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.
Michael M. Farnsworth
Title of book and/or series:
HALADRAS
Brief summary of the story:
When Skylar’s enigmatic uncle warns him to stay away from the mysterious winged insects that have been sighted on other planets, he thinks little of it; no one has seen the insects on their own planet of Haladras. His uncle knows more than he’s telling, though. The creatures are not insects, but machines. And they’re hunting for Skylar. Only after Skylar narrowly escapes capture and flees Haladras with his uncle does he learn the whole truth. What his uncle reveals will shatter Skylar’s world. Torn from the girl he loves and thrust into the center of a conflict that will consume the empire, Skylar must fight for all he cares for, even as he struggles to know who he can trust.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Haladras is the principle planet for this story—hence the name. It’s a small desert planet, whose entire economy is driven by teryleum mining. Though small, because of its vast production of teryleum, it plays an increasingly vital role in the empire of which it is a part.
If we were to visit Haladras as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
Haladras is a harsh place. Men do not go there to live long comfortable lives. There is little time for leisure. Its mining units are utilitarian. However, if given the chance to see it, the Gorge of Kaladra is a spectacular sight when it’s lit up at night.
What dangers should we avoid in Haladras?
The sun. The deep desert. Sand storms. Drake Blacksands. Most of all, the Trackers.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Haladras?
Like their cities, the people’s food serves one purpose: to sustain life. Food which spoils easily is of little use. They mostly eat grains, legumes, and dried meats.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Haladras?
The blaster is the most common and efficient weapon. But there are some who still carry swords.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Haladras?
Few people on Haladras are wealthy enough to own a spacecraft. Most buy passage on large spacecrafts to travel between planets. On Haladras itself, sand rovers and transports are commonly used to get about the desert. Among the younger citizenry, the personal flying devices called jetwings are popular. If you find yourself on one of the planets with a more habitable climate, you might end up riding on the back of a shaggy-haired paqua.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Haladras that we don’t see on Earth?
Though you won’t find them on Haladras, paquas do make several appearances in the story. Their most prominent feature is their long shaggy hair, which is often shorn and woven into a coarse fabric. Primarily used as beasts of burden, their gait is slow and lazy.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Haladras?
None, practically. Though, the main character will have a few brushes with the supernatural during his adventures.
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Haladras? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
Yes. Early in the book, synthetic osteoclasts—nanomolecular agents—are used to rapidly mend a cracked skull.
The jetwing utilizes an invisible coupling link which acts as a sort of wing between the two hand-held jet thrusters. This enables an individual to fly with his arms outstretched, as if he were a plane or a soaring eagle.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Haladras.
Teenage boys love to play Orb Scram, a game involving jetwings and a levitating sphere. There’s also sand sailing that can be done out on the dunes on a windy evening.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Haladras as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
The measure of years is reckoned by the length of the current monarch’s reign. Months are measured by the phases of its own moons.
Is there a particular religion practiced in Haladras? Please describe what it involves.
Under the current monarch’s reign, religion in the empire has withered. Some still believe in a Spirit King, who rules over the dead. Some believe he also has power in the mortal realm. But there is no active religion practiced on Haladras. The largest contingency of believers are the priests which live isolated on the frozen planet of Kyndoo Yavi.
What is the political or government structure in Haladras? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
The Ahlderion empire is ruled by a king. Each official planet of the empire is governed directly by a lord. These lords pledge fidelity to the king, but are bestowed a significant amount of discretion when it comes to operating the affairs of their people. Haladras being a colonial planet, is overseen by a viceroy, who has significantly less power than a lord. The current viceroy of Haladras is Viceroy Aberforce. Generally, he is a prudent leader. Proud, but spineless.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
On Quoryn, one of the nearest planets to Haladras, there are lush forests with towering moss-strewn trees. These were inspired by the magnificent forests of the Pacific Northwest, where I live.
Author Autobiography.Michael M. Farnsworth holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Texas A&M University. A degree that comes in handy if you’re a software engineer, which he is, but not so much if you’re a writer. As a native Texan, he should know lots about riding horses and herding cattle—but he doesn’t. He does, however, know a good deal about wrangling small children. He has four of them. When he’s not wrangling children, writing code or writing books, he’s probably building something. He lives with his wife and children in Seattle, WA.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book?
Where can readers connect with you online?
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Haladras. 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 Krillonian Empire (which is more of an alternate reality than a sci-fi or fantasy world), in Realm Explorers Part XXXXVI!
-Annie Douglass Lima
Katia’s Promise
(Shores of Indian Lake #4)
by Catherine Lanigan
Adult Contemporary Romance
May 1st 2015 by 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?
Other Books in the Series
Links for Love Shadows
(Shores of Indian Lake #1)
Links for Heart’s Desire
(Shores of Indian Lake #2)
(Shores of Indian Lake #3)
I have always been fascinated with old cars and old coaches when I read about them in books. In Indian Lake (as well as my hometown) is an antique car museum. I wanted my hero, Austin McCreary, to have a long family history with cars. I devised a backstory of Austin’s great grandfather who was a pioneer in the auto industry around WWI. All his life, Austin has believed that his grandfather was a genius of a designer working in the Deusenberg plant in Indianapolis before moving to Indian Lake. The family “secret” is revealed in KATIA’S PROMISE, by Mrs. Beabots.
Austin has carried on his father’s work at the family auto parts manufacturing plant and still trades his antique cars. However, he has decided to build a car museum and then donate it to the city. I had so much fun researching the 1926 blue Bugatti convertible, Silver Cloud Rolls Royce and the Maserati he might own. For me, sitting in an antique car is one way of traveling back in time. The velvet upholstery that was used, the silver bud vases in the back seat, the quilted chrome dashboards, reinforce to me that these cars are literally like time machines.
Catherine Lanigan is the bestselling author of over thirty 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, Chocolate for a Womanís Spiritî. Ms. Laniganís novels have been translated into over a dozen languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Ms. Laniganís novels are also available on audio-cassette, CD and on electronic format. A prolific writer, she is always writing wonderful stories. She has several titles only available in ebook format on Amazon.com Several of her titles have been chosen for The Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Her novel, The Christmas Star, won the Gold Medal Award Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine for December, 2002, and has also won Book of the Year Romance Gold Award from ForeWord Magazine as well as Book of the Year Romance from Readerís Preference. In March, 2006 Divine Nudges: Tales of Angelic Intervention and the second in Laniganís Angel Watch series of books, was published by HCI, the Chicken Soup for the Soul publisher.
Website – Goodreads – Facebook – Twitter – LinkedIn – Pinterest
Tour Schedule:
April 19th – Launch
April 20th – Coffee Books & Art
April 21st – Deal Sharing Aunt
April 22nd – The Written Adventure
April 23rd – I Am A Reader & Zerina Blossom’s Books
April 24th – LeahSay’s Views & The Opinionated Woman’s Musings
April 26th – Wishful Endings & Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima
April 27th – Christy’s Cozy Corners, i blog 4 books, & Getting Your Read On
April 28th – Mel’s Shelves
April 29th – Katie’s Clean Book Collection
April 30th – Lisa’s Research & Reviews
May 1st – Grand Finale
Cover Reveal & Tour Giveaway
$100 Amazon Gift Card
3 ebooks of Katia’s Promise by Catherine Lanigan
Open internationally.
Ends May 8th
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Catherine Lanigan is the bestselling author of over thirty 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, Chocolate for a Womanís Spiritî. Ms. Laniganís novels have been translated into over a dozen languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Ms. Laniganís novels are also available on audio-cassette, CD and on electronic format. A prolific writer, she is always writing wonderful stories. She has several titles only available in ebook format on Amazon.com Several of her titles have been chosen for The Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Her novel, The Christmas Star, won the Gold Medal Award Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine for December, 2002, and has also won Book of the Year Romance Gold Award from ForeWord Magazine as well as Book of the Year Romance from Readerís Preference. In March, 2006 Divine Nudges: Tales of Angelic Intervention and the second in Laniganís Angel Watch series of books, was published by HCI, the Chicken Soup for the Soul publisher.
Cover Reveal & Tour Giveaway
$100 Amazon Gift Card
3 ebooks of Katia’s Promise by Catherine Lanigan
Unexpected Peril
Savage beasts kidnap Alissia Roswell as she is traveling to meet a separate group of Lamians than the ones that saved her life and physically changed her in the process—gifting her with many special abilities. Just when she was beginning to get accustomed to the bond she and Luke Harrison share, she awakes alone and trapped deep within an eerie bog to find she can no longer feel his presence or reach out to him with her mind.
Unexpected Peril, the third book in the Alissia Roswell Series, will take you to magical lands filled with strange and mysterious creatures. Will Alissia have a chance to adapt to her new life in this alternate reality, or will everything and everyone she has come to love be destroyed by an intense hatred for humanity?
Book 1, Unexpected Metamorphosis
(the eBook version of this one is free at all major online bookstores)
Alissia Roswell had worked hard to overcome her past, and she took immense pride in her independence. Just when she thought she was truly satisfied with her life, she wakes up to find herself in another reality. As she searches for answers, her body begins to change in mysterious ways, and for the first time in her life, she is forced to rely upon others. As everything spins out of her control and danger lurks around every corner, her heart begins to betray her, and her mind haunts her with memories of her past.
Join Alissia on her perilous quest full of adventure, magic, and romance as she travels the challenging road of finding one self, maybe even love along the way.
Book 2, Unexpected Entrapment
Alissia Roswell is far, far from home, and she won’t be going back any time soon. After having been sucked through a wormhole, spat out half-dead in an alternate reality, and revived by Lamians-an ancient, magical people who trigger a profound metamorphosis in Alissia, giving her powers she never thought possible-Alissia becomes the subject of Alrik Durst’s manipulation. Alrik has already usurped power in the city of Pallen, and with Alissia’s arrival, he sees his opportunity to exploit the power of the Lamians to his bidding as well, driving the land ever closer to civil war. Held prisoner in the luxurious confines of the Eldership castle in Pallen, Alissia is forced to feign memory loss to protect herself and her friends while fending off the romantic overtures of Ian Durst-Alrik’s all-too-charming son. Will the loves of her life, Grady Bolair and Luke Harrison, be able to help her escape? When she finally chooses between the two-Grady, the statesman, or Luke, the assassin-will it rip her alliances to shreds, casting uncertainty on her future?
Join Alissia as she learns to reign in her fiery personality, tries to accept her past, and struggles with the one thing that scares her most: vulnerability. Unexpected Entrapment: Alissia Roswell: Book Two will whisk you away to a world of mystical, menacing creatures and fantastic environs, where secrets abound and nothing is quite as it appears.
Author Bio:
Tianna Holley lives outside of Atlanta with her husband and children and has always been an avid reader of fantasy novels. She began writing poetry and short stories in her youth but did not pursue her passion for writing until later in life.
Although her books tend to contain violence and romance, she considers herself a PG-13 author. Her novels do not contain curse words, and her sexual content is limited to heated kissing.
She enjoys talking to her readers and offers free Skype chats to book clubs that have read her writing. You can learn more about Tianna and sign up for her monthly newsletter to receive exclusive insights into her current work in progress by going to http://www.tiannaholley.com.
We’re celebrating the RELEASE of
The Violet Hour
By Brynn Chapman
Check out the book and author info, exclusive excerpt, and enter the giveaway below…
The Violet HourBrynn Chapman
YA Romantic Historical Fantasy
ebook, 209 Pages
Secrets.
Allegra Teagarden, a musical prodigy, flees her father’s dominance and abuse while touring in pre-civil war Charleston, South Carolina. Plagued by depression over her mother’s suicide during their previous visit, she escapes in an effort to piece together the details behind her mother’s mysterious demise.
Secrets.
Down to her final coin, Allegra happens on Charleston’s Fancy, the first southern amusement park, which is searching for musicians for its orchestra. At first, the park seems her salvation; but she quickly realizes she has traded the dominance of her father, for the even more terrifying madness of the owner, Silas.
And more secrets.
Allegra meets the dashing Brighton LeFroy, Fancy’s engineer and pyrotechnics master. His shabby clothing cannot conceal the brilliant mind beneath. The musician’s whisper he is a witch, is obsessed with storms, and is rumored…to fly. And despite the danger, despite her own misgivings, Allegra is inexplicable drawn to him.
She ventures to his reclusive home on Fire Isle during a thunderstorm and together they seek to unravel an ancient mystery.
LeFroy stares out the window, his brow creased in thought. He remains statue-still, as he has for the past quarter hour, oblivious to the late afternoon sun that bathes his face in a beautiful golden-amber.
I stare intently, reveling in the rare opportunity to drink in his features.
His dark curly hair is in need of a cutting and his thin lips turn down as he absently bites the side of his nail, lost to himself. He is not a classic beauty—but the singularity of his face demand’s attention.
Not all women would swoon for him. But something about him draws me…makes him utterly irresistible.
The warmth on my chest again. Almost hot this time. I struggle not to look down my dress to examine what I imagined to be an inevitable rash, but all I see is the Magnolia pattern—the patch on my dress, lovingly sewn by my mother’s hand.
I banish the thought. I shall not think on her now.
Brighton clears his throat, driving away my mother’s ghost and I struggle for words. When he regards me, my tongue seems to shrivel in my mouth.
It is his eyes. They…speak. Sometimes whisper, sometimes shout.
They now squint, as whatever vexing scenario playing on his mind continues to dominate his demeanor. He doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak.
Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brynn Chapman is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love—not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger’s syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society’s downtrodden. In fiction, she’s a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. She also writes non-fiction and lectures on the subjects of autism and sensory integration and is a medical contributor to online journal The Age of Autism.
She also writes under the pseudonym R.R. Smythe .
$10 Amazon Gift Card, ebook of The Violet Hour, and Bracelet with: “Well behaved women seldom make history.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Open internationally (bracelet to US entrants only)
Ends April 21st
a Rafflecopter giveaway
A first-year college student adjusting to life in the States.
A brand-new pregnancy center desperate for new volunteers.
A mysterious phone call from a girl who’s far too young to be pregnant.
UNPLANNED
from award-winning suspense novelist Alana Terry
After volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center, Kennedy Stern finds herself a pawn in a deadly game of intrigue, at the mercy of those who consider a few innocent lives a small ransom to pay for victory.
(Be sure to see below to get your own pre-release copy of Unplanned before it hits the bookstores.)
On Tolerance, Co-Existence, and Alaskan Roommates
(a video interview with Alana Terry)
In Unplanned, Kennedy Stern’s roommate Willow is everything that Kennedy isn’t. That doesn’t mean they can’t have a great friendship, however. In this two-minute video, author Alana Terry talks about how her own college experiences helped shape Willow’s character.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqZm2ZecDLQ]
WANT YOUR OWN COPY OF UNPLANNED NOW?
Unplanned is the newest Christian suspense novel from award-winning author, Alana Terry. PRE-ORDER the $2.99 ebook today, fill out the form below, and receive:
- a pre-release copy of Unplanned (no waiting for launch day)
- the Unplanned Bonus Materials (go behind-the-scenes with deleted scenes, bloopers, character studies, and more!)
- 30 Days of Prayer to End Abortion devotional
- an exclusive 20-minute video from the author answering readers’ frequently asked questions (includes the story of the mysterious phone call Alana received that was the basis for the novel)
Sound like a good deal?
Pre-order Unplanned from Amazon, then fill out the form below. You will receive your free pre-release copy and the extra bonus pack materials in one to two days.
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The authors over at Harlequin Heartwarming are hosting a fabulous giveaway this month! Be sure to enter and comment over on their blog on each day’s post for extra entries. Here’s all the info:
After the long, harsh winter most of us endured, what better way to celebrate spring—and our April and May Heartwarming releases—than with an exciting new giveaway? As with any celebration, the more the merrier, and we hope you will join us.
First, here are the beautiful covers of the April and May books . . .
And here’s what we have planned to warm your heart and chase away any lingering winter blahs. All eight Heartwarming authors with April and May releases have teamed up to offer two prize packs of four books each. We will also give away one grand prize consisting of all eight books and a stunning mix of “ever-blooming” spring garden flowers, for use indoors or out. These are gifts you can enjoy time and again, as you can read our books over and over, and the flowers won’t fade when winter threatens, since they’re steel, painted in bright colors.
Our first prize pack contains:
The Truth About Hope by Kate James
Katia’s Promise by Catherine Lanigan
Raising the Stakes by Karen Rock
A Case for Forgiveness by Carol Ross
These books are certain to provide hours of springtime reading pleasure!
Our second prize pack contains:
The Long Road Home by Lynn Patrick
Man of His Word by Cynthia Reese
Fighting for Keeps by Jennifer Snow
Firefly Nights by Cynthia Thomason
Another set of four wonderful stories you will surely enjoy!
Finally, our grand prize winner will receive all eight books, along with an “ever-blooming” spring garden, consisting of a bouquet of 13 white daisies, two periwinkle blue alliums and a set of 13 black-eyed Susans, a retail value of over $150 US, before shipping.
Photos and “ever-blooming” flowers from Gardener’s Supply Company (http://www.gardeners.com/)
Now if that isn’t enough, we have a
bonus book for each prize pack. Harlequin MIRA and Harlequin Intrigue author Elizabeth Heiter will include one of h
er recent releases—winner’s choice—in each of the prize packs.
There are three exciting prize packs waiting to be won. The contest runs until April 25th. Enter as often as you like. Post a comment right here on our blog for two entries, visit our Facebook pages, follow us on Twitter, and tweet about the contest once a day while it’s running! And check back here on April 26th to see if you are a lucky winner!
Happy spring . . . and happy reading!
(Please note, prize packs can only be shipped to a continental US or Canadian address. International winners will receive the books only, in e-book format.)
Photos and “ever-blooming” flowers from Gardener’s Supply Company (http://www.gardeners.com/)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Must reside in the US/CAN for print copies; if outside these countries ebooks only will be sent from the prize packs. You must be at least 13 years old to enter and if under 18 must have adult or guardian permission. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook, Twitter, Google or any other entity other than the authors involved. Void where prohibited by law.
Welcome to the
Blog Tour!
A celebration of two new sweet historical romances by Shanna Hatfield
Anyone driving on the freeway in Eastern Oregon between Pendleton and Ontario will eventually travel right past the town of Baker City. Nestled in a quaint valley with sagebrush to the south and mountains to the west and north, it truly offers a picturesque setting.
Back in the mid to late 1800s, when the town began and boomed, I wonder what people thought when they arrived. If they traveled out of the green pine tree-covered mountains, did they think they’d arrived at the last stop of civilization? Or, if they traveled north through miles and miles of rolling sagebrush-dotted hills, were they grateful to find a place to rest? One that offered a surprising number of “luxurious amenities” for the era.
This forlorn place is located south of Baker City. It always makes the imaginative, curious part of me wonder who originally lived there and built the outbuildings. Who put up the corral? Why did they live so far from town? (It really is out in the middle of nowhere). Did they have a family? What did they think of the isolated location?
This abandoned homestead inspired Thane Jordan’s ranch in Crumpets and Cowpies, the first book in my Baker City Brides series. In the story, rancher Thane Jordan reluctantly travels to England to settle his brother’s estate. He quickly discovers he’s inherited much more than he could possibly have imagined. including a niece and nephew he didn’t know existed. The children’s aunt, Lady Jemma Bryan has no desire to spend a single minute in Thane Jordan’s insufferable presence much less live under the same roof with the handsome, arrogant American. Forced to choose between poverty or marriage to the man, she travels across an ocean and America to reach his ranch in Oregon. Imagine being an English Lady, accustomed to a life that was lush, comfortable and entirely pleasant. You’re forced (for the sake of two children) to marry a man you loathe entirely, and give up everything familiar. You travel across an ocean and the vast country of America, only to spend an hour on a bumpy wagon (or buckboard in Jemma’s case) ride to discover your home in the midst of nothing but sagebrush and cattle, dirt and snakes. It would definitely have taken strength, fortitude, and bravery. Here’s a little excerpt from the story:
*** Thane has just taken Jemma for a ride to look over part of the ranch. ***
“Thank you, Thane. I enjoyed it as well. The ranch is truly beautiful. Thank you for showing it to me.”
“I’m sorry it took so long. I meant to take you out last week, but things have been so busy.”
Jemma placed her hand on his arm and looked into his face. “I understand. I know you have many responsibilities to see to and you can’t spend all your time with the children.”
Although he loved Jack and Lily, he didn’t feel a desperate need to be close to them. Rather, it was the beguiling woman standing beside him with her hand burning a hole through his shirtsleeve who captured his thoughts. “I better relieve Sam of the children. I’m sure he has grown tired of Lily asking ‘why’ and Jack wanting to find you or play with the dogs or ride his horse. Thank you for giving him his own horse, by the way. He hasn’t stopped talking about it since the moment you put the reins in his hands.”
“Every rancher needs a good horse. Jack will grow into Nick.” As she recalled Jack’s excitement at having his own horse, she smiled at Thane. “It meant so much to him for you to entrust an animal to his care.” He nodded as she turned back toward the barn door. One of Lily’s doll dresses on the ground caught her attention. When she bent over to pick it up, Thane reached out and brushed his hand over the curve of her rear. She shot upright as if she’d been branded. Fire blasted from her eyes as she spun around and glared at him. “Mr. Jordan, that is completely and absolutely unacceptable. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And wipe that smirk off your face!”
“That, I can’t do.” Thane’s wicked smile did little to calm her pounding heart or the breath she drew in with tight, short gasps. He touched his fingers to his hat, strolled out of the barn, then looked back at her with a wink. Frustrated, she stamped her booted feet then marched to the bunkhouse. She wanted to chase after Thane, spin him around, and slap his face – or kiss him until she lost what little sense she had left. ***
The second book in the
Baker City Brides series releases Thursday, April 9!
Thimbles and Thistles takes readers back to Baker City as spring arrives and love is in the air. You can reserve your Kindle copy here:
http://amzn.com/B00TCV6BFG
Maggie Dalton has no need for a man in her life. Widowed more than ten years, she’s built a successful business and managed quite well on her own in the bustling town of Baker City, Oregon. Aggravated by her inability to block thoughts of the handsome lumber mill owner from her mind, she renews her determination to resist his attempts at friendship. Full of Scottish charm and mischief, Ian MacGregor could claim any available woman in Baker City as his own, except the enchanting dress shop owner who continues to ignore him. Not one to give up on what he wants, Ian vows to win Maggie’s heart or leave the town he’s come to love.
Lacy, Book 5 in the Pendleton Petticoats series, will be available for pre-orders April 9. Be among the first to order the long-awaited story of Grant Hill. Talk about losing at love… eligible banker bachelor Grant needs to find the right girl. Those attending the party will also get a first look at the cover! “Will the bonds of love be stronger than the bonds of tradition…”
It just wouldn’t be a party if there wasn’t a book available for free! Aundy, Book 1 in the Pendleton Petticoats series, will be available for free Kindle downloads April 9. Make sure you grab your copy! If you’ve already read it, tell your friends to download it. If you haven’t met the characters from Pendleton Petticoats, here’s a brief intro: Aundy (Book 1) – One stubborn mail-order bride finds the courage to carry on when she’s widowed before ever truly becoming a wife, but opening her heart to love again may be more than she can bear. Caterina (Book 2) – Frantic to escape a man intent on marrying her, Caterina starts a new life in Pendleton, completely unprepared for the passionate feelings stirred by the town’s deputy sheriff. Ilsa (Book 3) – Tired of relying on others to guide and protect her, Ilsa finally finds the strength and courage to take control of her life. Unfortunately, her independence drives a wedge between her and the man she’s come to love. Marnie (Book 4) – After giving up on her dreams for a future, Marnie finds her hope rekindled by one caring, compassionate man and the orphans who need her.
Dust off your dancing shoes and choose your formal attire for the Petticoat Ball Party on Facebook April 9, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Giveaways and games will make for a splendid event as we celebrate the release of Thimbles and Thistles and the debut of Lacy! The talented and fabulous guest authors joining in the shenanigans include:
Invite your friends to the party, and you could win a $25 Amazon Gift card. Go to the Facebook Party Page, click on the “invite” button, invite your friends, then post how many you invited. One randomly drawn person will win, but you get additional entries for every 25 people you invite! Also, ask your friends when they join the party to share that you invited them on the party wall. Each friend who mentions your name, earns you another entry in the contest! The winner will be announced prior to the start of the party April 9! http://tinyurl.com/petticoatball
To enter the drawing for a $50 American Express gift card, autographed books, digital books, chocolates, and original western artwork, fill out this form. http://tinyurl.com/petticoatballprizes
A hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, Shanna Hatfield is a bestselling author of sweet romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor. In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller. Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.” She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.
Find Shanna’s books at: Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple
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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)
Amethyst Eyes, the Legend Comes to Life (book 2)
Where can readers connect with you online?
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!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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email us at prismbooktours(at)gmail.com with “Katia’s Promise” in the subject line!
Welcome to the Cover Reveal for:
Katia’s Promise
By Catheine Lanigan
(Shores of Indian Lake #4)
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
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?
(Shores of Indian Lake #2)
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
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.
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3 ebooks of Katia’s Promise by Catherine Lanigan
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.
Geralyn Wichers
Title of book and/or series:
Brief summary of the story:
“A manufactured person is no person at all.” Human cloning technology has advanced to the degree that clones are mass manufactured and used as a customizable workforce. Dominic is a clone who escaped from the cloning facility and made a life for himself. Now he returns to Caspian Genetics, the factory that birthed him, with revenge on his mind. Though he tries to steel himself from the plight of the other clones, when he sees a clone about to be killed for being out of specifications, he cannot turn away. Dominic’s plot begins to unravel, complicated by an unlikely alliance, a secret romance, and the creeping doubt that he’s been lied to. Is he human after all?
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
The story takes place in a near-future version of our own world, and I designed it to be generic. ‘The City,’ where the characters live, is never named.
The City is a grey, impersonal megalopolis. It is a bit like a fussy eater’s plate: everything has its own section, and nothing touches. The people are separated from each other based upon their strata of society. The working poor live in a ghetto. The professional class lives in modest houses and condos around planned neighborhoods. The rich avoid the city entirely, sequestering themselves in estates in the countryside. It’s also cold. The story starts in the winter, and the winter never seems to come to an end. I wanted the story and the locale to have a dark grey pallet.
What dangers should we avoid in The City?
The city is a fairly safe place if you’re in your own neighborhood. The city government keeps very close tabs on its citizens, particularly the middle/professional class. They make it difficult to get away with anything.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in The City?
The food the characters eat blends into the sparse city rather well. Dominic lives on a regimented diet of chicken breast, vegetables, almond milk, and other health foods. Food isn’t a priority to him. It’s more like filling his vehicle with fuel, and the best fuel at that. Working class characters Justine and Casey live on wild game, rice and other staples. Yet, you get the idea that they do very well with what they have. Most of the meals in the story take place at their house–they’re hospitable people who’d share their last bit of food.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to The City?
Public transport, such as buses and a network of monorail trains, is important in the city. Wealthier characters, such as Dominic, use self-guided cars. He speaks his destination into the navigation system, and the car takes him to that place.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in The City that we don’t see on Earth?
The key difference here is the entire race of clones, or as they’re called in the story, Manufactured Persons, MP’s or ‘Empties’. The MP’s are perfectly human, but the common belief is that they are not. They are considered soulless, unable to form real relationships or survive in the world.
There are several types of MP’s. The story centers on Caspian Genetics, which produces Manufactured Fighting Personnel for military use. Other types include domestic MP’s, manufactured by Homeland, which fill ordinary labor roles, and High Performance Manufactured Personnel (HPMPs), manufactured by Symbiosis Genetic Labs, who are custom designed for special roles.
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in The City? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
One bit of technology that will play a key part is tracking technology. The Manufactured Persons are all tracked by a chip embedded under the skin. Employees at Caspian Genetics are tracked by a bracelet they wear, and in the City at large, anyone with a cell phone is tracked constantly.
Is there a particular religion practiced in The City? Please describe what it involves.
On the whole, religion is not encouraged in the city. There is a state-sanctioned Christian church. Some characters are involved in a clandestine Christian church.
What is the political or government structure in The City? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
The City is governed more by giant bureaucracy than by a figurehead. Its departments are famously bad at communicating with each other, which is exploited by one more nefarious character in the story.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
Oh, definitely! The idea came from the pharmaceutical manufacturing plant that I work in. Caspian Genetics isn’t modeled on my workplace but many small details are borrowed–the gowning procedures, the documentation, the general feel of the production area.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
I would call it a very ‘pro-life’ book. Humanity, and the value of human life, is a reoccurring theme. Dominic has lived his life convinced he isn’t human, but Casey, an important character he meets along the way, is determined to convince him that he is just as human, just as valuable, as any citizen of the city.
Author Autobiography:I live in Manitoba, Canada. When not writing, or working in the factory, I can be found running down the sidewalks and trails of my hometown, singing in the church choir, or staring into space–possibly all while carrying a massive book.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book?
Where can readers connect with you online?
You can come by my
blog. I write about adventures in running, relationships, personal development, and humor. You can also
read samplesof
Sons of Earth and my other book,
We are the Living.
Or, if you’re on Twitter, I tweet from @GeralynWichers. I’d love to chat with you!
This forlorn place is located south of Baker City. It always makes the imaginative, curious part of me wonder who originally lived there and built the outbuildings. Who put up the corral? Why did they live so far from town? (It really is out in the middle of nowhere). Did they have a family? What did they think of the isolated location?
A hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, Shanna Hatfield is a bestselling author of sweet romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor. In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller. Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.” She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.
