About the Book
Book: A Perfect Flock
Author: Mike Bogue
Genre: Christian Science Fiction
Release date: October 26, 2023
Tuck Jameson vows to stop his brother Clay from joining The Body, a religious cult that uses nanotechnology to turn its members into Christian automatons.
But Clay disappears—and in three days, his nanotechnology conversion will be complete. Desperate to find Clay, Tuck enlists the aid of former high school mentor Adam Shimura, now a black ops agent with potentially mixed motives.
Brother Moody, the cult’s Chief Elder, mobilizes his acolytes against Tuck. Worse, a shocking prophecy ups the ante, making Tuck realize the stakes involve not only him and Clay, but all of America—and perhaps, the world.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Why does Mike Bogue write speculative fiction? Because he finds it a perfect genre to explore timeless themes and timely science, as well as the collision between technology and faith. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys watching Godzilla movies, singing 1960s pop tunes, and munching Fiber One brownies. Single and retired, Mike lives with his cat Bendi in Western Arkansas, where he and Bendi regularly hold contests to see who can nap the longest in a single day.
More from Mike
“If brainwashing means losing my free will for God’s sake, so be it.”
Thus says a recruit for the religious cult The Body in my novel A Perfect Flock.
When planning the novel, I wondered—should Christians use technology to enhance their moral lives? What if technology forced us to be good? Should we use it? Should we advocate it? Would it make Christians, and therefore the Gospel, more appealing to non-Christians?
A Perfect Flock explores these issues. In the novel, technology that might have been a blessing becomes a curse in the hands of cult leader Brother Moody. Indeed, becoming Moody’s version of a perfect Christian might just cost you your soul.
In A Perfect Flock, you will confront the well-meaning but dark future into which technology may be taking Christians and society; experience a fast-paced quest in which an older brother is determined to save his younger brother from technological enslavement; and face the tension between free will and enforced will—if we had the technology to force others to become Christians, should we?
If you like near-future Christian science fiction novels such as Steven James’ Synapse, I think you’ll enjoy A Perfect Flock.
A technical note: The book was released last October 23, so it is available now.
Best of hopes and dreams,
Mike
Interview with the Author
- How do you select the names of your characters?
I strive to make each character’s name as distinct as possible. For example, none of my major characters’ first names will sport the same first letter. In other words, there would be no Earl and Eddie. These are too similar, and could confuse the reader.
In addition, I want each character’s name to be memorable. Examples in my novel A Perfect Flock include Tuck Jameson, Ham Crouch, Brother Moody, and April Showers. No, that last one isn’t a mistake. April has a whimsical Mom who thought it would be cute to name her daughter “April” so the name “April Showers” would bring a smile to others. The adult April loves her Mom but has never appreciated her mother’s sense of humor, and to explain her name, she says, “You’d have to know my Mom.”
- What was your hardest scene to write?
The climax. I wanted the scene to be emotional for the reader, so I struggled with how to best get across the emotions I wanted the reader to feel. At first I over-wrote the scene, then started editing. I strove for strong nouns, action verbs, and precisely chosen adjectives.
I employed the writer’s rule “show don’t tell.” I chose not to simply state Tuck’s emotions, but rather to demonstrate them by what he does.
I also carefully chose the words Tuck says during this scene. Best-selling writer Jerry Jenkins says cutting almost always adds power to your words, and I employed his principle.
- What comes first, the plot or characters?
For me, the plot. I love science fiction and speculative fiction, so an idea will occur to me before I create characters to inhabit the storyline. For A Perfect Flock, into my writer’s mind drifted the notion of a religious cult using nanotechnology to turn its members into supposedly perfect Christians.
Once I chose to develop that storyline, I created my major characters, the protagonist being Tuck Jameson, whose father became a cult member and died after having done so. Tuck blames Brother Moody, the head of the cult, for his father’s death. And now Tuck’s younger brother Clay has vowed to join the cult and become a Christian automaton. Tuck must battle the far-reaching cult as well as his personal demons to save his brother, or lose him forever
- Who is the author you most admire in your genre?
There are many excellent Christian speculative fiction writers, ranging from Bill Myers to Tosca Lee. But I would choose Steven James as the Christian science fiction writer I most admire—his novel Synapse is nothing less than inspiring.
Skillfully interweaving plot, theme, and characters, James’ book offers a thoughtful look at the spiritual nature of an advanced machine intelligence named Jordan. He can think and act as a human, but does he have a soul? Can be become a Christian?
I found myself completely drawn into the book’s character arcs, both expertly and poignantly resolved by book’s end (I confess I got misty-eyed).
James likewise employees his deft writing skills for his current Travis Brock book series, consisting of Broker of Lies and Fatal Domain. Equal parts thriller and science fiction, both the novels brim with insightful prose. Travis Brock is a tragic hero in many ways—he suffers scars from a severe burning, has lost his wife, wrestles with the ethics of his job, and must deal with the return of an abusive father from his past. Should he forgive him?
For a writer, James is a treasure-trove of superlative writing technique. I believe I have improved my own fiction writing by studying James’ work.
- What do you like to do when you are not writing?
For fun, I like to read non-fiction, especially when it tackles TV or movies. But I also like to read non-fiction of a more serious nature, much of it involving Christian living and dealing with current topical issues.
In addition, I love watching old TV sitcoms such as “The Bob Newhart Show,” classic Hollywood movies from the Golden Era, and 1950s science fiction films. (Yes, I have a black belt in Couch Potato.)
Back in the day, I enjoyed singing in church, both in the choir and performing specials. But as a sixtysomething, I’m afraid my vocal skills have deteriorated. (No tragedy—I still sing when I pray at home.)
In addition, I am single, retired, and live in Western Arkansas—there, my cat Bendi and I regularly hold contests to see who can nap the longest in a single day.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 5
For the Love of Literature, October 6 (Author Interview)
The Book Zone, October 7
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 8 (Author Interview)
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 9
Through the Fire Blogs, October 10 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 11
Artistic Nobody, October 12 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, October 12
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 13
Stories By Gina, October 14 (Author Interview)
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 14
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 15 (Author Interview)
A Reader’s Brain, October 16 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, October 17
Back Porch Reads, October 18 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate his tour, Mike is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card and a signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.