Reviews of Faraway and Forever—More Stories

Cover design by Tabitha Lahr

This collection of novelettes takes the reader from the not to distant future to a time when travel between worlds is a common occurrence.  Each stop along mankind’s journey outward to the stars is accompanied by a deeper look inward—from examining how extraterrestrial beings might use our own biology against us, to whether a human consciousness can survive in a virtual environment, to how wishes are really granted.  Original and thought provoking, these stories—which include an interstellar religious thriller involving a second coming of Christ—will stimulate the intellect and engage the imagination. Click here to order the book and read reviews. Want to contact my publicist at Books Forward? Layne Mandros layne@booksforward.com https://booksforward.com/

This collection made it onto the SOMERSET SHORT LIST by the Chanticleer International Book Awards (the CIBAs).  This collection was also named the Best Book in the Category of SCIENCE FICTION NOVELETTES by the National Association of Book Entrepreneurs (NABE).
"Along the way, the five works here offer readers remarkable flights of imagination, occasional surprises, and an overarching sense of wonder. A high-quality anthology with a Christian outlook that embraces science." —KIRKUS REVIEWS "I was intrigued by all of the stories for their clarity and directness—no pompous prose, just clear voice and clear thinking. I especially admire that the use of science (and fictive science) is in service of, never overpowering, the human dynamic, the human question, the human center to each story . . . all of them are compelling." —THOMAS O. PHILLIPS, MA, PhD     Associate Dean of the College, Wake Forest University, Founder of Words Awake! [Look for updates and information soon related to WordsAwake!, the celebration of Wake Forest Writers and Writing.  There will be another celebration and gathering—WA5!—in Spring, 2024, in Winston-Salem, NC.  Send news, inquiries, comments, and announcements to Tom Phillips.  Click here for more information.] "Wilkie has produced an amazingly imaginative and compelling set of stories that not only take the reader to new worlds, but convey fundamental life lessons we would all do well to ingest. For a non-science fiction reader, they were a revelation. I highly recommend them to anyone interested in an entertaining and enlightening read." —MARY LLEWELLYN McNEIL, author of Century’s Witness —LET ZYGONS BE ZYGONS (May 15, 2023) Click here to read the review. —SPIRITUAL MEDIA BLOG (June 16, 2023) Click here to read "The Golden Rule" (commentary about "Half the Sky"). —CITYWIDE BLACKOUT BLOGSPOT (July 10, 2023) Click here to listen to Nancy's interview by Max Bowen. Click here to listen to Nancy's interview by Max Bowen on PodBean.com. Click here to listen to Nancy's interview by Max Bowen on TuneIn.com. Click here to listen to Nancy's interview by Max Bowen on Spotify.com. —SPECULATIVE FICTION SHOWCASE (July 10, 2023) Click here to read an interview. —CHAPTER BREAK BOOK BLOG (July 10, 2023) Click here to read "Faraway and Forever Tour" and an interview. —WOMEN WRITERS, WOMEN'S BOOKS (July 18, 2023) Click here to read "The Golden Rule" (commentary about "Half the Sky"). —WHAT IS THAT BOOK ABOUT (July 18, 2023) Click here to read "Spotlight: Faraway and Forever." —STOREY BOOK REVIEWS (July 19, 2023) Click here to read "The Laws of Spiritual Dynamics." —HASTY BOOK LIST (July 16, 2023) Click here to review the list of recently released books. —WAKE FOREST MAGAZINE (July 19, 2023) Click here to read the Twitter blurp from my alma mater. —SCIENCE FICTION BOOK REVIEW (July 20, 2023) Click here to read their review. —REVIEW BY SAM TYLER (July 20, 2023) Click here to read his Twitter blurp.  Here's an excerpt: "Countless classic sci fi stories have used relgion as inspiration and here is Nancy Joie Wilkie's 'Faraway and Forever' set of short stories that lean a little more heavily on faith." —REVIEW BY SUSAN SCHLEICHER (July 21, 2023) Click here to read her review (posted on Amazon.com).  Here's an excerpt: "Faraway and Forever is a spectacular set of stories that I thoroughly enjoyed.  To be honest, these stories are not something I would normally read but I love reading outside my comfort zone, just to get a a taste of what's out there. "Each of the five stories were thought-provoking and spoke to me in some way.  My particular favorite was the piece called 'The Wishbringer.'  What a interesting concept.  I don't want to say anything more, but I loved the idea of this story. "I'm so glad I read Faraway and Forever and will definitely read more by this author.." —BOOK Q&As WITH DEBORAH KALB (July 22, 2023) Click here to read the interview with Deborah Kalb. —BOOKLIFE REVIEW (August 25, 2023) Click here to read the review.  Here's an excerpt: "The author presents creative, stimulating, and high-drama sci-fi stories that will keep readers on alert.  Plots build with excitement and develop in unexpected directions.  The reader can't help but get sucked into the drama and potential outcomes." —ORDINARILY EXTRAORDINARY (September 06, 2023) (Conversations With Women in STEM—Episode No. 114) Click here to listen to Nancy's interview by Kathy Nelson. —CROSSROAD REVIEWS (September 23, 2023) Click here to read their review. —THEBOOKSHELFBLOG (September 25, 2023) Click here to read their review.  Here's an excerpt: "Wilkie’s stories are intriguing and thoughtful.  I definitely kept thinking about these characters and their situations long after I finished reading the novelettes.  And I liked the way Wilkie was able to combine both science and religion, especially in a time when both topics are considered to be diametrically opposed.  I believe Faraway and Forever—More Stories is an ideal book for people who are interested in worlds beyond their scope and how it can combine with faith." —GOODREADS/Kathy's Review (October 22, 2023) Click here to read their review. —AMAZON CUSTOMER REVIEW (December 01, 2023) Click here to read his review.  Here's an excerpt: "Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and it's nice to see that indie market include religious aspects to the sci-fi genre.  It seems like Asimov and Clark wrote out religion in the future of sci-fi literature and did so without realizing how much of an impact religion has had on all human history (especially considering that Jesus Christ is the Creator and Lord of all).  As for the book, pick it up if those stories sounded interesting. —GOODREADS/Patrick's Review (December 01, 2023) Click here to read his review (same as above). —LIBRARY THING REVIEWS (six) (October–December 2023) Click here to read the reviews.
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This collection of stories was released for sale on July 18, 2023 (She Writes Press). Click here to view the Press Release (bio and photo is on Page Two). Watch this space for news about the release. << Return to the Short Stories page