The Caphenon

I’ve been thinking about this book for days, trying to pick out a favorite character, or favorite part of the story. I can’t. There are just so many great elements, themes and snippets of dialogue.

I admire the way the characters are presented, and developed. Early on, even before we see the Caphenon, the characters become people, seemingly REAL people. We are presented with a plausible world that we can nearly touch, such are the world building skills of the author. We are drawn into this world so vividly that we feel the windows explode, we feel the ground shake when the ground-pounder walks by and we mourn at the Flight of The Return ceremony.
It was a sad twist that the two people most suited for each other could not be together, but I hope we see more of them in future books. I was impressed by the explanation of FTL flight, because it was so easily understood! The science was so deftly woven and explained that it becomes a reasonable, vital tool that supports the main stars of this book, the characters.

The quality of the e-book needs mentioning here too. I read a great deal, fiction and non-fiction, across a wide range of topics and from a wide range of publishers. I did not find one error in this e-book. Not one. I could go on for hours about how much I appreciate the care and eye for detail that has gone into this e-book, this story, and how readable it is. I could, but I won’t.

Simply, I have fallen in love with Alsea. If Lhyn and Ekatya go back, can they take me too?

If you haven’t read this book yet, you need to. If you have read it, please let me know in the comments what you thought. Surely I cannot be the only one who thinks Fletcher DeLancey is a brilliant genius!

Aliens, Astronauts and Eggnog

I know you’re likely pretty busy this time of year, so I’ll make this brief. I’ve been posting here on the blog  about some things I thought we might find interesting, and a lot of you have been commenting on the content. Thank you! It’s great to see folks getting engaged.

Recently, I put out my ‘Christmas 2016’ edition of my newsletter, with some exclusive newsletter-subscribers-only content. A little surprise that’s not been here on the blog. That’s been the plan all along, a little…reward…let’s say for signing up to get the newsletter in your email. Have you subscribed? No? Let me assure you that I won’t barrage you with a flood of newsletters. I would rather release two a month with entertaining and intriguing content that won’t make you hit delete faster than I can mutter about colonizing the moon. I also promise not to release your email to anyone. Not even if they offer me hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows on top!

Over there on the right side of the page ————-> you should see a black box that says ‘FOLLOW’. Slap that, feed it your information and I solemnly swear to protect it against all aliens, astronauts and everyone else.

So what will you get? Entertaining little tidbits about the world of science fiction, the occasional review of a science fiction or speculative fiction book that moved me, updates on my own fiction, behind the scenes glimpses into the worlds populated by my characters, interviews with those same characters, news tidbits that relate to our quest for knowledge among the stars…so much good stuff! So if you find science fiction, or speculative fiction, interesting…sign up for the newsletter today! Got a friend that reads science fiction? Let them know about the Words & Worlds blog and newsletter. Spread the word, and they might just thank you for it. At the very least, you’ll have something new to talk about over eggnog, coffee or tea.

Until next time, dear readers, I wish you peace and knowledge.

Carolyn

 

The Jakkattu Vector: A Review

 

Any reviewer, or just the most honest among us, worth their salt is supposed to declare when we’ve been given an advance copy of a book. So, in that vein, I’m going to go on record and tell you straight up that I received this book in exchange for an honest review. That being said, I can say this is the deepest, most intelligent book I’ve had the pleasure of reading in a very long time. It is thoughtful, and thought-provoking. It makes you question bits of our own world without you even consciously realizing it. At first, it’s hard to draw parallels, but they are there. Some more obvious than others, but it’s kind of a ‘a-ha!’ moment when you do see them. When you begin to understand how the book-past got the characters to where they are, it’s a bit of a shock. But this book is the wisest speculation of our future I’ve read. There is genetic manipulation, an altered, poisoned world. There is injustice, cruelty and yet…There are those who question everything they’ve been taught. They seek freedom from lies and accepted truths born of fear and the lure of what is easy. This book is one of those you should re-read every six months or so. Not only because it’s simply that great, but because I promise you’ll notice something new each time you read it. Some clever description, some characteristic you hadn’t noticed before, or maybe another new parallel between Tyler’s imagined world and our own. I am a new fan of P.K Tyler. I have every intention of buying every word this author has written. You should too. Read with an open mind, consider it all carefully and prepare to have your mind blown.

Infographic: Do You Know The Difference Between Literary, Upmarket and Commercial Fiction?

An interesting look at what makes upmarket fiction, literary fiction and commercial fic. Good to know!

Carly Watters, Literary Agent

Knowing how to categorize your work is one of the most important skills a writer needs to know–especially while querying. Here’s an infographic to help. It’s not perfect and there are many places that writers won’t fit into and that doesn’t mean it’s not a marketable book. However, learning how to market yourself starts with knowing where your book stands and where it will sit on bookshelves.

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Just A Little Tease…

 

It’s Teaser Tuesday, and as illicit as that sounds, I thought I’d share a little bit more of ‘Infinite Worlds’ with you today.

In today’s excerpt, Coriander kicks ass when a couple of strangers try and take Devi.

Curious? Read on!

****

“Are you expecting company today?” Coriander asked as she glanced over the top of the barbecue toward the driveway.

Devi rose from her Adirondack chair, and watched a dark car cruise to a stop in the driveway. “No, I have no idea who this is.”

They stood on the sunlit lawn and listened to the engine sputter and tick as it cooled. Two people stepped out of the car.

“Miss Devi Aradesta?” The driver spoke up before he had walked beyond the hood of the car. His military length red hair, black suit and dark aviator sunglasses screamed government goon. The woman that climbed out of the passenger side was dressed in a similar fashion. Her dark hair hung loose and stopped just below her collar, and she moved without hesitation.

Devi canted her head a fraction as she sized up her visitors. “I’m guessing you already know who I am without any confirmation from me. Who are you?”

“We’ve been sent from Ottawa.” The man replied.

There was silence as Devi waited for him to elaborate. When no further details were forthcoming, she smiled ever so slightly. “That’s lovely, but it doesn’t answer my question, now does it? Who are you?”

“As my partner said, Ma’am, we’re from Ottawa,” The woman spoke up. “We’ve been sent to bring you to the capitol.”

Cori stood up and moved to Devi’s side. “And as my girlfriend asked, who are you?”

The man rubbed his red buzz cut and sighed. “I’m Ryan, and this is Munro. The Minister of Space and Exploration would like to meet you, Miss Aradesta.”

“I’m not familiar with the Minister,” Devi replied in her soft, slightly accented voice.

“You shouldn’t be expected to,” Coriander said. “And you don’t have to go with them if you don’t want to. Especially since they’ve not shown any identification.”

The visitors exchanged a look and took a couple of steps closer.

“What does the Minister of Space and Exploration want with me?” Devi asked. “Forgive my lack of manners, please, come and have a seat.” She gestured toward the seats under the nearest apple tree.

Coriander could smell the chicken on the grill beginning to scorch. She returned to the barbecue to save their dinner from a flaming ruin.

“Thank you, Ma’am, I think we’d prefer to stand.” Ryan said. “Miss Wolf is correct, you’re certainly under no obligation to accompany us, but as I’ve said, Minister Erikson is anxious to meet with you.” Ryan approached slowly, slipping one hand into his blazer pocket and the other hand out, palm up.

Munro walked toward Devi. “It’s a matter of some importance, Ma’am…”

As soon as Devi’s attention flicked toward Munro, Ryan pulled his hand from his pocket at the same time he bolted forward to seize Devi’s arms.

“Cori!” Devi called out, struggling in Ryan’s grasp.

As Ryan grappled for a better hold, Coriander ran to help her girlfriend. Munro stepped between the writer and the others. “You have my word that if she comes quietly, we’ll return her as quickly as possible.”

“I’m not letting you take her!”

Munro tried again as the blonde writer bore down on her. “We’re armed, don’t make me pull my gun. Just relax…”

“Like hell!” Coriander had reached Ryan and grabbed handfuls of his blazer. “Let go of her!” Out of the corner of her eye she saw Munro rushing toward her. Cori kicked the back of Ryan’s right knee and heard him howl in pain. He released Devi as if she were lava.

Coriander turned just in time to grasp one of Munro’s outstretched arms and spin her toward the hood of her car.

Munro couldn’t control her momentum and she slammed into the side of the hood, and slid over it to fall off the other side.

Cori glanced at Ryan on the ground moaning about his leg, a threat no longer. She hurried around the front of the car in time to grab Munro as she struggled to stand. Cori grabbed both of the woman’s lower arms, planted one foot in front of hers and slammed the woman into the hood.

“Now, no one is going anywhere until you answer a few questions! Devi, I need you to check her pockets. She’s probably got zip-ties…”

“You can’t do this to us!” Munro yelled as she struggled futilely. Cori held tight to her captive, nodding when Devi’s hand pulled a bunch of white plastic restraints from Munro’s blazer pocket.

“Damn right we can. Did you think I would just let you kidnap my girlfriend? I’m going to charge your sorry ass with attempted kidnapping, I don’t care if you are CSIS!”

Munro stopped struggling. “We aren’t…exactly.”

****

Hmmm, wonder who they are? Good thing Coriander was there!

I’d love to know what you thought! Feedback is welcome in the comments!