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'.
Saturday, 1 October 2016
I'm rather late posting this - but Kerry and Cat are excited to have been interviewed by Diane Burton. If you have a moment, pop over to her blog and say hello.
http://dianeburton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/characters-from-beloved-enemy-by-hywela.html
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 Every new subscriber will get a FREEdownload of my fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate' (If this doesn't arrive within two days just email me at hywelalyn@btinternet.com)
Wednesday, 21 September 2016
The Heir and The Human - Review
It's always a pleasure to feature a fellow Science Fiction romance author, and I have had the pleasure of featuring Siobahn Davis on the 'flightdeck' here, several times. This is my review of her latest book, the novella 'The Heir and the Human'.
Thank you. Siobhan, for my copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My REVIEW:
Having read all the other books in the series. I was curious to know more about Axton and looked forward to reading this latest story. I was not disappointed 'The heir and the Human' adds another layer and depth to the series.
Poor, poor Axton. First he is brought up with a mother who is cruel and manipulative and shows him no motherly love or affection. In fact it's not an exageration to say Griselda is pure evil; then, the girl Griselda introduces into the household as part of her devious plan for the future, falls for someone else, namely Logan. In this story, however, we are taken into the past where Sadie and Axton love each other intensely, and Sadie can't imagine being with anyone else.
My first impression of Axton as merely being a 'bit character' is changed completely in this book as we see how important he really is in Sadie's life, and I found myself liking him more and more.He is sensitive, intelligent, and the only love he has known in his life is from Sadie, and now even that is about to be taken away from him. It seems so cruel. I don't want to give too much away about this latest story, but I will say that it is full of excitement, tension and a good smattering of romance. Love, friendship and betrayal from an unexpected quarter are all encompassed in this latest book. It's not necessary to read it to enjoy the other books, but it certainly adds another dimension to the story and answers several questions that might have occurred to the reader in the previous episodes. It also gives more background and information on some of the other characters. I really enjoyed 'The Heir and the Human' , a fast but poignant read, and look forward to the next book in the series.
Five comets
BLURB
Axton’s existence was a lonely one until his mother brought Sadie into his life. Now, she’s the center of his universe, and he’ll do everything in his power to protect her.
But Griselda’s evil plans cast a dark shadow over their love, threatening the future he so desperately craves. With separation looming, Ax is preparing to sacrifice everything for the girl he loves. It’s a high-stakes gamble, and he needs to stay ahead of the game if he’s to outsmart his conniving mother.
Sadie has been his savior.
Now it’s his turn to save her.
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 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join Every new subscriber will get a FREEdownload of my fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate' (If this doesn't arrive within two days just email me at hywelalyn@btinternet.com)
Thank you. Siobhan, for my copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My REVIEW:
Having read all the other books in the series. I was curious to know more about Axton and looked forward to reading this latest story. I was not disappointed 'The heir and the Human' adds another layer and depth to the series.
Poor, poor Axton. First he is brought up with a mother who is cruel and manipulative and shows him no motherly love or affection. In fact it's not an exageration to say Griselda is pure evil; then, the girl Griselda introduces into the household as part of her devious plan for the future, falls for someone else, namely Logan. In this story, however, we are taken into the past where Sadie and Axton love each other intensely, and Sadie can't imagine being with anyone else.
My first impression of Axton as merely being a 'bit character' is changed completely in this book as we see how important he really is in Sadie's life, and I found myself liking him more and more.He is sensitive, intelligent, and the only love he has known in his life is from Sadie, and now even that is about to be taken away from him. It seems so cruel. I don't want to give too much away about this latest story, but I will say that it is full of excitement, tension and a good smattering of romance. Love, friendship and betrayal from an unexpected quarter are all encompassed in this latest book. It's not necessary to read it to enjoy the other books, but it certainly adds another dimension to the story and answers several questions that might have occurred to the reader in the previous episodes. It also gives more background and information on some of the other characters. I really enjoyed 'The Heir and the Human' , a fast but poignant read, and look forward to the next book in the series.
Five comets
BLURB
Axton’s existence was a lonely one until his mother brought Sadie into his life. Now, she’s the center of his universe, and he’ll do everything in his power to protect her.
But Griselda’s evil plans cast a dark shadow over their love, threatening the future he so desperately craves. With separation looming, Ax is preparing to sacrifice everything for the girl he loves. It’s a high-stakes gamble, and he needs to stay ahead of the game if he’s to outsmart his conniving mother.
Sadie has been his savior.
Now it’s his turn to save her.
it was amazing ·
About the Author:
Siobhan Davis writes young adult science fiction fantasy romance books, and she is the author of the Amazon bestselling True Calling series. The first book in her new Saven series was released in December 2015.
A self-professed teenager forever--at least when it comes to books, music, and films, Siobhan is totally addicted to teen fiction and superhero/blockbuster movies. She loves baking, shoes, bags, makeup, anti-wrinkle cream, anything pink, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, and Robert Pattinson (definitely Team Edward).
Before pursuing a full-time writing career, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in Human Resources over the last twenty years. She resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.
You can find and contact Siobhan here:
- Website
- Blog
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Google +
- Amazon
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 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join Every new subscriber will get a FREEdownload of my fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate' (If this doesn't arrive within two days just email me at hywelalyn@btinternet.com)
Tuesday, 20 September 2016
In Another Life - Carys Jones - Spotlight
In
Another Life
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Self Published
Date of Publication: 13th May
2016
ASIN: B01BZ7S9L8
Number of pages: 316
Word Count: 72120
Cover Artist: Carys Jones
Book Description:
Pans Labyrinth meets Once Upon A
Time in this fantasy thriller from Carys Jones
Returning home one weekend Marie
Schneider’s life changes forever when her car collides with a lorry on the
motorway and she is left fighting for her life. Whilst in a coma, Marie awakens
in the fantastical world of Azriel which appears to be right out of the pages
of a Fairy Tale book. Here, Marie learns that she is their long lost Princess
North, and that Azriel is where she truly belongs.
When Marie eventually wakes from
her coma her thoughts of Azriel are still very present in her mind and she
struggles to adjust to her 'normal' life. Everyone around her insists that
Azriel is just a figment of her imagination but as she tries to recover from
her wounds people start approaching her on the street, insisting that Azriel
needs her and that she must return there at once.
Confused, Marie tries to discover
which reality is the right one. Could she truly be a long lost princess from
another world or is she just losing her mind? As the world of Azriel starts to
creep in to her current life it gets harder for her to ignore that perhaps she
really is Azriel's Princess after all...
Excerpt:
Beginnings
The unusually
bitter October wind pulled at loose strands of Marie’s hair as she walked
briskly along the busy pavement. Checking her watch she noticed with a plunging
sensation in her stomach that she was already running five minutes late.
“Damn it,” she
cursed aloud as she tried to increase her walk from brisk to fast. Her high
heeled shoes clipped manically against the floor creating a sharp staccato
soundtrack to her commute.
With as much
speed as the six inches of her stilettos would afford her, Marie descended down
from the pavement and the ominous grey clouds overhead into the underbelly of
the city and the tube railway system.
Despite having
lived in London for almost eighteen months Marie still struggled to accept the
infiltration of her personal space each time she rode the tube to work. People
would push up against her as though she were completely invisible. She’d learnt
to use her bony elbows as a weapon against the more persistent of intruders.
Clutching her handbag tightly to her chest she boarded her train, moving with
the same militant precision as the commuters around her. Everyone seemed to
move with such urgency, as though their very being depended on boarding the
waiting train before them.
As the train
surged in to motion and swept the passengers deeper into the city, Marie dared
to remove one hand from her hand bag to wipe wearily at her eyes, careful not
to smudge the mascara she’d barely had time to apply.
Marie was tired.
The previous night, like all the nights before, the twenty seven year old had
struggled to sleep. She lay awake, anxious, as though she were waiting for
something though she had no idea what.
It took twenty
minutes for Marie’s train to arrive in central London. Not quite long enough to
remove her Kindle and delve in to the latest fantasy novel she was reading. She
thought about the story as she looked forlornly out of the train windows.
Endless miles of nothingness sped by. She missed travelling through the
countryside and looking out and seeing endless fields of luscious, green grass.
Marie Schneider was a city girl by necessity, not choice. She’d grown up
amongst trees and fields not sky scrapers and stop signs.
Every morning as
she stood on the tube she wished the same thing; that she didn’t have to go to
work that day that instead she could stay home and read and get lost in another
world.
“You spend far
too much time with your head in books,” her mother would note with disapproval.
“Reading stories
won’t get you anywhere,” she’d add callously. Marie would just roll her eyes.
Her mother didn’t understand the magic which existed within a great story. She
was too pragmatic, existing only in the moment. But Marie dared to dream
bigger. She always secretly harboured the belief that she was meant for great
things, that her destiny would somehow be wondrous.
Yet as she
stepped off the tube and an overweight man in a suit already covered in sweat
pushed a little too close up against her Marie realised she was hanging on to
her romantic notions of a better life with a very thin thread.
“Excuse you!”
Marie exclaimed as the man peeled himself off her and headed towards the
escalators. He didn’t so much as turn back and offer an apologetic glance.
“Chivalry is so
dead,” Marie muttered to herself as she straightened her blue dress which was
adorned with patterns of white tipped daisies. Checking her watch she realised
she was still running late, so taking the briefest moment to tuck back any
loose strands of hair which had wrangled themselves free of the bun at the nape
of her neck Marie headed out of the tube station, back up to the surface.
Emerging in to
the dim light of an autumn morning Marie squinted slightly, feeling momentarily
as blind as a mole squinting up from the ground. She could scarcely afford even
a second to get her bearings. Her boss, Amanda Pickens loathed tardiness almost
as much as she loathed those who opposed her right to wear real fur.
When Marie
finally pushed her way through the glass doors of the office building where she
worked her cheeks were flushed and a slight spattering of perspiration had
formed upon her forehead.
About
the Author:
Carys Jones loves nothing more
than to write and create stories which ignite the reader's imagination. Based
in Shropshire, England, Carys lives with her husband, two guinea pigs and her
adored canine companion Rollo.
When she's not writing, Carys
likes to indulge her inner geek by watching science- fiction films or playing
video games.
She lists John Green, Jodi
Picoult and Virginia Andrews as her favorite authors and draws inspiration for
her own work from anything and everything.
To Carys, there is no greater
feeling then when you lose yourself in a great story and it is that feeling of
ultimate escapism which she tries to bring to her books.
For more information about Carys
please visit www.carys-jones.com
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 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join Every new subscriber will get a FREEdownload of my fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate' (If this doesn't arrive within two days just email me at hywelalyn@btinternet.com)
Monday, 19 September 2016
Monday's Ramblings.
I stayed up late last night to watch the closing ceremony of the Paralympics. Now I'm not really a sports fan - the only sport I really enjoy is equestrianism, being a horse owner and lover myself, but am filled with awe and admiration for each and every competitor at the Paralympics, whatever their nationality of specialist sport they were all amazing and to be congratulated on their achievements. Truly an example of what the human spirit is capable of!
They really made me feel very humble and had me watching events that normally I wouldn't have been interested in, but were compelling watching when the competitors were missing a limb, sometimes two, had vision impairments or other obstacles to overcome. I won't call them 'disabilities' because truly these athletes showed their abilities and inspired us with their courage, focus and determination and can do attitude.
Congratulations to them all, whether they won a medal or not, they were a real inspiration.
I thought you might like this 'behind the scenes' video of some of the 2016 Paralympic riders and their horses. (I love the appaloosa (the spotty one) unusual colouring for a dressage horse.)
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 Every new subscriber will get a FREEdownload of my fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate' (If this doesn't arrive within two days just email me at hywelalyn@btinternet.com)
They really made me feel very humble and had me watching events that normally I wouldn't have been interested in, but were compelling watching when the competitors were missing a limb, sometimes two, had vision impairments or other obstacles to overcome. I won't call them 'disabilities' because truly these athletes showed their abilities and inspired us with their courage, focus and determination and can do attitude.
Congratulations to them all, whether they won a medal or not, they were a real inspiration.
I thought you might like this 'behind the scenes' video of some of the 2016 Paralympic riders and their horses. (I love the appaloosa (the spotty one) unusual colouring for a dressage horse.)
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 Every new subscriber will get a FREEdownload of my fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate' (If this doesn't arrive within two days just email me at hywelalyn@btinternet.com)
Labels:
ability,
equestrianism,
inspiration,
Paralympics,
sport
Friday, 16 September 2016
Marilyn Baron - Stumble Stones, Interview and spotlight.
Stumble Stones a New Novel by Marilyn Baron |
Delivers Dark and Humorous Romancing the Stone-style Suspense |
Hallelujah Weiss, writer for the steamy sudser As the Planet Spins, gets a second chance at love when she flees to Italy to get over her recent divorce, courtesy of her cheating ex-husband’s credit card. A woman scorned, Hallelujah has sworn off men and is determined to reinvent herself. The new Hallelujah is eager to live life on the edge, more like Polly, a character she writes and idolizes.
Lonely Berlin hedge fund manager Alexander Stone, a number cruncher who puts his faith in numerical data, still believes in destiny, despite the fact his fiancée just dumped him. Always a man with a plan, Alexander did not plan on Hallelujah.
After a chance encounter on a flight to Rome, the unlikely pair faces danger when they team up to return to their rightful owner a stash of WW II vintage jewels. The hidden diamonds hold the key to an unsolved mystery and a promise of love.
Stumble Stones is available at:
Amazon UK Ebook
Amazon UK Paperback
Amazon US (Ebook and
paperback)
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=stumble+stones+baron
Stumble Stones E Book
The Wild Rose Press
Stumble Stones
Paperback The Wild Rose Press
Barnes & Noble Nook
About the Author, Marilyn Baron
Marilyn Baron writes in a variety of genres, from humorous coming-of-middle age women’s fiction to historical romantic thrillers and romantic suspense to paranormal/fantasy. Stumble Stones is her 11th novel published with The Wild Rose Press.
She’s also published five short stories with TWB Press and self-published three books, including a musical about Alzheimer’s called Memory Lane. AmazonEncore republished her book Sixth Sense on September 15, 2015.
She’s received writing awards in Single Title, Suspense Romance, Novel With Strong Romantic Elements and Paranormal//Fantasy Romance. She is a Georgia Romance Writers (GRW) Maggie Award winner, a PAN member of Romance Writers of America and GRW and winner of the GRW 2009 Chapter Service Award. A public relations consultant in Atlanta, Marilyn graduated with a BS in Journalism and a minor in Creative Writing from the University of Florida. She worked in Public Relations for AT&T in Atlanta for 13 years before starting her own PR firm. She was a 2016 Nominee for the 52nd Georgia Author of the Year Awards in two categories—Detective/Mystery for Landlocked and Romance for The Widows’ Gallery. Read more about Marilyn at:
Author Media Links |
Website www.marilynbaron.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/MarilynBaron
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4722647.Marilyn_Baron
Amazon Author Page
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 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join Every new subscriber will get a FREEdownload of my fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate' (If this doesn't arrive within two days just email me at hywelalyn@btinternet.com) 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
Every new subscriber will get a FREE download of my fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate' (If this doesn't arrive within two days just email me at hywelalyn@btinternet.com)
Monday, 12 September 2016
Diane Burton's Mission To Earth - background and #contest
It's always a pleasure to welcome a fellow SF romance writer to the Flight Deck. I've just read this book and can thoroughly recommend it as an entertaining and realistic vision of what life for future pioneers, about to embark on a voyage to colonise a new planet might be like. It's not only a great read, but food for thought as well. I think we should all be concerned about global warming and the way we have treated our planet.
I asked Diane to give us some background about how she came to write 'Mission to New Earth'. Enjoy her post, and the excerpt from the book - and don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter contest at the bottom of the page.
Thank you Diane, it was really interesting reading about you and your book!
Hywela Lyn
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 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join Every new subscriber will get a FREEdownload of my fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate' (If this doesn't arrive within two days just email me at hywelalyn@btinternet.com)
I asked Diane to give us some background about how she came to write 'Mission to New Earth'. Enjoy her post, and the excerpt from the book - and don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter contest at the bottom of the page.
Background to Mission to New Earth:
I’ve
often wondered what it would take for space exploration to move faster. Blame
it on Star Wars and Star Trek. Those movies assumed we would go
into space. That we would explore not just our solar system but beyond.
Although
many people do not believe in global warming, I think it’s coming, along with
over population plus the results of all the awful things we’re doing Mission To New Earth.
not just
to the earth but to the air and water around us. I worry about what we’re
leaving our children and grandchildren. Perhaps we’ll all pitch in and do more
than our part to prevent the catastrophes that play a part in my science
fiction novella,
Like most
writers, I begin with a thought and then ask “what if…” This story was
originally a short story I wrote for a holiday anthology on The Roses of Prose
blog, titled “Christmas in Space” that I more than tripled in word count.
I’ve been
fascinated by the Mars One project, a commercial venture to put people on Mars.
I found the concept of starting off on a one-way trip to discover a new world
intriguing, if not a little scary. I loved the characters in that short story
so much that I had to find out more about them and their journey. What would
motivate people to leave everything and everyone behind to set off on a one-way
trip? All six of my characters have their reasons, and their secrets. The
question is whether they’ll find a new home in time.
Mission
To New Earth: a novella
By Diane Burton
Genre: science fiction romance
Release date: August 31, 2016
Length: 88 pages (25k words)
Blurb:
Would you go on a one-way trip to explore a new planet?
Would you do it to save humankind?
Earth’s overpopulation and dwindling resources force the
United Earth Space Agency to expedite exploration of new planets for a possible
new home. When new crises ensue—a giant tsunami and the threat of nuclear
winter—the timeline changes. Eight years of training crammed into four. Sara
Grenard and her team prepare for launch, but are they ready for the one-way
trip? Will the Goldilocks planet prove just right for Earth’s inhabitants?
Before time runs out.
Excerpt:
As we followed, Marsh strode across
the corridor to the left. The only private place down there was a lavatory. Not
my favorite destination for a team meeting. But beggars couldn’t be choosers,
as my mom used to say.
“We screwed up again,” Marsh
announced as soon as the five of us joined him. His voice echoed off the hard
surfaces. “In RT, it could kill us.”
“You and your damn RT,” Tom spat
out. “Why can’t you just say real time
like a normal person?”
Marsh shot him a look, one I’d hate
directed at me.
Military background evident, he
stood in the middle of the area near the showers, his feet wide apart, hands
clasped behind his back. The others were more casual. Bill held up a
white-tiled wall across from the showers. Ana and Gloria sat on a fake wood
bench. Meanwhile, I crossed my arms and leaned against a sink. I tried to look
casual even though my nerves were strung tight. We had to be ready for the
launch. Earth was dependent on us.
All of my team, except Tom and
Marsh, wore hang-dog expressions. At forty, Tom was the oldest on the team and
a damn fine pilot. His red face and mutinous expression as he confronted Marsh
belied his usually even-keeled manner.
“You’re exaggerating, Rayburn.”
That was more than angry. Tom was defiant. “You always exaggerate. Worst case
scenario? Is that all you think about?”
I’d never seen Tom so worked up.
Gloria walked over to him and rubbed his shoulder. Usually in stressful times,
her gentle caress calmed him down. Not now.
When he shrugged off her hand, I
caught the hurt in her eyes.
“C’mon, Bill. Back me up on this.”
Bill held out his hands in a
don’t-get-me-involved gesture. He was our engineer, both formal and practical.
He could fix anything from wonky engines to food replicators.
Tom turned to me. “Sara?”
I knew that was coming. I tried to
let my team work things out by themselves. Soon we’d be living in close
confines, not just on the ship but on our Goldilocks planet. If we couldn’t
live in harmony during training, we would be in deep trouble once we reached
our final destination. We’d be in even worse trouble if we couldn’t work out
our differences here. Marsh was right to pick the only place that wasn’t
monitored. We absolutely didn’t want the directors to think we weren’t a
well-functioning team.
They could pull us and put in the
Shadow Team. Our replacements.
“Okay, guys, what did I miss?” With
a forced grin, I raised my right hand. “I swear I wasn’t dreaming about a day
at the beach during the sim.”
About the Author:
Diane Burton combines her love
of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic
fiction. Besides the science fiction romance
Switched and Outer Rim series,
she is the author of One Red Shoe, a
romantic suspense, and the Alex O’Hara PI mystery series. She is also a
contributor to two anthologies: Portals,
Volume 2 and How I Met My Husband.
Diane and her husband live in West Michigan. They have two children and three
grandchildren.
For more info and excerpts from her books, visit Diane’s
website: http://www.dianeburton.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dmburton72
Facebook: http://facebook.com/dianeburtonauthor
Goodreads: Diane Burton
Author
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dmburton72/
Amazon author page: http://amzn.com/e/B00683MH5E
GIVEAWAY
Diane offers a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card. Answer
the following question in the comments then check the Rafflecopter for more
chances to win.
Would
you go on a one-way trip to a new planet?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hywela Lyn
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 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join Every new subscriber will get a FREEdownload of my fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate' (If this doesn't arrive within two days just email me at hywelalyn@btinternet.com)
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