Red Hope by John Dreese.
My understanding that this is a first book by this author. This is a pretty good one for a first timer.
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Hope-Modern-Adventure-Technothriller-ebook/dp/B00RA7QOHY?ie=UTF8&keywords=red%20hope&qid=1463843252&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=1-1The rover Curiosity ran across a fossil with a granite calling card with writing on it in its hand. But the Curiosity rover ran out of power just after taking a few pictures. Just enough to whet their appetite. Usually it would take years just to design a spacecraft, let alone do it with conventail engine technology. But someone come up with a new engine technology that would allow them to get to Mars in a month. They end up designing, building and launching a ship in a year. And hijinks ensues.
It is a fast read I believe, I went through it pretty quickly. One thing about this book is that you won't predict the ending of the book. Despite it being a fast read, it's a good one, I'll be looking forward to the second book when it comes out.
S.
