Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don’t forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s name: Debbie Brown
Title of book and/or series:
Amethyst Eyes (trilogy) Books 1 and 2 available
Brief summary of the story:
15 yr old Tommy is forced to leave him home on Earth when his mother dies in a car accident. His estranged, alien father returns to collect Tommy, and the teen finds himself having to adapt to life on every level. He never knew of his father’s origins, and knows even less about the world he now calls his own. Tommy’s father is the commander of a Crisis Intervention Vessel that oversees the continuation of the human race throughout our galaxy.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Most of the story takes place on the Phoenix, or on in the Canadian Rockies on Earth.
The Phoenix is used to monitor, seek out suitable alternative planets and relocate populations in desperate situations. The ship is made up of 4 parts. The main saucer houses the entire crew, all of the main departments as well as crew quarters. Three smaller disks or saucer shaped pods, affixed to the underside of the Phoenix, serve in the ship’s duties. One is the arboretum, the other is for geology and xeno-biology, the third is used to for mass transport.
If we were to visit a Crisis Intervention Vessel as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
The arboretum is a must since it carries vegetation from all human inhabited worlds. For anyone who wants to know what their true calling in life is, trying out the Orientation Chamber will surely interest them and give them something to ponder. The Endurance Training room provides an endless obstacle course through every possible setting, climate and condition, starting at the top of a redwood forest.
What dangers should we avoid in Amethyst Eyes?
The main character has amethyst colored eyes, and that makes him the target of some unruly predators. But aside from that, most dangers are encountered planet side, during colony transfers. Or, in Tommy’s case, the occasional encounter with Jayden can prove dangerous.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Amethyst Eyes?
Aside from the food Tommy grew up eating on Earth, he has been introduced to the food of his father’s people…and that can be anything from garagon porridge, shey pod fruit, or warm Durash pulp to help you sleep at night…but Tommy’s least favorite was his father’s attempt to feed his son something that resembled French toast…in flavor only, because the slimy green chunks were too much to ask anyone to overlook.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Amethyst Eyes?
The ship has a full weapon’s array, though they have never used it. There is no violence amongst the Sirians, per say, and because sports can be seen as an ‘organized form of war’ these people do not practice any sports other than endurance training.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used in Amethyst Eyes?Molecular transport can send an individual from point A to point B (ie from the ship to a planet), small shuttles for 3 people or larger ones for an entire group are at their disposition. The main ship holds the entire crew of several hundred people, as well as housing 3 detachable pods along the underside of the disk like vessel. One disk is the arboretum, the other holds geology and the xeno-biology, the third is used to transport entire populations from one planet to another.
Replicators are used to grab a quick meal. Holographic technology is used for medical, educational and recreational purposes. Computer displays are found on many glass-like surfaces, such as desktops and wall-panels. They are all tactile, as well as being voice inter-active or chip interface activated.
Their medical technology is something to strive for. Diagnostic tables, made a soft glass-like surface that adapts to the body’s contour, offering support and comfort while the body is scanned. Crystal disks, placed on the patient provoke an electromagnet response in the body, causing the patient to relax or even slip off into sleep. Most procedures are painless, even when they are invasive. It is possible to regenerate bone and tissue. A holographic image of the patient can be called up, showing every detail of the body, down to cellular health, old scars or injuries, as well as bodily functions.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Amethyst Eyes that we don’t see on Earth?
The Sirians, Tommy’s father’s people, are from the planet Sirius, orbiting the Dog Star Sirius. They were the first planet seeded by the Forefathers, and tasked with the role of watching over all human colonies in our galaxy. Mostly, the people are the same as the humans we encounter here on earth…with a few exceptions. Some have milk-chocolate skin and electric blue eyes, without any whites. Others have pale skin, bright green eyes and white hair. The Binari (bi (like bit) Nar ee) are bald, grey skinned people who hunt those with amethyst eyes.
The Kettra, found on one planet, are extremely dangerous. They are cute, furry animals with short, teddy bear snouts and large, paper thin ears. They hunt in groups at night and drag their prey back to the colony to be devoured fresh.
Another minute animal, living in rocky outcroppings, sting their unsuspecting victim and leave a dart that boroughs deep inside the body to release a burst of poison hours later.
Plant life goes beyond all you see on Earth. One example, found on a sister world, includes a short tree with a wide, green trunk and palm like leaves that grows one grey nut at a time. The nut can easily be mistaken for a rock, but like some form of cacti, it has very short, fine spines covering its entire surface that imbed themselves into the flesh of those who dare touch it.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Amethyst Eyes? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
The Binari, those who hunt people with Amethyst Eyes, believe that the eyes hold some magical power. All those who have amethyst eyes have shown a particular gift or ability.
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Amethyst Eyes? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
All Sirians have two implants imbedded in their necks. One is a tracking chip, and the other a learning interface that allows them to communicate directly with the onboard computer.
Sirians are thought using people, and much of their technology reacts to their brain impulses. Children use learning orbs, balls that emit holographic images in response to their thoughts. Sirians do not sing, but their thoughts create music, and the more that gather, the more complex the music.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Amethyst Eyes.
No sports are played since they are a form of organized warfare. People keep in shape through Endurance Training…you can think of it as an endless ‘tree-top adventure center’.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Amethyst Eyes as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?I did not change the time/days/calendar in Amethyst Eyes. They do not celebrate the holidays as we do on Earth, but there is mention of the Feast of Gratitude every year. (They celebrate the renewal of the seasons, the coming of life after the death of winter, and give thanks for all they have reaped from the previous year that has carried them through to the new season).
Is there a particular religion practiced in Amethyst Eyes?
There is no mention of religion, though they refer to the Gods, having a male and female version of God.
What is the political or government structure in Amethyst Eyes? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
The leader of the people is a Sovereign, chosen not through voting, nor lineage, but through the same evaluation system as the orientation chamber, targeting the best candidate to lead their people.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit the Sirians?
The Sirians share a special bond between close family members, giving an outsider the impression that they can read minds. A bonded, or married couple, shares the most intimate forms of this link. Thoughts, and feelings, as well as images and memories can be shared. Memories can be called up and relived as though they were once again real.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
The only thing that inspired me to write was the loss of my daughter. I needed to create a place where people cared about one another, where family mattered and held together.
I spent my summers with my grandmother in the Laurentian mountains, right on the lake, and every week she would take a class on bead working and such, given by the Native Americans (back then Indians) living nearby, and I would attend…usually to thread the needles of all the older women, lol.
Nature, Native Americans, traditions, cooking, love of animals, and respect for one another all stemmed from time spent with my beloved grandmother. I miss her dearly.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
In the book, the adults are responsible for the kids. And they are considered to be children until the age of 18, much to Tommy’s dismay.
The culture prides itself on its methods of career selection and that 98% of the population is satisfied with the role they play in their society. Random knowledge, such as first-aid for all is not common practice, because the best people for the job (medical professionals or first respondents) are on duty and THEY will handle the situation.
Author AutobiographyAll her life, Debbie has spun stories in her mind, watching characters come to life seemingly by themselves. After working as a nurse, a teacher, a martial arts instructor, an artist, and CIC officer in the Canadian military – not to mention her many hobbies from woodworking to auto mechanics and holistic medicine, her life reads like a story itself. And yet, her favorite thing is still a cozy fire, a good book, and country living with her husband JP and her youngest of five children. After graduating from the Institute of Children’s Literature’s advanced writing course, she is finally devoting herself to writing these stories down, taking us all on a ride we won’t quickly forget.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your books? Please include links.
All books are available in both paperback and ebook formats.
Amethyst Eyes (book 1)
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1o06883
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/WM4TzI
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1lT4z7D
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1pCGvXU
KOBO: http://bit.ly/1EDtSsD
Amethyst Eyes, the Legend Comes to Life (book 2)
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1xuI4QP
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1BE6utH
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/11tg4ja
Ravenswood Publishing : http://bit.ly/1H6RaWB
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1EDtSsD
Where can readers connect with you online?
Facebook Book Page: http://on.fb.me/IKQkoj
Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/1y8n8Mm
Blog: http://bit.ly/1ztJfh7
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: http://bit.ly/1ES5nF1
Website: http://bit.ly/18uGP3m
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Phoenix and the Realm of the Guardians. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the science fiction world of Haladras in Realm Explorers Part XXXXV!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the science fiction world of Haladras in Realm Explorers Part XXXXV!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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email us at prismbooktours(at)gmail.com with “Katia’s Promise” in the subject line!
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Welcome to the Cover Reveal for:
Katia’s Promise
By Catheine Lanigan
(Shores of Indian Lake #4)
Adult Contemporary Romance
Adult Contemporary Romance
Coming May 1st from Harlequin Heartwarming!
Katia Stanislaus is a top insurance agent in Chicago, but her company is about to fold if she can’t pull off a miracle. She convinces her boss to relocate to Indian Lake where she lived as a child and broke the heart of the one man whose account would be enough to save her job and her company. The only problem is that Austin McCreary has been a near recluse since the day Katia left him. Austin won’t take her calls and appears set on revenge for the pain Katia has caused him. Just seeing Austin, catapaults Katia back to the time when she was 16 and so very much in love. But it was just a teenage crush, wasn’t it?
Pre-order from:
Other Books in the Series
Love Shadows(Shores of Indian Lake #1)
by Catherine Lanigan
by Catherine Lanigan
Adult Contemporary Romance
April 1st 2014 by Harlequin Heartwarming
Catherine Lanigan is the famous author with over 40 books published including “Romancing the Stone” and “Jewel of the Nile”. This is the first in a series of at least five books about the romantic and electric world of Indian Lakes.
One of the first characters we meet in the Indian Lakes series is Luke Bosworth. There are five stages of grief, and Luke Bosworth is stuck on anger. Unable to move on after his wife’s death, he’s struggling to make ends meet and be a good father to his childrenóa fight he’s afraid he’s losing. But then Sarah Jensen crashes into his life.
Dealing with the loss of her mother, Sarah is a kindred spirit in grief. And even though he doesn’t always agree with her actions, she renews hope for Luke and his kids. Suddenly he’s making plans for the future again. But can he take the risk of falling in love a second time?
Heart’s Desire
(Shores of Indian Lake #2)
by Catherine Lanigan
by Catherine Lanigan
Adult Contemporary Romance
August 1st 2014 by Harlequin Heartwarming
His homecoming is bittersweetÖfor both of them
CafÈ owner Maddie Strong is finally ready to take her burgeoning cupcake business to the next level. With the help of handsome businessman Alex Perkins, her future’s all mapped out. Until her first love comes home.
At seventeen, Maddie adored Nate Barzonni with her whole heart and soul. But when he asked her to elope, she’d said noóshe couldn’t let him throw away his dream of becoming a doctor. Then he vanished from her life for eleven years. Now the cardiac surgeon has returned to Indian Lake asking for a second chance, and Maddie has to choose between her new lifeÖand the man she never stopped loving.
A Fine Year for Love(Shores of Indian Lake #3)
by Catherine Lanigan
by Catherine Lanigan
Adult Contemporary Romance
January 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming
Her grandfather told her never to trust a Barzonni
Nothing gives Liz Crenshaw more delight than walking the hills of her family’s winery and tending her precious vines. And nothing frustrates her more than Gabe Barzonni, the handsome, successful and utterly aggravating son of Indian Lake’s most prominent farmers. All her instincts scream “avoid,” especially when she finds out he’s going into the wine business himself. But Liz can’t seem to shake him. One minute, he’s nosing around her property, the next he’s arranging to escort her to her best friend’s wedding. Well, too bad. Whatever he has designs onóher or her landóGabe is out of luck. Now, to get him out of her mindÖ
Catherine Lanigan is the bestselling author of over forty published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile, as well as over half a dozen anthologies, including ìChicken Soup for the Soul: Living your Dreamî, ìChicken Soup for the Writerís Soulî, ìChocolate for a Womanís Heartî, ìChocolate for a Womanís Spiritî. Ms. Laniganís novels have been translated into over a twenty-four languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Ms. Laniganís novels are also available in E-books on Amazon.com and BN.com. Several of her titles have been chosen for The Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Her Vietnam war-based novel, The Christmas Star, won the Gold Medal Award Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine and also won Book of the Year Romance Gold Award from ForeWord Magazine as well as Book of the Year Romance from Readerís Preference. Cedar Fort, Inc. published the third book of angelic interventions, Angel Tales. Angel Watch and Divine Nudges, the first two books in Laniganís Angel Watch series of books about divine intervention in human life, were published by HCI. Allworth Press released Laniganís ìhow-toî book on writing: Writing the Great American Romance Novel. Ms. Laniganís first Young Adult Adventure novel, The Adventures of Lillie and Zane: The Golden Flute was published by Cedar Fort. Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid foundation to pen a collection of compelling and informative true stories of teen addicts.
April, 2014 will see Laniganís new clean romance series HARLEQUIN HEARTWARMINGíS publication of LOVE SHADOWS, the first in Laniganís ìShores of Indian Lake Seriesî. HEARTíS DESIRE will also be published in 2014. A FINE YEAR FOR LOVE January, 2015. KATIAíS PROMISE May, 2015. Lanigan is working on the next three novels in her Indian Lake series for HARLEQUIN HEARTWARMING.
Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including ìCoast to Coastî and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs.
