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Showing posts with label Fantasy Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fantasy Romance. Show all posts

27 March 2013

Death Is a Bitch - Cate Masters' characters' interviewed at Hywela Lyn's Blog.

It's my great plesure to welcome Cate Masters to the Flight Deck today, She's brought along some of her fantastic characters from her novel 'Death Is A Bitch', so without any more ado, let's see what they have to say:

Hi Lyn! Thanks so much for having me today. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve brought along Death, Azrael and Damien from my paranormal, Death Is A Bitch. They promised to be on their best behavior, but you know how immortals can be!

Let’s get started, shall we? Tell us about your family.

Death: Ha! How much time have you got? They all have their little, shall we say, quirks. I love my twin sister, Hypnos, but she drives me crazy sometimes. And my parents… sometimes the universe isn’t a big enough place, you know? My father Erebos is a little too stuck on himself, and never gives me a break. Funny, though – he really came through for me at the worst possible time. Nyx, my mom, is the quintessential goddess mother – I can talk to her about anything, and she always makes me feel loved.

Azrael: I consider all beings to be part of the universal family.

Damien: *whistles* Really? So when you’re boinking Death, you’re committing incest? You’re sick, dude.

Azrael: Of course not. I’m not related in any way to Death.

Damien: But you just said we’re all related. Which is it, Azrael?

Azrael: I meant in a philosophical sense, Damien.

Damien: Philosophically, you want to boink your sister. Seriously, dude. *gags*

Azrael: *heavy sigh* Can we move on?

What was the scariest moment of your life?

Death: Being trapped in my own charm bracelet. I hate to even think about it. *shudders* If I actually were alive, it would have scared the life out of me. But I’ve made sure King Sisyphus can never do that to me again. Or Damien. I don’t want to give too much of the story away. You’ll just have to read it yourself.

Azrael: The moment I heard Death was missing. *glares at Damien* I knew you were behind it.

Damien: Moi? Commit a misdeed? How could you think such a thing?

Azrael: Right. Demons are perfect angels.

Damien: More perfect than you, dude.

Azrael: Your ego is astounding.

Damien: *gestures to crotch* Only because it matches the size of my –

Azrael: Can we move on?!

What’s your greatest weakness?

Death: Babies. I usually have no trouble fulfilling my duties, but if it’s a babe… *her eyes well with tears* I find it very difficult.

Azrael: *shifts in seat* I used to have some difficulty speaking in public. Now that I’ve been promoted to the head of the Department of Death and Dying, I’m working on that flaw. *stops to glare at Damien, who’s silently mimicking him* Do you have a problem?

Damien: Dude, get over yourself. No one listens to you anyway. *turns to interviewer, taps cheek* Greatest weakness, greatest weakness… now that’s a toughie. Mainly because I have so many. The top two are hot cars and hot babes. If I see a sweet car sitting all by its lonesome, it practically begs me to take it for a spin. And what’s the fun in going for a spin in a hot car all by yourself? So natch, I find a hot babe to share the ride. And whoo hoo, it’s usually a really hot ride, if you catch my drift.

Azrael: *rolls eyes* And you claim to love Death so much.

Damien: I do. She’s Numero Uno on the list. But she’s always busy with work. Or whatever… *takes a sudden interest in his fingernails and hums*

Azrael: What are you implying?

Damien: Just that she’s a hot babe, and I’m not the only other guy hot for her. If you’re smart, Death, you’ll play the field – er, realm – before settling down.

Azrael:  *jaw clenches* You –

Damien: *smiles sweetly* Can we move on?

What are you passionate about these days?

Death: *looks off dreamily* That’s an easy question. Azrael. He’d always come off as somewhat aloof, maybe a bit too high and mighty, but whew! *she fans herself* Beneath that cool, professional exterior is one red-hot fiery angel, believe me.

Azrael: *cheeks redden* Well…

Damien: *jaw goes slack, eyes deaden* Just say it, dude. Everyone already knows it’s Death.

Azrael: Okay, yes, it’s Death. She’s amazing.

Damien: *wicked gleam fills his eyes* You get all hot and bothered around her, is that what you’re saying?

Azrael: None of your business.

Damien: Eh, you’re a dud. You even admitted it.

Azrael: *says proudly* I’ve had no complaints from Death.

Damien: She’s too sweet to say anything.

Azrael: *smiles to himself* Did you happen to notice the double rainbow the other day? That was because Death and I –

Damien: *growls* Yeah, fine, we get it. You did it twice. Let’s move on.

Azrael: *sighs and smiles dreamily, gazing at Death*

Who should play you in a film?

Death: Oh, I love this question. Claudia Black is perfect for the role. In fact, Cate Masters already planned the entire cast. You can view the Casting Call on her blog: http://catemasters.blogspot.com/2012/08/casting-call-death-is-bitch.html  

Azrael: Great question. Paul Walker is perfect for the role. Check out the Casting Call and you’ll see.
Damien: Talk about perfect casting – Colin Farrel, man. He’s like my doppelganger. Seriously. Don’t you think so? Stunning, intense, a babe magnet all the way.

What drew you to each other?

Death: *smiles at Azrael* He’s everything a male should be – powerful yet gentle, thoughtful and caring. More handsome than any man in all the worlds.

Azrael: Oh, you’re just biased. *grins* Death is everything I’ve ever wanted. We have this crazy chemistry, and I couldn’t keep away from her any longer.

Damien: Take one look at Death. Is she not the most gorgeous female you’ve ever seen? Who could blame me for going gaga over her? One day she’ll realize her mistake and I’ll be waiting. I will, Death.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Death: Music of any type. Thank goodness Acragas included a special charm for my new bracelet. Now I can listen to any song I want to hear at the touch of a charm. Isn’t he a clever silversmith?

Azrael: *reddens* Well, Death and I have been experimenting... Discretion and valor demand I not reveal anymore.

Damien: *exasperation morphs to mischief* Guilt? Don’t know what you’re talking about. If something gives you pleasure, I say go for it.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Death: That I have a soft side. Sometimes all those cartoonish images of me really hurt. I may not be human, but I have feelings. I’m not some creepy Halloween figure with a scythe and black robes. I’m much classier than that.

Azrael: I’m not exactly a ladies’ man. I get tongue-tied around women I like.

Damien: *bursts out laughing* Tongue tied! you mean like this? *twists his forked tongue into a pretzel braid* Babes love the split tongue effect, too, if you know what I mean.

Azrael: *rises* This is a waste of time. Interview over. What do you say, Death?

Death: You’re right. We don’t get enough alone time. Thanks for the interview! I’ll see you later, but don’t worry – not for awhile. *grins, and floats away*

Damien: *rises* Hey, I’ll come too. She’d love a threesome.

Azrael: *bares teeth at Damien. His wings whoosh open, and he rockets into the sky*

Damien: *blows raspberries* Show-off. *cozies up to interviewer* Now, how about your number? We have a lot to cover yet… Hey, where are you going? Oh, whatever. I’ll round up some other babes. Adios! *whirls away. A shadowy cloud fills the spot where he stood, then fades*

Death Is A Bitch
Blurb

Eternity can suck when it’s all work, work, work. Death harvests souls even when they stack up faster than pancakes in an all-you-can-eat-buffet. No wonder she can’t shed the Grim Reaper rep.
As the patron angel of death and dying, Azrael works closely with Death but is dying for true intimacy. She’s the only immortal who’s ever aroused such powerful emotions in him. One taste of her leaves him needing her like humans need air and food, but will a demon’s lies leave a bad taste?

No one escapes Death – except King Sisyphus. Twice. With the help of Damien the demon, Sisyphus tries again, and she’s determined to have justice. Some say Death’s a bitch, but only when she has to be. But will the price of justice be a broken heart?

Available at:





Excerpt:
Death stepped from the shadowy curtain of night along a deserted stretch of road toward the mangled hunk of cherry-red metal that used to be a sweet Z240 sports car. Stardust glinted in the black hair that dipped to her waist.

She kept a safe distance from the wreck. Inside, a thirtyish man slumped behind the wheel, the air bag deflating away from his near-lifeless body. Blood oozed from a nasty gash to his head. Should have worn his seat belt. Too late for life lessons, though. Those weren’t her expertise anyway. Just the opposite.

Leaves crackled in the underbrush beyond the nearby trees. Death gripped the silver charm bracelet on her wrist, her senses on high alert. Her finger poised near the hidden latch, ready to release a stream of lightning.
A deer. It stilled, its wide eyes fixed on her.

Seeing nothing else, she continued with a modicum of caution. Taking souls didn’t exactly make her popular, and after so many millennia, she should’ve been used to it. The bad jokes. The Halloween parodies. A scythe? Please. She’d never used cheap props. Only the finest weaponry. No mortal ever suspected the intricately designed baubles adorning her bracelet were anything more than ornamental.

Moonlight gleamed off the curves of the sports car, and she ran a gilded nail along its hood. She wouldn’t mind taking one of these babies for a spin. In its former condition, of course, before this guy took the curve too fast and wrapped it around a tree. Humans always rushed everywhere, sometimes straight into her arms.
The man’s moan signaled she had no need for weapons. This one would give her no trouble. She fingered his blond hair, matted with blood. What a shame. So young, and so handsome. He’d leave at least one lover grieving, no doubt.

His eyes fluttered open. When he looked up, recognition intensified the flicker of life in his eyes.
She needed no introduction. They always knew her, unmistakable in the glimmering black filament gown, its folds revealing a glimpse into infinity.

The stilettos usually earned a second glance, the four-inch heels glistening like fool’s gold. The butterfly tattoo spanning her upper arm likewise drew curious looks, which inevitably changed to horror when the souls recognized the face imprinted within that colorful ink: their own.

Great interview folks, thank you so much for bringing them along, Cate.  I have to say Death is not at all what I had been led to expect, and as for  Azrael and Damion - *fans herself*.   Wishing you much success and many, many sales.


Cate Masters loves romance with a dash of magic and mayhem! Multipublished in contemporary to historical, sweet to erotic, fantasy/dark fantasy to speculative, she sometimes mashes genres. Reviewers have described her stories as “so compelling, I did not want to put it down,” and “such romantic tales that really touch your soul.”

When not spending time with her family, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.

Cate loves to hear from readers! Friend her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cate-Masters/89969413736?ref=ts or Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2944596.Cate_Masters or email her at: cate.masters AT gmail.com












'STARQUEST'    'CHILDREN OF THE MIST'  (The sequel to Starquest)  Dancing With Fate      'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH
                  Also available on Kindle

5 September 2012

Giveaway and Guest Post - J A Garland Talks About Her Book Release -And Running With Zombies

 I'm so pleased to welcome J A Garland to my blog today, to talk about her latest book 'Instinct' just released!

And while zombies may not seem to be fun for most people, apparantly that's not the case - let J A tell you all about the 'Run For Your Life Race' she ran recently. 

(and don't forget to comment and leave your email address when you've read the post, to be in the running for your great 'swagbag' prize.)
First though, let's find out more about her book

INSTINCT
"When you've been betrayed, how do you balance revenge with trust?"

Blurb: Lone wolf, Rory Archer, never failed a single mission. Now the hunted instead of the hunter, Rory unwinds a twisted trail leading back to Amber Arlington, a spirited Halfling tied to a world of Shadows. Bound to vows initially forged out of necessity, Rory and Amber's relationship surges into more than either of them had bargained on.

Scrambling to identify their attacker before joining the casualty list, Rory is forced to do the unthinkable, or watch Amber become a slave for his species.

 Excerpt: San Francisco, March 13, 0700 hours 

 Anxiety prickled Rory’s chest before fanning out to raise the hairs on the back of his neck. Dropping quickly, he pressed his torso and legs flat to the ground. Prone was never first pick, but a small silhouette was the best concealment the area offered. Lifting his head, he scanned the beach. Early morning waves rolled onto the shore, a salty surf leaching down to darken the sand. He twisted, angling to look overhead. No birds, no surfers, no stray animals. Nothing. The absolute absence of activity confirmed his instincts. Rory sprang to his feet in a protective half-crouch and turned, just in time to see a man come out of nowhere. Lowering his head and steeling his body, Rory head-butted his attacker square in the gut. “Shit!” The man grunted, expelling an angry rush of air as he hit the sand. Rory resisted the urge to leap back into the fray. He’d been in enough fights to know men with tunnel vision didn’t live to fight another day.

 Giving himself a buffer, he took a few steps back. “I’m not here for you.” This wasn't the Otherkind Shadow whose dossier he'd spent the better part of the evening memorizing. Who was this man and why was he tangling with him? “Do yourself a favor and stay down,” Rory growled while looking around. Several distant figures headed their way from the north and the south. It was entirely possible they weren't friends of the man who'd tried to jump him. They could be nothing more than the early morning runners they appeared. But other runners never made him feel this on edge. Just what in the hell was going on?

 “You might not be here for me, Wolf, but we're here for you,” the man said as he scampered to his feet, clearing away Rory's doubts about the approaching men. His wide smile was reminiscent of the smug expression Rory once saw carved into a coyote totem pole. Coyote slid effortlessly into the horse fighting stance, “Well, come on now. Don’t be shy. I promise to be gentle.” Anger replaced nerves, tightening his jaw and coiling in his limbs. Rory lunged forward, fists punching thin air as Coyote sidestepped, displaying remarkable speed and agility. Heart pounding and pupils dilating, Rory's wolf sensed the danger and awoke.

Snapping and snarling, the beast begged to shift and attack, but Rory couldn’t allow that. Not with his exit routes being what they were. Coyote shoved one leg into the sand for extra support, warning Rory he was going to try something. Sure enough, he kicked out lightning fast with his other leg, catching Rory in the right knee. Rory flexed with the blow so nothing broke. Using his attacker’s forward momentum against him, he grabbed a single fistful of his shirt and yanked him close. He stabbed four rigid fingers into Coyote’s throat. The man's eyes went wide, hands pawing at his neck as his carotid sheath dilated. The immediate dump of blood dropped Coyote to his knees.

Repositioning himself, Rory wrapped his arm around Coyote’s neck and cranked until he felt the vertebrae give way with a satisfying crunch. His heart still contracting wildly, Rory leapt to his feet. He dug his boots into the sand and raced away from the men who were closing in. In the last ten yards of his sprint his wolf railed against him, hating water the way a pump hates cavitation. Natural instinct saved his life earlier, but Rory didn't slow, instead prevailing against intuition to hit the surf at top speed before taking a lungful of air and diving under the foamy waves to safety.

INSTINCT Book I, The Halfling Chronicles Genre: Urban Fantasy ISBN: 9781927454442 Release Date: September 3, 2012

PURCHASE ON KINDLE


RUN FOR YOUR LIVES

JA is third from left
Recently, a team of four brave souls participated in a Run For Your Lives--Zombie race, in Seattle, WA. Our mission, to traverse a challenging obstacle course through hundreds of walking and running dead while protecting three red flags hanging from a belt around our waists. The zombie's mission, to grab our flags before we crossed the finish line, thus making us one of them.
While there were many lessons learned during this event, they can be grouped into three main after action report (AAR) items.

1. Preparation
Conditioning: Make sure you are physically prepared. Our race was held on a BMX race course. Hazard flagging was strung along the outside perimeters of the trail, with zombies lurking right up to that line. Running off course in a cross country trek isn't an option, you must run the gauntlet with the rest of the stampede. For those of you who haven't seen a BMX course, picture hills so steep you have to use your hands to scramble up them. Then imagine that every five feet or so are horizontal lines of zombies waiting for you--and they aren't trying to get up the hill. Some of these zombies are runners, and some are walkers, but their common motivation is an insatiable desire for your flags. You better believe you're going to be sucking air trying to get up and around them.

Weather: Pull a NOAA weather statement for the date/time of your race. Being from out of the area, I should have done this. If I did, I would have pushed the group for an earlier start time. I didn't. I also stopped looking at the car thermometer when it hit 100 degrees. Who cares after that point? It was Africa hot, and as dreaded, I'd soon learn that I didn't pre-hydrate nearly enough.
Battle Dress: Test out your running attire before combat. My chosen ensemble was a pair of long, flared cuff running pants. Crawling on your hands and knees through 20 yard mud trenches meant I emerged with mud coated pants that were several times heavier. They also flapped around my ankles and threatened to trip me up with each evac and evasion maneuver.

2. Teamwork
I'd like to say everyone made it out alive, but in reality, our group had a 50% survival rate. Looking around, we were fortunate, other groups weren't nearly so lucky. I'd like to think that had something to do with our, 'take one for the team,' mentality. When two of us died, (yes, during mile two I succumbed to my injuries) we became the sacrificial lambs for the rest of the team. Coming up on a horde of zombies in the path, we would preplan a left or right hand run pattern with our team mates. Then we'd head in first so the zombies would give us chase, and our uninfected team mates could run an opposite pattern with less heat. It wasn't perfect, but it gave the survivors a fighting chance.

3. Go for the Gold
Aggression of action. I add this in, because thinking back, there was an individual who had strategy worth mentioning. He came at the zombies like they came at him. As if in a game of pigeon, he'd head straight for zombies, crazy in his eyes. Probably fearing an NFL type collision, the zombies would peel off at the last moment, and this guy would run through unscathed. Now, I'm not saying this tactic would work for everyone, I'm 5'4", so my psycho isn't going to be nearly as impressive as his 6', brick shit house attack.

If you were thinking about running a zombie race, I hope I've helped with your pre-game strategy and tactics. If not, maybe you'll consider trying one. If you do, let me know how it goes!


http://www.jagarland.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much, AJ, that does sound like fun, if rather exhausting!  I must say I'd never heard of a Zombie Race before!  Congratulations again on your book, wishing you much success and many, many sales.

Bio: J.A. is a full time firefighter in the state of California, an addicted trail runner, a connoisseur of all things cheese puff, and an author for BURST Books. When she isn't slogging through the obstacles at a mud run, you can find her hunched over her computer unleashing demons, vampires, and werewolves upon the world.



"Where fantasy becomes reality."
Twitter: @j_a_garland

And if you fancy winning a Big Bag Of Swag, containing a gift certificate  for the ebook Instinct,  tote bag, keychain flashlight, magnetic "chip clip," jelly belly tins, fridge magnet, pen, Lula's chocolates, zombie soap and more!.. (Mug will be substituted by another item if winner is international) just leave a comment, making sure to include your email address!

31 October 2011

Happy Halloween


I was going to post an account of the Festival Of Romance today - but seeing as it's Halloween (Or All Hallow's Eve) I thought I'd just post some cute graphics instead. I don't write about vampires or wherewolves, although I have written the occasional ghost story, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the occasional spooky thrill. I love having the local youngsters come around to 'trick or treat' but they may get more than they bargained for since I dress up, myself, and have a couple of scary witch figures with glowing eyes, given me by a friend a few years ago. This year when I open the door, I'll be wearing a beautiful golden Cleopatra masquerade mask, given to me by my dear friend Sharon Donovan. (And I'm well stocked up with cakes and chocolate|!)



Have a very Happy and Safe Halloween,  enjoy your parties and your trick or treating, but please make sure not to frighten or upset anyone elderly or vulnerable, and make sure your furbabies don't get scared either - and if you'd like a creepy but romantic read, I wrote a 'freeread'  entitled 'A Bargain With Death', a while ago and it's up at the Wild Rose Press - you have to go through the checkout process, but you won't have to pay for it, I promise.
Get it here: A BARGAIN WITH DEATH




Let me know how you enjoy it - and what is your favourite ghost story of all time?

          




   




'STARQUEST'    'CHILDREN OF THE MIST'  (The sequel to Starquest)  Dancing With Fate     
                  Also available on Kindle

18 April 2011

Monday's Words-DANCING WITH FATE IS AVAILABLE AGAIN!

Not your usual Monday's Word post I know, but I thought I'd cheat a little today as I'm rather excited.

I love legends and mythology, and when, a few years ago, I was contracted to be one of nine authors to each write a story about one of the Greek muses, for The Wild Rose Press, I decided to merge a few other legends with the Greek mythology and send my muse, Terpsichore to 5th Century Celtic Wales.

The series was published in 2008 and and having regained my rights I'm re-publishing the story.  I've made a few changes to the original novella and have republished it with Smashwords, complete with a spanking new cover designed by my dear friend and crit partner, the talented author Miss Mae.  I can't stop looking at that cover, it portrays the mystery and seductiveness of my heroine, who has a penchant for bathing in waterfalls, perfectly, while hinting that she has a spark of mischief as well. (Please be patient with me while I ramble on, I have a special offer for my faithful readers at the end of this post)


As a horse lover, I had to include a couple of horses in the story.  One is Harri, my black Welsh cob and the other is my much loved little endurance mare Sal, who sadly passed away three years ago at the grand old age of 34

A fellow Muse Author Masha Holl made this lovely picture of Terpsichore and Sal


How about a blurb? I hear you ask - OK, here it is:

When Terpsichore, the Greek Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit 5th Century Wales, and help the people regain their love of dancing, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus, her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost.

But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way.

Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 

Special Offer 
To Celebrate, I'm offering an introductory discount of 30% off the normal price.  To take advantage, you'll need to join Smashwords  at http://www.smashwords.com/
(Don't worry, it's free and  quite painless)
Then go to:
and at the checkout enter the code XX58M
Easy!  I'm keeping the offer open until Wednesday so you have a couple of days to get your copy.
(Rating sweet to mildly spicy)

ISBN: 978-1-4580-1111-4

6 April 2011

'Why the Heroine in my Science Fantasy Romance Is a Geek' by Lindsay Buroker - and a giveaway


It's my great pleasure to welcome Lindsay Buroker here today, as part of her Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour, to publicise her book Encrypted'. I'm sure you'll be as curious as I was to know what inspired her story and her characters.
They say to write what you know, and I’m afraid I don’t know much about being a gorgeous bombshell who can seduce men with a wiggle of her hips. I wear glasses, I’m an introvert, and I keep waiting for someone to nominate me for What Not to Wear. A guy at the gym once told me I had nicely developed….calves. Hm.

Needless to say, it’s natural for me to write slightly geeky heroines. With Encrypted, I went further: I wrote a geeky heroine. A six-foot-tall, spectacles-wearing, professor with a knack for tripping over her toes (and other people’s toes too).

Why would I do this? Aren’t love stories usually about pretty people falling in love? And even in science fiction and fantasy romances, aren’t the leading ladies usually of a certain (AKA: cool) type? Starship captains, warrior women, pirates, sorceresses, pilots, smugglers, and thieves, oh my!

You could say I have a fondness for being a little different. For example, when I garden, it wouldn’t even occur to me to plant orange carrots when there’s an option of planting yellow, purple, and red ones. Thus, when I was mulling over the heroine in the novel that eventually become Encrypted, I decided to stray away from the typical archetypes.

Tikaya is a philology professor and, thanks to a pesky little war, a cryptanalyst. The latter was inspired by a book I was reading at the time: The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography.  (If you didn’t believe me before, now you know I’m a geek!)

One of the challenges with writing a scientist or a professor is that these characters don’t usually run off and have adventures (Indiana Jones, notwithstanding), so you have to build a plot that throws them into the thick of things while allowing them to use their skills. I’m someone who comes up with the characters first, then crafts a story to suit them, though, so this was a challenge I enjoyed.

In Encrypted, Tikaya gets kidnapped by the enemy empire because they need her cryptography skills. Along the way, she has to dodge assassins, outsmart her captors, solve deadly alien puzzles, and figure out how the heck she’s going to get back home. In other words, her brain gets put to good use.

To make things more interesting, she also has to “decrypt” that mysterious stranger with the quirky smile. 

Federias, the male lead, has a geeky streak, too, though he comes from a militaristic empire, so naturally he can hold his own in a fight. With him, I wanted to create a character that would compliment Tikaya, so he’s a math-loving engineer who, much like her, isn’t afraid to ramble on about his passions (to the chagrin of the non-geeks in the group).

I’ve done “opposites attract” love stories before, but I have a fondness for heroes and heroines who seem to be meant for each other. Too bad this Federias fellow comes from the wrong side of the tracks, er, ocean. We can’t make things too easy on our lovers, now, can we?

I suspect geeks going on adventures and finding romance may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but, if you’re interested, you can sample the first 50% of Encrypted at Smashwords. And, of course, you can also grab the ebook at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

For more on me, my ebooks, and my adventures in e-publishing, stop by my blog and say hi.  Eventually, I’ll have print versions of my stories out, too, so let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in. Thanks for reading!

The blurb:
Professor Tikaya Komitopis isn’t a great beauty, a fearless warrior, or even someone who can walk and chew chicle at the same time, but her cryptography skills earn her wartime notoriety. When enemy marines show up at her family’s plantation, she expects the worst. But they’re not there to kill her. They need her to decode mysterious runes, and they ask for help in the manner typical of a conquering empire: they kidnap her, threaten her family, and throw her in the brig of their fastest steamship.

Her only ally is a fellow prisoner who charms her with a passion for academics as great as her own. Together, they must decipher mind-altering alchemical artifacts, deadly poison rockets, and malevolent technological constructs, all while dodging assassination attempts from a rival power determined the expedition should fail. As if Tikaya didn’t have troubles enough, her new ally turns out to be exiled fleet admiral, Federias Starcrest, the man who recommended taking over her nation. To trust him could be a mistake; to fall in love with him would be a betrayal to her people, her family, and the fiancé she lost in the war. Those runes cloak more than mysteries, however, and he may be the only one who can help her unravel them before their secrets destroy the world.

Excerpt
She eyed the bodies in the corner. If enough people attacked at once, she and Rias  could end up like that before dawn.   
No, she decided, watching him standing with his ear cocked. Despite the hour, he was  alert, rifle across his arms, hand on the stock, finger near the trigger. Not tense but  relaxed and ready. She imagined he could fight off superior odds for a long time.  
Rias saw her watching him and lifted his eyebrows.  

Tikaya felt silly to have been caught gazing at him. “I was wondering if you could get  my mind off this for a moment.”   

Rias joined her. He set the rifle butt on the floor and rested his forearms across the  muzzle. He surveyed her, and she felt a self-conscious twinge. No doubt she had strands  of hair sticking out in all directions and dark smudges assailing her eyes.   

“A question.” Rias’s gaze rested on a chalkboard, though he did not seem to focus on  anything. “If someone from Kyatt were to decide to marry a Turgonian, would they be  allowed to live on your island?”   

Tikaya was not sure what she had expected him to ask, but that was not it. “That  wasn’t a marriage proposal, was it?”   

He coughed. “No, no, just hypothetical. If it were a proposal...” He offered his half  smile. “There’d be soft music, excellent food, romantic ambiance...” He tilted his head  toward the corner. “Fewer corpses.”   

“Ah, I wasn’t sure how they did it in the empire. Given your people’s reputation, I  thought bloodshed and mangled bodies might be standard at social gatherings.”   

“Bloodshed perhaps.” 

Accolades for Encrypted:

Encrypted (A+) is a fun romp, an adventure in the Lois Bujold Barrayar spirit...which I highly recommend if you like your sff fast, page turning with action, mysteries and a dash of romance. --The Fantasy Book Critic

This is a fast-moving, nicely-written romp set in a parallel world. --K.J. Moore

Thanks Lindsay, what an intriguing excerpt! Thanks so much for featuring on my Blog today.


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