ARDAGH NEWSWIRE: Interview with Dr. Grayson Murphy
NEWSWIRE: Today our guest is Dr. Grayson Murphy, Ardagh 1's leading psychologist and ghost expert, and head of the New Seattle Counseling Center. Welcome to our virtual newsroom, Dr. Murphy.
MURPHY: Thanks very much for having me.
NEWSWIRE: Everyone on the planet is buzzing about your Ghost Protocol. We know that details are available on the counseling center’s web site, but can you explain it briefly for our audience?
MURPHY: Absolutely, it’s very straightforward. Effective immediately, we're asking all colonists to suspend interaction with the aliens. We’re really pleased with how effective this protocol has proven to be in alleviating the psychological distress caused by their presence.
NEWSWIRE: But it's more than a request, isn't it, Dr. Murphy? MURPHY: You're right. The protocol's been endorsed by the governor's office.
NEWSWIRE: And Governor Chen has made it a mandate, isn't that right? MURPHY: Yes, that's right. Through our clinical trial we were able to demonstrate the protocol’s effectiveness to her satisfaction.
NEWSWIRE: Could you explain the objectives of the Ghost Protocol? MURPHY: In creating the protocol, our aim was to make life here easier for both scientists and support personnel, so we can get the Ecosystem Recovery Project back on track.
NEWSWIRE: Now that we understand what the protocol is, can you explain to us why it works? MURPHY: Yes, I’m happy to. When you suspend interaction with the aliens, they lose potency. They gradually diminish until finally all attempts at interaction cease.
NEWSWIRE: What do you mean by “gradually diminish”? MURPHY: I mean that the “ghost” manifestation fades – from a psychological standpoint, rather than a literal sort of fading. As they fade they stop forcing interaction, and this greatly reduces the psychological impact on the colonist, within a very short timeframe.
NEWSWIRE: How short? MURPHY: As little as a day or two. No more than two weeks, if the protocol is strictly followed.
NEWSWIRE: Do you follow the protocol with your ghost, Dr. Murphy? MURPHY: I do. I have since I arrived on the planet. You could say my ghost was the first test case.
NEWSWIRE: And it's working for you? MURPHY: Absolutely.
NEWSWIRE: What would you say to a colonist who is happy interacting with his or her ghost? Someone who hasn't suffered any of the psychological effects of interaction, I mean?
MURPHY: Do you know of anyone like that?
NEWSWIRE: You got me there. But theoretically it's possible, right? MURPHY: If you find a case, I want to know about it. I'm not being smug, that’s just my experience. If this has occurred, I would want to find out how and why. I encourage your audience to report any such cases using our feedback form on the center's web site.
NEWSWIRE: Our time's almost up Dr. Murphy. We want to congratulate you on this breakthrough. You must be the busiest man on the planet right now. MURPHY: I don't know about that, but my first two months have certainly been a whirlwind.
NEWSWIRE: I know staffing is an issue all over the planet since the appearance of the aliens. Do you feel you have the resources you need at the counseling center, considering relocation counseling is now mandatory as well?
MURPHY: We're getting there. Two new counseling psychologists joined us last month. We have the recruiters targeting PhD candidates on college campuses, and we hope those efforts well bear fruit in the coming months. I want all your listeners to know we have counselors on-call 24 hours a day. They can be reached via live chat or by phone -- the information is all on the web site.
NEWSWIRE: Good to know. Thank you for your time, Dr. Murphy. MURPHY: Thank you, and I hope your listeners will feel encouraged by this development. Based on the results we’ve seen, I’m very optimistic about our ability to thrive on this planet.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Google Plus
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My rating: 5 of 5 stars
GENRE: Science Fiction Romance
THEME: Ghost
RECEIVED: Tor
AUTHORS BLOG: Sharon Fishers Site
BLURB:
A world in peril. A bond deeper than love.
Psychologist Elizabeth Cole prepared for the worst when she accepted a job on a newly discovered world - a world where every colonist is tethered to an alien who manifests in the form of a dead loved one. But she never expected she'd struggle with the requirement to shun these “ghosts.” She never expected to be so attracted to the charming Irishman assigned as her supervisor. And she certainly never expected to discover she died in a transport crash en route to the planet.
Reincarnated as a ghost, Elizabeth is symbiotically linked to her supervisor, Murphy - creator of the Ghost Protocol, which forbids him to acknowledge or interact with her. Confused and alone - oppressed by her ghost status and tormented by forbidden love - Elizabeth works to unlock the secrets of her own existence.
But her quest for answers lands her in a tug-of-war between powerful interests, and she soon finds herself a pawn in the struggle for control of the planet…a struggle that could separate her forever from the man she loves.
Psychologist Elizabeth Cole prepared for the worst when she accepted a job on a newly discovered world - a world where every colonist is tethered to an alien who manifests in the form of a dead loved one. But she never expected she'd struggle with the requirement to shun these “ghosts.” She never expected to be so attracted to the charming Irishman assigned as her supervisor. And she certainly never expected to discover she died in a transport crash en route to the planet.
Reincarnated as a ghost, Elizabeth is symbiotically linked to her supervisor, Murphy - creator of the Ghost Protocol, which forbids him to acknowledge or interact with her. Confused and alone - oppressed by her ghost status and tormented by forbidden love - Elizabeth works to unlock the secrets of her own existence.
But her quest for answers lands her in a tug-of-war between powerful interests, and she soon finds herself a pawn in the struggle for control of the planet…a struggle that could separate her forever from the man she loves.
REVIEW:
Ghost Planet is a science fiction lovers dream book, I absolutely loved it, the world/planet that was created, the concept of ghost aka aliens and the characters were just downright fantastic. Plus the writing, Sharon Fisher I have officially become a fan, she really pulled me into this story and it’s one Ill be reading again and again.
Ghost Planet follows Elizabeth Cole who has accepted a position on a newly discovered planet. This planet does carry one eerie but interesting set back, all those who colonize on it will become attached with an “alien” who takes form as a dead loved one. Elizabeth has prepared for this moment and whothe loved one might be that appears, but nothing prepared her for the moment that she becomes the dead loved one.
Okay, so I know that sounds a little complicated but this story has so much depth. The aliens “Ghost” are like living, breathing; real humans and they can’t be very far from the human person they know. If they are separated for too long something bad happens. But also all humans/ colonists are told to ignore the “Ghost. It seems so sad but everything get’s really exciting once Elizabeth arrives everything changes.
Elizabeth is a fantastic character, well rounded and really takes her new life in stride and she does what she came to the planet to do, research. She is determined to find out about the aliens aka “Ghost”, how they came to be and why must they be so attached to their specific human. The readers will see everything from her perspective and try to help discover the true meaning behind what’s happening on this new planet.
Murphy, he is the first to meet Elizabeth and to be her boss as she takes her new position. But their relationship becomes extremely complicated and the chemistry between these two is undeniable. Murphy is a guy set on following the rules, mainly because he made them, but I love how he wants to find out the truth along with Elizabeth. There relationship is highly focused on and they have to work together against enemies on the colonist side and the “ghost” side to stay alive.
In the end there is a lot of character building not only with out leads but many people they meet along the way. I liked that we could see how Murphy and Elizabeth helping each other changes the way others start thinking.
Overall this book had everything I love about Science Fiction romance books, the leads have become one of my top favorite in this genre, the planet was described in great detail and the alien “ghosts” were so original and creative. There is so much that happens, this book is very fast paced, you’ll never want to put it down for a minute.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult novel with minor sexual content for a mature reader. Fans of Gini Koch’s Katherine “Kitty” Katt series and Stephanie Meyers Host novel will love Ghost Planet by Sharon Fisher.
The more I hear about Ghost Planet, the more interested I am in reading it. I enjoyed your review and hearing that fans of Gini Koch will like it has made me add it to my wish list. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barbara! Great to see you here :)
ReplyDeletei love it..wanna read ghost planet....thx u for the chance :)
ReplyDeleteMy interest in reading this novel grows significantly after reading your review. Definitely would love to have a copy for myself!
ReplyDelete