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Contract of Defiance: Spectras Arise Trilogy, Book 1 Kindle Edition

by Tammy Salyer (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 423 ratings
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WHEN ALL OTHER OPTIONS RUN OUT, NEVER LET GO OF YOUR GUN.

In a few hundred years, the Algol system becomes humanity's new home. The question is: is it a better one?

When a crew of arms smugglers botches their latest job, Corps-deserter and crewmember, Aly Erikson, is separated from her brother, the only person she can trust, and left behind to fight for her life. In the aftermath, as she tries to piece together what happened, a crew of roughneck settlers pressgang her into a dangerous mission in the heart of Corps territory.

Time is running out to get back everything she's lost…

Her crew, her brother, and her options. But no one is taking her gun.

Winner of the 2010 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Contest for best action/thriller. Finalist in the Kindle Book Review 2012 Best Indie Book Contest for science fiction/fantasy.

What people saying about the Spectras Arise Series

"A fast-paced and fun sci-fi space adventure with a great protagonist... starts with a running gun fight and doesn't let up until the explosive conclusion."

"Top Notch SciFi Read!"

"I'm torn between wanting to savor every exciting moment of this gorgeously written series or binge-read to find out what happens next."

"Thrilling, Roller-Coaster Ride of Military Sci-Fi Adventure"

"Contains the kind of action that makes it hard to turn off the light and go to sleep."

Other books in the Spectras Arise series
Conviction: A Spectras Arise Prequel Novella
Contract of Defiance: Spectras Arise Trilogy, Book 1
Contract of Betrayal, Spectras Arise Trilogy, Book 2
Contract of War, Spectras Arise Trilogy, Book 3
The Spectras Arise Series Omnibus, including all four books
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Spectras Arise
  2. Print length
    249 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    January 1, 2013
  6. File size
    3037 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

WINNER of the 2010 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Contest for best action/thriller. FINALIST for the Kindle Book Review's 2012 "Best Indie Novel of the Year" competition
Tammy Salyer's Contract of Defiance (Book One in her Spectras Arise trilogy) is a powerful statement of her prowess as a military fiction author. Her fight scenes are impeccable, her characters three dimensional, and her universe dry and gritty. At times deadly and at others canny, her lead character Aly is smart, strong and someone you can root for. If you like military science fiction you owe it to yourself to get a copy and move it to the top of your to be read list. ~ Author of Aetna Adrift and The Far Banks of the Rubicon, Erik WecksArm yourself for a riveting quest on the galactic fringe in Contract of Defiance. ~ The Motley Chronicles
This was one of the most well written books I've read this year. I don't normally read scifi, but I must tell you, the writing in this novel should overcome any reticence to grab a copy of this great read and dig in. ~ Author Ron McCabe
I was completely impressed by this book. From the first page you are sucked into an action-filled science fiction adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat, just dying to find out what happens next...I cannot recommend it enough. ~ It is a Bookish Kind of Life
A fast-paced and fun sci-fi space adventure with a great protagonist, Contract of Defiance by Tammy Salyer starts with a running gun fight and doesn't let up until the explosive conclusion. ~ Author Scott Whitmore
With Contract of Defiance you feel every punch, every bullet. ~ Radiant Attack

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007TK6KCG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tammy Salyer (January 1, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3037 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 249 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 423 ratings

About the author

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Tammy Salyer

Tammy Salyer

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Ex-paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, Tammy Salyer turned to writing science fiction and fantasy after trading in her M-16 for a MacBook in 1999. Her Shackled Verities series is a Cosmos-crossing epic fantasy adventure that takes readers on a thrilling journey through new worlds with incredible characters. Her Spectras Arise series is an action-packed military science fiction adventure that has been praised for its gritty realism and well-crafted characters. If you love a good Western with a twist, then you won’t want to miss her Otherworld Outlaws series and its blend of Celtic mythology and unforgettable Wild West action.

Versatile and audacious, Tammy’s writing style is sure to delight readers who crave adventure and excitement. Fans of science fiction, fantasy, and a bit of the weird will find a kindred spirit in Tammy. Visit www.tammysalyer.com to connect with her on social media and learn more about her. She hopes you enjoy reading her works and welcomes your reviews.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
423 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Sezin Koehler
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written prose and strong female characters: a fantastic read.
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2015
Verified Purchase
I'm really not a big fan of the sci-fi genre as in most of those narratives I find myself completely alienated in the worlds the author created, and frustrated to boot. But not this time. Tammy Salyer masterfully designed an elaborate world that is not only easy to understand with its place in the universe, but one that totally immerses the reader from the start by flinging you right into the action from the get-go. Not to mention, this book is so beautifully written and Salyer's attention to detail so remarkable I honestly feel like this is an experience I actually *remember*, not one I merely read in the pages of a book.

The characters are impeccably drawn and compelling, and even though there are lots of them I didn't feel lost in wondering who was who, their names and characteristics were remarkable right from the start. And there are so many complicated, badass, and powerful women acting with agency, my feminist reader self was positively cheering along with the action.

I am so excited that there are two more of these delicious books in the series for me to devour. I'm torn between wanting to savor every exciting moment of this gorgeously written series or binge-read to find out what happens next. Every reader should have this dilemma with every book, and it's been a long time since I've felt so pulled into someone else's fictional world. What a marvelous experience, and I'm only one-third of the way done.

If you're a fan of the science-fiction genre then here's your next read. And if you're not, give this series a try anyway, if for no other reason than to appreciate the beauty of Salyer's masterful prose. If Dennis Lehane did military science fiction, this is what it would look like. So awesome. Highly recommend this one.
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Michael Boys
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful 1st Novel - Can't Wait For The Next One!
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2012
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I don't write many (any?) book reviews, but Contract of Defiance was wonderful! If you like action/thriller novels you'll want to pick this one up. I'm not as big a fan of sci/fi as the down to earth action/thrillers, but this was a fun, fast read and the sci/fi setting was an asset. It had plenty of action and a very likable protagonist.

I may have to actually buy a Kindle so I can borrow more new authors like this one from Amazon for free instead of reading some of my standard authors going through the motions in some of their books. Although I would have paid more for this book - a bargain at twice the price!

So I raced to the end and found the intro from Contract of Betrayal. Which begins as a love triangle? Can't wait to see that one next year to see how Tammy pulls that one off!
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Barley-Popper
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced & plenty of action
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
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Really enjoyed this book. The pacing was good, believable story and relatable characters. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
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jjdrymiller
3.0 out of 5 stars Strong female protagonist with trust issues. Good start to a new series.
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2015
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A good start. A tough as nails female protagonist with serious trust issues. She's in over her head but utimately finds some redemption and possibly others that she can call family.
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Scott Whitmore
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced, space adventure with great protagonist
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2012
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A fast-paced and fun sci-fi space adventure with a great protagonist, Contract of Defiance by Tammy Salyer (@TammySalyer) starts with a running gun fight and doesn't let up until the explosive conclusion.

You know that "have to know what happens next?" feeling you get reading some books? The "just one more chapter" syndrome? Yup, I definitely felt that way about Contract, which I read over a two-day span on a rainy weekend.

Set in the future after humans have moved out into space, Contract opens with military deserters Aly Erickson and her brother fleeing from a squad of soldiers after helping steal a disk of valuable information. Aly and David are part of a team of smugglers led by Rajcik, an infamous criminal with a visceral hatred for the Admin -- the brutal regime commanding that corner of the galaxy.

After her brother is captured, Aly falls in with an odd group of renegade settlers who hope to strike a deal with her criminal crew but don't seem to understand how deadly a proposition that could be. Still, Aly needs to get her brother free from the Admin and its military, so she must carefully navigate a path between the two wary and distrustful groups to find and save him.

A paratrooper during her service in the U.S. Army, Ms. Salyer's plentiful action scenes are exciting and well-written, and she brings Aly to life exceptionally well. After years spent on the run as a deserter and part of a vicious criminal gang, Aly's sole allegiance is to her brother but her moral compass isn't entirely broken. The story is told by Aly, and she is surrounded by an eclectic and interesting group of characters -- most of whom are more than they seem at first glance. Finding out which is part of the fun.

Contract of Defiance won the 2010 Colorado Gold contest for best new action/thriller and I would say that is a well-deserved honor. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a military/sci-fi with plenty of action, great characters and a few well-placed twists. Ms. Salyer's follow-up in the series, Contract of Betrayal is due out in 2013 and I'm looking forward to Aly's next adventure.

To learn more about Ms. Salyer, check out her blog.
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Top reviews from other countries

Mr Dylan S Hearn
5.0 out of 5 stars You wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of Aly...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
Contract of Defiance is a blast from the opening paragraph to the closing page. We follow the story of Aly, a smuggler and ex-military fugitive who becomes separated from her brother and crew on a botched job. She is rescued by a group of hardened settlers and becomes embroiled in a series of adventures that take her further from her goal of rescuing her brother and at the same time raises questions about what really went wrong.

Salyer has created a very believable future where a dominant military forces good people onto the wrong side of the law. While the story contains plenty of action to keep things going, it is the characters that draw you in. In Aly you have a strong, female protagonist who is no caricature. She is flawed, makes mistakes but continues to struggle against what life throws at her in order to save her brother.

As the motivations of the support cast are revealed, you realise what a fantastic job Salyer has done to create an ensemble of characters of real depth while at no point slowing the plot through overuse of backstory or exposition. Another thing I really liked about this book was that each act of killing has an impact on the characters involved and isn’t purely there as entertainment. There are consequences for each and every action and Salyer isn’t afraid to show them.

If you like the fantasy of Joe Abercrombie or Glen Cook, or if you are a fan of the film Aliens, you will love this really enjoyable book. Highly recommended.
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Mary Jane
5.0 out of 5 stars Character driven military sci-fi
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 21, 2014
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Always a treat to find a military sci-fi book where the character development dominates the military action, and this novel is packed full of conflict, both personal and when the guns are firing, and the blood is flowing.

Aly Erikson is a fascinating character. Aggressive, impatient, and slow to trust, her choice of friends is suspect. She hardly seems to understand true friendship is possible, and is so suspicious of other’s motives she refuses to accept the obvious. However, she understands her love and loyalty for her brother, David, who she’s determined to save from the Admin, the galactic authority in this part of the universe, and she is practically itching to bowl down anyone and anything that gets in her way.

Well-written and descriptive, there is a background story for almost every character, each with their own peculiarities that helps define their relationship with Aly. The fast-paced plot is mixed with lots of military sci-fi details and a nice world setting for the rest of the series. Highly recommended.
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Mobewan
5.0 out of 5 stars Military sci fi that will knock your socks off
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2014
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A blend of rollickingly good military sci fi action, with some surprisingly well thought out character pieces. The story doesn’t let up, following an Aly, ex solider who is desperately trying to find her brother. Love and a fair amount of guilt drive her at first, but I was really impressed with the way Salyer developed her character, and whilst there are no real surprises the story is told in a engaging and entertaining way. Salyer really knows her action scenes!
The supporting cast is also given great consideration with some interesting characters I’m looking forward to getting to know better in the sequels. The villains don’t get quite the same level of focus, verging on cliched occasionally, but it never got in the way of the story or lessened the impact. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended for fans of fast paced action with a load of decent characterisation.
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