2012

On May 18, 2012May 6, 2012 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.

This week’s snippet is a departure from SOVRAN’S PAWN. Don’t worry. We aren’t going far. I’ve been hard at work on Book Two of THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, tentatively titled THE WATCHTOWER. Still in the first draft stage it’s nearly ready for the endless revisions to begin. Here is your first look:

***

Without bothering to aim, Bo pulled the trigger, blasting an enormous hole in the wall. She dove through it before the smoke cleared. On the other side, she came up quickly to a crouch and looked around.

Finding herself alone, she rose and moved along the corridor, heading in the general direction of the exit. As she reached a junction, a handful of large, black-clad commandos stepped out from the shadows and opened fire on her. Bo ducked and reversed course, heading back the way she’d come. She passed the hole she’d made just as more armed commandos swarmed through it. She fired at them and turned, racing full speed down the corridor.

The maze of intersecting hallways would have confused even the best sense of direction. Bo alternated left turns and right turns until she finally emerged into a high-walled courtyard.

She bit back a curse. She’d ended up on the wrong side of the compound.

***

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’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 – 05/12/2012

On May 11, 2012May 6, 2012 By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS25 Comments

***

It was a trap – baited to perfection. The only question remaining was how the trap was sprung. She slowly circled the pedestal studying the problem from every angle. The blaster rested on a stand atop the pedestal. She glanced up at the light source. Was the trigger in the light beam or another pressure sensor in the pedestal itself? It went without saying that the weapon’s power cell had been removed. She had extras.

She glanced at her chrono once more. No more time for speculating. If she was going to make a move, she had to do it now. Never one to play it safe, Bo pulled a power cell from one of the pouches on her gunbelt and held it in her left hand. Flexing her right hand and fingers she reached for her sidearm. Taking one more deep breath, she released it in a rush. With lightning reflexes, she snatched the pistol from the pedestal and slammed the power cell into the base of the grip.

Immediately alarms went off and warning lights strobed and flared around her. The door swung shut with a loud clang.

***

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…

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

#SFFSat – 05/05/2012

On May 3, 2012 By jccasselsIn Black Wing Chronicles, SFFS33 Comments

***

Bo Barron stepped lightly across the floortiles. Pressure sensors dotted the floor at random intervals. The key was not to set them off. Moving quickly and with the lithe grace honed by years of zero gee exercises, she slipped through the tangle of sensors unnoticed. Once she reached the fortified door at the far end of the room, she pulled a sequence changer from her pocket and held it close to the door lock.

The changer softly hummed and whined as it manipulated the data inside the locking mechanism. After an interminable moment, the display shifted from red to green and a dull click echoed loudly in the silent chamber.

She palmed the door open and stepped inside. Her amber eyes darted around. In the center of the chamber, on a pedestal and under a brilliant blue light sat the Capre X2S Mergent Arms blaster pistol that had been handed down from Barron to Barron for centuries.

It was too obvious.

She held her position. Her eyes narrowed as she studied the pedestal.

It was a trap.

***

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…

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

#SFFSat – Arcana Double Cross

On April 13, 2012 By jccasselsIn Mercenary Adventures of Blade Devon, 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’s snippet is a departure from SOVRAN’S PAWN. It’s a departure from THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES altogether. This week’s snippet comes to you from one of the lost novels of THE MERCENARY ADVENTURES OF BLADE DEVON. This snippet is from ARCANA DOUBLE CROSS. Blade and his merry band of mercenaries have undertaken the task of rescuing a damsel in distress from the Arcana Hotel and Casino, which is controlled by the Jannus Syndicate. In this scene, they’re starting to get into position.

***

“Get mobbed by women again?” Adin asked with a raised eyebrow. “Serves you right. You look like a pretty boy heart throb out of a holofeature.”

“I am a pretty boy heart throb out of a holofeature,” Blade replied with a wry grin. “What have you found out?”

Adin’s theatrically painted face was completely void of all natural expression. “She’s here. Somehow, I get the feeling that taking her out won’t be as easy as we had planned.”

“She wasn’t kidding about security,” Blade said, glancing around. “This is heavy even for the Jannus Syndicate. If we can’t be subtle let’s be memorable.”

***

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.

#SFFSat – Arcana Double Cross 4/7/2012

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.

***

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

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.

#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

#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