Irene Preston's Blog

What’s this astronomer doing in ancient Alexandria?

Trying to prove a radical theory about celestial movements and getting caught up in a dangerous world of magic and mystery along the way!

Well, I finally wrote another book. You can all thank Liv for roping me into encouraging me to take part in another shared world project, and this time a historical! The God’s Guardian is part of the multi-author series The Pharaoh’s Promise—a historical paranormal romance project spanning multiple time periods and places. My story takes place in ancient Alexandria, where scholars and pharaohs walked side by side, and magic might not be just a myth.

To be honest, I’ve always been terrified of writing historical because (shhhh – I don’t actually know much history). That being the case, you might be wondering why I chose ancient Alexandria for a setting.

Over-compensation?

I mean, I actually knew less about this time and place than most. I don’t even know how I got there. I knew I wanted one of my heroes to be related (distantly) to Sarasija Mishra from Hours of the Night. The premise of the series starts with a tomb in ancient Egypt. I took those two facts and somehow wound up in ancient Greece.

Once there, I was hooked! Alexandria was a major, major metropolitan city of the day. Think New York, Paris, London – any of the major cities. The Great Library was there, which is fascinating all on it’s own. The Ptolemies lived there. And if, like me, you aren’t sure who the Ptolemies were- they were the Greeks who declared themselves pharaohs – yes, the line of Cleopatra! The city was very modern and cosmopolitan drawing scholars from all over the world. There was a lot of blending of Egyptian and Greek culture – you’ll notice in the book that Bhaskar learns both Greek and Egyptian in preparation for his trip.

Anyway, I could go on, and on (and on) about Alexandria – but you would be better served by diving into some podcasts if interested. I think one of the first I listened to was The Ancients – The Great Library.

I won’t pretend I didn’t take some liberties with time and space (and geography). So if any of you are really into accuracy in those things – sorry? There are some anachronisms and I may have played fast and loose with the landscape of Alexandria. Don’t forget – we’re in an alternate (fictional) universe.

Hey, am I forgetting to talk about the actual book? (Bad Author!)

Getting back to Sarasija’s great-great-so many greats – uncle. Bhaskar is a young astronomer growing up in a remote town in the Himalayas, and he dreams of studying at the Great Library. He has this radical theory he wants to prove – maybe the sun (and everything else) does not actually revolve around the earth! And there you go – my first anachronism! “Astronomer” isn’t actually a title that would have translated easily into the parlance of 219 BCE. It is, however, succinct and readily relatable for modern readers.

So off Bhaskar heads to the big city where (surprise!) our starry-eyed scholar immediately lands in trouble. Thankfully, he’s also captured the interest of a very athletic and mysterious Alexandrian who comes to his rescue. Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe Anu has his own agenda.

And for those of you following along from Hours of the Night, like Sara, Bhaskar is a little more than he seems.

The God’s Guardian is available now, and the best part is that you don’t have to read the other books in The Pharaoh’s Promise series in order—each book stands alone. You can dive right into Bhaskar and Anu’s adventure.

I’d love to know what you think of my first historical romantasy!

Drop in to After Hours and let me know!

I Tested Positive for Covid-19 and I’m Asymptomatic – Or am I?

Send to Kindle

I’m Irene. I’m Covid-19 positive. I was one of those people who thought the coronavirus couldn’t happen to me. I’m also asymptomatic… or I thought I was.

Oh, you’re thinking. You’re one of those people who thought it was a hoax. One of the ones we see on TV crowded up with their friends at a bar or large social gathering. One of those people who protest over being asked to wear a mask.

Not so much.

What did I do to protect myself? Pretty much everything. My family has been isolating since the first week of March. We cancelled social engagements, began picking our groceries up curbside, and wore masks when we couldn’t avoid being in a public place. We stopped eating out completely and only occasionally splurged on take-out. I haven’t touched a public door handle with my hands in months. (Did you know you can open most doors with your elbow?) We wiped our groceries down with a bleach solution when we brought them home.

My husband, Bones, closed his retail shop when lock-down orders were put in place. When he re-opened he enforced strict mask and social distancing requirements even before our state did. Okay, we’re in Texas. He pretty much had to act on his own in that regard.

I was fortunate. My workplace instituted a work-from-home rotation that meant when I did go into the office I was often completely alone in my department.  If I touched anything outside my personal desk area, I was conscientious about hand washing. The company instituted extra housekeeping rounds to sanitize common areas and provided us with hand sanitizer and extra disinfectant.

My daughter, an early childhood educator, was furloughed. She took up chicken raising and stayed home. (I’m not making that chicken bit up.)

So how did you wind up with Covid? I don’t know!

Next question: If you were so careful, why did you get tested? I almost didn’t.

Several people who worked for my company tested positive. Although I hadn’t had any direct contact with them, Kiddo and Bones encouraged me to get a test. On June 30, I gave in and made an appointment with my doctor. Then I waited ten days to get the results back.

While I waited, I joked to myself it was a good thing I was negative. If I had been positive I would be dead already. Ha. Ha. Ha.

On TV, I watched my fellow Texans who weren’t lucky enough to have insurance queue for hours to get tested, often being turned away. Positivity rates soared over 25% in some areas. Texas hospitals were filling up. No laughing about that.

On July 10, while still waiting for results, I found out a co-worker in my department at work had tested positive. We hadn’t seen much of each other lately due to work-from-home rotations, but it was still a shock. Her husband was also positive.

Then my phone rang.

I had to re-confirm what I was told. “You mean I’m positive? I have coronavirus?”

Yes. Or at least I did ten days ago.

Well, I consoled myself. I was asymptomatic. I’m probably cured by now.

Except….

Kiddo and Bones immediately made appointments for testing. After a phone screening, Kiddo’s doctor told her she was considered symptomatic. Her “symptoms” were exactly the same as mine – a lot of minor complaints we had brushed off. Let’s go through them.

The CDC has put out a handy list:

Fever or chills – Nope. No fever. I know, because my company required us to self-monitor by taking our temperatures every day. We were to report anything over 100. Except… well, okay. The thing I noticed while self-monitoring was that my temps generally run lower than 98.6 Right before I got tested though, I had had some days that were higher, a few over 99. Still within “normal” range, I told myself. No need to even report.
Cough – Okay I had this one. But here’s the thing – we had this Saharan Dust storm move into the area at the time and I have allergies. It was on the news and everything. And the cough was… nothing. You ever seen Zoolander? That’s the kind I’m talking about. So mild it sounds like you’re faking it. I’VE GOT THE BLACK LUNG, POP.
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing – No. Well, not really. I mean… I recently closed my business and I’m still cleaning out the building, which has no running A/C. Texas temps were running in the upper 90s. An hour or so of that and anyone would have a little trouble, right?
Fatigue – See above. It’s natural I was tired. Not only was I working in the heat (after 8 hours at the office job), but the whole closed-business thing is emotionally stressful. Going to bed a little early and having trouble waking up in the morning would be perfectly normal. Same with a few days of brain fog and trouble concentrating at work. (Sorry, boss)
Muscle or body aches – Yes. But, I mean, I’ve been complaining to the doc I sometimes ache all over for about five years now. Apparently it’s a thing that happens to …errr… “women of a certain age”. (We’re all of some certain age, right? WTF, doc? You’re straining my faith in modern medicine.)
Headache – Dust. Stress. Heat. I took an aspirin. It went away.
New loss of taste or smell – No. Well… okay, there were those mornings I complained to Bones that something was wrong with the new bag of coffee. It didn’t taste right. He told me I was crazy. Probably the allergies.
Sore throat – I had a minor sore throat I reported to my doc when I tested. He confirmed my throat was red, so not hypochondria (my own diagnosis). Probably that Saharan dust, though.
Congestion or runny nose – Allergies. Easier to pick days I don’t have this. It’s not a symptom, it’s a feature.
Nausea or vomiting – No. Okay, my stomach felt a little off a few days. Maybe I kept that fresh corn in the fridge a little too long before I cooked it.
Diarrhea – Yep. But you know, that was July 5 (Hey, this was specific enough I actually remember the date). Bones cooked and he made this amazing casserole with pork sausage and a bunch of fresh peppers. While he was cooking I sat at the island and sipped a grapefruit spritzer. I mean…grapefruit, peppers, and pork. That was bound to end badly, amirite?

Okay so that’s it. I have (or had) the coronavirus and I’m either asymptomatic or I ignored all the symptoms.

The worst thing about this is trying to figure out if I might still be contagious. I read articles. Mostly, which convinced me no one really knows. If I was truly asymptomatic, ten days out from the test I ought to be fine. Except as I write this (day 11), I have a sore throat. I’m tired. My temp is over 98.6.

No. The very worst thing is worrying about who I may have infected. Bones and Kiddo are waiting on results. They’ve been told to expect them to be positive. Bones closed the shop again. I’ve tried to remember everyone I’ve come in contact with so I can self-contact trace (I’m not expecting a call from the state health department to do this for me). Fortunately, I have been social distancing. The list is manageable. I’ve worn a mask.

I watch the numbers going up on the news. The United States leads the world in infections. Texas is close to the top of the lists of states (everything’s bigger in Texas). I wonder how many other people don’t know they’ve been infected. Won’t get tested. Won’t ever know.

Please wear a mask. Get tested, even if you think your “symptoms” can’t possibly be coronavirus. Social distance when you can. Wash your hands.

No matter how careful you are, you can’t be sure you haven’t been exposed.

Please wear a mask.

Haunted Cover Reveal!

Send to Kindle

Wow {checks last blog post} So it’s been a while since I posted anything… but things are heating up again and I haz neewwwwssss!

Remember how Liv and I wrote this sort of add-on side story for Hours of the Night called Haunted? Well, it seems a few of you enjoyed Adam and Noel as much as we did and asked us to continue their story. So… we are officially splitting Haunted off as the first book in a brand new series, Haunts & Hoaxes!

To celebrate, and make everything official-like – we got the amazing Kanaxa to bend her talents to a new cover and….oh, gosh, we love it. We love it so much. So.. HERE IT IS.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, SPOOKED (Haunts & Hoaxes 2) will be out in early 2020. So yes, you will see more of Adam and Noel.!

Noel Chandler had a good reason for leaving the L.A.P.D. for New Orleans, but when he walks into a burned out Garden District mansion, he discovers there are some things he can’t outrun. The spooks can find him anywhere.

As the resident historian for the cable show Haunts and Hoaxes, Professor Adam Morales keeps an open mind about the supernatural. Or that’s what he tells himself, until he meets a man who puts that principle to the test. Noel’s smart, sexy, and has killer cop instincts. One glance from his bedroom eyes has Adam ready to believe anything.

But is Noel haunted, crazy, or just another hoax?

Buy On Amazon | More Stores | More Info on Haunted

Hey, want to see news like this earlier? Join us in After Hours for all the early sneak peeks and extras.

Holiday Reads

Send to Kindle

The holidays are in full swing. However you celebrate, I hope you are finding a few moments of peace and joy this year.

If you’ve got time to put your feet up and enjoy some seasonal reads, the readers in After Hours were kind enough to share some of their favorite LGBT holiday stories with me. If you have some we’ve missed, stop by and hit us with your recs!

CLICK ON THE BOOK COVERS to view on Amazon.

And of course, Liv & I have our own offerings.
[image error] Silent night, holy hell. Thaddeus and Sara spend their first Christmas together. Santa Mac has a secret in this fun short from Liv Rancourt Vampires and fancy frocks in old Seattle

ALL the Sales

Send to Kindle

Lots of books on sale right now y’all.

These are all limited time offers, so grab them while they’re cheap!

Chef Romance

A Taste of You $2.99 $0.99 Amazon | Other Stores

Tall Order $2.99 $0.99 Amazon | Other Stores

Hours of the Night

Vespers $3.99 $0.99  Amazon | Other Stores

Bonfire $2.99 $0.99  Amazon | Other Stores

Nocturne $4.99 $2.99  Amazon | Other Stores 

Now Available: Nocturne (Hours of the Night 2)

Send to Kindle

Buy Now | Excerpt | More Hours of the Night

⚜It’s Mardi Gras, cher, but this year le bon temps kick off with murder…

For generations, the White Monks have treated the vampire Thaddeus Dupont as a weapon in their battle against demons. However, when a prominent matron drops dead at a party, Thaddeus and his lover Sarasija are asked to find her killer. Their investigation leads them to an old southern family with connections everywhere: Louisiana politics, big business, the Church, and an organization just as secret as the White Monks.

Meanwhile, an esoteric text containing spells for demon-summoning has disappeared, Thaddeus is losing control of le monstre, and Sara is troubled by disturbing dreams. These nightmares could be a side-effect of dating a vampire, or they could be a remnant of his brush with evil. As the nights wear on, Sara fears they are a manifestation of something darker – a secret that could destroy his relationship with Thaddeus.

Where to Buy Nocturne

Amazon  | Kobo | IBooks | B&N | More Stores

Hours of the Night Sale Ends Soon

Hours of the Night

Vespers $3.99 $0.99  Amazon | Other Stores

Bonfire $2.99 $0.99  Amazon | Other Stores

Nocturne $4.99 $2.99  Amazon | Other Stores 

New Release: The Stark Divide by J Scott Coatsworth

Send to Kindle

Hey, y’all. I don’t do release day spotlights very often, but I do make exceptions for my friends. When I saw Scott’s cover, I knew I was going to host him today. Am I a total sci-fi nerdgirl or what? Also, in case you miss it down below, Scott runs Queer Sci-Fi and QueeRomanceInk. Both are great places to find new books. You should come hang out with me, Scott, and other authors and readers at the QRI Group or QSF Group!

Without further ado…

The Stark Divide !

Some stories are epic.

The Earth is in a state of collapse, with wars breaking out over resources and an environment pushed to the edge by human greed.

Three living generation ships have been built with a combination of genetic mastery, artificial intelligence, technology, and raw materials harvested from the asteroid belt. This is the story of one of them—43 Ariadne, or Forever, as her inhabitants call her—a living world that carries the remaining hopes of humanity, and the three generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers working to colonize her.

From her humble beginnings as a seedling saved from disaster to the start of her journey across the void of space toward a new home for the human race, The Stark Divide tells the tales of the world, the people who made her, and the few who will become something altogether beyond human.

Humankind has just taken its first step toward the stars.

Book One of Liminal Sky

Where to Buy The Stark Divide

Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | QueeRomance Ink 

Excerpt: The Stark Divide

“DRESSLER, SCHEMATIC,” Colin McAvery, ship’s captain and a third of the crew, called out to the ship-mind.

A three-dimensional image of the ship appeared above the smooth console. Her five living arms, reaching out from her central core, were lit with a golden glow, and the mechanical bits of instrumentation shone in red. In real life, she was almost two hundred meters from tip to tip.

Between those arms stretched her solar wings, a ghostly green film like the sails of the Flying Dutchman.

“You’re a pretty thing,” he said softly. He loved these ships, their delicate beauty as they floated through the starry void.

“Thank you, Captain.” The ship-mind sounded happy with the compliment—his imagination running wild. Minds didn’t have real emotions, though they sometimes approximated them.

He cross-checked the heading to be sure they remained on course to deliver their payload, the man-sized seed that was being dragged on a tether behind the ship. Humanity’s ticket to the stars at a time when life on Earth was getting rapidly worse.

All of space was spread out before him, seen through the clear expanse of plasform set into the ship’s living walls. His own face, trimmed blond hair, and deep brown eyes, stared back at him, superimposed over the vivid starscape.

At thirty, Colin was in the prime of his career. He was a starship captain, and yet sometimes he felt like little more than a bus driver. After this run… well, he’d have to see what other opportunities might be awaiting him. Maybe the doc was right, and this was the start of a whole new chapter for mankind. They might need a guy like him.

The walls of the bridge emitted a faint but healthy golden glow, providing light for his work at the curved mechanical console that filled half the room. He traced out the T-Line to their destination. “Dressler, we’re looking a little wobbly.” Colin frowned. Some irregularity in the course was common—the ship was constantly adjusting its trajectory—but she usually corrected it before he noticed.

“Affirmative, Captain.” The ship-mind’s miniature chosen likeness appeared above the touch board. She was all professional today, dressed in a standard AmSplor uniform, dark hair pulled back in a bun, and about a third life-sized.

The image was nothing more than a projection of the ship-mind, a fairy tale, but Colin appreciated the effort she took to humanize her appearance. Artificial mind or not, he always treated minds with respect.

“There’s a blockage in arm four. I’ve sent out a scout to correct it.”

The Dressler was well into slowdown now, her pre-arrival phase as she bled off her speed, and they expected to reach 43 Ariadne in another fifteen hours.

Pity no one had yet cracked the whole hyperspace thing. Colin chuckled. Asimov would be disappointed. “Dressler, show me Earth, please.”

A small blue dot appeared in the middle of his screen.

“Dressler, three dimensions, a bit larger, please.” The beautiful blue-green world spun before him in all its glory.

Appearances could be deceiving. Even with scrubbers working tirelessly night and day to clean the excess carbon dioxide from the air, the home world was still running dangerously warm.

He watched the image in front of him as the East Coast of the North American Union spun slowly into view. Florida was a sliver of its former self, and where New York City’s lights had once shone, there was now only blue. If it had been night, Fargo, the capital of the Northern States, would have outshone most of the other cities below. The floods that had wiped out many of the world’s coastal cities had also knocked down Earth’s population, which was only now reaching the levels it had seen in the early twenty-first century.

All those new souls had been born into a warm, arid world.

We did it to ourselves. Colin, who had known nothing besides the hot planet he called home, wondered what it had been like those many years before the Heat.

About Scott

Scott spends his time between the here and now and the what could be. Enticed into fantasy and sci fi by his mom at the tender age of nine, he devoured her Science Fiction Book Club library. But as he grew up, he wondered where all the people like him were in the books he was reading.

He decided that it was time to create the kinds of stories he couldn’t find at his local bookstore. If there weren’t gay characters in his favorite genres, he would remake them to his own ends.

His friends say Scott’s mind works a little differently – he sees relationships between things that others miss, and gets more done in a day than most folks manage in a week. He loves to transform traditional sci fi, fantasy, and contemporary worlds into something unexpected.

Starting in 2014, Scott has published more than 15 works, including two novels and a number of novellas and short stories.

He runs both Queer Sci Fi and QueeRomance Ink with his husband Mark, sites that bring queer people together to promote and celebrate fiction that reflects their own lives.

 

 

Hours of the Night Sale

Send to Kindle

Whoa – I may have forgotten to mention this huge sale!

Nocturne is coming out in less than two weeks, and to celebrate we’ve got the whole series on sale thru release day!

Hours of the Night

Vespers $3.99 $0.99  Amazon | Other Stores

Bonfire $2.99 $0.99  Amazon | Other Stores

Nocturne $4.99 $2.99  Amazon | Other Stores 

 

Time for Renewal

Send to KindleNew Anthology Out Today

And I’m in there somewhere!

Okay, I’m actually sort of stoked to be included. Renewal is a flash fiction anthology. If you aren’t familiar with the term, flash fiction is incredibly short. For this anthology no more than 300 words. You heard me 300 words! To tell an entire story.

If somehow you got here and aren’t familiar with me, short isn’t really in my wheelhouse. A rambling fiction anthology would be right up my alley. I’ve always been fascinated by those tiny little stories, though. Many of them are incredibly clever. So this year I decided to try my hand. I’m sure I’ve never sweated more over 300 words!

The anthology is a benefit for QueerSciFi.com. If you enjoy science fiction, fantasy, paranormal or horror fiction with queer characters (or any of the above no matter the orientation of the characters), it’s a great place to see what’s new. They have a corresponding Queer Sci Fi Facebook Group which is a fun place to hang out and meet other readers and authors. Check it out if you’re into SF/F!

This year’s anthology theme was renewal and I’m sure you’ll recognize many of the authors who have contributed stories.

Re.new.al (noun)

1) Resuming an activity after an interruption, or

2) Extending a contract, subscription or license, or

3) Replacing or repairing something that is worn out, run-down, or broken, or

4) Rebirth after death.

Four definitions to spark inspiration, a limitless number of stories to be conceived. Only 110 made the cut.

Thrilling to hopeful, Renewal features 300-word speculative fiction ficlets about sexual and gender minorities to entice readers.

Welcome to Renewal.

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads | More Stores

Excerpt

Because these stories are only 300 words each, a normal excerpt would be a total spoiler. Instead, here are first lines from a few of the stories. Enjoy!

“Before we continue, there’s a rather macabre fact about me I should share.” Rejuvenation, by Christine Wright

“When I died they buried me at the bottom of the garden and returned to the fields.” Below the Hill, by Matthew Bright

“The world is ending and I can’t look away from your eyes.” Sunrise, by Brigitte Winter

“San Francisco was the first to go dark, followed by Los Angeles.” When Light Left, by Lex Chase

“My fingers lingered on the synthetic skin, trailing soft patterns across my work.” Miss You, by Stephanie Shaffer

Included Authors

‘Nathan Burgoine

A.M. Leibowitz

A.M. Soto

Abby Bartle

Aidee Ladnier

Alexis Woods

Andi Deacon

Andrea Felber Seligman

Andrea Speed

Andrea Stanet

Anne McPherson

Bey Deckard

Brigitte Winter

Carey Ford Compton

Carol Holland March

Carrie Pack

Catherine Lundoff

CB Lee

Christine Wright

Colton Aalto

Daniel Mitton

Dustin Blottenberger

Dustin Karpovich

E R Zhang

E.J. Russell

E.W. Murks

Ell Schulman

Ellery Jude

Eloreen Moon

Elsa M León

Emily Horner

Eric Alan Westfall

F.T. Lukens

Fenrir Cerebellion

Foster Bridget Cassidy

Ginger Streusel

Hannah Henry

Irene Preston

J. Alan Veerkamp

J. P. Egry

J. Summerset

J.S. Fields

Jaap Boekestein

Jackie Keswick

Jana Denardo

Jeff Baker

Jenn Burke

Joe Baumann

John Moralee

Jon Keys

Jude Dunn

K.C. Faelan

Kelly Haworth

Kiterie Aine

Kristen Lee

L M Somerton

L. Brian Carroll

L.M. Brown

L.V. Lloyd

Laurie Treacy

Leigh M. Lorien

Lex Chase

Lia Harding

Lin Kelly

Lloyd A. Meeker

Lyda Morehouse

M.D. Grimm

Martha J. Allard

Mary E. Lowd

Matt Doyle

Matthew Bright

Mia Koutras

Michelle Browne

Milo Owen

Mindy Leana Shuman

Naomi Tajedler

Natsuya Uesugi

Nephy Hart

Nicole Dennis

Ofelia Gränd

Patricia Scott

Paul Stevens

PW Covington

R R Angell

R.L. Merrill

Rebecca Cohen

Redfern Jon Barrett

Reni Kieffer

Richard Amos

RL Mosswood

Robyn Walker

Rory Ni Coileain

Rose Blackthorn

Ross Common

S R Jones

Sacchi Green

Sarah Einstein

Shilo Quetchenbach

Siri Paulson

Soren Summers

Stephanie Shaffer

Steve Fuson

Tam Ames

Terry Poole

Tray Ellis

Vivien Dean

Wendy Rathbone

Xenia Melzer

Zen DiPietro

Zev de Valera

AQUA FOLLIES IS OUT!

Send to Kindle

Guys, I can’t tell you how excited I am that Liv’s novel, Aqua Follies, is finally out in the world.

I had the privilege of reading a very early copy of this book. Long story short, it might be the reason Liv and I are writing partners today.

It seems odd to me that so many of her other works have come out in the interim while this one simmered on the back burner. Whatever she’s been doing to it,  I think the wait was worth it.

I invite all of you to step back a few short decades into mid-century America and the summer Aqua Follies tour….

 

The 1950s. Postwar exuberance. Conformity. Rock and roll.

Homophobia.

Russell tells himself he’ll marry Susie because it’s the right thing to do. His summer job coaching her water ballet team will give him plenty of opportunity to give her a ring. But on the team’s trip to the annual Aqua Follies, the joyful glide of a trumpet player’s solo hits Russell like a torpedo, blowing apart his carefully constructed plans.

From the orchestra pit, Skip watches Poseidon’s younger brother stalk along the pool deck. It never hurts to smile at a man, because good things might happen. Once the last note has been played, Skip gives it a shot.

The tenuous connection forged by a simple smile leads to events that dismantle both their lives. Has the damage been done, or can they pick up the pieces together?

Where to Buy Aqua Follies

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | More Stores