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Welcome to my place in the blogosphere!
feel free to explore the Flight Deck and check out my books and website.
Then fasten your seatbelts, sip a glass of something sparkling and let's chat awhile!
I hope you'll stop by again for guest authors and spotlights from time to time.

Beloved Enemy joined Starquest and Children of the Mist to continue the Destiny Trilogy and I'm thrilled to announce was shortlisted for the R.N.A. RoNA Awards 2017, awarded 2nd Runner up in the RONE Awards 2017 and was the winner in the SF/Fantasy category of the 'Best Banter Contest'.

Showing posts with label The Destiny Trilogy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Destiny Trilogy. Show all posts

Saturday 24 February 2018

Weekend Writing Warriors - #SundaySnippet - Beloved Enemy, The Destiny Trilogy Book 3 ... "I should go now, while I still can."


Writers share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet on Sunday each week. Be sure to visit the other writers - they're listed below:

If you'd to share your own 8-10 sentence snippet, whether published or not, follow the link and sign up. It's a great community to be a part of! 




Here's the next snippet from the third book in the Destiny Trilogy. Thanks so much to everyone who has been following this series, and stayed with me xx
(A little mutilation of punctuation to keep within the allowed sentence count.)


You can read the previous snippet of  Beloved Enemy HERE  (This week's excerpt is a few sentences later.)

The story so far - Cat Kincaid has crashlanded on an unknown and seemingly hostile planet, apparently in the middle of a gun battle in the not-too-far distance.  One man appears to be fighting the assailants alone, the other, and their wounded companion having disappeared under cover of the smoke capsule Cat activated. Now the lone fighter appears to have been hurt - or dead!

SNIPPET:

She should have been long gone. I should leave now, while I still can.The effects of the smoke capsule she’d released would not last long, already the air was becoming clearer. She turned once more and trained her viewer back on the clump of rocks; the man in black lay motionless.

Leave him. Leave him and get out of here. If she was right and he and his companions were human, presumably they’d have some sort of transit ship, unless their starship was small enough for planetary landings. Either way, they’d surely come back for him. Then it dawned on her that if they returned, perhaps she could persuade—or force—them to take her with them. If he was alive, he’d serve as a bargaining chip.


             



BLURB
Cat Kincaid is obsessed with killing the man she believes is responsible for the torture and death of her sister, but when she eventually catches up with him, survival becomes a greater priority than revenge.


Kerry Marchant, haunted by memories, regret, and self-blame, shields himself from the pain of the past by committing himself totally to the starship, Destiny, of which he is part owner. However, the beautiful, red-haired woman who reminds him of his lost love, and who he suspects is working for a corrupt regime, represents a possible threat not only to the ship, but to his heart.

Marooned on an inhospitable planet, they need to work together to stay alive, fighting not only unknown assailants, but their growing attraction. But how can they learn to trust each other when he has vowed never to get close to a woman again, and she made a solemn pledge to destroy him?







Purchase all three books (or just one, they stand alone, while sharing some of the same characters)  









For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Sunday 10 December 2017

#WeWriWar, Sunday Snippets: Beloved Enemy - Cat needs to find out what's going on


Welcome to Weekend Writing Warrior and 8 Sentence Sunday, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to read and write! We've got a variety of genres and talented writers just waiting for you to come sample their work.

Writers share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet on Sunday each week. Be sure to visit the other writers - they're listed below:

If you'd to share your own 8-10 sentence snippet, whether published or not, follow the link and sign up. It's a great community to be a part of! 



Here's the second snippet from the third book in the Destiny Trilogy. Thanks so much to everyone who has been following this series, and left comments xx


You can read the previous snippet of  Beloved Enemy HERE


Specially for Ed!
She listened for a moment to confirm the direction of the firing. It came from somewhere beyond the rim of the sandy cliff behind her. It took several minutes to scramble to the top of the slope and peer cautiously above the edge.

The battle sounded closer now, coming from the other side of several low dunes looming before her. She bent low against a scorching wind that lashed the sand around her into swirling eddies. She cursed as it snatched several long strands of her hair from the scarf that struggled to restrain it at the nape of her neck. Like a dark red mist, the unbound hair whipped across her face, blurring her vision. She brushed it back, with a few more muttered words of annoyance. As she reached the top of another low hillock, the sky lit up with a scintillating green light and the sound of the weapons almost deafened her. Her fingers tightened on her laser pistol, and throwing herself to the ground, she inched her way to a group of thorny bushes for cover.

BLURB

Cat Kincaid is obsessed with killing the man she believes is responsible for the torture and death of her sister, but when she eventually catches up with him, survival becomes a greater priority than revenge.

Kerry Marchant, haunted by memories, regret, and self-blame, shields himself from the pain of the past by committing himself totally to the starship, Destiny, of which he is part owner. However, the beautiful, red-haired woman who reminds him of his lost love, and who he suspects is working for a corrupt regime, represents a possible threat not only to the ship, but to his heart.

Marooned on an inhospitable planet, they need to work together to stay alive, fighting not only unknown assailants, but their growing attraction. But how can they learn to trust each other when he has vowed never to get close to a woman again, and she made a solemn pledge to destroy him?





THE DESTINY TRILOGY



Purchase all three books (or just one, they stand alone, while sharing some of the same characters)  












For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Saturday 2 December 2017

#WeWriWar, Sunday Snippets: Beloved Enemy - At least she wasn't alone ...

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warrior and 8 Sentence Sunday, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to read and write! We've got a variety of genres and talented writers just waiting for you to come sample their work.

Writers share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet on Sunday each week. Be sure to visit the other writers - they're listed below:

If you'd to share your own 8-10 sentence snippet, whether published or not, follow the link and sign up. It's a great community to be a part of! 



Here's the second snippet from the third book in the Destiny Trilogy. Thanks so much to everyone who has been following this series, and left comments xx


You can read the first snippet of  Beloved Enemy HERE

“Come on Shifter,” she called, and a large animal materialized like a wraith from the shadows inside the vehicle. Two minutes later, after confirming the temperature, pressure and air composition, Cat emerged from her crippled craft. 

She gave a cautious sniff to the air, then took a deeper breath, glancing up at a sullen, pale copper coloured sky. Although the atmosphere smelled a little sulphurous, the air was perfectly breathable. She stepped to the surface, and gave an involuntary start as the silence rent asunder with the unmistakable whine and shriek of blaster fire. She drew her pistol and ducked, using the hull of the craft as cover, acting on instinct, before logic cut in. Whoever it was, they weren’t firing at her, and they were some distance away.

At least she wasn’t alone. If life on this planet had advanced to a point where the inhabitants possessed power weapons, they might also have space vehicles, and be her means of escape—if she could just keep them from killing her.

BLURB

Cat Kincaid is obsessed with killing the man she believes is responsible for the torture and death of her sister, but when she eventually catches up with him, survival becomes a greater priority than revenge.

Kerry Marchant, haunted by memories, regret, and self-blame, shields himself from the pain of the past by committing himself totally to the starship, Destiny, of which he is part owner. However, the beautiful, red-haired woman who reminds him of his lost love, and who he suspects is working for a corrupt regime, represents a possible threat not only to the ship, but to his heart.

Marooned on an inhospitable planet, they need to work together to stay alive, fighting not only unknown assailants, but their growing attraction. But how can they learn to trust each other when he has vowed never to get close to a woman again, and she made a solemn pledge to destroy him?




THE DESTINY TRILOGY



Purchase all three books (or just one, they stand alone, while sharing some of the same characters)  












For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Sunday 26 November 2017

Weekend Writing Warriors - #SundaySnippet - Beloved Enemy, The Destiny Trilogy Book 3 - Cat-landing!




Welcome to Weekend Writing Warrior and 8 Sentence Sunday, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to read and write! We've got a variety of genres and talented writers just waiting for you to come sample their work.

Writers share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet on Sunday each week. Be sure to visit the other writers - they're listed below:

If you'd to share your own 8-10 sentence snippet, whether published or not, follow the link and sign up. It's a great community to be a part of! 



 Thanks so much to everyone who has been following this series, and left comments xx



This week I'm going to start sharing  snippets from the third book in the  Destiny Trilogy 'Beloved Enemy' (Each book is a 'standalone' novel)




"Hold tight, Shifter, this is going to be bumpy.”

The small vehicle careened down the incline, ploughing a deep trough and throwing up a cloud of dirt and sand.

Eventually it plunged through the tangled branches of a group of slender trees and bushes at the bottom, and shuddered to a halt. For a moment, sandy soil and a blur of green and brown severed leaves and twigs on the external scanner obscured the view. Cat Kincaid ground her teeth and activated a control.

A gust of recycled air blew away the offending sand and foliage, and the screen before her displayed the surrounding terrain. A bleak, undulating landscape, punctuated by clumps of scrubby trees and bushes, like the ones she’d crashed into, stretched into the distance. A small forest bordered most of the far side of a steep slope behind her. She grabbed her emergency pack, and slung it over her shoulder, before swiping the airlock control. Let’s hope the computer was right about the atmosphere and pressure on this planet being compatible with human requirements.


BLURB
Cat Kincaid is obsessed with killing the man she believes is responsible for the torture and death of her sister, but when she eventually catches up with him, survival becomes a greater priority than revenge.

Kerry Marchant, haunted by memories, regret, and self-blame, shields himself from the pain of the past by committing himself totally to the starship, Destiny, of which he is part owner. However, the beautiful, red-haired woman who reminds him of his lost love, and who he suspects is working for a corrupt regime, represents a possible threat not only to the ship, but to his heart.

Marooned on an inhospitable planet, they need to work together to stay alive, fighting not only unknown assailants, but their growing attraction. But how can they learn to trust each other when he has vowed never to get close to a woman again, and she made a solemn pledge to destroy him?


My publisher, The Wild Rose Press is having a Thanksgiving sale - all E-books, are 40% off, and each volume of The Destiny Trilogy is now only $2.99  until Monday. Grab yourself a bargain or two or three from hundreds of great books on offer.





(While you're there, have a look at all the great books by the wonderful Wild Rose Press Authors, and maybe download my 'Free Read' fantasy short story, A Bargain With Death.)


THE DESTINY TRILOGY



Purchase all three books (or just one, they stand alone, while sharing some of the same characters)  









For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Thursday 23 November 2017

Thanksgiving Sale of E-books!


The Wild Rose Press is having a Thanksgiving sale - all E-books, are 40% off, and each volume of The Destiny Trilogy is now only $2.99  until Monday. Grab yourself a bargain or two or three from hundreds of great books on offer.


(While you're there, have a look at all the great books by the wonderful Wild Rose Press Authors, and maybe download my 'Free Read' fantasy short story, A Bargain With Death.)





For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Saturday 18 November 2017

#Weekend WritingWarriors, Snippet Sunday - Children Of The Mist - Message received?

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warrior and 8 Sentence Sunday, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to read and write! We've got a variety of genres and talented writers just waiting for you to come sample their work.

Writers share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet on Sunday each week. Be sure to visit the other writers - they're listed below:

If you'd to share your own 8-10 sentence snippet, whether published or not, follow the link and sign up. It's a great community to be a part of! 


Thanks again to everyone who voted for my cover in the Authorsdb cover contest - we didn't get a prize but at least it was great to be in the semi-finals. I really love Rae Monet's cover for Beloved Enemy

Although I said last week's snippet would be the last from Children Of The Mist I decided to give you one more sneek peek.

This really is the final excerpt I'll be posting from this book - next week I'll start posting snippets from the third book in the Trilogy 'Beloved Enemy'

 Thanks so much to everyone who has been following this series, and left comments xx



This snippet carries  on directly from last week's snippet which you can read 
HERE



Once again the voices crept into her dreams, and Jess woke in confusion. The dreams brought with them memories of the time she had visited the planet Niflheim. Memories of how its telepathic inhabitants had helped her to reach out into space, to set out on a course that would lead to adventures she had never imagined, and to love, in the last place she expected to find it. 


She remembered 'journeying' in her mind with Gullin, high above the jagged mountains. She recalled hearing 'voices' which were not voices, 'words' which were not words but which she understood, as the Nifls communicated with each other across the void. Then, it had been different. Hers had been a simple request for information, a plea to help her find the starship, Destiny. 

Now, there was a sense of urgency in the thoughts that drifted into her mind, something akin to fear. She was sure her friends were in trouble and were asking for her help.

CHILDREN OF THE MIST: BLURB
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?

Will Tamarith and Vidarh overcome the deadly enemy who threatens to destroy all they know and love? Will they find the happiness they both seek? Or are they fated to live their lives alone?





I thought you might also like to see the video I made for this book.



THE DESTINY TRILOGY


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











For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Sunday 12 November 2017

#WeWriWar, Snippet Sunday - Children Of The Mist - 'We know of only one person who can help us'


Welcome to Weekend Writing Warrior and 8 Sentence Sunday, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to read and write! We've got a variety of genres and talented writers just waiting for you to come sample their work.

Writers share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet on Sunday each week. Be sure to visit the other writers - they're listed below:

If you'd to share your own 8-10 sentence snippet, whether published or not, follow the link and sign up. It's a great community to be a part of! 



I'm currently sharing excerpts from Children Of The Mist the second book in
The Destiny Trilogy. This is set on Niflheim, a planet close to the heart of Jestine, known as Jess, who features in the first book. The heroine is one of her closest friends, Tamarith.
This is the final excerpt I'll be posting from this book - next week I'll start posting snippets from the third book in the Trilogy 'Beloved Enemy'

 Thanks so much to everyone who has been following this series, and left comments xx



This snippet carries on directly from last week's snippet which you can read 
HERE 
As usual I have used some creative punctuation, not in the published version, in order to comply with the sentence count.

In this snippet Vidarh is about to learn why he and the other telepaths from around the planet have been summoned to Gladsheim, He and the others  have now been summoned to the Rainbow Bridge, to hear what Gullin, the elder of the city and Tamarith's brother, has to tell them:

Gullin cast his gaze over the assembled group. My friends, he began, first, we thank you all for coming here, especially those of you who have travelled great distances to be with us - the catastrophe threatening our world is something never before seen on Niflheim and  normally, of course, if we need to discuss matters of importance, we would hold a meeting of minds. However, because the situation is so serious, it was felt necessary for as many of us as are able, to gather in one place. By combining our physical presence, together with the power of our minds, we need to send a message into space, that is why we in Gladsheim—fortunately one of the areas that seems to have escaped the threat— have asked you to come here and join with us. There is only one planet we know of that would have the technology to help us in this emergency, and one person who would have the means to reach them. Together with everyone on Niflheim who is unaffected, we must unite and transmit a message. 

At a signal from Gullin, a number of people moved to join him on the bridge. Everyone joined hands with the person next to them, and closed their eyes in contemplation. After allowing several moments to elapse, he went on:   there is no guarantee we will reach her, but we must try - we helped her once, perhaps she would be willing to help us in return. We must hope we can reach her, wherever she may be now - many of you may remember her from when she last visited this planet. Her name is Jestine Darnell. 


Thanks to everyone who voted for my cover in the Adb cover contest last week. I'll let you know how I get on in the semi finals!

CHILDREN OF THE MIST: BLURB
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?

Will Tamarith and Vidarh overcome the deadly enemy who threatens to destroy all they know and love? Will they find the happiness they both seek? Or are they fated to live their lives alone?




THE DESTINY TRILOGY


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




For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/joinFor insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Saturday 4 November 2017

#wewriwar-children-of-mist - Vidarh explains his arrival


Welcome to Weekend Writing Warrior and 8 Sentence Sunday, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to read and write! We've got a variety of genres and talented writers just waiting for you to come sample their work.

Writers share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet on Sunday each week. Be sure to visit the other writers - they're listed below:

If you'd to share your own 8-10 sentence snippet, whether published or not, follow the link and sign up. It's a great community to be a part of! 



I'm currently sharing excerpts from Children Of The Mist the second book in
The Destiny Trilogy. This is set on Niflheim, a planet close to the heart of Jess, who features in the first book. The heroine is one of her closest friends, Tamarith.

 Thanks so much to everyone who has been following this series, and left comments xx



This snippet carries on directly from last week's snippet which you can read 
HERE 
As usual I have used some creative punctuation, not in the published version, in order to comply with the sentence count.

The last sentence last week was Tamarith's telepathic query to Vidarh: It's about yesterday...

I thought it might be. Vidarh's lopsided smile looked rather half-hearted, I realize it was not the most dignified way for a guest to arrive, I rather expected to have to explain it to your brother. 

She allowed her own faint smile, it was just as well she had shielded her thoughts of a moment ago, Vidarh was very perceptive. Gullin has a great deal on his mind at the moment and is probably more polite than I am, I'm just curious. Forgive me if it sounds like I'm prying. I mean...teleportation? Levitation is one thing, but not many people can actually teleport.

I didn't know I could, myself, until recently, I used to do short 'hops' as a boy and thought it was something everyone did. It was only when I realized the other children of my age didn't teleport that I began to think there was something wrong with me and stopped doing it. Vidarh paused, looking at her with eyes that did not lose their sparkle, although a shadow crossed his face.



I hate to ask for votes again - and thank you if you voted in the first round. I'm thrilled to say that the cover of Beloved Enemy by WRP cover artist Rae Monet,  is a semi finalist and if you could possibly give it another quick vote I would be hugely  grateful. Thanks so much in advance, I really appreciate all your support!

CHILDREN OF THE MIST: BLURB
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?

Will Tamarith and Vidarh overcome the deadly enemy who threatens to destroy all they know and love? Will they find the happiness they both seek? Or are they fated to live their lives alone?




THE DESTINY TRILOGY


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








For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join