Cynthia Sax's Blog, page 74

September 12, 2022

Why You Might Wish To Subscribe To My Newsletter

A reading buddy asked me if she could pre-order Over Torque, the December FREE short story.

That’s not possible.

This story will only be available through BookFunnel and will be listed there the day it is ready to be downloaded.

Amazon really doesn’t like FREE books. I can list stories there at 99 cents and then HOPE Amazon will price match to free but that is becoming harder and harder to do. The last time I offered a free short story, I sent them a message every dang day and they didn’t price match to FREE for three months.

I will be announcing in my newsletter when Over Torque is ready to be read.

To stay informed, consider subscribing here – http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

I send a newsletter once a month. It contains VERY bad jokes. On release months, I share insider information about stories. On non-release months, I share an update on past couples (and more). These snippets are only available to newsletter subscribers.

***

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

Provoking Odium

A Beautiful Cyborg

While accompanying his leader on a mission, Odium, an E Model cyborg, hears a distress call over the communication lines. The voice on that message makes his circuits surge with energy and all his systems light up. He has to respond to the mysterious female, would risk his lifespan and the lifespans of everyone on board their ship to protect her.

A Human Female Others Call Beast

Briella gained her nickname due to her flying abilities, her fearlessness, and her scarred countenance. Her verbal-only relationship with the sexy cyborg who answers her distress call is a steamy yet short-lived fantasy. His kind is physically perfect, and she is…not. He will uncover that truth when…if they survive the attack upon her freighter.

Provoking Odium is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a human female intent on remaining mysterious, a cyborg warrior determined to uncover her identity, and an enemy seeking to destroy them both before they have the opportunity to meet.

Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/provoking-odium/id1605490349

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/provoking-odium-cynthia-sax/1140894003

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/provoking-odium

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1127119

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Published on September 12, 2022 23:00

September 11, 2022

Muse Food – Making The Turn

I can envision a spaceship chase along this river’s path. When they make this turn, the tips of their vessels skim against the rock, leaving grooves, setting off sparks.

Maybe the enemy doesn’t slow and they crash into the wall of stone. The debris floats down the river to be picked up by metal salvagers.

The locals watch and shake their heads. “Humans,” they mutter. “Always in a rush.”

***

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

Provoking Odium

A Beautiful Cyborg

While accompanying his leader on a mission, Odium, an E Model cyborg, hears a distress call over the communication lines. The voice on that message makes his circuits surge with energy and all his systems light up. He has to respond to the mysterious female, would risk his lifespan and the lifespans of everyone on board their ship to protect her.

A Human Female Others Call Beast

Briella gained her nickname due to her flying abilities, her fearlessness, and her scarred countenance. Her verbal-only relationship with the sexy cyborg who answers her distress call is a steamy yet short-lived fantasy. His kind is physically perfect, and she is…not. He will uncover that truth when…if they survive the attack upon her freighter.

Provoking Odium is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a human female intent on remaining mysterious, a cyborg warrior determined to uncover her identity, and an enemy seeking to destroy them both before they have the opportunity to meet.

Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/provoking-odium/id1605490349

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/provoking-odium-cynthia-sax/1140894003

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/provoking-odium

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1127119

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Published on September 11, 2022 23:00

September 10, 2022

Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – September 11th

I’m putting the finishing touches on Grin And Bare Him, the second story in the Cyborg Unity series (releasing in November). Then I will send it to my awesome formatter (the Dear Wonderful Hubby).

I also switched from writing Raw Desires, the third story in the series, to writing Over Torque, this year’s thank you short story (it will be available on BookFunnel in December). I plan to send that to my Awesome Editor by the end of the month. Then I will switch back to writing Raw Desires.

Have a wonderful week, my friends. (big hugs) Sing loudly and gloriously off key to a favorite song. Dance in your chair. Laugh at a terrible joke. Create some happy chaos. (grins)

***

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

Provoking Odium

A Beautiful Cyborg

While accompanying his leader on a mission, Odium, an E Model cyborg, hears a distress call over the communication lines. The voice on that message makes his circuits surge with energy and all his systems light up. He has to respond to the mysterious female, would risk his lifespan and the lifespans of everyone on board their ship to protect her.

A Human Female Others Call Beast

Briella gained her nickname due to her flying abilities, her fearlessness, and her scarred countenance. Her verbal-only relationship with the sexy cyborg who answers her distress call is a steamy yet short-lived fantasy. His kind is physically perfect, and she is…not. He will uncover that truth when…if they survive the attack upon her freighter.

Provoking Odium is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a human female intent on remaining mysterious, a cyborg warrior determined to uncover her identity, and an enemy seeking to destroy them both before they have the opportunity to meet.

Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/provoking-odium/id1605490349

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/provoking-odium-cynthia-sax/1140894003

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/provoking-odium

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1127119

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Published on September 10, 2022 23:00

September 9, 2022

Evolutionary Biology And Saving Seeds

I love many of the sciences. I follow the works of a gazillion scientists.

My favorite science is evolutionary biology – how lifeforms change over time to adapt to different conditions. This evolution is essential for survival. Our surroundings are changing. If we don’t change also, eventually we won’t survive where we currently are.

This is important. Especially now. Our climate is changing scarily quickly. Animals, plants, birds, insects, other lifeforms are struggling to match that fast pace.

Humans are attempting to help them. Experts are doing the bulk of that work. Some amateurs are trying also.

Then there’s me. (grins) I rank well below amateurs.

But I AM attempting to help by saving the seeds from the vegetables that survived the hotter, drier summer and managed to reproduce. The hope is…THEIR offspring will be better able to survive next summer.

Yes. (laughs) I’m doing the science.

***

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

Provoking Odium

A Beautiful Cyborg

While accompanying his leader on a mission, Odium, an E Model cyborg, hears a distress call over the communication lines. The voice on that message makes his circuits surge with energy and all his systems light up. He has to respond to the mysterious female, would risk his lifespan and the lifespans of everyone on board their ship to protect her.

A Human Female Others Call Beast

Briella gained her nickname due to her flying abilities, her fearlessness, and her scarred countenance. Her verbal-only relationship with the sexy cyborg who answers her distress call is a steamy yet short-lived fantasy. His kind is physically perfect, and she is…not. He will uncover that truth when…if they survive the attack upon her freighter.

Provoking Odium is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a human female intent on remaining mysterious, a cyborg warrior determined to uncover her identity, and an enemy seeking to destroy them both before they have the opportunity to meet.

Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/provoking-odium/id1605490349

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/provoking-odium-cynthia-sax/1140894003

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/provoking-odium

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1127119

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Published on September 09, 2022 23:00

September 8, 2022

Over Torque – This Year’s Thank You Short Story

Torque has found his female! Yes!

Torque last made an appearance in Provoking Odium. He’s the cyborg who is testing the defense systems at the border by blowing up non-functioning space ships.

His story will be short (about 50 pages) so it is perfect for this year’s thank you story (gifted in December).

This is a relief to me. I had no idea what I would write for this year’s short story. It turns out – I was waiting for Torque’s romance!

***

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

Provoking Odium

A Beautiful Cyborg

While accompanying his leader on a mission, Odium, an E Model cyborg, hears a distress call over the communication lines. The voice on that message makes his circuits surge with energy and all his systems light up. He has to respond to the mysterious female, would risk his lifespan and the lifespans of everyone on board their ship to protect her.

A Human Female Others Call Beast

Briella gained her nickname due to her flying abilities, her fearlessness, and her scarred countenance. Her verbal-only relationship with the sexy cyborg who answers her distress call is a steamy yet short-lived fantasy. His kind is physically perfect, and she is…not. He will uncover that truth when…if they survive the attack upon her freighter.

Provoking Odium is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a human female intent on remaining mysterious, a cyborg warrior determined to uncover her identity, and an enemy seeking to destroy them both before they have the opportunity to meet.

Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/provoking-odium/id1605490349

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/provoking-odium-cynthia-sax/1140894003

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/provoking-odium

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1127119

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Published on September 08, 2022 23:00

August 30, 2022

The Sandman And Beginning As You Mean To Continue

Warning: This post will talk about the Netflix series – The Sandman – and it will contain spoilers. Don’t read this post if you haven’t watched at least the first episode.

I’ve been watching The Sandman, a series on Netflix based on the Neil Gaiman’s works. The Dear Wonderful Hubby watched episode 1 with me and stopped there.

The violent death of a beloved animal in that episode really bothered him. He deemed it too sad to watch, especially for entertainment.

I, on the other hand, have been enjoying it. I’ve finished episode three thus far and yes, it is sad. I cry and/or am horrified during every installment. But I like that purge of emotions. It allows me to cope with reality.

And I’m glad the Dear Wonderful Hubby stopped watching because the first episode is representative of the next two. The tone is the same. The sadness is the same. The senseless or random acts of hurting are the same.

I try to ensure my first stories in a series are representative of the other stories also. I also try to ensure first chapters are representative of the entire story. If it is a dark story, the first chapter shouldn’t be all giggles and sunshine. There should be a hint of that darkness.

Like having the main character dress all in black. (grins) The Sandman offers us plenty of warnings.

***

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

Provoking Odium

A Beautiful Cyborg

While accompanying his leader on a mission, Odium, an E Model cyborg, hears a distress call over the communication lines. The voice on that message makes his circuits surge with energy and all his systems light up. He has to respond to the mysterious female, would risk his lifespan and the lifespans of everyone on board their ship to protect her.

A Human Female Others Call Beast

Briella gained her nickname due to her flying abilities, her fearlessness, and her scarred countenance. Her verbal-only relationship with the sexy cyborg who answers her distress call is a steamy yet short-lived fantasy. His kind is physically perfect, and she is…not. He will uncover that truth when…if they survive the attack upon her freighter.

Provoking Odium is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a human female intent on remaining mysterious, a cyborg warrior determined to uncover her identity, and an enemy seeking to destroy them both before they have the opportunity to meet.

Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/provoking-odium/id1605490349

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/provoking-odium-cynthia-sax/1140894003

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/provoking-odium

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1127119

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Published on August 30, 2022 23:00

August 29, 2022

Engage All Your Senses

Writers are often told to describe scenes, beings, things using all of our senses – touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste.

***

Her cyborg’s muscles are firm. They ripple as he moves over her. He grunts with each thrust.

Her nose twitches. He smells like her.

She licks his right pec. The taste of metal fills her mouth.

***

I try to engage as many of my senses as possible off the page also.

I’ll step outside the door, gaze up at the blue sky and breathe deeply, inhaling the scent of the nearby roses. I’ll touch one of the rose petals. It is sinfully soft against my skin. I’ll listen to the birds sing and I’ll savor the minty taste of the gum in my mouth.

Take a moment today and engage as many of your senses as possible. Be in that moment. Live it fully.

***

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

Provoking Odium

A Beautiful Cyborg

While accompanying his leader on a mission, Odium, an E Model cyborg, hears a distress call over the communication lines. The voice on that message makes his circuits surge with energy and all his systems light up. He has to respond to the mysterious female, would risk his lifespan and the lifespans of everyone on board their ship to protect her.

A Human Female Others Call Beast

Briella gained her nickname due to her flying abilities, her fearlessness, and her scarred countenance. Her verbal-only relationship with the sexy cyborg who answers her distress call is a steamy yet short-lived fantasy. His kind is physically perfect, and she is…not. He will uncover that truth when…if they survive the attack upon her freighter.

Provoking Odium is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a human female intent on remaining mysterious, a cyborg warrior determined to uncover her identity, and an enemy seeking to destroy them both before they have the opportunity to meet.

Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/provoking-odium/id1605490349

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/provoking-odium-cynthia-sax/1140894003

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/provoking-odium

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1127119

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Published on August 29, 2022 23:00

August 28, 2022

Muse Food – Sites Of Past Spaceship Crashes

A scientist looking at this beautiful scene might wonder if glaciers once retreated through this rocky terrain, carving a gorge through the stone.

I see the site of a past spaceship crash.

(grins)

There might have been a battle between two alien species held over the Earth’s surface long, long ago.

Or

Maybe one of the cyborg’s beloved offspring successfully ‘borrowed’ a ship and then lost control of it above our planet. They survived the crash because…well…they’re cyborgs and cyborgs are quite durable. Plus any ship a cyborg obtained would be modified to boost safety.

What do you see?

***

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

Provoking Odium

A Beautiful Cyborg

While accompanying his leader on a mission, Odium, an E Model cyborg, hears a distress call over the communication lines. The voice on that message makes his circuits surge with energy and all his systems light up. He has to respond to the mysterious female, would risk his lifespan and the lifespans of everyone on board their ship to protect her.

A Human Female Others Call Beast

Briella gained her nickname due to her flying abilities, her fearlessness, and her scarred countenance. Her verbal-only relationship with the sexy cyborg who answers her distress call is a steamy yet short-lived fantasy. His kind is physically perfect, and she is…not. He will uncover that truth when…if they survive the attack upon her freighter.

Provoking Odium is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a human female intent on remaining mysterious, a cyborg warrior determined to uncover her identity, and an enemy seeking to destroy them both before they have the opportunity to meet.

Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/provoking-odium/id1605490349

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/provoking-odium-cynthia-sax/1140894003

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/provoking-odium

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1127119

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Published on August 28, 2022 23:00

August 27, 2022

Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – August 28th

Grin And Bare Him, the second story in the Cyborg Unity series (releasing in November), remains with my Awesome Editor.

This story is a bit lighter than my other core stories. The death count is still huge. I DID write it. (grins) And there are explosions. But both Mohini and Grin cope with their respective traumas by focusing on the future.

I continue to work on the first draft of Raw Desires, the third story in the series. This is a no-holds-barred knock-’em-down enemies-to-lovers romance. I hope to release this story in February, providing everything goes well.

Enjoy these final days of August 2022, my friend. (big hugs) Eat a new-to-you type of food. Take another route to work, even if this means wandering through the kitchen (for those of us fortunate to work from home). Read a romance written by a writer with a ‘z’ in their name.

***

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

Provoking Odium

A Beautiful Cyborg

While accompanying his leader on a mission, Odium, an E Model cyborg, hears a distress call over the communication lines. The voice on that message makes his circuits surge with energy and all his systems light up. He has to respond to the mysterious female, would risk his lifespan and the lifespans of everyone on board their ship to protect her.

A Human Female Others Call Beast

Briella gained her nickname due to her flying abilities, her fearlessness, and her scarred countenance. Her verbal-only relationship with the sexy cyborg who answers her distress call is a steamy yet short-lived fantasy. His kind is physically perfect, and she is…not. He will uncover that truth when…if they survive the attack upon her freighter.

Provoking Odium is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a human female intent on remaining mysterious, a cyborg warrior determined to uncover her identity, and an enemy seeking to destroy them both before they have the opportunity to meet.

Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/provoking-odium/id1605490349

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/provoking-odium-cynthia-sax/1140894003

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/provoking-odium

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1127119

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Published on August 27, 2022 23:00

August 26, 2022

The To-Do List

I’m a huge day dreamer. I could lie on the bed all day and think about the stories I want to write. That’s a wonderful experience but it, unfortunately, doesn’t get those stories written.

The only reason I get things done is…

I put them on a to-do list.

I force myself to complete those tasks and I receive a little blip of happiness every time I cross items off my list.

This year, I used one of my hoarded notebooks for my daily to-do lists. And that makes me feel like one of the rich and famous. (grins) I’ll definitely use nice notebooks for my to-do lists going forward.

***

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

Provoking Odium

A Beautiful Cyborg

While accompanying his leader on a mission, Odium, an E Model cyborg, hears a distress call over the communication lines. The voice on that message makes his circuits surge with energy and all his systems light up. He has to respond to the mysterious female, would risk his lifespan and the lifespans of everyone on board their ship to protect her.

A Human Female Others Call Beast

Briella gained her nickname due to her flying abilities, her fearlessness, and her scarred countenance. Her verbal-only relationship with the sexy cyborg who answers her distress call is a steamy yet short-lived fantasy. His kind is physically perfect, and she is…not. He will uncover that truth when…if they survive the attack upon her freighter.

Provoking Odium is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a human female intent on remaining mysterious, a cyborg warrior determined to uncover her identity, and an enemy seeking to destroy them both before they have the opportunity to meet.

Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09NRXGLFW

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/provoking-odium/id1605490349

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/provoking-odium-cynthia-sax/1140894003

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/provoking-odium

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1127119

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Published on August 26, 2022 23:00