Aurora Springer's Blog, page 66

Interview with David Wind #Indie Author of TRINITY: The Battle For Nevaeh, Volume III

Interview with David Wind, Indie Author of Science Fiction and Fantasy Books
Tell us about your latest release, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?  My latest novel is TRINITY: Battle for Nevaeh, the third book of my Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series, Tales Of Nevaeh.  TRINITY, concludes the opening trilogy, but leaves room for more tales—which there will be. Nevaeh, is America, 3000 years in the future, following the terrorist wars, which was a nuclear war started by the terrorists in the twenty-first century, and destroyed almost all of the earth by the middle of the twenty-second century. In this future, there is no technology, and the mutations are very different in each part of the world.  In Nevaeh, men are bigger and stronger, and women have powerful psychic abilities, which they call ‘Magic’.
The genres for this book are Science Fiction and Fantasy as it contains elements of both, rather than just straight fantasy. The series is good for everyone from young teenagers through older adults and not just for sci-fi or fantasy fans. The story resonates with many.
Why did you write your book (or series)? I wrote this series for several reasons. The first was because I have wanted to write a sci-fi or fantasy series since I was a teenager. Creating a world that is so vastly different from our own, yet with touches of familiarity, a world that can come to life, and make my reader believe in it while reading was a challenge I looked eagerly forward accepting. I also have a need to take what is happening in today’s world, the negative aspects of so many societies, extrapolate those possibilities into the far future, and keep the best parts of humanity alive was something I have always wanted to do. 
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? After becoming a veracious reader!
What do you find are the best and worst parts of being an indie author? BEST: The ABSOLUTE best part of being an indie writer—and having published two dozen traditionally published novels—is being able to write what I want to write rather than being dictated to by my publisher’s best seller lists. So, what is best about Indie writing is FREEDOM! WORST: The amount of time taken away from my writing to do the marketing of my books, the editing, and the proofing. BUT, even so, being an Indie writer was the best decision I have ever made.
What do you like to do when you're not writing? Really?  Is there something else to do? Just kidding, (maybe) I love spending time with my wife, traveling and exploring. I love paying with my grandson, and watching him grow and seeing the joy of life in his eyes and on his face.  I have raised three children…or rather I should say I was a part of raising three children when I was around, because I worked more than I was around, between earning a living and writing novels. (I, like most writers, did not survive on royalties alone)
Do you have any pets at home? I have a Sub-Standard rescue poodle named Alfie. Alfie was supposed to be a miniature, which was to be a break from the usual Standard Poodles we’ve always had. But, Alfie kept growing until he reached twenty-six pounds. The Vet took a look at him and laughed.  “Not a miniature,” he declared, “Alfie’s a Standard Poodle.”  Then he smiled again.  “Actually, he’s a sub-standard, because he’s missing about 15 inches and thirty to forty pounds.”  Well, sub-standard or not, Alfie is a great dog!

Tell us about one or two of your favorite places? Tuscany is magnificent part of Italy and my favorite part of the country. Lush rolling hills, friendly gregarious people, and small ancient villages alive today as they were two thousand years ago.  Wales is an adventure in places and people, with thousand year old castles, friendly people, and, of course, Hay-On-Wye, the book town where almost 80 percent of the stores are BOOKSTORES!   There is a third I think I would like, but when I was in Greece, it was for emergency open-heart surgery (yes, it played out like a novel or a movie) so I really didn’t get to see the country except through the hospital and hotel windows.
How much of your personality is in your main character? Ouch… That’s an impossible question to answer. How much is always uncertain, but as the writer, I create the character, and somehow, there’s always a part of me in that character. How much, I couldn’t begin to tell you. You’d have to ask my wife.
What advice would you give to an aspiring writer? The same advice given me: #1 – don’t give up, and #2 was from Andre Norton, who told me, when in doubt, or when stuck, go to the fairy tales and re-read a bunch.
What interesting aspect of your life would surprise your readers? I have to take the fifth on that one. 
Are your stories driven by plot or character? They are both character driven and plot driven for obvious reasons. Without a strong plot driving the characters, it would be one-dimensional. The same occurs when the characters do not drive the story with the same power that the plot drives them.
How do you balance a life outside of writing with deadlines and writing muses? With great difficulty.
What do you enjoy most about writing? The writing: creating people and worlds and making everything blend, not into just a good story, but one that reverberates with my readers and myself.
What do you enjoy most about life? My wife, my family, good wine, good food, my readers, my writing, my reading (when I get a chance) my friends, my travels… I’ll stop here.
What themes and ideas do you often explore in your writing? I work with world events and history and envision from there. My themes tend to revolve around good and bad. There is so much gray in the world, that the lines blur between the benign and malignant and I feel that good needs an emphasized in a way that is visceral; so, my writing tends to be optimistic whether it is a sci-fi, fantasy, thriller or mystery. I work with world events and envision from there.
What book, movie or TV show has most influenced your life or writing? (You can list more than one, but do include an explanation.) Wow, I guess it would have to be when I was thirteen and wasn’t much of a reader (In fact I hated having to read). Somehow, at thirteen, I ended up with Andre Norton’s Daybreak: 2250 (It’s had a few titles). The book took me not just by surprise, but swallowed me whole. Then I read Edgar Rice Burroughs’s John Carter Of Mars, and between the two, my life went in another direction. By the time I hit fourteen, I was reading 3 to 5 books a week, and would read anything sci-fi. As I grew, I went through them all: Heinlein, Asimov, Clark, Doc Smith, Philip Dick, Bradbury, Farmer, etc.… And the older I got, the more varied was my reading: McDonald, Scott, Sabatini, Slaughter, Spillane, Ludlum, King, Koontz, etc.  They all influenced me and made my most treasured ambition to be that of a writer.
What are your current projects and plans for the future? I am currently finishing the last short story in my Prelude To Nevaeh, which is the backstory of how Solomon Roth arrived in Nevaeh, 3000 years after his birth, and what led to his becoming Nevaeh’s High King. I designed the backstory to be read AFTER Born To Magic, the first book of the series. Once Prelude To Nevaeh is put to bed, I am toying with the idea of combining the two genres I enjoy the most, Sci-Fi and Thriller/Detective, and writing a detective story set in the somewhat near future, probably end of the 21st century or the beginning of the 22nd. 

TRINITY: The Battle For Nevaeh, Volume III
The Epic Sci-Fi Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery Saga, of the far future continues in the mystical world of Earth’s 53rd Century      Concluding the opening Trilogy of the Tales Of Nevaeh series, Areenna of Freemorn and Mikaal of Tolemac bring together the ten dominions for one last battle against their ruthless enemy. The Dark Masters threaten to annihilate the Nevaens, wiping humanity from the face of the earth, unless Areenna and Mikaal can find the mystical power that is Nevaeh’s salvation.       To save their world, and their people, they must go where no one has gone for 3000 years: below the Island—deep beneath what used to be Manhattan. As the days grow darker, they search to find deliverance for their people, and become what has been prophesied—the Trinity of power. To accomplish this, they must first discover the third pillar of their powers.     Time is running out. Can they build the Trinity in time to save humanity from extinction? TRINITY: The Battle For Nevaeh, Volume III http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BGXSSJO The Dark Masters, Volume II http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VQYVSKK Born To Magic, Volume I: (FREE—US/UK/CA on amazon)  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QTYHVTO(FREE everywhere on: iBook, B&N & Kobo)

Excerpt from TRINITY, Volume II Tales Of Nevaeh book    
“So much is expected,” Mikaal said. “So many have pinned their hopes on you.” The heaviness spread through her. “On us.” “No, Areenna, on you. It has always been you.” Her brows furrowed as she studied him. “What bothers you?” He looked out at the sea. “The future. The Eight of the Island, Master Jalil, and The Masters of the Circle manipulate us. Each day I feel more like a pawn.” A sad smile quirked her lips. “I understand; it is how I have felt since touching Duke Yermon’s hand in Freemorn—since we fought the first wraith she released upon Yermon and us—and on the Island when The Speaker commanded us to take this journey.” He started to speak. She stopped him with a finger across his lips. Listen but speak not. They manipulate us because we are the hope the people of Nevaeh need. You are my hope. Without you, I am nothing. Without you, The Masters of Afzal win. Without you— —Do you not have this backward? Without you, all is lost. No, Mikaal, without you I am not completed. It is the two of us, not just me. As to the manipulation, how else can we reach the point we must attain? I know we are being…handled, but what they know not, is that when the time comes, we will end the manipulation. You and I have a purpose. What it is ultimately, I know not, but when it is time, we will know. No matter what The Eight say, I think they know not our true purpose. The gray of his eyes deepened to the color of steel. He grasped her face between his hands. “So certain are you?”  “As certain as my love for you. As certain as I know our children will change not just Nevaeh but the world itself.” Before her last word was finished, everything around them vanished. They rose bodiless; below them was he plateau, in front of them, climbing through a cloud, was the Island surrounded by reddish mist. A shimmering vision of the black face of The Speaker of The Eight floated before them. So finally, you begin to understand the truths of who you are, the truths of your lives…not just your lives, but everyone’s. The Speaker’s eyes flared red when they locked onto Mikaal. Remove doubt from your mind, Man-child, for you serve a greater purpose. The flaring eyes faded and turned a softer shade of amber. And you, Child of Power, how else could you have grown into the woman you are meant to be without the manipulation necessary for you to become such? Being born to magic means nothing! It is the understanding of your power, the learning of your abilities and the acceptance of them that makes you a Women of Power. Come to us soon. There is much to learn and more to do before they arrive. The Speaker’s face dissolved, replaced by another vision—it was of forty huge ships sailing toward Nevaeh. A moment later, they saw hundreds behind those. This vision disappeared, and Areenna and Mikaal were once again standing on the plateau, Mikaal’s hands still clasping Areenna’s face. Reluctantly, he lowered his hands, stepped back and shook his head. “What choice is left?”


Author Bio
David Wind has published thirty-eight novels including Science Fiction, Mystery and suspense thrillers. He lives and writes in a small village about thirty miles upstate of NYC, and shares his house with his wife, Bonnie and dog Alfie, a sub-standard poodle (email him for an explanation). David has three children, 1 boy and 2 girls: His son works for CBS on the show, 48 Hours, his middle child teaches Special Ed in New Jersey, and his youngest is a pastry chef in San Francisco. His newest release is the Sci-Fi fantasy series, Tales Of Nevaeh. The first book of the series, Born To Magic, has received numerous 5 star reviews and was a semi-finalist for the Kindle Book Review, Best Fantasy 2015. The second book of the series, The Dark Masters, has been well received, and the third Book, TRINITY: The Battle For Nevaeh, was released I February 29th. 2 short stories, Prelude To Nevaeh, Parts I & II are the prequel to the entire Tales Of Nevaeh series, and are free downloads. A third Prequel short story will be out within a month. David's Fantasy, Queen Of Knights, reached #2 on the Amazon.Com bestseller lists for historical fantasy and medieval fantasy, and his sci-fi paranormal, Infinity’s Doorway has received wide acclaim. In 2008 David went Indie and published Angels In Mourning, his 'homage' to the old time private detective books of the late 40's, the 50's and the 60's.  Angels, is a modern day take on the old style hardboiled detective.  In April of that year, Angels In Mourning won the Amazon.com Book of the Month Reader's Choice Award.

David’s LinksDavid’s Amazon.com Author’s PageDavid’s NewsletterTwitter:  @david_windFacebook:  authordavidwindDavid’s website: http://www.davidwind.comGoodreads Authors Page

Teen rides into Trouble - #Supergirl Snippet from Super Starrella for #WeWriWa

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors . Here, writers in different genres showcase their stories with 8-10 sentences. Join the fun and read our snippets. Here, as promised is a snippet from my new Book, Super Starrella, a Young Adult Superhero Romance/Murder Mystery. (I can’t keep my genres straight!) Seventeen year old Estelle’s quiet summer at her uncle’s farm becomes weird shortly after her second meeting with the hunky biker. (He now has jeans, following Veronica Scott’s suggestion.) Toby’s cat tattoo has a special significance, although you’ll probably be misled by this snippet. You can meet Toby here: http://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2016/02/future-supergirl-snippet-for-wewrwa.html
A large black cat sprang out of the bushes, hissed and struck out with its claws. Spotty reared in alarm. Slipping in the saddle, Estelle tugged on the mane and righted herself, her heart pounding in fright. The mare plunged away from the snarling cat, her ears folded back in distress. Catching her hoof in a hole, the little mare stumbled and recovered; she darted off, more frightened than ever. A post with an orange sign, tilted at a forty five degree angle, caught Estelle’s eye. She read, “Danger! Keep off. Army Firing Range.”  Estelle screamed.

To learn Toby's secrets and catch the serial killer, you can get the eBook for 99c US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C7WC8R6/ UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C7WC8R6/
BlurbTeen superhero, Starrella, and her flying horse tackle villains in the skies of Atalanta. A quiet summer at her uncle’s farm turns frighteningly weird for seventeen-year old Estelle Wright after she trespasses onto an Army base. Blown into the air and knocked unconscious, she wakes with a nascent superpower. Not to mention a winged horse with a snarky attitude and a mind of her own. Back home in Atalanta, a serial killer is targeting the students at Goldman University. Before long she must juggle college classes with sneaking out of the house after dark to battle murderous monsters. Estelle’s life is in danger, but who can she trust with her secret: handsome Captain Copper from military intelligence, or hunky Toby, the tough gangster with a motorbike?  Young adult superheroes, quirky animal sidekicks, and a dash of romance enliven this thrilling adventure. Book 1 of the Secret Supers.
As always, your comments are welcome. Please return to www.wewriwa.com to sample the works of the other writers. 
Sign up for my Newsletter and get a FREE ebook, notice of promos and new releases.
http://eepurl.com/baol9z

New #Superhero Romance - Snippet from Train Journey for #SFFSat

Welcome to another Saturday of Science Fiction & Fantasy and read snippets exchanged by several writers. http://scififansat.blogspot.com/ My new story is a young adult superhero, mystery & romance set in the fictional city of Atalanta, a sunnier, southern version of Gotham City. In last week’s snippet, after being knocked unconscious in an explosion, Estelle woke in a strange cylinder. You can read it here: http://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2016/02/familiar-voice-snippet-from-new.htmlThis week, she is on her way back to Atalanta. (punctuation adapted to fit)
“Good afternoon, Miss Wright, may I join you?” Turning toward the sound, she recognized the army officer who had rescued her from the truck and warned her about the firing range. He wore his desert camo again, incongruous in the carriage of commuters and casual travelers. Compressing her brows in a question, she said, “Captain Copper, sure, you can sit with me.” “Thanks.” He lofted a duffle bag onto the luggage rack and took the seat opposite her, and said, “I’ve been reassigned; I’ll be taking refresher courses at the Goldman University of Atalanta.” “What a coincidence; I’m a freshman at Goldman,” Estelle said brightly, concealing a rush of suspicion. Was he following her? Of course, Goldman was a logical place for the army to send him for classes; it was the top college in the city with twenty thousand students from all over the country. “Please call me Mark; I’ll be glad to see a friendly face around the campus.” “Sure, I’m Estelle.” A frown clouded her face, “But, I’m not staying in the dorms, my mom insists that I live at home. She’s awful strict; I have to be home by eleven every night.” His face grew serious and he warned, “You’d better be careful going home after dark. There’s a savage killer stalking the streets; three deaths so far.”
The eBook is available for 99c US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C7WC8R6/ UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C7WC8R6/

BlurbTeen superhero, Starrella, and her flying horse, fight vicious villains in the skies of Atalanta. A quiet summer at her uncle’s farm turns frighteningly weird for seventeen-year old Estelle Wright after she trespasses onto an Army base. Blown into the air and knocked unconscious, she wakes with a nascent superpower. Not to mention a winged horse with a snarky attitude and a mind of her own. Back home in Atalanta, a serial killer is targeting the students at Goldman University. Before long she must juggle college classes with sneaking out of the house after dark to battle murderous monsters. Estelle’s life is in danger, but who can she trust with her secret: handsome Captain Copper from military intelligence, or hunky Toby, the tough gangster with a motorbike?  Young adult superheroes, quirky animal sidekicks, and a dash of romance enliven this thrilling adventure. Book 1 of the Secret Supers.
Please return to http://scififansat.blogspot.com/ and read the other snippets. Your comments are welcome as always.

Polish your Book Description with Simple HTML Tags #WritingTips for #IndieAuthors

Entice Readers by Spicing up your Book Description with HTML Tags
You can improve the book descriptions on Amazon Author Central by using a few simple HTML tags. Would you like your description to include words in bold or italic? It’s easy with HTML. Correct spacing of paragraphs? Use HTML. 
You don't need to be an IT genius. One or two simple tags can be effective and transform the appearance of your book description.
Basic HTML Tags
Bold<b> text you want in bold </b><i>  text you want in italics </i>
Create new paragraph <p>  paragraph of text </p>
Add spaces between lines of text<br>  line break. Use twice to leave a space between lines of text. <br> <br>
Font sizeHeading sizes from h1 (largest) to h6 (smallest)<h1> Heading </h1>
How to Add HTML Tags
You will need to login to your Author Central account, Select the book, and Edit the Description for the book. Edit in the html option. Either: 1) add or alter the Amazon-derived html tags, or 2) Add your new text with the html tags.
Example from one of my Blurbs:
HTML description:
<b> One young woman challenges the super psychics ruling the galaxy, and finds an impossible love. </b><br> <br>Young empath, Violet Hunter, dreams of exploring exotic planets as a Grand Master’s pawn. When life-threatening cracks appear in the teleportal web, Violet is tasked with investigating the disruption. Suspicions point to the twelve Grand Masters, and she must penetrate their curtain of secrecy to identify the culprit. Her challenges escalate when she meets the enigmatic man behind the griffin avatar. Armed with only her erratic powers and a mishmash of allies, she must challenge the most powerful beings in the galaxy. <br> <br>Reminiscent of the science fiction stories of Andre Norton, Violet’s perilous adventures are sweetened by romance and a sprinkle of laughter. <br><br><i> Book 1 of the Grand Master’s Trilogy </i>
What Readers see on Amazon:
One young woman challenges the super psychics ruling the galaxy, and finds an impossible love.
Young empath, Violet Hunter, dreams of exploring exotic planets as a Grand Master’s pawn. When life-threatening cracks appear in the teleportal web, Violet is tasked with investigating the disruption. Suspicions point to the twelve Grand Masters, and she must penetrate their curtain of secrecy to identify the culprit. Her challenges escalate when she meets the enigmatic man behind the griffin avatar. Armed with only her erratic powers and a mishmash of allies, she must challenge the most powerful beings in the galaxy.
Reminiscent of the science fiction stories of Andre Norton, Violet’s perilous adventures are sweetened by romance and a sprinkle of laughter.
Book 1 of the Grand Master’s Trilogy
Grand Master’s Pawn is a Full-length Novel for only 99c http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1N5PM

 

Sign up for my Monthly Newsletter to Receive: A FREE storyAdvance Notice of Multi-Author PromotionsEvents and New Releases http://eepurl.com/baol9z  

Future Supergirl Snippet for #WeWrWa

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors . Here, writers in different genres showcase their stories with 8-10 sentences. Join the fun and read our snippets. Here, as promised is a snippet from my forthcoming Book, Super Starrella, a Young Adult Superhero Romance. (I can’t keep my genres straight!) Seventeen year old Estelle’s quiet summer at her uncle’s farm becomes weird shortly after her second meeting with the hunky biker. Spotty is the horse she is riding.
One cool morning, Spotty was cantering along a straight stretch of lane and halted abruptly at the intersection with a broader gravel road. The black motorbike leaned on a tree trunk at the side of the road. Clad in a sleeveless black shirt, Toby crouched on one knee and peered at the tires. Wary of the stranger, the mare snorted and pawed in the dirt. Wiping an oil stain from his cheek, Toby stood up and gazed at the horse and rider. His surly expression lightened, and he drawled, “Hey babe, ain’t seen you for days. You avoidin’ the city gangster?” Smiling at his acute question, Estelle rolled her eyes and fluttered her lashes, “Hi Toby, I like it quiet.” He looked good, long legs, lean waist and broad chest with the cat tattoo stretched over his biceps.

BlurbA quiet summer at her uncle’s farm turns into a weird nightmare when Estelle Wright rides into an explosion and acquires a superpower and a winged horse with a snarky attitude. Back in her home city of Atalanta, a serial killer is targeting the students at Goldman University. Before long, the fledgling superhero must juggle college classes with sneaking out of the house after dark to battle vicious monsters. Estelle’s life is in danger, but who can she trust with her secret: handsome Captain Copper from military intelligence, or hunky Toby, the tough gangster with a motorbike? 
Super Starrella will be published by March 1st.               Please contact me if you are interested in an ARC. Alternatively, the eBook will be priced initially at 99c as an early bird special.  
As always, your comments are welcome. Please return to www.wewriwa.com to sample the works of the other writers.

Familiar Voice - Snippet from New #Superhero Romance Story for #SFFSat

Welcome to another Saturday of Science Fiction & Fantasy and read snippets exchanged by several writers. http://scififansat.blogspot.com/ My new story is a young adult superhero mystery & romance set in the fictional city of Atalanta, a sunnier, southern version of Gotham City. In last week’s snippet, after being knocked unconscious in an explosion, Estelle woke in a strange cylinder. You can read it here: http://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2016/02/estelle-wakes-in-bind-snippet-from.html
The gruff voice of a man said, “Can we trust a native like her? Our need is urgent; we are so few and the enemy grows more intrusive.” Estelle held her breath, intent on listening to the conversation.A second man said, “She is not the first, nor the youngest. She is nearly eighteen.” The nasal twang hit a familiar chord. The image of his sullen face and black ponytail flew into her mind, Toby, the hunky young man with the motorbike. What was he doing in this strange place? Curiosity dampened her fears and sharpened her hearing. The first man asked, “What do you know of this girl, Tobarian?”  “She is paired with a mare as her Farleon companion,” Toby’s twang again. Was his name really Tobarian? “Excellent! Set her free and watch for her powers to emerge.” The man in charge sounded enthusiastic.

You can read Estelle's first meeting with Toby here - http://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2016/01/teaser-tuesday-distruptive-biker-in.html
I am on the final polishing/proofing stage and plan to publish Super Starrella at the beginning of March. Please let me know if you would like an ARC. Alternatively, the initial price will be 99c/99p for an early bird promotion.
Please return to http://scififansat.blogspot.com/ and read the other snippets. Your comments are welcome as always.

Teaser: Estelle, Hunky Biker and Cliffhanger from my New #Superhero Romance

The book will be published early in March. Tagline: Fledgling superhero, fights villains, seeks answers and finds a superpal.  
After the first morning, their rides became a daily routine. Sometimes, Estelle heard the motorbike in the distance and guided the mare away from the noise of the engine. She didn’t always evade the sullen biker. One cool morning, Spotty was cantering along a straight stretch of lane and halted abruptly at the intersection with a broader gravel road.
The black motorbike leaned on a tree trunk at the side of the road. Clad in a sleeveless black shirt, Toby crouched on one knee and peered at the tires. Wary of the stranger, the mare snorted and pawed in the dirt. Wiping an oil stain from his cheek, Toby stood up and gazed at the horse and rider. His surly expression lightened, and he drawled, “Estelle! Hey babe, ain’t seen you for days. You avoidin’ the city gangster?”
Smiling at his acute question, she rolled her eyes and fluttered her lashes. “Hi Toby. I like it quiet.” He looked good, long legs, lean waist and broad chest with the cat tattoo stretched over his biceps.
Toby stepped to the mare’s side and stroked her neck. To Estelle’s surprise, Spotty stood still and tolerated his touch without even twitching an ear. His masculine scent of gasoline and sweat wafted to Estelle, washing a warm tingle into her body. She stifled the urge to run her fingers over the tattoo on his muscular arm.  
“Pretty mare,” he said, patting the long neck. “Saw her in the Gossetts’ field by the road. Did she jump the fence again?”
“What of it?” Estelle stiffened, anticipating a rebuke.
Instead, he grinned. “You look good together. Two long haired blondes.”
She blushed, disconcerted by his casual complement. “The poor mare needs some kindness. She’s so thin.”
“Yeah, I know about the Gossetts. They don’t look after their animals. The mare would be happier under your care.”
“I can’t look after her at home in Atalanta. We live in the suburbs and I have to go back in two weeks when my classes start.” Estelle groaned at the thought of sitting in lecture halls all day instead of riding in the woods.
“Where’re you going to school?”
“Goldman University. I’m a freshman.” The premier academic institution in Atalanta had been renamed after a prominent donor some twenty five years ago.  
His browns met in a frown. “College kid eh? You look too young.”
“I’m nearly eighteen!” she cried, her voice shrill with indignation. Noticing how his lips twitched into a lopsided smile, she said, “You’re teasing me, right?”
Cocking his eyebrows, Toby drawled, “Babe, you’ll be a star. No kidding.” He looked along the track in the direction she was heading and said, “Fort McPhee owns land that way. Take care where you ride. Don’t trip in a bomb hole.”  
“I’ll take care.” Estelle turned the mare’s head, and kneed her flanks. Toby slapped the mare’s hindquarters and Spotty jumped forwards into a trot.
“Bye, Toby,” Estelle called as she rode off. She was too annoyed by his teasing to wait for a reply.


Searching for a fresh view of the countryside, Estelle nudged Spotty onto an unfamiliar trail. Tree trunks rushed past as they cantered down the shady lane. Estelle bent low to avoid the lower branches, clinging on with her knees and one hand gripping the mare’s mane. Strands of the mane brushed over her face. Noticing a fallen tree across the path, Estelle gasped, Jump!”
Spotty leaped lightly over the tree trunk and galloped on. The lane divided in two and the mare veered left along a narrow winding track. Soon Estelle lost track of the direction, seeing nothing she recognized.
The track ended abruptly at a tall fence of weathered wood slats. In one section, the slats had bent to the ground. Spotty jumped over the broken fence into an overgrown field. She cantered across the long grass towards the small trees on the far side.
A large black cat leaped out of the bushes, hissed and struck out with its claws.
Spotty reared in alarm. Slipping from the saddle, Estelle tugged on the mane and righted herself, her heart pounding in fright. The mare darted away from the snarling cat, her ears folded back in distress. They raced through the brush and leaped over a wire fence into a bare, muddy area, almost devoid of vegetation. The mare slowed to Estelle’s relief. They trotted over the muddy ground scattered with clumps of yellowed grass. A loud crack plunged the horse into a faster pace. Catching her hoof in a hole, the little mare stumbled and recovered. She darted off again, more frightened than before.
A post with an orange sign, tilted at a forty five degree angle, caught Estelle’s eye. She read, “Danger! Keep off. Army Firing Range.”  
Estelle screamed. She yanked at the rope looped round the mare’s neck without decreasing their breakneck speed. She could only cling tightly to her terrified horse, hoping to avoid potholes.
The mare raced forward, straight into a blaze of green fire. Light exploded around Estelle, white light threaded with swirls of eerie green. Thunder boomed in her ears.
Horse and rider flew backwards.
Slamming onto the ground, pain flooded her mind and Estelle lost consciousness. 
See my published stories at http://www.amazon.com/Aurora-Springer/e/B00K2C4NL8

Is this Love? Snippet from #SciFi Novella Captured by the Hawk for #WeWriWa

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors . Here, writers in different genres showcase their stories with 8-10 sentences. Join the fun and read our snippets. For Valentine’s Day, I’m offering you a romantic snippet from my novella, Captured by the Hawk. In this fun space operetta, pirate Black Hawk dresses like a ninja and absolutely no one sees his face. Of course, our feisty heroine is determined to uncover his identity during their misadventures. Here, they have crashed in a lake after escaping from a wrecked spaceship. 
Her clothes sodden and cold, Katrina sprawled on coarse sand. She had a dim recollection of being dragged onto the shore. Strangely, someone was murmuring her name repeatedly and kissing her face. She flicked her eyes open; Black Hawk’s masked face hovered over her. The clinging wet cloth outlined the chiseled contours of his hidden face. His head covering was askew, revealing a triangle of forehead and his black curls. The effect fascinated her. He breathed, “Katrina, you’re alive!” “Barely alive,” she groaned, relaxing with her head propped on his arm.

Captured by the Hawk is FREE today: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MYHSC52
Next week, I’ll start on my new superhero romance. As always, your comments are welcome. Please return to www.wewriwa.com to sample the works of the other writers.

Estelle wakes in a Bind - Snippet from #Superhero Romance for #SFFSat

Welcome to another Saturday of Science Fiction & Fantasy and read snippets exchanged by several writers. http://scififansat.blogspot.com/ Last week I finished the Introductory chapter of my WIP, a superhero romance set in the fictional city of Atalanta, a sunnier, southern version of Gotham City. You can read last week’s snippet here: Today, we meet the heroine, seventeen year old Estelle. I’m jumping over the start of her “boring” summer on her uncle’s farm to some peculiar (more peculiar?) events. In last week’s snippet, Estelle was knocked unconscious in an explosion. You can read it here: http://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2016/02/knocked-out-snippet-from-superhero-wip.htmlWe’ll skip a chapter and start where she wakes (abbreviated for your entertainment).
Estelle woke and cracked her eyes open. A white blur filled her field of vision. She tried to rub her eyes, but her hand was fastened at the wrist. Wriggling each part of her body, she discovered cold metal bands pinning her forehead, her arms and legs. Fear shivered through her tethered body and her mind whirled in confusion. Was she in a hospital? Estelle stared up. Curved glass enclosed her body. Above the transparent cylinder, glossy lines decorated the white ceiling. Her gaze traveled along the interleaved spiral paths. Blinking, she wrenched her eyes away from the hypnotic patterns. Voices drifted to her ears from outside her room. They seemed to be discussing her. “She is very young for the transformation.” A woman’s impassive voice, judging by the high pitch.
I hope to release the eBook in a few weeks. 
Today’s special – My novella, Captured by the Hawk, a comic space opera, is FREE from 12-16th
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MYHSC52US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MYHSC52
Please return to http://scififansat.blogspot.com/ and read the other snippets. Your comments are welcome as always.

BACKWARDS INTO THE FUTURE by Bronwyn Elsmore

BACKWARDS INTO THE FUTURE by Bronwyn ElsmoreEveryone knows you can’t go back. Everyone except Mary apparently, because here she is, back in her old hometown. That’s because of Kui, and Ana.One of them is pushing her, the other is holding back, and between the two there’s much to be resolved.The plum tree and the manuka have both gone, but a lemon tree thrives.The mystery surrounding the Marakihau may never be solved, but if Ana returns too some things from the past can be recovered. Can’t they?
New New Zealand novel  Backwards Into the FutureNow on Amazon for Kindle.
http://www.amazon.com/ebook/dp/B01AOU8318/ Printbook available from some bookshops, Wheelers, AllBooks, Academy Books, Total Library Solutions. Or send an inquiry to flaxroots@gmail.com

Interview with Author Bronwyn Elsmore

Tell us about your latest release, including its genre. Backwards Into the Future is a novel. It is notautobiographical, but the setting is very real to me for the small town where it is set is based on the one in which I grew up. The writing brought back many memories and feelings. Readers with similar backgrounds have said that for them it’s like a memoir and triggered nostalgia.
Why did you write your book?The story has been with me a long time, actually decades, and I knew one day it would be written. I guess you’d say it was in me and had to come out. During its writing I went through many emotions – laughter, sadness, feelings of gratitude and loss.
How much of your personality is in your main character?Mmmm, good question. Mary is not me, but I have lent her some of the things I remember happening to me as a child, and some of my thoughts. I enjoy reading memoirs and biographies, and my stories are driven by character.
What do you find are the best and worst parts of being an indie author?This is my tenth book and most of the others were published via the traditional route, so I know both sides. The main plus is freedom and control, but that can also be a minus for newer authors who have not had the advantage of the more stringent quality control demanded by traditional publishers. I believe there’s still a place for both forms and any first-time author who has the chance to work with an established publisher would be well advised to do so.
 Do you have any pets at home? Cats have been a good part of my life, and though I say I have just one now, I frequently find myself looking after more. They do have a habit of turning up in need. Currently I’m running after an ex-neighbor’s cat who has been rehoused three times but keeps returning; and I feed a stray when he turns up. Each summer I encourage monarch butterflies. Right now I have ten caterpillars in various stages of development.
Tell us about one or two of your favorite places?New Zealand has wonderful bush-walks – from shorter neighborhood paths to long many-day trails. I find even a short stroll under the trees, enjoying our wonderful ferns, does me good. It’s high summer here and some of our stunning pohutukawas, known as the NZ Christmas tree, are still in flower, so coastal walks where they are planted are also a joy.

What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?Be self-critical. Write, rewrite over and over. Polish, repolish. Don’t be in a hurry.
How do you balance a life outside of writing with deadlines and writing muses?It’s easier now I’ve given up my other profession. Though I have been a professional writer since I left school, I was also a university lecturer (in US, read professor) for many years. Then I had to fit my non-academic writing into odd times and short concentrated bursts in holiday periods. Now I’m teaching myself to be a little more reasonable about the hours I put in.
What themes and ideas do you often explore in your writing?It seems to me that in books, television and theatre these days (I go to live theatre and am a reviewer of plays) there’s quite an obsession with darker themes and situations. So many books and TV programs are about murder. Not for me – I don’t read or watch them. If I want to be depressed I’ll watch the news. I like stories that uplift, that make you feel good. When you put down one of my books, even if the storyline isn’t all light and joy, I hope you’ll be left with a feeling of hope, and feel uplifted.
What are your current projects and plans for the future?Short story writing has always been a favorite with me and I’d like to get back to more of those. But I’m also a playwright so there could well be another stage play or two coming up.

Author Bio    Professional author Bronwyn Elsmore has written most genres over her career – non-fiction books, short stories, and plays particularly – but she’s currently concentrating on novels. However, she doesn’t rule out the possibility that something completely different will spring from her keyboard in the future. Though not porn, she promises.    Bronwyn is delighted to call Auckland, New Zealand's 'City of Sails', home. If she's not there writing, or feeding her own and stray cats, she's possibly adding to the number of countries she has visited to date.
Social Media LinksWebsite – http://www.flaxroots.comBlog – www.flaxroots.com/blogAmazon Author page - http://www.amazon.com/Bronwyn-Elsmore/e/B001JSAPRAGoodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/436327Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/flaxrootsNZTwitter - https://www.twitter.com/@flaxrootsLinkedIn - https://nz.linkedin.com/in/bronwynelsmoreBarnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/BronwynElsmore