Friday, April 18, 2025

Your Weekend Read: BADLANDS by Jacqui Murray

 


 

Please welcome good bud and acclaimed prehistoric novelist Jacqui Murray. She'll be sharing information about her latest series and little known facts about her life. Welcome, Jacqui.


Savage Land is the third prehistoric man trilogy in the series, Man. Vs. Nature. Written in the spirit of Jean Auel, Savage Land explores how two bands of humans survived one of the worst natural disasters in Earth's history, when volcanic eruptions darkened the sky, massive tsunamis crossed the ocean in crushing waves, and raging fires burned the land. Each tribe starring in the story considered themselves apex predators. Neither was. That crown belonged to Nature and she was intent on washing the blight of man from her face.

 In Endangered Species, Book One of the trilogy, Yu’ung’s Neanderthal tribe must join with Fierce’s Tall Ones—a Homo sapiens tribe--on a cross-continent journey that starts in the Siberian Mountains. The goal: a new homeland far from the devastation caused by the worst volcanic eruption ever experienced by Man. How they collaborate despite their instinctive distrust could end the journey before it starts or forge new relationships that will serve both well in the future.

 

 

 In Badlands, Book Two, the tribes must split up, each independently crossing what Nature has turned into a wasteland. They struggle against starvation, thirst, and desperate enemies more feral than human. If they quit or worse, lose, they will never reunite with their groups or escape the most deadly natural disaster ever faced by our kind.

Join me in this three-book fictional exploration of Neanderthals. Be ready for a world nothing like what you thought it would be, filled with clever minds, brilliant acts, and innovative solutions to potentially life-ending problems, all based on real events. At the end of this trilogy, you’ll be proud to call Neanderthals family.

 


Book information:

Print, digital, audio available: http://a-fwd.com/asin=B0DFCV5YFT

 Genre: Prehistoric fiction

Editor: Anneli Purchase

 

 


Author bio:

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman , the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes 100+ books on tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics.

 

Social Media contacts:

 

Amazon Author Page:        https://www.amazon.com/Jacqui-Murray/e/B002E78CQQ/

Blog:                                       https://worddreams.wordpress.com

Pinterest:                                http://pinterest.com/askatechteacher

X:                                             http://twitter.com/worddreams

Website:                                 https://jacquimurray.net

 

Badlands trailer: https://youtu.be/XZKpiAHNW1E?si=H1ihAulWn7dpDG-P


9 Things You Probably Don't Know About Me Part II

Thank you for inviting me to your blog today, Sandra, to talk about a topic I rarely discuss: Me. I shared ten details about my background last year, here, to launch my last book, so I had to dig around to find other odd tidbits that you-all might find interesting. Since I'm not terribly open about my past, there are a lot of items that might be intriguing to ... someone!

Here is this year's list:

  1. In third grade, my standardized IQ test came out so high, they made me retake it. They thought something went wrong. The second take was the same. I'm proof that IQ or standardized tests don't predict personal success and that third grade experience is one of the reasons to this day I don't believe the two are connected.
  2. My son got an almost perfect ASVAB score (99/100) when he applied for the Army. All of his future bosses said it was the highest they'd ever seen. He didn't care--he's a very easy-going guy. The American military is not a meritocracy so his score--like mine--also didn't fuel military success. The Army promotes on a schedule.
  3. I played violin through high school, trained by a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony. He had me practice about 90-120 minutes a day, which I didn't mind.
  4. I briefly trained with Chuck Norris in High School (as did my sister). I wasn't very aggressive at that time so I switched to the Debate society, but my sis got pretty good.
  5. I was robbed of my make-up while traveling in Russia (the USSR) on a college graduation trip.
  6. I talked my way into a job installing cell phone antennas by doing research, reading, and interviewing professionals in the field. I was hired and when I wanted to change fields (got tired of climbing onto buildings to find antenna locations), I tried a similar approach for a job in commercial real estate. That worked, too!
  7. I spent several years doing design-build child care centers for corporate clients. My job was to sell the project to mostly corporate or University clients (who wanted onsite childcare) and then mastermind the building of the center.
  8. I love Formula 1 racing, a hobby picked up from my daughter. I've gotten to know all the teams and racers. Attending, though--yikes! That is beyond expensive! The races take place all over the world and even the cheap seats aren't.
  9. I talk to my son every week, for at least an hour. What do we talk about? Well, space, the stock market, stuff. Surprises me too!

What are the oddest things you've done in your life? I'd love to hear them!

“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

 

57 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Thank you for the heads up and the profile. That is one varied career.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful Jacqui and you have certainly gathered some amazing experience and clearly know when to push open the door of opportunity... Thank Sandra for hosting today.. Sally Cronin

Donna said...

She's had a Wonderful life! The books sound fun!! Looking forward to reading them!
hugs
Donna

Liesbet said...

I always enjoy learning a bit more about you, Jacqui. The personal stuff. It’s so awesome that your research has been beneficial for a long, long time. It’s very brave to bluff yourself into an interview and position!

Do you still play an instrument? I really enjoy the Netflix series “Drive to Survive.” :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'm not sure what impresses me the most! Although training with Chuck Norris is rather cool.

Jeanie said...

Good wishes to Jacquie and Happy Easter to all.

Priscilla Bettis said...

Of all the things to steal from a tourist ... make-up? My sister had good ol' CASH stolen!

The oddest job I ever had was counting inventory in prisons. It was a summer job between semesters. Or counting salmon at a salmon processing plant in Alaska, that's an odd job, too!

Congrats on Badlands, Jacqui!

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

I am so excited to be here, Sandra! Despite being separated by 75,000 years, our characters share the same morals, values, sense of justice, and energy. I think they'd fit well into each others' worlds. This promises to be an excellent day.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

I am easily bored! Thanks for the visit!

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

I've found most problems are solvable with outside-the-box thinking. I appreciate your visit.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

Thank you, Donna. I hope you enjoy meeting your ancestors!

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

Violin requires constant practice so I switched to mandolin, and then lost contact with my group. Sigh. Don't you just love Drive to Survive? We're watching the updated year right now.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

That man was as amazing as you think. I quit because of more cerebral interests (debate club), but my sister stuck with him for a while. Remember, this was 60 years ago.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

Thank you, Jeanie. Nice to meet you.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

I thought it was weird until I tried to replace it. I couldn't! They just didn't have that sort of stuff in the USSR (pre-Russia).

Anneli said...

Now I understand why you were able to write such great books.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

I do have a lot of respect (and no judgment) for lots of different lives and views. I think that helps.

Liz Gauffreau said...

Fascinating tidbits about Jacqui's life. I had no idea!

Kymber Hawke said...

I love Jacqui's books! I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy! Great facts, also. It was fun learning more about her.

Sandra Cox said...

Fascinating, isn't it, EC?

Sandra Cox said...

Sally, I'm enthralled with Jacqui training with Chuck Norris;)
Thanks for stopping by and lending your support.

D. Wallace Peach said...

It's fun seeing Jacqui's book here. It's next on my Kindle after my current read. :-) And a great list of things I didn't know about Jacqui. She's a colorful character! Thanks for hosting, Sandra, and congrats to Jacqui!

Christine said...

Sounds good -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Donna, She has, hasn't she? The books are fun and informative. I'm a fan:)

Sandra Cox said...

Liesbet, Thanks for stopping by and supporting Jacqui.
Jacqui, I didn't realize you played the mandolin. Sounds like a good one to add to the list of your next fun facts:)

John Howell said...

Great to see Jacqui here , Sandra. Congratulations to her and thanks to you.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

@Kymber Thank you! This fit well with your get-to-know-you posts!

@Diana I love visiting Sandra's blog. She has such a fascinating group of readers.

@Christine Thanks for dropping in for the party!

@John I'm so glad you brought your dogs. Every party is better with dogs around.

The Unique Times with Cindy said...

Well this was fun you 2. I'm not so sure of your take here, Jacqui!!! You're proof to me that you're brilliant.
"I'm proof that IQ or standardized tests don't predict personal success and that third grade experience is one of the reasons to this day I don't believe the two are connected."

I love that you talk to your son every week, that's so awesome!!!

J.P. Alexander said...

Gracias por la reseña. Tomó nota. Te mando un beso.

Sandra Cox said...

That was the one that blew me away too, Alex. Though, I do appreciate that Jacqui's a brainiac:) Heh.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you for Jacqui's well wishes and a Happy Easter to you, Jeanie:)

Sandra Cox said...

Priscilla, Who'd a thought about stealing a tourist makeup, right? Or that the USSR wouldn't have makeup.
Sounds like you've had some interesting jobs too.
Thanks for stopping by and supporting, Jacqui.

Sandra Cox said...

I'm thrilled to have you, Jacqui. And I completely agree on our characters:)

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

@Cindy Ha! Maybe my life hasn't been what I thought brilliance would be (though I'm really not at that threshhold). I might be happier to be among the average US IQ of 100 but not sure.

@JP Thanks for the kiss!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandra - what an interesting visit Jacqui has given you ... I'd have loved to have had Jacqui around as a mentor (or perhaps her son ... said with tongue in cheek!!)! Fascinating family ... it's great they're so down to earth too - cheers Hilary

Ankur Mithal said...

Glad to know you better, Jacqui!

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

Thank you for the visit, Hilary! Both my kids are amazing--but I know most parents think that. I love mine to pieces.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Jacqui on another great tour stop! It was fun learning more about her. I can relate to the last answer. Thanks for hosting, Sandra!
Lauren - Baydreamer Writes

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

@Lauren Thank you so much! That weekly talk is such a gift, don't you think? Love adult kids.

Sandra Cox said...

Anneli, Jacqui's amazing, for sure AND her books are great:)

Sandra Cox said...

Fascinating definitely sums it up, Liz. Thanks for stopping by and supporting Jacqui.

Sandra Cox said...

I love them too, Kymber. Jacqui always comes up with something I didn't know about her:) Thanks so much for stopping by.

Sandra Cox said...

Hey Diana, You've got a great read to look forward to. Yes, Jacqui is colorful:) Thanks for stopping by:)

Sandra Cox said...

It is, for sure, Christine;)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks so much for stopping by and supporting Jacqui, John. Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks so much for stopping by and supporting Jacqui, Cindy. I too love that she talks to her son every week. It's definitely been fun having Jacqui here AND she is brilliant indeed.

Anonymous said...

You bet. Happy Easter, JP. Hugs

Sandra Cox said...

Sandra

Sandra Cox said...

Hils, Fascinating and down to earth fit Jacqui to a T:)
Cheers,

Anonymous said...

Anonymously Esther, East of the Sun, Impressive and inspiring career, including fun fact 6, cell phone antennae and high buildings. Hope this didn't involve too much ' visual impact' hassle, aka ' can it be seen?' Looking forward to Badlands.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

@Esther Thanks, Esther! I hope you enjoy it!

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks so much for stopping by, Ankur.

Sandra Cox said...

Entirely my pleasure, Lauren. Thanks for stopping by and supporting Jacqui.

Sandra Cox said...

You are in for a treat with Badlands, Esther. Thanks for stopping by and supporting Jacqui.

Jan Sikes said...

This was super fun, Jacqui and Sandra. I laughed at some of your ten things, Jacqui. :) Thanks for hosting, Sandra.

Sandra Cox said...

Jan, I think there's a fascinating biography in there, don't you? Thanks for stopping by and supporting Jacqui:)

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

@Jan I laughed too! You never know where life will take you.