Sam Dogra's Blog, page 12
April 26, 2014
Virtual Tour of Azaria
Well, aren't you guys in for a surprise today. My good friend Lily Yates has very kindly made a virtual Azaria using Poser!
So take a look around, and see Eliza's homeworld for real:
World map (click here for full view):
So take a look around, and see Eliza's homeworld for real:
World map (click here for full view):
April 7, 2014
The management of epistaxis (or How To Stop A Nosebleed)
So, like many doctors across the UK, I've recently jumped specialties in my training and have started my next four months in ENT surgery (ears, nose and throat). So far it's been a fun learning experience, especially with the new gadgets like headlights, nasal speculums (as opposed to the other well-known speculum I've been using in my last specialty Obstetrics and Gynaecology!), and using nifty bits of kit like microsuction to remove ear wax.
I've also been exposed to some of the acute emergencies of ENT, the mainstay of which is nosebleeds. The posh medical term for this is epistaxis. It's extremely common- I used to be a sufferer myself- and while only a handful need specialist management, I'm quite shocked at how few of my patients seem to know what to do before they present to the emergency department! Many patients also receive conflicting and sometimes even harmful advice, even from other doctors, so here I want to try and use knowledge of the anatomy of the nose to help inform the best way to manage a nosebleed.
Please note: If these measures fail, you must seek urgent medical advice. Always check with your GP if you have other medical conditions before following these instructions.
(the following is a summary taken from this article on patient.co.uk)
1. If you are not feeling faint, sit up and lean slightly forward.
The reasoning behind this is to stop blood flowing out the back of the nose and into the throat. Not only does this stop you having to swallow blood (which tastes foul), it also reduces the risk of blood falling into the trachea (air pipe) and causing airway irritation or worse, aspiration into the lungs, where infection can then spread.
(image source)
2. With a finger and thumb, pinch the lower fleshy end of the nose completely blocking the nostrils. It is useless to put pressure over the root of the nose or nasal bones. Usually, if you apply light pressure for 10-20 minutes, the bleeding will stop.
This is where a lot of the misinformation comes- some patients pinch the bridge of the nose (useless as the nasal bones are not compressible and thus you're not putting pressure on anything!), while others pinch just above the soft part of the nose, which doesn't put pressure on the right area.
The commonest site for nosebleeds is Little's Area:
(image source)
This is where several blood vessels join up, so makes for a heavy bleeding point. Things that can make nosebleeds worse include hot drinks/ food, as the heat causes the vessels to open up and dilate, thus feeding more blood to the area.
As you can see, this area is right on the soft, fleshy part of the nose, hence why you pinch here and no-where else.
Do NOT keep checking to see if the bleeding has stopped; keep the pressure applied for 15-20 minutes.
3. If available, a cold flannel or compress around the nose and front of face will help. The cold helps the blood vessels to close down (constrict) and stop bleeding.
As we said heat makes things worse, so the converse is true. Cooling down can help, so iced peas in a towel can help.
4. Once the nosebleed has stopped, do not pick the nose or try to blow out any of the blood remaining in the nostrils. This may cause another nosebleed.
A tiny clot is what probably is stopping the bleeding, so anything that dislodges this will cause the bleeding to restart.
5.If you feel faint it is best to lie flat on your side.
6. If the above measures fail, or if the nosebleed lasts 30 minutes or longer, you must seek urgent medical advice.
The site of bleeding may need to be cauterized (burned), or it may need packing, or even surgery to stop. These can only be done in an emergency setting.
Remember, medical blogs or sites are not a substitute for real medical opinion , so if you have any doubts or concerns, please raise them with your own doctor.
I've also been exposed to some of the acute emergencies of ENT, the mainstay of which is nosebleeds. The posh medical term for this is epistaxis. It's extremely common- I used to be a sufferer myself- and while only a handful need specialist management, I'm quite shocked at how few of my patients seem to know what to do before they present to the emergency department! Many patients also receive conflicting and sometimes even harmful advice, even from other doctors, so here I want to try and use knowledge of the anatomy of the nose to help inform the best way to manage a nosebleed.
Please note: If these measures fail, you must seek urgent medical advice. Always check with your GP if you have other medical conditions before following these instructions.
(the following is a summary taken from this article on patient.co.uk)
1. If you are not feeling faint, sit up and lean slightly forward.
The reasoning behind this is to stop blood flowing out the back of the nose and into the throat. Not only does this stop you having to swallow blood (which tastes foul), it also reduces the risk of blood falling into the trachea (air pipe) and causing airway irritation or worse, aspiration into the lungs, where infection can then spread.
(image source)2. With a finger and thumb, pinch the lower fleshy end of the nose completely blocking the nostrils. It is useless to put pressure over the root of the nose or nasal bones. Usually, if you apply light pressure for 10-20 minutes, the bleeding will stop.
This is where a lot of the misinformation comes- some patients pinch the bridge of the nose (useless as the nasal bones are not compressible and thus you're not putting pressure on anything!), while others pinch just above the soft part of the nose, which doesn't put pressure on the right area.
The commonest site for nosebleeds is Little's Area:
(image source)This is where several blood vessels join up, so makes for a heavy bleeding point. Things that can make nosebleeds worse include hot drinks/ food, as the heat causes the vessels to open up and dilate, thus feeding more blood to the area.
As you can see, this area is right on the soft, fleshy part of the nose, hence why you pinch here and no-where else.
Do NOT keep checking to see if the bleeding has stopped; keep the pressure applied for 15-20 minutes.
3. If available, a cold flannel or compress around the nose and front of face will help. The cold helps the blood vessels to close down (constrict) and stop bleeding.
As we said heat makes things worse, so the converse is true. Cooling down can help, so iced peas in a towel can help.
4. Once the nosebleed has stopped, do not pick the nose or try to blow out any of the blood remaining in the nostrils. This may cause another nosebleed.
A tiny clot is what probably is stopping the bleeding, so anything that dislodges this will cause the bleeding to restart.
5.If you feel faint it is best to lie flat on your side.
6. If the above measures fail, or if the nosebleed lasts 30 minutes or longer, you must seek urgent medical advice.
The site of bleeding may need to be cauterized (burned), or it may need packing, or even surgery to stop. These can only be done in an emergency setting.
Remember, medical blogs or sites are not a substitute for real medical opinion , so if you have any doubts or concerns, please raise them with your own doctor.
March 5, 2014
Encyclopaedia Azaria #5: The Noble Houses of Azaria
A new month, and a new encyclopaedia entry! This time Eliza and Lady Navinka take a look at the background of the remaining noble families of Azaria...
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[image error]
March 2, 2014
Read an Ebook Week- free copies of The Binding!
As part of Read an Ebook week, I'm putting The Binding up for promotion. Grab the ebook for free, using the following code: RW100
The offer ends 08/03/2014, so get it quick!
The offer ends 08/03/2014, so get it quick!
February 28, 2014
Most Painful Medical Procedures
Alright, so anybody who's ever been admitted to hospital or needed a specialist medical investigation will have met with their fair share of uncomfortable procedures, whether it's blood tests or certain examinations. Some of course are more painful than others, particularly where needles are involved, so this is a list (in no particular order) of some of the most feared medical procedures carried out on patients.
Having often been the one doing and not receiving these tests, I also don't have much of a personal connection to these tests, hence why it's not a hierarchical list.
But trust me, it hurts me more than you :P
1. The arterial blood gas. (ABG)
Source
One of the most useful and acute bedside tests available in modern hospitals today, the arterial blood gas, fondly abbreviated to ABG, has long been considered a fairly painful procedure. Although it's quick, the site of the test (often the radial artery at the wrist) and the angle in which the needle must strike the skin can be very off putting to patients, and it's often described as more painful than a regular blood test (venepuncture).
Why it's done: to check blood acid/base balance, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and other useful items like lactate and estimations of haemoglobin and electrolytes. The test is essential for lung or heart conditions or if there is severe organ failure, or if a patient is acutely unwell and there is no clear cause. It also gives an indication of severity, and can be repeated to see if a treatment is working.
Further reading: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=14767
2. Bone marrow aspiration and trephine/ biopsy
Source
Though not that common a test, this is arguably THE most painful invasive investigation. In general solid organ biopsies aren't very comfortable, but the bone marrow aspiration is in a league of its own. This is where a direct tissue sampling of the bone marrow is performed on a conscious patient. Although this procedure does involve local anaesthetic, this is only injected on the superficial skin, and since bone is richly innervated it's very sensitive to large needles coming through and scraping out some marrow. For some patients it's too much, and it has to be done under a general anaesthetic, though this isn't common.
Why it's done: to investigate any bone marrow disorder, ranging from the leukaemias and lymphomas to the bone marrow diseases such as myelofibrosis.
Further reading: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=14757
3. Lumbar puncture (CSF tap)
Source
A lumbar puncture is where a spinal needle is inserted into the cerebrospinal space and the fluid here (cerebrospinal fluid, CSF) is tapped and sent for various investigations, including estimation of glucose and protein, looking under the microscope, and culturing to grow bugs. A special test also looks for something called xathochromia, which is indicative of an acute bleed within the brain. Again, while local anaesthesia is used for the skin, it can still be discomforting.
Why it's done: to look for nervous system disease, from acute problems like meningitis or subarachnoid haemorrhage, to other infections like tuberculosis, or for other diseases such as multiple scelrosis.
Further reading: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=14865
4. Colonoscopy
Source
A small bore camera is inserted via the back passage and allow for direct visualization, biopsy sampling and even treatment of diseases affected the large bowel. However, it does require a lot of preparation (the bowel needs to be 'purged' to allow for a good view, usually done two days prior with potent laxatives and a clear diet), and can be very discomforting as air needs to be inflated into the bowel. Some patients find the procedure intolerable after a certain distance in the bowel, and so the procedure has to be abandoned.
Why it's done: to check for bowel problems ranging from bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, polyps, diverticulosis and many others. Samples can also be taken to be looked at under the microscope (histology), and polyps can even be removed at the same time as well.
Further reading: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=14795
5. Transoesophageal echocardiography
Source
Most people are familiar with ultrasound and the typical echocardiogram- a scan that looks at the heart- done via the chest wall (transthoracic). However, the scan can also be performed from the inside via the oesophagus (gullet), which allows for better views of other chambers. Similar to having an upper GI endoscopy (camera test looking at the stomach and upper intestings), an echo probe is placed down the mouth, via the throat, and the heart imaged in the chest. Sedation can be given and local anaesthetic spray to the back of the throat, but it can still cause a lot of discomfort to some patients.
Why it's done: to check the chambers of the heart, heart wall thickness and chamber size, function of the valves, how much blood the heart pumps, and if there are any blood blots sitting in the heart.
Further reading: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=191606
There are probably loads more tests I've skipped over, but these are the ones that stick out for me. What test have you had done that's made you cringe?
Having often been the one doing and not receiving these tests, I also don't have much of a personal connection to these tests, hence why it's not a hierarchical list.
But trust me, it hurts me more than you :P
1. The arterial blood gas. (ABG)
SourceOne of the most useful and acute bedside tests available in modern hospitals today, the arterial blood gas, fondly abbreviated to ABG, has long been considered a fairly painful procedure. Although it's quick, the site of the test (often the radial artery at the wrist) and the angle in which the needle must strike the skin can be very off putting to patients, and it's often described as more painful than a regular blood test (venepuncture).
Why it's done: to check blood acid/base balance, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and other useful items like lactate and estimations of haemoglobin and electrolytes. The test is essential for lung or heart conditions or if there is severe organ failure, or if a patient is acutely unwell and there is no clear cause. It also gives an indication of severity, and can be repeated to see if a treatment is working.
Further reading: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=14767
2. Bone marrow aspiration and trephine/ biopsy
Source
Though not that common a test, this is arguably THE most painful invasive investigation. In general solid organ biopsies aren't very comfortable, but the bone marrow aspiration is in a league of its own. This is where a direct tissue sampling of the bone marrow is performed on a conscious patient. Although this procedure does involve local anaesthetic, this is only injected on the superficial skin, and since bone is richly innervated it's very sensitive to large needles coming through and scraping out some marrow. For some patients it's too much, and it has to be done under a general anaesthetic, though this isn't common.
Why it's done: to investigate any bone marrow disorder, ranging from the leukaemias and lymphomas to the bone marrow diseases such as myelofibrosis.
Further reading: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=14757
3. Lumbar puncture (CSF tap)
SourceA lumbar puncture is where a spinal needle is inserted into the cerebrospinal space and the fluid here (cerebrospinal fluid, CSF) is tapped and sent for various investigations, including estimation of glucose and protein, looking under the microscope, and culturing to grow bugs. A special test also looks for something called xathochromia, which is indicative of an acute bleed within the brain. Again, while local anaesthesia is used for the skin, it can still be discomforting.
Why it's done: to look for nervous system disease, from acute problems like meningitis or subarachnoid haemorrhage, to other infections like tuberculosis, or for other diseases such as multiple scelrosis.
Further reading: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=14865
4. Colonoscopy
SourceA small bore camera is inserted via the back passage and allow for direct visualization, biopsy sampling and even treatment of diseases affected the large bowel. However, it does require a lot of preparation (the bowel needs to be 'purged' to allow for a good view, usually done two days prior with potent laxatives and a clear diet), and can be very discomforting as air needs to be inflated into the bowel. Some patients find the procedure intolerable after a certain distance in the bowel, and so the procedure has to be abandoned.
Why it's done: to check for bowel problems ranging from bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, polyps, diverticulosis and many others. Samples can also be taken to be looked at under the microscope (histology), and polyps can even be removed at the same time as well.
Further reading: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=14795
5. Transoesophageal echocardiography
Source
Most people are familiar with ultrasound and the typical echocardiogram- a scan that looks at the heart- done via the chest wall (transthoracic). However, the scan can also be performed from the inside via the oesophagus (gullet), which allows for better views of other chambers. Similar to having an upper GI endoscopy (camera test looking at the stomach and upper intestings), an echo probe is placed down the mouth, via the throat, and the heart imaged in the chest. Sedation can be given and local anaesthetic spray to the back of the throat, but it can still cause a lot of discomfort to some patients.
Why it's done: to check the chambers of the heart, heart wall thickness and chamber size, function of the valves, how much blood the heart pumps, and if there are any blood blots sitting in the heart.
Further reading: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=191606
There are probably loads more tests I've skipped over, but these are the ones that stick out for me. What test have you had done that's made you cringe?
February 26, 2014
The Binding now available in multiple ebook formats!
Hey everyone, The Binding is now available on multiple ebook formats via Smashwords!
Click on Ryan and Eliza to get there:
Click on Ryan and Eliza to get there:
February 8, 2014
Bandit Book Bloggers- Artificial Absolutes
Februrary's featured author is Mary Fan, with her sci-fi epic Artificial Absolutes. Check it out!
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Release Date: February 25, 2013
Genre: Science Fiction (Space Opera/Cyberpunk/New Adult)
Blurb: Jane Colt is just another recent college grad working as an Interstellar Confederation office drone—until the day she witnesses her best friend, Adam, kidnapped by a mysterious criminal. An extensive cover-up thwarts her efforts to report the crime, shaking her trust in the authorities. Only her older brother, Devin, believes her account.
Devin hopes to leave behind his violent past and find peace in a marriage to the woman he loves. That hope shatters when he discovers a shocking secret that causes him to be framed for murder.
With little more than a cocky attitude, Jane leaves everything she knows to flee with Devin, racing throughthe most lawless corners of the galaxy as she searches for Adam and proof of her brother’s innocence. Her journey uncovers truths about both of them, leading her to wonder just how much she doesn’t know about the people she loves.
About the Author:
Mary Fan lives in New Jersey, where she is currently working infinancial marketing. She has also resided in North Carolina, Hong Kong,and Beijing, China. She has been an avid reader for as long as she canremember and especially enjoys the infinite possibilities andout-of-this-world experiences of science fiction and fantasy.Mary has a B.A. in Music, specializing in composition, from PrincetonUniversity and enjoys writing songs as much as writing stories. Shealso enjoys kickboxing, opera singing, and exploring new things—she’lltry almost anything once.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US (Kindle e-book)
Amazon US (paperback)
Amazon UK (Kindle e-book)
Amazon UK (paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Nook e-book)
Barnes & Noble (paperback)
Kobo (e-book)
iTunes
Social Media Links:
Website
Blog
Facebook (author page)
Facebook (book page)
Twitter
Tumblr
Goodreads
Pinterest
YouTube
Reviews: “I’d have to say this book combines some of the best robotic AI, like Asimov… It is unlike anything I’ve read before on this subject.”- James M. Butler, author of the “New Dawn” sci-fi series
“…Engaging characters and a story with conflicts and struggles that are universal to all humans across time...”- BigAl, reviewer for BigAl’s Books and Pals
“A cracking tale of fights and escapes and conspiracies, set in a wonderfully and intricately evoked future world. The story rattles along at a fine pace, twisting and turning its way to and fro across the galaxy.”-Mark Roman, author of “The Ultimate Inferior Beings”
“One hell of a sci-fi ride... The mystery in this story was incredible and really kept me at the edge of my seat... It really goes beyond the some other sci-fi reads.”- Diana, reviewer for Offbeat Vagabond
“Artificial Absolutes is much more thanspaceships and robots... It is a timeless exploration of the complexity of family dynamics, the conflicts between faith and non-belief, and what truly defines a human being.”
- Julie H. Hughs, reviewer for Random Musingsof a Curious Mind
Excerpt:
Jane had never been afraid of heights. As a child, she’d enjoyedalarming her mother by climbing the tallest Venovian evergreens on theColt estate. Comparing her size then to her size currently, she probablywasn’t much higher up. It was a little different hanging from theunderside of an elevator with only a hastily slammed hatch between herand a killer robot.
Well, this sucks.That she’d caught the bar after sliding down the hatch could only beattributed to super reflexes reserved for times of great danger or tothe grace of the Absolute. If only those super reflexes or that divinegrace would allow her to reach the conduit Devin had mentioned...The faint lights along shaft’s walls let her vaguely make out theconduit’s square entrance. Jane saw another bar under the elevator,parallel to the conduit’s top edge. She’d played on jungle gyms when shewas little and remembered the motion of swinging her body to catch abar an arm’s length away, but she’d forgotten how much the frictionburned her palms.
She grabbed the bar and swung forward. Her face banged into the wall. Ow.After taking a moment to let the pain in her face subside, sheextended her body as far as she could, barely touching the conduit’sfloor with her foot.
Dammit! Wish my legs were longer. Good thing I wore flats today. And pants. If I had to do this in heels and a skirt...The inane thoughts kept her from freaking out. Something abouttalking to her brother had done away with the panic she’d felt before.She wasn’t about to let it take over again.
The conduit was only half her height. Even if she could stand, she would probably fall backward if she tried.
Why are utility conduits so small? Are maintenance workers all midgets or something?A small handle below her, right by the conduit, looked within reach.She grabbed it with one hand. She had to let go of the bar under theelevator to enter the conduit, but the thought was too scary.
Above her, the machine whirred.Jane had never been remotely religious, but in a situation asunthinkable as the one she was in, even she prayed, albeit facetiously.
Hello,Absolute One. Please let the machine be too big to fit through thehatch. And please keep me from falling. In return, I will compose amagnificent motet for You. So be it, truly.
Jane closed her eyes and let go of the bar. She bit her lip to stifle a yelp as she dropped her body weight onto one arm.She reached up with her free hand and pressed her forearm into theconduit’s cold metal floor. By pulling, bending, and twisting, shemanaged to fold herself into the conduit.
She collapsed against the wall in relief. Whew! Made it!
Jane listened for the machine, half expecting it to appear right behind her. Instead, a beep emittedfrom her pocket. Wondering what the hell it was— and why the hell shedidn’t know the contents of her own pocket—she reached in. She pulledout her company-issued videophone.
Oh, right. This thing.
Other Works:
Synthetic Illusions (sequel to Artificial Absolutes)
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Genre: Science Fiction (Space Opera)
In the thrilling sequel to <a>Artificial Absolutes</a>,Jane Colt finds herself combating the one person she always trusted:her older brother, Devin. After the events of the first book, Jane hopesto return to her ordinary life. But when the shadowy government agencyDevin works for orders him to capture Adam, the young man she loves, sheends up in her brother's crosshairs as she helps Adam escape.
AlthoughAdam looks like any other seminary student, he harbors a secret hehopes the rest of the galaxy will never uncover. Haunted by a menacing voice, he fights to control his own mind.
Meanwhile,Devin uncovers his employer's clandestine agenda but, coerced by thedeadly consequences of noncompliance, must remain silent. He reluctantlyobeys the agency's commands while secretly plotting to expose thetruth.
Forced to choose between the two people sheloves most, Jane sets off on a journey that takes her into the darkestcorners of known space and challenges everything she believes.
Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil
Publisher: Glass House Press
Release Date: Summer 2014
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy/Dystopia
Part dystopia and part high fantasy, Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evilis the first book in a YA series that follows a spirited teen's efforts tooverthrow an evil government while battling supernatural beasts.
Long ago, the evil Lord of the Underworld ravaged the Earth. TheEnchanters, magical guardians of the Earth, defeated him, but hismonsters lingered. Nearly a century later, the Enchanters have turnedthe former United States into the totalitarian Triumvirate, wherenon-magical humans, known as Norms, are treated as second classcitizens.
Flynn,a Norm boy, was ten years old when he witnessed his mother's death atthe hands of an undead giant. No one would tell him where the giant hadcome from or what his mother had been doing that night. After six yearsof wondering, he finally finds a clue and is determined to uncover thetruth - whatever the consequences. His journey takes an unexpected turnwhen he accidentally commits an act considered terrorism by theTriumvirate. He soon finds himself hunted not only by the government,but also by supernatural monsters and a man with power over the undead.Rescued by underground rebels, he is enticed by their vision of abetter world and joins their revolution. But as he struggles toreconcile what he sees with what they tell him, he starts to realizethat the rebellion is not everything it seems.
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Release Date: February 25, 2013
Genre: Science Fiction (Space Opera/Cyberpunk/New Adult)
Blurb: Jane Colt is just another recent college grad working as an Interstellar Confederation office drone—until the day she witnesses her best friend, Adam, kidnapped by a mysterious criminal. An extensive cover-up thwarts her efforts to report the crime, shaking her trust in the authorities. Only her older brother, Devin, believes her account.
Devin hopes to leave behind his violent past and find peace in a marriage to the woman he loves. That hope shatters when he discovers a shocking secret that causes him to be framed for murder.
With little more than a cocky attitude, Jane leaves everything she knows to flee with Devin, racing throughthe most lawless corners of the galaxy as she searches for Adam and proof of her brother’s innocence. Her journey uncovers truths about both of them, leading her to wonder just how much she doesn’t know about the people she loves.
About the Author:
Mary Fan lives in New Jersey, where she is currently working infinancial marketing. She has also resided in North Carolina, Hong Kong,and Beijing, China. She has been an avid reader for as long as she canremember and especially enjoys the infinite possibilities andout-of-this-world experiences of science fiction and fantasy.Mary has a B.A. in Music, specializing in composition, from PrincetonUniversity and enjoys writing songs as much as writing stories. Shealso enjoys kickboxing, opera singing, and exploring new things—she’lltry almost anything once.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US (Kindle e-book)
Amazon US (paperback)
Amazon UK (Kindle e-book)
Amazon UK (paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Nook e-book)
Barnes & Noble (paperback)
Kobo (e-book)
iTunes
Social Media Links:
Website
Blog
Facebook (author page)
Facebook (book page)
Tumblr
Goodreads
YouTube
Reviews: “I’d have to say this book combines some of the best robotic AI, like Asimov… It is unlike anything I’ve read before on this subject.”- James M. Butler, author of the “New Dawn” sci-fi series
“…Engaging characters and a story with conflicts and struggles that are universal to all humans across time...”- BigAl, reviewer for BigAl’s Books and Pals
“A cracking tale of fights and escapes and conspiracies, set in a wonderfully and intricately evoked future world. The story rattles along at a fine pace, twisting and turning its way to and fro across the galaxy.”-Mark Roman, author of “The Ultimate Inferior Beings”
“One hell of a sci-fi ride... The mystery in this story was incredible and really kept me at the edge of my seat... It really goes beyond the some other sci-fi reads.”- Diana, reviewer for Offbeat Vagabond
“Artificial Absolutes is much more thanspaceships and robots... It is a timeless exploration of the complexity of family dynamics, the conflicts between faith and non-belief, and what truly defines a human being.”
- Julie H. Hughs, reviewer for Random Musingsof a Curious Mind
Excerpt:
Jane had never been afraid of heights. As a child, she’d enjoyedalarming her mother by climbing the tallest Venovian evergreens on theColt estate. Comparing her size then to her size currently, she probablywasn’t much higher up. It was a little different hanging from theunderside of an elevator with only a hastily slammed hatch between herand a killer robot.
Well, this sucks.That she’d caught the bar after sliding down the hatch could only beattributed to super reflexes reserved for times of great danger or tothe grace of the Absolute. If only those super reflexes or that divinegrace would allow her to reach the conduit Devin had mentioned...The faint lights along shaft’s walls let her vaguely make out theconduit’s square entrance. Jane saw another bar under the elevator,parallel to the conduit’s top edge. She’d played on jungle gyms when shewas little and remembered the motion of swinging her body to catch abar an arm’s length away, but she’d forgotten how much the frictionburned her palms.
She grabbed the bar and swung forward. Her face banged into the wall. Ow.After taking a moment to let the pain in her face subside, sheextended her body as far as she could, barely touching the conduit’sfloor with her foot.
Dammit! Wish my legs were longer. Good thing I wore flats today. And pants. If I had to do this in heels and a skirt...The inane thoughts kept her from freaking out. Something abouttalking to her brother had done away with the panic she’d felt before.She wasn’t about to let it take over again.
The conduit was only half her height. Even if she could stand, she would probably fall backward if she tried.
Why are utility conduits so small? Are maintenance workers all midgets or something?A small handle below her, right by the conduit, looked within reach.She grabbed it with one hand. She had to let go of the bar under theelevator to enter the conduit, but the thought was too scary.
Above her, the machine whirred.Jane had never been remotely religious, but in a situation asunthinkable as the one she was in, even she prayed, albeit facetiously.
Hello,Absolute One. Please let the machine be too big to fit through thehatch. And please keep me from falling. In return, I will compose amagnificent motet for You. So be it, truly.
Jane closed her eyes and let go of the bar. She bit her lip to stifle a yelp as she dropped her body weight onto one arm.She reached up with her free hand and pressed her forearm into theconduit’s cold metal floor. By pulling, bending, and twisting, shemanaged to fold herself into the conduit.
She collapsed against the wall in relief. Whew! Made it!
Jane listened for the machine, half expecting it to appear right behind her. Instead, a beep emittedfrom her pocket. Wondering what the hell it was— and why the hell shedidn’t know the contents of her own pocket—she reached in. She pulledout her company-issued videophone.
Oh, right. This thing.
Other Works:
Synthetic Illusions (sequel to Artificial Absolutes)
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Genre: Science Fiction (Space Opera)
In the thrilling sequel to <a>Artificial Absolutes</a>,Jane Colt finds herself combating the one person she always trusted:her older brother, Devin. After the events of the first book, Jane hopesto return to her ordinary life. But when the shadowy government agencyDevin works for orders him to capture Adam, the young man she loves, sheends up in her brother's crosshairs as she helps Adam escape.
AlthoughAdam looks like any other seminary student, he harbors a secret hehopes the rest of the galaxy will never uncover. Haunted by a menacing voice, he fights to control his own mind.
Meanwhile,Devin uncovers his employer's clandestine agenda but, coerced by thedeadly consequences of noncompliance, must remain silent. He reluctantlyobeys the agency's commands while secretly plotting to expose thetruth.
Forced to choose between the two people sheloves most, Jane sets off on a journey that takes her into the darkestcorners of known space and challenges everything she believes.
Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil
Publisher: Glass House Press
Release Date: Summer 2014
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy/Dystopia
Part dystopia and part high fantasy, Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evilis the first book in a YA series that follows a spirited teen's efforts tooverthrow an evil government while battling supernatural beasts.
Long ago, the evil Lord of the Underworld ravaged the Earth. TheEnchanters, magical guardians of the Earth, defeated him, but hismonsters lingered. Nearly a century later, the Enchanters have turnedthe former United States into the totalitarian Triumvirate, wherenon-magical humans, known as Norms, are treated as second classcitizens.
Flynn,a Norm boy, was ten years old when he witnessed his mother's death atthe hands of an undead giant. No one would tell him where the giant hadcome from or what his mother had been doing that night. After six yearsof wondering, he finally finds a clue and is determined to uncover thetruth - whatever the consequences. His journey takes an unexpected turnwhen he accidentally commits an act considered terrorism by theTriumvirate. He soon finds himself hunted not only by the government,but also by supernatural monsters and a man with power over the undead.Rescued by underground rebels, he is enticed by their vision of abetter world and joins their revolution. But as he struggles toreconcile what he sees with what they tell him, he starts to realizethat the rebellion is not everything it seems.
February 1, 2014
Encyclopaedia Azaria #4: The Binding Spell
Welcome to the fourth edition of Eliza's Encyclopaedia Azaria! Each edition, Eliza and her friends will delved into the vast and ancient kingdom of Azaria and tell you a multitude of interesting facts.
This time, Eliza, Ryan and Adam delve into the complex topic that is the Binding spell...
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Encyclopaedia Azaria #1: The Iasometer
Encyclopaedia Azaria #2: The Tale of the Binding
Encyclopaedia Azaria #3: The Gladier-Farrontine Feud
This time, Eliza, Ryan and Adam delve into the complex topic that is the Binding spell...
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Encyclopaedia Azaria #1: The Iasometer
Encyclopaedia Azaria #2: The Tale of the Binding
Encyclopaedia Azaria #3: The Gladier-Farrontine Feud
January 5, 2014
Encyclopaedia Azaria #3: The Gladier-Farrontine Feud
Welcome to the third installment of Eliza's Encyclopaedia Azaria! Each edition, Eliza and her friends will delved into the vast and ancient kingdom of Azaria and tell you a multitude of interesting facts.
This time, Eliza takes a look at one of Azaria's most violent blood feuds in its history...
Encyclopaedia Azaria #1: The Iasometer
Encyclopaedia Azaria #2: The Tale of the Binding
Encyclopaedia Azaria #4: The Binding Spell
This time, Eliza takes a look at one of Azaria's most violent blood feuds in its history...
Encyclopaedia Azaria #1: The Iasometer
Encyclopaedia Azaria #2: The Tale of the Binding
Encyclopaedia Azaria #4: The Binding Spell
December 15, 2013
The Parting- official release!
The Parting, book two of the Chronicles of Azaria, is available today as ebook! Paperback coming soon.
When your feelings are false, what's left to believe in?
After the revelation of Ryan's secret, Eliza is determined to purify her tainted heart. Her only hope lies in the Holy Runes- the mysterious symbols linked to the Binding spell that originally cursed her. Now with her best friend Adam and the haughty Lady Navinka, Eliza must journey across Azaria to forge a power great enough to break her curse.
The Binding won't go down without a fight, though, and the runes have dangerous effects of their own. As if that wasn't enough, Eliza's also running from a vengeful cult, and she must confront her feelings and realise whom she truly loves. Struggling on all fronts just to survive, Eliza's freedom will be hard-earned, but the final price might be too much to pay.
Click to read an excerpt
UK ebook
US ebook
When your feelings are false, what's left to believe in?
After the revelation of Ryan's secret, Eliza is determined to purify her tainted heart. Her only hope lies in the Holy Runes- the mysterious symbols linked to the Binding spell that originally cursed her. Now with her best friend Adam and the haughty Lady Navinka, Eliza must journey across Azaria to forge a power great enough to break her curse.
The Binding won't go down without a fight, though, and the runes have dangerous effects of their own. As if that wasn't enough, Eliza's also running from a vengeful cult, and she must confront her feelings and realise whom she truly loves. Struggling on all fronts just to survive, Eliza's freedom will be hard-earned, but the final price might be too much to pay.
Click to read an excerpt
UK ebook
US ebook
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