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*** 2024 Bookfest First Place Award - YA - Science Fiction
*** 2024 Bookfest First Place Award - Sci-Fi - Action & Adventure
*** 2024 Bookfest First Place Award - Sci-Fi - Genetic Engineering
*** 2024 American Legacy Book Awards – Finalist – Science Fiction
*** 2023 Indies Today Book Awards – Semifinalist
*** 2024 Author Shout Recommended Read Award
*** 2023 Semi-Finalist - Indies Today
*** 2023 Author Shout Cover Wars Winner
Sarah Wilson, orphaned niece of Lieutenant John Wilson, is determined to escape his restrictive upbringing and find her place in the world.
Her journey takes a deadly turn when she uncovers secrets about her past, hidden deep in her mother’s memories, that threaten everything Sarah wants.
They could cost her everything she holds dear—and her life.
Literary Titan: https://literarytitan.com/?s=Memories +Dont+Lie+by+Pauline+Yates
Memories Don’t Lie by Pauline Yates offers an exhilarating journey through a science fiction landscape, blending the thrills of a fast-paced narrative with the intrigue of genetic advancements. Yates introduces readers to a world where genetically enhanced characters grapple with unforeseen side effects. The protagonist, Sarah, navigates the physical transformations and the intense emotional and psychological shifts throughout her training program. The gradual unfolding of Sarah’s backstory adds a layer of emotional depth, while her interactions with her team delve into the more significant implications of their altered existences.
Yates’ writing is notably vivid, successfully painting a dynamic picture of the novel’s action sequences. Her skillful pacing ensures the story maintains momentum, capturing readers’ attention with each twist and turn. The book excels in exploring emotional and physical boundaries, intertwining them seamlessly with the plot’s progression. Flashbacks and memories are utilized effectively to create suspense, revealing just enough to keep readers engaged alongside the characters. Character development is another strength of this novel. Yates takes the time to flesh out not only the protagonist but also the supporting cast, including the antagonist. This comprehensive characterization allows for a more nuanced understanding of the motivations and conflicts within the story.
Memories Don’t Lie masterfully balances its extensive narrative and action-packed plot to create an engaging experience. It is poised to captivate fans of science fiction and thrillers, offering a compelling dive into a mysterious and intricately crafted world. The emotional resonance of the characters’ journeys adds a relatable element to the fantastical narrative.
This book is a commendable addition to the genre. It balances plot and character development with skilled storytelling. Those interested in a novel that merges the excitement of a thriller with the depth of science fiction will find Memories Don’t Lie a rewarding read.
GoodReads:
From the first chapter, Sarah Wilson's story grabs you like a rabid dog and shakes you in its mouth until the final page. Memories Don't Lie is jam-packed with fast-paced action - without sacrificing character development or story.
Yates has managed to capture both strength and vulnerability in equal measure within her main character, seventeen year old Sarah Wilson. Throughout the story, Sarah attempts to unravel the threads of her own memories and those she shares with her mother in search of the truth about her identity and the past. On top of this, she wrestles with the intrusion of Joanna's hard, conniving demeanour inside her head. This is a science fiction action adventure story yes, but more so this is a relatable account of a young woman struggling to find and understand her own identity in a world full of demands and expectations. The action makes this book exciting, but it's Sarah's personal journey that makes it compelling.
Told in a hard and fast 1st person POV, this story sucks you in quickly. I was instantly at the frontline of the action with a clear window into Sarah's thinking. The supporting characters were considered and well-rounded, and Yates' has a solid ability to world build without getting bogged down in the details that often slows science fiction (good for some, but that's a turn-off for me).
If you're a fan of the fast paced action of Matthew Reilly, but want (in my opinion) a higher quality of writing - read this book. This is an outstanding debut novel and I can't wait to read more from this author.
GoodReads:
Sometimes, to have a future, you’ve got to go through the past.
I LOVED this book. Fast paced, with plenty of action and intrigue, it kept me interested at every point. The premise was interesting and original, the characters well-developed and likeable (or not as the case may be!), and the plot exciting.
The protagonist, Sarah Wilson, has her mother’s memories, but she doesn’t know why. At first she resents their intrusion into her life, but as the story continues, they become vital to retaining the essence of who she is. This is a story about finding your identity and owning it, and letting others in to help.
What to expect
POV: first person
Genre: science fiction/action
Pacing: excellent
Violence: quite a few gun battles and descriptions of fighting/injuries. Nothing horrendously graphic, and all relevant to character development.
Romance: clean and positive, though not without its challenges.
Language: one character swears occasionally, but it fits with who she is.
*** 2025 Aurealis Awards Winner Best Horror Novella
***2024 Shortlisted Australasian Shadows Awards Paul Haines Award for Long Fiction
In the vast, unforgiving expanse of space, Kate, now living under the alias Grace, is on a desperate mission—disguised as a Space Corp employee, she’s determined to uncover the truth behind her brother’s mysterious disappearance.
On a routine debris collection mission, her world is shattered when she discovers a clue that could expose Space Corp’s darkest secrets.
Thrust into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, Grace must navigate the treacherous void, facing not only the perils of space but also the haunting memories of her past captivity.
With her crewmates’ lives hanging in the balance, she must decide who she can trust as she races against time to unravel the conspiracy threatening to consume her.
A pulse-pounding sci-fi thriller that delves deep into the human spirit, exploring themes of identity, betrayal, and resilience.
The intricate plot and breathtaking depiction of space will captivate you from the first page to the last.
Perfect for fans of intense, character-driven narratives and gripping science fiction, promising a journey that is as emotionally compelling as it is thrilling.
https://solothefirst.wordpress.com/2025/01/13/review-shattered-by-pauline-yates
Okay, I’ll start with the fact that I should not have read this on an airplane. I was extremely conscious of being enclosed in a small tin can flying through the air with no safe way to get out. (Yes, I know airplanes are a little more technical than a “tin can” but while reading a novella like this one that was all I could think about.) That being said, it might also be the best place to read something like Shattered, especially if you love creepy science fiction and horror. Though, I now have a number of new nightmares to wake me from in the middle of the night. And perhaps don’t read this one if you have arachnophobia. Being an Australian… this one pressed all the “fear” buttons for me. BUT what a brilliant story. I couldn’t put it down. It’s a short read that flies along at a ripping pace. All the best bits of Sci-fi are here – including traveling through space on a spaceship that is falling apart while surrounded by people you cannot trust despite knowing you already have justifiable trust issues. It’s like a horror version of Star Trek mashed with the grit and despair of Star Wars and the fear from the Alien franchise. Throw in an unstoppable invasion of deadly critters, body horror, hidden agendas, secret identities, this one is a MUST READ for sci fi fans who love a scare. Pauline Yates once again knocks it out of the park. Weeks later I am still thinking about it.
GoodReads:
Is there anything more terrifying than the vastness of space? Between the lack of air, the radiation, and freezing temperatures, no other environment is more hostile. It would make a great setting for a novel, right? Enter award-winning Australian author, Pauline Yates with her book “SHATTERED.” This is solid, tightly written sci-fi thriller designed to curl your toes, and cure you of space-travel forever. Objective achieved. Tick! The story is immersive, and the characters are realistic. Kudos to Yates for authoring such a rip-snorting novel. It’s a short snappy read and it packs a punch.
GoodReads:
Shattered is a really great read. Pauline builds tension exquisitely, then let's the reader down softly only to blind side them with their guard down. This novella delivers a delightful shot of horror that will leave the reader exhilaratingly disturbed. Loved it!
Step into a world where the ties that bind—love, family, and memory—twist into something far more chilling, and discover what really lurks in the shadows of human connection.
This collection of short stories explores the intricate and often chilling ties that bind people together, whether through blood, love, or the strange and supernatural.
Each tale in this collection delves into the darker aspects of human connection, where fear and longing intertwine. From unsettling familial bonds to the eerie relationships people have with their memories and bodies, these stories confront the terrifying and inexplicable aspects of life.
A mother feels phantom pains as her daughter goes into labor; a dollhouse harbors sinister secrets; a dying man confronts the horrors of his last wish. In every story, the connections that once felt comforting or familiar warp into something far more unsettling.
Yet, there is beauty in these bonds—fragile and terrifying, they reveal deep truths about our humanity. This is a collection for those who find themselves drawn to the shadows, where fear is not just an emotion but a bond that ties us all together.
Amazon:
An excellent collection of scary, thrilling, and thought-provoking stories that are well-written by an author who knows her stuff. Invoking everything from the shocking truth behind a series of missing hikers, how nature can turn on us, ghost stories with twists you won’t see coming, and captivating tales that turn emotions into weapons and lessons. Each story is crafted with care, bringing whole worlds and characters to life in just a few short pages, and most end in a way that ensures you’ll be thinking about them long after you’ve turned the last page. Highly recommended for fans of Horror.