The Return (Mars Hill Classified, Book 3) [Paperback]

Austin Boyd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 14, 2007

While Rear Admiral John Wells begins to uncover a web of lies on Mars, his wife and daughter are struggling for survival on earth. Now John must survive his dangerous mission and find a way back home, even as a shocking plan begins to unfold millions of miles away on earth.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

With nothing left for him on Earth, Rear Admiral John Wells didn?t hesitate to lead a third NASA team to Mars, but he never dreamed that one day they?d look out their laboratory module into the lights of a slow-moving vehicle not their own. In the third installment of the Mars Hill Classified series, life on Mars becomes increasingly more unpredictable as the past collides with the future and nothing, not even the dead, is as it seems.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, the fate of hundreds, including John Wells? family?presumed dead these last six years?rests precariously in the hands of Malcolm Raines, self-proclaimed Guardian of the Mother Seed and Principal Cleric of Saint Michael?s Remnant, and his insidious plans for the Father Race.

Wells will find himself in a race against time and all odds to expose the truth: about Mars, about Malcolm Raines, and, if he?s very brave, about himself.

About the Author

A Navy pilot, nuclear weapons officer, and spacecraft engineer, Austin Boyd flew three thousand hours in war and peacetime operations, designed satellites, and built classified systems to track terrorists. A world traveler, NASA Astronaut Finalist, and inventor with multiple patents, he served on key Navy space assignments before retiring to Huntsville, Alabama, where he lives with Cindy, his wife of twenty-eight years, and their four children. He continues to support NASA, military space, and aviation through his work with a major defense contractor. An active Christian, Boyd has served in a variety of lay ministries devoted to evangelism, stewardship, and crisis pregnancy. In addition to writing the Mars Hill Classified series, Boyd has also penned dozens of technical articles about space issues and has written award-winning poetry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (June 14, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157683946X
• ISBN-13: 978-1576839461
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #579,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and Interesting, October 30, 2007

By 

booklover1983 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Return (Mars Hill Classified, Book 3) (Paperback)

This book was very unique and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Do not worry about it being the third in a series the author does a good job of laying things out. I am sure for those that have read books one and two that book three probably had them squealing at various points. I know I did once things starting coming together. It read smooth and drew you in and did not let you go until the end. I love the ending. I highly recommend this book esp. if you are looking for something a little different in a good way.

P.S. I had the song Rocket Man by Elton John running through my head.

Visit me at http://www.abookloverforever.blogspot.com

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sci-Fi That I Can Like, October 29, 2007

By 

Kelly Klepfer (Iowa) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Return (Mars Hill Classified, Book 3) (Paperback)

I need to go on record here...I'm not a sci-fi lover. So when I picked up The Return, the next book on my stack not knowing what to expect and turned to the first scene set on Mars, date 2020, I nearly choked.

This novel is 460 pages long, give or take a few.

But, I had committed to reading the book and writing a review. And since I try to find good things to say in my reviews, I was a little concerned that I could find something good at all to praise.

Then I started reading.

Well done, Mr. Boyd.

Boyd nails character, story and believability. I'll admit that there were a few techie spots that I skimmed. Seriously, details on titanium from Russia and DNA strands and windows for rocket launch do nothing for me. But I was seriously impressed with Boyd's skill with characterization, plotting and his solid and sometimes beautiful writing style. He takes the reader to Mars through the mind of a grieving astronaut and into the thoughts and heart of a confused fifteen year old girl, as well as another dozen or so characters throughout this novel.

After a few paragraphs I turned the book over and read all about Austin. Talk about a techie genius...Yikes. But a techie genius who writes poetry.

Not only has he mastered the basics, he has a great touch with realistic spirituality. Though Christian conversions happen within this novel, they are thoughtful and believable and lack the platitudes that have bothered those who complain about unrealistic pie-in-the-sky Christian fiction.

I'm not going to suggest that those who detest sci-fi run out and grab a copy. But I will suggest that anyone who likes a great story check further into Austin Boyd.

Very, very impressed, Austin Boyd.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch, October 17, 2010

By 

crago - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Return (Mars Hill Classified, Book 3) (Paperback)

Austin Boyd is one of the best new authors I have read. He brings it all to the table: mystery, science, romance, and the Christian message. He has a way of getting the reader hooked before he, in a non preaching way and non threatening, brings in the message of Christ's difference. He keeps your attention, and the discussion questions at the end are ones that make a person really do some soul searching. This series would be a wonderful set of books for a Bible study and/or discussion group.