Question of the Week

Q: As your Kalquorian universe matures, and the two races continue to evolve together, do you see Earthers  finding ways to adapt to the three tier society and embracing their Dramok, Nobek, or Imdiko traits? Could an adult male (or female :D ) who was never tested and classified as a child be recognized within the Kalquorian culture as a breed type? 

A: Some Kalquorians will look at their Earther mates and friends and say, "You are just like a (breed)." I don't believe as a culture they would try to classify the group. They are more likely to concentrate on the hybrid children as they are born. Classification is mostly a method of steering a child towards a life path that meets their temperaments, especially in the case of the Nobeks.

Thanks for the question!

Do you have a question for me? If so, leave it in the comments section, and I might answer it in a future blog.

Please note, I may not answer some questions because they could give away some upcoming plots in future books.

Shalia's Diary Thursday Post

The (mostly) sweet smell of success. https://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Thoughts on Shalia: A Bracelet Short on Charm…and a Dramok to Match

I was sure I knew how Shalia’s Diary would finish its run by Book 6, though I had no idea how far into the future that end was. It was clear Shalia had to be prepared for what I was going to throw at her when the time came.

But meanwhile, she still had a substantial spaceflight ahead of her. What new and exciting adventures could our intrepid heroine find?

Enter one of my favorite sci-fi tropes, the episode that must show up in all the television shows: an alien takeover of the unwitting hero. Let there be alien technology our unaware protagonist comes in contact with. Let there be—jewelry. I embarked on my version of a favorite theme.

The It was another book villain that went darker than I’d anticipated. It wasn’t as bad as Finiuld in Book 4, but it still gave me the heebie-jeebies. Turning Shalia into a killer, threatening the baby, and that mindless determination to eradicate everything that was less than perfect—it brought me more than a fair share of shudders.

However, it gave Shalia the impetus to become a stronger woman in Book 7, scoring the tools for all the trouble coming her way. With baby Anrel now arrived, the ability to fend off Nang’s potential arrival became paramount. Enter Resan, false hope for all those who hoped Betra and Oses would find themselves a Dramok and be able to clan Shalia.

Yes, it was always my intention to have Resan end up with the unconventional pairing of Betra and Oses. No, I was not trying to lead readers on with the idea Shalia might find her happily-ever-after with that trio. Even when hate-sex happened between our battling pair, even when Shalia went all out to save Resan’s life, I did my best to make it clear they were never going to like each other. They might find grudging respect in the end, but that matter of a mutual aversion was not going to budge. Theirs is a match made in hell. We need to count our blessings they survived being on the same ship.

Then, at last, the Kalquorian Empire. For me, Book 8 was the long goodbye even as Shalia said hello to her new home for the first time. There were a great many firsts to cover, and I celebrated along with the gang as Katrina had her clanning ceremony, as Candy met Stidmun and realized she was more of a one-man woman, as our lovelorn Mataras landed on Kalquor, as Shalia met Clan Seot face to face.

The inevitable farewell was upon me too. I lingered over it, determined that Shalia, Betra, and Oses would have a memorable parting, one that was worthy of their ill-fated love. They deserved that. We deserved it too.

It brought us to the close of one era in Shalia’s Diary. The final stretch was left. I was convinced I knew how the rest of the story would play, how and when it would end. I wasn’t entirely right, as it turned out. Shalia wasn’t done surprising me.

Welcome to Risnar

Does anyone remember a couple of years back when I was working on a book I was calling ‘Portals of Risnar’? No? Maybe? I know a couple of you do, because you’ve asked me about it recently.

In all that time, I’ve been working diligently—nay, frantically—to write the first three books for what is now dubbed the Warriors of Risnar series. The first book, Not of This World, is scheduled for release February 5, 2018 from Carina Press.

Risnar is beautiful, at least in the locations where it’s not dying off. At night, the blue gas giant Caldi hangs in the sky. Flowers glow under its eerie light. From the outside, it looks untouched by industry, though if you venture into any village temple complex, you’ll find scientific wonders beyond your imaginings.

The first village we will visit is Hahz, which is near a great stretch of woods. It’s one of the smaller villages, with much of its male population involved in farming. Not exactly a beacon of industry and activity. Just a nice, quiet village, unaware it’s about to become ground zero for an event that will change the futures of two planets forever.

The Risnarish are not entirely unprepared for it. A deadly secret lies beyond the borders of Hahz, one the males train from an early age to fight. Raised to defend, honed to warrior perfection, the men stand ready for every challenge…except for the one heading their way.

Ah, yes. The men. Let’s talk about those fine fellows, shall we? Stripes. Fox-like ears. Zebra manes. Silver eyes with eight-point starburst pupils. Skin that armors in dangerous situations. The men of Risnar are quite interesting to look at.

Oh, and they can grow extra appendages. Like fingers. Opposable thumbs on their feet. Tails. And…stuff. Stuff they can enlarge, reshape, elongate, vibrate. You know…stuff.

They’re lonely. The Risnarish women give them the physical satisfaction they need, but the emotional investment is missing. The women are all about spiritual enlightenment. The sexual release thing is okay, but they’d really rather be off meditating, being one with the All-Spirit.

Poor Risnarish men. So lonely for meaningful contact that isn’t a bromance. If only they had access to another world, one with women who weren’t quite so distant. Women who like committed relationships, who appreciate strong, brave men who are hungry for the same. If only…

Risnarish Head Enforcer Kren Clauhahz Bolep is about to meet a woman from Earth. The woman who calls herself Jeannie holds the key to the salvation of Earth and Risnar…or spells their doom. Kren’s head tells him she might have to be destroyed. His heart says he must protect her at all costs.

Warriors of Risnar: Not of This World

He was her savior, but she was his salvation.

Jeannie Gardner escapes from her captors’ clutches only to find herself trapped on a planet far from Earth. When she is discovered by a muscle-bound warrior, she must prove to him, and the Council of Elders, that she is not a creature set free from a lab, but a sentient being from another planet.

If she succeeds, they will send her home. If she fails, she will be executed.

Risnar warrior Kren Bolep is duty bound to protect his village from the Monsuda and their creations. But this small pink-skinned female is different, special. As the bond between them grows, Jeannie’s vulnerability invokes Kren’s protective instincts, and he vows to uncover the truth and secure her future.

But there is a bigger threat looming. The Monsuda are coming to get Jeannie, and they’ll use whatever means necessary. When Jeannie is taken, Kren is forced to choose—disobey the Elders and place his people in danger, or lose the only person who makes him feel whole.

Now available for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Shalia's Diary Monday Post

Egging on success. https://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/