Books
Transit to Velerius is my first novel, a sci-fi action-adventure story that deals with destiny and asks the question: “How are we to live in a world where our human failings are equal in strength to our virtues?
It follows the path of our hero, Daniel Helder as he grows up in, then surpasses a world mired in conflict, misery and realpolitique.
Centuries have passed and the collapse of the Old Industrial Age is still felt in a world that wants for fuel. Wars dominate the continent – murder and betrayal are everywhere. Bastion states and ambitious nations throw up leaders in bids to unite North America but one by one they fall as quickly as they rise. But the science of the past is being rediscovered and new enery sources are beginning to emerge and with them comes power. Through all of this Daniel Helder struggles to find his place in a world that strives for the future and whose failures are rooted in the past. Along the way he meets an interesting assortment of revolutionaries, scientists, hermits, mind-controlled citizen-automatons and the psychotic Colonel Kelley, head of the dreaded Operator Corps. As he becomes the man that not one in ten million can be, his mind and body are bent toward the only purpose that matters now: transit to Velerius!
What consolation is there for a bulbous loser with an unfortunate affliction? How about an ability to read people’s thoughts and feel their emotions? How about a befuddling transport to another world?
Eldon McRae is definitely that bulbous loser. Shut away from society and a burden to his family, he longs for a more exciting life than slowly wearing away the fabric of the sofa between spells of unconsciousness. He longs for adventure and a chance to prove himself.
Follow Eldon as he meets the Velerians in this, the second novel from the utopian planetoid, Velerius. Read as Eldon is spirited away and at last given the chance at adventure he seeks. But all is not what it should be in utopia and soon he finds himself on a global search for a mysterious man created on a cold concrete floor by the dark and ascerbic Dr. Hardtlander. As he goes, the mysteries deepen; who is the Green Man? And where is he leading Eldon? Who is the voice behind the whisper? What secret lies between the talented Julie Fortin and the volatile biologist Dr. Portheos. And who made the map that brought McRae to the flames of the Great Smoker? Adventure abounds and a destiny is fulfilled in this fun and fascinating sci-fi epic.
Farmer Plum’s Great Pumpkin Adventure is a children’s book by John Hansen, illustrated by yours truly. It’s a fun little tale about a Salt Spring Island pumpkin farmer and his loyal friend Banjo and their experiences as they take their pumpkin crop to town. On the way they meet adventure on the roads and the young reader experiences the animals and seasons of this little west coast isle. In our circle of friends and family this one often becomes the favorite book of the little ones. Great for storytime and pleasing to children aged 2-7, this 24-page softcover is sure to be a hit. Click here to see a few pages from Farmer Plum, see the separate post on the mainpage of this blog. To aquire a copy for yourself ($12 CDN plus shipping), drop me a line at jmrode@gmail.com.
