Welcome to Steve Simons' Library



The Sphere of Travel (TSOT2) part of a trilogy
The Sphere Of Travel

This story is NOT suitable for children aged  UNDER12, as there is a romantic theme and also death, but nothing explicit, it's still a clean story.

This book continues on from the earlier book "The Sphere of Time" and is party of a trilogy. 

We find the team of David and John set to adventure out again. This time in an improved sphere and both of them are going to travel together. A new member is introduced to the team, Debbie Gill. Debbie takes over David's role, predicting the location of the black holes. The trip does not go according to plan, but oh no,don't look to me to spill the beans as to what happens, you just have to listen to the story to find out. Oh here's a teaser then, this is not just the one story, this time you get double the value,  as it is two stories wrapped up in one book.

This one runs into 32 chapters and our test audience just couldn't wait for the next installments to hit their players. In fact they are so keen they already want the next book! Oh yes there will be a final book in the Trilogy.

Music "In The Circle Kew Mix" By Hungry Lucy. The Adventure continues.... Just make sure you are aboard The Sphere of Travel.

You can buy the WHOLE series on a special MP3 CD Set, including the otherwise unobtainable THIRD book in the series TSOT3 - The Sphere of Transition, check out SciFiStories.co.uk for more information.


This Book is available from several sources and in different formats....




Click HERE to subscribe via PODIOBOOKS.com, its a FREE service
You can BUY the WHOLE series on MP3 CD Collectors set, click HERE for details

Or see below for individual chapter information and mp3 file  download links



Here's What Some Of Steve's Fans Have to Say about the TSOT series.....


David Says:
Your well mastered narration, story line, music and sounds hooked me from the very beginning ...that's why I secretly ... yes secretly decided to purchase the entire TSOT series.  I'm sure if I leave the TSOT CD set lying about, sooner or later it will disappear and end up in some family member's PC or iPod.  I have also been secretly listening to " Loner In Space".  Thanks once again for a great service and I'm on the look out for more of your stories.
Steve Says:

Thanks David for your praise I am most honoured and delighted that you are enjoying listening as much as I am enjoying writing the stories.  As for secretly listening, tell the world, it'll get them all talking about this Steve Simons fellow.


sputniksrevenge Says:
Very cool clean ending to the TSOT series. any chance that the astronaught will make another appearance in any other stories?

sputniksrevenge Replies:
mmmm i never made that connection, now i must also take another listen at that to   :)
Steve Says:

Time travel being what it is, perhaps he already has, have you caught my book "The Gateway", if you have, check out the last chapter.  Let me know what you think.


I Bought the CD and found:
You droped an empire strikes back on us (if you don't know what I'm on about check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb2GmBkkaTU); the only difference is I don't have to wait 3 years, especially now I have bought the CD set, the rest for me is just a file transfer away. 

Good story so far. 

You do a great job of dropping adult romance into the story with out preventing it from being a  kids tale.
Steve Says:
Oh I see what you mean (yes I had to follow the link, been some time since Star Wars).  Well I couldn't keep my loyal listeners waiting 3 years could I? Glad you're enjoying the story. Thanks also for your other feedback, which I didn't include as it would give away some of the plot, but glad you enjoyed my twists and glad it had desired effect. Thanks for confirming the aspect regards romance element. The test audience of TSOT1 wanted more people interaction and one requested a romantic interlude, but having got the older kids interested in TSOT 1, I didn't want to disappoint them and ditch them in favour of the romantic theme.  So nice to know I achieved my aim successfully.


Mekala Says:

I am, as ever, so impressed with your writing skills and how you are juggling all of this ( don’t know how you do it ! ). 

I cant believe you don’t want to write more than 3 books in the TSOT series – you sure you’re not changing your mind ??



I am an ardent fan and a keen marketer of your talent!
Steve Says:
Thanks Mekala for your praise and for your efforts in "marketing" my stories, it's obviously working (listen to SteveSimonsToday Show 2 for latest subscriber figures).

I'm absolutely sure that I will only write 3 TSOT books, otherwise it becomes stale.  But fear not there are plenty of other stories in me yet.  Especially with fans like yourself encouraging me to go onwards and upwards.

I hope the marketeering doesn't include selling CD's on a market stall.... just joking!


Anonymous Says:
In the first book "The Sphere of Time" the SS Alabama is in the right time frame, but there was little difference in the speech of the American characters and John Latham.


Steve Says:
Thanks, it was a coincidence that there is actually a ship called the Alabama, I piucked the name out of the air.  Yes I agree looking back at the story that the dialogue was a bit lacking.  I concentrated too much on the storyline.


Jenny Says:
The characters were rather flat in the first book "The Sphere of Time", but I am really enjoying the love interest in the second book "The Sphere of Travel" I hope there is more.  Like the fact that there are a lot of characters in this one.

Steve Says:
Glad you're enjoying the second book more than the first.  You are right the characters are rather flat and 2 dimensional in the first book.  I concentrated more on development of the characters and the interplay between them  in the second and third books.  As for the love interest, you'll just have to waiut and see. 


Anthony Says:
I liked your  story "The Sphere of Time", but I listened to it on podiobooks.com and because I listened to it one right after the other while I was driving, the same song going in and going out ; it got to where I actually almost hated that song even though it was a good song.

In my opinion I would put an opening song and then a second song going out and keep them actually shorter just 10 or 15 seconds.

Other than that I liked the story and enjoyed it and thank you for doing it.

Steve Says:

Thanks Anthony for your constructive criticism (although this appears low down in this list was received as I was working on publishing TSOT2).  I have taken it into account in TSOT2 ("The Sphere of Travel") and even in TSOT3.  On the MP3 CD version the music is kept to a minimum and vastly reduced in duration.  I thank you for that feedback, it helped me change things to keep my audience happy.

Thanks also for your encouragement it IS MUCH appreciated.  Nice to know that people enjoy what you work hard at and it is hard work I can assure everyone.


Rory Says:
I found the series most entertaining and well worth the money spent to get the last part :). 

I wonder if at some future point we might get to hear something of "Paul's Story"

I am chomping at the bit. :)  
I might have to spend this evening listening to audio books that are not by one Steve Simons. Not sure how I'll cope with that :)

Steve Says:
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the 3 books and found it worthwhile paying for the final book.

Regards Paul, I referred someone else to the last chapter in "The Gateway", is this Paul?  Even I don't know.  Watch this time and space.

There's no pressure on me then? Ha Ha!


Timothy Callahan (the writer) Said: 

Hey Steve, just got done listening to the Sphere of Time and at the end you asked where else you'd like them to go, well it seemed pretty obvious to me, that they need to head into the future now!  Maybe 80 years into the future, could be a fun story to think about.

Then Timothy replied:
Nice to hear there will be more from you, I did enjoy the first one but it really sounded almost like a teaser story, not a full thought out story, almost like part one of a bigger story.  Nothing wrong with that of course, I got the feeling you were testing the Podiobook waters, sounds like you did and enjoyed the swim!
Keep the intro short and lose the song, or at least limit it to 30 seconds or less.  I hate doing intros, which is why I don't really do any for Arwen (although I might have to start since people were complaining) .
Steve Said:
Thanks, Timothy, for the suggestion, at the time you wrote this I had already started TSOT2 and as you'll know by now, I decided to go in a "less obvious" route (no dig intended there as I know you're a fantasic writer and I'm honoured that you took the time to make the suggestion).  The title of TSOT2 is the clue as to the direction I took, "The Sphere of Travel".  I did consider taking John Latham into the future, but my creative and twisted mind took me somewhere else.  For those who haven't heard the book yet, you'll just have to listen to it to find out where they went. 

Steve Says:
Spot on regards The Sphere of Travel, it was a "toe dip" into the world of writing SciFi for serious and for Podiobooks and yes I is hooked now.

Good point regards the intros. Have done so in TSOT2 and more so in TSOT3
.  As for the direction of TSOT3, well you'll just have to listen to that.  I'm loving your Arwen series by the way.



You Can BUY the whole set for only £5 (GB Pounds) + Genuine P&P
Yes its true, no more downloads! Also you can get the final book in the series, which is NOT available anywhere else.  The set is supplied as a Special Collectors MP3 CD set.  Click HERE to find out more about the set and  how to order one.


Chapter
Description
File
1  - Preparations
(18.71 MB)
This book picks up few years on from the earlier adventure, when Engineer and Scientist, John Latham, managed to successfully travel back in time. We find the team of David and John set to adventure out again. This time in an improved sphere and both of them are going to travel together. A new member is introduced to the team, Debbie Gill. Debbie takes over David's role, predicting the location of the black holes. Ch01
2 - Well Here We Are, What Now?
(18.14 MB)
The clue is in the title, but you'll just have to listen to this chapter to find out just what it is all about.
Ch02
3 -Where Are We?
(15.51 MB)
The Sphere has travelled somewhere, but just quite where eludes David and John.
Ch03
4 - Close Encounters
(16.19 MB)
The clue is in the title, but you'll just have to listen to this chapter to find out just what it is all about.
Ch04
5 - To Safety
(11.5 MB)
The clue is in the title, but you'll just have to listen to this chapter to find out just what it is all about.
Ch05
6 - Return
(12.59 MB)
The clue is in the title, but you'll just have to listen to this chapter to find out just what it is all about.
Ch06
7 - Cut Myself Off
(12.94 MB)
John is unable to cope, he cuts himself off from everyone, including Debbie.  Then one day Debbie turns up at John's doorstep, unexpected.
Ch07
8 - Who's Who and What's What
(15.67 MB)
John finds he has to stamp his authority on things, otherwise certain people will try to make everyone's life a misery.  Can John succeed in taking the individual down a peg or two?

Ch08
9 -  Project Update
(13.03 MB)
A lot of work has taken place, but just where are they with the constuction of the new sphere now?  Let's Join John at the Project update meeting.
Ch09
10 - Meet The Crew
(17.25 MB)
This is the first opportunity for you to really meet the crew and find out who they are  and find out more about them.
Ch10
11 - People Issues
(21.64 MB)
John has problems and runs out of the hotel, but just who is he going to see and what about?  You'll just have to jolly well listen won't you?
Ch11
12 - Paint As You Might, Covering Up Is Difficult
(19.83 MB)
Amanda has not looked forward to this bit, its the team building exercise.  Although John usually also hates this sort of thing, he seems quite relaxed about it all.

Ch12
13 - Tour of The Sphere
(20.18 MB)
We follow John around as he makes a tour of the sphere.
Ch13
14 - Final Inspection
(18.58 MB)
Well the time has come for final inspection and handover of the sphere from the construction crew to John and his crew.
Ch14
15 - Testing Times
(18.39 MB)
John and crew set about testing the systems, without actually leaving the hangar.  Will everything work OK?  You'll just have to listen to find out.
Ch15
16- Play Your Cards Right
(13.82 MB)
Not long now before the off, however, threats have been made towards the project and John finds himself aboard the sphere with only one other from the crew.
Ch16
17- Three's A Crowd
(17.88 MB)
The clue is in the title, but you'll just have to listen to this chapter to find out just what it is all about.
Ch17
18- Room For One More
(19.14 MB)
Just as everyone is settling down and getting on with everyone else, news hits that there is now to be an extra member of the team, but not everyone is happy about this news.
Ch18
19- Lift Off Or Something Like That
(19.81 MB)
The clue is in the title, but you'll just have to listen to this chapter to find out just what it is all about.

Ch19
20- Are-We-Alone
(20.8 MB)
The clue is in the title, but you'll just have to listen to this chapter to find out just what it is all about.
Ch20
21- Shifts
(16.41 MB)
Some of the crew realise that they cannot work 24 hours a day, but their boss has forgotten that factor.
Ch21
22 -Gone and Forgotten
(16.84 MB)
One of the crew members has gone missing, but what has happened to them, have they just been kidnapped or is it worse. That's not all...the clue is in the title, but you'll just have to listen to this chapter to find out just what it is all about. Ch22
23 - What To Do With Him
(17.99 MB)
Someone has done a really good job of destroying every trace of the missing crew member, including their bedroom, yes can you believe that? There are no signs of a struggle, in fact no signs that the room was anything other than the medical room. In this episode Debbie thinks she has found out who is involved, but still not sure exactly what they have done or why...the clue is in the title, but you'll just have to listen to this chapter to find out just what it is all about.


Ch23
24 - In Search Of
(19.35 MB)
Graham is hiding something, Amanda knows it, but just what is it? Is he the one who has hidden or killed Janice? Whilst John wants to find the truth out about the Professor, what has he done and why? But the Professor is as cool as a cucumber, but can he keep this up?

Ch24
25- The Truth, but The Whole Truth?
(18.64 MB)
Amanda and John take a break from their interviewing to discuss their findings with Debbie.  Amanda has discovered some very interesting things about Graham; whereas John  is quite frustrated with his progress, but is sure he can make the Professor crack.  Is there anyone else involved?

Ch25
26 - Noises
(16.5 MB)
John is still frustrated with his interviewing of the Professor.  He takes another break and suggests an idea to Debbie to see if she can retreive the missing crew members database record.  When John leaves Debbie on the bridge, alone again, she hears noises. Just what is going on?

Ch26
27 - Not So Secure
(16.19 MB)
John is concerned about Amanda when he calls her, there is no answer from her Raccune.  Someone has escaped, but just who and what are they planning to do?
Ch27
28 -  New Possibilities
(18.52 MB)
John and Paul arrive on the equipment deck, but they cannot get through the airlock door.  Can anyone crack the code?  They cannot leave Graham to his own devices on the equipment deck, goodness knows what havoc he could cause. Ch28
29 - Some Kind Of Greeting
(15.6 MB)
John takes the injured William up to Amanda's office to treat the wound.  When they get to the bridge they are told that two alien craft are heading towards the sphere. Just what is their intention? Will the crew be safe or is someone else going to need more than first aid? Ch29
30 - Partners
(14.4 MB)
With Graham still posing a threat, something has to be done to catch him or to take him out, but without doing any damage to the sphere or any of the rest of the crew.  In this episode Zack has a plan, but will it work?  What about those alien craft? Ch30
31- Repairs
(20.49 MB)
With the sphere damaged, those pesky alien craft out of the way now, Paul Harker's spacewalk skills are going to come in handy in this episode, but can he repair the ship without further problems? Ch31
32 - There's Nothing Like Home
(17.56 MB)
The sphere repaired, the mystery hanging over Paul's fate, its time to say goodbye to the Gharjians and head off home. Finally homeward bound, but will things have changed or it will be the same as when they left it? This is the end of book 2, but not the story, you can only get the 3rd book from SciFiStories.co.uk The Adventure continues.... Just make sure you are aboard The Sphere of Transition. Ch32



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Last Updated:  8 October 2009