Set against a backdrop of historical and futuristic events, the narrative intertwines the dark legacy of Vlad the Impaler with witchcraft in colonial Boston and a mysterious toy store harboring a temporal portal. In 2022, a grandfather and his granddaughters embark on an adventurous journey through time, confronting both human and alien adversaries. This whimsical yet perilous quest unfolds during the Christmas season, blending themes of nostalgia, love, and the supernatural, all while navigating a world filled with enchanted elements and unexpected dangers.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PAPERBACK: A NEW NOVEL OF ALTERNATE HISTORY FROM MASTER OF MILITARY SF TOM KRATMAN, JUSTIN WATSON, AND KACEY EZELL. As WWI comes to a close, a German general, an escaped prisoner of war, and the crew of an airship converge to effect THE ROMANOV RESCUE. Can there be a world without communism? Mankind's history is bound up in the fabric of fate, a strong cloth, tough and closely woven. It is the beginning of 1918, the last year of the greatest war in human history to date. All the belligerents stagger on their feet. Starvation is an ever-present reality, while disease waits in the wings. In Russia, no longer a belligerent but, instead, rapidly descending into civil war and chaos, a lone family—father, mother, four beautiful young girls, and a brave but sickly boy—await their own fate, shivering and hungry in the dark, hoping and praying for salvation. Their relatives in England have turned their backs. The guards set over them do little but torment them. They look Heavenward, but God doesn’t answer. They know they’re a threat to the new regime, a threat that will, in time, be eliminated. But even the strongest fabric has flaws. An escaped prisoner of war, caught, injured, and punished, but still highly capable, might be one. An airship, returned and at loose ends after a failed mission to Africa, might be another. A German general, taking a wrong turn on his nightly walk and suddenly coming face-to-face with the reality of the monster rising in the east, would be a third. Follow, then, as the general gives the orders, the prisoner of war raises the men from among his fellows, and the airship launches itself forward to contest fate, to tear the fabric of time, and to effect The Romanov Rescue. “. . . this alternate history employs vibrant steampunk vibes and aptly captures the uncertainties of the tumultuous era, as well as the courageous desperation of the world-weary men and women involved. Fans of detailed and technical military fiction will enjoy this, as well as those who appreciate real historical figures as characters.” —Library Journal About the Carrera series: “[I]nterplanetary warfare with . . . [a] visceral story of bravery and sacrifice . . . fans of the military SF of John Ringo and David Weber should enjoy this SF action adventure.”—Library Journal “Kratman's dystopia is a brisk page turner full of startling twists . . . [Kratman is] a professional military man . . . up to speed on military and geopolitical conceits.”—Best-selling author of America Alone Mark Steyn on Tom Kratman’s uncompromising military SF thriller Caliphate “Kratman raises disquieting questions on what it might take to win the war on terror . . . realistic action sequences, strong characterizations, and thoughts on the philosophy of war.”—Publishers Weekly About Tom Kratman: “[Baen publisher] Toni [Weisskopf] and I disagree about everything except about how good his books are.”—John Birmingham
"When Patricio Carrera's family was murdered by Salafist terrorists aided and abetted by the fleet of alien Earth, the only restraint on his ruthlessness and ambition was also removed. Now, after decades of war and preparation for war in his adopted homeland of Balboa, the last of the Tauran Union Expeditionary Force collapses and is herded into prison camps and ships, where their re-education commences. An Islamic rebellion explodes inside the Tauran Union, bringing the governments and the bureaucracies to their knees ... except when they're hauled up by their necks on lampposts. In neighboring Santa Josefina, the Taurans' Task Force Jesuit is pinned into one small corner of the country, helplessly awaiting destruction. At sea, the Balboan classis and the remaining fleet of the Zhong Hegemony battle for the supply lines that keep the invading Zhong Army in Balboa alive, while the legions, now rid of the Taurans, redeploy against the Zhong, vengeance and massacre in their hearts and minds. And finally, Hamilcar Carrera, Patricio's young son, stands poised on the bridge of a clandestine assault transport, ready to obliterate the last enemy base on his planet, even as a small ship is poised to remove the alien interstellar fleet overhead"-- Provided by publisher
"It is the beginning of 1918, the last year of the greatest war in human history, to date. All the belligerents stagger on their feet. Starvation is an ever present reality, while disease waits in the wings. In Russia, no longer a belligerent but, instead, rapidly descending into civil war and chaos, a lone family - Father, Mother, four beautiful young girls, and a brave but sickly boy - await their own fate, shivering and hungry in the dark, hoping and praying for salvation. Their relatives in England have turned their backs. The guards set over them do little but torment them. They look Heavenward, but God doesn't answer. They know they're a threat to the new regime, a threat that will, in time, be eliminated. But even the strongest fabric has flaws. An escaped prisoner of war, caught, injured, and punished, but still highly capable, might be one. An airship, returned and at loose ends after a failed mission to Africa might be another. A German general, taking a wrong turn on his nightly walk and suddenly coming face to face with the reality of the monster rising in the east, would be a third. Follow, then, as the general gives the orders, the prisoner of war raises the men from among his fellows, and the airship launches itself forward, to contest fate, to tear the fabric of time, and to effect The Romanov Rescue"-- Provided by publisher
Set in a gripping military sci-fi universe, this new installment of Tom Kratman's Carrera series delves into intense battles and complex characters. Expect a blend of strategic warfare, political intrigue, and moral dilemmas as the story unfolds, showcasing Kratman's signature hard-hitting style. The narrative promises to explore the harsh realities of conflict and the resilience of those who fight, offering readers a thrilling and thought-provoking experience.
"Carrera's held off his enemies and dealt the Zhong Empire a stinging defeat which has only made them angrier. Now, though, his adopted country of Balboa is under assault from the east, south, west, the air and from space. Now the Taurans have assaulted Balboa trapping Carrera's Fourth Corps, and overrunning and capturing a large portion of his artillery train. In space, the United Earth Peace Fleet has been spying and feeding intelligence to both the Zhong and the Taurans. It's beginning to look like the game is up for Carrera. But Carrera has been planning this war for 15 years. He certainly hopes his enemies think they're winning"-- Provided by publisher
Set in a gripping military science fiction universe, this sixth installment of the Carrera series continues to explore the intense conflicts and strategic battles faced by its characters. As the stakes rise, readers can expect a blend of action, intricate world-building, and deep character development that has defined the series. The narrative delves into themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the consequences of war, making it a compelling addition for fans and newcomers alike.
"On the conlony planet of Terra Nova, Carrera has achieved his revenge, destroying those who had destroyed his life by killing his wife and children in a terrorist strike. But his fight is not over yet ... The problem of the tauran Union's control of the Trasitway between Terra Nova and Earth remains, as does the problem of the nuclear armed United Earth Peace Fleet, orbiting above the planet. The Taurans will not leave, and the Balboans--a proud people, with much recent success in war--will not tolerate that they should remain. And yet, with one hundred times the population and three or four hundred times the wealth, the Tauran Union outclasses little Balboa in almost every way. Everything, everyone, will have to be used to finish the job of freeing the country and, if possible, the planet. The children must fight. The old must serve, too. And the woman? This is their story, the story of Balboa's Tercio Amazona, the Amazon Regiment."--Page 4 of cover
The story follows Colonel Wes Stauer, a seasoned military leader known for his effective yet less violent approach to warfare. As he assembles his elite team of former comrades for a high-stakes mission, Stauer faces the challenge of controlling his own inner brutality while striving to achieve another miraculous victory. This narrative delves into themes of leadership, personal conflict, and the complexities of warfare.
Sometimes paranoia is just a heightened state of awareness.Carrera’s won his war, and inflicted a horrific revenge upon his enemies. But there are wars after wars. The Tauran Union is planning an attack. The criminals of neighboring states are already attacking, and threatening to embroil him in a war with the planet’s premier power. His only living son is under fire among the windswept mountains of Pashtia. An enemy fleet is hunting his submarines. His organization has been infiltrated by spies. One of the two governments of his adopted country, Balboa, is trying to destroy everything he’s built and reinstitute rule by a corrupt oligarchy. Worst of all, perhaps, he, himself, bearing a crushing burden of guilt, isn’t quite the man he once was.Fortunately, the man he once was, was lucky enough to marry the right woman. . . .
