Another Science Fiction Story on WattPad — Love in the World of Make-believe

So here is another free Short Story. Love in the World of Make Believe
 Sarae has grown up with wearable hologram technology. She feels that not seeing reality is the barrier to her happiness–specifically why she has never been in love.

After reading, feel free to comment upon any part of the story. (Including the R Rating. While there is no descriptive sex or casual swearing, I gave it an R rating for adult themes. If you feel I rated it too harshly let me know.)

Still deciding if you want to read it? Here’s a teaser:

Mornings had become a perverse game of looking at her true self in the mirror, before she turned on her hologram. No wrinkles yet, but Sarae felt them just under her skin. She felt old at forty—not even a quarter through her expected life span as a non-smoking, social drinking American who exercised and tried to stay away from sugars.

Sarae caught a wiff of the automatic coffee maker as she slipped into the shower and scrubbed off the sweat from her mind-numbing hour on the treadmill. By the time she got out; she heard the message that her breakfast was ready…

 

Read the rest here!

 

From the Embers (Born in Flames Trilogy #3) Cover and Release Date Reveal

Who want’s to see a fabulous new cover for Candace Knoebel’s next book?

From the Embers (Born in Flames Trilogy, #3) is set to release on Wednesday of January 29th, 2014. It will be released through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, & 48fourteen.com in ebook and paperback format. This beautiful cover (just as with the other of Candace’s books) was created by Ravven

From the Embers Synopsis:

I am the Progeny. The one deemed to carry this weight. The weight of knowing too much. Of knowing there is a darkness in me. Of knowing that even The Fates can screw things up.Aurora Megalos knew becoming the Progeny meant great sacrifice, but what she wasn’t prepared for was sacrificing herself. Since the day of her birth, she has been set on a path she couldn’t control; a path conceived by The Fates. And after discovering she is mortally connected to her Arch Enemy Zordon-a son of a Fate, Aurora is now left with a path that seems hopeless.

Until she discovers a revelation in the prophecy.

With war on the horizon, she must now find a way to defeat the one who threatens to take everything and everyone she has ever loved from her, without destroying herself. The barrier between both realms is broken, The Fates have been overrun by Zordon, and his darkness now spreads throughout the lands. The odds are stacked against her. Will Aurora and Fenn find a way to undo the work of The Fates in time to save the realms from complete destruction?

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Upcoming Author Appearance: Indie Book Fair December 20 & 21, 2013

Here we go, my final event of 2013!

If you are in Seattle and looking for a last minute Christmas Gift check out the

Indie Book Fair
A/NT Galley
2045 Westlake Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
December 20 & 21, 2013 — 11AM – 8PM

Meet the authors and find books for kids, teens and adults of all genres: science fiction, fantasy, romance, young adult, mystery, memoir, and so much more.

I will be giving away bookmarks and pins from Other Systems.

On Saturday, I will be raffling off a drawing of Lord Fluffcakes from Out for Souls & Cookies and a paperback copy of Other Systems! Also at my table there will be a special activity: Draw your favorite demon!

Authors in attendance include: Ksenia Anske, Leeland Artra, S.C. Barrus, Laurie Blauner, Zachary Bonelli, Kate Bracy, Jamie Brazil, Paddy Eger, J. Glenn Evans, T.M. Franklin, Jerry Gold, David D. Horowitz, Paty Jager, Sibyl James, A. Ka, Kay Kinghammer, Susan Lute, Maggie Lynch (Maggie Jaimeson, Maggie Faire), Michele Makinson, Mark Matteson, John B McIntyre, Robert R. Mitchell, Old Nod, Northwest Independent Writers Association, Chris Patchell, D.E.S. Richard, Laura Kelly Robb, Susan Schreyer, Valerie Stein, Lisa Stowe, Jeff Suwak, Griffith H. Williams, Windtree Press, Joyce Yarrow,  Matt Youngmark and me!

Indie Book Fair Modest means. Serious writers. December 20 & 21!

This is my final event of 2013!

Indie Book Fair Modest means. Serious writers.
December 20 & 21, 2013 — 11AM – 8PM

A/NT Galley
2045 Westlake Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121

Looking for a last minute gift?

Books.

Lots and lots of books.

There will be books for all ages. Science fiction, fantasy, romance, young adult, mystery, memoir, and so much more.

Meet the authors, too. They’ll be there, selling their books. You can get them to sign the books. Grab their swag, like bookmarks, postcards, and such. Many of them will have raffles for even more free stuff!

Authors in attendance include: Ksenia Anske, Leeland Artra, S.C. Barrus, Laurie Blauner, Zachary Bonelli, Kate Bracy, Jamie Brazil, Paddy Eger, J. Glenn Evans, T.M. Franklin, Jerry Gold, Elizabeth Guizzetti, David D. Horowitz, Paty Jager, Sibyl James, A. Ka, Kay Kinghammer, Susan Lute, Maggie Lynch (Maggie Jaimeson, Maggie Faire), Michele Makinson, Mark Matteson, John B McIntyre, Robert R. Mitchell, Old Nod, Northwest Independent Writers Association, Chris Patchell, D.E.S. Richard, Laura Kelly Robb, Susan Schreyer, Valerie Stein, Lisa Stowe, Jeff Suwak, Griffith H. Williams, Windtree Press, Joyce Yarrow, and Matt Youngmark

On Saturday, December 21, the authors will read excerpts from their books, from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. Refreshments will be served. A touch of wine, too, for those over 21.

And Art!

Lots and Lots of Art.

Since it’s in a gallery, there’s art everywhere. All around, you’ll have plenty of time to absorb some culture and buy some unique gifts for the holidays.

Interview with Ray East co-author of Voluspa

This week I would like to welcome Ray East the co-author of Voluspa a young adult Fantasy/Romance for age group 10 and up.

What is Voluspa about?

This is a story of two star crossed lovers, set against a magical backdrop of an enchanted land. Amy has a hard childhood, feeling unwanted and unloved whereas Drake’s childhood is shadowed by impossibly high expectations imposed on him by his father. However, the world of Voluspa in not a Utopic one; like most known civilizations, it has its own problems. One of the questions that this book subtly puts forward is whether individual freedom is sacrosanct or should it take a backseat when it comes to greater good of the land and people. Circumstances force both Amy and Drake to do certain things which one could consider a touch shy of evil. But at no time does their love for each other diminish and whatever they do is born out of a need to protect or help the other.

What have you learned as a writer?

Realizing that writing a book is only 10% of what makes a successful book. Getting the book out to readers is the real challenge. But with the rise of Social Media, there are more tools available to anyone than there was 5 years ago.

How hard is it to work with another person?

I am a somewhat disciplined author but I don’t do great at sticking to deadlines. But my co-author Sam D has no such problem and we balance each other out.

How do you split up the work?

I am more of a romance writer. Sam D. is a martial arts enthusiast and most of the hand to hand combat scenes have been written from his own experience as an amateur Tai Kwan Do performer.

What was some of your inspiration/sources?

Personally, I am a huge fan of the fantasy genre. And when I decided to write, I subconsciously chose this genre. I wanted to create this magical world which would be fundamentally similar to ours but yet so exotically different that it will capture the fancy of the readers. I also wanted to showcase the character of Amy as a constantly growing, learning, strong individual – a very ordinary girl who chooses an extraordinary life.

What are you reading right now?

Tiger’s Destiny by Coulleen Houck.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Jane Austen, C S Lewis, Charles Dickens, Enid Blyton, Virginia Wolf, The Bronte sisters, J K Rowling, Rohinton Mistry

How much reading do you do within your chosen genre of fantasy?

I love reading books of this genre. Also, imaginative literature has limitless possibilities and it’s extremely satisfying to build a fantasy world from scratch. It’s a great escape from the humdrum of everyday life. But, I read any book that appeals to me. From children’s books to philosophical treatises, I simply read them with pleasure. Life is short. Why do I want to limit my reading enjoyment?

What is your next project?

I am working on the second book in the Voluspa series. The story of Amy and Drake continues. The second book in the series should be out in November 2012.

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Write a good book; put your best work out there. Identify your target audience, find ways to engage them and market your book intelligently.

The Reading Rampage Part 3: Live-in Position by V.S. Tice

So for book 3 of The Reading Rampage, I just finished Live-in Position by V.S. (Victoria) Tice.

This is a great example of well-written romantic literature. Sophia is a believable, wonderful narrator. She is a beautiful heroine with dreams of her own. Victoria is a sweet little girl who needs a mother. I love the friendship  and love that develops between them through out the book. Matter of fact, one of my favorite aspects of the book is that Victoria also seems to be maturing at an appropriate rate for a child her age as the book goes on. Of course, I love the fact the book is set in my hometown of Seattle. Except for a few generalizations, she has the geography and general area correct. (She kept saying “the hospital,” we have nine major medical facilities in city limits and so I started reading “Harborview” which is known for neurology, but unfortunately doesn’t quite fit some of the hospital scenes because it is a public hospital. Ms. Tice, I give you permission to damn this anal-retentive Seattle local!!!)

With regard to sexual chemistry, Sophia and Dr. Bishop are terrific together. He is handsome as well as a gentleman, but  he is too controlling for my taste and thus the polar opposite to what I find attractive in a man, so I spent more time wanting to tell Dr. Bishop to put his big boy pants on than anything. (which the leading lady does beautifully btw.) So while I had a hard time rooting for the guy, but I am sure lots of  other ladies will love him which is why I am giving Live in Position four stars.

My reading rampage continues: Therian: The Bloody Crescent by Roxanne Kade

So Black Friday has come and gone and now it’s the Saturday after that and with the long weekend I have done some reading. I just finished Therian: Book 1 of The Bloody Crescent Trilogy by Roxanne Kade. So here is my review…

Determined to be free, Amberlyn Darsky sets off for college for her first chance to even visit the “real world.” Ok, I will admit I did have a slight bit of a problem with the beginning, only due to the fact, Amber must be the best behaved kid who had ever lived for never to have strayed out of her father’s control before age 18. Still, on the positive side, the set up is intriguing and her first day on campus more than makes up for this point.

Amber herself is an interesting character with a strange gift that even she doesn’t completely understand. I enjoyed following Amber though college life, including her first loves, meeting sexy young men, her first real best friend and the loss of her virginity. Of course, there is more to this story as it is paranormal romance: like many books of the genera there is a love triangle, possibly square: Taye, leaves her breathless but goes from hot to cold to hot again. Lucard, who is alluring but also slightly scary.  Another boy name Tristian who never quite can who seems to be able to measure up to either Taye or Lucard.  Without giving out too much away, there is also a dream man who excited and frightens Amber.

Overall, the book was a page-turner and there was some thought-provoking twists to the vampire/werewold legends and the storyline was interesting. My final negative comment at all is that there are many loose ends without enough foreshadowing at the end, however as this is the first book of a trilogy that is easily forgivable. Personally it is the type of book I would have waited for the trilogy to come out so I could read it all at once, so now I must eagerly await book 2.