Aurora Springer's Blog, page 77

Grand Master's Game - 8-10 sentences for #WeWriWa

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors. Here, writers showcase their work with 8-10 sentences. Join the fun and read our snippets.
This week, I’ll share a scene from my new release, Grand Master’s Game, Book 2 in my series, Grand Master’s Trilogy. In this series, the portal web is the main means for interplanetary transport. But, the portals are failing.


Kondric pushed the portal door open and stepped out onto a narrow shelf of rock. An icy wind roared into the cylinder from a murky gray sky. Kondric recoiled, yelling, “This isn’t Avalon!” A fit of coughing convulsed his face and he tottered on the edge of the cliff. The Grand Master grabbed his arm and pulled him back into the cylinder. Holding his breath, Kondric pulled on the headpiece of his suit. The frigid air stunk of rotten eggs. Violet gagged and blocked her nose.


Blurb Spin across the galaxy as Violet and her Grand Master hunt their enemies.Cracks in the portal web threaten galactic civilization, and suspicions fall on the mysterious Grand Masters with their immense psychic powers. Once, there were twelve Grand Masters, humans and aliens, on the Council. Now there are eleven. One was killed when the young pawn, Violet, rescued her Grand Master, Athanor, from the Red Queen’s dungeon. The Red Queen fled the fight and now she lurks out of sight, regenerating her energies. Athanor devises a risky plan to expose his enemies on the Council and force the Red Queen into the open. His strategy will employ Violet’s empathic skills as his secret weapon. Meanwhile, she wrestles with her erratic talents and doubts about their unequal partnership. In their search for revenge, they contend with the portal crisis, psychic traps and hostile aliens. In the inevitable battle of Grand Masters, Violet and Athanor each will face their worst nightmares. What is the sacrifice for victory?  
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0104OFJJ8
Please return to www.wewriwa.com to sample the works of the other writers.

Next Snippet from Grand Master's Game for #SFFSat

Welcome to another Saturday of Science Fiction & Fantasy snippets exchanged by writers. http://scififansat.blogspot.com/ My contribution this week continues the scene on Moon Station from Grand Master’s Game, Book 2 in the Grand Master’s Trilogy.


Excerpt:  Something grabbed her arm. A large hand thrust a dagger into the monster’s eye, twisting deep into the head. A blood stained hand in a familiar black leather sleeve. Green blood spouted around the blade. The monster jerked and stilled, its jaws still clamped on her neck. Athanor had stabbed into its brain. His grim face hovered over her startled eyes, his teeth bared in a fierce grimace. He grasped the ends of the horrid mandibles, gritted his teeth and exerted his full strength to open the jaws.  Violet fell backwards onto Athanor’s knees. In the background, the stump of heavy footsteps preceded a shout of command and the zip of heavy weapons. The cavalry had arrived, belatedly.


Last week's excerpt can be read at http://auroraspringernovels.blogspot.com/2015/07/excerpt-from-grand-masters-game-for.html





Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0104OFJJ8
Please return to SFFSat and read the other snippets.
Your comments are welcome.  

Meet Athena - The Gods of Probabilities by Liza O'Connor

Meet AthenaAthena has known she was born to create the most fabulous art in the multiverses and to enchant men by her merest gaze.While the first was working out very well.
The second goal had yet to begun. Whenever she walks into a room with crewmen, instead of falling to their knees in worship, they turn away from her. If she boldly approaches them, they scatter like bunnies fleeing a pack of dire wolves.She wishes to determine if this behavior is due to her father or grandfather’s doing. First thing she discovers is that their aversion only works in person. If she calls them via the computer, they drool and grunt as they appear to be jerking themselves off.Upon teleconferencing all the men in the ship, she realizes she owes a great debt of gratitude to whomever placed the fear of a God on the male crew. They all possess fair faces, but it’s accompanied with horrid personalities, stupendous vanity, and total ignorance. She spends nearly a billion years trying to figure out how to get new crewmember. And then the solution appears when her father asks for her help.ExcerptAfter ten billion years had passed and not one life form was to be found on any planet, Zousan decided he needed his brightest mind working on how to move things along.  So he called in his daughter.“I know you love painting, but I was sent here to make a better world, and while you’ve made the galaxies gorgeous, none of the planets have life on them. Nor does any of the crew know how to make life.”“Why would grandfather not share that?” Athena asked.Zousan wanted to say, “Because he’s an ass.” Upon taking a breath, he softened his response since Athena still loved the pompous, overbearing jerk. “He wants me to fail at my task. He sees this as a chance to humiliate and humble me.”Athena hugged him, dissipating his anger at once. “I’m sorry. I wish you would have told me sooner.”Zousan blinked. “Does that mean you know how to make life?”She grinned. “Grandfather showed me how when I was but a year old. All we need are chemicals, an electric spark, and lots and lots of time.”Excerpt Ended
Once they had established life, the life got rowdy, requiring the Gods to land on the planets and bully them into better behaving beings. In the process of this education to behave better, a great many half-Gods were born later in the year. Athena convinced her father to build a bigger ship so they could take on the half Gods. From this new set of crew, surely she could mesmerize some of them into loving servants.
The Gods of ProbabilitiesByLiza O’Connor BlurbThe Gods require a time shifter to ensure the Path of Light reigns during the final collapse of possibilities. To speed the process of finding an Oceanic with the specific talents needed, God DNA is induced in several batches of Oceanic eggs, resulting in a generation of brilliant tiny blue Oceanic children. One charming boy named Drogan has the ability to manipulate quantum reality in ways that will strengthen the Path of Light. Only trouble is that his gift runs a high probability of killing him and wiping out the Path of Light for good. While the bureaucratic Gods will try to assist, in Quantum all possibilities not only can, but do happen, so the future is never certain.Sales LinkAmazonAbout AuthorLiza is a multiple genre author of 15 novels. A Late Victorian Series, The Adventures of Xavier & Vic, plus a spinoff, A Right to Love, is an ongoing series.    A Long Road to Love is a humorous Contemporary Disaster Romance series (5 books). She has two single books. One is a humorous, bad boys contemporary novel with ghosts, called Ghost Lover, the other is Untamed & Unabashed, a spinoff from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.Now, she’s rolling out her Science fiction series (with romance & humor) called The Multiverses. The first four books are slotted for last half of 2015.  In addition she hopes, if she hasn’t dropped from exhaustion by then, to re-release a sometimes humorous/suspense thriller called Saving Casey. It’s the story of a middle-class old woman who dies and wakes up in a trust-fund teen’s body with no choice but to turn around Casey’s life, despite the many bridges the teen has burnt. Liza would love to know: What’s your favorite genre?Social NetworksFOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUTLIZA O'CONNORInvestigate these sites:Liza’s Multiverse BlogLiza's Blog and Website   Facebook   Twitter

The Story behind Grand Master's Pawn and the Grand Master's Trilogy

The idea for this book entered my imagination thirty years ago, although Grand Master's Pawn was completed and polished in the last year. Thirty years ago, I used my savings on a flight from the UK to the US where I joined a research lab at Yale. The stress and excitement of adapting to a new environment fired my imagination. I have many short stories and notes from that period, and one complete novel (The Lady is Blue).

My initial idea, being frugal, was to combine several short stories into a full-length novel. The organizing theme was a young woman, the Pawn, who travels on missions to different planets under the orders of a mysterious Grand Master. Following the chess analogy, the Pawn, Violet, is “Alice Through the Looking Glass”. Two of my short stories and skimpy notes about a dragon morphed into three of Violet’s missions. The main characters were fuzzy until last Summer. After publishing my first full-length science fiction romance novel “The Lady is Blue”, I joined the Science Fiction Romance Brigade. At their Nebula Nights party, the character of the Grand Master crystallized in my mind, and the whole arc of the story fell into place. I acknowledge the Brigade in the book.   There are hints of some of my favorite authors in this book: Andre Norton, Anne McCaffrey, and Philip Jose Farmer. The White Mother in the book shares aspects of Miss Marple and Yoda. Violet’s Grand Master sounds like Darth Vader. Yet, characters acquire a life of their own, my story is a mystery, and “appearances can deceive” as one person says near the end of the book. The Grand Master’s griffin avatar may have been influenced by my visit to Bletchley Park, UK, in May 2014. The main entrance to the mansion is flanked by two stone griffins.When I started writing in earnest, the story expanded into a trilogy with the beginning and end of each book etched in my mind. The complex world of Grand Master's Pawn, Book 1, describes visits to eight planets and five or six alien races, such as the Brululians with rotating eyestalks, and the dragons. There are twelve Grand Masters, humans and aliens with immense psychic powers. Some are good, some are evil. In Book 1, one Grand Master is killed. We learn that Violet's father was murdered after he prophesied doom for the Council of twelve Grand Masters. Grand Master's Game, Book 2, was published this week. The Grand Master of the title, Athanor Griffin, has a plan to flush his enemy, the Red Queen, out of hiding. We meet many of the characters from Book 1, and some new ones, including the rest of the eleven Grand Masters. I am writing Book 3, and of course, there will be fewer Grand Masters by the end of the trilogy.  Building imaginary worlds is fun and laborious. The Grand Master’s Trilogy is my most intricate universe to date, and has generated a short story, the trilogy and a side story in progress. 
Buy Links

Grand Master's Pawn : http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1N5PM  Grand Master’s Game: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0104OFJJ8
 

Grand Master's Pawn 8 8-10 sentences for #WeWriWa

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors. Here, writers showcase their work with 8-10 sentences.This week, I’ll continue the scene from Grand Master’s Pawn, where Lira the cat woman form Aman-el has rescued Violet from a gang of thugs. 
Lira grabbed her hand and they darted away into the anonymity of the crowds of festive students. The cat woman hissed as they ran, her fur puffed out and her ears flattened in anger. When they reached a quiet spot among the trees, Violet panted, “Let’s rest here.” They flopped to the ground under an oak tree, and tidied their clothes. Violet pulled a comb through the tangles in her hair, and Lira smoothed her soft brown fur.  After they had recovered their breath, Lira asked, “Why did they attack you?” Violet groaned, “I don’t understand, Lira. They taunted me for being a pawn, and insulted my Grand Master. Why do they hate my Grand Master?” Lira sighed, “Many people fear the Grand Masters’ powers.” 

Last week’s sentences can be found at http://auroraspringernovels.blogspot.... Grand Master's Pawn is free this weekend:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1N5PM
Book 2, Grand Master's Game is available (Print now, kindle on 14th):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0104OFJJ8
Please return to read the sentences from the other writers at http://www.wewriwa.com

Excerpt from Grand Master's Game for #SFFSat

Welcome to another Saturday of Science Fiction & Fantasy snippets exchanged by writers. http://scififansat.blogspot.com/ My contribution this week continues the scene on Moon Station from Grand Master’s Game, Book 2 in the Grand Master’s Trilogy. Last week's sentences are at http://auroraspringernovels.blogspot.com/2015/07/snippet-for-sffsat-grand-masters-game.html
Excerpt:  The giant striped spider leaped at Violet and she dodged aside. Too late! Her attacker jammed her neck in its pincers and dragged her off her feet. She swung from its mandibles, her hands and feet struggling for purchase on its hard carapace. One small part of her mind wondered how she could still breathe. The rest of her brain searched for an escape. In the background, the yells, screams, thudding blows, and the muffled boom of an explosion told of her companions’ battles. An acid odor filled the air and the enormous head loomed over her face, eight giant eyes next to hers. Energized by terror, Violet grabbed hold of one pincer and scraped her fingernails across the nearest eyes. She’d hit a sensitive spot. The spider-wasp jerked violently, flinging Violet’s body from side to side. Her legs thumped on the floor. Biting back the pain, she clawed at another eye and twisted her legs, bracing her knees against the base of its fore limbs. The jaws held firm on her neck. She was stuck!

Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0104OFJJ8
Book 1, Grand Master's Pawn is FREE July 10-12: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1N5PM
Please return to SFFSat and read the other snippets. Your comments are welcome. 

Blog Tour for Grand Master's Game

Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0104OFJJ8
Book 1, Grand Master's Pawn will be FREE for July 10-12.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1N5PM

I thank my generous friends for sharing my new release. Please visit their blogs.


Blog Tour

July 10 Sheila Hoag https://topaz08.wordpress.com/- Excerpt


July 12Cover Reveal at http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2015/07/grand-masters-game-by-aurora-springer.html

July 14 Kathy Fawcett  - http://kmfawcett.com/ - Excerpt  
Peter Vialls - http://mhorann.blogspot.com/- Excerpt
https://smartgirlsscifi.wordpress.com/Author Interview
Speculative fiction showcase – http://indiespecfic.blogspot.com/- excerpt A

July 17Kaye Manro -  http://kayemanro.blogspot.com/ - Excerpt
Greta van der Rol - http://gretavanderrol.net/Excerpt

July 20Jessica Subject #SRF Monday - http://www.markofthestars.com/wp/category/sfr-monday/- Excerpt

July 27 Liza O’Connor - http://multiuniversesoflizao.blogspot.com/Excerpt

Aug 3Patty Hammond https://everydayfangirl.wordpress.com


Book 1, Grand Master's Pawn will be discounted to 99c during July.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1N5PM

New Release - Alchemist's Kiss by AR DeClerck

Blurb: TO SAVE HIS FUTURE HE MUST FACE HIS PAST.Icarus Kane is the warden of London, having taken the city and all its people under his protection. A dark wizard has come to call, threatening Icarus, his friends and all he holds dear. It will take all his skill as a wizard and an alchemist, and all his courage as a man, to face his oldest enemy. With his companions, Cora Mae Jenkins and Archimedes Merriweather, Icarus will have to face his past in order to save his future.
PREORDER LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Alchemists-Kiss-AR-DeClerck-ebook/dp/B010MOJXRE/ref
Author Bio:
AR DeClerck is a wife and mother of 2 daughters. She lives in the Quad Cities, IL and works as a dialysis technician. She grew up in the mountains of NC and has always been an avid reader. She started writing in high school and never stopped. AR writes romance novels in many sub genres. She publishes through Nevermore Press and currently has 3 novels available with a few more in the works and thousands more in her head. She credits her love of reading and writing to her mother who always has a book handy.

A note about Forged in Fire:
Forged in Fire started with Gin Draven. He was as real to me as any person I have ever known. One day the words “Steel is forged in fire” popped into my head. I thought about what those words might mean, and Gin was born. He is a tough SOB with a scar on his face and a heart of gold. Once upon a time he was in love with a woman who betrayed him, and he turned the tables and left her to die. I thought about what a man like that might live for, and his galaxy was born. Eight beautiful planets surrounding a young red sun, and one of those planets was destroyed. Now Gin has something to live for, the utter destruction of the Boderians who attacked his people.
Every hero needs an equal. Enter Maeve. She is a princess. A mother. A soldier who secretly fought in the war without her parents’ knowledge. She is also the woman Gin Draven once loved. I think Maeve came to life the moment Gin Draven did, because they belong to each other. Even if they didn’t know it at the time. 
Forged in Fire is a story about learning to trust. Fighting for what you want. Surviving no matter what. Because it’s true: Steel is forged in fire.
Links:Facebook: https://facebook.com/authoramydeclerck    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/@ARDeClerck
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Forged-Fire-AR-DeClerck-ebook/dp/B00R3B0ZFE
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forged-in-fire-ar-declerck/1121005171?ean=2940046494686
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23922743-forged-in-fire

The Demon's Eye by Greta van der Rol

Greta's new story, "The Demon's Eye"

My new novelette, "The Demon's Eye", is a spin-off from "A Matter of Trust". The characters are all new, but the Universe in which the story is set is the same - an Empire with dissident groups, pirates and the like.Blurb:Krystina Merkos is reluctant to leave her home planet, but agrees it's best that her father doesn't have to concern himself with her safety while he fights a civil war. The journey on an Imperial warship becomes much more palatable when she discovers that Ben Paulsen, an old flame from her high school days, is a senior officer on the ship.But it's not all plain sailing. The captain wants to seduce her, Ben's trying to keep his distance – and pirates want to sell her to the murderous sect waging war on her father.When the frigate is attacked by a pirate fleet intent on capturing Krys, she faces impossible choices. If she hands herself over to the pirates, she will die a painful death. If she doesn't, everyone will die.Unless she and Ben can contrive a way out for them all. 
Buy the book at Amazon Nook KoboiTunesSmashwords
Bio:Greta van der Rol loves writing action-packed adventures with a side salad of romance. Most of her work is space opera, but she has written paranormal and historical fiction.She lives not far from the coast in Queensland, Australia and enjoys photography and cooking when she isn't bent over the computer. She has a degree in history and a background in building information systems, both of which go a long way toward helping her in her writing endeavours.
- http://gretavanderrol.net/ - http://twitter.com/GretavdR
- http://www.facebook.com/Greta.J.vanderRol

Grand Master's Pawn 7 8-10 sentences for #WeWriWa

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors. Here, writers showcase their work with 8-10 sentences.This week, I’ll continue from Grand Master’s Pawn, continuing the action scene  where Violet is attacked by a gang of louts. Last week's snippet ended with: “Blasted pawn, you won’t escape!” he grunted. “Your filthy voidal Grand Master can’t help you.” 
Violet struggled desperately, kicking backwards as another man slapped her face. She tried to summon a mental attack, but her mind was fuzzy with confusion.
Hissing in fury, a brown furred body hurtled against the man gripping Violet. The cat woman from Aman-el had come to her defense. Snarling, Lira struck her sharp teeth and claws into the man’s arm. His grip loosened, and Violet writhed agilely out of his grasp. Lira kicked him in the crotch, and he doubled up, clutching at his groin. One man was still standing. Violet grabbed his long greasy hair and wrenched him off balance, emoting rage. He stumbled, took one look at her wild face, and ran off, yelling.


Last week’s sentences can be found at   http://auroraspringernovels.blogspot....



On sale for 99c, Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1N5PM
Part 4, where Violet meets her Grand Master, is free this weekend.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U0JVTDI

Book 2 is on pre-order for release July 14th: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0104OFJJ8
Please return to read the sentences from the other writers at http://www.wewriwa.com