Follow on Bloglovin

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'.

Sunday 24 November 2019

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare - Is Megan letting her imagination get the better of her?


                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Hi folks, I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is from Megan's P.O.V.  She's just returning to her cottage after visiting Glyn Phillips and witnessing his young son handle a supposedly unrideable pony.


Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.



 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.


SNIPPET

She started, as what seemed to be a shadow moved in the darkened window of the kitchen,  as she left the car and fumbled in her bag for her keys. She couldn’t shake off the feeling she was being watched, although when she looked around she couldn’t make out anything suspicious in the shadows.

She tried to stop her hand trembling as she turned the key in the lock and cautiously pushed open the door, wondering what she could use as a weapon if she disturbed an intruder. She swallowed hard, her heart thudding and a slight feeling of panic rose and tightened like an elastic band around her chest, she switched on the light and gazed across the hall to the dining room. The door into the room was closed, as she had left it, there was no sign of anything being disturbed. She knew she hadn’t left any windows open and both front and back doors had been securely locked, logic told her it was unlikely anyone would have broken in without there being some sign of damage. Pentrebont was a  peaceful, rural area, she’d never seen anyone wandering around at night, nor felt uneasy about living there alone. The cottage being out in the sticks as most people would call it, had never bothered her, in fact, she welcomed the peace and tranquillity after the hustle and bustle of the city, so why was she now jumping at shadows?

Taking a deep breath, Megan opened the dining room door, the room was empty, everything in its usual place, the peaceful atmosphere she always felt in the cottage settled over her and she relaxed under its calming influence; she went back and double checked the locks on the doors though, just in case there were any strangers prowling around outside.

She made herself a cup of tea and switched on the television, still slightly unnerved; after flicking through several channels she switched it off again, her mind wandering back to Hafod Farm and Glyn Phillips and his wild pony, his rich Welsh accent reverberating in her mind.
Hmmm, better not start getting any ideas, Megan Johnson, your last relationship didn’t end so well, did it?







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! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Wednesday 20 November 2019

Fractured Prophecy: Science Fiction Action Adventure by PJ McDermott - Review and Giveaway

Fractured Prophecy: Science Fiction Action Adventure by PJ McDermott
Fractured Prophecy:
 Science Fiction Action Adventure by PJ McDermott

Publisher:  Patrick McDermott Publishing (July 21, 2019)
Category: Science Fiction, Space opera, Action Adventure
Tour Dates: October-November, 2019
ISBN: 9780648092162
Available in Print and ebook, 282 pages
Fractured Prophecy

Description: Fractured Prophecy: Science Fiction Action Adventure by PJ McDermott

An alien messiah is missing, presumed dead. Will one woman’s interplanetary search for answers bring resurrection or betrayal?
Fractured Prophecy: Science Fiction Action Adventure by PJ McDermott
Auriga, 2183. Empath Hickory Lace is desolated by the fiery death of the alien she once considered the son of God. But a tiny flicker of hope that he could still be alive brings her back to the Corps for a perilous mission behind Bikashi lines to recover the powerful sword of Connat. And although the Teacher’s self-sacrifice burns in her heart, the truth she uncovers on the enemy’s planet ignites a fierce new purpose.

A desperate sprint across an alien landscape unearths two different species kept in slavery by the Bikashi. Hickory decides she must liberate these suffering people and plans a daring rescue. But her assignment demands that she find the high-tech sword before the Bikashi can harness its power to enslave her home world.

Will Hickory use her abilities to save the innocent and thereby allow an alien warlord to conquer Earth, or will she leave the slaves to their fate?

Fractured Prophecy is the fourth book in the engrossing Prosperine YA science fiction series. If you like tenacious heroines and political intrigue with spiritual undertones, then you’ll love PJ McDermott’s epic story.

Follow Hickory in her quest for galactic truth.

Trailer Fractured Prophecy: Science Fiction Action Adventure by PJ McDermott

https://animoto.com/play/2RqzW4Mm8xtlcSggV1TC2A

Praise for the Prosperine Series by PJ McDermott
“A Great read. Had me at the first chapter. Did not want to stop. Love the plot, the storyline, the action!!”

“Great characters; storyline with action, drama, and fast-paced intrigue; and unique description of an alien planet, society and it's population. Highly recommended. I would get other books in the series.”

“McDermott creates a very original and hopeful future world similar to the kind of sci fi I grew up loving. His alien characters are delightful and believable. I could not wait to read the second book, Rise of the Erlachi which is even better!”

“This is a full-blown outer space adventure. Well described characters and a story that has a nice flow to it. I read it straight thru cover to cover.”

 EXCERPT

Honor and Faith

Hickory found the empathic receptors located beneath the gamma-blocks placed in her cerebellum when she was sixteen and tried to replicate the anger and rage she’d felt when she’d discovered her power over the Charakai, the bird-reptiles on Prosperine. Why did Kar leave me? It was unfair. He said he’d be with me ’till the end of time itself. Instead of anger, she experienced profound sadness. Taking several deep breaths, she changed tack and brought to mind the memory of the crocodile attack on Bonni. She felt the power begin to build. Electrical impulses gathered pace, speeding from her SIM to the hippocampus and auditory centers of her brain and back again, faster and faster.

Her head buzzed, and nausea overcame her. She retched and abandoned her efforts to reach the Scarg. I knew this was pointless. I haven’t communicated telepathically with any creature since Kar died. Her attempt to use the memory of Kar to stoke her anger filled Hickory with shame. Anger was never his way. She recalled the Teacher’s lessons on using love rather than fear or rage to activate her gift.

 ‘The first thing you must do is have faith in me. I can teach you, but you must open your heart as well as your mind.’ He would be disappointed to see her give up so easily.

She began once more, delving deep within to locate the source of her emotional energy. She concentrated on bringing to mind the marvelous experiences and positive influences in her life: her recruitment by the Corps and the excitement of being chosen for her first mission; her friends, Kar, Gareth, and Jess; her role models, Maria and Talya. Blinding flashes of energy increased in intensity behind her eyes until she felt as though her mind and heart would break free of her body.
At that moment, she reached out and made contact, and all sadness left her.

Hickory took a few seconds to appreciate this new manifestation of her power. At first, she merely observed, noting the animal was a young female, not yet of mating age. The memories the Scarg carried of her mother and her brothers were like faded black and white video. The recent journey to the ice had been her first, and she’d been excited to be chosen. Recollections of her first kill, a sea lion, were still raw, seared into her memory by the sight, taste, and smell of the other’s lifeblood. Hickory was astonished to find grief and reasoning; the knowledge she had taken another’s life to preserve her own.

Hello. Hickory whispered into her mind.
 

About PJ McDermott

Fractured Prophecy: Science Fiction Action Adventure by PJ McDermott
Born in Scotland, PJ McDermott moved to Australia 50 years ago, and now lives in the tropics in the North Queensland town of Trinity Beach. He started writing after he retired from the corporate treadmill and published his first novel in 2015— Small Fish Big Fish, a coming of age thriller set during the sixties. But he has always read and loved adventure and science fiction books. PJ has fond early memories of hiding under the blankets in his bed, torch in hand, reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Gulliver’s Travels. In his teenage years, like many other kids, he had lots of unanswered questions about God and the purpose of life (is there one?). Even today, similar questions remain unanswered in his mind, providing him with a springboard for his book series, ‘Prosperine’.

Website:  https://pj-mcdermott.com
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/pj_author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thealiencorps/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mcdermott1705/

 

I enjoyed this Science Fiction Adventure and it kept me turning the pages. Fractured Prophecy is the fourth book in the Prosperine series. I had already read the first three but this is perfectly readable as a 'stand-alone' as the author manages to subtly trickle through enough of the backstory for the reader not to get 'lost'. 

 

I liked  the character of Hickory, as well as the supporting cast, especially Gareth and Jess, there were one or two characters whom I would have liked to have been a little more fleshed out, but there are a lot of characters in this novel so that is excusable.

 

The religious aspects of this story were both interesting and intriguing, especially the 'Messiah-like' character of The Teacher, Car.  A strong story line and excellent world-building kept me turning the pages and I can thoroughly recommended it to anyone who enjoys a gritty and thought provoking science fiction adventure. 

 

Buy Fractured Prophecy: Science Fiction Action Adventure by PJ McDermott

Amazon
Barnes&Noble
BookDepository

Giveaway Fractured Prophecy: Science Fiction Action Adventure by PJ McDermott

This giveaway is for the winner’s choice of one print or ebook copy of the book. Print is open to Canada, Australia, and the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends November 29, 2019, midnight pacific time.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow Fractured Prophecy: Science Fiction Action Adventure by PJ McDermott

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Oct 1 Kickoff and Interview

Cremona Mythical Books Oct 2 Guest Review and Guest Post

Dennis Amazon  Oct 7 Review

Lu Ann Rockin' Book Reviews Oct 11 Review and Excerpt

Dawn Bound 4 Escape Oct 17 Guest Review

Katy Goodreads Oct 24 Review

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Oct 28 Guest Review

Shannon The Pulp and Mystery Shelf Nov 1 Guest Review

WriterGideon Goodreads Nov 12 Review

Hywela Lyn  Romance Out Of This World Nov 20 Review and Excerpt

Steve  Silver Screen Videos Nov 25 Review                                                          I

This schedule is subject to change.






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! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Sunday 17 November 2019

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare



                                            Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Hi folks, I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again in Glyn's P.O.V.  


Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.


SNIPPET

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.


Summary: Megan, new to the village, is delivering some medication from the vets where she works, to her neighbour Glyn Phillips. He is  alarmed when a young boy walks across the paddock leading the pony which has just thrown his horsebreaker, Evan.



SNIPPET

“Huw—Huw my boy, what are you doing - hand the reins to me, son, gently now, don’t startle her.”

(Working Cover)
“But Dad, she’s not dangerous, she won’t hurt me.” So saying the boy walked straight past him toward the paddock gate, the mare followed him through, walking quietly behind him like a gentle children’s pony, instead of the raging little demon who had just bucked off the most experienced horse breaker Glyn had ever known.
He shook his head and rolled his eyes in exasperation -
stubborn as his mother.” For a moment he’d almost forgotten his visitor, he glanced toward her and then nodded in the direction of the stables with a wry smile.

“I’m sorry,” he said, reluctant to appear discourteous, but desperate to make sure the boy didn’t get injured, “I’d better go and make sure he’s all right with that pony."

“Of course I’ll be on my way then, goodnight, Mr Phillips.”
she said,  turning to cross the yard back to her vehicle, with a quick wave of her hand. 

Glyn sprinted toward the stables, he needed to make sure Huw didn’t get hurt by that wretched pony. At the same time he cursed himself for his abrupt dismissal of Megan Johnson; poor woman, she must think he was completely neurotic, but Huw was his only son, after all, and he couldn’t help being protective.






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! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Sunday 10 November 2019

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare




                                            Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Hi folks, I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished novel, a fantasy 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again in Glyn's P.O.V.  


Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.


SNIPPET

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) 
Summary: Megan, new to the village, is delivering some medication to her neighbour, and finds him having a problem with a pony his employee, Evan, was trying to ride.


           He sighed deeply, “ I’m sorry, I’m keeping you, you’ll be wanting to get back home, I’m sure.”

            “Oh, it’s all right, I wasn’t in any hurry.” 

            No, she wasn’t in any hurry, in fact, she wouldn’t have minded listening to Glyn Phillips’ lyrical Welsh accent all evening. He probably wouldn’t appreciate her taking up his time chatting though, when he had a recalcitrant pony to catch and unsaddle, and most likely numerous other jobs needing to be done. All at once he stared past her to the paddock with a startled exclamation.

            “What the…?” his face darkened, his former friendly expression changed to one of horror—fear even. He leapt over the fence with the agility of a young steeplechaser and Megan gasped as she realised what had caused the sudden change in him. 

A young boy, who could not have been older than about eight or nine years old, had ducked under the fence on the other side of the paddock. He walked calmly  toward the gate, leading the chestnut pony with the air of one who knew exactly what he was doing.

             The mare’s ears twitched contentedly to and fro, as she walked calmly beside him, although Megan thought she saw something suspiciously like a gleam in the pony's large, dark eyes.












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! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Sunday 3 November 2019

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare - Evan is not amused!.


Hi folks, I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' a fantasy novel 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again in Glyn's P.O.V. 

(This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the wonky punctuation needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!)


Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link below, there's something for all tastes.





                                            Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group












SNIPPET

(Summary: Megan, new to the village, is delivering some medication to her neighbour, and finds him having a problem with a pony his employee, Evan, was trying to ride.  This is a few sentences on from last week's snippet)





A very rough working cover
“You sure you’re okay Evan,” the horse dealer’s voice held a note of concern.


“I’ll live,” the other man growled, “there’s not many horses get the better of me, I can tell you.”


Evan held the gate for the man to walk through, as Evan slapped the mud from his clothes. 

“Little devil,”he said, adding a few more choice swear words, “I’m bloody sure she chose the most churned up patch in the ring on purpose.” He glanced across at Megan, “Sorry Miss, the little bugger—I mean beggar—got my goat she did, indeed.”


Megan grinned at him to show she hadn’t taken offence—She'd actually heard much worse if truth be told.


“Well, you’d better go up to the house and get cleaned up while I attend to our visitor here,” Evan nodded to his boss, and turned toward the rambling, ivy-covered farmhouse.
  
Thank you, Miss Johnson,” Glyn said over his shoulder, as he slammed the gate shut and the corners of his eyes crinkled in a manner she found fascinating, “as you say, it will save me a trip in the morning.”


“It’s not a problem, she said, smiling back, “this place is on my way home as it happens.” She looked across to the paddock where the mare, still wearing her saddle and bridle, stood happily cropping the grass like a quiet riding school pony, “you seem to have something of a problem there though.”









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! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join