Blog Tour: Seneca Element #scifi #ya #giveaway

This is my stop during the blog tour for Seneca Element by Rayya Deeb. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 6 till 19 January. See the tour schedule here.

Seneca Element (The Seneca Society #2)
By Rayya Deeb
Genre: Science Fiction
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: December 12, 2019

Blurb:
If you knew
that creating singularity
between your mind and machine
would open Pandora’s Box
would you do it?

Not even teen math-genius, Doro Campbell, could have known what she was getting herself into when she made the choice to get an implant connecting her brain to her computer. But when she finds her own existence at the center of a fight for power that runs deep inside the near-future, secret society that is Seneca, Doro realizes her mind may no longer be under her own jurisdiction.

In this breakneck race to find her dad and save the planet, Doro must choose between trusting her inner self or technology. Amidst the perils of a brutal technological warfare, and navigating the ups and downs of her first love, can Doro find the way to save herself… and the fate of the world?

Excerpt:
The rain began as a sprinkle, and then the concussive sound of thunder hit. The storm rolled in quickly, shifting from oppressive heat to a wet cold. I undid the latch of the strap across my chest and yanked off the eggplant-colored canvas backpack. I pulled out the rubbery hooded raincoat that I'd picked up at the outfitters in Lima and put it on. With my arms squeezing the backpack tight, I curled into a ball right there on the side of the mountain and waited for the storm to pass. If this mountainside had been through so many storms before and was still standing, then I figured I’d be fine as long as I blended in with it, chameleon style. But then, as the dagger-like rain began to strike my body, the cold became unbearable. I grabbed the emergency blanket I had packed and wrapped myself in it, fearing I might freeze if the storm didn't end before nightfall. I shivered inside my soggy cocoon, teeth clanking uncontrollably, arms plastered to my body as I hugged myself, covered in goosebumps the size of pimples. All I could think about was getting to a lower elevation... if I could just survive the night.
The whole point of the trip was to get to The Seneca Society's Hub 48 entrance on Lake Titicaca and find my dad. I was determined to see if he was really there, and to finally discover the deeper, hidden secrets of this subterranean, technologically-advanced world. I had the coordinates for the covert entrance point, but somehow I’d become inexplicably disoriented. Now I was lost in the middle of nowhere, practically beaten to a pulp and starting to doubt my ability to find Hub 48 after all. And to make matters worse, I was disconnected from the data grid, without access to the superhighway of information and the network of people that could help me figure out the right way to go. All the planning I had done and the materials I had collected for this trip, now stored in my encrypted Veil, were completely inaccessible.
My Veil was my lifeline, everything— and I mean everything— important was there. It had the recognition data I’d borrowed from my friend, Brittany Gilroy, the daughter of a Seneca Senator, to get me into the Aboves in the first place, and keep me untraceable. It had all the maps I needed to find my way. It stored my passwords, health records, personal contact information... literally everything that meant anything to me. But now the harsh reality of making a successful trek while being completely off the grid was beginning to sink in. What if no one finds me out here?

***

You can find Seneca Element on Goodreads

You can buy Seneca Element here on Amazon

First book in the series:

Seneca Rebel by Rayya Deeb
“What if your one chance to change the world means you have to leave everything you love behind?”

You can find Seneca Rebel here:
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- B&N

About the Author:
Rayya Deeb is a Virginia Tech Hokie, born in London, England and raised in Northern Virginia. She lives in Southern California with her husband and two daughters. Rayya has worked in television production and film development, but her true passion is writing. She has spent over a decade screenwriting, collaborating with some seriously incredible, world-renowned directors, actors and top-notch producers. In 2016 her debut novel, Seneca Rebel (ATM Publishing/No Mimes Media), was published. Her latest, Seneca Element (12/12/19 - Mediology/No Mimes Media), is the second book in The Seneca Society series. Rayya loves L.A. street tacos, 90's hip-hop, obscure Alan Watts lectures, exploring the globe, painting, and breaking bread with family & friends. She spends an absurd amount of time thinking about all things culinary, but considers it well worth it.

You can find and contact Rayya Deeb here:
- Series website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Instagram
- Goodreads
- Amazon

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Seneca Element. These are the prizes you can win:
ONE winner wins paperbacks of both book one and two, Seneca Rebel & Seneca Element (US Only)
10 winners will win e-book versions of Seneca Rebel AND Seneca Element (INT)

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz: Crash Land on Kurai by SJ Pajonas #scifi #giveaway @spajonas @lolaslogtours

This is my stop during the book blitz for Crash Land on Kurai by SJ Pajonas. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 19 till 20 July. See the tour schedule here.

Crash Land on Kurai (Hikoboshi #1)
By SJ Pajonas
Genre: Science Fiction, Action Adventure, Space Opera
Age category: Adult
Release Date: 18 July, 2017

Blurb:
Yumi Minamoto has the shortest fuse on the ship. She’s just whipped a bully and been confined to quarters, but she’s not staying there. A disgraced journalist trying to clear her name, her job is to document the mission to the Hikoboshi system, and she’s determined to get it right, despite all the trouble she causes. But when unknown vessels fire on their ship, and Yumi's life pod crash lands on a dying moon, she's separated from her family and friends, and her mission falls to pieces. Now she must navigate the unfamiliar and deadly terrain, deal with a society she doesn’t understand, and try to stay alive until rescue comes… if it ever does.

Crash Land on Kurai is the first book in the Hikoboshi Series, an action adventure, space opera series that explores the worlds settled by the Japanese who fled Earth a century ago. Culture, history, technology, and swords clash in a fast-paced future society on the brink of war.

You can find Crash Land on Kurai on Goodreads

Read the first four chapters of Crash Land on Kurai! Get your sample here from Instafreebie!

You can buy Crash Land on Kurai here on Amazon
The book is available to read with Kindle Unlimited

Check out these teaser images for Crash Land on Kurai!

About the Author:
Stephanie (S. J.) is a writer, knitter, amateur astrologer, Capricorn, and Japanophile. She loves foxes, owls, sushi, yoga pants, Evernote, and black tea. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing or spending time outside, unless it’s winter. She hates winter. Someday she’ll own a house in both hemispheres so she can avoid the season entirely. She’s a mom to two great kids and lives with her husband and family outside NYC. They have no pets. Yet. When it comes to her work, expect the unexpected. She doesn’t write anything typical. Find her online at http://www.spajonas.com.

You can find and contact SJ Pajonas here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Tumblr
- Instagram
- Youtube
- Wattpad
- Bookbub
- Amazon

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway during the book blitz of Crash Land on Kurai. These are the prizes you can win:
- 2 winners will get a US$10 Amazon.com gift card and a Nogiku Series Omnibus ebook delivered via BookFunnel (valued at US$13)
- 1 winner will win a Nogiku Series Omnibus ebook delivered via BookFunnel (valued at US$13)

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz: ECHO Campaign (Isolation #2) by Taylor Brooke @taysalion @YAboundtourspr

ECHO Campaign (Isolation #2)
by Taylor Brooke
Genre: YA/Older Teen Urban Science Fiction
Release date: November 1st 2016
Limitless Publishing

Summary:

Brooklyn Harper’s worst nightmare has become her reality. She has been captured by Isolation…

Trapped in a white-walled labyrinth by Juneau Malloy, Brooklyn is faced with the horrors of Isolation’s finest training yet. The skills she learned as an Omen Operative in Camp Number Eleven are put to the test in the form of brutal assessments of her strength, skills, and fortitude. Confused and disheartened, Brooklyn and the group of renegade Omens prepare for whatever trials Isolation has in store for them.

Juneau has caged her once again, but Brooklyn is far from broken…

When Brooklyn finds out her best friend Gabriel is alive, she goes on a violent rampage in search of her, but instead earns herself a stint in solitary confinement. Juneau attempts to tame Brooklyn through grueling exercises before offering her one radical choice. Brooklyn must hand over her freedom in order to spare her friends. She’ll become a showpiece Juneau will auction off to the highest bidder for her skills in assassination, defense, and combat.

There must be a way out, and the renegade Omens have to find it…

Brooklyn has no intention of becoming Juneau’s latest achievement. During a mind-warping training simulation, Brooklyn uncovers Isolation’s greatest secret and their darkest mistake. Juneau Malloy has created something far more sinister than the Omens, and it’s ready to eat the world alive.

As the battle with Isolation intensifies, Brooklyn is faced with her most dangerous choice yet…

Save her friends—or save humanity.

Pre-order Link: Amazon

Omen Operation (Isolation #1) is FREE from October 25-30 on Amazon! Get yourself a copy!

Book One (click on image for Goodreads link):

ECHO Campaign Excerpt:

Limbic Simulation Phase One—Proceed with Caution—Number 178

Music fluttered through the speakers of a room unlike any other Brooklyn had seen at the facility. Tapestries hung from the ceiling, stitched with patterns of the solar system. Grand images of suns and moons and stars were placed upon the walls in the form of quilts, rugs, and blankets. Above them was a line of thin candles cradled in iron sconces. Light from their flames cast long shadows across the ceiling and darkened the bright threading of the obscure cloths.

She didn’t recognize the song, but the gentle cries from a cello filled the room with a sense of calm that Brooklyn wasn’t comfortable with. The Limbic Simulation was a fear exercise, a way for Juneau to gauge their control over primal instincts. Whether flight would overcome the urge to fight or vice versa. Sweet chocolate and brown sugar filled her nostrils, the smell of baking cookies. Brooklyn inhaled as much of it as she could.

As long as she kept her wits about her she could enjoy the small moment of peace presented to her. The candlelight, the pleasant smell, even the interesting tapestries made Brooklyn want to curl up on the floor and stay in that room. Maybe she would. Maybe she would ignore whatever monsters Juneau and his team had cooked up, and stay in this moment until it was taken from her by force, like everything else.

A solid wooden door, carved with intricate swirling patterns and a gold doorknob was across from her. She listened carefully, and beyond the popping of the candles wicks, she heard a faint tapping, like fingernails against the other side of the door. She glanced over her shoulder to the docking station, wondering briefly if it would be worth it to turn around and not cooperate. To walk out of the room and back into the white hallway where Michelle and Gabriel probably waited for her.

The tapping turned into scratching, like cat claws in the center of the wooden door.

Brooklyn rolled her shoulders and stretched out all her fingers, cracking them against the side of her legs. Whatever was behind that door, it was going to die. That was what she told herself as she took long strides past the pretty hanging quilts, swallowed a last gulp of cookie scented air, and swung the door open.

On the ground was Amber—a clone of her. It writhed with a hand wrapped around the deep wound on its throat. Blood soaked its shirt and its bulged eyes pleaded with Brooklyn for help. Its other hand, slick with syrupy blood, scrambled over Brooklyn’s boot.

“Not supposed to happen like this,” it croaked. “He’s out of containment.”

Brooklyn lifted her foot and crushed the clones hand beneath her heel. “Who?”

“Stop the sim…stop…”

The clone’s voice faded and the life in its eyes dimmed. Brooklyn listened to its heart simmer out one beat at a time.

Its crimson blood was the brightest thing in the room, harsh against the eggshell walls, and dark as it soaked the light mauve carpet. She stepped away from the body, well aware of the pair of eyes glued to her from across the room. Brooklyn kept her body poised for an attack. Cloaked by a slanted shadow in the corner of the near empty room stood another clone, one she’d prepared herself to see.

Porter’s clone watched her, hunter and hunted,, but Brooklyn stood her ground. She met his gaze, rationalizing the jarring bit of panic that flew through her. The sight of one of their clones would always cause her nerves to jump, wouldn’t it? This was no different.

Her initial thought was to flee, which surprised her, and the following urge was to wait. She saw his bare feet tap against the carpet. Her nostrils flared for a hint of emotion. Nothing. No fear, sadness, excitement, nothing but stagnant air.

“Look at you,” the clone said. A peculiar grin moved across its face, tongue darting out to wet its lips. “Now I can see it. You’re beautiful.”

Brooklyn bristled but stayed quiet.

“I’ve wondered for quite some time why he likes you. You’re stubborn, irrational, explosive even, yet he chose to chase you. I see it now. I see it clearer than ever before.”

Unwarranted heat rushed into Brooklyn’s cheeks. She straightened her back and curled her fingers into fists. A pain suddenly spiked in her lower abdomen, searing, achy knots. This clone was unlike any she’d encountered, and the thought made her violently uneasy.

“Porter and I—we’re brothers. I feel connected to him more than to my own father. Perhaps it was his visibility, his life, his accomplishments. Maybe it was my own jealousy of him that built the bridge between us, I don’t know. The only thing I do know for certain, Brooklyn Leona Harper, is that I did not know envy until you. You…”

It slithered from the shadows, and like Porter, it had pools of whiskey for eyes. His intense gaze pushed into her like a dagger. Her voice crawled away, hidden in the back of her throat. He moved slowly like an ancient predator, a scaled, winding dragon taking inventory of its meal.

“You are a star nursery, giving birth to clusters of energy and fire and unrelenting anger. I can feel it burning the deepest parts of me, and now, in your presence, I understand his love for you better than I understand myself. The thought of taming a force like you, being sucked into your gravity, it thrills me.”

Brooklyn wanted to back up but her legs wouldn’t budge. She tried to reign in her runaway heartbeat, to squash the irrational fear that was hollowing out her courage. The clone took another step, its nostrils flaring as it leaned toward her face and inhaled. Its lips tightened, and when it let the breath go Brooklyn could see the delicate curve of its cupids bow quiver.

“You,” it breached the space between them, cheek brushing against Brooklyn’s face as it whispered against her ear, “You are a force, a goddess among simple creatures.”

The fear buried inside her launched into her throat and Brooklyn lashed out, shoving the clone backward. She raised her fist, aiming it directly at its jaw.

Its long fingers gripped her hand, catching the punch before she could land it. Her wrist crumbled. Her eyes watered. She felt all the strength in her body push toward the surface, but it was no use. The clone, stronger than anything she’d encountered before, slammed her smaller frame against the wall. It held her arms above her head, fingers latched around her wrists, its other hand snatching her jaw like a bear trap.

“We could take it all,” the clone’s mouth moved against her temple, lips scorching a trail down to her chin. “You and I, we could lead them all. Start over. There are enough of us.”

“What are you?” Brooklyn whimpered, kicking her feet against its shins.

Her strength was nothing against Porter’s clone. Her fear evolved into dismay, and then into hysteria. She thrashed. Her breath was hard to catch as the heated press of the clone’s body held her to the wall like she weighed nothing.

The hand wrapped around her jaw moved down to grip her waist, and the clone laughed, eyes leaving burns on her wherever they settled. It closed the space between them, taking her lips in a searing kiss. She recoiled and slammed her teeth into its lip until she tasted blood.

Shouts came from every direction. First she heard the clone, its voice hot against her mouth, licking blood off her lips, “My brother is a lucky man, Brooklyn. You are incredible.”

Next Brooklyn was falling, her body a heap, shaking on the floor.

Michelle burst through the door, a mobile radio in her hand. “Asset 0 is out of containment!”

About the Author
Taylor Brooke is the author of the upcoming sci-fi adventure trilogy The Isolation Series. She started out as a freelance makeup artist, and quickly discovered her love of elves, zombies, mermaids, kaiju, and monsters of all kinds. After receiving eight professional certifications in special effects makeup, working on countless projects, and fleshing out a multitude of fantastical creatures, she turned her imagination back to her one true love- books. Taylor has had a knack for writing since she was a little girl, and received recognition for her skills throughout grade school and junior college. When she’s not nestled in a blanket typing away on her laptop, she can be found haunting the local bookstore with a cup of steaming hot tea in her hands, scanning the shelves for new reads, or hiking one of the many mountains that surround her home in Oregon.

Author Links:

Meet the #Author Monday - Renee Meland #YA #dystopia #scifi

Please tell us a bit about yourself: There's been something magical for me about writing ever since we got to make our own books out of cardboard and wallpaper in my first grade class. I've been hooked ever since.

Tell us about Burning Doors: Burning Doors is the second book in The Extraction List Series. It came to life because I absolutely fell in love with one of my characters in the first book, and decided he had his own story to tell.

What inspired you to write this particular story?: The Extraction List Book One is about what happens after a particular law turns America upside down. I used Burning Doorsto show the reader how the situation got so bad in the first place, a situation that allowed the law to take shape.

Which comes first for you? A character's looks, personality or name?: Personality, definitely. The name usually comes after I figure out who the person is internally.

Any tips for aspiring authors?: Don't give up. There's a lot of propaganda out there saying it's impossible to get  a book deal/make money/get exposure/etc. If other people can do it, so can you. Just keep at it!

  

Questions for fun: 

If you had the power of time travel, is there anything you would go back and change? I don't think I would change anything, since I believe in the Butterfly Effect (one thing changed can have severe consequences...many things happen for a reason). But I would go back and see Ancient Rome.

Why/why not?: Ancient Rome has always had a pull on me. I'd like to have a beer with Julius Caesar.

What super-power would you choose?: Flight for sure. Heights scare me to death but if you can fly it wouldn't matter.

If you could have three wishes, what would they be?: 1) Make it on the NYT Bestseller List 2) Somehow make it so every dog has a good home. 3) Make it so my dogs live as long as people do.

Coffee, tea or wine?: Can I have all three? 

What is your favourite book? (aside from one of your own!): The Unwind Series by Neal Shusterman. Brilliant!

Favourite genre and why?: Science Fiction because it's so full of possibility.

Favourite colour?: Red

Upcoming news and plans for the future?: I'm working on a book about doomsday preppers, and preparing to release the third installment of The Extraction List Series. Stay tuned!

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us! 

BOOK NAME: Burning Doors         

GENRE: Young Adult Dystopian

BLURB: Cain Foley committed his first murder before he could even drive a car. Not that he would’ve had anywhere to drive to. When he was fifteen, America was one of the poorest countries in the world, and its’ citizens took their hatred of that fact out on each other through gangs and violence. Children barely tall enough for carnival rides peppered the streets selling drugs (or themselves) so they could buy their next meal.

Every night on the news, Cain watched as an angelic blonde woman who lost her own child swore she’d end it. She assaulted America’s televisions with praise for the Parental Morality Law: a set of rules that spells out exactly what it takes to be a parent in the eyes of the government, and the consequences of breaking those rules. He prayed every night that she’d come to rescue him before his father took off his belt again.

Before she could save him, Cain faced a fatal choice: fight back or die on the basement floor.

He chose life.

Now on the run, he finds himself being hunted by a police officer with his own special brand of torture. Before he can save even a handful of the children who have been swept up in the gang life, he must first cover up not one, but two murders: his father’s and one committed by a teenage madam who is either the love of his life, or his final undoing. As he feels himself being pushed further and further to the edge, he realizes that surviving his father was just the beginning.

RELEASE DATE: April 28th, 2015

AUTHOR INFO: https://reneenmeland.wordpress.com/

Twitter @reneenmeland

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8194285.Renee_N_Meland

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Renee-N-Melands-Books/311899338826241  

Author Bio: Renee N. Meland lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two dogs. Her favorite obsessions are Rome, learning new recipes, and exploring the world around her. She is an avid reader of speculative fiction, and believes that telling stories is the best job in the world.

Book Spotlight - Doorway to Destiny #fantasy #scifi #boxset #99c

Grab a 13 story box set for just 99c!

Short Description:

This collection of eleven fantasy and science fiction novels and two anthologies will transport you to strange and exciting worlds to share in the tragedies and triumphs of complex yet endearing heroes and heroines. Discover the gripping works of authors TC Southwell and Vanessa Finaughty and be swept away by magical adventures, epic battles and futuristic voyages to unknown universes.

Long Description:

With eight novels by TC Southwell and three novels and two anthologies by Vanessa Finaughty, this box set offers fantasy and sci-fi lovers escapism that will keep you up long past your bedtime. Dive into fantastic worlds and meet fascinating characters whose trials and tribulations will enchant and inspire. Discover how a vengeful assassin reshapes the fate of three kingdoms and share in a quest to discover the origins of mankind, then follow the tale of a young queen's fight to be free with the aid of a combat cyborg. Two short story anthologies spice up the fare with dragons, sorcerers and magic galore, and a child of another god strives to save his world from mankind's ravages. When a mortal dark god treads a tragic path as he rises to destroy the Overworld, a brave young girl risks her life to try to change his savage ways. Each hero and heroine takes a definitive step through a doorway to destiny as he or she seeks to right wrongs and save worlds.

Doorway to Destiny links

Smashwords

iBooks

Barnes & Noble

Goodreads

PRICE: 99c for a limited time only!

About TC Southwell

T. C. Southwell was born in Sri Lanka and moved to the Seychelles when she was a baby. She spent her formative years exploring the islands – mostly alone. Naturally, her imagination flourished and she developed a keen love of other worlds. The family travelled through Europe and Africa and, after the death of her father, settled in South Africa.

T. C. Southwell has written over thirty fantasy and science fiction novels, as well as five screenplays. Her hobbies include motorcycling, horse riding and art, and she is now a full-time writer.

Links

Author website

Author blog

Twitter

Facebook

About Vanessa Finaughty

Vanessa Finaughty is an author of many genres who now focuses on fantasy and science fiction. She’s published 15 books, of which 6 are fantasy. Vanessa grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and still lives there with her husband of fifteen years, her baby daughter and plenty of furry, four-legged ‘children’.

Vanessa has always been passionate about books, and knew from a young age that she wanted to write them one day. She loves animals, coffee and the smell of wet grass, and hates liars, sweltering weather and long queues. Her interests include reading, photography, the supernatural, mythology, aliens and outer space, ancient history, life’s mysteries and martial arts, of which she has five years’ experience.

Links

Author website

Author blog

Twitter

Facebook

Tuesday Teaser - The Last Vhalgenn by @kayelleallen #giveaway #excerpt #fantasy #scifi

The Last Vhalgenn

By Kayelle Allen

In this scene from The Last Vhalgenn, the heroine, Raik, is alone with King Orix. They grew up together, but his new queen barred Raik from the palace. Raik is back to deliver news of a battle and while delighted to be with Orix, is nervous about his queen discovering them.

---

I followed Orix to the matching chairs where we used to sit in the evenings. The fire crackled and popped. Homesickness gnawed my heart, especially when the faithful old servant, Cyrus, greeted me. His unfeigned affection and fatherly embrace brought tears to my eyes. He set out a meal of bread, cheese, and wine and served me first, against all custom.

Orix watched, amusement touching his mouth and eyes. Before he left, Cyrus reminded me twice to call if I needed anything. Orix stood and went to the fire, hands held out to the flames.

"There's enough for four people." I broke off a hunk of crusty black bread. "Come share."

He returned, nibbling while I gulped, but said little. At last, hunger satisfied and body clean, I leaned back in the chair and lifted a goblet, watching the fire through the deep red wine.

"I'm sorry, Orix. You know. About Dahr. I didn't mean to hurt. You mean more to me than anyone alive."

He reached across and took my hand; interlaced his fingers, and then folded his arms and stared into the fire.

"I need her Raik. As much as I needed you."

Needed? I choked back words that anguish hurried to mind. I was as much his chattel as any of his horses. If one person could own another, then I was his, given to him at birth. Why should it hurt if he treated me as such?

"She's in danger of losing the baby."

"Again?" There had been a miscarriage four months after their marriage. "What's wrong this time?" I poured more wine.

"Some woman thing. Her doctors fuss around her bed all day. It's been weeks and she still has to stay on her back. I can't even see her. All her doctors are from Kellindahr. I don't think she trusts ours."

"This child is crucial, Orix. You need an heir to both lands. If it helps for her to have her own people around her, so much the better."

"Aye." He rambled on about a rallying point and the Kellindahrii people's love for their queen, while I mused over how much time would be lost begetting another heir. It struck me that if Dahr was abed she hadn't met Orix's needs. My throat tightened when I thought of him sleeping alone. I dared not look at the over-sized bed we'd so often shared. Nor did I look straight at him, afraid my rampant feelings would show. There was a war to finish. I'd been foolish to bring the dispatch. Being this close to him...

I flung myself out of the chair and stalked, stiff legged and sore, over to the fireplace and leaned my head against the mantle.

Let him go! He's the king. You're a soldier. He'll never be yours. Don't lose your heart over him. Don't do it. Not again.

"I'm sorry." Orix came up behind me. "You're exhausted and here I am prating about my needs." He pulled my hand to his mouth and pressed the palm against his lips.

---

The Last Vhalgenn

Duty to king and country has shaped Raik's life since birth, but to protect them, she must perform a ritual that betrays all she holds sacred.

The Vhalgenn is a warrior, bedmate, soulmate, companion, and friend. Trusted by the king. Hated by the queen. To save the newborn prince, the Vhalgenn will risk her position, her honor, and death itself to honor the Old Ways. But when she takes the newborn prince to the queen's homeland for a ritual blessing, she discovers a betrayal so deep the kingdom -- and her heart -- might never recover.

This fantasy features a strong heroine, and was originally part of the 2008 EPIC eBook Award Finalist anthology A Time To... Volume 1 - The Best of The Lorelei Signal, from Wolfsinger Publications, which is now out of print. The strong female heroine possesses nobility, honor, and courage, and is a role model for women. The book is dedicated to all women warriors, whatever their battle, and is written by a female veteran.

Available exclusively at Amazon http://is.gd/SciFiFantasy_Vhalgenn

Sign up for one email the sequel, Return of the Vhalgenn is available: http://authoralarms.com/Kayelle_Allen

Giveaway

Here's a giveaway for everyone, an illustrated eBook called Behind the Scenes with The Last Vhalgenn. This free eBook is an inside look at the characters and setting in the story. When you click the link, this will either offer you a download, or open in a new window, depending on your settings. To read it, you need Adobe Reader, available free.

http://is.gd/vhalgenn_peek

About the Author

Kayelle Allen is a multi-published, award-winning Science Fiction Romance author of unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, and unforgettable passion.

Homeworld http://kayelleallen.com

Unstoppable Heroes Blog http://kayelleallen.com/blog

Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen

Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author

The SFR Brigade 2nd Midsummer Blog Hop - Pippa's Post

Excerpt - 

Her manta ray-shaped flitter ship sat, in camouflage mode, nearby. The craft shimmered into a reality of silver and black at her touch, gleaming in the hazy sunlight. Jiona slipped inside, harnessed herself into the pilot’s seat, and fired up the engines. As soon as it left the ground, she gunned the engines and plummeted over the edge of the TransGalactic Bank’s three hundred story tower into the airborne tumult of the traffic below.

As she dived into the busy lanes of Chupalla, sirens blared. Jiona dodged oncoming vehicles with ease, laughing. The criss-crossing exhaust trails and energy signals would throw any pursuer off her track, and few law enforcers would be suicidal enough to try following her. Still smiling, she dropped through the last lane and into the sea of fuel fumes clouding the lower levels of the city, and headed for her base. Only the smallest sliver of guilt tightened her chest as she thought of the handsome man she’d left lying under a ticking bomb.

I've borrowed the video from the Fifth Element as I see 'the busy lanes of Chupalla' something like the traffic in Korben's city. The excerpt above is taken from my short story Imprint - part of the Science Fiction Romance Brigade's first and FREE anthology. 

World building is my favourite part of writing - not just the description of a city or a planet, but the culture and people too. Whether it's completely alien, or whether it's a far future human society and world, or perhaps one that's regressed or still developing. I've had everything from a medieval culture with torturous similarities to the Spanish Inquisition, to a high tech hidden scientific base. A tropical paradise inhabited by a race of intelligent saurians to a decopunk city on an alternative Earth. I love them all. While my feet may be firmly fixed in my hometown of Colchester, I wander the rest of the universe in my head. Here's another.

Excerpt - 

Once more he found himself somewhere strangely other. An alien planet. A fierce thrill flowed through him, and he drew a long breath. It was early evening on this world, and humidly warm, as Quin had warned him. The blue of the sky was streaked with the colors of sunset, the red-gold sun sinking behind them, throwing long shadows. They stood before a building that put the palace of Adalucien to shame with its splendor, twisting up into the sky and reminding him of the convoluted interior of a tall cone shell, broken open to reveal the chambers inside. 

It had a fluid, organic shape to it, as though it had been grown rather than built. Made of a pale, marbled orange material and shot through with threads of different colors–pinks and mauves, greens and blues–it looked as though it were flaming in the scarlet light of the evening sky. There was no regularity to its structure. Numerous pillars of varying thicknesses seemed to have sprung up like trees wherever they had felt they were needed, curving into broad ribs to support the ceilings. 

It was hard to be sure with such an asymmetrical construction but Keir estimated it to be perhaps twenty stories upward, soaring in ever-tapering tiers into the clouds. Terracing curled around the outside of each level, aerial walkways lit by tiny blue-white stars strung like beads. He could see people walking along them and hoped they would not have to travel quite so high.

~The Shell Palace from Keir~

 Keir - a scifi romance.

All digital formats and the print format are available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, B&N

and Lyrical Press Inc. 
A 2012 Readers Favorite Award Finalist and 2012 SFR Galaxy Award Winner.

And because I love to share these worlds with other people, I'm offering a copy of my GCC RWA Contest finalist Science Fiction Romance Short - Terms & Conditions Apply - to one random person who leaves a comment on this post, telling me their favourite setting. But wait! Don't forget to enter the rafflecopter too. Want to know what that could win you? Well...

Blog Hop Grand Prizes

1st Prize - $150 Amazon or B&N gift card (winner's choice) and an ebook bundle (currently Ghost in the Machine, Bayne, Recast Book 1:Wither, Recast Book 2:Clash, Alien Adoration, Switched, Reckless Rescue, Wreck of the Nebula Dream, Keir, Terms & Conditions Apply, The Key, The Plan, Starburst, Marya, The Iron Admiral, Sasha’s Calling, Trouble at the Hotel Baba Ghanoush, Winter in Paradise, Once Upon a Time in Space, the Telomere trilogy, Winter Fusion, Blue Nebula, Demential, Wytchfire, Maven, Fires of Justice, Interface, Girl under Glass, and Breakout. Bonus books – Ghost Planet, The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy and Deception, and Games of Command.)

2nd Prize - $50 Amazon or B&N gift card (winner's choice)

3rd Prizes - four $25 Amazon or B&N gift cards (given to separate winners and their choice)

All of these goodies are available internationally, but for your chance to win you need to enter the rafflecopter below. And for a chance to win at the other blogs on the hop, go to the participant list below and hop along! Good luck. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#Science #Fiction #Fantasy Saturday #60 #scifi

Gethyon - #1 Bestseller at Omnilit

Hello again! Thanks for all the lovely comments and congrats last week - they were awesome. I had great news this week - not only did Gethyon go up at Omnilit for pre-order, but 12 hours later it hit number one on the bestsellers list. Squee! It isn't even out yet! But just two more days until release. :)
So, last week my young hero had arrived in the middle of somewhere by means unknown. But he's not given any chance to get his bearings...

“Hey!”
Gethyon dragged his head around toward the speaker, forcing his eyes to focus. Cold shock drenched him at the sight of two uniformed men between him and the nearest edifice, one warden aiming a finger straight at him.
“Hey, no unauthorized teleportation in the plaza!”
Gethyon turned and ran. Shouts from behind told him pursuit followed. He dodged between the idling crowds, staggering as his legs threatened to give way. Dazed and confused, he tried to work out what had happened. He had done it again—sent himself elsewhere—but how? What was he?

Poor Gethyon! Hope you enjoyed that, and if you want more hit the page button for Gethyon just below the banner, or the Excerpt link under the book cover on the right hand side. Or hop over to the Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday blog for more snippets from the other stellar authors by clicking the banner below.

#Science #Fiction #Fantasy Saturday #59 #scifi

Releasing 3rd June!

Helloooo! *waves* Yes, it's been a long time but I'm baaack! So long, in fact, that probably half of you won't even have noticed I was missing. Okay, maybe none of you noticed, it's been THAT long... :-P

My YA scifi novel Gethyon is releasing in just over a week, so I'm celebrating by starting to share some snippets of the finished work - got my final PDF last week, woo hoo! So here, my young hero is somewhat confused. (Please note, I've edited slightly to fit the rules and finish in a good place.)

Gethyon stumbled and fell. Light seared across his vision, a violent assault of color, and he threw up an arm to defend himself. Something brushed against him and spun him, and then another bruising impact sent him backward.
“Watch where you’re going,” someone scolded.
Gethyon dropped his arm and squinted, fighting to keep his balance. People flowed around him, but the man who had spoken was already moving away, a reproving frown on his face as he passed Gethyon by.
Soft sunlight gleamed from smooth marble, a blend of gray, green and white beneath his feet. Humans bustled around him in different directions, each intent on their own concerns with only the odd,
inquisitive glance thrown his way as he stood, alone and bewildered, in the midst of them. The plaza seemed to be a main pedestrian thoroughfare in the middle of a wide valley.
Where was he?

Hope you enjoyed that! You can read more by clicking on the page heading for Gethyon above or the EXCERPT under the book cover on the right hand menu bar of this blog. In the meantime, why not check out the other authors participating in this week's SFFSAT by clicking on the banner below?

Men In Black 3 - Review

Generally the only films I get to see these days are ones aimed mostly at children. I guess that's part of being a parent, and I don't have a problem with that. I'm finding more and more that often the kids films are so much better than those for the adults. So when my two oldest monsters begged to see Men in Black 3, I wasn't too unhappy about it. At least it's scifi, even if very silly scifi.

For me, the Men in Black films are very much 'leave your brain at home' comedy - entertaining and quirky, but not generally enthralling. This one took me by surprise. There was some very serious stuff in it - heart-rendingly so. Be prepared to take a few tissues with you. Frankly I was disappointed with Tommy Lee's performance in this film. Admittedly, he isn't in it very much but his sole contribution seemed to be to look and act more grumpy than ever without really doing much else. I was far more impressed with Josh Brolin's portrayal of the younger Agent K, and I hope he'll return should there ever be a fourth. Tommy Lee very much gave me the impression that he'd done this film under serious duress only. I also wasn't blown away by the villain in this piece - Boris the Animal - although his method of assasination was definitely intriguing and gruesome!

Highlights for me? Well, with Agent J going back to the 60's it was great to see the Men in Black headquarters populated by aliens very much from the B scifi movies of the era - a fabulous touch! There's also a fantastic bike chase with cycles very much on the lines of those from the Clone Wars Attack Cycle (new trilogy) while Boris had a very organic-looking Harley-Davidson-type bike that I half expected to be another alien - sadly not. That opportunity must have bypassed the screen-writer's muse. For top characters - Griffin was adorable! The last of his kind after Boris's species wiped out his planet, this 5th dimensional being was constantly caught in a stream of alternate possibilities and a key character to the main plot. As usual, Will Smith pretty much carried the whole film. While I enjoyed it, even Agent J seemed a little tired of the whole thing.

The ending is heart-breaking. The usual comic finish is there, but it just didn't have the impact of the previous two films. Too much tragedy had gone before. And while it might have tied up all the loose threads, and there was a good twist, it left me sad rather than smiling. The kids loved it though.

Overall I'm going to rate this as a C+. It was good, but not all that I expect of the MIB franchise. It felt as tired as its main characters looked.