Star Trails Tetralogy Box Set

Star Trails Tetralogy Box Set
Author: Marcha Fox
Publisher: Marcha Fox
Total Pages: 901
Release: 2015-07-03
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 131184483X

Close families share everything. Including consequences. When one of the HIO’s premier terralogists refuses a job offer from a wannabe despot the chain of suspicious circumstances which quickly follow scatter his family across the galaxy. Torn apart by space and time, will each survive long enough to be united ever again? This Box Set contains the tetralogy's four volumes: Beyond the Hidden Sky (vol. 1); A Dark of Endless Days (vol. 2); A Psilent Place Below (vol. 3); and its conclusion, Refractions of Frozen Time (vol. 4). Also included is The Star Trails Compendium, which covers terms, definition, weather, political structure, and planetary description of the Cyrarian planetary system as well as a chapter by chapter discussion and lesson plan guide for parents and educators who may want to use the series for extra credit reading in STEM programs.

The Star Trails Compendium

The Star Trails Compendium
Author: Marcha Fox
Publisher: Marcha Fox
Total Pages: 87
Release: 2015-05-30
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 1310209375

Marcha Fox, author of the Star Trails Tetralogy, (Beyond the Hidden Sky; A Dark of Endless Days; A Psilent Place Below; and Refractions of Frozen Time) is a physicist with over two-decades experience working at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. She has skillfully integrated real as well as speculative science into this hard science fiction series to stimulate interest in STEM topics. Sociological and interpersonal situations are also presented in an entertaining way to which readers can relate. Included here are all the juicy details of interest to science aficionados, but would have slowed down the plot action. A glossary of terms is included as well as topical discussion guides and project ideas at the chapter level for those who want to get even more value from these stories, e.g., book club discussions, science teachers, and homeschoolers, who wish to take full advantage of the tetralogy's technical content. Dedicated fans will learn more about Cyraria, where much of the tetralogy's plot action occurs. This planet is unique due to its zero-degree inclination combined within a lemniscate (figure-8) orbit around a binary star system, which results in extreme seasonal weather with which the saga's characters must learn to survive. Besides explaining the reasons for its hostile climate, additional sections address Star Trails' alien races, in particular Cyraria's indigenous race, the bnolar, as well as its political structure.

Star Trails Tetralogy Box Set

Star Trails Tetralogy Box Set
Author: Marcha Fox
Publisher: Marcha Fox
Total Pages: 901
Release: 2015-07-03
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 131184483X

Close families share everything. Including consequences. When one of the HIO’s premier terralogists refuses a job offer from a wannabe despot the chain of suspicious circumstances which quickly follow scatter his family across the galaxy. Torn apart by space and time, will each survive long enough to be united ever again? This Box Set contains the tetralogy's four volumes: Beyond the Hidden Sky (vol. 1); A Dark of Endless Days (vol. 2); A Psilent Place Below (vol. 3); and its conclusion, Refractions of Frozen Time (vol. 4). Also included is The Star Trails Compendium, which covers terms, definition, weather, political structure, and planetary description of the Cyrarian planetary system as well as a chapter by chapter discussion and lesson plan guide for parents and educators who may want to use the series for extra credit reading in STEM programs.

A Dark of Endless Days

A Dark of Endless Days
Author: Marcha Fox
Publisher: Marcha Fox
Total Pages: 218
Release: 2016-08-30
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 0998078913

Cyraria is a hostile world with weather extremes beyond imagination. With Opposition, the worst portion of the heat season on the way, Dirck Brightstar and his father, Laren take on the challenge of modifying their primitive shelter to withstand the hostile environment in what is rapidly becoming a dystopian nightmare. Their attempt to build a heat exchanger (air conditioner) to maintain a survivable temperature is interrupted when Laren is arrested in a midnight raid and incarcerated as a political prisoner as a part of Augustus Troy's Integration recruiting efforts. Dirck is thus left on his own to fend for his family, more separated now than ever before. His friend, Win, proves to be a valuable ally though his little brother, Deven, becomes the real hero thanks to his strange alliance with an indigenous race known as the bnolar.Creena, another family member separated from the family in a previous incident, experiences increasing trouble as well when she and her 'troid, Aggie and vegemal, Thyron, land on a planet seeking a more capable vehicle for the trip back to the family's homeworld, Mira III, to obtain assistance. Their efforts are thwarted when authorities impound their ship and separate them as targets for government scrutiny and investigation. Creena's options are severely limited and further complicated by Integrator attempts to abduct her, the evil purpose of which she can sense but doesn't understand. With no other choice but to adapt to a primitive and alien lifestyle until her situation is resolved, when it finally comes time to leave she discovers she's grown more attached to this backward world than she ever thought possible.[NOTE:--Readers with a strong interest in science will particularly enjoy these stories in which the author demonstrates numerous scientific principles and their importance through entertaining plot action. This is Volume II of the Star Trails Tetralogy. Enjoying this episode does not depend on reading Volume I.]

Refractions of Frozen Time

Refractions of Frozen Time
Author: Marcha Fox
Publisher: Marcha Fox
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2016-08-30
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 099807893X

This fourth and final volume of the Star Trails Tetralogy provides the action-packed and surprise ridden conclusion to the Brightstar saga that began in Beyond the Hidden Sky.Guilt ridden by their failure to prevent their father's ambush and exile Dirck and Creena remain at odds over cristobalite's usefulness. Eventually Dirck and Win depart for the Clique base at Apoca Canyon while Creena and the others remain in the Caverns to continue the controversial research. When little brother, Deven, finds a new crystal with even more amazing properties hope returns that saving their father may yet be possible. But before she can uncover its secrets Integrator forces invade the Caverns necessitating a harrowing escape loaded with unexpected consequences.Believing they're all lost forever, Dirck endures a dark and lonely time that changes him forever. The strange circumstances of their return vindicate Creena's faith in the crystals but now they're in a lethal race against the Integrator to develop the technology that will assure victory with time itself the ultimate prize.

A Psilent Place Below

A Psilent Place Below
Author: Marcha Fox
Publisher: Marcha Fox
Total Pages: 201
Release: 2016-08-30
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 0998078921

Dirck Brightstar knows there's something really weird about the caverns. Where did that dream come from? And how is it possible that his mother shared the same, identical dream? Orchestrating a prison break to rescue his father is a formidable task, one even his indomitable friend, Win, thinks is impossible. But if they don't, the unthinkable will happen. They need the bnolar's help but can Cyraria's indigenous race be trusted? With Integrator forces closing in on world domination, if the caverns' secret gets out the Brightstars won't be the only ones who are doomed. But if the dream Dirck and Creena share plays out the consequences will be even worse.

Beyond the Hidden Sky

Beyond the Hidden Sky
Author: Marcha Fox
Publisher: Marcha Fox
Total Pages: 197
Release: 2016-08-30
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0998078905

This first volume of the Star Trails Tetralogy, a science fiction series for teens and young adults, begins with a familiar scene, a heated conflict between two siblings. Creena Brightstar is 14, her brother, Dirck, 17 and neither has any clue how their latest altercation will change not only their lives but that of their entire family forever. The story begins with the Brightstar family uncomfortably crammed into a small cabin on a starship immigrating to Cyraria where their father has a prestigious assignment as the planet's chief terralogist. However, in a desperate attempt for some alone time following their latest argument Creena accidentally sets in motion a chain of events that will not only separate her farther from Dirck than she ever imagined but scatter her entire family throughout the galaxy, each to face harrowing situations the likes of which they've never seen. Or was it an accident? With their father's abilities in high demand, certain power-hungry individuals will stop at nothing to achieve domination, including exploiting the situation in devious and potentially deadly ways.Creena and Dirck soon discover that their comfortable homeworld has left them woefully unprepared for the intrigue, danger, chaos and adventure they encounter, not only in this volume but in the three that follow. Choices, even seemingly small, insignificant ones, can have tremendous consequences as each character discovers in this fast-moving space adventure.

The Family History Fun Factor

The Family History Fun Factor
Author: Marcha Fox
Publisher: Marcha Fox
Total Pages: 57
Release: 2021-12-04
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0988333538

Family histories are often boring compilations of pedigree charts and dry narratives. Family folklore opens the door to everyday experiences and emotions that bring those involved alive. It's also an excellent way to get children involved in the process and started early on compiling their own personal history. This handy guide provides all the information you need to start discovering, identifying and collecting your own family's folklore. It includes descriptions of which genres are included and examples as well as a memory-jogging checklist and resources for those who might want to take it to the next level.

The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon

The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon
Author: Marcha Fox
Publisher: Kalliope Rising Press
Total Pages: 293
Release: 2020-07-28
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 173341861X

In 1879 a drunken hoard of silver miners raided a Cheyenne village while the tribe's warriors hunted buffalo. A small band of young braves, not yet old enough to join the hunt, escaped and rode for help. Their efforts failed when they were discovered by the raiders, who ran them over a cliff along with all the tribe's horses that had been left behind. When the warriors returned and found the devastation, the tribe's medicine man, Black Cloud, placed a curse on the site. A century and a half later, a scandalous Top Secret project is under construction in the same Colorado wilderness. Bryan Reynolds discovers that its roots lie in the same greed, corruption, and exploitation of the Earth that precipitated the curse. But before he can expose what he's found, he's killed in a suspicious accident that his wife, Sara, miraculously survives. Her memory of where they were or what they'd discovered, however, is gone. Neither Sara nor Bryan's life-long Cheyenne friend, Charlie Littlewolf, will rest until they find out what Bryan discovered that resulted in his death. Charlie is acutely aware that the only way to solve the mystery is through connecting with the grandfather spirits. To do so he must return to his roots and the teachings of his medicine man grandfather. His journey back to the Cheyenne way includes ancient rituals and ceremonies that guide him and Sara to the answers they seek. As a descendant of Black Cloud, his destiny is deeply embedded in the fulfillment of the original curse, which was triggered by what Bryan discovered. Charlie's quest has only just begun. A government conspiracy lies at the core of the story, though this first volume of the trilogy concentrates on Sara and Charlie discovering what Bryan knew that got him killed. Modern man's disregard for the environment, which conflicts with Native American philosophies of animism and of honoring the Earth, plays an important part. Past pollution caused by 19th century mining is inherent to the story as well as contemporary activities such as fracking. Various paranormal and supernatural elements including detailed descriptions of Cheyenne rituals and ceremonies such as the sacred red pipe, ceremonial fasting, and the sweat lodge are included. The Cheyenne's name for the Great Spirit is Maheo, who is referred to throughout. There are numerous other-worldly situations included, based on the experiences of the story's Cheyenne co-author. While the story is fictitious, these depictions are authentic. Modern technology plays a significant role in juxtaposition to traditional Native American elements. Astronomy and the ancient art and science of western astrology play roles as well in helping direct Sara and Charlie to the answers they need. In essence this saga's theme includes the collision of two disparate cultures and their respective attitudes toward the Earth, one of which is honor, the other exploitation. These complexities are what expanded this story into a trilogy. Native American history is touched upon, but will be covered in greater detail in subsequent volumes.

Return to Dead Horse Canyon

Return to Dead Horse Canyon
Author: Marcha Fox
Publisher: Kalliope Rising Press
Total Pages: 543
Release: 2021-11-24
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1733418636

The Dead Horse Canyon Saga Continues. . . When Charlie Littlewolf and Sara Reynolds discovered why her husband, Bryan, was murdered, their lives changed forever. While Charlie swore to avenge his white brother's death, the path to do so remains unclear. His job with Lone Star Operations allows him to use his college education and earn a generous income. However, it conflicts with everything he knows to be right. Is violating the Earth wrong or not? Little does he realize that his work will ultimately return him to the Northern Cheyenne reservation where his true destiny will manifest in ways he never imagined. Sara is determined to fulfill Bryan's last request to expose the government corruption coupled with the lethal forces that stole his life. Releasing the scandalous Top Secret data via WikiLeaks infuriates those with much to lose, who place a high price on her demise. When her response gets too personal, the next attempt to silence her forever comes close to home. While miles apart, each struggles with life-threatening situations as a result of their dedication to Bryan's legacy. Their lives remain entangled through a series of fateful decisions and circumstances that define a future fraught with unknowns for them both.