Irena Kenneley

Irena L. Kenneley

"At its core, A Light Has Shown is a story of survival, betrayal, and the complex dynamics between humans and the unknown, offering readers a thrilling journey through a world where the future of humanity hangs in the balance. As alliances shift and secrets unravel, the characters must confront not only external threats but also the darkness within themselves."

In “A Light Has Shown,” a science fiction thriller set on a distant planet in the Aquarius constellation, humanity’s future hangs in the balance within Galatéa, a dome-encased colony nestled in a canyon. Here, ancient artifacts and an enigmatic symbiotic life form, the Zervos, could hold the key to survival—or destruction. As a mysterious illness sweeps through the colony and tensions rise, a fragile alliance between humans and the Zervos becomes the last hope to prevent a catastrophe. In a gripping tale, “A Light Has Shown” explores themes of survival, betrayal, and the unknown, intertwining the fate of humanity with ancient secrets.

Irena L. Kenneley

Author Bio

Dr. Kenneley’s extensive background in clinical laboratory science, nursing, education, and public health, especially in infection control, brings a wealth of expertise. As a professor at Case Western Reserve University for two decades, she has shaped the minds of future healthcare professionals and contributed to the field with numerous professional articles and chapters in leading nursing textbooks. She has many years of experience in education, including instruction in courses such as microbiology and creativity. Along with teaching, she has years of experience in various healthcare settings and multiple roles; she has cultivated a deep understanding of the human condition and the complexities of being.

A lifelong aficionado of science fiction, Dr. Kenneley channels her vast knowledge and passion into crafting immersive and thought-provoking narratives. Her debut novel, A Light Has Shown, explores the moral and existential dilemmas posed by contact with the unknown, offering readers a unique blend of scientific accuracy and imaginative storytelling. Science fiction fans will find her work both intellectually stimulating and deeply engaging.

Book Summary

Set on a rocky planet within the Aquarius constellation, orbiting an ultracool red dwarf star, Galatéa takes place in a dome-encased colony situated in the terminator zone—a precarious region between the planet’s light and dark sides. The colony is nestled deep within a canyon where an ancient civilization’s artifacts have been discovered in hidden caves. These relics hold secrets that could alter the future of humanity, but not everyone wants these secrets revealed.

After the mysterious sabotage and destruction of a nearby space station, intelligence officers arrive at the colony, bringing new colonists, including medical professionals Adira Varna and David Michel. However, soon after their arrival, nine colonists fall victim to a mysterious illness, slipping into unconsciousness, with only hibernation pods standing between them and death. As security officer Rafe Silvers and his team investigate, they uncover a startling revelation: the existence of the Zervos, an ancient, symbiotic life form willing to pair with humans. As guardians of the caves, the Zervos are a source of protection and comfort in the midst of chaos, left behind when their kind fled the system eons ago.

Tensions rise as someone within the colony leaks the secrets of the caves, endangering not only the fragile peace of the colony but also the potential relationship between humanity and the Zervos. This potential alliance, a beacon of hope in the face of adversity, is at the heart of Galatéa. Galatéa is a tale of survival, betrayal, and the complex dynamics between humans and the unknown.

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