only upon Kincaid's return he finds Bernie about to die with a knife sticking out of him and before he can ask him about it is knocked unconscious by a blow to the head. Solving Bernie's murder has now become very personal for Biff who also wants to find out exactly what was on the full version of that tape, seeing as how the murderer took it with him.

Dead Crowd is not as funny as Killer Instinct or Heckler, but is still a good read. You do wonder a little bit though what Biff's motivation is in this one to keep risking his life when the police are still investigating the case themselves but then we wouldn't have a story if he just left things to the homicide detectives.

One of my favorite quirky PIs of recent years is stand up comic Biff Kincaid. Dan Barton, in his first novel, KILLER MATERIAL, introduced us to Biff. What made this book outstanding was the uniqueness of the character, as well as, the backstage information on the life and world of a comedian. The question I had when I originally reviewed this book in the spring of 2000 was whether Biff can remain a fresh and vital creation in subsequent volumes. The answer provided in this book is emphatically yes.
After performing in a down on its heels comedy club, Flugelhorn's, Biff is underpaid $125 by the owner, Bernie Coleman. Bernie promises to pay him in two days and offers as collateral a tape he is selling to network TV about a comedy hour at a local prison which turned into a riot and a prison break. The tape exclusively reveals the start of the riot, as well as, a stabbing on the stage. However, when Biff shows up to collect his money, he finds Bernie dead in his office the victim of a stabbing. Biff is then hit in the head and when he awakens in the hospital finds a bandage on his head and the video tape gone. Biff is driven to solve the murder after finding himself among the suspects.
There is, again much entertainment lore in this latest episode. At times, the pacing does flog a bit, as well as, too many characters being introduced. However, the story remains true to the formulaic PI novel and it is a very good example of how one should be written in the modern times. Strong sure writing and a unique first person character combine to make this another strong entry in this high quality series.

When stand-up comic Biff Kincaid shows up to collect his pay, he finds the club manager stabbed and dying, and is then knocked unconscious. Yet the manager had hinted at real money and had told Biff about an secret video of a prison comedy routine that had lead to a prison riot and to two prisoners escaping. Biff isn't much of a detective but he is the best comic on the case--and his instincts tell him that only someone who understands the underworld of comedians will be able to get to the bottom of the murder--and make sure that Biff's next run-in with the killer doesn't end up as something worse than a lump on his head.

Biff's investigations lead him through Los Angeles's comedy clubs, into its television studios, and into a world of voodoo and dangerous prisoners (one of whom really thinks he can do comedy). A Biff Kincaid mystery wouldn't be complete without a romantic entanglement and DEAD CROWD delivers on this requirement as well. Biff gradually learns the truth, but can he stay alive long enough to share what he learns with the police?

Author Dan Barton has shown increasing maturity as the Biff Kincaid series progresses and DEAD CROWD is the best yet. Although it doesn't delve as deeply into the world of the stand-up comic as do some of the earlier novels in the series, DEAD CROWD develops a more sophisticated Biff Kincaid and a somewhat more convincing adventure line. As with the earlier novels, Barton's background as a stand-up comic shows through and enhances the reading experience.

Best yet in an enjoyable series.

Only five years ago Flugelhorn's Comedy Cabaret was the hottest ticket in Hollywood but then owner Mel Sikorsky retired. Now the place is quieter than a funeral hall with few patrons and no comedy superstars ever showing up like they once did. Biff Kincaid knows how far the place has fallen by the fact that he is the middle comedian at the joint similar to Richie Ashburn's comment about making baseball's Hall of Fame. A few years ago Biff could not have gotten in either as a performer or a patron. However, besides his own act receiving the silent treatment from the twenty or so morgue attendees AKA customers, owner Bernie Coleman cheats Biff out of his fee.

Biff returns to collect his money only to find someone murdered Bernie. Realizing that the police place him on the suspect short list, Biff investigates Bernie's recent activities. He learns that Bernie helped set up amateur comedy contests at California prisons but the last one enabled two felons to escape. Could the prison gig have led to Bernie's death or was it a comic who died on his stage?

Once readers accept the fact that Biff is investigating the homicide and after a beating or two continuing to make inquiries are not bad jokes, the audience will enjoy the latest Kincaid amateur sleuth tale (see HECKLER and KILLER MATERIAL). The story line is amusing even if fans will want to give Biff the hook as a detective for not ending the act before he gets himself killed. DEAD CROWD is light reading as comedian author Dan Barton furbishes an unlikely but entertaining yarn.

Harriet Klausner

But now I didn't say perfect!
Although we finally get to meet SIMON, he doesn't present the coldblooded fear that I would have expected.

As a love story for a 40 year old SPEAR operative who really is in need of a family the plot is great. To be haunted for two years by an illusion and not remember details, even though he was drunk at the time Burke Lonigan presents a strong character.
I couldn't figure out why he blocked his memory and was greatly surprised when I came upon the explaination. Loved this twist.

Callie, 25 at the time, giving into the liberal woman idea of the times, nevertheless took complete responsibility for her actions, not blaming Burke for getting her pregnant. Even she couldn't figure out why Burke couldn't remember her. Was he worthy of being a father to Seamus, a most lovable child.

The resolution of their blossoming love resulting from the encounter, about 2 years later makes for a great love story.
I was particularly intrigued with another SPEAR agent, Leland Perkins, wondering if he and Cassie's cousin, Enid would make a match of it. He could show up in B. Bartons' "Protector" series, couldn't he?

Highly Recommended for a story all by itself.

Ah well, now onto the 5th in the series, HERO AT LARGE by Robyn Amos with SPEAR agent Keshon Gray.

For Callie Severin, her job as an assistant for Burke Lonigan served two purposes. One is to provide for her child, the other is to become acquainted with her baby's father in order to determine whether is he is a decent man and therefore worthy of knowing he has fathered a child. Burke Lonigan is drawn to his assistant but remains haunted by the memory of an elusive woman he has shared one night with nearly two years ago. Right now, however, his priority is to deal with Simon by using the reputation he has cultivated as an arms dealer for his cover as a SPEAR Agent.

Beverly Barton continues the 'Year of Loving Dangerously' series from where it left off last month. Though this installment does not live up to its predecessors in terms of plot and characters, it has much to recommend it due to Barton's style, which is engaging and edgy when it comes to Burke and Callie's relationship. But this edgy quality falls short where the overarching plot involving Simon is concerned. As it is, the story is a well-written one, but because it does so little to integrate itself into the plot involving the traitor as the others did, it does not quite live up to the standards set by the preceding installments.

When his eyes focused on her, Callie Severin frozen, even when her instincts instructed her to run. Burke Lonigan's gaze held her hypnotized. Soon she found herself at his table, with the enduring questions asked if she'd like to be his friend, if only for the night. The night of searing passion and naked vulnerability resulted in a child she named Seamus, after Burke's father.

Callie had refused to go to Burke and tell him that he was a father. He'd been drunk that night, and hadn't even known her name. On the other hand, she was cold sober, and willing to take full responsibility for her actions. Yet she did apply for, and accept, the job as a personal assistant when the position came open, in order to learn more about the man who fathered her baby. Callie hoped the rumors that he was as illegal arms dealer were false. She was sadly mistaken. Or was she?

Through this masterful author's pen, an improbable story weaves its way into the reader's heart, becoming a plausible tale of romance and danger. All of the characters are vibrant, as even the child and cousin become interwoven into the tapestry of intrigue. Genre fiction at its best, HER SECRET WEAPON provides excellent escapist fiction for the romance lover. Highly recommended.

They met under unusual circumstances. He was mourning the loss of his father. And she was hurt after her fiancee dumped her for another woman. They shared a drink, he had too many, and then they shared a night of passion. The next day he couldn't remember his mystery women but thought of her often. Their one night of unprotected sex created a baby whom she named after Burke's father.

Two years later Callie finds herself still wondering about her baby's father and he is unknowingly still being haunted by their one night together. Callie becomes his personal assistant as a way to get to know Burke, who is in the import/export business. But there is more to the story. He's really an agent for SPEAR, an ultra covert agency. But that's not all, he's also pretending to be an arms dealer.

Burke finds himself strangely attracted to Callie and in a twist of fate, she stumbles upon one of his secret meetings during an arms deal. To keep his cover from being blown, Burke tells the Simon, the bad guy, that Callie is his fiancee.

And the story only gets stranger and more exciting. This is a must read if you like your men dangerous and your heart pumping.

Who'da thought you could write a cute rhyming book about Grandma's cancer? It seems like a very specific niche to fill, but this book does it very sweetly, with the little girl observing her "Babba" handling her sickness with grace.

My 7-year-old daughter who's grandmother does NOT have cancer asked a lot of questions, which is probably a good thing.

God, in the book, seems to approve of Babba and her attitude, and, no doubt, approves of this charming little book, too.

Babba and I Went Hunting Today (Kregel Publications, May 2004) by Stacy Barton is a beautiful story about a special grandmother, Babba, who is facing a battle with cancer. Babba and her granddaughter Honey spend a special day together, playing and exploring. In her gentle way, Babba finds ways to encourage and share with Honey throughout the course of the day.

The main message of the book, celebrating a God who is bigger than any problem, rings through loud and clear through marvelous dialogues and heartwarming illustrations. The final page of the book offers a guide, prepared by experts at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, for helping families explore the feelings that may accompany periods of difficulty or illness. Babba and I Went Hunting Today is a 32 page hardcover, intended for children over the age of five.

I really didn't know what to expect when I read this book, but let me just say it produces a WOW factor. The author's handling of this sensitive subject is honest, hopeful, and extremely moving. I highly recommend it for anyone with children who have possibly faced this trauma in their lives. I also highly recommend it for those who haven't!

there is a formidable history in barton mumaw's life. he went from a small town in florida state to broadway, he was a premier american dancer of modern technique, worked with an awesome assortment of choreographers such as hanya holm and ted shawn and was there by shawn's side helping to lay the groundwork for the jacobs pillow dance festival.

and that's not all. but because he and co-author jane sherman wrote his autobiography, we may never know how much more there was. the style is sweet, polite and gentle--just like the southern gentleman mumaw was. and it is also evasive, even when it wants to be elucidating.

and it centers on mumaw's experiences without added insights from his colleagues. if mumaw's voice was more authoritative or his ability to tell a story were more articulate, that would be enough. in this case, it is not.

one benefit of this book is the cataloguing of repertoire mumaw performed and a variety of photos from mumaw's nine years with shawn.

In recent months I have become obsessed with Denishawn and have been reading everything I can find that is related strongly to it. BARTON MUMAW, DANCER by Mumaw and Jane Sherman is wonderful. It tells the life of a talented man who was a true artist with an intellect and a heart full of love. He fell in love with music and dancing as a Pennsylvania Dutch boy growing up in Florida. As a youth in New York to study dance he meets and ultimately becomes the protege and paramour of the famed Ted Shawn. This is a very personal story, told frankly, as it traces growth of their relationship both professionally and emotionally. Mumaw becomes the principal dancer of Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers who barnstormed the country in the depression-ridden 1930s. The creation and survival of this company forms the real creative heart of this story and it is a very exciting one as it tells of male camaraderie among artists, who dance together, run a farm together and build a school together. After the breakup of the company due to the impending World War II, Mumaw joins the army and is shipped to Europe to fight. He survives and is truly a grown man when the war is over. He knows he must achieve independence from Shawn as an artist and as a man. Then the story's second part takes over with further amours and a new career as a Broadway dancer. This is the story of an artist's survival. Mumaw, with Sherman's help, has come up with a beautiful book. There's an intelligent, literary sensibility behind this book that informs everything Mumaw writes. This is a great book on a lot of levels. Mumaw may still be alive. I hope so. I want his book to have a long life, as it truly deserves to be known as a classic dancer's autobiography. Five stars.

I had the pleasure of a casual acquaintanceship with Mumaw in New York in the 40' and 50's. Always enticing, the narrative is impeccable, and the story itself one well worth telling. The prime student and then lover of Ted Shawn, Mumaw was enriched by the pairing, and when later in life after he had cut the umbilical chord with Shawn, though devastated by Shawn's treacherous behavior, could never bring himself to bring an end to the friendship.

My five year old daughter specifically asked for this book as a Christmas gift after checking it out at the library during the summer; it made a huge impression! The simple text and vibrant illustrations are perfect for young children.

This was my two-year-old's favorite book; for some time he and it were inseparable. Bold, simple illustrations on bright backgrounds make a terrific fist visual introduction to the process dinosaur bones undergo for extraction, study, and display. Thanks to this book, mine was the only toddler in his peer group who could identify a paleontologist and explain what one des. Inspired by the story, to this day one of his favorite games is to "dig" for imaginary dinosaur bones in the sand, "wrap" them, pack them in "crates," load them on the "truck" (his stroller), and transport them to the "museum" (our living room), where they are unloaded, assembled into "skeletons," and carefully studied for the remainder of the day.

Byron Barton's "Bones, Bones..." has the simple, inevitable story line that my son loves, plus the building up of the dinosaur image from the bones found in an archeological expedition. For any dinosaur kid who is at the developmental stage of building up from the pieces - seeing the bones uncovered, packed, transported and unpacked before assembly into a dino skeleton (T Rex, of course) is a daily delight.

It is a simple story, though, so choose for younger readers.

My grandson is using this gift to learn how to chip carve. No complaints from him yet.

The Chip Carving video with Wayne Barton is photographed well, and Wayne clearly demonstrates the basic chip carving cuts, then follows those with clear examples of numerous carving styles and techniques. He explains each well, and the demonstrations show how each style is done, along with the finished product. A good video for learning what can be accomplished with chip carving; I'd highly recommend if you're interested in learning more about it and how to do it.

I found this DVD to be an excellent introduction to the craft of chip carving. Instructions and demonstrations are clear, concise and very well photographed.

Goldenberg does it again by providing an insightful look into the CRM industry! His vast knowledge and years of experience really shine through. Not only a great read but also extremely helpful!

This is truly amazing book! Barton Goldenberg's book is a must have for anyone interested in maximizing their customer relationships!

Barton Goldenberg is an inspirational speaker, consultant and author. He has great clarity of thought which comes through his writing. His insights in CRM come from his outstanding talent plus experience with clients over the years and his own personal encounters as a customer. The disciplines, principles and guidelines you read about will tell you some things you might already know but forgot. However, this is an original book Barton leads you to issues and critical factors which will surprise you. His foresight will warn you of the pitfalls when implementing CRM and the Real Time Enterprise. He will show you the art of the possible and warn you that you should not try to "boil the ocean". This book goes beyond the immediate CRM it can be applied to wider enterprise application implementations. A must have reference book which is truly independent - it contains pages of highly valuable consultancy advise you won't find anywhere else.

I bought this novel through Amazon's used book service as I am a big fan of William Barton. After reading it, I was left with a depressed feeling, this book does not depict humanities' future as bright as some authors do. But that is okay, as there is no rule that says everything has to be peaches and cream! However, I did enjoy Barton's later novels better than this one. There is sex in this novel, so readers beware if that bothers you.

Simply excellent. Barton ranks as my favorite all time sci-fi (and sci-fantasy) author.

Excellent writing and characterization, but boy, is this book a downer. A terrifyingly plausible, wrenchingly sad view of humanity's future as the controller of a true galactic empire. I haven't read this one for a while (just dropped by to see what sort of reviews it had gotten, to find none yet), and I've read many books since, but "Dark Sky Legion" still gives me chills just to think about. Barton doesn't seem a very cheery fellow, judging from other stories (authored and coauthored) of his I've read. Too bad, because he is a very fine writer. "Dark Sky Legion" has lots of explicit sex, so give it a pass if that offends you. I can't give it less than four stars--it's a compelling piece of work--but this is one vision I hope never, ever comes to pass.