J.L. Hendricks's Blog, page 12
October 5, 2016
Interview with Maezy – A new Sleeping Beauty
I had a chance this week to meet up with the intrepid new star of Realm Walk, a new retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, Sleeping Beauty! This interview with Maezy was a great time! She is such a spunky and quirky young lady! I wish more women today could be like her, I know I wish I could be more like her!
1- Tell me a little about yourself (what do you look like, where do you live, what book are you in)
Greetings, Jen! My name is Maezy (pronounced Mae-zy), and I live in my mother’s realm, Collective Refugium or Collective’s Refuge. I look like my mother, which I’m told isn’t a bad thing, and have red hair and green eyes. I will be making my star debut in Realm Walk. It’s a fantasy retelling of Sleeping Beauty by my creator Rebecca Reddell.
2- How do you evolve during the course of the story/series?
In Realm Walk, I learn a lot about who you can accept as a true friend and who you cannot. I think this really helps me with my trust issues. I mean, you can never be too careful, right? The most important rule: always carry an extra sword. Or three. Those things have an easy way of disappearing when you need them the most. To be honest, I may need to pay more attention when my mother goes on and on about spells. They come in handy at times, and I could have used a few of my own when facing evil elves, mermaids, Calypso, and Atropos. I also learn about True Love. Apparently, it’s real. Who knew?
Continuation of Interview with Maezy:
3 – Do you have an enemy or nemesis? If so, who are they and how did they become an enemy?
Well, my father is my enemy, which I know sounds terrible. I have a gift, and he wants me to use it for his own benefit, and that would be a very bad idea. It’s sad when you can’t depend on your own father to be honest. I take on some mermaids, Calypso, and Atropos throughout my quest too. Let’s just say, they are not nymphs and deities you want to mess with on a regular basis. They’re very jealous and have a snipping issue.
4- What is the biggest challenge you face in the story?
Trying to outwit my father and not die. Atropos doesn’t like me. You’ll have to read Realm Walk to find out the details. That’s all I have to say.
5 – What is the one event that you feel has helped to shape your personality?
Being raised by a single mother has taught me a lot about teaching your own child how to take care of themselves in this world. No matter what realm you live in, you have to be strong and independent, but also rely on those who love you the most. I think she has helped shape who I am today. I wouldn’t have made it this far without her.
6-Are you involved in a romance? If so with who and what is it about them that you find appealing?
I wouldn’t call it a “romance” per se. I mean, Brandalfr is a hybrid like me, part elf and part witch. Well, warlock in his case. I suppose he’s good looking. He has these eyes that change colors with his mood and are super mesmerizing. When I meet him, he’s helping my father. That doesn’t start us off on the right foot. However, we help each other out of a few tight spots, and he – I can’t say anymore. You’ll have to read and find out what happens. My creator has applied pressure to my larynx.
7 – What is the one thing you want the most in the whole world?
I just want everyone to get along and stop hurting each other and innocent animals. Why can’t we all just be happy with who we are instead of kidnapping each other and holding one another in dungeons and not understanding that, no, I will not help you take over the world – Okay, I think I’ll just go with realm peace. Yep. Realm peace.
8 – If you could say one thing to your readers, what would it be?
I would really like to meet you. You reading about my epic adventure in Realm Walk would be totally cool. If you don’t mind a little violence, I know how to stick a sword – Never mind. I’m sticking with realm peace.
9- If you could say one thing to your author, what would it be?
Why did you – (The author has censored this part for reader spoilers).
10-What 2 or 3 questions do you wish I’d asked, and what are your answers to them?
Does Brandalfr have biceps?
Yes, he does.
What’s my favorite part of the story?
When Brandalfr takes hold of my hand, I mean, my sword. I like using my sword.
What’s my favorite song from my author’s playlist?
It’s between two: “When It’s All Over” by RAIGN and “Written in the Stars” by The Girl and The Dreamcatcher. However, if you tell anyone about the last song, I may have to show you my sword.
Thank you Maezy for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me and tell me all about your amazing world!
You can get her book, Realm Walk at Amazon for only .99c or you can read it for free on Kindle Unlimited! http://amzn.to/2d4dxnZ
Yikes! No one tell her that I shared that last little bit with you! I really don’t want to meet her sword! Well, unless Brandalfr is there to help me! 
October 3, 2016
Kindle Unlimited Reads For Free!
I have joined with many other authors to offer you a wonderful list of books in the Kindle Unlimited Subscription program. If you are not a member of Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited program, you can get your first 30 days for free. Here is the link to get your free Kindle Unlimited Subscription:
The first promotion is only going on October 1-15:
Click the banner or go to: http://rozmarshall.co.uk/romance/ and you will find a great list of fantasy, paranormal, and Sci-fi, romance books which are part of the Kindle Unlimited (KU) program. There are plenty of great books to choose from that list.
If that isn’t’ enough to satisfy you, then try this one as well:
This one comes with a facebook group to join and has some contests to win freebies if you read the books in the challenge and then fill out a google form. Prizes can be won each week! Go ahead and give this one a try too! Click the banner above or here: http://lovekissedbookbargains.com/ku-challenge-giveaway/
Later this month I will post another list of Kindle Unlimited Subscription promotions so check back soon for more free reads! And don’t forget to check out my blog posts for free books on #Instafreebie as well! Check the “Recent Posts” section to your right for some of the latest ones.
The post Kindle Unlimited Reads For Free! appeared first on J.L. Hendricks.
October 2, 2016
A Wicked Halloween Release!
Today I have A Wicked Halloween Release just for you! The authors who put this together also included a free boxed set! So Scroll down and see what there is to accompany Wicked Halloween Release for FREE!
Feed your paranormal cravings!
Halloween can’t get here soon enough! Especially when we have this tantalizing boxed set to look forward to.
A Wicked Halloween ~ 13 **BRAND NEW & EXCLUSIVE** paranormal romance tales that will thrill and chill you just in time for All Hallow’s Eve.
For only #99cents- limited time only!
Visit the page: A Wicked Halloween
#Nook #Kindle #iBooks #ARe #Kobo
www.awickedhalloween.com
Nook: http://bit.ly/AWHNOOK
Amazon: http://hyperurl.co/AWH
iBooks: http://apple.co/29EiBxo
Kobo: http://bit.ly/AWHKo
ARe: http://bit.ly/AWHARE
#paranormal #witches #salem #pnr #romance #preorder #giveaway #limitedtime
See what the reviewers are saying…
“Oh wow!! This box set is impressive!!”
5 stars
Christine Croke
Goodreads
“This was by far the best written box set that I have had the pleasure of reading! There wasn’t one story that didn’t carry it’s weight. I am a huge fan of Paranormal Romance and this set definitely delivered.”
5 stars
Allie
Goodreads
A Wicked Affair #FREE
A set of short story paranormal romances centered on All Hallow’s Eve. Be thrilled and chilled by these tales set in Salem—the ultimate city for witchy and shape-shifting fun. Each story features sexy heroes and spellbinding characters. Salem has never been so hot!
All stories are complete in themselves with a beginning, a middle and end…no cliffhangers! They are an introduction to the longer books in the companion box set, A Wicked Halloween.
Buy links:
Nook: http://goo.gl/BnsDu8
iBooks: http://apple.co/2aQFqM1
Amazon US: https://goo.gl/I8D5LS
Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/p79rTU
Amazon CAN: https://goo.gl/WOQ8PN
Amazon AUS: https://goo.gl/FVN4od
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2bphReV
ARe: https://goo.gl/UvYsV5
Don’t forget to add to your bookshelf on Goodreads: http://goo.gl/dOpHXL
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Enter to #WIN
http://goo.gl/70UTwv
Come to the party!
FB Event October 4th
Wicked Halloween Release
The post A Wicked Halloween Release! appeared first on J.L. Hendricks.
September 30, 2016
Romance on #InstaFreebie – Special Edition
In this special edition of Romance on #Instafreebie, I have curated a very special selection of Instafreebie books! You will have everything from Exclusive Sneak Peeks to full Novels, and even some short stories! Be sure to check each one out to see what you like, or do what I do, grab them all!
On a planet where women are born to rule, Empress Nadira’s secret affair with her slave threatens to rip her family apart. When she joins the highest council in the land, her secret is revealed. Will Nadira go against everything she believes in to protect her family, or will she choose her heart and doom everyone she loves to death?
Everything you know is a lie… Eighteen-year-old Grace is sick of running. For over two thousand years the Angels have hunted the halfborn, determined to maintain the barrier that conceals the magical world from Human eyes. Grace and her foster family have survived capture by living amongst humans, but the noose is tightening as the spell binding their magic begins to fail. When unexpected allies send Grace and her family crashing into the world of The Shadow Children, she finds herself at the epicentre of a battle to save those she loves. But who can she trust when everyone has the face of an angel?
Feyland: a new computer game that allows Scottish teenager Corinne MacArthur to escape the sadness haunting her everyday life after losing a loved one. It’s a game where legends come to life, the lines between reality and fantasy become blurred, and the impossible becomes—probable?
Destiny doesn’t think she’s anything special. The daughter of an outcast witch. Her twin, Fate, is her best friend, so that’s awesome. They’re experts in love potions and selling them to crazy high school kids.
So they can buy more shoes.
Quin, who’s the son of a witch, only tolerates Destiny’s presence because she can save his mother. Except along the way, that all changes, and he realizes Destiny is everything he never knew he wanted. The only problem is she thinks if love can be made from a potion, it can’t be a real thing.
If they survive this, he’s going to prove her wrong
Audra is determined to make her mark. Joining an expedition to the South Pole, she thinks all her Christmases have come at once.
Until she meets her new roommate.
When Jean-Pierre’s wife broke his heart, he swore to spend his holidays in Antarctica. He didn’t count on sharing a room with a woman who hates him for something he can’t even remember.
Can a South Pole summer thaw two icy hearts?
When a fairy king grants a human girl’s wish, there’s much more at stake than dreams.
Laura only wants one thing in life, and it’s the deepest darkest secret of her heart. When a mysterious man emerges from a fire in her backyard, can he be the key to unlocking the secret she guards so close? Or will his own secrets ruin her trust forever?
The adventure continues with Natalie and her mate.
Commander Venay’s ship is still on the planet and he is waiting for a new ship to arrive and take them all back to the V’Zenian Empire. The Zateelians still have a presence on the planet near them, and are attacking the humans as they find them.
Can Venay save his slaves and his crew from the Insectoids? Or will they take over before a new ship can come and take them to safety?
Join J.L. Hendricks on her second mission writing a Sci-fi adventure/romance with Alpha Aliens who have abducted humans to be their slaves, or possibly their mates! If you like Ruby Lionsdrake and Lindsay Buroker, then you will love this amalgamation of those two genres!
True love never dies.
In just a few days a new arrival at Selene’s high school will turn her entire world upside down. She’s never met anyone so attractive—or so mysterious—before this, but Jace’s unyielding insistence that they’ve known each other for decades can’t be denied—not given how familiar he feels to her.
In the hidden world of gods and fairies what you don’t know can get you killed faster than anything else and only those you love have any chance of saving you.
He was her destination. She just didn’t know it.
Romantic Thriller
Paranormal Romance
Paranormal Romance
Paranormal Romance
This was a lot of Romance on #Instafreebie, was it enough? Do you want more Romance on #Instafreebie? Keep an eye out!
Don’t have a Kindle Device? Grab a FREE Kindle reading app that you can use on your computer, tablet, or even your smart phone! Then choose the .mobi files on #Instafreebie and you will have a Kindle reader! It’s FREE
The post Romance on #InstaFreebie – Special Edition appeared first on J.L. Hendricks.
Romance on #InstaFreebie
In this special edition of Romance on Instafreebie, I have curated a very special selection of Instafreebie books! You will have everything from Exclusive Sneak Peeks to full Novels, and even some short stories! Be sure to check each one out to see what you like, or do what I do, grab them all!
On a planet where women are born to rule, Empress Nadira’s secret affair with her slave threatens to rip her family apart. When she joins the highest council in the land, her secret is revealed. Will Nadira go against everything she believes in to protect her family, or will she choose her heart and doom everyone she loves to death?
Everything you know is a lie… Eighteen-year-old Grace is sick of running. For over two thousand years the Angels have hunted the halfborn, determined to maintain the barrier that conceals the magical world from Human eyes. Grace and her foster family have survived capture by living amongst humans, but the noose is tightening as the spell binding their magic begins to fail. When unexpected allies send Grace and her family crashing into the world of The Shadow Children, she finds herself at the epicentre of a battle to save those she loves. But who can she trust when everyone has the face of an angel?
Feyland: a new computer game that allows Scottish teenager Corinne MacArthur to escape the sadness haunting her everyday life after losing a loved one. It’s a game where legends come to life, the lines between reality and fantasy become blurred, and the impossible becomes—probable?
Destiny doesn’t think she’s anything special. The daughter of an outcast witch. Her twin, Fate, is her best friend, so that’s awesome. They’re experts in love potions and selling them to crazy high school kids.
So they can buy more shoes.
Quin, who’s the son of a witch, only tolerates Destiny’s presence because she can save his mother. Except along the way, that all changes, and he realizes Destiny is everything he never knew he wanted. The only problem is she thinks if love can be made from a potion, it can’t be a real thing.
If they survive this, he’s going to prove her wrong
Audra is determined to make her mark. Joining an expedition to the South Pole, she thinks all her Christmases have come at once.
Until she meets her new roommate.
When Jean-Pierre’s wife broke his heart, he swore to spend his holidays in Antarctica. He didn’t count on sharing a room with a woman who hates him for something he can’t even remember.
Can a South Pole summer thaw two icy hearts?
When a fairy king grants a human girl’s wish, there’s much more at stake than dreams.
Laura only wants one thing in life, and it’s the deepest darkest secret of her heart. When a mysterious man emerges from a fire in her backyard, can he be the key to unlocking the secret she guards so close? Or will his own secrets ruin her trust forever?
The adventure continues with Natalie and her mate.
Commander Venay’s ship is still on the planet and he is waiting for a new ship to arrive and take them all back to the V’Zenian Empire. The Zateelians still have a presence on the planet near them, and are attacking the humans as they find them.
Can Venay save his slaves and his crew from the Insectoids? Or will they take over before a new ship can come and take them to safety?
Join J.L. Hendricks on her second mission writing a Sci-fi adventure/romance with Alpha Aliens who have abducted humans to be their slaves, or possibly their mates! If you like Ruby Lionsdrake and Lindsay Buroker, then you will love this amalgamation of those two genres!
The post Romance on #InstaFreebie appeared first on J.L. Hendricks.
Urban Fantasy & Paranormal #FreebieFriday on #Instafreebie
This week we are featuring Urban Fantasy & Paranormal for the #FreebieFriday on #InstaFreebie blog! I have a lot of books for you this week! There are 22 books on this list! So grab a cup of coffee and get comfortable! You have a lot of reading to do today and this weekend! Enjoy!
Last week a few readers requested descriptions of the books. I collected as many as I could. Next month, they will all have descriptions.
Night’s Curse (Shorty Story)
Feral
When your time is up (Short Story)
In this short story, a supernatural creature stalks its prey…
Defender of Mankind
I’m Alexa, Defender of Mankind… Time to prove my namesake correct. I’m going to make humans stronger and faster to fight off vampires… I’m going to make them vampire slayers…
Fantastic Fables of Foster Flat
In one mountain town, tall tales are that much taller… “I’ve seen a lot in my lifetime. You’d think a small mountain town like Foster Flat would be sleepy and boring. Some better adjectives might be strange, surreal, and magical. I’m Mimi Rawlins. Born and raised in Foster Flat, I’ve witnessed more than my share of unbelievable incidents here among the mountains. Fantastic Fables of Foster Flat is a collection of suspenseful fantasy tales written in the spirit of Ray Bradbury and The Twilight Zone.
Dragon’s Redemption
The one male she isn’t supposed to want is the only one she can’t live without. With her brother missing, everything in Lily Cage’s life has turned upside down. Born a Hunter, the last thing she needs is an attraction to Dallas, the scariest dragon in existence. The one known as the Destroyer. With peace between the Hunters and Dragons hanging by a thread, one wrong move from either of them could catapult them all back into the war that has raged for centuries. But with nowhere to turn when everything she loves goes up in flames, Dallas proves nothing will stop him from protecting her. Even if it means going through their own allies. As the friction escalates, they have a choice…stand and fight, or lose everything they never realized they wanted.
Sorceress Awakening
When Lillian finds herself facing off against vampires and other mythological impossibilities, help comes from an unlikely source—the stone gargoyle who has been sleeping in her garden for the last twelve years.
Heartblaze 1 Vampire Soul
In your past life you were a legendary figure in a passionate relationship with a vampire. Now your enemies from that past have found you, determined to make you pay a terrible price for a life you lived more than 200 years ago!
Angel’s Kiss
Not mortal, not vampire … what is she
Death Marked (Excl. Sneak Peek)
He wanted to bring his fiance back from the dead. If he’s not careful, he’ll join her.
Death Lies Between Us
Readers’ Crown Award-winning novel for best paranormal romance. Book one in the An Angel Falls series.
The Edge
Laura only wants one thing in life, and it’s the deepest darkest secret of her heart. When a mysterious man emerges from a fire in her backyard, can he be the key to unlocking the secret she guards so close? Or will his own secrets ruin her trust forever?
Sanctuary
It’s survival of the fittest, but first you have to fit in. Shae is sure the icy rage that eats away at her is driving away her friends and pulling her closer to the wrong boy. But, as her protected world unravels, she discovers the violent supernatural world that lurks in her quiet hometown and the ancient feuds that threaten to destroy both her friends and her family. To save those she loves, Shae must succumb to her own fury, but at what cost?
The Shadow Children
Everything you know is a lie… Eighteen-year-old Grace is sick of running. For over two thousand years the Angels have hunted the halfborn, determined to maintain the barrier that conceals the magical world from Human eyes. Grace and her foster family have survived capture by living amongst humans, but the noose is tightening as the spell binding their magic begins to fail. When unexpected allies send Grace and her family crashing into the world of The Shadow Children, she finds herself at the epicentre of a battle to save those she loves. But who can she trust when everyone has the face of an angel?
Gloam
This morning Nilla Hayes woke up with death. She’s not sure whose death it is, but when she finds out her day isn’t going to get a whole lot better. You can’t solve everything with witchcraft. (a Witchlight short)
The Soul’s Agent
The reason humanity is afraid of the dark is because that’s when demons come out to play. The ghosts that fight them can’t come out until the sun goes down, either. And Soul’s Agents, like Navi? They’re just normal, boring people until the moon claims the sky. And then they aren’t. Death allows lost souls one last chance. Fight with the Agents against demons and darkness and evil and they won’t spend eternity roasting on a spit. It seems like an easy enough choice, but apparently roasting is easy and requires little effort, and fighting, well… Fighting is hard.
A Touch of Spring
A Paranormal Romance
Reborn
Life’s a bitch and then you die. And die. And die. And… My name is Mackenzie Adams and I’m good at killing zombies and other nasty creatures. Oh, wait. That’s when I’m playing the latest video game, not real life. My actual life is much more normal. *Bor-ing*. At least it was until I died. That’s right. I went adios, caput. I exited life as we know it. Except… I didn’t. I’m alive and well. When childhood nightmares that have been locked away begin to resurface, I learn that I have a unique ability to cheat death but only if I willingly sacrifice myself to save someone else’s life. As enemies from my past reveal their true nature, my secret is threatened. If word got out, it would make me mucho unpopular.
Burn Artist
A Russian mafia hitmage must combat a counter-extortion plot while dealing with his nemesis: his father.
Eclipse of the Beginning
What haunts you more… love… or duty…?
Bound by a secret oath to protect the only hope of fulfillment in an ancient prophecy, Lancer Xaren finds no comfort in knowing his own involvement in the sacred writings. When a new commander arrives in LA, Lancer is forced to play the game of the High Council.
Driven insane by the ghosts of his past, Ash Z’Nial has made a life for himself in the corruption of Sin City. But when he is hand chosen to safeguard an ordinary mortal, Ash can only guess at the story behind the undisclosed assignment.
Shadow Stalker Part 1
And I am sneaking one extra book in here! It is a Sneak Peek of my new book coming out October 20th. This is a Sci-fi Adventure/Romance, while it doesn’t fit with today’s genre, I wanted to share it with you anyway. I hope you don’t mind.
The adventure continues with Natalie and her mate.
Commander Venay’s ship is still on the planet and he is waiting for a new ship to arrive and take them all back to the V’Zenian Empire. The Zateelians still have a presence on the planet near them, and are attacking the humans as they find them.
Can Venay save his slaves and his crew from the Insectoids? Or will they take over before a new ship can come and take them to safety?
Join J.L. Hendricks on her second mission writing a Sci-fi adventure/romance with Alpha Aliens who have abducted humans to be their slaves, or possibly their mates! If you like Ruby Lionsdrake and Lindsay Buroker, then you will love this amalgamation of those two authors and their genres!
The post Urban Fantasy & Paranormal #FreebieFriday on #Instafreebie appeared first on J.L. Hendricks.
September 26, 2016
Space Team has launched! Grab your copy!
Today is the launch of Space Team! My friend Barry, wrote a hilarious space opera called Space Team. Think Suicide Squad meets Galaxy Quest.
The above is the book trailer, and it is a great representation of the humor in the book! Check it out today!
You can buy Space Team at Amazon right here for only .99c! Get your copy before he raises the price: Space Team
Here is a short description of the book, straight from the author himself:
Cal Carver is having a bad day. Imprisoned and forced to share a cell with a cannibalistic serial killer, Cal thinks things can’t possibly get any worse.
He is wrong.
It’s not until two-thirds of the human race is wiped out and Cal is abducted by aliens that his day really starts to go downhill.
Whisked across the galaxy, Cal is thrown into a team of some of the sector’s most notorious villains and scumbags. Their mission should be simple enough, but as one screw-up leads to another, they find themselves in a frantic battle to save an entire alien civilization – and its god – from total annihilation.
If that isn’t enough to let you know if you want to read it, you can also download the first three chapters of his book for free at Instafreebie: https://www.instafreebie.com/free/rGQPu
And to top it all off, he has already put book 2 up for pre-sale! If you are anything like me, you rarely by book 1 unless book 2 is up for pre-sale. Barry promised his fans that he would put his second book up, and he did!
Space Team: The Wrath of Vajazzle
I hope you enjoy this funny space opera written by a Scottish author! Let me know if you read his book and what you think of it!
The post Space Team has launched! Grab your copy! appeared first on J.L. Hendricks.
September 23, 2016
Cozy Mysteries for #FreebieFriday on #InstaFreebie
This week we have a lot of Cozy Mysteries lined up for your reading pleasure! A friend of mine was also organizing a Cozy Mystery Instafreebie promotion so I got permission from her to link to her website for you! She has 19 books on her site!! I have only a few this week. LOL So this means you get a lot of books!
First, here are the books I brought for you!
If those weren’t enough to get you in the mood for a nice cozy, try Anne R. Tan’s website full of cozy’s! Anne write Cozy Mysteries and had quite the list under her belt already! And she is offering you one of her books for free on this promotion, I grabbed a copy to read myself! As well as a few more of those terrific covers!
http://annertan.com/free-mystery-books/
Please let me know what you think about this concept of providing you with a link to someone else’s website when I don’t have a full set of Books to offer one week. Next week I have 10 books so far for Urban Fantasy/Paranormal! I know a few more are planning to sign up as well! So be sure to come back next week to see what I have in store for you! And don’t forget to check out Anne’s website for more Cozy Instafreebie Fun!!!!
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September 21, 2016
Worlds Away Snippet #4 – Final One Before We Go Live!
It’s the final one before we go live! Tomorrow my book, Worlds Away, launches! If you have already pre-ordered it then it will show up late tonight in your Kindle device! It’s not too late grab your copy before it goes up to $2.99. Check out this latest snippet and see if you like this kind of book:
Worlds Away Snippet #4
My heart was still pumping an hour later, and my adrenaline seemed to be burning out. I was exhausted just sitting there holding tight to the laser gun as well as to the couch every time our ship was hit. I wanted to say that I could hear the laser cannons fire, or whatever they called them on this ship. But I knew it must be my imagination creating the sounds in order to keep track of the fighting somehow.
However, I really did hear some of the torpedoes going back and forth. It was a weird sound, almost like Superman flying super-fast through a tunnel and taking all sound with him through that tunnel. Then it was super quiet for less than half a second which was always followed by a loud bang and then the ship would jerk one way or another. At least there was a warning sound before the torpedoes hit. They packed the most punch.
The next hit, well, it was almost what killed us. The ship started to tilt, like it had lost its stabilizers or something, but we must have gotten a good hit on them as well because another hit didn’t come for a while. I could feel us limping along. Since we were slanted, Lisa and I had to hold on tight to the couch. I had never been so happy to see furniture tied to the ground before. Some of the knickknacks and loose items like chairs and pillows were flying around as we tried to get away from the enemy ship.
We turned and headed to something, at the time I didn’t know what. But at least we weren’t getting shot at any more. It seemed like days before we made it to the planet. The only reason I knew we were at the planet is because Venay called me, again.
“Venay, I am fine. No need to worry about me.”
“Thank the moons! But I am calling to warn you, this next bit is going to get very difficult. There should be a place in the quarters you are in where you can strap yourself to a fold down chair on the wall. Find that and get your butt in it now. We are going to try landing this ship on the planet before the enemy can catch up to us. But with the damage, re-entry is going to make for a very bumpy flight. Can you do that?”
“Yes, I can. Thank you Venay.”
He grunted and then hung up. “Lisa is there a set of fold down emergency chairs that we can lock ourselves into? You know, like the jump seats on a commercial flight?”
“Yes, in the back bedroom. There are two seats there. What’s going on?”
“What did Rotna say when he called you?”
“He tried to tell me what was going one, but was told to focus on his task, not his mate.” Her cheeks actually turned a shade of pink. I wondered when they were planning their ceremony.
“Glad to know he is fine.”
“Why do we need to do this? Is the ship getting worse?” Lisa asked, with wide eyes.
“Yes, we are approaching the planet and going to attempt to land before the enemy ship can catch us. The re-entry is going to be tough.” We made it to the back room and found the seats. There were a few things that had blocked our way, but we moved them without much issue.
It was a good thing Venay called to warn me, because we weren’t even buckled in when I felt the ship jerking and shaking like an amusement park ride about to go off the rails.
My teeth hurt so bad within just the first two minutes, I thought they might all be cracked, first from the chattering they were doing with the way we jumbled around and then from the pressure I put on my mouth to stay closed. Somewhere along the way I had bit my tongue and it hurt.
I couldn’t say how long it took for us to get through the atmosphere, but it felt like forever. I could tell when we made it because we started to smooth out and the ship wasn’t jerking so badly. The loud noise that almost made me deaf had also quieted down, now it was more like a ball whistling through the air. Although, my head was pounding and my body ached from all of the jostling and clenching. I don’t think I have ever held on to anything as tightly as those restraints, ever!
“Lisa, you ok?”
“Did we make it?” She looked around the room wide eyed and I could see she had been crying. Her face was streaked with the paths her tears left. But I couldn’t blame her. I was pretty scared myself and if I hadn’t survived five years on the streets I would have probably been crying as well.
“So far. I don’t think we have landed yet. So stay seated until we are told we can move. I have a feeling we are going to feel the landing as well.”
The ship was still tilted and the seats were very uncomfortable, we were slanted to the left so the belts that made up the restraints were digging into my left side. It felt like one of those carnival rides where you went around in circles but you were hanging on one side and the ride seat was digging into your entire side. It was similar to that, but worse.
“Lisa, tell me about the plans you and Rotna have made for your wedding. When do you want it to take place?” She looked like she might get hysterical any moment. Her eyes were all over the place and she was having trouble breathing. But she didn’t look injured, unless the belts did something internally.
“Huh? What? Oh, yea, wedding. Ummm, we spoke about it last night. We agreed that we wanted it to happen as soon as we could get some time on the Commander’s schedule. Do you think he will have time tomorrow?” She was dazed, I wasn’t sure she understood what was happening. How could she if she was thinking Venay could marry them tomorrow, after crash landing on a planet while in a firefight with a pretty heavily armed enemy ship?
“Lisa, do you know what just happened?” I wished at that moment I could get out of my seat, but I knew there was no way it would be safe until after we made landing.
“Yes, we are landing on a planet.”
“Because we just got our butts kicked in a firefight with an enemy ship. There won’t be time to get married, not at least for a while. I couldn’t even tell you how long it will take to fix our ship. Or if the Zateelians will come for us. Lisa, I need you to focus. Can you do that?” Her eyes were still glazed over and her mouth was hanging open. She kept moving her head like she was listening to some music somewhere.
Just then I got a communication from Venay, “Paris, are you ok?”
“Yes, both Lisa and I are ok. She might have some internal injuries, but I think she is ok. However, she appears to be in shock. How much longer before we land?”
“We came in too fast, so I have to keep her flying as long as possible to slow down, which means we won’t be close to the settlement here. But they will come for us and help us soon. Stay in your seats. Don’t move until I tell you, ok?”
“Of course, I am betting we will feel it when we land?”
“Yes, I am afraid you will.
Ok, so that is the fourth snippet of Worlds Away! I hope you enjoyed it and are now curious as to what is going on! Stop on by Amazon and get your copy today for only .99c, or you can read it on Kindle Unlimited starting tomorrow!
The post Worlds Away Snippet #4 – Final One Before We Go Live! appeared first on J.L. Hendricks.
September 20, 2016
Worlds Away Snippet #3 – Are You Ready?
Alright, Snippet 3 is here! Are you as excited as I am for Worlds Away to launch on your Kindle device this Thursday? Extreme excitement would not be an exaggeration, not at all! LOL If you haven’t read any of the snippets yet, you can head to my blog page: http://jlhendricksauthor.com/blog/ where you can find the other 2 snippets from Worlds Away!
Worlds Away Snippet #3 is from Chapter 2:
“Oh stink, this is real isn’t it?” I started to slink down on the floor as my body began to register the movement in space and my eyes confirmed what I was feeling. All of my senses were on overdrive, I could even taste the oxygen that had been pumped into the room. It almost felt like I was drowning.
Venay reached down and picked me up. He held me to his side while walking me back to the couch. “Are you ok? Is the oxygen mixture too high for you?” He was looking me over and paying close attention to my chest, but in this case I believed he was watching me take shallow breaths.
“Why can I taste the air? I shouldn’t be able to do that.” I looked at him with a raised eyebrow while breathing in deep.
“We have an increased level of oxygen when we first leave the planet. Over the years we have discovered that humans tend to pass out easily unless we do this. Your bodies have a difficult time processing oxygen while in shock as we are leaving your solar system. But once we get moving your bodies adjust. They really are quite adaptable to most environments. Another reason our ancestors chose your people to integrate with us.” He puffed up his chest and sat up straighter. It looked like he took great pride in the fact that his ancestors abducted and experimented on humans.
That just made me angry. “How could you take pride in the fact that your species has been kidnapping my people for two centuries? What do you do with my people? Do you force yourselves on the women? Force the men to be your slaves and do your hard labor?” I fisted my hands at my side and debated if I should hit him or try to run again. Although, I knew running wasn’t an option at this point. It was at this point that I truly believed he was an alien and I was in space. Not sure how this all happened, but there it was.
He didn’t answer me at first, he looked back towards the porthole and watched space as we hurtled through it. I had to admit, it was quite beautiful and oddly enough, calming. I felt myself relaxing and let go of my fisted hands and my shoulders started to loosen up as well.
“Paris, I will admit, our ancestors were not the most civilized. But we are very different now. We never force a woman to mate with us. If we take a human mate, she is very willing…” He looked at me and his eyes dilated while he gave me a smoldering smile.
“Hey now, don’t go getting any ideas about me. I am NOT to be used as a breeding mare. No one who abducts me will be using me as a slave either. Stockholm Syndrome won’t be my downfall.” I got up and walked over to the open porthole and sighed as I watched the stars zoom past. I put my arm on the side of the porthole and leaned into it and whispered, “I will find my way home again.”
“I chose you because you are my mate. I could feel it across the field when our eyes met. You felt it too, I know you did. The connection was visible on your face and when I touched you a moment ago as well.”
“What exactly do you mean by ‘mate’?”
“You would call it marriage. When we mate, it is with our one true love. The universe has created someone for all of us to love and join with. When we meet that one, we feel an instant sense of right, of belonging to each other. It is how my species have chosen their true mates since the beginning of time. There are exceptions, there are always those who can’t wait and will sometimes mate with someone they were never meant to mate with and that always causes problems.”
“You might as well lock me up with the other slaves, because no one is going to mate with me.” I locked eyes with him and stared at him until he spoke again.
“If that is what you wish, but I must warn you. Without my protection, any of the males on this ship have the right to try and persuade you to become their mate.” I tried to interrupt but he held up his hands, “They will not force themselves upon you or any other female, but they will try to get your attention in other ways… Most of the males who volunteer for this mission are looking for their mates. About half of the women will become mated to the men on this ship before we even reach our home planet.” He stood up and walked to the door but stopped before opening it.
“Are you certain you would not reconsider and become my mate? I hold a very high rank and your life would be quite comfortable. You would be well taken care of and would want for nothing in life.” He looked me over slowly as I thought on his words.
“I am positive. There is no way on God’s green Earth I would choose to give myself to anyone who kidnapped me. I want to go home and forget about this entire experience.” I huffed out and put my arms around myself in an effort to comfort me. It didn’t help…
“Paris, this is the last time I will offer you my protection. You are intended to be my mate, I feel it. Life as a slave is not one you will enjoy. While we do treat our slaves better than we used to, it is still a very difficult life. One you will experience on this voyage home if you turn me down.” He reached over and took a strand of my hair into his hands and slowly drew it between his thumb and forefinger.
I pulled my hair back, what he was doing was sending small shivers down my spine. That was too intimate of a gesture to accept from my abductor. “I am positive. It would be preferable to rot away as a slave than to be used up as someone’s mate.”
He sighed and lowered his head for a moment, then stood up tall. Man was he tall, and imposing when he put his warrior mask back on. “Very well, but don’t come to me when you find that you don’t have enough food or warmth on this trip.” He proceeded to open the door and he grabbed my arm rather forcefully and hauled me over to one of the cages in the other room.
“Open cage A-1, process this slave but make sure she gets extra in her evening meal.” He took one last look at me and then walked away as another alien took me by the arm. I heard Venay say something about putting his uniform on and then he would be on the bridge.
Don’t forget to you grab your copy for only .99c before it goes up this weekend! Worlds Away on Amazon
The post Worlds Away Snippet #3 – Are You Ready? appeared first on J.L. Hendricks.
