What the Styx! Snippet from WIP for #WeWriWa #SciFi #amwriting

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors. Meet writers in various genres and read 8-10 sentence snippets of their stories.

Okay, I’m biting the bullet and offering snippets from my WIP. It’s at 59k words and I’m editing. Among other things, I have to deal with killing off one minor character and rewriting him out of later scenes. This story has several deaths.

Current Tag line: What alien creatures lurk under the ice crust of Europa?

Here are the next few lines of Chapter one. Dr. Nikki Bell is traveling to Europa to study the alien life in the ocean.

It’s not a final version and any suggestions will be especially appreciated.

You can read last week’s snippet here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2017/08/partitions-clanged-shut-snippet-from.html

   The ship’s layout fixed in her mind, she kicked off, traveling diagonally from wall to wall to propel herself through the empty corridor to the nearest life craft.

   Overhead lights flickered and faded to black, leaving only the line of red arrows marking the direction of the exit. The corridor bucked. She banged against the wall and stumbled onto her knees, cringing at the creak of overstrained metal.

    The siren’s whine cut to silence.

   What the Styx did that mean? She had to get out. Nikki struggled upright and flipped on her headlamp. The bay with the lifepod was a few steps ahead. Its door was shut and no one was visible in the annex.

I will probably miss one or both of the next two weekends due to traveling in Europe. So, here's a freebie to keep you amused - 

FREE August 20-22nd - Grand Master’s Cat - Short Prequel to the Grand Masters’ Galaxy

When Grand Master Griffin investigates a wrecked spacecraft, his efforts to rescue the survivors lead to feline disruptions of his plans.

Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IHSVHFS

International http://authl.it/B01IHSVHFS?d

As always, I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.

Please return to www.wewriwa.com to sample the works of the other writers. 

This Week's FREE eBooks in #SciFi #Fantasy & #Romance

Grand Master’s Cat - FREE July 12-13^th

Short Prequel in the Grand Masters’ Galaxy, an Epic SciFi Fantasy Series

Always FREE with KindleUnlimited

When Grand Master Griffin investigates a wrecked spacecraft, his efforts to rescue the survivors lead to feline disruptions of his plans.

Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IHSVHFS

International http://authl.it/B01IHSVHFS?d

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July 8-13: Summer Fling Romance at http://SecretWoodsBooks.com/promo  

July 2-14: Fantasy Spellcaster Giveaway - http://ajmartinezauthor.com/may-spellcaster-giveaway/

July 1- 31: IF Fantasy Preview at https://dechapmanauthor.wordpress.com/giveaways/

Kitten Attacks Alien Killer in Snippet for #WeWriWa #SciFi Plus #Giveaway

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors. Here, writers in different genres showcase their stories with 8-10 sentences. Join the fun and read our snippets.

This weekend, I’m skipping to another fun story for the snippet. My short SciFi prequel, Grand Master’s Cat is free though Sunday.

The Griffin Grand Master is investigating two crashed spacecraft on an uncharted and dangerous planet.  

A hissing growl alerted the Grand Master to a new threat. He dodged aside and twisted to face his adversary, a sand-colored scorpion twice the length of his arm. The stinger missed his head, deflected by a small orange cat with its teeth fastened onto the segmented tail. The vicious creature whipped its tail from side to side, the fluffy orange animal dangling from the end. Losing its grip, the kitten dropped into the stony ground. The venomous tip stabbed at the fallen cat. The Grand Master thrust out his fist, blasting blue fire. Tottering under the psi blast, the scorpion staggered two steps and collapsed onto the desert sand.

Grand Master’s Cat: FREE April 14-16 and always FREE with Kindle Unlimited

US - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IHSVHFS

International - http://authl.it/B01IHSVHFS?d

Free & 99c Romances Plus #Giveaway - April 14-17^th

http://traceyalvarez.com/eastersale/

As always, I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.

Please return to www.wewriwa.com to sample the works of the other writers.

Easter Specials - Free & 99c eBooks - Better than Chocolate Plus #Giveaway

Full of fun, love and adventure #YA Superheroes

Only 99c or Free with #KindleUnlimited

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C7WC8R6/

FREE April 14-16^th Start this Epic SciFi / Fantasy Series!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IHSVHFS

Free & 99c Romances Plus #Giveaway April 14-17^th

http://traceyalvarez.com/eastersale/

Crazy cat! Snippet from Grand Master's Cat for #WeWriWa Epic #SciFi Fantasy

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors. Here, writers in different genres showcase their stories with 8-10 sentences. Join the fun and read our snippets.

Everyone loves kitties, and the Grand Master is no exception. The brave kitten, Rascal, ends up living in the Griffin’s castle.  

You can read last week’s snippet here: http://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2017/04/brave-kitty-snippet-from-grand-masters.html

I’m skipping to the end of the story. It sets the stage for the next book. The cat has the final line, and the prequel continues into the start of Book 1, Grand Master’s Pawn.

We are in the Griffin’s POV and he is considering his short list of the candidates in the annual selection of pawns. (edited to fit)

He glared at the name on the top of his list of candidates, Violet Hunter. How had she dared to apply for the selection? Was she foolish or merely ignorant of her heritage? What Grand Master would take the risk of employing the prophet’s daughter as a pawn? What a crazy choice, embracing the omen of their destruction.

His grim laughter echoed around the room.

He replayed the clip of the girl’s combat exam with one of the instructors. The tiger-striped Aman-ellan sheathed his claws and fought with a sensor-tipped knife; anticipating each strike with agile leaps, the girl blocked his attacks with ease.

Rascal sat on his haunches and patted his paw at the dancing images of the girl and her opponent; he uttered an emphatic, “Meow!” and settled back on the Griffin’s lap.

“Crazy cat!” the Grand Master grumbled.

Grand Master’s Cat: 99c and always FREE with Kindle Unlimited

US - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IHSVHFS

International - http://authl.it/B01IHSVHFS?d

Grand Master’s Pawn, Book 1: 99c at  Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N

Grand Master’s Game, Book 2: 99c at Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N

Grand Master's Mate, Book 3: $3.99 at Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N

Cosmic Rift, Book 4: on Pre-order for Release in June at Amazon

As always, I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.

Please return to www.wewriwa.com to sample the works of the other writers.

Spooky shadow - snippet from Gargoyle Hunt for #WeWriWa #Superhero

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors. Here, writers in different genres showcase their stories with 8-10 sentences. Join the fun and read our snippets.

I am posting snippets from Book 3 of Secret Supers. It’s at the final polishing stage, so please let me know if you see any problems.

Blurb

Danger is the last thing on Estelle’s mind when she visits the University of Oxenford for a summer course. But, mysterious thefts and shadowy figures spur her into action. With Toby five thousand miles away, Estelle and her winged horse must hunt for the culprits alone. Soon they are embroiled in a mixed bag of aliens and ancient magic. Toby’s unexpected arrival throws her into turmoil and spurs events into a climax. 

By popular demand, I’m continuing from a scene with a gargoyle in action.

Estelle is walking to St. Swithin’s College after dark with Diane and Julian when they hear a scream. Another student, Betty, sees what she calls a ghoul climbing the church wall. 

Last week’s snippet is here: http://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2016/10/ghoul-climbing-wall-snippet-for-wewriwa.html

The final sentence was: She pointed a shaking finger at the church on the opposite side of the street, “Over there.”

“What’s going on?” Julian exclaimed.

“There!” Betty’s sharp cry pierced their ears.

A dark form, like the elongated figure of a man, clambered over the arched entrance to the church. The spooky shadow reached the apex of the arch and stood motionless. Betty moaned and slumped onto the paved street. The professor tutted; Julian crouched on one knee to examine her.

“I’ll go for help,” Estelle said. She fingered the transparent sleeves of her nanosuit, the special nanofabric created by Farleon technology was only microns thick and as tough as Kevlar. She wanted to be out of sight before switching to Super Starrella and chasing the uncanny quarry. Sprinting past the church, she dived into a dark archway.

Since the story is seasonally spooky, I’ve set the book, Gargoyle Hunt, on pre-order for release on December, 6^th.

Secret Supers, Book 3, Gargoyle Hunt - 99c Pre-order

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDT6Y7Y/

International: http://authl.it/B01MDT6Y7Y/?d

Book 1, Super Starrella (99c)

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C7WC8R6/

International: http://authl.it/B01C7WC8R6?d

Book 2, Starrella Falls

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HT1W8AW/

International: http://authl.it/B01HT1W8AW?d

Special Freebie: 

FREE Nov 4-6^th Short Prequel to Grand Master’s Trilogy

Grand Master’s Cat: http://authl.it/B01IHSVHFS?d

When Grand Master Griffin investigates a wrecked spacecraft, his efforts to rescue the survivors lead to feline disruptions of his plans.

As always, I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.

Please return to www.wewriwa.com to sample the works of the other writers.

Release Day Blitz for Grand Master’s Cat – Start 3 Series for 99c each or FREE! #SciFi #Romance

Today, August 30^th, I’m celebrating the release of Grand Master’s Cat.

A short story and prequel to the epic science fiction adventure, the Grand Master’s Trilogy.

When Grand Master Griffin investigates a wrecked spacecraft, his efforts to rescue the survivors lead to feline disruptions of his plans.

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018EHAA7S

International: http://authl.it/B01IHSVHFS?d

Grand Master’s Pawn, Book 1 of the Trilogy, is 99c at all vendors

One young woman challenges the super psychics ruling the galaxy, and finds an impossible love.

Young empath, Violet Hunter, dreams of exploring exotic planets as a Grand Master’s pawn. When life-threatening cracks appear in the teleportal web, Violet is tasked with investigating the disruption. Suspicions point to the twelve Grand Masters, and she must penetrate their curtain of secrecy to identify the culprit. Her challenges escalate when she meets the enigmatic man behind the griffin avatar. Armed with only her erratic powers and a mishmash of allies, she must challenge the most powerful beings in the galaxy.

Buy Links: Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N

The Lady is Blue, Book 1 of Atrapako on Eden, is FREE Aug 31-Sept 1^st.

Intrepid scientist solves mystery of scaly aliens.

Chief biologist Dr. Lucy Stannis leads a quiet life until a mysterious spaceship lands on the remote planet of Eden. She is thrilled to meet the captain, the impressive Blue, Sa Kamizan Veedak, despite the scaled bodies and sharp claws of the formidable Atrapako. But when conflicts threaten the entire colony, Lucy must employ all her skills to discover the aliens’ secret.

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1N951Q

International: http://authl.it/B00K1N951Q?d  

Super Starrella, Book 1 of Secret Supers, is 99c

Teen superhero, Starrella, and her flying horse combat vicious killers in the skies of Atalanta.

The quiet summer before her freshman year turns frighteningly weird after Estelle Wright trespasses onto an Army base. Blown into the air and knocked unconscious, she wakes with a nascent superpower. Not to mention a winged horse with a snarky attitude and a mind of her own.

Back home in Atalanta, a serial killer is targeting the students at Goldman University. Before long she must juggle college classes with sneaking out of the house after dark to battle alien monsters. Estelle’s life is in danger, but who can she trust: handsome Captain Copper from military intelligence, or hunky Toby, the tough gangster with a motorbike? Both men have secret agendas, but falling in love is not in their plans.

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C7WC8R6/

International: http://authl.it/4u0?d

Lock him in jail! Snippet from Starrella Falls for #WeWriWa #Superhero #Romance

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors. Writers in different genres showcase their stories with 8-10 sentences. Join the fun and read our snippets.

I’m continuing the scene from my latest release: Starrella Falls, Book 2 in the Secret Supers. You can read the first chapters HERE.

Background: The wanted murderer, Croaker, attacks Estelle and Toby knocks him out. Mark and Diane arrive in his car and Mark offers to take Croaker to the police station. I skipped the part where they searched him and removed a gun and poison darts.

You can read last weeks’ snippet here: http://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2016/08/wanted-for-murder-snippet-from.html

The final sentence was: Toby stepped aside and rubbed his hands together, “Better tie his hands.”

“Okay, give me the belt,” Mark pushed their prisoner onto his side, wrenched Croaker’s hands behind his back and wrapped the belt around his wrists.

When he had finished the job, Toby drawled, “Lock him in jail pronto. Don’t know how long he’ll be out and those belts ain’t strong.”

“Correct.” Mark tapped on his phone, “I’ll call Inspector Parkins. He’ll want to see our catch.” After speaking into the phone, he swiveled round to scan the parking lot. Diane and Estelle stood side by side, watching anxiously from a safe distance next to the motorcycle. Mark gestured to the girls and asked, “Will you see them home, Ryan?”

“My pleasure!” Toby grinned.

Buy Links for Starrella Falls

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HT1W8AW/

International: http://authl.it/B01HT1W8AW?d

Buy Links for Book 1, Super Starrella (Only 99c for a few more days)

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C7WC8R6/

International: http://authl.it/B01C7WC8R6?d

My short story and prequel to Grand Master’s Pawn releases on Aug 30^th. You can pre-order Grand Master’s Cat for 99c: http://authl.it/B01IHSVHFS?d

As always, I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.

Please return to www.wewriwa.com to sample the works of the other writers.

Country Scenes in South East UK #Travel #GreatBritain

The British Isles have many lovely regions, but I grew up in the Southeast and visit every year. Last summer, I stayed near Bristol and hiked in the countryside nearby. Here are some typical scenes.  

There are public footpaths where you can hike across farm fields and wilder regions with gently rolling hills. 

You can find great views over the surrounding countryside from the hilltops. 

Here is a view down to a farmhouse and fields with "retired" horses. 

Ponies grazing in a field near a river. This picture was taken in the evening as the sun was setting - notice the deep shadows.   

One of the highlights of the British countryside must be the local pubs. We had lunch in this one, the White Hart Inn. Notice the stone walls and slate tiles on the roof. 

Another common attraction for foreign visitors may be the old churches and graveyards. 

What are your favorite places? 

I write adventures and romances in science fiction and fantasy worlds. My newest story, Grand Master's Cat, is set on various planets throughout the galaxy. A feisty kitten helps fight alien invaders. 

The complete list of my published stories is HERE.