Edward Hoornaert's Blog, page 71
March 22, 2016
Guest post by author Cara Bristol
By Cara Bristol
Dale Homme is the cyborg hero of Captured by the Cyborg. Cyborgs tend to be rather secretive and publicity-averse, but I was able to get Dale to sit down for an interview.
Cara: So, Dale, I heard you piloted a spacecraft onto an enemy space station to rescue a buddy.
Dale: Yes, Kai is a buddy and a cyber operative who’d gone undercover posing as an android. His mission went south. I was able to sneak aboard the space station in the nick of time.
Cara: Wow, that’s friendship.
Dale: It was the most fun I’d had in a long time—since I left Cyber Operations.
Cara: So you’re a cyborg too. Were you born that way?
Dale [chuckling]: Cyborgs are made, not born. [Sobers] I was an archeologist. My team was on a dig when we were attacked by the Lamis-Odg terrorists. My team mates died, I was rescued by Cy-Ops, but had to undergo extensive surgery and rehab. I was given the option of standard prosthetics or becoming a cyborg. I chose to become a cyborg. I have a computer chip in brain, and both my legs are biomimetic, although they look biological.
Cara: And then you joined Cyber Operations, the paramilitary organization that had rescued you. Why did you leave?
Dale: A informant we all trusted betrayed my unit. A couple of my cyborg brothers were killed. I didn’t handle my rage very well. Before I screwed up and endangered my unit, I quit. I channeled my rage into ambition.
Cara: How so?
Dale: I’d always loved to fly and loved spacecraft of all kinds, so I built a spacecraft remanufacturing plant—a chop shop—below ground on the moon Deceptio. I can take a pleasure cruiser and turn it into a military fighter. I’ve supplied ships to Cyber Operations, and I have one I’m trying to get ready to deliver to the emperor of Xenia. [Sighs heavily]
Cara: Problem?
Dale: There’s something wrong with Baby—that’s what we call the Xenian emperor’s ship. She does well in test flights, but then stalls out. If we can’t get her performing to spec soon, we can kiss goodbye future contracts with Xenia. I’ll be conducting interviews today with computer troubleshooters who hopefully can find the glitch in time to save our asses.
Cara: I’d like to go back to something you said. You’re underground? On a moon?
Dale: Yes, we’re a kilometer beneath the surface of Deceptio. Security is super-tight. Employees don’t even know where they are. They’re shuttled to and from Deceptio under blackout conditions and are only allowed off-moon for furloughs. No one enters or leaves Deceptio without my permission.
Cara: Why is that kind of security necessary?
Dale: Moonbeam is a remanufacturing plant, a chop shop. We’ve bought ships from sketchy individuals. Not everyone we work with is on the right side of their planet’s law. Plus, we’ve developed cloaking technology that Lamis-Odg would love to get their hands on. That can’t happen.
Cara: So It’s fair to say you’re a rule breaker.
Dale: I prefer to think of it as living up to the spirit of the law, rather than the letter of the law. If you have no more questions, I have to run. My assistant has just buzzed me that he’s sending up the first job candidate.
An excerpt from Captured by the Cyborg
(In this scene hero Dale Homme is interviewing job candidates. He just met the heroine, Illumina Smith.)
The woman’s head didn’t reach his shoulder. But what she lacked in stature, she compensated for with hair.
Shimmering, silvery-blonde waves of it tumbled to her hips. The platinum shade didn’t reflect light, it radiated it, almost as if the individual strands were composed of fibers of light itself. Although women could and did take chemical supplements to alter pigment at the cellular level, and platinum hair was not unusual, the combined effect of the color and shine was. Striking under the harsh artificial illumination—what would it look like in moonlight?
In a complete violation of propriety, he reached out to touch. He caught himself and snapped his hand to his side, calling upon his nanocytes to stamp out the kindling of desire. Turned on by a job candidate’s hair. This is what happened when you didn’t get laid often enough. Not entirely his fault though. He’d planned to visit the Darius 4 pleasure resort, until Lamis-Odg terrorists had destroyed the place. Under reconstruction, reopening hadn’t been scheduled yet.
He forced his attention away from her hair.
And noticed her clothing. What the hell was she wearing? Masculine, almost military-style trousers in a fabric mottled in various shades of tan led to clunky coyote-brown boots. A loose-fitting jacket in the same variegated pattern covered her top half. Fatigues—but from what century? The twenty-first maybe? Where had she acquired the getup?
“Mr. Homme?” Gray eyes met his in a direct stare. “I’m Illumina Smith. Thank you for seeing me.” Her voice tinkled like chimes blowing in a gentle wind, but the hand that seized his gripped like a steel clamp.
It’s not an arm wrestling match. He hid his amusement while noting the slenderness of her bone structure. His thumb and index finger would overlap if he were to encircle her wrist. “Come in. Have a seat.” He gestured.
She lurched with a jerky, awkward gait to the chair and sat, her posture rigid. Her robotic movement was so opposite the grace he’d expected, he ran a quick scan. No, not android. An organic, sentient life-form, but not human either.
“Your name is very unusual.” He plopped into his sensa-chair, which immediately conformed to the shape of his body and began a massage.
A tiny furrow creased her forehead. “Smith is a common Terran surname.”
If she was Terran, he was a six-eyed, webbed-handed Arcanian. “I meant Illumina.”
Sometimes the biggest risk is to one’s heart….
An ex-Cyber Operations field agent, Dale Homme has kissed danger and betrayal more times than he cares to count. Now he runs a clandestine factory beneath the surface of the moon Deceptio, where confidentiality and security matter more than anything. When a beautiful young woman arrives seeking a job, Dale knows within minutes she’s lying. Everything about her is false: her past, the people she claims to know, her reason for being on Deceptio. Illumina Smith? Even her name is an alias.
Logic says send her packing. His gut says she’s in trouble. She needs him. So he’ll do anything to keep her safe….even if it means keeping her captive.
Captured by the Cyborg is third in the Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance series but is written to be read as a stand-alone novella.
Buy links
Captured by the Cyborg is available in ebook and paperback.
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Author bio/links
USA Today bestselling author Cara Bristol has published more than twenty-five erotic romance titles, including contemporary and science fiction romance. No matter what the subgenre, one thing remains constant: her emphasis on character-driven seriously hot erotic stories with sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. Cara has lived many places in the United States, but currently lives in Missouri with her husband. She has two grown stepkids. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading and traveling.
Cara Bristol website | New Release Newsletter | Amazon Author page
March 19, 2016
Effing Feline has the DT’s
Fart-Fueled Flying Feline, Effing for short, writes the Weekend Writing Warrior / Sunday Snippet posts on Mr. V’s behalf
I, Effing Feline, am out of catnip.
You dare smile at that? It’s series serious! I’m suffering frum the DT’s. Canned eben tipe!
Gotta earn more catnap catnip. Gotta, gotta. So, real quick, more from Escapee, the upcoming science fiction romance from Ed Hoornaert, aka Mr Valentine.
In last week’s snippet, Catt Sayer confronted Captain Dukelsky, who was calmly typing reports in the wreckage of his former command. Catt scoffs openly. She already disliked Captain A-hole because of an earlier quarrel: his troopers had looked forward to her supply ship’s visits so eagerly that he’d assumed she must be a hooker.
But when she learns the reports are letters to his dead soldiers’ families, she’s mortified. The last line was Facing Dukelsky was like staring into a furnace.
Catt lowered her gaze. “I didn’t know…”
“Yet you assumed the worst of me.”
Without thinking, she had slumped into the submissive, hunched posture of a peasant being scolded by a patroon. Now, though, she straightened. She wouldn’t let him or any other rich patroon humble her, ever again. “Turnabout’s a bitch, eh?”
She expected him to ask what she meant, but a narrowing of his eyes told her he remembered his cheap prostitute comment. Their gazes locked. Catt refused to back down first.
Effing Feline here again. For cats, DT means Doggy Terrors — nightmares because of that evil chihuahua next door!
Make sure you read the snippets by other great weekend writing warriors and Sunday Snippets folks.
ESCAPEE — The African Queen in Outer Space
Catt Sayer, an abused peasant and a fugitive from justice on her home planet, makes a meager living flying a decrepit airship that delivers supplies to scattered military bases on an isolated, inhospitable mining moon.
When enemies invade the moon and destroy the bases, Catt rescues the lone survivor—Captain Hank Dukelsky, an upper-class army captain.
Now Hank wants her to risk her life on an impossible quest to attack the enemy headquarters on the far side of the moon…and Catt is falling in love with both the man and his magnificently quixotic ambition.
March 16, 2016
Join me for the ‘Little Things Blog Hop’
Welcome to Mr Valentine‘s pad, the home of science fiction with humor and romance.
Thanks for joining the Little Things Blog Hop. Visit each stop to enter the posted giveaway — and enter a drawing for some great prizes, including a $50 Amazon gift card. More on those prizes in a minute. First, though, let me tell you what you can win right here and now.
Raise your foot if you’ve seen the classic movie The African Queen? Great, that’s almost all of you.
Now raise your elbow if you loved the movie’s adventure and the romance between Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. Excellent!
Lucky you — because by visiting this blog, you can recapture African Queen’s excitement and romance. If you loved the movie, you’ll love my upcoming science fiction romance, Escapee — The African Queen in Outer Space. Even if you don’t read science fiction, you’ll love this book.
Catt Sayer, an abused peasant and a fugitive from justice on her home planet, makes a meager living flying a decrepit airship that delivers supplies to scattered military bases on an isolated, inhospitable moon.
When enemies invade the moon and destroy the bases, Catt rescues the lone survivor—Captain Hank Dukelsky, an upper-class army captain.
But Hank wants her to risk her life on an impossible quest to attack the enemy headquarters … and Catt is falling in love with both the man and his magnificently quixotic ambition.
Note that Escapee doesn’t escape the publisher’s clutches until April 19, 2016. Can’t wait? Read chapter one.
Want it. Love it. Gotta have it. But how?
Simplicity itself. Just leave a comment.
That’s it. Everyone who leaves a comment agreeing to join my infrequent mailing list (sent out twice last year) will get a copy of Escapee when it’s released. Yep, everyone. Not some of you. Everyone.
I’ll be in touch with you soon after the Little Things Blog Hop ends on April 1.
Okay, I’ve left a comment. What next?
From here, continue on to the next Little Thing, hosted by Linda O’Connor.
Join the Little Things Blog Hop Event for more fun and yet another giveaway.
What about the prizes? You mentioned prizes, Mr Valentine!
See what else is being given away and sign up to win a $50 Amazon gift card (among other great prizes)!
Winner (s) will be chosen by Mr. Random and announced on this page and on the Little Things Event Page by April 6th. Note that Facebook is not in any way responsible or affiliated with this giveaway or the Little Things Blog Hop.
March 15, 2016
Top Ten Tuesday — Spring Reading List
Top Ten Tuesdays are hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. The blog hop features lists related to all things bookish–characters, authors, titles, and favorites. They’re an excellent way to find new interesting books on a variety of topics, and to connect with bloggers who love the books you do.
This week’s theme is Ten Books On My Spring To-Be-Read Pile. The last time I did one of these to-be-read posts, I did a horrible job of forecasting.
I tend to read on a whim whatever catches my eye at the instant I’m ready to start another book, so I grabbed a few books off my TBR pile. Be warned that reality WILL NOT correspond to this list, though I’ll get around to all of these sooner or later.
I Heard the Owl Call My Name, by Margaret Craven
[image error]This bestseller from a quarter-century ago is one of my old favorites that I re-read periodically. It’s about a vicar who is sent to minister to an isolated Kwakiutl Indian band on the Pacific Northwest Coast. I was originally drawn to the book because I lived briefly in the region; I was familiar several of the places and even a couple of the people in the book.
But that’s not why I re-read it. I re-read it because I love, adore, and cherish learning about people who are different from me, and this book is one of the very best at capturing a totally different mindset. I really love this book.
(Writing about it made me stop and read the first 57 pages. I’m finally back, the next day.)
[image error]Alien in Chief: Alien Novels, Book 12, by Gini Koch
[image error]I got this book over the weekend at the Tucson Festival of Books. Koch’s blend of humor, science fiction, and a little bit of romance appeals to me. She’s also a very nice lady, and I’m delighted to have been able to meet her several times over the years.
These books remind me of the Men in Black movies.
[image error] [image error]Dreams of the Golden Age, by Carrie Vaughn
I first learned about Carrie Vaughn’s superhero books on someone’s Top Ten Tuesday. I enjoyed the first book even though superhero books aren’t my usual thing. When I came across another of Vaughn’s books, I made sure to buy it. Interesting characters in unusual situations convinced me to suspend my disbelief.
[image error] [image error]To Ride Pegasus, by Anne McCaffrey
I picked this up at a used bookstore. I’ve read much of McCaffrey’s science fiction, but not this one. She’s always worth reading. The book is copyrighted 1973, so it’s not exactly au courant — but then, neither am I. I’m a pas de courant kind of guy who learns about the latest thing after it’s receded into history.
[image error] [image error]Revelation Space, by Alastair Reynolds
To show you how unhip I am, I recently bought this book as an attempt to catch up on new science fiction authors — the book is from 2002. Sigh. Some of us simply never get the memos about what the latest In Things are and we’re always trying to play catch up, at least until we throw our hands up in despair and resign ourselves to be the uncool dudes wearing pocket protectors.
[image error]The Viscount Needs a Wife, by Jo Beverley
[image error]Sexy Regencies are, by definition, utterly ridiculous and inaccurate — no more based upon reality than my beloved science fiction genre. Well-bred young ladies back then simply did not carouse like sexually liberated, 21st century women. Thus, books like this are one of life’s guilty pleasures. This is the most recent by Ms. Beverley, whom I read fairly regularly. And guiltily.
[image error]His Ranch or Hers, by Roz Denny Fox
[image error]I got this book directly from Ms. Fox, who is a local author I’m acquainted with. I don’t ordinarily read ranch-based romances, but I’ll do it for Roz, who is a sweet lady.
Divergent, by Veronica Roth
[image error][image error]I’ve seen the movie and its sequel. Time to read the book, don’t you think?
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Be sure to check out fascinating top tens by other bloggers.
March 12, 2016
Effing Feling wreaks revenge
Fart-Fueled Flying Feline, Effing for short, writes the Weekend Writing Warrior / Sunday Snippet posts on Mr. V’s behalf
I, Effing Feline, have wreaked my revenge on Chico, the evil chihuahua next door. If you remember, he terrified me as I washed myself atop the fence. Genius that I am, I eventually realized that Chico is too pitifully small to reach the top of the fence … so I have lain there for half an hour every day, calmly enjoying the sun while he yaps himself hoarse. Ah, sweet victory!
Still purring from my success, I selected another snippet from Escapee, the upcoming science fiction romance by my pet human, Ed Hoornaert, aka Mr Valentine. In last week’s snippet, civilian pilot Catt Sayer found a lone survivor in the wreckage of the Castle Mountain fortress — the base commander, Captain Dukelsky, who was on leave during the attack.
Although surrounded by death and destruction, he is calmly typing and refuses to leave until he’s done. Catt fears he’s gone insane … until Dukelsky finally explains himself.
“As for leaving here before the Proximanian army returns, I thought of that long before you did, which was why I hastened to finish my reports.”
The entire moon had fallen into enemy hands and this man wrote reports? Her opinion must’ve shown on her face, because his flinty expression slipped, revealing exhaustion, despair, and a plea for understanding.
“I know I’ll never be able to send them, but…” He ran a hand over his eyes, and the unfeeling martinet was back. “The reports are letters to my men’s families, explaining that they died bravely at their posts, defending New Ontario’s interests.”
Catt opened her mouth. Closed it. Felt her face flame. Facing Dukelsky was like staring into a furnace.
Effing Feline here again. He calmly types reports, just like I calmly sun myself. I like this Dukelsky dude!
Make sure you read the snippets by other great weekend writing warriors and Sunday Snippets folks.
The African Queen in Outer Space
A Disillusioned Soldier… Hector Dukelsky, an upper-class career officer, yearns to fight a righteous war instead of defending corporate interests on Banff, an isolated mining moon. That dream seems dead when his entire command is slaughtered while he’s away, leaving him alone in smoldering rubble with no chance to survive, let alone strike back at the enemy.
A Pilot with a Chip on Her Shoulder… Catt Sayer, a working-class fugitive from the law, earns a meager income carrying supplies on a decrepit airship, but her hard-won life vanishes when invaders capture Banff. While searching for survivors, she rescues Hector and flies him to safety. But he doesn’t want safety. He wants her to risk her life on a hopeless journey to attack the enemy headquarters.
A Dying Moon… Catt is sure Banff will kill them long before the enemy can … yet she agrees to Hector’s scheme, certain he’ll quit after experiencing one of the moon’s eruptions or ferocious storms. But he doesn’t quit, and slowly his noble dream—and his love—conquer her heart. She pits her life and love against Banff’s lethal environment, even though the only reward for success will be the opportunity to face ten thousand enemy warriors.
March 8, 2016
Top Ten Characters I don’t get
Top Ten Tuesdays are hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. The blog hop features lists related to all things bookish–characters, authors, titles, and favorites. They’re an excellent way to find new interesting books on a variety of topics, and to connect with bloggers who love the books you do.
This week’s theme is Characters Everyone Loves But I Just Don’t Get. I don’t have ten — I usually don’t seem to manage a complete list — but here’s what I have.
Katniss Everdeen in Mockingjay, by Susan Collins – not the first two books, only the last one. The book really annoyed me because it was such a massive downer. Yes, War Is Hell, but Collins beats over the head with the moral of the story, and then she beats us some more. By the end of the series, I felt that Katniss was utterly beaten down and devastated. That was understandable considering everything she lived through, but still … a little bit of positivity would’ve lessened the depression the book engendered. She grudgingly agreed to have a child only because Peeta wanted it, and some people felt that demonstrated her transformation into a hopeful person. Not me. There was so much emphasis on grudgingly that by the end, I didn’t like Katniss.
[image error][image error]Peeta in The Hunger Games trilogy. My, I’m picking on this series, aren’t I? Sorry about that – I quite enjoyed the first two books. Peeta, though, is kind of a nothing character. He’s nice, yes, but that’s all he is; he has nothing he needs to learn, he’s unchanged by all the horrors he endures, and he’s the epitome of a cardboard character. Katniss should’ve gone for Gale. He had some meat on his bones.
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[image error][image error]Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle. Watson was an admirable character, brave, sometimes heroic, and smart enough to be not only a doctor but the first person narrator in all but four of the Holmes tales. Yet he never learned. Despite observing Holmes’ methods over and over again, he never became anything beyond a foil for the main character. I can see why Doyle wrote him like this, but still … duh!
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[image error][image error]Lazarus Long in Robert Heinlein’s The Number of the Beast, To Sail Beyond the Sunset, and The Cat Who Walks Through Walls. Lazarus started out pretty interesting in Methuselah’s Children, and he burst into spectacular psychological life in Time Enough for Love, perhaps Heinlein’s best. But like the mythological Pygmalion, Heinlein fell in love with his own creation and turned Lazarus into some sort of a Superman who is the only one who’s ever been born that could possibly save humankind from itself. Sheesh – enough already!
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[image error][image error]Bella Swan in Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer. I called Peeta a cardboard character, but at least he’s nice. Bella, though, is not only made of cardboard, she’s whiny, self-centered, vain, perhaps mentally unstable. She loves Edward because he’s hot — and that’s the only reason. Granted, I am NOT Meyer’s target audience, but why oh why did Bella become so eagerly read? Sorry, but I simply don’t get it.
[image error][image error]Sophia Stanton-Lacy in The Grand Sophy, by Georgette Heyer. Yes, the book is obscure, but it illustrates a kind of character that comes up from time to time. Sophy is scheming, mendacious, manipulative, arrogant, deceitful, controlling, etc. She no sooner comes to stay with her aunt and uncle than she decides she knows what’s best for everyone. She decides who Cousin Cecila’s beau should be and breaks up her Cousin Charles’s engagement so she can marry him herself — and we’re supposed to love her for it. Jane Austen’s Emma features a similar conniver, but we love her because she fails so spectacularly. Sophy, however, succeeds. If you knew a person like this in real life, you’d want to shoot her — and any jury in the world would rule it justifiable homicide.
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What about you? Are there any well known characters that you just don’t get or don’t like? Tell us about it in a comment. And be sure to check out fascinating top tens by other bloggers.
March 7, 2016
Escapee Cover Reveal
A science fiction romance by Edward Hoornaert, author of Alien Contact for Idiots.
Cover by Eerilyfair Design
Catt Sayer, an abused peasant and a fugitive from justice on her home planet, makes a meager living flying a decrepit airship that delivers supplies to scattered military bases on an isolated, inhospitable mining moon. When enemies invade the moon and destroy the bases, Catt rescues the lone survivor—Captain Hank Dukelsky, an upper-class army captain. Now Hank wants her to risk her life on an impossible quest to attack the enemy headquarters…and Catt is falling in love with both the man and his magnificently quixotic ambition.
Great movie — if you haven’t seen it, get it today!
Escapee is available for pre-sale, with a release date of April 19, 2016. Rediscover the thrills and romance of one of the all-time great movies, now in a science fiction setting—reserve your copy of Escapee today.
Amazon | Canada | UK
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Apple
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MuseItUp Publishing
New SFRom release from Aurora Springer
by Aurora Springer
Teen superhero, Starrella, and her flying horse fight vicious villains in the skies above Atalanta.
A quiet summer at her uncle’s farm turns frighteningly weird for seventeen-year old Estelle Wright after she trespasses onto an Army base. Blown into the air and knocked unconscious, she wakes with a nascent superpower. Not to mention a winged horse with a snarky attitude and a mind of her own.
Back home in Atalanta, a serial killer is targeting the students at Goldman University. Before long she must juggle college classes with sneaking out of the house after dark to battle alien monsters. Estelle’s life is in danger, but who can she trust with her secret: handsome Captain Copper from military intelligence, or hunky Toby, the tough gangster with a motorbike?
Buy Links
US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C7WC8R6/
International: http://authl.it/B01C7WC8R6?d
Excerpt
McTartan’s was a popular hangout for the students and the place was full. Toby pushed past the people waiting to be served at the bar. Several of them sent nervous glances at his surly face and tattooed arms and shifted aside to let him through. He found two seats in a booth at the back, away from the noisy crowd at the bar. They sat on opposite sides of the wooden table.
“What’ll you drink?” he drawled.
Estelle looked around. Toby had chosen a good spot for their conversation. The partitions on the sides of the booth gave them privacy. Toby sat facing the door, alert for any trouble. His eyes moved to check each person entering the pub.
“I’ll have a coke. Don’t want you to be hassled because I’m under the legal age for alcohol.”
“Worried the bad gangster will corrupt you?” he teased, leaning forward with his arms crossed and his elbows on the table.
Leaving him in suspense, she scanned his face. His heavy brows and the brooding curl of his mouth combined with his muscular build and tattoos gave the impression of an ugly customer. Despite his reputation as a tough gangster, he had been gentle with her. “No,” she said. “I think you’re sweet.”
His eyes widened and he leaned back. His voice was sharp with surprise. “You’re the first person ever to call me sweet!”
Happy to have scored a hit, Estelle grinned at him. “Okay, Toby, are you going to tell me the truth?” she asked.
He drawled, “Where can I start?”
“The superpowers and the mantis fights,” she suggested eagerly.
His eyes flicked to the door and he drawled, “Your army pal walked in. Think he’s looking for you?”
Automatically, she glanced round and saw Mark Copper standing at the bar. He was looking at the rows of bottles on the shelves, presumably selecting his drink.
His hand covering his mouth, Toby muttered, “Don’t stare. Pretend you don’t see him. We don’t want him listening to our conversation or trying to join us.”
Copying Toby’s caution in hiding her lips behind her hand, Estelle whispered, “He’s watching. He can see us reflected in the mirror behind the bar.”
Toby growled, “Did he follow you here?”
“He might have. Mark was at my evening class.” Estelle shivered at the idea of being stalked through the streets. Grabbing Toby’s hand, she asked, “Why would he follow me? Is he suspicious?”
“What’s wrong with us meeting in a pub?” Toby assumed his surly frown. He patted the space next to him on the bench. “Come here, babe.” She slipped onto the seat beside him and his arm slid around her shoulders. She gazed at him, her lips parted in a question. Leaning over, he kissed her firmly, sending warm flushes down her body. His lips traveled across her cheek, and his breath tickled her ear as he whispered, “Let him think this is why we met. Say something casual to fool him.”
He released her and gazed into her eyes.
Playing along, she gushed, “Oh, Toby, I didn’t know you felt like that about me.” She brushed her fingers over the cat tattoo on his firm biceps and noted the silky feel of the invisible nanofabric.
He stiffened and blinked. Then, his face broke into his rare charming smile and he pulled her close again. “Can’t resist a pretty girl.”
Despite his tempting drawl, she hissed, “Joke’s over! What’s going on?”
Author BioAurora Springer is a scientist morphing into a novelist. She has a PhD in molecular biophysics and discovers science facts in her day job. She has invented adventures in weird worlds for as long as she can remember. In 2014, Aurora achieved her life-long ambition to publish her stories. Her works are character-driven romances set in weird worlds described with a sprinkle of humor. Some of the stories were composed thirty years ago. She was born in the UK and lives in Atlanta with her husband, a dog and two cats to sit on the keyboard. Her hobbies, besides reading and writing, include outdoor activities like gardening, watching wildlife, hiking and canoeing.
Media links:
Blog: http://AuroraSpringer.blogspot.com/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Aurora-Springer/e/B00K2C4NL8
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aurora-Springer/885945434752937
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AuroraSpringer
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/101087717415198221200/posts
March 5, 2016
Effing Feline escapes death
Fart-Fueled Flying Feline, Effing for short, writes the Weekend Writing Warrior / Sunday Snippet posts on Mr. V’s behalf
I, Effing Feline, have selected another snippet from Escapee, the upcoming science fiction romance by my pet human, Ed Hoornaert, aka Mr Valentine.
I, too, am an escapee. The vicious, man-eating dog next door (shudder) charged at me yesterday while I peacefully washed my paws atop the fence. I barely escaped his ferocious, snapping jaws. That darned Chihuahua!
Last week, Catt Sayer saw from the air that the Castle Mountain military base had been destroyed by human invaders from the Proxima star system (Proxies). She landed to look for survivors and finds one — only one — inside a temporary air dome.
It’s the base commander, Captain Dukelsky, who was on leave during the attack. He’s given her such a hard time in the past that she nicknamed him Captain A-hole. Although he’s surrounded by death and destruction, the a-hole is calmly typing and refuses to leave until he’s done.
“I’m not one of your troopers you can order around,” Catt said, “and I’ll be damned if I just sit here while everyone’s dead or captured, just because you have a plarking report to write. What happened here?”
Dukelsky didn’t look up from his typing. “My entire command is, as you so crudely pointed out, dead. All bodies are accounted for.”
And yet he sat there, typing a report, probably describing events in such a way as to exonerate himself.
“The Proxies landed an invasion station at Norquay, on the other side of this moon,” she said. If news of the largest assault ship in the galaxy didn’t get a rise out of him, nothing would.
Dukelsky ignored her and kept typing.
“Rundle City is half-flattened,” she continued, determined to puncture his calm, “and the Proxies have taken over.”
Effing Feline again. Great news — Escapee is now available for pre-sale. Even the stupid Chihuahua next door is getting one. You should, too!
Make sure you read the snippets by other great weekend writing warriors and Sunday Snippets folks.
March 3, 2016
Escapee Literature — now on pre-order
Every month, the Science Fiction Romance Brigade showcases the work of some of its authors. Today I’m delighted to announce that my upcoming space opera, Escapee, is available for pre-order on Amazon and other favorite e-book sites. To celebrate, I’m unveiling my travel poster for Banff, which is what I named the dying moon where Escapee takes place.
In case you haven’t seen them, NASA has released travel posters for many exoplanets they’ve discovered. I’ve made similar posters for all my science fiction worlds. Here, for the first time on any planet, is the poster for Banff.
Some background:
Since Catt and Hank must fly all the way around their moon to attack the enemy headquarters, I needed a lot of place names. To make it easier (and more interesting, at least for me), I dug out a map of Banff National Park, where the wife and I honeymooned, and stole names.
Banff (the fictional moon, not the national park) is dying. It was an uninhabitable planet that’s been captured into orbit around a gas giant; the giant’s gravity is tearing the moon apart, causing storms and thousands of volcanoes. The moon is even more an enemy for Catt and Hank than the enemy soldiers.
Catt was a battered woman and a fugitive from justice (more like injustice) on her home world. She fled to Banff because people told her it was the best place to escape from the law, and they were right. Cops don’t bother to chase fugitives to such a ridiculously dangerous moon.
And now you know the story behind the poster. Do you have any worlds you’d like to visit?
If you simply must remain on earth, at least make sure you visit the other great writers from the SFR Brigade.
Alien Contact for Kid Sisters
The Trilogy of Tompa Lee
Alien Contact for Idiots
The Guardian Angel of Farflung Station
The Midas Rush
