COMMIT

The second book in the One Way series, where humanity has embarked on the colonization of Mars. Although the effort by SpaceNow Incorporated to land colonists ended in tragedy, NASA has finally managed to launch its first manned mission. A crew of four — best characterized as passion, ego, pride, and lust — is now on its way. What could possibly go wrong?

Astronaut Jada Nia Jones cannot begin to fathom how a clueless retiree was allowed to join the mission. What were they thinking? Obviously, elderly billionaire Amal Osman was checking off his bucket-list. He was a joke. A danger to the rest of the crew and to Jada’s dreams of becoming the first person to walk on Mars. What Jada doesn’t know, however, is that Osman has embarked on a secret — some would say suicidal — one-way mission, intending to remain behind on the Red Planet to activate the abandoned SpaceNow habitat and kick-start colonization.

After completing the NASA mission objectives, in a moment of passion that surprised both herself and the world, Jada did the unthinkable: she chose to stay. Now, she is alone on the planet with a man who passes out at the sight of blood, her life turned upside-down. With food running low, and no possibility of help on the horizon, she wonders if commitment and ingenuity will be enough to overcome the odds of survival.

As opposed to the actions of Mark Watney in the best selling novel, The Martian, Jada and Osman confront the challenges of Mars so that they can remain. Though bristling with excitement, the ambitious One Way series goes deeper than the simple struggle to survive, exploring the unimaginable technical and physical challenges of colonization while also blending propulsive storytelling with the thoughtful contemplation of characters delving into their past.

This is a series that will keep you wanting more.