Our Child of the Stars: the most magical, bewitching book of the year

Description

In this magical, bewitching debut, Molly and Gene Myers' marriage is on the brink of collapse. Then a child arrives, with a remarkable appearance. Will he bring them together, or tear their whole world apart? Molly and Gene Myers were happy, until tragedy blighted their hopes of children. During the years of darkness and despair, they each put their marriage in jeopardy, but now they are starting to rebuild their fragile bond. This is the year of Woodstock and the moon landings; war is raging in Vietnam and the superpowers are threatening each other with annihilation. Then the Meteor crashes into Amber Grove, devastating the small New England town - and changing their lives for ever. Molly, a nurse, caught up in the thick of the disaster, is given care of a desperately ill patient rescued from the wreckage: a sick boy with a remarkable appearance, an orphan who needs a mother. And soon the whole world will be looking for him. Cory's arrival has changed everything. And the Myers will do anything to keep him safe. A remarkable story of warmth, tenacity and generosity of spirit, set against the backdrop of a fast-changing, terrifying decade.

Stephen Cox was born in the USA and now lives in London with his partner of twenty years. A father to two children, he has worked for various not-for-profits, most notably for twelve years with Great Ormond Street Hospital. You can find out more about Stephen Cox through his website www.stephencox.co.uk or his Twitter @stephenwhq. Stephen also has a free email newsletter www.tinyletter.com/stephen_cox which gives exclusive content such as chapters and free stories, online events, updates and giveaways.

Cox takes a straightforward SF idea and turns it into something wholly fresh and intensely gripping. A tightly personal story draws readers deep into a couple's struggle to protect an innocent caught up in (literally) world-shaking events. By looking back to the '60s space race, and what might have been, Cox invites us to muse on events and ideas that have shaped the societies we live in today, and asks us where we might want humanity to go - Juliet McKenna, author of the No.1 bestselling The Green Man's Heir Sympathetic characterisation and fine storytelling . . . What makes this such a satisfying read, apart from the thrillingly rendered chase (and the refreshing notion that not all aliens are bent on inimical invasion), is the characterisation of Molly and Gene, a childless couple given this one miraculous chance to show love for an adopted son. This is an optimistic take on the ET theme, done without the schmaltz of the film - Guardian I dare anyone not to fall in love with the Meyers family . . . I could gush about this book forever, so I am just simply going to say, go read it. Read this beautiful, wonderful book - Angie Groves, Waterstones Blackpool I loved this book. It was one of those I couldn't put down but didn't want to end. It is beautifully written and certainly stirs the emotions. It is a tale of love, loss, friendship, loyalty and doing the right thing - Sue Tingey, author of the Soulseer Trilogy An uplifting tale of love and kindness - Candis A powerful combination of warm-hearted hope and steely-eyed realism . . . Idealism collides with harsh reality, hope battles violence and a family desperately tries to hold on . . . A heartfelt, richly imaginative and gripping story - SciFiNow Dark and compelling reading - Irish Examiner Cox takes a classic SF idea and turns it into something wholly fresh and intensely gripping. Highly recommended reading - Interzone