Europa - Release Day for Aurora Springer's latest SF Thriller and Romance

I'm so excited to be one of the first to announce my friend and fellow '10 sentence Snippeteer', Aurora Springer's new release, Europa. (Isn't that cover gorgeous!) If you've been following her snippets you'll know how exciting and inriguing it is - and if you haven't and you love a good SF romance, I think you're in for a treat. I've pre-ordered my own copy and can't wait to read it!

EUROPA, Taxyon Space, book 1

SF Thriller &Romance

Tag Line: Daredevil scientist & scarred alien in perilous alliance. 

 Dr. Nikki Bell’s plan to discover intelligent life hits a rocky start when her spaceship crashes on the icy surface of Europa. Seconds before she blacks out, she spies a man’s face in the water beneath the ice. When she wakes on the submarine Station, nobody believes her story. Convinced the mysterious stranger saved her life, Nikki searches for him while she explores the ocean and its alien inhabitants.  

Kiron Arqin Ramis chose exile as a Watcher on a remote outpost to redeem his family’s honor. He never expected to find an attractive Earther woman close to death. He violates the prime policy by rescuing her. Despite suffering the penalty, he strives to warn her about his hostile leaders.

Nikki’s unexpected meeting with Kiron triggers a chain of disasters in Europa’s perilous oceans. Can the daredevil scientist and scarred Watcher forge a new alliance despite their people’s antagonism?  

Excerpt

Water rippled. Giant bivalves clacked shut on all sides. A large object loomed in the darkness. A monstrous siork propelled by long fins like a winged serpent moved into the blue glow of the mollusks. Its enormous fang-filled mouth gaped three times the length of a man. Biting her lip, Nikki eased her zapper from the holster. Her hiding place seemed a fragile and inadequate protection against this monster.

The green skinned man whirled toward Nikki. Diving into the same shelter, he knocked her to the ground and dropped beside her. Jolted by the impact, she blinked at his face, faintly visible in the blue luminescence. His eyes widened a fraction, and he gave a wry smile of recognition. Pinning her down with one arm, he gripped his harpoon and stared out.

Waves surged against the giant mollusks, rocking their shelter. The blue glow faded. Above them, the monstrous beast bashed against the shells. A loud snap indicated a cracked shell. Swirls of blue-green blood spurted across their view as the siork crushed its victim. 

Her heart thumping in terror, Nikki cowered next to the strange man. Long minutes later, the roiling waves calmed as the giant predator moved away.

The man stood, gripped her elbow, and pulled Nikki onto her feet. The diagonal slits of his gills pulsed open and closed on the sides of his deep chest. His intense gaze flicked up and down, appraising her figure in a rapid glance. Settling on her face, his green eyes warmed in admiration. He smiled. The handsome smile she remembered so well.

Flushed in triumph, Nikki gave a silent laugh. She had located her mysterious rescuer, and they were grinning at each other like fools. 

Buy Links

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0764DFSDM/

International: http://authl.it/B0764DFSDM/?d

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/book/id1303214624

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/europa-aurora-springer/1127329162  

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/europa-43

Aurora Springer’s Published Stories are listed HERE

Author Bio

Aurora Springer is a scientist morphing into a novelist. She has a PhD in molecular biophysics and discovers science facts in her day job. She has invented adventures in weird worlds for as long as she can remember. In 2014, Aurora achieved a life-long ambition to publish her stories. Her works are character-driven adventures and romances set in weird worlds and described with a sprinkle of humor. Some of the stories were composed thirty years ago. She was born in the UK and lives in Atlanta with her husband, a dog and two cats to sit on the keyboard. Her hobbies, besides reading and writing, include outdoor activities like gardening, watching wildlife, hiking and canoeing.

Media links:

Facebook  Twitter  Google+  Blog

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

#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:

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday

Snippet Sunday Facebook Group

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

#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:

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday

Snippet Sunday Facebook Group

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!

https://authorsdb.com/2017-cover-contest-results/23388-cover-contest-2017-beloved-enemy
(Voting ends Sunday 5th November)

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

The Children of Clay Book tour and #Giveaway

The Clay Queen

The Children of Clay Book 1

by Ono Ekeh

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction

With her armies defeated, Queen Nouei’s enemies march north to capture her. The earth god’s only hope is to alter history before they

arrive. To become stronger she must restart her divine journey by reincarnating as Bridget Blade. But what if Bridget doesn’t want to be a god? 

All Bridget wants is a simple life with love and family. But she is confronted by a destiny she doesn’t even understand and burdened by

powers and impulses she struggles to control. Bridget must choose a path that leads her to Nouei or, must force the Queen to settle for Bridget’s modest ambitions. 

Two women, two destinies, one life. Who will prevail?

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Clay to Ashes

The Children of Clay

Book 2

Bridget Blade is both a god with an insatiable desire for love and adoration and a human plagued by insecurities, fears, and anxieties. Unaware of her true divinity she longs for the kind of love and a happy family she's never had. Her husband, Jeremy, though, seems more interested in turning her into a research project that he can commercialize.

When Bridget discovers her new abilities she revels in the discovery that she is a god. But her new powers attract unwanted attention and Bridget must fight for her independence and survival.

But when survival means giving up the adoration she craves Bridgett must

confront the desires that drive her. Does she want freedom or does

she want adoration? She can have one or the other, but not both.

Clay to Ashes Excerpt

from Chapter 1

Sister Vesta Kaypore ran down the stone hallway as fast as she could, her footsteps resounding in her ears. The dormitory doors to her right blurred until she arrived at the infirmary at the end of the hallway, where Bridget Blade lay unconscious as she had for the last four months.

“In there, Sister.” Brother Juan, a fellow member of the Order of Ryna, opened the door for her. The room was brightly lit by the midday sun, with a mild breeze carrying moist, earthy scents from the woods behind the monastery.

Sister Kaypore gasped as she moved her fellow Ryneans out of the way. 

A man brandishing a knife stood over Bridget’s bed. With the gleaming blade grasped in a reverse grip, he pointed it downward over her chest, while he pressed his other hand flatly between her breasts.  He’d dragged off her covers and hospital gown, exposing her upper torso, which was honeycombed with black scars from skin graft surgeries she had undergone as the result of radiation burns. 

Sister Kaypore clutched her hands to her heart in compassion for the man. Tear stains traced channels from his unblinking eyes as he scanned the room, staring at each sister and brother present as though daring them to interfere. His eyes brimmed with fresh tears as thick wetness ran from his nostrils. This was a man maddened by grief, probably having lost family in the tragedy months ago during the Miracle of the Sun here at the monastery. Since the radiation discharge and stampede that followed, thousands of mourners had traveled to the monastery to pay their respects to the dead. Many had become disruptive, some even violent. 

Bridget’s part in all the events was a carefully guarded secret. The Order knew. The French, U.S., and Chinese governments all knew enough, as did the Vatican. Many people were present when Bridget was rescued from an electromagnetic field that she likely generated, and also when she appeared to emit ionizing radiation from her body. She was too much of an oddity to keep a secret forever, although most of the people present had been discreet about the information so far—most, but clearly not all.

 The shutters had been ripped off and the window panels shattered. A grappling hook attached to a climbing rope hung from the frame, next to an overturned IV pole. 

The room was quiet and still. It was as though Sister Kaypore had walked in during a natural pause in the activity. 

 “Who are you?” she asked, keeping her voice as calm as she could. 

The man’s hand trembled. “I lost everyone. My father, my mother, my cousin, my sisters.” His eyes watered. “My sister, Zanel, was crushed. Her head was smashed in. My mother just died from her injuries… all because of this stupid religion.”

All six sisters and brothers attending to Bridget had backed off to the edges of the room. Sister Kaypore took a step into the buffer zone between them and the assailant.

“Don’t come any closer. I’ll kill her.” His tears streaked down his face.

“Why her?” Sister Kaypore asked. “Why not me, or Brother Juan here, or Sister Mascomb?” She pointed at Bridget. “Why her?” 

“I have friends. I heard talk. They said there was a witch in here that you’re protecting. She caused all this. Why would you protect her?”

“Does she seem like a witch to you? Look at her! Does she look like a witch?” Sister Kaypore took two more steps.

“I will kill her. I don’t want to harm you.” He raised his hand, holding his palm outward in Sister Kaypore’s direction. “Why is this religion like this?”

“Your family worshiped Ryna? Why not you?” she asked. “Did you leave the Faith?”

“I chose to follow Thysia,” he said with force. “That’s a religion that makes sense. It’s why no one wants to follow your cursed religion any more. Don’t come any closer!”

“I don’t think you came to kill her.” Sister Kaypore walked confidently to the bed and stood across from him. “Put the knife away. If you really wanted to kill her, you would have done so already.”

“I came to kill the witch.”

“No, you came because you want answers.”

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Ono Ekeh is a fifth generation android whose initial programming has exceeded its original boundaries resulting in a self-conscious, fully functional, quasi-human life form. He is married to a wonderful human

woman and has four amazing kids. He is interested in religion, politics, science fiction, writing, food, mathematics, and other things.

Website

Facebook 

Twitter

Amazon

Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Exciting news!

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!

https://authorsdb.com/2017-cover-contest-results/23388-cover-contest-2017-beloved-enemy

(Voting closes on Sunday 5th November)

There are so many lovely covers in this contest and I'd really love to get an award for my lovely cover artist!





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

#WeWriWar - Children Of The Mist - Tamarith has something she wants to ask Vidarh

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:

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday

Snippet Sunday Facebook Group

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! 

Thank you so much to everyone who voted for the cover of BELOVED ENEMY, the third book in the Destiny series. I really, really appreciate your support.

I'm currently sharing excerpts from Children Of The Mist the second book. For those who aren't familiar with my excerpts, this story is set on Niflheim, a planet close to the heart of Jess, who features in the first book, whose inhabitants are telepathic. The heroine is one of her closest friends, Tamarith.Tamarith is currently nursing a broken heart, but since Vidarh is a guest in her house she can hardly avoid talking to him can she?

This week's snippet takes place on the day following his arrival. Well fed and rested, he goes outside into the morning sunshine and spots Tamarith.

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

You can read  last week's excerpt HERE 

She sensed his mind discreetly touch hers and realized he was staring at her keenly. She turned back to face him, returning his questioning glance and studying him in turn. 

Taller than average, and broad-shouldered, today he wore a sleeveless, belted leather shirt over thick breeches, with long, icecat-wool lined boots. His upper arms were well muscled, his skin tanned as if he were used to working outdoors. His curly, dark auburn hair, kept away from his face with a plain leather band, reached almost to his shoulders, it caught the sun's rays and gleamed like the polished dark red wood of the trees that flanked the feet of the mountains. 
She took in his clear, hazel eyes, with their friendly twinkle, strong jaw line and smiling mouth. He would have been fighting off the local unattached young women if the situation they found themselves in were not so serious. 

Not that she was particularly interested in his looks, or those of any other man, for that matter. No, something else about Vidarh of Ragnak excited her curiosity. 

It's about yesterday... 

I'm no cartographer but here's a map I made for Children Of The Mist. It was a great aid in keeping track of who journeyed where!

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?

***

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