2012

On April 6, 2012April 2, 2012 By jccasselsIn Mercenary Adventures of Blade Devon, SFFS15 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 another 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), Blade’s contract negotiations with a new client were interrupted by a group of heavily armed men opening fire on them. While his associates cover their escape, Blade and the girl slip out the back.

***

They came out in the dim glow of the street lamp. Something scratched against the pavement to his left. Blade turned, shoving the girl behind him. His every sense screamed, warning him of danger, without conscious thought, he raised his weapon and fired. A humanoid form melted out of the inky shadows and collapsed in the orange pool of light. Beside him, landed his sidearm, still unfired. Blade stared at the apparition for only a second or two, then he turned and pulled Caitlin with him along the alley. Reaching the street, he slowed and pressed deeper into the shadows. His sharp gaze flicked up and down the street, peering into shadows.

While marching into a club in force and opening fire on the mark was typical of syndicate tactics, it also flushed the quarry out of a more defensible position into the open where they would be more exposed and vulnerable. Rather than racing out into the open street, Blade patiently held position in the shadows at the mouth of the alley scanning the buildings and surrounding rooftops for any signs of a sniper waiting to pick them off.

***

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.

Sovran’s Pawn Blog Tour Dates Announced

On April 2, 2012April 1, 2012 By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, Update, WritingLeave a comment

SOVRAN’S PAWN, Book One of The Black Wing Chronicles…

…is on schedule to be released on April 20 in e-book format. Look for it on Amazon and Smashwords.

JC Cassels – Big Damn Hero Blog Tour Dates

Apr 16 TK Toppin pt 1
http://www.tktoppin.blogspot.com/

Apr 18 Pauline Baird
http://www.paulinebjones.com/

Apr 20 Publication and launch with SFFSat (with a snippet from SOVRAN’S PAWN)
https://jccassels.wordpress.com/
http://misa-buckley.blogspot.co.uk

Apr 23 TK Toppin pt 2
http://www.tktoppin.blogspot.com/

Apr 24 Space Freighters Lounge
http://spacefreighters.blogspot.com/

Apr 25 Pippa Jay
http://www.pippajay.blogspot.com/

May 2 Imogene Nix
http://www.imogenenix.blogspot.com/

Dates TBA:
http://westofmars.com/blog/

HEIDI’S PICK SIX:
http://heidirubymiller.blogspot.com/

Participants who comment will be chosen at random for a FREE e-copy of SOVRAN’S PAWN.

Check back here for more information as it develops.

#SFFSat 3/31/2012 – Arcana Double Cross

On March 30, 2012March 28, 2012 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.

***

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?

#SFFSat – 3/24/2012 – Sovran’s Pawn

On March 23, 2012 By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS24 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, Bo has met up with her uncle and gone into the VIP lounge to find and contact Tennova.

***

“I haven’t seen the man I’m supposed to meet with, yet,” he said quietly, sliding his data reader across the table.

Glancing down, Bo studied the angular face of the man they were looking for. She quickly hid her relief – not her dark-haired champion.

“He’s young,” she commented.

“Yeah, he’s about your age, but don’t let that fool you. He’s some kind of boy genius. He’s got schematics for a phase weapon that he says can rip a hole in space.”

It took all of Bo’s self-control not to react to that information. Instead, she forced a smile and switched off the data reader.

“Tell me about him.”

***

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.

New Title – New Cover

On March 14, 2012 By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles1 Comment

As the countdown begins to publication for the first installment of The Black Wing Chronicles, all of the pieces click into place.

First the title change to Sovran’s Pawn and now I’m pleased to announce an exciting new cover from Tomomi Ink, who also has designed covers for the fabulous TM Hunter’s Aston West series as well as rising new author Patrick Stutzman’s Alone on the Edge.

I’ll be unveiling the new cover on Saturday. Prepare to be amazed! It’s much better than this one!

#SFFSat – 3/10/2012 – Sovran’s Pawn

On March 8, 2012 By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS28 Comments

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.”

***

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

Book Review – Ambasadora by Heidi Ruby Miller

On March 5, 2012March 5, 2012 By jccasselsIn Book Review2 Comments

From the first pages, Ambasadora had me hooked. I couldn’t wait to see where author Heidi Ruby Miller was taking this story. Her well-conceived, and very complex society explores so many avenues of human nature, making me question why our societal mores are what they are.

I fell in love with the characters. She did a brilliant job of fleshing out the bad guys and making them sympathetic as well. The good guys are suitably heroic with just the right mix of human fallibility to keep them interesting. Until the end, I was never entirely sure which romantic interest was going to end up with whom, and my doubts made perfect sense given the society Miller created.

The only difficulty I ran into was on a personal level. Being a Tampa native, it was disconcerting to me to read about the four moons, all named Tampa, and then reading about the Hub, which is also well-known bar in downtown Tampa, oft frequented in my misspent youth. That gave me a chuckle and I enjoyed sharing what I considered a sly inside joke with the author. But Miller’s brilliant and vivid descriptions soon made me forget all that as I found myself hip-deep in the worlds she’s created.

This book has it all, action, adventure, political intrigue, science gone wild, cyberpunks, social commentary, and romance. It will leave you breathless and clamoring for more.

Ambasadora is a definite E-ticket ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages well into the night. I already have my copy of Greenshift, the prequel to Ambasadora, and I cannot wait to start reading it! But first, I have to catch my breath from Ambasasora.

***

If everyone told you love wasn’t real, would you still be willing to die for it?

Sara Mendoza and Sean Cryer are.

In their multi-partner, caste-ruled society, love and jealousy are considered emotional fallacies, nothing more than fleeting moods and sentiments biased by hormones. Relationships and conceptions in this world obsessed with celebrity, beauty, and power are based on DNA and lineages…or should be. But not everyone believes in the ruling traditions of the all-powerful Embassy. A quiet rebellion prowls the dark underground of this shiny world where techno-militants calling themselves fraggers grow in numbers and bravado. The Embassy intends to silence the fragger movement before the heresy of equality spreads throughout the system.

Sara Mendoza is part of the Embassy’s plan. Captured, tortured, and falsely accused of treason, she is given a chance to win back her freedom. She only needs to charm information from one of the fragger leaders, then kill him. But by the time she figures out the Embassy’s intel is flawed and that Sean Cryer is her true mark, she’s already in love with him.

Sean knows why Sara is on his ship from the start, but as a lonely, anti-social doser, he doesn’t value his life, only his ideology within the fragger organization. Against his better judgment, he becomes her protector, each day caring more about a future he was always afraid to hope for.

***

If you’d like to purchase Ambasadora or Greenshift,

you can find them on Amazon:

#SFFSat – 3/02/2012 – Sovran’s Pawn

On March 2, 2012March 2, 2012 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.

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.”

***

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

Sneak Peek at cover art for ARCANA DOUBLE CROSS

On February 27, 2012February 27, 2012 By jccasselsIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Busy, busy around here getting ready for the April release of the first installment of The Black Wing Chronicles. Let’s not forget that coming up in a few months, is the release of ARCANA DOUBLE CROSS, one of the recovered novels in The Mercenary Adventures of Blade Devon.

Here’s a first look at the cover art in progress! What do you think? No, those aren’t flames in the silhouette of the girl, it’s part of a nebula – in keeping with the nebula theme – see the stars? Inspiration came from covers of classic Men’s Adventure novels, namely James Bond. Here for your amusement, are the old CASINO ROYALE covers that inspired various elements. How did we do? Did we pay proper homage to these classics?

#SFFSat – 2/25/2012 – The Tennova Job

On February 24, 2012February 24, 2012 By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS21 Comments

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?”

***

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: