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For the past few weeks I've been sharing excerpts from Starquest, the first of Destiny Trilogy. Thank you to everyone who's been following and commenting. As I said last week, that was just the beginning of the adventure, although it looked like the end for Jess ... but I won't give any more away *evil cackle*!
Let me now introduce you to Niflheim the home planets of the two telepathic members of the Destiny's crew and where an important part of Starquest takes place. Niflheim is an Earth colony named after the Norse land of mist and cold. Many of the places and inhabitants are also named after characters and places in Norse legends. The descendants of the original settlers developed their powers of telepathy in order to communicate over vast areas having abandoned all technology. Parts of the planet are reasonably temperate and they have evolved a rural lifestyle and an economy based on the bartering of skills and produce.
Author Note: The planet Niflheim was inspired by the sight of the snow swirling like a pink mist over the Welsh Mountains, at sunset. I was writing Starquest at the time and an idea for a planet with pink snow came into my mind, and the question - how would settlers on a sparsely populated planet communicate with no technology? And so the telepaths of Niflheim were born. Although only a few chapters of Starquest are set on Niflheim, some of the characters seemed to demand their own story, and so 'Children Of The Mist' became the second book in the Destiny Trilogy. Although several of the characters in Starquest are also in this book it is a complete and separate story, and features Tamarith, a close friend of Jess.
Excerpt from first page:
The message from Gladsheim had been clear—Earth Colony Niflheim was in danger.
The rider shivered and drew his long coat more closely around him. His pony lowered its head against the wind, picking its way over the snow-covered plain. Vidarh knew he was not alone on this journey—he sensed the presence of others, all making their way to Gladsheim from various parts of the world.
Without warning, a mind connected with his, as sweet as the tinkle of tiny bells.
Greetings, Vidarh of the House of Ragnak, this is Tamarith of the House of Yarvi. I have been assigned to guide you to our fair city. You have come a long way to be with us, and we, the inhabitants of Gladsheim, thank you.
Relieved, he swiftly telepathed his response, Greetings Tamarith. I look forward to meeting you and the others soon.
The rest of your journey is not easy, she replied, but we will guide you. When you reach the other side of the mountain we will be waiting to take you to Gladsheim.
Let me now introduce you to Niflheim the home planets of the two telepathic members of the Destiny's crew and where an important part of Starquest takes place. Niflheim is an Earth colony named after the Norse land of mist and cold. Many of the places and inhabitants are also named after characters and places in Norse legends. The descendants of the original settlers developed their powers of telepathy in order to communicate over vast areas having abandoned all technology. Parts of the planet are reasonably temperate and they have evolved a rural lifestyle and an economy based on the bartering of skills and produce.
Author Note: The planet Niflheim was inspired by the sight of the snow swirling like a pink mist over the Welsh Mountains, at sunset. I was writing Starquest at the time and an idea for a planet with pink snow came into my mind, and the question - how would settlers on a sparsely populated planet communicate with no technology? And so the telepaths of Niflheim were born. Although only a few chapters of Starquest are set on Niflheim, some of the characters seemed to demand their own story, and so 'Children Of The Mist' became the second book in the Destiny Trilogy. Although several of the characters in Starquest are also in this book it is a complete and separate story, and features Tamarith, a close friend of Jess.
Excerpt from first page:
The message from Gladsheim had been clear—Earth Colony Niflheim was in danger.
Without warning, a mind connected with his, as sweet as the tinkle of tiny bells.
Greetings, Vidarh of the House of Ragnak, this is Tamarith of the House of Yarvi. I have been assigned to guide you to our fair city. You have come a long way to be with us, and we, the inhabitants of Gladsheim, thank you.
Relieved, he swiftly telepathed his response, Greetings Tamarith. I look forward to meeting you and the others soon.
The rest of your journey is not easy, she replied, but we will guide you. When you reach the other side of the mountain we will be waiting to take you to Gladsheim.
Two minds united against a common foe. Two hearts afraid to show their love:Long ago Tamarith fell in love with a man she can never have, and is convinced she will never love another. However, she cannot help but be intrigued by a handsome stranger whose psychic powers exceed even her own.
Vidarh seeks only to find his true purpose in life and to win the regard of his father, who eschews his son’s psychic abilities. Thrown together by a common threat to their planet, then torn apart by an evil greater than any they could have imagined, can Vidarh save the lovely Nifl woman who has captivated him, before it is too late?
Purchase all three books (or just one, they stand alone, while sharing some of the same characters) at https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B01MRY3XXT
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I wonder what is in store for them during the rest of the journey. Intriguing!
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica - it's not easy that's for sure! :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI liked the mental contact - tinkle like tiny bells.
ReplyDeleteOops, sorry Aurora, I could have sworn I'd replied! Thanks, I'm so glad you like the 'tinkling', I was trying to convey a sweet voice in his mind that wasn't quite like one being spoken.
DeleteSplendid snippet as usual. You write so well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely comment, thank you so much Charmaine x
DeleteI like your premise and your descriptions here! As a long-time fantasy fan, I like the details of the pony struggling against the wind and snow, and the telepathy. Gets me interested right away!
ReplyDeleteAs a moderator, I do need to ask you to keep excerpts to 10 sentences or less. Thanks for joining our blog hop, and hope to see you next week!
Thanks so much, Marcia, so glad you like the excerpt - and apologies for miscounting my sentences. I've updated the excerpt with some creative punctuation which I hope has solved the problem and I'll try to count more accurately in future :)
DeleteGreat intro!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy, glad you liked it!
DeleteInteresting snippet, loved hearing more about the backstory!
ReplyDeleteThanks Veronica!
DeleteLove your world-building.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kimberly, this was such a fun world to imagine!
DeleteI wonder what lies ahead? Nice tension and world-building in this short snippet.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much,Alexis!
DeleteThe tinkle of bells struck me, too, in a good way. No danger, at least not yet. I love the way you've set the scene. Anxious to read more.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane, so glad you like it.
DeleteI like this, Hywelalyn!! So much is conveyed here - a sense of setting and tension, and a taste of the mysterious world your bringing us into. Can't wait to read more.
ReplyDeleteAw thanks, Nancy, so glad you enjoyed the snippet.
DeleteIntriguing snippet, Hywela. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful beginning. it drew me right in.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't sound like it's been all that great of a journey as it is. Somehow I don't think the rest of it not being easy is good news, even if he does have a guide.
ReplyDeleteLoL - you're right, it hasn't been easy for Vidarh and things are only going to get tougher - this is just the start! Thanks so much for coming by.
DeleteIt's such fun world-building, and you've done a good job so far
ReplyDelete