Far Away, The Pale Blue Dot

Retired journalist and author, Michael "Mac" McMullin, is offered a life-changing seat on the first manned mission to Mars.

At first, both he and mission specialist Aiko Tsukuda, are outcasts among the eight-person crew. As the flight leaves Earth and heads for Mars, Mac quickly proves his worth... and discovers the last thing he thought he'd find in space. A second chance at love.

But planting humanity on Mars is a difficult task as the crew quickly finds out. As they face and overcome each new challenge, they discover that Mac is a man who will never give up, never stop fighting to make the mission succeed.

A catastrophic failure leaves Mac stranded on Mars alone, help from Earth several months away. He must use all of his skill, wit, and grim determination to keep mankind's foothold on Mars secure.

He'll have to overcome great odds until a relief crew can arrive, especially after all communication with Earth - the far away, pale blue dot in the Martian sky - is lost.