HATHOR LEGACY: BURN by Deborah A Bailey Giveaway & Excerpt

I'm back! This is my last post about my new science fiction romance, Hathor Legacy: Burn, book two in the Hathor Legacy series. I've had fun sharing excerpts and posts with you. Hope you've enjoyed them too!

At the end of the party, one randomly chosen commenter will win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card and a ebook version of the book (either .mobi or .pdf). 


In this excerpt, Nadira is in a medical evacuation center or “medi-evac.” She was caught in an ambush of a security team and used her PSI abilities to fight her way out. Now she has to rest in order to regain her strength. She’s had a few shocks up to this point (with more to come) and Jonathan is concerned that she’s taking on too much without giving herself a chance to recover.


Nadira tried to sit up, but her arms ached so much they couldn't support her. Instead they wobbled and she was forced to drop back down against the pillows.

"Relax. You're not going anywhere." Jonathan propped himself up on his elbow and pulled the covers back over her.

She looked up into his grey eyes. What she saw there wasn't what she was expecting. But it wasn't just concern for her that had etched the dark circles under them, there was something else.

"You look tired," she said, as she ran the tip of her finger along his face, following the line of his squared jaw. Stubble pricked and tickled her skin, encouraging her to continue her exploration. After reading Varyn and being attacked in the warehouse, she'd shut down her awareness, just so she could block out her emotions. If she allowed herself to feel something now, she'd have to feel it all, and she wasn't sure she was ready for that.

Jon captured her hand and pressed it to his lips. "I didn't know how to find you. A security officer told me about the warehouse fire. When I got there, they told me to check the medi-evac. I heard you calling me."

Had she? She couldn't remember now. In fact a lot of the attack was hazy, without clear definition, like waking up and trying to remember a dream. "I couldn't save them. I tried and I couldn't." Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision and making her feel ashamed.

Emotions were to be controlled at all times. That's how Zina had trained her, and that's what she had always fallen back on. But now, it wasn't working.

"Let it go," Jonathan said. "It's all right."

"No." She shifted and turned her back to him. "Stop. Just go. Come back in the morning." She wasn't ready yet. If she let it out now, she'd never be able to stop.


About the book

Book Two of the Hathor Legacy Series

On the planet, Hathor, an old threat re-emerges that may destroy the fragile alliance between the Guardians and Novacorp.  When Nadira is called to investigate a rash of fires throughout the city, she discovers the Deshtu, another group with PSI powers who have been purposely kept in the shadows.

Working to uncover the source of the fires, Nadira learns the brutal truth about the origin of the Guardians. The Guardian Elders have plans to make Nadira more powerful, and she may be forced to sever her psychic connection to Jonathan Keel.

When an unexpected ally gives Jonathan information about the Deshtu that connects them to the fires, he becomes a convenient scapegoat for the opposing factions. Nadira puts her life on the line to solve the crime, while the Elders make their move to remove Jonathan from her life forever.

As time runs out, the Guardians prepare for a clash with Novacorp that could plunge the planet into chaos, and a final betrayal forces Nadira to risk everything to save herself and Hathor.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LW95G7K

As a little girl when Deborah A Bailey was watching Star Trek and Twilight Zone, she was writing and drawing her own superheroine comics. When she grew up, she continued to write and followed her love of technology into a career as a computer programmer and developer. But writing was never far away from her heart, so over the years she wrote and published stories set on other worlds and in Earth's future.

Ultimately she fulfilled a lifelong dream and completed her first novel in the Hathor Legacy universe, Hathor Legacy: Outcast. Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers' Conference and her work has been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun. She's also the author of a short story collection, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales.

Website: http://www.BrightStreetBooks.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorDeborahB

HATHOR LEGACY: BURN by Deborah A Bailey Giveaway & Writing Romantic Scenes

Hi there! I'm back with another post about my new science fiction romance, Hathor Legacy: Burn, book two in the Hathor Legacy series.

At the end of the party, one randomly chosen commenter will win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card and a ebook version of the book (either .mobi or .pdf). 


Writing Romantic Scenes

For the most part when I wrote short speculative fiction stories, I didn’t include love scenes. Romance and flirting, yes. But that was as far as it went.

But when I wrote my novel, Hathor Legacy: Outcast, I found myself in a bit of a dilemma. It’s a romance, isn’t it? So I knew at some point, the heroine/hero would have to get together romantically.

Since I’d just started getting to know the characters, Jonathan and Nadira, I didn’t feel comfortable having them move too quickly. But by book two, they're in an established relationship, so I let their love scenes flow naturally.

Whether the hook up comes sooner or later, it should never feel forced. Once I decided how explicit I wanted to get, it got easier. Instead of doing endless “insert tab a into slot b” descriptions, I looked for descriptive words that could set the mood without my having to actually describe the blow-by-blow. And in the interests of keeping it "PG," I won't go into more detail in this post! :)

One of the love scenes, where they've reunited after a separation, happens on a beach. During that scene I used words like "roar," "crashing," "fueling" and "explosion" to make a strong impression. They drive up the tension and the reader has a reaction to them, even if they’re not fully aware of it.

All writers know that words are extremely powerful. They paint images and stir up emotions. Do I like reading love scenes? Sure. But sometimes writing them is challenging. I want to show what’s happening, while at the same time I want to stay within what I think is appropriate for that story.

There are readers who skip those scenes. Others can’t get enough. So I don’t think a writer can anticipate if a reader will be glad the characters hooked up, or when they’ll be turned off. All I can do is stay true to what I feel works at that point. The characters will let me know when they’re ready, and that will make the scene much easier to write.


About the book

Book Two of the Hathor Legacy Series

On the planet, Hathor, an old threat re-emerges that may destroy the fragile alliance between the Guardians and Novacorp.  When Nadira is called to investigate a rash of fires throughout the city, she discovers the Deshtu, another group with PSI powers who have been purposely kept in the shadows.

Working to uncover the source of the fires, Nadira learns the brutal truth about the origin of the Guardians. The Guardian Elders have plans to make Nadira more powerful, and she may be forced to sever her psychic connection to Jonathan Keel.

When an unexpected ally gives Jonathan information about the Deshtu that connects them to the fires, he becomes a convenient scapegoat for the opposing factions. Nadira puts her life on the line to solve the crime, while the Elders make their move to remove Jonathan from her life forever.

As time runs out, the Guardians prepare for a clash with Novacorp that could plunge the planet into chaos, and a final betrayal forces Nadira to risk everything to save herself and Hathor.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LW95G7K

As a little girl when Deborah A Bailey was watching Star Trek and Twilight Zone, she was writing and drawing her own superheroine comics. When she grew up, she continued to write and followed her love of technology into a career as a computer programmer and developer. But writing was never far away from her heart, so over the years she wrote and published stories set on other worlds and in Earth's future.

Ultimately she fulfilled a lifelong dream and completed her first novel in the Hathor Legacy universe, Hathor Legacy: Outcast. Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers' Conference and her work has been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun. She's also the author of a short story collection, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales.

Website: http://www.BrightStreetBooks.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorDeborahB

HATHOR LEGACY: BURN by Deborah A Bailey Giveaway & Mythology

Here's post three about my new science fiction romance, Hathor Legacy: Burn, book two in the Hathor Legacy series.

At the end of the party, one randomly chosen commenter will win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card and a ebook version of the book (either .mobi or .pdf). 


Mythology in the Series

The planet, Hathor was discovered (or will be!) in the year 2234.

The name of the planet is a perfect fit for the theme of the story. Hathor is an Egyptian goddess who symbolizes joy, love and motherhood. In my books, mothers play a key role in shaping the events. Both Jonathan Keel and Nadira’s mothers rebelled against the established order.

Their rebellion ultimately led to Jonathan and Nadira getting together and falling in love, and that relationship will help shake things up in a culture that is controlled by Novacorp, the corporation that runs things on the planet.

Hathor is also known as the “cow goddess,” and her symbol is a sun disk sitting between the horns of a cow. Novacorp’s U-shaped corporate logo is based on that symbol.

Since Hathor is also known as “Mistress of the West,” I had Jonathan’s mother be from that part of the planet. Hathor is the patron goddess of miners–and mining is at the core of the Novacorp economy. Nadira’s mother is named after Minona, a West African deity who protects women and the home. And in the books, her mother takes action to protect Nadira from the forces that want to use her for their own purposes.

Hathor’s mythology is similar to the goddess Isis, and over time a lot of their characteristics were merged. But Isis has her own story, and it inspired me to name the twin moons of Hathor, Isis and Osiris. This relates to the myth of Isis searching for her husband Osiris after his brother Set killed him to assume the throne. There’s a lot more to Isis’ story that I won’t go into here, but I used the imagery to symbolize the journey that Nadira and Jon take when they’re searching for Jon’s father who’s presumed dead.

Jonathan Keel is from the planet Astarte, which is about three days away by space cruiser. Astarte is a goddess who's also known as Ishtar. Known to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, she was also associated with Aphrodite and Isis. Since she's the goddess of love, it's fitting that when Jon arrives on Hathor, he and Nadira are in a romantic relationship at the end of book one.

One of the moons of Astarte is Demeter (where Jon's father is CEO of the mine). In Greek mythology, Demeter went into mourning when her daughter Persephone was taken away by Hades. This is a reference back to Nadira being taken away from her mother so that she could be made into a Guardian.

There are so many mythological stories from across the world. They're an endless source of inspiration for writers and for readers!


About the book

Book Two of the Hathor Legacy Series

On the planet, Hathor, an old threat re-emerges that may destroy the fragile alliance between the Guardians and Novacorp.  When Nadira is called to investigate a rash of fires throughout the city, she discovers the Deshtu, another group with PSI powers who have been purposely kept in the shadows.

Working to uncover the source of the fires, Nadira learns the brutal truth about the origin of the Guardians. The Guardian Elders have plans to make Nadira more powerful, and she may be forced to sever her psychic connection to Jonathan Keel.

When an unexpected ally gives Jonathan information about the Deshtu that connects them to the fires, he becomes a convenient scapegoat for the opposing factions. Nadira puts her life on the line to solve the crime, while the Elders make their move to remove Jonathan from her life forever.

As time runs out, the Guardians prepare for a clash with Novacorp that could plunge the planet into chaos, and a final betrayal forces Nadira to risk everything to save herself and Hathor.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LW95G7K

As a little girl when Deborah A Bailey was watching Star Trek and Twilight Zone, she was writing and drawing her own superheroine comics. When she grew up, she continued to write and followed her love of technology into a career as a computer programmer and developer. But writing was never far away from her heart, so over the years she wrote and published stories set on other worlds and in Earth's future.

Ultimately she fulfilled a lifelong dream and completed her first novel in the Hathor Legacy universe, Hathor Legacy: Outcast. Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers' Conference and her work has been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun. She's also the author of a short story collection, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales.

Website: http://www.BrightStreetBooks.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorDeborahB

HATHOR LEGACY: BURN by Deborah A Bailey Giveaway & Hathor Legacy Worldbuilding

Hi again! Here's post two about my new science fiction romance, Hathor Legacy: Burn, book two in the Hathor Legacy series.

At the end of the party, one randomly chosen commenter will win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card and a ebook version of the book (either .mobi or .pdf). 


Hathor Legacy Worldbuilding – The Guardians

Believe it or not I came up with the idea for the Guardians from watching a PBS documentary on U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Well, there were a few twists and turns between the idea and the execution. After they went into the details of how FDR was infected by the virus that causes polio, I wondered what would happen if that disease was as prevalent in the US today?

From that thought, I got an idea about a virus that would fundamentally change the person who became infected. But instead of having the virus unleashed on Earth, I chose a settlement on another planet. A person who survived the infection would be left with PSI powers. Though not just the ability to read minds or predict the future, they’d also be capable of moving objects and sending out energy blasts.

In book two of the Hathor Legacy series, Hathor Legacy: Burn, I reveal the origin of the Guardians. They’re descendants of settlers who were infected by a virus unleashed after the planet was terraformed and prepared for human habitation.

Instead of being superheroes using their extraordinary powers to save the day, they’re corporate employees doing a job for Novacorp Intergalactic, Inc. Though the Guardians are also separated from the other humans on Hathor, they have their own culture and hierarchies within that culture.

They don’t get to choose their professions and they’re discouraged from having relationships with people outside of their group. Not only that, but once an individual develops abilities and becomes a Guardian, they’re forced to leave their family and give up their family name. Everything is done to strip them of who they were before so they can start a new life with a new identity.

Nadira (the heroine) has to fight convention when she decides to continue her relationship with Jonathan Keel (the hero).  Some Guardians do push back in spite of the pressure to conform. As with any group, there will be outliers, but with the Guardians, if too many of them push back, it could destroy them and completely rip apart the fabric that holds the society together.

Novacorp needs them to hold on to their control, and yet the Guardians are strong enough to overpower them. At the heart of the story, conflict and tension exists between two groups that need each other for survival, yet don’t trust each other. And ultimately this conflict directly impacts the relationship between Nadira and Jonathan.

That’s how I got from FDR to the Guardians. Certainly not what I expected when I sat down to watch that program!


About the book

Book Two of the Hathor Legacy Series

On the planet, Hathor, an old threat re-emerges that may destroy the fragile alliance between the Guardians and Novacorp.  When Nadira is called to investigate a rash of fires throughout the city, she discovers the Deshtu, another group with PSI powers who have been purposely kept in the shadows.

Working to uncover the source of the fires, Nadira learns the brutal truth about the origin of the Guardians. The Guardian Elders have plans to make Nadira more powerful, and she may be forced to sever her psychic connection to Jonathan Keel.

When an unexpected ally gives Jonathan information about the Deshtu that connects them to the fires, he becomes a convenient scapegoat for the opposing factions. Nadira puts her life on the line to solve the crime, while the Elders make their move to remove Jonathan from her life forever.

As time runs out, the Guardians prepare for a clash with Novacorp that could plunge the planet into chaos, and a final betrayal forces Nadira to risk everything to save herself and Hathor.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LW95G7K

As a little girl when Deborah A Bailey was watching Star Trek and Twilight Zone, she was writing and drawing her own superheroine comics. When she grew up, she continued to write and followed her love of technology into a career as a computer programmer and developer. But writing was never far away from her heart, so over the years she wrote and published stories set on other worlds and in Earth's future.

Ultimately she fulfilled a lifelong dream and completed her first novel in the Hathor Legacy universe, Hathor Legacy: Outcast. Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers' Conference and her work has been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun. She's also the author of a short story collection, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales.

Website: http://www.BrightStreetBooks.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorDeborahB

HATHOR LEGACY: BURN by Deborah A Bailey Giveaway & Excerpt

Hi there! I'm excited to share a few excerpts and posts about my new science fiction romance, Hathor Legacy: Burn, book two in the Hathor Legacy series.

At the end of the party, one randomly chosen commenter will win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card and a ebook version of the book (either .mobi or .pdf). 


In this excerpt, (the heroine) Nadira is leaving a gathering where she was called into a private meeting with the members of the Guardian Elders. During a conversation with Mikal, an old childhood friend of hers, she discovers his true feelings about the Elders and about her.

“Whatever the Elders think they can accomplish, it won’t work. But I mustn’t criticize Elder Dakar even if I feel his actions are questionable,” Mikal said.

“Are you going to tell me what you mean by that?” Nadira asked.

Mikal looked off in the distance. “Your transport is coming.”

“You’re not going to answer me?”

“I’m his assistant. It’s not my place say anything against the Elder,” Mikal said.”But I know he’ll do everything in his power to force you to comply with him.”

“None of them can force me. That would be a violation.”

The transport trundled up the street and pulled over to the curb. The door swung back with a hiss.

“They’re desperate and afraid of what Novacorp may do to us, Nadira. And desperate people can do violent things.” He reached out and ran his hand along her cheek.

His touch was like fire against her skin, searing her with his open desire. Startled she jumped back and stumbled. “Mikal, don’t. I have to go.” Brushing past him, she climbed into the vehicle and moved to the opposite side of the seat. Sitting there huddled in the corner, she felt vulnerable, like cornered prey.

“I’m sorry if I was too forward, Nadira,” he said, leaning into the cabin. “My emotions overpowered me.”

About the book

Book Two of the Hathor Legacy Series

On the planet, Hathor, an old threat re-emerges that may destroy the fragile alliance between the Guardians and Novacorp.  When Nadira is called to investigate a rash of fires throughout the city, she discovers the Deshtu, another group with PSI powers who have been purposely kept in the shadows.

Working to uncover the source of the fires, Nadira learns the brutal truth about the origin of the Guardians. The Guardian Elders have plans to make Nadira more powerful, and she may be forced to sever her psychic connection to Jonathan Keel.

When an unexpected ally gives Jonathan information about the Deshtu that connects them to the fires, he becomes a convenient scapegoat for the opposing factions. Nadira puts her life on the line to solve the crime, while the Elders make their move to remove Jonathan from her life forever.

As time runs out, the Guardians prepare for a clash with Novacorp that could plunge the planet into chaos, and a final betrayal forces Nadira to risk everything to save herself and Hathor.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LW95G7K

As a little girl when Deborah A Bailey was watching Star Trek and Twilight Zone, she was writing and drawing her own superheroine comics. When she grew up, she continued to write and followed her love of technology into a career as a computer programmer and developer. But writing was never far away from her heart, so over the years she wrote and published stories set on other worlds and in Earth's future.

Ultimately she fulfilled a lifelong dream and completed her first novel in the Hathor Legacy universe, Hathor Legacy: Outcast. Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers' Conference and her work has been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun. She's also the author of a short story collection, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales.

Website: http://www.BrightStreetBooks.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorDeborahB

HATHOR LEGACY: OUTCAST Giveaway & Excerpt

Happy New Year!

At the end of the party, I'll be drawing the name of a commenter to receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card.

 

Excerpt

Down at the curb, a sparkling white vehicle pulled over and stopped in front of him. Across the street people were lined up waiting for transports. From the looks of them, they were Novacorp workers. Why did they all dress in those boring suits? Even miners' overalls had more color.

Standing back to let the transport door slide open, he scanned the area. No security in sight. Good. They were leaving him alone. Jon was about to climb into the vehicle when he saw a familiar face across the street. Wasn't that Nadira, the Guardian? No. He had to be mistaken.

Wait. A few pedestrians filed past her, blocking his view for a moment. She was looking up at the tower. Squinting as though she could see inside it. What was she looking for?

Their eyes met. Did she just jump, or was he imagining it? Oh no. She did react. He was sure of it. What the hell did she think she was doing by following him?

He looked at the transport, then back over at Nadira. Was that a smirk on her face? Damn it. She was daring him to come over there. So, she thought she could just track him across the city and he couldn't do anything about it? It didn't matter to him if she was a Guardian, or whatever she called herself. He wasn't going to be treated like a common thief.

Jonathan hitched up the strap of his travel bag. He wouldn't even bother to use the pedestrian bridge. It was half a block away and would take too much time.

Walking around the transport, he stepped into the street. There was a break in the traffic. If he moved fast, he could make it across without a problem. The transports were programmed to stop for obstructions. But whether they could stop short if he ran out in front of them was another matter. 

Nadira darted down the side street. She wouldn't get far. Jonathan dodged a couple of passing vehicles on his way across the boulevard.

He made it to the opposite corner and in his haste, banged into a company worker. Flashing Jonathan a scowl, the man smoothed his dark brown jacket. But Jon didn't have time to apologize. Nadira was up ahead, just a beat away from running.

Not that it mattered if she ran. He knew he could get her. She was obviously fit. But he had longer legs. And a lot of practice catching what he wanted.



About the book

On the planet, Hathor, a powerful group called the Guardians serves as the security force for Novacorp, the corporation that runs Hathor with its ruthless monopoly. Nadira, as one of the most powerful Guardians, is expected to use her intuition and telekinetic powers to keep the capital city safe from thieves and intruders.

Jonathan Keel, son of a mine CEO on the nearby planet, Astarte, is wealthy, privileged and used to getting what he wants. When his father goes missing after a robbery and explosion at the mine, he defies the authorities and heads to Hathor to search for him and for the robbers.

Security is on high alert and Nadira is charged with protecting Jon. She rescues him from an vicious attack and discovers that the Guardians have another agenda that has nothing to do with solving the crime.

Jonathan finds evidence of his father's possible involvement, while his attraction to Nadira forces her to confront all she has known about being a Guardian, especially the rule to put duty before her personal feelings.

Struggling with their growing desires, and chased by company security, Jon and Nadira flee the city. But solving the crime leads them to endure betrayals from the people closest to them, as secrets are revealed that not only link their pasts but also threaten to destroy Jon's family and separate him from Nadira forever.

Buy it on Amazon.com for Kindle and in Print.

Visit my blog here: http://www.BrightStreetBooks.com

NOAH'S ARK closes the CHRONICLES OF KASSOUK SERIES, by Vijaya Schartz

NOAH'S ARK
Chronicles of Kassouk: A Prequel
by Vijaya Schartz
Romantic Science Fiction, action, adventure.

http://amzn.com/B007QHHIL4

When Trixie's star freighter, Noah's Ark, drops out of jump space in an uncharted part of the universe, she believes the M-class planet on her viewer represents hope and salvation for her motley crew and the ragtag settlers aboard her ship.

Kostas, ex Space Marine, the expert survivalist recruited for this expedition, doesn't believe in coincidences, and knows that when something looks too good to be true, it usually is.

Everyone on this voyage to seed a new planet with life, is running from something, and harbors dangerous secrets... including Trixie, who vowed to never let a man control her life again. As for Kostas, he would get lynched on the spot if anyone suspected who he really is.

But on this seemingly abandoned planet, others are watching, herding them for evil purposes... And when the truth emerges and secrets unravel, Trixie and Kostas will have to fight for survival, for freedom, and for the right to love...

This the fifth book in the CHRONICLES OF KASSOUK series, but now it comes first, since it takes places centuries before Book One, WHITE TIGER.  Book two is RED LEOPARD, Book Three BLACK JAGUAR, and Book Four BLUE LIONESS. All of these have fabulous covers. The entire series is availalbe in eBooks everywhere, and Book One, WHITE TIGER, is now also available in paperback.

Happy Reading!

Find all Vijaya's books on Amazon HERE

Find out more about Vijaya and her books on her website at:
http://www.vijayaschartz.com/