Hey there, cherished bloggers! It feels like ages since I last posted, and boy, have I missed the interactions and connections forged here.
But I’m here now, and I’m excited to share the big news that’s been brewing during these past few months. As you know, a writer’s journey is never a straight line, and mine has taken some unexpected twists and turns. The silence on the blog may have left you wondering, but fear not – it was merely the calm before the storm, the hushed anticipation before the grand reveal. Today, I am thrilled to break the silence and announce that I have a new trilogy out!
Ten years ago, Captain Colderaro was the star of the Confederacy Task Force. And then she disappeared.
Now, presumed dead, she prefers to keep a low profile. Working as a pilot on a freighter ship, she occasionally accepts the odd refugee passenger to appease her humanitarian conscience. But things go downhill when her cargo turns out to be none other than the princess of a foreign race and her two bodyguards.
Embroiled in a galaxy-wide scheme, Captain Colderaro finds herself dodging the Confederacy Task Force, space pirates, and mercenaries intent on capturing the princess.
Can she make it to the foreign planet without losing or damaging her cargo and still protect her identity?
Praise for Splendor’s Orbit
– “This well-crafted novel delivers pulse-pounding action and exceptional world-building, a vivid universe. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put the book down.”
– “Splendor’s Orbit is an action-packed and adventure filled story with incredible world building and a storyline that simply holds you captive from start to finish. Captain Colderaro Is a kick ass, fearless pilot of a freight ship who has a past that she doesn’t want coming out!” I’d love it if you could help me spread the word. Your support and encouragement means a lot to me—it’s the driving force propelling me forward, and for that, I am immensely grateful.
PS: The images above are supposed to be all three covers displayed in a slide show. Apologies if that’s not how it’s showing. 😉
I’m thrilled to announce that my next release, Splendor’s Orbit, is up for preorder!
This one is a sci-fi adventure and the first in a trilogy that I plan to rapid release (I’m currently revising book 3).
Ten years ago, Captain Colderaro was the star of the Confederacy Task Force. And then she disappeared.
Now, presumed MIA, she prefers to keep a low profile. Working as a pilot on a freighter ship, she occasionally accepts the odd refugee passenger to appease her humanitarian conscience. But things go downhill when her cargo turns out to be none other than the princess of a foreign race and her two bodyguards.
Embroiled in a galaxy-wide scheme, Captain Colderaro finds herself dodging the Confederacy Task Force, space pirates, and mercenaries intent on catching the princess.
Can she make it to the foreign planet without losing or damaging her cargo and still protect her identity?
***
If you’re interested in an early copy for free in exchange of an honest review, fill up the form below and I’ll get back to you:
It only took me three years, abundant frustration, several splitting headaches, dealing with 4 providers, and a few dozen complaints to customer support.
But it finally happened! ✌
For those of you who have asked to subscribe, here’s your chance:
It so happened that being a storyteller meant that now and again, my kids benefit from wild, entertaining tales. In the past couple years, I’ve been making up stories about their Nana and her nightly escapades as a dinosaur hunter, or zombie exterminator, even that she secretly is an alien ambassador. Mounted on a bike dressed in leather, or riding Black, the German Shepherd that can shift into a Pegasus, their Nana is a fierce guardian.
So it was only natural that after too much nagging (from the kids, the neighbor’s kids, and even Nana herself) that I sat and wrote those stories.
Welcome to Cruxil, the planet adjacent to Earth, where horses can fly, dinosaurs exist, and magic is real.
When my sister and I went to Grandma’s for the weekend, I expected to spend my time playing games, eating sweets, and trying not to die from boredom. Little did I know that I’d spend the evening being chased by a dinosaur, attacked by a hydra, much less that I’d cap the night facing off with a giant frog.
I thought Grandma Mimi was a sweet, eccentric old lady with a walking stick and a penchant for gossip. And boy, was I wrong.
My grandmother, The Zombie exterminator
Step into this fun fantasy adventure where two siblings follow their grandma into a world of zombies, three-foot-tall spiders, and a motorcycle chase.
I thought being Grandma’s apprentice meant wielding magic spears and riding flying horses. I thought people would cheer our passage, send us gifts, and graffiti our names on brick walls.
I didn’t think I’d spend our weekends in Grandma’s moth-stinking basement, doing my best to avoid getting beaten by an old lady with a staff twice her size and a ninja attitude.
And When Grandma gets an SOS call?
My sister and I refuse to stay back and let Grandma have all the fun.
We thought we were going to kick zombie tush, but with Grandma Mimi in the mix, we got much more than we bargained for.
My Grandmother, The Alien Ambassador
Four weeks ago, my sister and I stumbled into Grandma Mimi’s maple tree. We came out into another planet, only to find ourselves being chased by a dinosaur.
Since then, the ordinary that used to be my life had been tossed around, choked, and stabbed to death.
That’s why, when a spaceship appears during a fun mid-year festivity, my first thought is that whatever the aliens want, they’ve just ruined a great party.
And it had only just started.
All three books are a quick read and currently on sale for $0.99
“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” – Andy Warhol
It’s been so long since I’ve last posted. I blink and it’s Friday, blink again, and it’s still Friday–in another week, maybe a new month. I feel betrayed by the way time flies by. So much to do, and never enough time for them all.
Well, I did manage to accomplish a few things since my last post. I’ve published a whole series and written the draft of a new novella. The banner above was done by my son, and I’ve been slowly sharing it over social media, because apparently I can no longer manage them all on the same day and still function as a human being.
Managing ads also takes a lot of time. And since I’m failing miserably, I’m considering tucking tail and looking for a publishing house to wash my hands of the marketing I suck at. At the very least, I’d have more free time.
Anyone who knows of a good publishing house that actually can do marketing, or a foolproof way to manage ads with success, I’d appreciate greatly a head’s up.
Either way, I just wanted to share the banner, let y’all know I’m well and alive and still plan to blog now and again.
These are four of the books I read this month that I just couldn’t help but share here.
Come check them out!
Note: All images here were taken from Goodreads.
Wicked Bleu by E. Denise Billups
This is a story about love, murder, jealousy, friendship, among other themes, all mixed and woven into a complex storytelling.
Author E. Denise Billups has a unique writing style that captivates and fascinates. There hasn’t been a book by this author that I haven’t enjoyed.
Simone’s compassionate and kind, a tough lady, and she’s protective of her friends. Her abilities to see ghosts might be new, but she goes into things with an open mind. For that, she wants to puzzle out a 100 year old murder to give a ghost the peace she lacked in life.
I enjoyed watching the budding romance between Simone and Mitchell, the support among her friends, and unraveling the murder mystery alongside Simone.
This is the second book in this series and as great as the first one. Although I’d recommend reading them in order, you don’t have to.
Highly recommended!
The Necromancer’s Daughter by D. Wallace Peach
D. Wallace Peach has a writing style’ that’s always fascinated me. It’s vivid and it’s captivating, and this book is no different.
I came into the story expecting a wonderful read, and I wasn’t disappointed.
The world building is fantastic, and so are the characters.
You can’t help but feel for Aster, for the hand she was dealt and the quest she’s facing, and even fall a little in love with Barus. I enjoyed the tension between Aster and Joreh, and watching the romance subtly evolving, not taking over the plot.
And the dragons…. It’s such a plus in this story, making it richer. My only wish was that we saw more of them.
I didn’t want the book to end, but couldn’t help but devour the pages, wanting to know more and soon, too soon, I was reading the last scene.
If you enjoy tales of compassion, of evil vs. good, of impossible odds – and of course, fairy tale retellings, this book is for you!
Mistaken Identity Crisis by James J. Cudney
I’ve had this book for a long while, and for no particular reason, just kept putting it off for later. But then I picked it up and just couldn’t put it down. The pages kept flipping, and before I knew it, I was turning the last page. It helped that this wasn’t a very long book, so I was only up until 1 in the morning.
Intrigue, mystery, humor, and a touch of romance make this a great read.
Kellan is sleuthing again, but this time, he may be in way over his head.
Another murder and an old, unsolved case has Kellan searching for clues. I was almost sure I had things figured out, but ouch, that twist – I didn’t see it coming!
And then we have the mystery of his supposedly dead wife, the mob and their rivalry, and in this fourth instalment, things are finally revealed.
If you haven’t yet read any of this author’s books, you have no idea how much you’re missing out!
Highly recommended!
PS: Nana D is still my favorite. Go, Nana D!
Bloodstone by M.J. Mallon
This is my first book by this author, and what an amazing surprise it was!
Bloodstone follows the story of Amelina, a 15 year old girl with a complex life, a dysfunctional family, and a curse.
From the beginning, I was caught by the steady, descriptive flow of the words. There’s poetry at the start of the chapters, adding charm and imagery to the scenes.
There’s a bit of everything in this book – teenage angst, romance, magical pets, friendship, broken relationships, as well as some scenes verging into the darker side of depression.
Some things were resolved in this book, but not all, leaving the reader satisfied, yet wanting more.
Today is my stop for Jacqui Murray’s blog tour for her latest book, Natural Selection.
The concept of how humans evolved is a curious and complex one, with not enough books on the topic. Kudos to Author Jacqui Murray for setting up these characters in such a time period, and basing them on true events! In this installment, Jacqui tackles a topic dear to me, because I can relate: an almost blind character, Ahnda. Having suffered an unfortunate series of event, Ahnda finds himself alone and almost blind. He has two options: give up and die, or keep going and achieve his goal (Finding Lucy and her tribe).
Read on to the end and find out what Author Jacqui Murray has to say about this character.
Title: Natural Selection
Series: Book 3 in the Dawn of Humanity series
Genre: Prehistoric fiction
Book summary:
In this conclusion to Lucy’s journey, she and her tribe leave their good home to rescue former-tribemembers captured by the enemy. Lucy’s tribe includes a mix of species–a Canis, a Homotherium, and different iterations of early man. In this book, more join and some die, but that is the nature of prehistoric life, where survival depends on a combination of our developing intellect and our inexhaustible will to live. Each species brings unique skills to this task. Based on true events.
Set 1.8 million years ago in Africa, Lucy and her tribe struggle against the harsh reality of a world ruled by nature, where predators stalk them and a violent new species of man threatens to destroy their world. Only by changing can they prevail. If you ever wondered how earliest man survived but couldn’t get through the academic discussions, this book is for you. Prepare to see this violent and beautiful world in a way you never imagined.
A perfect book for fans of Jean Auel and the Gears!
Could an almost-blind person survive primordial Africa?
There’s a fascinating character in the Dawn of Humanity trilogy, with a big part in my latest book, Natural Selection, named Ahnda. Ahnda is a normal early man youth, growing up with his tribe, looking forward to hunting and knapping stone tools with the adults, until a series of mishaps land him alone, in an unknown area, and almost blind. Ahnda would like to give up, but then he would die so he makes the decision to keep moving toward his goal–to find Lucy and her tribe–until he can’t. He learns to rely on senses other than sight, to be furiously aware of his surroundings, to trust his ability to solve problems, and to never give up even when his journey seems impossible.
I hadn’t planned on Ahnda’s sight challenges when I started writing Natural Selection. I developed Glaucoma and suddenly, unbidden, Ahnda’s mishaps ended him in near-blindness as though the Universe was telling me to stop whining. Others have it worse. At first blush, I didn’t believe it was possible for him to survive, and then I read Enos Abijah Mills’ story, The Adventures of a Nature Guide. He had been exploring the peak of the Continental Divide, alone as was his norm, when he lost his vision to snow blindness. In the late 1800’s, there were no phones, compasses, or any other technology to help him out of this trouble. Most of us would ponder our mortality, but Mills rationally and calmly found his way back to civilization by employing his remaining senses:
“[Blindly, trudging through endless snow, I shouted] … listened intently … and noticed the direction from which the reply came, its intensity, and the cross echoes …”
The farther he traveled, the less Mills cared what nature threw at him. Each problem presented an opportunity to learn about the natural world and himself. That became the model for Ahnda. Today’s world has lots of sight-challenged individuals who function well with canes, seeing-eye dogs, and clickers, but Ahnda has none of those. Is it reasonable that he could survive? Let’s look at the science.
There is a lot of evidence backing up the ability to navigate one’s environment via sounds.
One: Bats fly in dark caves and find insect prey using a skill called echolocation. They produce sound waves outside of the human ear’s ability to hear to locate objects around them. You can do an Internet search for details.
Another: Sight-challenged people can learn to move around well using a combination of sonar, echolocation, and “clicking”. If you didn’t know they were sight-challenged, you wouldn’t know. Interested? Search “Daniel Kish” and “Perceptual Navigation” for more information.
I bet all of you know at least one physically-challenged individual that doesn’t let that stop them at. all. Share those stories in the comments!
About Jacqui Murray:
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics.
The Canis’ packmates were all dead, each crumpled in a smeared puddle of blood, Upright killing sticks embedded where they should never be. His body shook, but he remembered his training. The killers’ scent filled the air. If they saw him—heard him—they would come for him, too, and he must survive. He was the last of his pack.
He padded quietly through the bodies, paused at his mate, broken, eyes open, tongue out, pup under her chest, his head crushed. A moan slipped from his muzzle and spread around him. He swallowed what remained in his mouth. Without a pack, silence was his only protection. He knew to be quiet, but today, now, failed.
To his horror, a departing Upright looked back, face covered in Canis blood, meaty shreds dripping from his mouth, the body of a dead pup slung over his shoulder. The Canis sank into the brittle grass and froze. The Upright scanned the massacre, saw the Canis’ lifeless body, thought him dead like the rest of the decimated pack. Satisfied, he turned away and rushed after his departing tribe. The Canis waited until the Upright was out of sight before cautiously rising and backing away from the onslaught, eyes on the vanished predators in case they changed their minds.
And fell.
He had planned to descend into the gully behind him. Sun’s shadows were already covering it in darkness which would hide him for the night, but he had gauged his position wrong. Suddenly, earth disappeared beneath his huge paws. He tried to scrabble to solid ground, but his weight and size worked against him and he tumbled down the steep slope. The loose gravel made gripping impossible, but he dug his claws in anyway, whining once when his shoulder slammed into a rock, and again when his head bounced off a tree stump. Pain tore through his ear as flesh ripped, dangling in shreds as it slapped the ground. He kept his legs as close as possible to his body and head tucked, thankful this hill ended in a flat field, not a river.
Or a cliff.
When it finally leveled out, he scrambled to his paws, managed to ignore the white-hot spikes shrieking through his head as he spread his legs wide. Blood wafted across his muzzle. He didn’t realize it was his until the tart globs dripped down his face and plopped to the ground beneath his quaking chest. The injured animal odor, raw flesh and fresh blood, drew predators. In a pack, his mate would purge it by licking the wound. She would pronounce him Ragged-ear, the survivor.
Ragged-ear is a strong name. A good one.
He panted, tail sweeping side to side, and his indomitable spirit re-emerged.
I live.
But no one else in his pack did.
Except, maybe, the female called White-streak. She often traveled alone, even when told not to. If she was away during the raid, she may have escaped. He would find her. Together, they would start over.
Jina S. Bazzar 