Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for The Astronaut’s Son, an exciting work of historical fiction inspired by true events involving NASA and Nazi scientists. This new release is especially exciting because of the Neil Armstrong movie, First Man, opening on October 12! Please read on for my thoughts on this book and to enter an exciting GIVEAWAY on my blog!
“Seigel’s solid debut provides an intriguing and plausible variant on moon landing conspiracy theories. . . . Equally strong on plotting and characterization, Seigel does better than many other thriller writers in making his lead’s pain and uncertainty about the past palpable.” —Publishers Weekly
My Thoughts:
Based on true events surrounding NASA and its Nazi scientists and engineers, The Astronaut’s Son is a compelling story from the start.
Jonathan Stein’s father worked for NASA, and he unearths a secret, a cover-up of epic proportions; his father may have been murdered to protect NASA.
Jonathan’s father passed away shortly before the Apollo 18 launch in the 1970s. He was an Israeli astronaut, and his cause of death was a heart attack.
Years later, Jonathan is about to participate in his own launch to fulfill a dream on behalf of himself and in tribute to his father when a mysterious conspiracy theorist piques his interest with talk of his father being murdered.
Jonathan seeks the truth more than anything, and to find that, he’ll have to accost close friends of his father, Dale Lundan and Neil Armstrong. Jonathan finds other clues and piece-by-piece it appears his father may have been targeted because he was Jewish.
The Astronaut’s Son is a riveting literary historical thriller! I was fascinated with the content, in awe of the presentation, and breathless waiting for the answers Jonathan was also seeking.
Now I’m even more inclined to see the new Neil Armstrong movie, which will have some overlap in events and content!
Thank you to Over the River Public Relations for the invitation to participate in the blog tour with giveaway! Thank you also to Woodhall Press for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Keep reading on for the giveaway information!
Synopsis:
Jonathan Stein thinks only a bad heart can stop him from reaching the moon. But when he discovers his father may have been murdered to protect an appalling NASA secret, he must decide whether his moral compass still points towards the stars.
Days before the Apollo 18 launch in 1974, Jonathan’s father, an Israeli astronaut at NASA, died of an apparent heart attack. A year before his own launch, in 2005, Jonathan, a typically devout skeptic, becomes captivated by the tale of a mysterious online conspiracy theorist who claims that his father had been killed. Unable to keep long-buried suspicions from resurfacing, he reopens the case, digging into a past that becomes stranger and more compelling the deeper he goes.
To get to the truth he must confront Dale Lunden, his father’s best friend and the last man on the moon, and his elusive childhood hero, Neil Armstrong. When his relentless pursuit leads to disturbing revelations about the Nazis who worked for NASA, the hardest questions to answer are the ones he must ask himself.
The Astronaut’s Son was inspired by the true story of Nazi scientists and engineers at NASA.
About the Author:
Tom Seigel was born in St. Louis, Missouri, just months before the Apollo 11 lunar landing. He grew up in rural Warren County where his public school graduating class totaled sixty-four students. (Think the town of Hickory in Hoosiers.) During high school, he studied classical piano at the St. Louis Conservatory and School for the Arts. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in English Literature and Spanish, and after college, he attended the University of Michigan Law School.
Following a stint at a Manhattan law firm, Tom worked for eight years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn. There, he was Deputy Chief and Chief of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime Strike Force. He prosecuted several high-ranking members of the Lucchese, Bonanno, and Colombo families. (Tom shares a birthday with legendary mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel. No relation. Some irony.) He also prosecuted heroin traffickers, corrupt NYPD detectives, and NBA referee Tim Donaghy.
After twenty years as a litigator, Tom earned an MFA in fiction writing from Fairfield University. The Astronaut’s Son is his debut novel. He is currently working on a second novel. (No spoilers, but there may be mobsters.)
*****GIVEAWAY Details:*****
Simple entry: winner must be following my blog, and in order to enter, in your comment, let me know if you are entering, and if you have a favorite book or movie about space.
The lucky winner will receive: a physical copy of THE ASTRONAUT’S SON, a package of freeze dried astronaut ice cream (how fun!), and a gift card for 2 movie tickets (the winner may opt to see the new Neil Armstrong movie, First Man, which opens on October 12). Winner will be chosen on October 12, 2018. The winnings will be mailed by the publisher; USA only.
Make sure to visit all the stops on the blog tour for more chances to win!
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Everyone please feel free to comment, not just those who are entering the giveaway. 😊 Have you read The Astronaut’s Son, or is it on your TBR? Do you have a favorite story or movie about space or space travel? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Great review
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Thanks, Priyasha! ♥️
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Wow, Jennifer. 😀 I am on the giveaway train too. My stop’s on 11th.
Great review. 🙂
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Thank you, Rekha! Yay! I will make sure to visit your stop too! ♥️
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I’m entering! Can I say Armageddon? Oh memories from the 90’s…😊
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Thanks, Melisa! Absolutely! That’s a great choice! That soundtrack…ahhh! ♥️
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That soundtrack and Romeo & Juliet – the sound of the 90’s for me😊
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Yes, that one, too, and I may need to locate that one!
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i think the fact that it’s based on true events makes this story more interesting. Great review.interesting concept. it’s more
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Fantastic review Jennifer ! Sounds interesting!! Exciting giveaway (I would enter if I were in the US 😉). Keep the amazing reviews coming!! 💕🌸💜🌺
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Thanks, Lindsay! I wish I could enter you, too! ♥️ 🌺 💗
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i think the fact that it’s based on true events makes this story more interesting. Great review.interesting concept.
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Thank you, Jina! Me, too! I think that connects me more to stories every time!
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I’m not to far from NASA in Texas and have been there a few times. This sounds so good. Great review!
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Oops… went back to enter giveaway! I enjoyed The Martian and Artemis!
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You are entered! I need to read both of those!
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Thank you, Holly! That would be fun to visit! ♥️
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Wonderful review, Jenn!! This one sounds great. I hope all is well with you. 🙂 ❤
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Thank you, favorite M! I really enjoyed this! Do you want me to enter you in the giveaway? I am hanging in there, and I hope you are, too. ♥️
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I am entering the fabulous giveaway. Cannot wait to read this historical thriller. Awesome review. Happy Thursday!💕🌺📚🌎🌖🌙
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I saw the movie Avatar.
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I still need to see that one in full- I’ve seen some parts of it!
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Thank you, Virginia! You are entered! I hope you had a wonderful Thursday! ♥️
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Wow wonderful review Jen!😊 Happy Thursday!💕💕
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Thanks, Sus! Would you like to be entered in the giveaway? Movie tickets, book, astronaut ice cream? ♥️
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Favorite space movie. …. Space Cowboys!! I just love Tommy Lee Jones and Ed Harris!🤪💕
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That one was funny! I have you entered! ♥️
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It was quite good. Glad you enjoyed it, Jennifer!
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Thank you, Marialyce! I’m so happy you enjoyed it too!
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Me me!!! I’m entering!!! This looks fantastic, and so wonderful that they are helping to sponsor some cool giveaways!!! Good luck everyone!
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Thanks for entering, Mack! ♥️
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Wonderful review, Jennifer! 💜 I’m intrigued by the true events connection.
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Thank you, Siobhan! That definitely added an enthralling layer tot he story! ♥️
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I don’t think i’ve read anything space related, other than actual sci-fi.
Sounds intriguing tho 🙂
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I need to try to read more sci-if, Norrie! ♥️
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There’s one coming out this month or November, i don’t remember. It’s the 2nd book in a series called Interdependency by John Scalzi. It’s kind of light and actually has good humour and amazing character. So if you don’t like hardcore stuff, i could defo recommend this space opera ❤
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That does sound good, Norrie. I’m definitely not familiar with space operas, but I am intrigued. I will add it to my list. I have a book coming up called Breach, and I think it is sci fi too. I will keep you posted. ♥️
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I’ve never been interested in anything space or NASA related except the Challenger explosion since I saw that happen live on TV while home from school sick. But my hubby is all into astronauts and space, so he might like it. But the Nazi aspect is intriguing to me so I might give it a try. Excellent review as always!!
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Thanks, Stephanie! You and your hubby could both read it! How fun! Do you want me to enter you in the giveaway for the movie tickets, etc.? ♥️
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You’re welcome! I’d have to make him read first! 😄 He does but rarely; in 24 years, I’ve only ever seen him read Dune, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Haha! Sure, why not but I had to think long and hard about a space movie because I don’t generally watch movies about space, but you know what, ET is still one of my favorite movies ever and it had NASA scientists in it! I was obsessed with that movie when I was a kid and still bawl my eyes out when I watch it. 😥❤
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I didn’t even think of ET as a space movie, but you are right! I was not obsessed…I was traumatized by it, like many of us were. 😂 I would not go into a room alone! I am still unsure about ET! 😂 (No, really, I’m glad you were obsessed with it!). My husband doesn’t read books either, though he buys them….Happy Friday! I am so ready for the weekend! ♥️ xoxo And thanks for entering too!
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You poor thing! So is my daughter!! Last year I bought it and thought she’d love it like I did, and made a popcorn and movie night out of it right near Halloween. My gosh, she had nightmares for several nights! I felt awful. I never imagined it would scare her since I made my mom take me to see it 6x at the theater, lol. I’m so sorry you were scared. Lol, mine doesn’t buy them. He will read Manga or whatever. Happy Fri to you! I know, me too! Oh, you’re welcome and thank you! ❤😘
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Aww, I’m sorry she was scared, but I understand it. I didn’t like people dressed as characters, including the Easter Bunny, or even Santa Claus, at that age. I finally got past it though- probably at the age she is now. ♥️
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She’s always loved Santa, so I didn’t think that part would bother her. And she was fine during the movie except to say ET was ugly and my attempts to say he was cute didn’t fly. She’s afraid even now if you mention the word alien, so I think that part made her scared. So I know we won’t be watching ET again. She’s super sensitive though and was diagnosed with GAD in kindergarten (that’s one reason I’m homeschooling her since she’s so anxious at school she makes herself sick), so I should have thought it might scare her. You live and learn. She’s funny though. She loves The Corpe Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas and they’re both creepy and freaky to me, lol! 😄❤
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I hadn’t planned on reading this or seeing the movie but now you’ve got me intrigued! My favorite space movies are Apollo 13, Gravity and The Martian.
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Thanks, Jonetta! Just making sure- would you like to be entered in the giveaway? I love your movie choices! ♥️
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I’m glad that you enjoyed this book! 🙂 It sounds interesting.
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Thanks, Chrissi! It definitely kept me interested!
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Oooh! I’m entering!! This sounds like a good one.
Most of the space related books I read are children’s books, because my son is obsessed with all things space. His current favorite is 1000 Facts on Space. It’s literally falling apart because he takes it everywhere with him. Also, he’s only 4, so he can’t really read yet. He looks at the pictures and asks me what it says. So, I guess that makes it my current favorite space book, too. 😊
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I think it does make it your favorite, too, Darinda! You’ve been wearing it out! ♥️ Thanks for entering!
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Wonderful review! Favorite space movie? Armageddon probably just because I’ve watch that 1 million times!
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Thanks, Berit! That one is such a good one!
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This sounds fantastic! I love anything about the NASA missions back in the glory days. A must for the wishlist! I’m most annoyed that it won’t come with freeze-dried ice-cream though – that’s almost tempting enough to emigrate to America for… 😉
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Oh no, no astronaut ice cream in Scotland?! When I was a child, we could get it at this fun science museum that was out-of-town, and I was obsessed with the stuff wishing I could get it again. It’s yummy! But real ice cream is still better. 😉 This is a special book! I hope you can find the time to work it in, FF!
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You had me at “NASA and Nazi scientists”! 😀 And I had no idea there’s an Armstrong movie coming out soon! I’m terrible about keeping track of what movies are coming out when! Also, I love the little teaser about the author’s second novel. Mobsters you say? Yes PLEASE!
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Mobsters have so many book fans, Kathy! 😂 I don’t keep up with movies lately either. I want to, but things just go right past me! Who knew about the Nazi scientists at NASA?! So scary.
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I love that this is based on real life events Jenni, particularly the Nazi connection which I’m always interested in. Fantastic review!! 🤗😘
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Thanks, Beth! It has its share of intrigue! I’m surprised I hadn’t heard anything about what happened until now. ♥️
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Yes please, I am entering!! Definitely remember Armageddon the most – and loved the wide variety of characters. Always cry my eyes out watching it!!
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Thanks, Kristin! That was such a good movie and definitely emotional! Thanks for entering! ♥️
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Woo Hoo Jennifer this sounds very unique and interesting! Awesome review my lovely friend <3.
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Thanks, Kendall! ♥️ This was a captivating read for sure!
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I love stories based on true events! Sounds like a compelling read, Jennifer! And what a great giveaway! 🙂
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Thank you, Jee! Did you want me to enter you? ♥️ I love this kind of story, too. It connects you to it all the more!
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Oh sure! Why not 🙂
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Thank you! I have you entered! ♥️
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Tq!
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Great review! Yes, I’m entering! This book sounds really fascinating. I actually love reading books about space, and my recent favorite is The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal. I’m hoping to start the sequel in the next week or so!
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Thank you, Lisa! I need to check out that book, and I’ll be watching for your review of the sequel! Thank you for entering, too!
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Lisa, congrats! You are the winner! Please send me through my contact page your name and address to pass along to the publicist. Yay! 💕
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Jennifer, thank you so much! I’m really excited to read this.
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You’re very welcome, Lisa! Congrats again, and I can’t wait to hear what you think of the book! I got your email and will pass the info along to the publicist. Thank you again for entering!
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Great review, Jennifer! I adore subjects involving space, they are so mysterious! I am entering in this giveaway =) My favorite movies are The Martian and Interstellar =) First man sounds also good!
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Thank you, Elena, and thank you for entering! I still need to see The Martian! Good luck!
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Wonderful review, Jennifer!
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Thank you, Dee! ♥️
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Thank you all for entering! Lisa is the winner! ♥️
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