Apple Declined

By: Robert P. Wills

Narrated by: John Dzwonkowski

Earth is dying. Its resources are used up or too contaminated for recycling. Plagues have decimated the planet's population to a mere two million - a population number not seen for 50,000 years.

With time running out, Earth sends probes to search for suitable planets. Several planets are found that will support a portion of Earth's population. Humanity will live on; it will just be spread across 50 light-years. Then a planet that will sustain all of Earth's inhabitants is found. A perfect planet.

Project Arcturus is born.

A battle-hardened contingent is sent to Arcturus to eliminate the indigenous population and prepare the planet for immediate colonization.

On planet Arcturus thousands of years ago, an apple was declined. Sin never gained a foothold. And all was well for thousands of years until Earth's probe found them. When the inhabitants become aware of the impending arrival of their brothers from a far-off world, they turn to the One who provides them guidance and wisdom. They are told not to worry.

Earth's plans for an easy conquering of the Arcturus are wrong. Very wrong.

Author's note: On Arcturus, the covenant between the locals and God has not been broken so he still moves among the people. I have not presumed to give a form to God, nor have I put words in his mouth. God in my story presents himself as a warm breeze, or as a pillar of smoke or fire as described in the Old Testament. I would not have felt comfortable presenting God in any other way. I also write about the results of prayer, not the actual discussions between God and the locals.

©2014 Robert P. Wills (P)2015 Robert P. Wills

awesome book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to the second in the series.

Good Idea - Bad Execution

The premise for the story is good, but the author didn't do his homework. In the story, Earth tries to take over a planet where their "Adam & Eve" never ate the forbidden apple. If the author knew his bible, he would know that without sin, there would be no need for priests and temples, Etc. He would also know the animals would not fear mankind so there would be no need to go hunting.

Add to this, there is background music everywhere. Each chapter starts and ends with music. Most audiobooks I've listened to that have music and sound effects haven't been very good. This one is no exception.

And then there's the reader. He sounds like a 90 year old man reminiscing about how his deceased wife used to make apple pies. Even in the action areas of the story, the reader gets about excited as a 90 year old trying to get out of his chair to go to the bathroom. Very slow story. Disappointing.