Category: SFFS

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday

#SFFSat – 3/17/2012 – Sovran’s Pawn

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS20 Comments
Sovran's Pawn - The COVER!! Designed by Tomomi Ink

Drumroll please… I present for your consideration, the final (really and truly) cover art for SOVRAN’S PAWN. Ta-DAAAAA!!!

It’s Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again! As you may recall, SFFS is a ring of authors who share some of their work each Saturday. Anyone is welcome. The idea is to feature a snippet of your work for others to enjoy.

As you may recall, Bo is onboard a luxury star liner at a Five-Point tournament, charged with obtaining schematics for an experimental phase weapon from Tennova, the young genius who claims to have invented the weapon. Her father has been kidnapped and the ransom demand is for the schematics for this weapon. Still adjusting to her new life as an outlaw, and distracted by her attraction to the charming rascal from the embarkation lounge, her goal of getting close to Tennova isn’t as easily attained as she’d hoped.

***

Pounding bass notes, like thunderous artillery, from the nearby dance club thumped against her chest in time with her heart, calling her away from the revelers in the lounge. Bo squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. Sentiment was a luxury she could ill afford. If she wanted her father back, she would do well to keep her head in the game. Unconsciously, she fell into step in time with the beat of the music.

Explosions of light flashed over the crowded dance floor, illuminating the writhing knot of life forms undulating in whatever passed for dancing in their culture. The deeper shadows of the club suited her mood. As the searchlights swung around, playing across the other side of the club, she spotted Tennova, leaning on a high table, drink in hand, charming a small group of passengers.

Her mind cleared as the last of her personal feelings ebbed away. She had a job to do.

***

Well, that’s the Saturday Snippet for this week! Please don’t forget to comment by clicking on either the blog title or the little quotation balloon in the upper right hand corner. Tell your friends. Stop back here next week for another!

If you want a little more of SOVRAN’S PAWN, BARRON’S LAST STAND, or to learn more about THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, just click on the links.

For past snippets click here:

#SFFSat 2012/03/10 SOVRAN’S PAWN

#SFFSat 2012/03/03 SOVRAN’S PAWN

#SFFSat 2012/02/25 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/02/18 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/02/11 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/02/04 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/01/28 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat  2012/01/21 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/01/14 BARRON’S LAST STAND

#SFFSat 2012/01/07 BARRON’S LAST STAND

#SFFSat 2011/12/17 BARRON’S LAST STAND

#SFFSat – 3/10/2012 – Sovran’s Pawn

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS28 Comments

It’s Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again! As you may recall, SFFS is a ring of authors who share some of their work each Saturday. Anyone is welcome. The idea is to feature a snippet of your work for others to enjoy.

This week’s snippet follows up with Bo and Blade. Waiting in the embarkation lounge to board a luxury starliner for a Five-Point tournament, Bo has learned that her dress is transparent. She’s not sure if Blade, the charming rascal who brought that fact to her attention is helping her, or just trying to pick her up.

***

Chuckling, he leaned closer to her, bracing his hand on the window beside her shoulder, shielding her from the rest of the embarkation lounge with his body.

“Thank you for your gallantry,” she said when she could speak again.

He grinned at her. “I’m not a gentleman under the best of circumstances,” he said. “Don’t confuse gallantry with audacity. I’m the only man here with the balls to turn the situation to my advantage.”

“Oh?”

He took the empty glass from her and set it on the window ledge. “It’s a hell of an opening line, don’t you think? I don’t see anyone else rushing to say, ‘Pardon me, miss, but did you know when you stand here like this I can see you naked?’ Do you? It’s a great conversation starter, impossible to ignore and even more impossible to forget. And I get points for being a gentleman when I’m anything but.”

***

Well, that’s the Saturday Snippet for this week! Please don’t forget to comment by clicking on either the blog title or the little quotation balloon in the upper right hand corner. Tell your friends. Stop back here next week for another!

If you want a little more of SOVRAN’S PAWN, BARRON’S LAST STAND, or to learn more about THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, just click on the links.

For past snippets click here:

#SFFSat 2012/03/03 SOVRAN’S PAWN

#SFFSat 2012/02/25 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/02/18 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/02/11 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/02/04 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/01/28 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat  2012/01/21 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/01/14 BARRON’S LAST STAND

#SFFSat 2012/01/07 BARRON’S LAST STAND

#SFFSat 2011/12/17 BARRON’S LAST STAND

#SFFSat – 3/02/2012 – Sovran’s Pawn

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS17 Comments

Thanks to everyone who took part in the poll to rename THE TENNOVA JOB. I am pleased to announce that SOVRAN’S PAWN was the winner by a landslide! This book is the first installment of THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, the Space Opera series starring Bo Barron and Blade Devon.

It’s Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again! As you may recall, SFFS is a ring of authors who share some of their work each Saturday. Anyone is welcome. The idea is to feature a snippet of your work for others to enjoy.

This week’s snippet moves to a life-changing moment for Bo and Blade. Waiting in the embarkation lounge to board a luxury starliner for a Five-Point tournament, Bo, under cover as a Joy Babe, stands close to the window, taking in the view of the city skyline.  Sensing that she is no longer alone, she looks up and sees a great big, sexy, hunk of man reflected in the window behind her, standing much too close for comfort.

***

Behind her sunshades, Bo rolled her eyes. Here it comes…the pickup line.

“I hope I’m not making you uncomfortable standing so close behind you,” he said.

“I’d prefer you step away.”

He held up his drink and took a sip, studying her reflection before answering. “Now I really doubt that,” he said mischievously as he lowered his glass.

Unable to resist his boyish charm, Bo lifted her chin, fighting back a small smile. “Why do you say that?”

“Because with the sun behind you like it is, your dress is virtually transparent.” He grinned, showing a pair of dimples. “Right now, I’m the only thing standing between this room and a peep show.” He shrugged. “If that’s your intention, I’ll be happy to go over there and ogle you like everyone else.”

***

Well, that’s the Saturday Snippet for this week! Please don’t forget to comment by clicking on either the blog title or the little quotation balloon in the upper right hand corner. Tell your friends. Stop back here next week for another!

If you want a little more of SOVRAN’S PAWN, BARRON’S LAST STAND, or to learn more about THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, just click on the links.

For past snippets click here:

#SFFSat 2012/02/25 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/02/18 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/02/11 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/02/04 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/01/28 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat  2012/01/21 THE TENNOVA JOB

#SFFSat 2012/01/14 BARRON’S LAST STAND

#SFFSat 2012/01/07 BARRON’S LAST STAND

#SFFSat 2011/12/17 BARRON’S LAST STAND

#SFFSat – 2/25/2012 – The Tennova Job

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS21 Comments

It’s Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again! As you may recall, SFFS is a ring of authors who share some of their work each Saturday. Anyone is welcome. The idea is to feature a snippet of your work for others to enjoy.

But first…

I have to change the title of THE TENNOVA JOB before its April publication date. I’m conducting a poll that lets YOU help me choose the title of  The first installment of THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, the Space Opera series starring Bo Barron and Blade Devon. So please, take a moment and vote for your favorite title, or comment to add something completely different. The poll is after the snippet so keep scrolling. I’ll post the results here next week along with the NEW and FINAL cover art!

In this snippet, Blade has just been given his assignment by his former Inner Circle handler:  to infiltrate a Five-Point tournament (as Darien Roarke) and recover the schematics for a Phase Weapon which is being auctioned off. Blade, having left the IC without permission and also without any intention of returning, has told her thanks, but no thanks.

***

“I have my orders, Devon. If you refuse this assignment, they’re not going to keep looking the other way. You’re absent without leave and have been for some time. Barring your complete cooperation I’m to haul you in as a deserter.”

He grinned. “Think you can manage that by yourself? You’re good, Larianne, but you’re not that good.”

“Think about what it would do to your happy little job playing make believe if you went to a high-security prison like Krakato.”

Bracing his fists on his hips, he laughed, unperturbed by the threat. “Is that the best you’ve got? You know as well as I do that not even Krakato could hold me for long.”

She lifted her chin slightly. “I’m surprised you’re willing to go to Krakato at all,” she went on crisply, “knowing that your brother is in a very dangerous line of work. It would be terrible if he were to have an accident while you were a guest of the Commonwealth. You’ve already lost one brother to an accident, haven’t you?”

***

Well, that’s the Saturday Snippet for this week! Please don’t forget to comment by clicking on either the blog title or the little quotation balloon in the upper right hand corner. Tell your friends. Stop back here next week for another!

If you want a little more of THE TENNOVA JOB, BARRON’S LAST STAND, or to learn more about THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, just click on the links.

For past snippets click here:

#SFFSat 2012/02/18

#SFFSat 2012/02/11

#SFFSat 2012/02/04

#SFFSat 2012/01/28

#SFFSat  2012/01/21

#SFFSat 2012/01/14

#SFFSat 2012/01/07

#SFFSat 2011/12/17

#SFFSat – 2/18/2012 – The Tennova Job

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS14 Comments

It’s Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again! As you may recall, SFFS is a ring of authors who share some of their work each Saturday. Anyone is welcome. The idea is to feature a snippet of your work for others to enjoy.

The cover art and blurb for THE TENNOVA JOB have been finalized, but it still does not yet have a publication date. This book is the first installment of THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, the Space Opera series starring Bo Barron and Blade Devon.

This scene is Blade’s introduction to the series. During the course of this scene we learn that he is a man with many aliases. He is a deserter and a burn out. Tonight, Blade has donned the persona of Darien Roarke, a gambler, in order to play in a Five Point Tourney in a night club in the Third Sector, and he has no idea that events have been set into motion that are going to change his life forever. Aware that he is being followed,  he isn’t exactly surprised when one of the “predatory females” propositioning him turns out to be someone he knows well and isn’t happy to see.

***

He would have asked anyone else how they’d managed to find him and follow him without being seen, but he didn’t have to. She’d been his handler. Of all the Inner Circle Agents in the First Sector, she probably knew him better than anyone.

“So what do you plan to do with me?” he asked lightly. “Now that you’ve caught me.”

She lifted a delicate eyebrow. “You don’t think I came all this way for a Five Point game do you?”

With a casual ease he didn’t feel, he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her with him onto the dance floor. “I did come here for a Five Point game,” he said. “I don’t intend to go anywhere until I’ve won enough credits to cover my stake.”

***

Well, that’s the Saturday Snippet for this week! Please don’t forget to comment by clicking on either the blog title or the little quotation balloon in the upper right hand corner. Tell your friends. Stop back here next week for another!

If you want a little more of THE TENNOVA JOB, BARRON’S LAST STAND, or to learn more about THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, just click on the links.

For past snippets click here:

#SFFSat 2012/02/11

#SFFSat 2012/02/04

#SFFSat 2012/01/28

#SFFSat  2012/01/21

#SFFSat 2012/01/14

#SFFSat 2012/01/07

#SFFSat 2011/12/17

#SFFSat – 2/11/2012 – The Tennova Job

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS27 Comments

It’s Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again! As you may recall, SFFS is a ring of authors who share some of their work each Saturday. Anyone is welcome. The idea is to feature a snippet of your work for others to enjoy.

The cover art and blurb for THE TENNOVA JOB have been finalized, but it still does not yet have a publication date. This book is the first installment of THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, the Space Opera series starring Bo Barron and Blade Devon.

This scene is Blade’s introduction to the series. During the course of this scene we learn that he is a man with many aliases. He is a deserter and a burn out. Tonight, Blade has donned the persona of Darien Roarke, a gambler, in order to play in a Five Point Tourney in a night club in the Third Sector, and he has no idea that events have been set into motion that are going to change his life forever. Aware that he is being followed,  he isn’t exactly surprised when one of the “predatory females” propositioning him turns out to be someone he knows well and isn’t happy to see.

***

 He steeled himself as he turned to face her.  Her attractive, angular face, pale in the harsh extremes of light and shadow, lifted to his. Though she was tall for a female, she still had to look up at him. A spiky, close-cropped crown of hair, black as deep space, glistened under the flashing lights. The black shimmersilk dress fit her like a second skin revealing more of her lean, athletic body than it concealed. Tracing his shoulders and chest with long, manicured fingers, she undulated around him with a sensual grace that could only come from years of practice.

“You know this isn’t a social visit,” she purred.

“Of course not.”

He studied her with tightly leashed expectancy. Many men had underestimated Larianne Varo to their detriment. He knew better.

***

Well, that’s the Saturday Snippet for this week! Please don’t forget to comment by clicking on either the blog title or the little quotation balloon in the upper right hand corner. Tell your friends. Stop back here next week for another!

If you want a little more of THE TENNOVA JOB, BARRON’S LAST STAND, or to learn more about THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, just click on the links.

For past snippets click here:

#SFFSat 2012/02/04

#SFFSat 2012/01/28

#SFFSat  2012/01/21

#SFFSat 2012/01/14

#SFFSat 2012/01/07

#SFFSat 2011/12/17

#SFFSat – 2/04/2012 – The Tennova Job

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS28 Comments

It’s Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again! As you may recall, SFFS is a ring of authors who share some of their work each Saturday. Anyone is welcome. The idea is to feature a snippet of your work for others to enjoy.

Recently I completed the latest revisions of THE TENNOVA JOB which is starting to make the rounds in hopes of publication. This book is the first installment of THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, the Space Opera series starring Bo Barron and Blade Devon.

This scene is Blade’s introduction to the series. During the course of this scene we learn that he is a man with many aliases. He is a deserter and a burn out. Tonight, Blade has donned the persona of Darien Roarke, a gambler, in order to play in a Five Point Tourney in a night club in the Third Sector, and he has no idea that events have been set into motion that are going to change his life forever.

***

He stopped at the edge of the balcony overlooking the establishment and patiently studied his surroundings. Surreal lights in shades of blues and reds cast odd shadows on the walls and floor. Mirrored surfaces reflected the lights and created a greater illusion of space. Tables scattered across the next level down huddled around a stage and a dance floor. Joy Babes and sky hoppers lounged on the stairs, on landings, benches, or leaned against railings and columns alongside amateurs looking for companionship, their next fix, or their next ride off planet.

Tucking his hands into the pockets of his long black coat, he slowly made his way down the curving stairs, carefully keeping to the middle, well away from the predatory females holding vigil as he passed. More than one gave him a speculative look or a welcoming smile. He was pragmatic enough to credit their interest to his expensive clothes and not any other particular allure he may possess. While there was some off chance he’d been recognized, he doubted any of them could put the correct name to his face. If they had, they would likely have been more aggressive in their approach.

***

Well, that’s the Saturday Snippet for this week! Please don’t forget to comment by clicking on either the blog title or the little quotation balloon in the upper right hand corner. Tell your friends. Stop back here next week for another!

If you want a little more of THE TENNOVA JOB, BARRON’S LAST STAND, or to learn more about THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, just click on the links.

For past snippets click here:

#SFFSat 2012/01/28

#SFFSat  2012/01/21

#SFFSat 2012/01/14

#SFFSat 2012/01/07

#SFFSat 2011/12/17

#SFFSat – 1/28/2012 – The Tennova Job

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS25 Comments

It’s Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again! As you may recall, SFFS is a ring of authors who share some of their work each Saturday. Anyone is welcome. The idea is to feature a snippet of your work for others to enjoy.

Recently I completed the latest revisions of THE TENNOVA JOB which is starting to make the rounds in hopes of publication. This book is the first installment of THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, the Space Opera series starring Bo Barron and Blade Devon.

This scene is Blade’s introduction to the series. During the course of this scene we learn that he is a man with many aliases. He is a deserter and a burn out. Tonight, Blade has donned the persona of Darien Roarke, a gambler, in order to play in a Five Point Tourney in a night club in the Third Sector, and he has no idea that events have been set into motion that are going to change his life forever.

***

He was being hunted. After all these years, he knew when someone was after him. His lips quirked into a small smile. Let them come.

He stepped out onto the sidewalk from the underground mass-transit station, leaving the cloying odor of exhaust fumes mixed with stale urine behind him. His blue eyes studied the scene, taking every minute detail in a glance. Spotting no imminent threat to life or limb, he oriented himself by the street signs and headed off in search of his evening’s entertainment. The occasional ground cruiser sped past sending an acrid wave of exhaust fumes roiling towards him. He breathed deeply, reveling in the sheer baseness of it.

That was the beauty of Third Sector cosmopolitan areas like Linnes IV. You still had the modern conveniences of the Inner Commonwealth without the sterile conformity of places like Trisdos or Cormoran. It was still possible to engage in countless forms of vice, all of varying forms of legality.

***

Well, that’s the Saturday Snippet for this week! Please don’t forget to comment by clicking on either the blog title or the little quotation balloon in the upper right hand corner. Tell your friends. Stop back here next week for another!

If you want a little more of THE TENNOVA JOB, BARRON’S LAST STAND, or to learn more about THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, just click on the links.

For past snippets click here:

#SFFSat  2012/01/21

#SFFSat 2012/01/14

#SFFSat 2012/01/07

#SFFSat 2011/12/17

SFFS – 1/21/2012 – The Tennova Job

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS, Uncategorized23 Comments

It’s Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again! As you may recall, SFFS is a ring of authors who share some of their work each Saturday. Anyone is welcome. The idea is to feature a snippet (ten sentences or less) of your work for others to enjoy.

I’m glad everyone has been enjoying BARRON’S LAST STAND, but I’ve decided to shake it up a little today with a snippet from THE TENNOVA JOB. This book is the first installment of THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, the Space Opera series starring Bo Barron and Blade Devon. It is the prequel, if you will, to BARRON’S LAST STAND.

This scene occurs very early in Bo and Blade’s relationship. They don’t even know each other’s real names because they’re both under cover. Her father has been kidnapped and she has to steal a set of plans being offered on the black market if she wants to get him back. Blade has been coerced by the Inner Circle to return to work on “one last mission” to obtain said plans. Bo was blinded in a bar fight and Blade, a former military medic, has been tending to her injuries. After a rare attack of conscience, he’s decided that she would be safer if he sent her home. Unwilling to leave without the plans, she was reduced to begging for his help, but she can’t tell him why without placing her own life in danger.

***

“Somebody has you scared,” he said. “You’re not used to being scared, are you?”

Biting back her tears, Bo shook her head.

“You’re not used to swallowing your pride and begging, either. This must be something pretty big… important.”

He sighed.

“Ah hell… I’m a sucker for the chance to play the hero.” Disdain dripped from his tone. “Of course I’m going to help you. Blind, beautiful, helpless, mysterious… no holofeature writer could have come up with a better script for me. You’d better stop crying before I have to change your bandages again.”

***

THE TENNOVA JOB is currently making the rounds of slush piles everywhere.

I hope you have enjoyed this little snippet, don’t forget to check out the other wonderful authors in the web ring and please comment – writing is a lonely business and we’re such needy neurotic types we need to know our work is appreciated – or maybe that’s just me.

What Are The Black Wing Chronicles?

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFSLeave a comment

Between the Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday Snippets and my excerpts, I’ve been getting some questions about BARRON’S LAST STAND and THE TENNOVA JOB. As more people are introduced to the characters and the ‘verse I’ve created, I suppose I should take the time to make the proper introductions.

I’ve been working on developing a Space Opera series of books called THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES. No, I don’t have a publisher for them – yet! While I have other Works In Progress (WIPs) the lion’s share of my effort has gone into THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES.

A HISTORY

First begun a little more than twenty years ago, this series started out as a single SF Romance novel – one book with a kick-butt heroine. After discarding two other potential heroes to win her heart, the soldier-turned-actor-turned-mercenary Blade Devon really captured my imagination. Yes, I’m not ashamed to admit that I fell head over heels in love with him. I finished the novel and sent it on its rounds. It was promptly rejected by some of the finest romance publishing houses in the business in the 1990’s. Looking back, I can see how it wasn’t something they were ready for at the time. So I set it aside to focus on honing my story craft skills, and to make a living as a freelance writer while I learned.

At a writer’s conference I was both covering and attending, I had the good fortune to speak at length with two of my heroes in SF – Piers Anthony and Ben Bova. On advice from both gentlemen, and with a promise from the late Barbara Bova to take a look at the next attempt, I went back to the drawing board and worked like a fiend on setting the groundwork for the series.

For varying personal reasons, (death, divorce, marriage, children) the series got pushed aside while life intruded. It sat for more than ten years before I pulled it out and fell in love with the characters and their ‘verse all over again. These characters will not leave me alone until their story is told. I have other stories, other characters, wanting to see the light of day, but Bo and Blade will not accept any more delays, and they are quite insistent. NOW!! They say. I must tell their story NOW!!!

At first, I focused on BARRON’S LAST STAND believing it to be the strongest story, and the one that stood alone with the greatest ease. But the more I worked on it, and the closer I got to completion, the more I realized that, while it does stand alone, much of the best parts of the ‘verse in which these characters lived and operated was lost without the rest of the series for reference.

So with a submission call from a publisher in mind, I switched my efforts to THE TENNOVA JOB, the tentatively titled first installment in THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES. What began as a novella has evolved into a more complex novel laying the groundwork for the remainder of the series. THE TENNOVA JOB is about to undergo a name change as it approaches a final draft. I’m leaning towards BARRON’S FALL, because it begins with The Barron’s fall from grace and sets her on course to save the Commonwealth.