Cynthia Sax's Blog, page 112

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Published on June 05, 2021 23:00

B Free And Starting Over

I was deep into the first draft of B Free, the fourth story in the Rebel Cyborgs series (releasing in November), and I realized it wasn’t working. I had started telling the story in the wrong place (too far into the action) and from the wrong POV (it should have started with B’s thoughts).

I started over.

Not completely over, of course. I was able to re-use a few scenes with some heavy tweaking. But that took me almost as long as writing a fresh scene.

It hurt. I won’t sugar coat it. I’m writing this post over a week later because I didn’t have the heart to write it sooner. It was too painful.

But it was needed. The story works now. The words are flowing. I feel good about it. It will be a stronger, more entertaining, tighter story because I started over.

Don’t be afraid to start over.

***

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Under Strain

A damaged cyborg warrior is huntedby a peace-loving human female.

***

Strain is severely malfunctioning.The D Model cyborg was the sole survivor after a horrific decision was made byhis cruel manufacturers. He hates all humans, and when he attacks one who is underhis cyborg leader’s protection, he is reprimanded, stripped of his weapons, andtold to watch and not actively participate in the next mission.

That mission takes place on a smallremote planet. Its lush terrain should only be inhabited by the cyborgs they weresent to rescue, but Strain senses another presence on the surface. She iswatching him, tracking him, hunting him.

A fully operational cyborg would endher lifespan.

Strain wants to claim her. Forever.

Kamyelle is the only one left ofher kind. Warriors have killed the other nonviolent human inhabitants of herplanet. She survived…barely…by hiding in the trees, observing her enemies, and coveringherself with lifeform scan-concealing mud.

When a handsome, gray-skinned,brilliant-blue-eyed male arrives, surrounded by weapon-carrying warriors, she hasto save him. Warriors harm and they kill. That is what they do.

She won’t allow them to hurtStrain.

***

Under Strain is a STANDALONE CyborgSciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a broken warrior, ahuman female who thinks he’s perfect, and velociraptor-like dinosaurs who viewthem both as light, tasty snacks.

Buy Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/under-strain/id1545957749

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-strain-cynthia-sax/1138505613

Kobo:

Smashwords:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094365ZNT

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Published on June 04, 2021 23:00

C.S. Sax And Connected Fantasy Worlds

The Medieval Dragon Shifters, More Medieval Dragon Shifters and Medieval Beast Shifters collections published under C.S. Sax are set in a Medieval Fantasy World.

That world is similar in many ways to the real Medieval period here on Earth (specifically in Europe). The major difference is shifters and vampires and other magical beings exist in the semi-open. The lords or knights don’t always flaunt their powers or abilities but they don’t hide them from their people either.

Big Cat Shifters, the upcoming collection (releasing in June), is set in a Modern Fantasy World.

That world is similar in many ways to our world today on Earth (specifically in North America). The major difference, again, is that magical beings exist in the semi-open. Due to technology, many people have heard the stories about cat shifters or beast men, as some people call them. But they don’t flaunt their powers or abilities.

The Medieval Fantasy World and the Modern Fantasy World are the same world. They are merely different time periods within that world.

***

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Big Cat Shifters

They’re wealthy. They’re powerful. And they’re big cat shifters. Three billionaires—a lion shifter, a tiger shifter and a leopard shifter—prowl the boardrooms of the city. They are masters of their domains, kings of all beasts, and they have everything anyone could possibly want.

Except love.

These billionaire big cat shifters track and claim their human fated mates in three sizzling stories of passion, dominance and savage battles to the death.

Assistant To The Alpha Lion – Royce, a hard-working alpha lion shifter, believes Starr, a curvy job applicant, is his birthday present. She decides to give him a private party he’ll never forget.

Hacking The Billionaire Tiger – Nikhil, a tiger-shifting billionaire CEO, has been hunting Violet, a chaos-causing hacker, for years. When he finally captures her, anarchy rules, empires crumble and beings die.

Entering Leopard Territory – Jeanine’s secret dream is to belong. Why then is she attracted to Adar, a fierce billionaire leopard shifter renowned for being solitary?

Answer a big cat’s call. Delve into a modern-day fantasy world with these lunch-hour-length romances.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B094365ZNT

Amazon AUS:

https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B094365ZNT

Apple Books:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/big-cat-shifters/id1565862583

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/big-cat-shifters-cs-sax/1139399738

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/big-cat-shifters

Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1082543

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Published on May 30, 2021 23:00

Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – May 30th

I’m continuing to work on the first draft of B Free, the fourth story in the Rebel Cyborgs series (releasing in November). First drafts feel like they take forever and I’m impatient. (grins) I want to find out how B and his female find their Happy Ever After!

We’re out of stay at home in our corner of the universe. Woot! We remain in lockdown but we are now allowed to exercise with a few other people outside.

The Dear Wonderful Hubby happily plays super safe social distanced beach volleyball every day when the weather permits. While he’s doing that, I write. Then he returns home and tells me news of the outside world. (smiles) He’s the grand adventurer of the two of us, the extrovert.

I’m wishing you an awesome day and a great week! (big hugs) Treat yourself to a new book. Eat some delicious food. (The Dear Wonderful Hubby has been barbecuing. I LOVE barbecue!) Perhaps spend some time outside. Do something that makes you happy, my friend!

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Under Strain

A damaged cyborg warrior is huntedby a peace-loving human female.

***

Strain is severely malfunctioning.The D Model cyborg was the sole survivor after a horrific decision was made byhis cruel manufacturers. He hates all humans, and when he attacks one who is underhis cyborg leader’s protection, he is reprimanded, stripped of his weapons, andtold to watch and not actively participate in the next mission.

That mission takes place on a smallremote planet. Its lush terrain should only be inhabited by the cyborgs they weresent to rescue, but Strain senses another presence on the surface. She iswatching him, tracking him, hunting him.

A fully operational cyborg would endher lifespan.

Strain wants to claim her. Forever.

Kamyelle is the only one left ofher kind. Warriors have killed the other nonviolent human inhabitants of herplanet. She survived…barely…by hiding in the trees, observing her enemies, and coveringherself with lifeform scan-concealing mud.

When a handsome, gray-skinned,brilliant-blue-eyed male arrives, surrounded by weapon-carrying warriors, she hasto save him. Warriors harm and they kill. That is what they do.

She won’t allow them to hurtStrain.

***

Under Strain is a STANDALONE CyborgSciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a broken warrior, ahuman female who thinks he’s perfect, and velociraptor-like dinosaurs who viewthem both as light, tasty snacks.

Buy Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/under-strain/id1545957749

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-strain-cynthia-sax/1138505613

Kobo:

Smashwords:

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Published on May 29, 2021 23:00

Upcoming Cynthia Sax Releases

The first two Rebel Cyborg stories, Containing Malice and Under Strain, have released! Woot! I’m super excited about this series.

Baring Grudge, the third standalone story, has undergone one revision draft and is back with my Awesome Editor for the second. I love Grudge and his female and her makeshift found family and I think you’ll love them too.

I’m currently working on the first draft of B Free. Wowsers. This story is so exciting. I can’t wait to write what happens next!

I’m also starting to think about the cyborg series I’ll write after Rebel Cyborgs. I don’t have all the details yet but I do know it will feature some warriors we’ve briefly met and some new-to-us warriors.

Here is my core story release schedule for the rest of the year…and February of next year.

August 2021 – Baring Grudge (Available For Pre-Ordering Now)

November 2021 – B Free

December 2021 – Needing Valor

February 2022 – Seizing Power

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Under Strain

A damaged cyborg warrior is huntedby a peace-loving human female.

***

Strain is severely malfunctioning.The D Model cyborg was the sole survivor after a horrific decision was made byhis cruel manufacturers. He hates all humans, and when he attacks one who is underhis cyborg leader’s protection, he is reprimanded, stripped of his weapons, andtold to watch and not actively participate in the next mission.

That mission takes place on a smallremote planet. Its lush terrain should only be inhabited by the cyborgs they weresent to rescue, but Strain senses another presence on the surface. She iswatching him, tracking him, hunting him.

A fully operational cyborg would endher lifespan.

Strain wants to claim her. Forever.

Kamyelle is the only one left ofher kind. Warriors have killed the other nonviolent human inhabitants of herplanet. She survived…barely…by hiding in the trees, observing her enemies, and coveringherself with lifeform scan-concealing mud.

When a handsome, gray-skinned,brilliant-blue-eyed male arrives, surrounded by weapon-carrying warriors, she hasto save him. Warriors harm and they kill. That is what they do.

She won’t allow them to hurtStrain.

***

Under Strain is a STANDALONE CyborgSciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a broken warrior, ahuman female who thinks he’s perfect, and velociraptor-like dinosaurs who viewthem both as light, tasty snacks.

Buy Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/under-strain/id1545957749

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-strain-cynthia-sax/1138505613

Kobo:

Smashwords:

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Published on May 28, 2021 23:00

Savvy Marketing Vs Simply Having Fun

I talked with a newer writer a few days ago. She is sharing updates on characters in her newsletters, hoping to increase her sales. I do that, she told me, so it must work.

Except…

I don’t share updates on characters to increase sales of my stories. I suspect it doesn’t increase sales at all.

I share updates because that’s fun for me. I like visiting with Rage and Joan and Kralj and other characters. It is like spending time with dear sometimes murderous friends. (grins)

I post the updates in my newsletters because I think you and some of my other reading buddies might enjoy them also. It might make you smile when you receive my newsletters. It might be the reason you agreed to receive communications from me. It might make you more excited about my next book release.

Who knows? (shrugs) The key thing is… I have fun with the updates.

I do many things simply because they’re fun. These things might look like marketing efforts. Because I continue doing them, other writers might believe they’re successful marketing efforts. But often, they’re simply fun things I like doing and think reading buddies might enjoy.

If you’re in doubt about whether a tactic is savvy marketing for me or merely me having some fun, contact me. I’ll happily tell you which one it is.

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Under Strain

A damaged cyborg warrior is huntedby a peace-loving human female.

***

Strain is severely malfunctioning.The D Model cyborg was the sole survivor after a horrific decision was made byhis cruel manufacturers. He hates all humans, and when he attacks one who is underhis cyborg leader’s protection, he is reprimanded, stripped of his weapons, andtold to watch and not actively participate in the next mission.

That mission takes place on a smallremote planet. Its lush terrain should only be inhabited by the cyborgs they weresent to rescue, but Strain senses another presence on the surface. She iswatching him, tracking him, hunting him.

A fully operational cyborg would endher lifespan.

Strain wants to claim her. Forever.

Kamyelle is the only one left ofher kind. Warriors have killed the other nonviolent human inhabitants of herplanet. She survived…barely…by hiding in the trees, observing her enemies, and coveringherself with lifeform scan-concealing mud.

When a handsome, gray-skinned,brilliant-blue-eyed male arrives, surrounded by weapon-carrying warriors, she hasto save him. Warriors harm and they kill. That is what they do.

She won’t allow them to hurtStrain.

***

Under Strain is a STANDALONE CyborgSciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a broken warrior, ahuman female who thinks he’s perfect, and velociraptor-like dinosaurs who viewthem both as light, tasty snacks.

Buy Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/under-strain/id1545957749

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-strain-cynthia-sax/1138505613

Kobo:

Smashwords:

On Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ZOL1DRO/

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Published on May 27, 2021 23:00

Throwback Thursday – Releasing Rage

I re-read Releasing Rage, the very first Cyborg Romance I published, on the weekend and stars, I love this story.

I love Rage, how unfiltered and feral and raw his emotions are.

I love his relationship with Crash and Gap, how he secretly cares for those two warriors.

I love Joan, his fearless female, and how she understands Rage, perhaps because she feels as much fury for the injustices in the universe.

The two of them seem, at first, like an unlikely couple yet they work. There is genuine, lasting love between them.

If you haven’t yet read Releasing Rage, it is currently free! If you have read it and you enjoyed it, I hope you will recommend it to one of your reading buddies.

Half Man. Half Machine. All Hers.

Rage, the Humanoid Alliance’s most primitive cyborg, has two goals—kill all of the humans on his battle station and escape to the Homeland. The warrior has seen the darkness in others and in himself. He believes that’s all he’s been programmed to experience.
Until he meets Joan.

Joan, the battle station’s first female engineer, has one goal—survive long enough to help the big sexy cyborg plotting to kill her. Rage might not trust her but he wants her. She sees the passion in his eyes, the caring in his battle-worn hands, the gruff emotion in his voice.

When Joan survives the unthinkable, Rage’s priorities are tested. Is there enough room in this cyborg’s heart for both love and revenge?

Read Now for FREE:
On Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Releasing-Rage-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B00ZOL1DRO

On Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/Releasing-Rage-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B00ZOL1DRO

On Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/releasing-rage/id1025933626

On B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/releasing-rage-cynthia-sax/1122455646

On Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/releasing-rage

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Published on May 26, 2021 23:00

The Future Of Humans

Recently, a reading buddy asked me, “Why do you think humans in the future will be the same as we are now? We could be better as a species.”

I LOVE these discussions. When some of my SciFi Romance buddies and I hang out virtually, these are the types of topics we talk about. I adore this sh*t, could happily talk about it forever.

We COULD be better as a species. Especially if we encounter an extinction-threatening event that forces us to either change or perish. That is absolutely possible.

But it is unlikely we’ll change much as a species in, say, a thousand years.

Physically, our changes will be minimal. We are very much the same today as we were in 1021. Humans evolve slowly. Researchers believe it would take about a million years or more to see a significant change. That’s because we reproduce slowly (the average first time mom in the US is 26 years old). And we’re mobile, have a wide selection of possible partners.

That means our brains are unlikely to change significantly. Some of our behaviors (like fight or flight) are hard-coded. We have basic urges (like the need to reproduce or survive). Unless our brains are altered, those will remain.

And that will drive behavior. Our technology might evolve but we will likely continue collecting resources, continue huddling together in the safety of groups. We will likely fight when faced with threats perceived or real.

As a species, significant change might be challenging. But as individuals, I believe we have the opportunity to be better, kinder, more generous, more loving humans. We can make Earth and the universe a more wonderful place..

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Under Strain

A damaged cyborg warrior is huntedby a peace-loving human female.

***

Strain is severely malfunctioning.The D Model cyborg was the sole survivor after a horrific decision was made byhis cruel manufacturers. He hates all humans, and when he attacks one who is underhis cyborg leader’s protection, he is reprimanded, stripped of his weapons, andtold to watch and not actively participate in the next mission.

That mission takes place on a smallremote planet. Its lush terrain should only be inhabited by the cyborgs they weresent to rescue, but Strain senses another presence on the surface. She iswatching him, tracking him, hunting him.

A fully operational cyborg would endher lifespan.

Strain wants to claim her. Forever.

Kamyelle is the only one left ofher kind. Warriors have killed the other nonviolent human inhabitants of herplanet. She survived…barely…by hiding in the trees, observing her enemies, and coveringherself with lifeform scan-concealing mud.

When a handsome, gray-skinned,brilliant-blue-eyed male arrives, surrounded by weapon-carrying warriors, she hasto save him. Warriors harm and they kill. That is what they do.

She won’t allow them to hurtStrain.

***

Under Strain is a STANDALONE CyborgSciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a broken warrior, ahuman female who thinks he’s perfect, and velociraptor-like dinosaurs who viewthem both as light, tasty snacks.

Buy Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/under-strain/id1545957749

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-strain-cynthia-sax/1138505613

Kobo:

Smashwords:

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Published on May 25, 2021 23:00

Baggage Claim And Numerous Love Interests

Warning: This post assumes you’ve watched Baggage Claim (the 2013 movie starring Paula Patton) or have read the book (written by David E. Talbert). There will be spoilers.

The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I watched Baggage Claim recently. I was in the mood for something light and fun and this romantic comedy was certainly that. The movie had some issues but I treated it as fantasy and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I found Baggage Claim especially fun because we’re introduced to a variety of love interests for the heroine. They represented a range of romance hero types – the good-with-his-hands small business owner, the singer, the politician, the billionaire. They are all good looking in their own way and all fairly wealthy (because very few of us fantasize about being broke a$$ – grins).

If you read contemporary romance, you know immediately which man she’ll choose. The movie follows romance guidelines. The hero is not much of a mystery.

And that’s a good thing because I liked one of the men more than I liked the hero. That’s a risk with introducing numerous possible love interests. We might get attached to the wrong being and find the ending of the movie or book or other work not as satisfying.

In the case of Baggage Claim, that didn’t happen because the hero was obvious. He WAS a nice guy, very sweet and patient and so very much in love with the heroine. I merely thought the other man was a bit more interesting (but then I like Kralj, the hero from Dark Thoughts, and he likes to eat his enemies so my judgment might be lacking – laughs).

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Under Strain

A damaged cyborg warrior is huntedby a peace-loving human female.

***

Strain is severely malfunctioning.The D Model cyborg was the sole survivor after a horrific decision was made byhis cruel manufacturers. He hates all humans, and when he attacks one who is underhis cyborg leader’s protection, he is reprimanded, stripped of his weapons, andtold to watch and not actively participate in the next mission.

That mission takes place on a smallremote planet. Its lush terrain should only be inhabited by the cyborgs they weresent to rescue, but Strain senses another presence on the surface. She iswatching him, tracking him, hunting him.

A fully operational cyborg would endher lifespan.

Strain wants to claim her. Forever.

Kamyelle is the only one left ofher kind. Warriors have killed the other nonviolent human inhabitants of herplanet. She survived…barely…by hiding in the trees, observing her enemies, and coveringherself with lifeform scan-concealing mud.

When a handsome, gray-skinned,brilliant-blue-eyed male arrives, surrounded by weapon-carrying warriors, she hasto save him. Warriors harm and they kill. That is what they do.

She won’t allow them to hurtStrain.

***

Under Strain is a STANDALONE CyborgSciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a broken warrior, ahuman female who thinks he’s perfect, and velociraptor-like dinosaurs who viewthem both as light, tasty snacks.

Buy Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/under-strain/id1545957749

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-strain-cynthia-sax/1138505613

Kobo:

Smashwords:

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Published on May 24, 2021 23:00

Pulling Dandelions

Stock photo taken by mary1826

The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I spent an enjoyable hour or two removing dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) in our front and back yard. We don’t pull them out of the ground in the early spring as dandelions are often the first flowers in our corner of the universe and are an essential source of nectar for the honey bees.

We remove the dandelions manually because herbicides and pesticides aren’t allowed in our city. I LOVE this restriction. It means, in a pinch, we can eat the dandelions.

The entire plant (leaves, stems, flowers, and roots) is edible. When I was a kid, we ate dandelion leaves in salads. They were a bit bitter. Often we’d eat them blanched the same way we’d eat spinach. One of my aunties would make a potent dandelion wine.

I joke with the Dear Wonderful Hubby that, if the apocalypse happens, we’ll be eating dandelions…and I suspect dandelions would survive any disaster. The happy yellow blooms are tenacious, often growing between patches of pavement.

We pull the dandelions so the clover and other ground covering has a chance to grow also. The variety provides better dining options for bunnies and other creatures.

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Under Strain

A damaged cyborg warrior is huntedby a peace-loving human female.

***

Strain is severely malfunctioning.The D Model cyborg was the sole survivor after a horrific decision was made byhis cruel manufacturers. He hates all humans, and when he attacks one who is underhis cyborg leader’s protection, he is reprimanded, stripped of his weapons, andtold to watch and not actively participate in the next mission.

That mission takes place on a smallremote planet. Its lush terrain should only be inhabited by the cyborgs they weresent to rescue, but Strain senses another presence on the surface. She iswatching him, tracking him, hunting him.

A fully operational cyborg would endher lifespan.

Strain wants to claim her. Forever.

Kamyelle is the only one left ofher kind. Warriors have killed the other nonviolent human inhabitants of herplanet. She survived…barely…by hiding in the trees, observing her enemies, and coveringherself with lifeform scan-concealing mud.

When a handsome, gray-skinned,brilliant-blue-eyed male arrives, surrounded by weapon-carrying warriors, she hasto save him. Warriors harm and they kill. That is what they do.

She won’t allow them to hurtStrain.

***

Under Strain is a STANDALONE CyborgSciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a broken warrior, ahuman female who thinks he’s perfect, and velociraptor-like dinosaurs who viewthem both as light, tasty snacks.

Buy Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS: