Hello everyone and welcome to my stop on the Escapist Book Co. virtual book tour for Dave Dobson’s Science Fiction novel Kenai! Today, I am excited to help kickoff the tour by sharing an interview with Jess Amiko, the main character from the book!
You can find our Q&A below, along with all of the info about the book, the author, and links to purchase a copy of Kenai for yourself! Also, be sure to take a look at the schedule here or at the top of the post and follow along to see the stops from our other awesome hosts!
Book Information:
Kenai by Dave Dobson
Series: Standalone (same future setting and timeline as Daros, but no overlap)
Genre: Science Fiction (Space Opera)
Intended Age Group: Adult
Pages: 395
Published: May 24, 2023
Publisher: Dave Dobson Books (Self Published)
Blurb
A planet steeped in mystery…
Jess Amiko is long past her days as a space marine, with all the glory of that time tarnished beyond repair by what came after. Trying to rebuild from the ashes, she’s taken a job as a security guard on Kenai, a lonely world far from the Council systems. It’s supposed to be easy duty – quiet and peaceful, on a docile world with no real threats, watching over an archeological dig at a site built by a race long vanished.
Betrayed and attacked by forces unknown, and finding that nothing on Kenai makes sense, Jess is plunged into a desperate fight for survival that leads her deep into the mysteries of Kenai’s past, and deep into the hardship and paradox the planet imposes on all who call it home.
See Also:
Jailhouse Rock • Have Suit, Will Travel • Tree’s Company
Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kenai-Dave-Dobson-ebook/dp/B0C7KKC5LY
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/kenai-by-dave-dobson
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/175744569-kenai
Character Q&A
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Readers? What’s this about? You’re not press, are you?
OK. I’m Jess Amiko. Formerly with the 12th Light, now living on Entelo. Let’s not get into the rest of it. The middle part is rough.
What music do you listen to?
Mostly holo theme music. There’s a zombie series I like.
What are 3 items you can’t live without?
Dog tags, rifle, and tactical con. Or at least, that’s what they drilled into us in training. These days, I’d settle for some curry and my dog.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what is one thing you’d like to have with you?
Rifle, for sure.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Rich people who get away with stuff while the little guy pays for it.
What do you do in your free time?
That’s changed a bit recently. I don’t have nearly as much as I used to.
What makes you want to get out of bed in the morning?
Bad dreams. Heh, no, just kidding. Well, mostly.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Anybody above your CO can’t really be trusted. And sometimes not your CO either.
What do you carry in your bag?
Ammo, grub, change of socks.
What’s your favorite animal?
I’m finding I’m more partial to trees these days.
What do you think about [other MC(s)]?
Not my place to comment. And also none of your business.
Do you have favorite saying?
‘We Ride the Storm.’
What is your favorite holiday?
Are you kidding? Are we done here?
If you could go anywhere in [the book’s world], where would you go and why?
The places that mattered to me mostly aren’t there anymore.
What do you do to relax?
You don’t know me very well, do you?
What is your favorite food?
Spicy chicken with the pepper relish. Those are the best kit rations. Ask anybody.
What is your favorite season?
Depends on the planet. I guess I don’t have much use for rain, though.
How would you define happiness?
A lot of people try to figure that out. I’m hardly an expert. I’ve been miserable, I’ve been angry, I’ve been depressed. When I’m not those things, I’m doing all right.
What are you passionate about?
My squad. Whoever that might be these days.
How do you feel about your government?
Depends on the branch. I’d give almost anything to be back in the Patrol. The rest of them, well…
If you could change one thing about [the book’s world], what would it be?
Five, ten years ago, I’d have said everything. Now, I’m a little leery about that kind of thinking.
What’s your biggest secret?
Yeah, not telling you that.
What do you hate?
People who do bad stuff for money. Wait, that was me for a while. Sort of. I mean, really bad stuff, for a lot of money.
What’s your biggest fear?
Not much left on that list that I haven’t already dealt with.
What do you think your best quality is?
You’d have to ask my counselor. Self-knowledge isn’t really my thing.
How would you describe the world you live in?
What kind of question is that? I mean, near standard gravity, slightly oxygen poor, cold winters? The important part is that it has people who leave the past alone.
About the Author
A native of Ames, Iowa, Dave loves writing, reading, boardgames, computer games, improv comedy, pizza, barbarian movies, and the cheaper end of the Taco Bell menu. Also, his wife and kids.
In addition to his novels, Dave is the author of Snood, Snoodoku, Snood Towers, and other computer games. Dave first published Snood in 1996, and it became one of the most popular shareware games of the early Internet. His most recent project (other than writing) is Doctor Esker’s Notebook, a series of puzzle card games in the spirit of escape rooms.
Dave taught geology, environmental studies, and computer programming at Guilford College for 24 years, and he does improv comedy every week at the Idiot Box in Greensboro, North Carolina. He’s also played the world’s largest tuba in concert. Not that that is relevant, but it’s still kinda cool.
Website: http://davedobsonbooks.com
Facebook (Inquisitor’s Guild series page): https://www.facebook.com/FlamesOverFrosthelm
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaveDobson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GCDaveDobson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davedobsonfromiowa
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