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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 29 April 2018

Shattered Roads - Book Tour and #Giveaway



SHATTERED ROADS
The Skyfire Saga
Book 1
by Alice
Henderson
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian


In a future laid waste by environmental catastrophe, one woman in a shielded megacity discovers a secret hidden within—and the nightmare of what lies beyond.

Her designation is H124—a menial worker in a city safeguarded against the devastating storms of the outer world. In a community where consumerism has dulled the senses, where apathy is the norm and education is a thing of the past, H124 has one job: remove the bodies of citizens when they pass away in their living pods.

Then one night, H124’s routine leads her into the underground ruins of an ancient university. Buried within it is a prescient alarm set up generations ago: an
extinction-level asteroid is hurtling toward Earth. When her warning is seen as an attempt to topple the government with her knowledge of science, H124 is
hunted—and sent fleeing for her life beyond the shield of her walled metropolis. In a weather-ravaged unknown, her only hope lies with the Rovers, the most dangerous faction on Earth. For they have continued to learn. And they have survived to help avert a terrifying threat: the end of the world is near.




Alice Henderson is a writer of fiction, comics, and video game material. She was selected to attend Launchpad, a NASA-funded writing workshop aimed at bringing accurate science to fiction. Her love of wild places inspired her novel Voracious, which pits a lone hiker against a shapeshifting creature in the wilderness of Glacier National Park. Her novel Fresh Meat is set in the world of the hit TV series Supernatural. She also wrote the Buffy the Vampire Slayer novels Night Terrors and Portal Through Time. She has written short stories for numerous anthologies including Body Horror, Werewolves and shapeshifters, and Mystery Date. While working at LucasArts, she wrote material for several Star Wars video games, including Star

Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds and Star Wars: Battle for Naboo. She holds an interdisciplinary master's degree in folklore and geography, and is a wildlife researcher and rehabilitator. Her novel Portal Through Time won the Scribe Award for Best Novel.


Follow
the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!





For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Saturday 28 April 2018

Weekend Writing Warriors #SundaySnippet - 'Dancing With Fate' - "...I may not need to act the helpless female but I have a few tricks..."

Hi fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to  my Weekend Warriors post  and another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far. Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link below this post, there's something for all tastes.


Last week Terpsichore, Greek muse of Dance has been instructed by Apollo to go to 5th Century  Wales, but she has to temporarily lose her immortality and special powers. "...if you have a problem, I may not be able to help you."

SNIPPET:  (Some creative punctuation from published version, to comply with 10  sentence rule.)

Oh wonderful -- although my being allowed some freedom might not be a bad thing. She gave him a knowing smile, "I suppose I'll manage, I may need to act the helpless female, but in reality I have a few tricks that may serve me well."

Apollo frowned again,"take care not to get careless and reveal who you really are, the men of Cymru may not be as awestruck by a goddess as they once were. It could be risky, you would not want to be branded as a witch or an enchantress."

"You think I may be in danger?"

Apollo's frown deepened and his face registered concern. "No, sweet Terpsichore, I would not send you if I thought you might come to harm." He paused, "but you will need a name to be known by." He thought for a moment, "Cora -- you will go by the name of Cora, a name like enough to those of the common people."

Terpsichore nodded, she liked the sound of it, and it carried enough of her true name not to sound alien to her. 



BLURB
(Cover by Miss Mae)
When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 



Don't forget to visit the talented authors who are also taking part in 'Sunday Snippets'



For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Saturday 21 April 2018

Weekend Writing Warriors #SundaySnippet - 'Dancing With Fate' - ""...I may not be able to help you"

Hi fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to  my Weekend Warriors post  and another snippet from my fantasy novella. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far. Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link below this post, there's something for all tastes.

(And my fellow author and Brit Rosemary Gemmell's post can be found HERE
I'm currently sharing snippets from my fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate'.

Last week:
Terpsichore, muse of the dance, has been summoned by Apollo to return t 5th Century Wales to renew the Celts' spirits and love of music and dance. His next words fill her with dismay.

"It is well; you will need to use subtlety, though. Times have changed since you were last there, it would be better for you to take the form of a mortal."


SNIPPET(Some creative punctuation to comply with 10  sentence rule.)

"What—give up my immortality?"

"No, not give it up, I doubt Zeus would allow that, nor would you want it from the expression on your face. Zeus and I have discussed the matter and feel you should pretend to be mortal for a while. Mingle with the people, bestow on them the enthusiasm to dance again." He paused, "of course you will not be able to use any of your powers..." She drew in her breath, unable to hide her dismay. That could present a problem, she was not used to being without her magick.
Apollo seemed to read her thoughts. "At least," he went on, "not before mortals, or in a way it could be discerned, you must not allow your inner psyche to glow when you are among them. Know also, that your powers may wane and you may not be able to get inside their minds or use the gift of foretelling." He looked even more serious, "if you have a problem, I may not be able to help you." 
Don't forget to visit the talented authors who are also taking part in 'Sunday Snippets'



For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Saturday 14 April 2018

Snippet Sunday - 'Dancing With Fate' "What -give up my immortality?"

Hi fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to another snippet from my fantasy novella and thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far. Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link below this post, there's something for all tastes.
Image may contain: 1 person, text
(graphic courtesy of Carter Novels Promotion)


















DANCING WITH FATE


Terpsichore, the muse of dance thought her work in the land of mortals, more particularly in Wales, was done. But it seems Apollo has another task for her - and things are about to get worse. You can read last week's snippet HERE

 (Some punctuation rearrangements from the published version to comply with the 10 sentence rule)

SNIPPET

"My lord, have I not already done my duty - did I not travel to every corner of the world and inspire men and women to dance and rejoice? Have I not made the journey whenever a mortal has been in need of my gift of inspiration, and gladdened the hearts of mankind? Can I be blamed if some prefer to fight and wage war and then forget the joys of living?"

Apollo's countenance grew even grimmer. "So many questions, no, 'tis not your doing—but would you refuse the task?"

Terpsichore sighed and shook her head,  "of  course not, you know well that neither I nor my sister muses may deny our vocation, the need to inspire cannot be ignored."

Apollo curved his lips in a smile once more, and light radiated from his face, illuminating the shadows around him. "It is well; you will need to use subtlety, though. Times have changed since you were last there, it would be better for you to take the form of a mortal."

"What—give up my immortality?"


BLURB
When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 

Purchase at: Amazon UK
                   Amazon US





If you'd like to share your own 8-10 sentence snippet, whether published or not, follow the link by clicking on the logo above, to see who else is posting. You can also sign up at this link on Monday. It's a great community to be a part of! Be sure to visit the amazing writers in this group and leave them a comment if you can



For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join


Saturday 7 April 2018

Snippet Sunday - Dancing With Fate: Even if he was the magnificent Apollo, she would not be patronised.

Writers share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet on Sunday each week. Be sure to visit the amazing writers in this group and leave them a comment if you can - they're listed below:


If you'd like to share your own 8-10 sentence snippet, whether published or not, follow the link and sign up. It's a great community to be a part of! 




Hi   fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to another snippet from my fantasy novella and don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above.

 Terpsichore, the muse of dance  knows there is something Apollo wants from her when he talks to her about her previous visit to the Celts in the land of Cymru, now known as Wales. You can read last week's snipper HERE

 (Some punctuation rearrangements to comply with 10 sentence rule)


DANCING WITH FATE
Capel Curig, Wales


"I inspired them with music and dancing which they embraced readily. I believe in times to come they will be famed for their love of melody, and the grace with which they express it in their singing and their dance."

A slight crease appeared on Apollo's brow, normally as smooth and clear as the polished black marble of the great throne of Zeus. "Only if you return to impart these skills once more; much has been lost in their skirmishes and fighting to protect their land. A great melancholy has come upon them, I need you to return and inspire them to dance again."

Terpsichore sighed, a little, soft sigh that echoed through the hall like the singing of the breeze in summer leaves. "My lord—Apollo—I had not thought to return to the lands of mortals—not for a few hundred years, anyway. Is it truly necessary?"

Apollo's expression grew severe, a small frown played above his eyes and his face darkened slightly, like the sun going behind a cloud.

"Indeed it is, Terpsichore, as the Muse of Dance, it is your duty."

Terpsichore swallowed the sharp retort that rose in her throat. Duty indeed, how dare he suggest she was neglectful of her duty - even if he was the magnificent Apollo, she would not be patronised. 


BLURB
(Cover by Miss Mae)
When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 







For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Tuesday 3 April 2018

Texas Lightning - first of a new western romance time travel series by Caroline Clemmons

A slight departure from my usual Science Fiction posts and guests today as I welcome Caroline Clemmons to talk about her new book 'Texas Lightning.' Still in the paranormal vein though as it's time travel. Texas lighting is the first of Caroline's Texas Timetravel series. I'll pass you over to Caroline to tell you all about it.

Thanks to Hywela Lyn for hosting me on her blog.
I’m excited to tell you about TEXAS LIGHTNING, the first of my Texas Time Travel Series trilogy (Try saying that fast three times ☺). Reader reports have been very enthusiastic. The second and third of the trilogy are TEXAS RAINBOW, releasing April 18, and TEXAS STORM, releasing May 25.

Years ago I discovered the time travel books of Kathleen Kane before the author switched names and subgenre. I fell in love with time travel featuring ordinary people. I also have enjoyed the time travels of other authors, such as Beth Trissel, Linda LaRoque, Diana Gabaldon, and Peggy L. Henderson.

I especially enjoy the idea of a character from the past coming forward to today. Think about it—when someone goes back in time, they know what’s going to happen in that era. On the other hand, when a person comes forward, everything is new and requires huge adjustments in learning and attitudes. What a challenge for a character—and what fun for the reader. If there’s mystery and/or suspense, even better.

This is what I wrote in OUT OF THE BLUE, when an Irish woman from 1845 plopped down in contemporary Texas to help a detective solve several murders and discover who was trying to frame and kill him. Except for this book, my new trilogy is a departure from the usual books I write, but still in a western setting.

TEXAS LIGHTNING depicts Penny Terry as she stumbles forward into a complicated scheme to steal the ranch that had been hers. While unraveling the mystery, she learns why her father was killed. In this case, there’s even a fabulous treasure. Of course, she also falls in love.
The setting is a ranch in Central Texas on the Medina River somewhere between Bandera and Medina. Bandera touts itself as “The Cowboy Capital of Texas”. My family once stayed at The Mayan Ranch, a dude ranch near there. Our daughters and I fell in love with the ranch and the area. My Hero prefers to read about riding horses and ranching rather than experiencing them first hand. Hero was a good sport but would rather have been fishing. ☺

Here’s a synopsis of TEXAS LIGHTNING:
How can two people from different eras own the same ranch?
Penelope Jane Terry knows everything about ranching in spite of being a lone woman. She is determined to send to jail the rustlers who believe they can steal what is hers… until she is caught spying on their dirty works and must ride for her life. What Penny doesn’t count on is being hurtled over a 120 years into the future.

Jake Knight believes the attractive woman who stumbled into his home one rainy evening either has amnesia or is certifiably insane. Unless, that is, she is in league with whoever is trying to drive him out of business. Someone is trying to force him to sell his ranch by staging a string of damaging incidents. Jake’s been kept so busy making repairs that he can’t run his ranch properly. Even if he were stupid enough to wish to sell, the ranch is so firmly entailed that no one can break the conditions.

Jake gradually learns Penny is who she claims, no matter that time travel is supposed to be impossible. They’re locked into a clash only one of them can win. If an outsider weren’t trying to kill Jake as well as bankrupt him, perhaps he and Penny might be able to reach an agreement. And, then they discover there is a huge treasure….



TEXAS LIGHTNING Excerpt:
Finally, the lights of home shone faintly in the distance. Nothing had ever looked so good. She couldn’t keep going much further. Damned if blisters hadn’t burned on her heels from walking so far in wet boots. She was near frozen in these wet clothes.

Wait.

How could she be so cold now when the heat earlier had nearly suffocated her? Nevermind, she just wanted to be home, safe, and in her bed. There stood the fence next to the paddock. Almost home now, keep walking.

Don’t pass out, don’t fall. One foot in front of the other. You can do this. Stumbling from fatigue, she labored up the front steps onto the long wrap-around porch and bumped into a rocker. Who’d put that there? Just like her cook to move stuff around without telling her. How she’d love to sink into it and rest. First, she had to send for the sheriff and find out if Star came home.

At the door, she paused and listened for men talking—rustlers waiting to waylay her. She heard no sound. Lights shone so brightly, her cook must have waited up for her with every lamp in the house lighted. She eased open the door, listened again, then walked in and leaned her rifle against the stair’s banister.

“Did Star come home?” She unbuckled her gun belt and hung it on the newel post—not something she’d do under ordinary circumstances.

Tugging off her gloves, she avoided a couple of cactus spines stuck in the fingers. How had they remained there without her feeling them? No matter, she sat down on the third stair tread to remove her boots.

She should have gone around to the back door, but she couldn’t walk another step. Weariness and sore muscles overwhelmed her and she wanted nothing more than to shuck out of her wet things and lie in her nice bed—if she could summon the energy to walk upstairs. Eyes closed, she leaned back against the stairs. She heard footsteps approaching and raised one foot.

“Had me a passel of trouble. Help me get these danged boots off, would you? Then I’ll tell you all about it.” A dog’s cold nose pressed against her cheek. She jumped and pushed her hair out of her eyes. A black and white dog stared at her. “Who are you?”

“His name’s Rascal.” An unfamiliar baritone said, “He’s mine.”
She looked up.

Whoa! The man who faced her was a stranger. In spite of her wariness, her mouth dropped open in awe. Instead of her arthritic middle-aged cook, this man was young and tall and definitely fit. And handsome. Unbelievably, mesmerizingly handsome.

He might be as comely as a fairy tale prince, but the regal disapproval on his face appeared anything but friendly.

Energized by fear, she jumped to her feet and grabbed her rifle. “Who the heck are you?”

He crossed his arms and ignored the Winchester pointed at his middle. His dark hair glistened in light that seemed too bright. Dark blue eyes had tiny creases at the corners, as if he laughed a lot.

He sure wasn’t laughing now.

“I might ask you the same question. And what are you doing tracking in mud and dripping water all over my foyer?”

Your foyer? This is my house, and it’s been my house since my daddy and I built it six years ago. Don’t you think for one minute I’ll let you steal my ranch.”

 The dog growled, the fur of his ruff bristling.

The man snapped his fingers. “Quiet, Rascal.”

Who was this man? He didn’t look the type but maybe he was one of the men stealing her cattle. Could he and his dog have been waiting for her? She gripped the rifle with all her strength. Why hadn’t her cook shown up to help her?
Oh, no, had they killed him?

He glared at her. “Lady, I don’t know who you are, but this is my house, get it? I grew up here. My daddy grew up here. My granddaddy grew up here.”

Penny’s knees trembled, but she fought fear to appear strong. “Don’t try and trick me. The Double T ranch was started by my granddaddy in 1836. No con man is going to steal it from the Terry family, and you can take that to the bank.”

“The Terry family hasn’t owned this since Penelope Terry died in 1896. The Knight family has owned it since then.” He threw up his hands. “Hell, why am I arguing with a crazy woman?”

“Crazy?” She was about to light into him when the first part of his statement hit her. “Hey, what do you mean, I died? I’m as alive as you, whoever you are.”

“What the hell are you talking about? I see you’re alive. I said Penelope Terry died. Are you hard of hearing as well as nuts?”

Increasing fear spiraled inside Penny, knotting her stomach. How could this man think her dead? What kind of trick was he working? Had she been conked out long enough that her cook sent men out to look for her and they decided she’d died?

Forcing herself to appear calm when she shook inside, Penny stood erect. “I’m Penelope Jane Terry and you can see I’m very much alive…”


               Amazon US buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B6R1K44?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660

Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To make up for this tragic error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains from a small office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their rescued cats and dogs. The books she creates there have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won numerous awards. 

Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, and Pinterest.
Click on her Amazon Author Page for a complete list of her books and follow her there.
Follow her on BookBub.
Subscribe to Caroline’s newsletter here to receive a FREE novella of HAPPY IS THE BRIDE, a humorous historical wedding disaster that ends happily—but you knew it would, didn’t you?

She loves to hear from readers at caroline@carolineclemmons.com

What an intriguing excerpt! Not many people know this, but Historical Westerns were my first love, before I started writing S.F. romance and I even trained my horses western style, and changed from English to Western tack. I do envy you your stay on a dude ranch, I always wanted to do that! I did manage a visit to the U.S. though and stayed at a guest house owned by a lovely lady who had an Apaloosa, Arabian and Hafflinger horses. This series is definitely one for my TBR list!

Thanks Caroline and wishing you much success with this new series.  




For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join