I enjoyed this original story of a pair of scouts sent to explore new worlds and their cultures. The progression was not predictable, and really addressed how complicated communication and behaviors between societies can be. As our hero Karel learns over time, there are shocking actions that become understandable, but none the less appalling during her time as a captive. I would recommend to any sci fi fan. The characters are interesting, frightening and relatable. – Amazon Review
She of Strangeness
Karel has been kidnapped into an unwanted marriage. Worse yet, she finds herself in a society where brutality toward captive women is the accepted norm.
This puts a severe strain on Karel’s belief that it is her duty to remain objective, abide by any and all local customs, learn as much as she can and never pass judgment. It is small comfort when Mari, her co-wife and co-captive, tells her that Sang, the husband they now share, is less cruel than most. Mari also lets slip that some of the captive women try to run away, and Karel happily accepts that as another custom she’s entitled to follow.
Karel’s first attempt at escape ends in recapture, and her punishment is very severe and very public. Can she regain the courage to try again? If she does, can she succeed?
About the Author
John Sheldon Jones grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. At seventeen, he joined the Navy and served as a Hospital Corpsman. Sewing up drunks was the highlight of nights in port when he had the duty. When the only member of the medical crew who knew how to work in the Operating Room was due for discharge, Jones volunteered to take his place and, after two weeks of intensive training, learned how to hand the doctor the wrong instrument, get yelled at, hand over the right one and move on. The standing joke was that his name was now “God Dammit Jones”.
Following his military stint, he worked as a printer for several years and used that occupation to put himself through college and earn a degree in Computer Science. His budget only allowed for annual trips to the Renaissance Faire and a single parachute jump just to prove he could do it. Once he got the degree, the next thirty-plus years were spent writing ground systems software for Air Force satellites while raising two children. He recently celebrated his 52nd wedding anniversary.
After retiring in 2013, he revived a science fiction novel he had written many years earlier, changed some names, corrected some mistakes and published the result.
Jones currently lives in Colorado Springs with a beautiful view of Pike’s Peak out his upstairs window. Because the mountains are in the way, Colorado sunsets are not as good at the ones in New Mexico, but sunrise over the plains to the east make up for it.
He brags about getting a grandson for his birthday and frequently displays a photo of the baby, the baby’s aunt, and himself all of whom were born on the same December day.
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