Edward Hoornaert's Blog, page 47
January 31, 2018
Not one but two unexpected awards
I should clarify the title of this post. I never expect to win an award (except perhaps a Nobel Prize, which of course I totally deserve) but recently two have tumbled out of the blue with no warning — and neither of them even hit me on the head. Which is very cool.
SFR Galaxy Award
SFR Galaxy is a website devoted to “Recognizing the Standout Books in Science Fiction Romance.” And this year, they recognized Rescuing Prince Charming for Best Opening Scene!
Want a peek at the award-winning first chapter? Be my guest.
The Barbara Award
I’m a member of the Saguaro RWA chapter. I must admit that I wasn’t paying much attention during a recent meeting. Rose Ortiz, our president, was discussing the Barbara Award, which highlights outstanding service to the chapter. Figuring I had absolutely no shot at this, I was mentally applying what our guest speaker had said to my WIP.
That’ll teach me to pay attention. Rose was presenting the award to me.
January 30, 2018
Games People Play #mfrwbookhooks
I can’t believe it’s been a month since I hooked up with Book Hooks. Tempus, she does fugit.
I currently have not one but two WIPs, which is terribly unwise — but while I usually hold sway over my Muse, sometimes she throws me curve balls and strikes out my commonsense.
Here’s the very opening of one of them. Working title: Secrets of Love and War.
Cynthia O’Connor lowered her wading boot almost to the water. She paused theatrically on one foot, ready to grab a blue-stemmed tilm sapling in the unlikely event that she lost her balance. Didn’t want to get her best tunic soaked, after all.
She tilted her head as though listening for Twisted Lizard Lagoon’s namesake monster to awaken. There was no monster, of course, only the gentle drone of insects and the whisper of follow-fish breaking the surface as they watched her, curious.
Any creature smarter than a follow-fish might realize Cynthia was playing another of her games. In this case, make as few ripples as possible when stepping into the lagoon’s delightful water. She loved turning everyday actions into games.
Most Riksids, and all humans, would think she was far too old for silly games. She played them anyway.
In a couple of paragraphs, the hero makes his appearance and all hell breaks loose, so this is the calm before the storm. Don’t worry about terms like ‘follow-fish,’ and ’tilm.’ It’s a sci fi adventure, and I made these throw-away terms up to create a sense of otherworldliness.
‘Riksids’ are the aliens who inhabit this planet, so readers will hear a lot more about them. I’m not wedded to that name. Any of you have opinions about the name?
What do you think? Do you get a sense of Cynthia’s personality? Be sure to check out the book hooks by other great writers in the Book Hooks blog hop.
January 27, 2018
Effing Feline scratches the couch
I, Effing Feline, lost not one, not two, but three claws this morning. That may not be important to you, but to me it is a big, big relief. Furthermore, it’s a sign of my clawing prowess!
You see, we cats don’t actually lose claws, only old sheaths of claws, kind of like snakes shedding skins. It’s one of the reasons we use scratching posts — except that I didn’t use my scratching post. That’s for sissies. Like the brave hero that I am, I dared to use the living room couch!
Here’s another snippet from Rescuing Prince Charming. Dusty Johnson, a tech writer working on Earth’s first starship, has helped a Kwadran (a native American from an alternate Earth) find a saboteur’s time bomb. They ran with the bomb to a terrace, where he throws the bomb into the ocean “with the grace and power of an Olympic javelin thrower.”
Huffing, Dusty grabbed the cold, metal railing and looked down. Three long steel posts reached forty yards down to the steep and rocky forest below. If the bomb landed near a post, the blast would bring down the terrace with her on it. But did she run? Nope.
She leaned over the railing and put an arm on the back of her amazing companion. Although she didn’t know his name, there was no one she’d rather stand shoulder-to-shoulder with, facing oblivion, panting in unison, poised on the knife’s edge separating death from life.
“God,” she panted, “you have a…a great arm.”
Effing Feline here again. I rarely idolize other cats — they can, of course, never be as good as I am — but this puss pulled off a feat that I admire and hereby vow to replicate!
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Be sure to visit other writers in the Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday.
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Rescuing Prince Charming
Alien Contact for Idiots, book four
She’s no heroine. He’s no Prince Charming.
Dusty Johnson, a self-styled ordinary, everyday woman, responds with extraordinary heroism when saboteurs try to bomb the prototype of Earth’s first starship. Although she yearns to return to anonymity, that moment of courage propels her ever deeper into dangers that tear the scabs off her dark secrets—and thrust her into the arms of the unattainable man of her dreams.
Reese Eaglesbrood, an alien prince, yearns to restore his tattered reputation by guiding the starship project to completion, but his fascination with the unassuming heroine threatens to undermine his fragile authority. Shunning Dusty is necessary, yet unthinkable—and when the saboteurs strike again, she is his only ally against Earth’s most elusive enemies.
January 20, 2018
Effing Feline demands a new Internet
I, Effing Feline, think the Internet is stupid. Last week I asked you readers to send me food so I survive the diet I’ve been forced onto. But know what? And it’s really, really dumb . . .
The only thing you can send over the Internet are electrons.
I can’t eat &^%$#* electrons!!!
While I endure my hunger pains, here’s another snippet from Rescuing Prince Charming. Dusty Johnson, a tech writer working on Earth’s first starship, has helped a Kwadran (a native American from an alternate Earth) find a saboteur’s time bomb. Racing against time, they’re carrying the bomb out of the starship’s labyrithine mechanical deck.
“Open it,” Dusty shouted.
The Kwadran pulled the door again. It remained closed.
She started to give the bomb to him but he was already grabbing it from her. If the door was locked, she was dead, because she didn’t have a key — but if it was only latched and he wasn’t familiar with this Earth’s sliding glass doors —
Dusty lifted the latch and pulled. The door opened, blasting her with brisk November air smelling of ocean and evergreens. She stepped back to let him pass, and though it would’ve been safer to get as far away as possible, she followed him outside.
“Toss it over the –”
But their minds were in perfect sync; he was already charging toward the railing. He hurled the bomb over the side with the grace and power of a javelin thrower.
Effing Feline here again. We need a new Internet. We’re supposed to be entering the era of an Internet of Things. So why can’t you fine folks send me salmon? Or even dry cat food?
Be sure to visit other writers in the Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday.
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Rescuing Prince Charming
Alien Contact for Idiots, book four
She’s no heroine. He’s no Prince Charming.
Dusty Johnson, a self-styled ordinary, everyday woman, responds with extraordinary heroism when saboteurs try to bomb the prototype of Earth’s first starship. Although she yearns to return to anonymity, that moment of courage propels her ever deeper into dangers that tear the scabs off her dark secrets—and thrust her into the arms of the unattainable man of her dreams.
Reese Eaglesbrood, an alien prince, yearns to restore his tattered reputation by guiding the starship project to completion, but his fascination with the unassuming heroine threatens to undermine his fragile authority. Shunning Dusty is necessary, yet unthinkable—and when the saboteurs strike again, she is his only ally against Earth’s most elusive enemies.
January 18, 2018
Love, laughter, and bright bulbs #mfrwauthor
Welcome to the second year of the Marketing for Romance Writers yearlong blog hop. This week, the writing prompt is:
How much of myself is in my writing?
Short answer: Less and less with each book.
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My first book, writing as ‘Judi Edwards’.
Long answer: My first published novel contained a number of elements of my life. The setting was the Chicago neighborhood where I went to the University of Chicago. The heroine worked in a hardware store catering to apartment janitors; I made good money working summers as a union janitor.
The heroine played the oboe, as do I, and though I’ve written an inordinate number of characters who play my instrument, this book is the most musical of all. The hero was her conductor. The conflict between them was a class conflict between the working class woman and old-money hero . . . which was a strain I felt in my own life as the first guy in my family to graduate from university.
None of my fourteen following books have been nearly so autobiographical. Nowadays, there’s little of my life in my books, other than my general outlook on life.
Intelligence is one of the most admirable qualities, so my heroines are always smart. I’ve struggled with a character in my current WIP who is a less than sharp tack.
There’s usually a spark of humor hidden in even the darkest clouds. That’s where I get my site’s motto: Sci fi with romance and humor.
And of course, love conquers most problems. I’m too much of a realist to say it conquers all — yet in my books, it does.
[image error]These three traits are all front and center in my December release, Rescuing Prince Charming. The heroine is one smart cookie, working on the construction of Earth’s first starship (trait #1).
She has a snarky tongue (trait #2).
And of course, love bridges all gaps between her and the alien prince she loves (trait #3).
What about you?
How much of yourself do you put into your novels? Be sure to check out the other writers taking part in this blog hop.
January 13, 2018
Effing Feline is starving
Effing Feline in his svelte youth
[image error]I, Effing Feline, am starving. Mr V (my pet human) thinks I ate too much over the holidays, so he’s put me on a diet. He’s starting to call me Jabba the Cat. How humiliating. I’m sure you’ll agree that I don’t need to lose weight!
So I’m asking you — begging you! — to sneak food to me. Ed will never know, I promise.
Here’s another snippet from Rescuing Prince Charming. Dusty Johnson, a tech writer working on Earth’s first starship, is helping a Kwadran (a Native American from an alternate Earth) get rid of a saboteur’s time bomb. Racing against time, they’ve finally made it out of the starship. My apologies for the perhaps crude editing to make this fit the guidelines.
[image error]Carrying the bomb, she ran; behind her, the Kwadran’s footsteps banged down the metal ramp, barely loud enough to be heard over the klaxon that still screamed its warning. “Where are you heading?” he called.
He wasn’t even breathing hard. She wanted to kiss him for his bravery and his conditioning. “Only one place to head,” she said as she pointed toward the only natural light in the huge cavern, where a pair of sliding glass doors led to a patio overlooking a fiord. From there, she could throw the bomb into the ocean. “Time?”
“Seventy-eight seconds.”
Yet it was still a long way to the doors. She tried to be a heroine and what did she get? A ticking time bomb eager to remove her appendix.
Effing Feline here again. To feed me, put fresh salmon or, if absolutely necessary, kibble in an envelope and send it to Effing@LordOfEverything.com. Hurry!
When you’ve finished sending me food — and only then — visit the other writers in the Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday.
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Rescuing Prince Charming
Alien Contact for Idiots, book four
“Although this is the fourth book in the Alien Contact for Idiots series, new readers will have no problem picking up the threads of the previous outings. . . .humor is deftly woven in throughout, making this a quick, enjoyable read.” Romantic Times
“This has one of the best opening scenes ever.” Amazon reader
“This universe is proving to be quite a lot of fun to read!” Whiskey with my Book
“. . . laugh-out-loud dialogue, action, and out-of-this-world sci-fi that didn’t lose me in the technological schematics.” Amazon reader
“The premise of the books is original and interesting.” Amazon reader
“The novel kicks off with a literal bang, and the fast pace continues throughout. . . . Rescuing Prince Charming is hugely entertaining and highly recommended. I haven’t read a romance I enjoyed so much in a long time. ” Beyond Romance
“I could not put this book down.” Amazon Reader
January 11, 2018
Way back in 1696 #mfrwauthor
Welcome to the second year of the Marketing for Romance Writers yearlong blog hop. This week, the writing prompt is:
My Earliest Memory
[image error]I don’t quite remember Grandpa Polydor (Pol, or Paul after he moved to the New World). He died when I was three and a half, and it was close enough to Christmas that there was a present from him under the tree. He must have been really important to me, because I still remember opening that present, a wind-up train. The train lasted for several years, and I always remembered it was from grandpa.
My memories don’t extend back to 1838, but that was when grandpa’s dad — my great-grandpa Edouardus — was born. One of my Belgian relatives produced a book about Edouardus’s progeny. The earliest relative mentioned is Michael Hoornaert, who married Joanna Witdouck in 1696. For some reason, I don’t remember Michael at all.
In the book’s frontpiece my son, Chris, stands with local relatives in front of the house in Ardooie where Edouardus was born in 1838. I like to think Frans chose to highlight this pic partly because Chris towers over him and cousin Koen.
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Useless yet neat factoid: According to the book, the surname Hoornaert comes from Hoorndrager, meaning cuckold. Apparently, I had a naughty great-something grandmother. Did she stray out of true love? Was it a tragic tale of jealousy and marriage to the wrong man? Is there a novel in there somewhere?
What about you?
What’s your earliest memory? Be sure to check out the other writers taking part in this blog hop — though I doubt any of them will go further back than 1696!
January 6, 2018
Effing Feline makes resolutions
I, Effing Feline, have made New Year’s resolutions. I shall, of course, keep them even if weak-willed humans fail with theirs:
I know I have a rough tongue (hey, I’m a cat!), but in the new year I shall always be nice, never snarky
I’ve been called a narcissist. Never again! I shall always care for the feelings of others over myself.
Twiggles the Dog looks at me with the saddest puppy dog eyes. I vow to never again steal her food.
Another snippet from Rescuing Prince Charming. Dusty Johnson, a tech writer working on Earth’s first starship, is helping a Kwadran (a native American from an alternate Earth) find a saboteur’s time bomb. Racing against time, they’re carrying the bomb out of the starship’s labyrithine mechanical deck.
“This is the fifth sabotage attempt in the last few months.” She was almost panting. Too much time spent behind a desk.
“Third,” he corrected.
“Fifth.”
“You know more about this than Security?” He stopped abruptly and shone his flashlight at her face as though interrogating her. His voice was all Kwadran, curt and accusing. “How?”
Temporarily blinded, she banged her elbow against a sharp edge, sending a spear of pain down her ulnar nerve; she rubbed her crazy bone. “The gossip mill down here is the most efficient communication device ever concocted by mankind.”
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Effing Feline here again. Okay, which one of you stupid idiots snapped the picture above? [Mr V: There goes resolution #1]
Hey, Mr V, stop inserting your asinine comment into MY blog post. [Mr V: And #2 bites the dust.]
Alright already! At least #3 is intact. I was stealing Mr V’s food, not Twiggles!
Be sure to visit the other writers in the Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday.
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Rescuing Prince Charming
Alien Contact for Idiots, book four
She’s no heroine. He’s no Prince Charming.
Dusty Johnson, a self-styled ordinary, everyday woman, responds with extraordinary heroism when saboteurs try to bomb the prototype of Earth’s first starship. Although she yearns to return to anonymity, that moment of courage propels her ever deeper into dangers that tear the scabs off her dark secrets—and thrust her into the arms of the unattainable man of her dreams.
Reese Eaglesbrood, an alien prince, yearns to restore his tattered reputation by guiding the starship project to completion, but his fascination with the unassuming heroine threatens to undermine his fragile authority. Shunning Dusty is necessary, yet unthinkable—and when the saboteurs strike again, she is his only ally against Earth’s most elusive enemies.
January 4, 2018
Late night French flicks – #MFRWauthor
Welcome to the second year of the Marketing for Romance Writers yearlong blog hop. I joined last year’s hop after eight weeks or so, and didn’t miss a post from there on. I wasn’t sure about doing it again, because I’m not sure it generates sales, which is hat MFRW is all about. I had fun, though, and I got to meet some really neat folks. So here I am.
This week, the writing prompt is:
The favorite thing I’ve written and why
One of my science fiction romances popped in my mind when I saw this prompt, and though I’ve second and third thoughts, I’m going to go with that first thought.
The Guardian Angel of Farflung Station
One night I couldn’t sleep, so I got up and watched a French movie, Amelie, on TV. The title character fascinated me. Although very shy, she devotes her life to doing anonymous good deeds. This spectacularly good woman wants nothing for herself except love.
I patterned Sandrina, the heroine of my novel, after Amelie. She’s the best female lead I’ve ever written. She is full of startling surprises, and despite her shyness, she’s willing to fight for the man she loves.
Best of all, the book’s outline came to me before I returned to bed and I wrote the first draft in just four weeks. For me, that’s unprecedented speed.
A brief introduction
Most of you don’t know me, so let me introduce myself. I have 17 books published, and most of them contain romance. Yes, yes, I know I’m a guy — but I can write romance. I like to say that it comes from marrying my high school sweetheart a week after graduation and still living the HEA decades later.
My first novels were Silhouette Special Editions. I earned my Mr Valentine nickname because I inspired Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Rita Finalist, Mr Valentine. Here’s what one reader said about my most recent novel, a science fiction romance:
I haven’t read a romance I enjoyed so much in a long time.
More about Guardian Angel
[image error]The space pirates think they succeeded in invading Farflung Space Station — but they didn’t count on Sandrina. The attractive waif has discovered so many of Farflung’s secrets that she’s the most powerful person on the station … though nobody knows it yet.
They’re about to find out.
Edward Hoornaert’s romantic space opera, The Guardian Angel of Farflung Station begins the saga of the Dukelsky family. If you enjoyed the adventures of Han, Luke, and Leia escaping from the Death Star, you’ll love The Guardian Angel of Farflung Station.
What about you?
What writing are you most proud of? Be sure to check out the other writers taking part in this blog hop have to say.
December 30, 2017
Effing Feline feels depressed
I, Effing Feline, am depressed. And sad. And bereft. Forlorn, miserable, and heartbroken, even. Sigh.
[image error]For over a week, the house was filled with Hoornaerts — Mr Valentine’s three sons visited, after traveling over 20,000 miles for the holidays, and his daughter’s family came from a couple miles away. Even though they wasted far too much time playing with Twiggles the Dog, I got so much attention I purred my fur off.
Now they’re gone. Gone. They’ve abandoned me!
Life goes on, I suppose. Her’s another snippet from Rescuing Prince Charming. Dusty Johnson, a tech writer working on Earth’s first starship, is racing against time to help a stranger (a native American from an alternate Earth) get a saboteur’s time bomb out of a starship under construction. Here we get the first hint of the secret Dusty hopes he won’t learn.
“I’m surprised”– she slowed to climb over the warm sewer pipe –“to hear a Kwadran admit an American can do anything well.”
[image error]He glanced back at her. She wished he wouldn’t do that; if he ran into something, the bomb might explode almost in her face. It wasn’t a world-class face, but her head would look bloody awful without it.
Reaching an open stretch, he sprinted. “You dislike Kwadrans?”
“Stuff a sock in it and run.”
Too late, she realized she should’ve denied her disdain for the aliens. Even though he was just a security flunky who’d skipped bomb disposal class, her careless admission might go on her record — and if the Kwadrans started investigating, they might discover her secret. She’d get kicked off the project before they’d finished thanking her for saving the starship.
Effing Feline here again. I know you all worried that I’d lost some of my stunning handsomeness, so let me reassure you. When I said, “I purred my fur off,” that was hyperbole.
Be sure to visit the other writers in the Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday.
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Alien Contact for Kid Sisters, which features several of the same characters from Rescuing Prince Charming, is on sale for only 99c. Check it out.
