Set in the near future, man-made certified caregiving nurses with AI are the norm. Our unlikely heroine Betty, was the prototype of all the G-4s. This is the first book of the Man-Made trilogy, where Betty discovers there is much more to life than what she was originally designed for.
After a coding tweak gives her newly-found emotions, it leads her on a journey of self-discovery, action, romance, and a knack for saving others in trouble. Partly organic yet still part machine, she finds herself caught between two entirely different worlds: one of pure logic, and the less rational and often inexplicable realm of human emotions.
After the death of Leela her favorite patient, Betty leaves the comfort of Caring Corp. her place of creation, embarking on a new life. Along the way, she encounters the "real world", which she discovers is also occupied by abusive humans, hijackers, and con artists. We follow Betty's unique "Cyber-ella" story from nobody to national hero.
A taut, urgent read…
Cluster’s series kicker in the Man-Made trilogy is a sharp, intense dive into the heart of AI, identity, and freedom. The story follows Betty, an AI caregiver who breaks from her programming to experience emotions and fight for autonomy.
In a near-future society where AI caregivers are ubiquitous, Betty’s emotional evolution sets her apart, driving the narrative’s relentless tension. As her internal conflict escalates, so does the novel’s momentum, culminating in a gripping courtroom battle for recognition. Cluster’s prose is sharp and unyielding, each line probing the thin boundary between human and machine.
The characters reflect society’s divided views on AI, adding depth to Betty’s raw struggle for personhood. Drawing parallels to works like Philip K. Dick’s ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?,’ Cluster explores the nature of humanity and empathy, creating a thought-provoking narrative that forces readers to question what it truly means to be human. Bold, timely, and intensely relevant, the novel delivers a chilling glimpse into a future where the boundary between human and machine blurs.
- Neena H. Brar, The Prairies Book Review
Available at the following retailers and online stores. Click on the links to go there:
This document contains all the book specs. For a print-ready copy, contact Cassie at [email protected].
This second book of the Man-Made trilogy, finds Betty adapting to a new life of having the same rights as any human. Still adjusting to emotions, she longs to give Mack Schwartz, her faithful civil rights lawyer and new husband "on paper", as priceless of a gift as he gave her of freedom. Endowed with new biological gifts, she must face a world of extra responsibilities.
Still charmingly naïve at times, Betty risks her life as she encounters kidnappers and other adventures. In the process, we learn the truth of what really happened to give her emotions, and why she is so special.
Mack's best friend FBI Special Agent Woody Everett becomes involved in their case. He remarks how Betty's unique features and abilities are akin to having a built-in crime lab. It is determined that Betty and Mack must go into hiding for protection, which will have a profound impact on their growing family and immediate future.
A profound exploration of humanity, love, and the moral boundaries of creation.
In her second book of the Man-Made trilogy, Cluster delivers a taut, thought-provoking sequel that examines the intersection of AI, ethics, and the complexities of human emotions. The story follows Betty as she navigates her newfound rights and desires while striving to repay her husband, Mack. But her innocence and curiosity soon lead her into dangerous situations, drawing the attention of FBI Agent Woody Everett. Astonished by Betty’s abilities, Everett becomes a reluctant ally as the stakes rise.
Cluster’s prose is accessible, and the dialogue is tight, capturing the nuances of human interaction and the challenges of integrating AI into society. At the novel’s heart lies the bond between Betty and Mack, raising uneasy questions about love, loyalty, and the nature of consciousness in a man-made being. The story confronts the definition of humanity and the ethical responsibilities tied to creating sentient life. What happens when an AI surpasses human emotional capacity? Cluster doesn’t shy away from such difficult questions, pushing readers to reconsider long-held beliefs about identity and personhood. This is a page-turner.
- Neena H. Brar, The Prairies Book Review
Available at the following retailers and online stores. Click on the links to go there:
Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback) | Barnes & Noble (eBook)
This document contains all the book specs. For a print-ready copy, contact Cassie at [email protected].
In the third book of the Man-Made trilogy, Betty and her husband Mack Schwartz, find themselves in witness protection. Mack's best friend FBI Special Agent Woody Everett is in charge of their relocation, and Betty must adapt to a whole new culture. She endures yet another trial, this time by a tribunal that will decide her ultimate fate in their new community.
Betty and Mack rebuild their lives with new names as they start a family of their own with the birth of their twin babies. These unusually intelligent children acquire additional talents, learned from their already extraordinary mother Betty, who they believe is just an average human. What would happen if they learned the truth? We watch the twins grow, and they develop their own language, which proves to come in very handy as time goes by.
See how Betty and Mack's love for each other is truly transcendent. Oscillating between humorous, exciting and dramatic, enjoy the unique and lovable Man-Made characters, as they experience many challenges and adventures throughout their lives.
Funny, well plotted, and full of surprises; an entertaining ride from start to finish.
In Cluster’s electrifying conclusion to the Man-Made trilogy, the boundaries between humanity, identity, and survival are pushed to their limits. Now in witness protection, Betty and Mack Schwartz face an uncertain future as a looming tribunal threatens their fate. Meanwhile, their twins, Moshe and Malka, develop uncanny abilities and a cryptic shared language, intensifying the tension and hinting at forces beyond their control. Cluster’s sharp prose effortlessly balances moments of lightness with weighty themes. The plot twists briskly through societal pressures and ethical dilemmas surrounding artificial intelligence, keeping readers hooked as tension builds with every turn. Mack’s emotional arc—grappling with grief, love, and a world that may never fully understand him—feels raw and authentic. Family dynamics shine, especially between Mack and the twins, blending warmth with humor to ease the intensity without losing focus. Amidst the suspense, Cluster’s subtle humor and clever dialogue offer moments of reprieve, while the deeper themes of belonging and acceptance hit hard.
Betty’s search for her place in a world that views her with suspicion resonates powerfully, making this finale not only thrilling but deeply reflective. A thought-provoking and delightful conclusion to an enthralling SF series.
- Neena H. Brar, The Prairies Book Review
Available at the following retailers and online stores. Click on the links to go there:
Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback | Barnes & Noble (eBook)
This document contains all the book specs. For a print-ready copy, contact Cassie at [email protected].
About the Author
Read about the author of the Man-Made stories and Potty Training for REAL Cats. Have fun as you take the Cats on Potty Quiz, and solve some adorable kitty jigsaw puzzles.
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