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Conference noted::sf

Title:Arcana Caelestia
Notice:Directory listings are in topic 2
Moderator:NETRIX::thomas
Created:Thu Dec 08 1983
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1300
Total number of notes:18728

462.0. "H. M. Major" by MORRIS::MLOEWE (Low_in_sugar Low_in_salt..Lowenbrau) Wed Apr 01 1987 18:32

I just finished reading a pretty good SF novel by H. M. Major called 
"Alien Trace".  The book, however, ends without really finishing the story 
line.  Does anyone know if there is another book continuing after this one?
The first and only printing as far as I know of the book is July 1984.  
There may or may not be another sequel out yet.  The only thing that
indicate a series is found on the back cover which says "The first book in
Signet's brand-new, adventure-filled, adult science fiction series!"
I would also liked to know if H. M. Major has written any other science
fiction.

A little about the story...
Although I've only read very little Larry Niven, I would say their writing
styles are very similar.  However, Major's flair for adventure is
practically non stop through the entire book.  Major introduces an 
empathic race of individuals called Mehirans who are totally against violence.
Being empathic, they can read each others feelings.  Know how the other
person feels, usually eliminates any need for violence.  However, even
in world like Mehira, there are still "some" criminals.  These "criminals",
are sought by a special breed or training of Mehirans called Catchers.
So our story is centered around our protagonist Cord, who is a young Catcher
from a family of Catchers.  
Then humans come to Mehira to establish a trading post, and suddenly the 
planet's society is not so organized.  Aboard the Terran ship, unknown to
the humans and Mehirans, is an Alien who brutally murders.  Now Cord is faced 
with his most challenging assignment of his career.  For the Alien will do any-
thing to stop who-ever is in it's way.  Especially someone like Cord and his
family, since his mother's latest invention is a telepathy device.
If you like lots of adventure, action, science fiction and even sex (what can
I say, this race is empathic, they rule by love, not violence) then this book's
for you.

Mike_L
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462.1Yes, there is a sequel.PROSE::WAJENBERGWed Apr 01 1987 18:502
    I've seen a sequel to "Alien Trace" out in paperback a few months
    ago, but I'm afraid I can't remember its title.  Try "Books In Print."
462.2I found the name of it at leastMORRIS::MLOEWELow_in_sugar Low_in_salt..LowenbrauMon Apr 06 1987 13:229
    Well I was at Walden books yesterday, and I checked through their
    list of books in print.  There is a sequel to "Alien Trace" as 462.1 
    mentioned, and the title is "Time Twister".  Also according to the
    listing, these are the only two books written by H. M. Major.  Either 
    that, or this particular listing did not contain any others.  At any rate,
    I put an order in for "Time Twister".  Since it is directly from
    the publisher, they said it will take 4-8 weeks for delivery.

    Mike_L
462.3"Time Twister" by H.M. MajorANGORA::MLOEWELow_in_sugar Low_in_salt..LowenbrauThu Jun 18 1987 17:069
    After eight weeks and not hearing anything, I went back to
    Waldens.  They put another order in, and about a week later they
    call me and say "the book's out of print, it's no longer in
    publication".  So has anyone seen "Time Twister" anywhere, maybe
    at a Annie's Book Swap someplace?  Maybe I should take another run
    down to Fabulous Fiction in Worcester and see if they have any copies 
    left there.

    Mike_L
462.4Try this place...CSMSRE::WRIGHTDanger : I drive like you do!Fri Jun 19 1987 20:3828
    
    Okay, this one is a reacher, I have not been there in years, but
    try the Mobile Book mobile (or some such title...)
    
    It is off of rte 9. in Needham.
    
    Vaque directions on how to get there:
    
    do you know where the chestnut hill mall is?
    
    Now the bridge just to the east of it?  Take the street under it
    south.  The Book mobile (or whatever it is called...) is about a
    mile or so down on the left.  It is a HUGE brick building, one or
    two (i think one) story tall.  If it has been printed within the
    last 30 years, they have a copy of it. (ok, slight exageration,
    but the place is bigger than a football feild, and piled to the
    cieling with books, arranged by author within publisher.  So if
    you know the publisher, so much the better, but if not they can
    tell you...
    
    Does anyone know what this places name is for real??
    
    Thanks, and good luck.
    
    Clark.
    
    (The Mobile New England Book Fair seems to stick for some reason...)
    
462.5ERASER::KALLISHallowe'en should be legal holidayMon Jun 22 1987 12:4938
    Re .4:
    
    >...  The Book mobile (or whatever it is called...) is about a
    >mile or so down on the left.  
                 
    The best way to get there: on 128, get off at the exit where Channel
    5 (WCVB) is and go to the east.  The building will be on the right,
    but the sign isn't very big, so be alert.  
    
    >         ...                   It is a HUGE brick building, one or
    >two (i think one) story tall.  If it has been printed within the
    >last 30 years, they have a copy of it. (ok, slight exageration,
    >but the place is bigger than a football feild, and piled to the
    >cieling with books, arranged by author within publisher.
    
    Not quite.  The place is arranged into two main sections, new books
    and remainders.  As you enter and face towards the back of the
    building, you're in the new books hardcover section.  To the left
    is the remainders section.  To the far right is the paperback section.
    New books are 20% off list.  New books are mostly arranged by
    publisher, though there are a few sections (e.hg., art books, hobbies,
    etc) near the center of the store arranged by subject.  The remainders
    section (where you'll find the out-of-print stuff) is arranged
    exclusively by subject.
    
    >                                 ...                      So if
    >you know the publisher, so much the better, but if not they can
    >tell you...           
    
    No, but they do have copies of _Books In Print_ available and if
    it's still in print, you can look up the publisher.
    
    >Does anyone know what this places name is for real?? 
    
    New England Mobile Book Fair.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
          
462.6Memory? Write only, of course!CSMSRE::WRIGHTDanger : I drive like you do!Mon Jun 22 1987 16:0210
    
    Thanks, Steve.  I knew that if I mentioned it, Someone HAD to have
    the correct facts....
    
    After all, it has only been 4 years since I have been there...
    
    :-)
    
    Clark.
    
462.7Just a phone call awayPLDVAX::MLOEWELow_in_sugar Low_in_salt..LowenbrauMon Jun 22 1987 16:167
    Thanks for the info on the directions, but can you give me a phone
    number so I can call to save myself a trip in case they don't have
    it?
    I know the title, author, publisher and first and only year's printing.
    Do you think they'll look it up for me if I call?
    
    Mike_L
462.8INK::KALLISHallowe'en should be legal holidayMon Jun 22 1987 18:127
    Re .7:
    
    They should look up any currently published book (they don't stock
    _everything_, by the way).  For remainders, I rather doubt it. 
    Anyway, their phone number is (617) 527-5817.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.