Tag: Hero

Book Review: The Whispering Tombs

On By jccasselsIn Book Review1 Comment

THE WHISPERING TOMBS
A Quality Times Novella
by Gayle Ramage

Love Quality Times! She’s a tongue-in-cheek time-traveling adventurer. Her sidekick, Tim, is a great foil for her jaded demeanor as she’s dragged into an ever-increasingly dangerous adventure with twists and turns to keep you turning the pages! Tim, an unapologetic Whovian, tries telling people he’s a Timelord from Gallifrey, much to Quality’s chagrin.

In their first adventure (of many, I hope) Quality Times and Tim are on a quest to see the universe. With a time machine/space ship that shrinks down to the size of a child’s toy, all of time and space are theirs for the exploring. So where do they go? Why to a resort, of course. That’s where they meet Bob, a self-styled archaeologist complete with safari outfit and pith helmet. Bob’s hunky assistant Qez, a.k.a. Bluey the “sexy police siren” catches Quality’s eye.

Joining forces with Bob and Qez, Quality and Tim try their hand at grave robbing, I mean archaeology, and end up taking on more than they’d anticipated.

The Whispering Tombs is a rollicking good romp complete with betrayal, greed, grave robbing, gunplay and extinct critters that keep popping up at the darnedest moments. It’s a quick and fun escape that ends all-too-quickly and leaves you turning the page looking for more. You’ll gasp with surprise, laugh out loud at some parts and groan at others. All-in-all, expect to be delighted and entertained.

***

Meet Quality Times, just your average 21st century woman who happens to own a shrinkable time machine. Along on her intergalactic adventures is Tim, a self-confessed sci-fi geek who takes everything in his stride.

In ‘The Whispering Tombs’, Quality and Tim are residing at the luxurious Baala Haven Resort, on an unpronounceable planet, when they’re invited on a quest to find ancient hidden treasure by a wealthy alien archaeologist. Reaching the caves of Azrokaran, however, loyalties are tested to the very limits as those within the group reveal their true colours.

A light-hearted mix of science fiction, adventure and humour.

“What’s Next? What’s Next?”

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, Mercenary Adventures of Blade Devon, Update2 Comments

Now that SOVRAN’S PAWN is out in the world for everyone to see, the question I keep getting is “What’s next?” I am delighted to know my meager efforts have been so well-received. I’d like to thank everyone who has already bought an e-copy of my book and assure those waiting for the paperback, that it won’t be long in coming. Look for it sometime in June. Yes, I will have a supply on hand, signed, that I will happily sell direct to you at a discount, plus shipping costs.

As for what’s next, look for ARCANA DOUBLE CROSS sometime this fall. It is the premiere installment of THE MERCENARY ADVENTURES OF BLADE DEVON, a companion series of books featuring the man himself in all his swashbuckling glory. (Be still my heart!) You can find an excerpt under the tab at the top or by clicking the link.

The first draft of Book Two of THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, tentatively titled THE WATCHTOWER, is two-thirds complete. Plans are for a release in Spring 2013, provided we all survive the Zombie Apocalypse of December 2012.

I hope to be spending a lot of time at the beach between now and then, doing research. Much of THE WATCHTOWER is set on the Outland Fringe planet Kah Lahtrec whose people have adopted Blade as a native son. He has a pretty nifty villa on the beach there that was given to him by the Lahtrecki government in recognition for… well, you’re just going to have to wait and see. Book Two is going to be a lot of fun as it introduces some of my favorite characters in the series:  Ballanshi – Tryrium te Kah Lahtrec, his lovely and formidable wife Madine – Tryrine te Kah Lahtrec, and the wizened old holy man Tahar. Book Two also explains the how and why of Blade’s leaving his career in holofeatures for the life of an itinerate mercenary, complete with the scene in the theater which is part of Blade Devon lore.

Not to worry, the romance with Bo continues, as she carries on her quest to clear her name and find her father. Book Two finds Bo settling into her new role as a facilitator in her brother’s organization, and she has learned to have fun. With a new confidence, her puckish sense of humor emerges, but her resolve is put to the test as she draws closer to finding the answers she so desperately seeks, one of which threatens to destroy her relationship with Blade forever.

Now that I’ve told you entirely TOO much, I’m off to get back to work making all of these claims a reality.

#SFFSat – 4-28-2012 SOVRAN’S PAWN

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS27 Comments

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. On the surface, it’s a web ring of authors who post snippets of their work for comment. In reality, it’s a close-knit group of friends and colleagues working together to support and encourage one another and promote the science fiction and fantasy genres.

Today’s snippet returns to SOVRAN’S PAWN. (Released last week and now available in e-book and Kindle on Amazon and Smashwords.)  Tennova, under the guise of offering friendly advice, is warning Blade to leave Bo alone. I hope you enjoy it, and remember ~ Nothing is what it seems…

***

The bartender set three fresh drinks on the bar in front of Tennova. “If you like breathing and want to continue doing so, you’ll stay away from her. I’m only warning you once. If you’re smart,” Tennova winked and scooped up the drinks, “you’ll listen.”

Without waiting for Blade to comment, he backed away from the bar and slipped through the crowd towards his party. Blade watched him go before he picked up his glass once again.

The swiveling lights passed over him, reflecting off an oily prism of color floating on the yellow surface of his drink. He hesitated, then slowly lowered his glass back onto the bar top untasted. Smiling to himself, he slid the drink towards the bartender and pushed himself away from the bar.

Blade didn’t know how he had done it, but while Tennova had distracted him, someone had slipped something into his drink. Exactly what it was, Blade didn’t care to find out.

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!

***

If you’re interested in more about:

SOVRAN’S PAWN

United by extortion, divided by duty, someone wants them both dead. They want each other. The catch is, nothing is what it seems…

Convicted of treason and sentenced to be executed, Bo Barron is the last person who should be infiltrating a Sub-socia weapons auction. But when her father is kidnapped and the ransom demand is the schematics to an experimental weapon, she has no choice but to go under cover with her uncle to get it.

Nobody counted on former-government-agent-turned-holofeature-hero Blade Devon’s infatuation with her. A botched assassination under the guise of a bar brawl leaves Bo blind and Blade wondering if there isn’t more to this job than he was led to believe.

Never able to resist playing the hero, Blade tends her injuries and delves deeper into the intrigue only to find this mission isn’t about a weapon at all. It’s about two Sovrans’ maneuvering for control, with Bo and Blade as their pawns.

All Bo and Blade have to do is figure out how to survive the game they didn’t know they were playing.

#SFFSat – 4-21-2012 SOVRAN’S PAWN

On By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS24 Comments

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. On the surface, it’s a web ring of authors who post snippets of their work for comment. In reality, it’s a close-knit group of friends and colleagues working together to support and encourage one another and promote the science fiction and fantasy genres.

Today’s snippet returns to SOVRAN’S PAWN. (Released yesterday and now available in e-book and Kindle on Amazon and Smashwords.) Begging your indulgence, it’s slightly longer than the usual snippets. I hope you enjoy it, and remember ~ Nothing is what it seems…

***

Lord Marin nodded and studied him with a speculative gleam in his blue eyes. A slow smile curved his lips. “I have an assignment for you, boy.”

“I don’t work for the IC anymore, my Lord.”

“You swore an oath, boy. You work for the IC as long as I say you do. Unless, of course, you’d like to face those desertion charges you seem so proud of.”

It was an empty threat. It had to be. Blade studied his face for some sign that he was bluffing. Finding nothing but a pleasant smile that indicated the Sovran didn’t care one way or another, Blade’s throat tightened.

“You wouldn’t send me to prison,” Blade said with more certainty than he felt. “You don’t want me in prison.”

Marin shook his head. “A wise man would hear me out before digging in his heels.”

Blade reluctantly nodded. “As you say, my Lord.” He clenched his jaw so tightly, he felt a muscle twitch in it.

“I want you to get close to her.”

Blade blinked twice, not certain he heard correctly. “Sir?”

“I want you to cultivate the Barron as an asset. Gain her trust. Get her loyalty.”

“If you want her loyalty, sir, all you have to do is pardon her. She just wants to go home to her people. She wants her honor back.”

“Yes, but I don’t want that. I want to know how important it is to Lord Scull that she dies in disgrace. Keep her openly as your mistress, but keep a professional distance. Never forget she’s only an asset and a potential threat to the stability of the Commonwealth.”

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!

***

If you’re interested in more about:

SOVRAN’S PAWN

United by extortion, divided by duty, someone wants them both dead. They want each other. The catch is, nothing is what it seems…

Convicted of treason and sentenced to be executed, Bo Barron is the last person who should be infiltrating a Sub-socia weapons auction. But when her father is kidnapped and the ransom demand is the schematics to an experimental weapon, she has no choice but to go under cover with her uncle to get it.

Nobody counted on former-government-agent-turned-holofeature-hero Blade Devon’s infatuation with her. A botched assassination under the guise of a bar brawl leaves Bo blind and Blade wondering if there isn’t more to this job than he was led to believe.

Never able to resist playing the hero, Blade tends her injuries and delves deeper into the intrigue only to find this mission isn’t about a weapon at all. It’s about two Sovrans’ maneuvering for control, with Bo and Blade as their pawns.

All Bo and Blade have to do is figure out how to survive the game they didn’t know they were playing.

 

#SFFSat 3/31/2012 – Arcana Double Cross

On By jccasselsIn Mercenary Adventures of Blade Devon, SFFS22 Comments

It’s Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again!

To keep with the theme I’m following on my blog, “Celebrating Big Damn Heroes,” this week’s snippet is a departure from the upcoming release, SOVRAN’S PAWN (April 20). This week’s snippet comes to you from one of the lost novels of THE MERCENARY ADVENTURES OF BLADE DEVON. Set approximately five years after SOVRAN’S PAWN, this snippet from ARCANA DOUBLE CROSS (Fall 2012), finds Blade and his band of merry mercenaries in a firefight in a multilevel promenade filled with restaurants and upscale shops.

***

Blade looked desperately around for the fastest way to the lower level where Nina and Adin were pinned down. He studied the banners with a speculative eye. With a mad flash of inspiration, he raced for the balcony railing, shouldering the rifle as he ran.

“Phinny! Cover me!” 

With Phinny laying down a spray of covering fire, Blade slipped the knife from its sheath and swung his legs over the rail. Giving a mighty effort, he leaped for the nearest banner. Catching a handful of it, he slashed the ties with one quick swipe of the knife. As gravity took over, rending the banner free of its mooring, he slid the knife blade between his teeth and swung the rifle around. 

Blade’s stomach lurched as the floor raced towards him.

***

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.

In case you missed them, here are links to an interview with Blade Devon and the blog post kicking off the Celebration of Big Damn Heroes, complete with a heroes gallery slideshow. Can you spot the inspiration for Blade Devon in the gallery?