Sunday 18 May 2014

The Time Key

Happy Sunday Everyone!


The Time Key/Tagline: Would you risk your own life travelling through a wormhole if it meant you might be able to save the one you love?


Jazlyn Martin is a bright young scientist who is assisting Macrocosm in sending a spacecraft to a traversable wormhole located on the far side of the moon. Helping her is renowned physicist Jackson Hale, a man she finds irresistible both mentally and physically. They are assisting another man who has recently lost his wife and unborn child in a plane crash. They hope to help him travel back to the past in hopes of saving his family by preventing them from getting on that ill-fated plane before it crashes. Will the unravelling of history that this intervention causes to the fabric of the universe irreparably destroy Jazlyn’s and Jackson’s chance at happiness?


Chapter One:


The rush to arrive at the lab in a semi-presentable state and on time had taken all of Jazlyn Martin’s patience. She’d even had her roommate Ashley help her with her hair, giving her soft waves instead of her usual messy bun or braid, and then applying a little make-up to reduce the pallor from always being cooped up in the lab. She knew she looked good, Ashley was a wiz at that sort of thing, but the time involved was such an annoying nuisance. Surely someone could invent a dry-cleaning device that you could step through and be fresh and clean in five to ten seconds? Didn’t she see something like that in that movie set in the future with Bruce Willis, yesThe Fifth Element. She had loved movies growing up and had watched many of them curled up long side her grandma who just kept knitting away at a gentle, rhythmic pace for hours on end. She still thought of being near someone knitting as comfort for the soul. Maybe when she was old and gray she’d find the time. But judging from her life to date, that was light years away for her.


Joining her fellow scientists in the main meeting room that was more like an old style gymnasium found in most high schools, she was surprised to see members from all of Macrocosm’s three labs present. That was a first. Normally all three groups were kept well apart, secrecy being their modus operandi. She perked up. There was going to be a big announcement then. God, I hope this doesn’t mean lay-offs? Calling them all together was unprecedented. Hold on she told the jumpy character perched on her shoulder it could be something good.


“Good morning, darlin’. How are you this fine morning?” Jackson Hale asked in his southern sexy tone as he strolled over to join her holding a cup of coffee from Starbucks, his voice that low pitch drawl that resonated so effectively inside her. Thunderstruck. Yes, it looked like today’s reaction to his presence was the same as yesterday’s when she met him for the first time. Her heart rate had increased and her insides quivered. Great! Now she felt like a star struck schoolgirl instead of the consummate professional she hoped to always be seen as.


An explosion had rocked the facility last night and she had run into his lab to see if anyone needed rescuing. No one had been hurt which had been a vast relief. It had turned out an experiment had gone astray in another part of the building, but she had the extreme pleasure of meeting the legendary and far-too-hot physicist Jackson Hale. She still felt on high alert, an uncomfortable feeling after he had featured in her dreams during the night. He was such an expert lover in her imagination that her body broke out in a fine sheen of perspiration as she remembered his firm insistent hands that had been everywhere, making her flesh throb with desire. She got wet all over again, making her mortified and turned on in equal parts.


Wrenching her mind away from the image of Jackson in her bed, she noticed he had the common sense not to drink the caustic brew offered under the guise of coffee in the tarnished urn at the back of the hall. He looked spectacular even in the harsh florescent lighting. Spruced up and presentable like everyone else present. We may not get all social conventions right but at least we know when to clean up. She breathed deeply of his exotic fragrance that tantalized her with its undertones of soap and manly musk, discovering her mistake instantly. She swallowed hard, finding the female in her reacting in unaccustomed ways. Since when had she completely lost it?


The problem was he was the real deal. An extraordinary genius of a scientist and a virile hunk of a man with his wide shoulders and lean hips that his pants hung off of just right. He must work out she decided, nature could not be that kind. His dark unruly hair fell over his broad forehead and she had a sudden urge to push it back. It looked like it would be silky to the touch and she wanted to test the theory. Not to mention how damned handsome he looked. She had realized last night that he did not know the affect he had on females. The memory of her three AM orgasm featuring him in the leading role made her tingle all over again. She pulled herself back to the present with difficulty and answered his inquiry.


“Good, thanks, and you?” She gave a nod to his cup that matched hers. “I see you know better than to drink the vile stuff they pass off as coffee here.”


“Yeah, well, my stomach is not made of Ti-22,” he quipped back, his eyes alight with good humor.


 Oh my, he was also witty. She inwardly sighed, dreaming of having such a man in her life. Yeah, like you have the time or could interest a man like Jackson Hale.


“So, any idea of what this is all about?” she asked and gestured toward the stage where the main characters of the play were milling about.


“No more than anyone else present,” he replied, and then raised his expressive brows towards the crew, his voice barely suppressing laughter. “Nice to see how efficiently they’ve set things up considering the high paid help in this room.”


She literally choked on her coffee. Everyone knew scientists were notoriously poorly paid. Proletarian, that best described their pay grade, she thought ruefully. She’d loved big words since she’d taught herself to read before preschool from a primer found by the side of the road. She’d dusted it off and dragged her treasure home, holding her grandma’s hand tightly all the way. It was one of the fondest memories of her short childhood. Before she understood that her birth had meant the death of her mother.


“Well at least the extra work makes up for the great pay,” she said straight faced. This time she made him laugh and it made her feel good, like they were in league together. But it drew her mind to how much work there was to be done and never enough time to do it the way she wanted. Nights were better and why she opted so often to work them as well. At least with no one there, she felt the illusion of time control which was basically not worrying about the time.


The notoriously poor quality speaker system squeaked one last ear-splitting time. Everyone turned expectantly to the stage and all the scientists and lab assistants quieted down. With Jackson standing by her side keeping her all too keenly aware of his fine male presence, she intently watched the small group sit down. She recognized all except the one man standing who had the microphone clutched in his hands.


“Fellow scientists,” the man said and paused. She studied him, curious about his un-kept appearance and eyes that burned with a fanatic’s intensity. “You must be wondering why I’ve asked to speak to you this morning. I’m here to tell you that I have discovered the exact location of a traversable wormhole that allows time travel back to the past.”






 

Wednesday 14 May 2014

Interview with Joanne Myers

Please welcome the renown author, Joanne Myers. She's visiting with me today and has kindly answered a few questions for her fans. Welcome Joanne!


Thanks for having me, January. It's always fun to visit other's blogs.


1. When did you know you wanted to become a writer, why?


 That started when I was a child. I have always been able to write. Writing came easy to me so I enjoyed it.


 2. What inspired you to write “Loves, Myths, and Monsters”?


 My love for monster movies.


 3. Is this book part of a series?


 No it is not. This book is a collection of fantasy tales starring the Mothman, the Chupracabra, Mermaids, time travel, reincarnation, a love curse, a Quaker love story, werewolves, a demonic cellmate, a serial killer family from 1873, and etc.


 4. How do you find time to write in your daily life?


 Well I live alone and don’t have small children anymore. I have a lot more time on my hands now, and I spent my days off writing and going through emails.


 5. Where do you write?


 In my hobby room, which is a mess, with the computer and its stand, my paints and canvas supplies.


 6. Write by hand, typewriter, or computer? 


 I use my computer. One of the best inventions ever.


 7. What character did you enjoy writing about the most?


 Probably the villains. They are so mean so that makes it easy to write about them. The hardest characters for me are the main characters, which are usually the good guys in my books. I want them to all have different personalities, likes, and dislikes, and of course, they are physically different looking also.


 8. If you could do something differently about writing one of your books, what would it be?  


 I think that would be my biography true crime “The Crime of the Century”. I would have chosen a different true crime to write about. This crime which occurred in 1982, and in my hometown of Logan, Ohio, is very controversy. I have taken some hits from locals who don’t believe the story should be written about, but it was and still is the worst and only double homicide in the county. It truly was “the crime of the century.” A crime that terrified residents, and destroyed families, and sent an innocent man to death row.


 10. Are you currently working on something new?


 Yes, my second biography true crime anthology, is being released from Black Rose Writing in June and I will be spending time promoting it. Also, I have revised my poetry collection, “Poems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between,” by adding more poems and getting it published by a second publishing company. It will be available for purchase this summer.


 Blurbs for “Loves, Myths and Monsters” 11 tales of fantasy, intrigue, and mystery, entwined within the human world


 


Welcome To Anna
Little does 17 year old Zoe, realize, but the Chupracabra followed her to Ohio from South America. What happens next is a series of chilling mysteries, and unsuspecting friendships and love.


 
The Hunter's Bride
When all game warden Daren Abram, had to worry about was which lucky lady to woo, he comes to the realization that his town is being stalked by the reincarnation of the town's legend.



 
Moon People
For teenage mermaid Constance, coming to the quaint seaside town of Willowick, is heavenly, until she falls for mortal boy Drake. For the town to survive, Constance is forced to choose between her kind and the boy and town she loves.



 
The Pack
When young Lycan Sonny Red Blanket, a Shawnee Indian falls for mortal girl Drenda Way, he must save her from his fellow Lycan's and stop a werewolf uprising.



 
The Bidding
Apiologist 34-year-old Duncan McPherson goes to Circleville, Ohio, to investigate a series of mysterious bee attacks. What is uncovered proves to be more dark and sinister then anyone imaged.



 
The Agreement
Incarcerated in the abandoned Roseville jail, is the last thing rich college student and speeder Brice Conrad, needs. With an "agreement" between the town and a permanent demonic "guest", only the unfortunate ones know the truth, but do not live to tell.



 
For The Love Of Ginnie
Handsome bachelor and Scientist Alex Anderson from the thirtieth century, returns to the Civil War with time serum to save his beloved Ginnie Wade from a snipers bullet, while finding a roller coaster ride of joy and perils.



 
Is It Only A Myth?
When 32-year-old Vinton County Sheriff, James "Jim" Connors, discovers he has a Mothman hunting in his county, he stops at nothing to save his citizens.



 
The Proposition
The rough and ready cowboy John Queenie gets the shock of his life, when the ad to break a "wild filly" turns out to be a fiery Quaker girl named Tess. This is a story proving love conquers all.



 
The House On Shady Lane
A seemingly loving family turns out to be serial killers in 1873.



 
Love's Curse
When an Egypt love curse scroll is stolen from a Dean's office, persons begin dying in bizarre and grisly ways, with the college's mascot a Viking King statue jokingly blamed for it.



 


 Excerpt


For the Love of Ginnie


I don’t know why I wanted to save the life of a person I never met. Maybe it was because I was tired of bachelorhood. Maybe it was because I was a chemist and the unusual, and unexplained, fascinated me. Or, maybe, it was because I was obsessed with this twenty-year-old, dark-haired beauty named Mary Virginia “Ginnie” Wade I had read about. These questions filtered through my mind as I drove to the bar to meet my best friend Will.


Will’s favorite hangout was “The Bling,” originally an old truck stop on State Route 93, in Nelsonville, Ohio. The place became a restaurant/lounge/dance hall and brothel when semis no longer became a necessity for long distance hauling. The invention of the transporter also replaced many other primitive jobs such as mail delivery and travel. “The Bling” was best known for the large flashing lights suggesting scantily clad women in seductive positions above the front entrance, and its “bulldogs,” monster-sized bouncers in Armani suits who patrolled its two-block perimeter, inside and out.


“The Bling,” just another joint with a sleazy atmosphere, like all alcohol-serving establishments, differed only in that it catered exclusively to class “A” clientele. Politely—or maybe not so politely—everyone called it the “Whorehouse for the rich and bored.” Its reputation grew. Its income grew even faster.


I pulled up in front and exited my vintage DeLorian, tossing the keys to the baby-faced valet, by-passed the doorman with no questions asked. Just an exchange of large smiles between us. Will was also part-owner.


As I entered the twenty-four carat gold, electronic doors, Will immediately spotted me and motioned me toward the bar with his diamond embellished hand.


I loved sitting at the bar. It was the perfect place to see the shows. “Two double scotches and water,” Will said, as we shook hands, and I slid into my seat beside him, just as the tall, leggy waitress produced the drinks in an instant.


I immediately recognized the “girl” as one of the latest “do-everything-like-a-wife” robotics. Robot manufacturing had become a booming business since the last war destroyed the immune and reproductive systems in most humans, especially females.


“I don’t know why you waste your time flirting with non-humans,” I said, cautiously sipping my drink. The immense emptiness of not being able to acquire a wife and soul mate, I felt at this age in my life, almost drove me to alcoholism, but my boss and mentor, Doctor Obar Gabry, intervened, saving my life and promising career.


“Because, dear friend,” Will began, “beggars can’t be choosey, and ladies are in scarce supply. Beside, these ‘girls’ are all pink inside.”


Ugh!” I said, gulping down a large swallow of alcohol as if it could wash away my friend’s vile mental picture from my mind.


“Come on, Alex, loosen up. Live a little.” Will motioned to the waitress for another round of drinks. “You’re alive, so act like it. Don’t let your beautiful mind go to waste. This world needs people like you. People started treating me like a god once I became an entrepreneur, and I love it.”


I had to laugh. Maybe my self-pity stage had outlived its use. Only I can find a wife for myself. I certainly won’t ask Will to hook me up. His sense of values are as artificial as the women he beds.


The pain and loneliness I felt at times from yearning for a life-long partner and family wasn’t easy to accomplish. Scientific and Medical technology still could not reverse the sterilization effects on the female species.


Sure there were some human women to date. But most were either sterile, too old, too young, or there was just no chemistry between the two of us. I wanted that spark that unites between two people madly in love...like my parents. I never met any couple happier with one another then my beloved parents. That’s the kind of love I want…never ending.


The emptiness and frustration of not finding companionship at times made me want to die. But that was the loneliness talking. I know that now. I love life. I want to live, and I know who I want for a wife. It’s just that meeting her would be a little tricky.


Abruptly, I asked, “What do you think about time travel?”


“Are you serious?” Will asked. “Scientists have tried to conquer time travel for hundreds of years, and failed.”


“Maybe they failed because they weren’t Doctor Gabry and me.”


Will looked at me in awe. “Oh, my god, you’re serious!”


“We discovered something today in the lab,” I said, giving him an arrogant smile. “We believe this is the answer.”


“So who is to be the Guinea pig?”


“Me.”


Silence came from Will, then a gasp. “That could be suicide.”


“Or the biggest discovery of the thirtieth century.”


 


Author Bio:


 


JoAnne has been a long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of her life. Besides having several novels under her belt, JoAnne canvas paints.


When not busy with hobbies or working outside the home, JoAnne spends time with relatives, her dog Jasmine, and volunteers her time within the community. JoAnne is a member of the International Women’s Writing Guild, Savvy Authors, Coffee Time Romance, Paranormal Romance Guild, True Romance Studios, National Writers Association, the Hocking Hill's Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. JoAnne believes in family values and following your dreams. JoAnne’s original canvas paintings, can be found at: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com


 
Buy Links:


 
MELANGE IN PRINT AND EBOOK:




 
LULU in print




 
AMAZON KINDLE STORE




 


Other books by JoAnne:


 


Murder Most Foul-a detective/mystery


Wicked Intentions-7 bone chilling paranormal tales


The Crime of the Century-a biography true crime


Poems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between


 


Upcoming Releases:


 
Twisted Love-a biography true crime anthology available June


Flagitious-a detective/mystery novella anthology available August 2014


 


Contact JoAnne:


 
joannetucker98@yahoo.com


 
http://www.facebook.com/joanne.myers.927


 
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=1990


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Sunday 20 April 2014

Fun Tagging Questions from ongoing Goodreads Blog Tag

Hi Julie, here we go!




1. What am I working on?
Experimental Eve, a science fiction novel. I’m hoping to write a crossover novel at some point during my writing career. By this I mean a book that speaks across the genres and to a wider audience. I hope that this new book might be a possible contender. I just finished writing, The Cinderella Proposition and The Virgin Lottery, both contemporary new adult.


2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
For Experimental Eve, I think its biggest difference is that it’s truly an experiment! I’m bringing together an Ice Queen heroin, an alien protagonist that could easily exist, and a catastrophe of epic proportions that has occurred on another exoplanet outside our solar system making Earth a target. To up the game I’m writing half from the alien’s point of view and the other half (interspaced by chapters beginning with their names) from the human’s point of view. It’s also very humorous due to the misunderstanding in the two planet’s cultures and traditions.


3. Why do I write what I do?
I cannot imagine not writing in every possible moment. Writing is my life. Beginning a new book is the same endorphin rush for me as falling in love.


4. How does my writing process work?
My writing is always either on the front of my brain, or swirling around at the back waiting for time to write.  The more you write the more it finds you. I’ve never been one to wait for their muse to strike, but get myself there by dedication and persistence. If you sit down to write I guarantee something good will happen.


Best,
January Bain
Storyteller


 


 


 


 

Saturday 22 March 2014

The Luxury of Vampire Time


The Luxury of Vampire Time

By January Bain

            I have always wanted to do things once without anyone knowing I have practiced, and then do them again—perfectly. And I now know why. There is much dignity in the rhythm of knowing how to do things well. And much comfort. And maybe, just maybe, a little ease for the fragile ego. Because I have always felt eyes upon me—judging eyes that catch every misstep.

Perhaps this is another reason for my love of all things vampire, if I have any need of another.  They have this time, this wonderful, incredible spans of endless time to really do things well. To have the luxury of doing everything perfectly, at least with all the time in the world to practice, seems to this mortal a very big deal indeed.

And what would I spend these endless millennia of time on? Well, that’s a no-brainer! More storytelling, of course. Time to become a great storyteller sounds like paradise to me. What draws you to the paranormal storyline?

 

January Bain 

STORYTELLER

Forever Man

Forever Woman

Forever Clan

Forever Angel

 




 

 

Wednesday 5 February 2014

Valentine's Day Blog Hop for Champagne Book Group

Hello everyone!


Well, as luck would have it the photo for the blog hop will not upload no how, no way! So here are the facts:


Grand Prize is amazing! I just got a Kindle paper white and it's even better than I thought. To get your name entered you just have to enter!!!! And you get over 40 wonderful titles! Sound too good to be true, it's not. It's going to happen from February 10 to 14 for Valentine's.


Enter here from Feb 10 to 14:  http://blogspot.us3.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=230c5e46b8467ad43d091489a&id=106fea3e3c&e=2747f6c535


I'm offering you three e-books as the main prize and one more for the final installment in the series right here on Science Fiction Musings. Forever Man, Forever Woman, Forever Clan and Forever Angel.


Go back here for the next stop to win more swag at:  http://blogspot.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=230c5e46b8467ad43d091489a&id=3f198fcf90&e=2747f6c535


Good Luck!


Best,
January Bain
The Forever Series
Champagne Books

Wednesday 8 January 2014

The multiverse for world-building, thanks to Brian Greene!



“You know what blows me away about our known universe. It’s how it’s so ideally suited for life as we know it. For example, if the protons in an atom were just 0.2 more massive than they actually are, they would be unstable and decay into smaller particles. Atoms would not exist and neither would we! If gravity were just slightly more powerful, the consequences would be nearly as grave. It would cause stars to run through their fuel at a fraction of the time and sputter out before life as we know it had a chance to evolve. In other words, the universe is life-friendly. Too many coincidences to be mere accidents according to many scientists.”


*Using the tenants from the above declaration made by one of my characters in a previous novel, I began to wonder how world building for a new multiverse might play out. (I’ve watched a lot of science shows hosted by the incomparable Brian Green and sat enthralled through them.) What could I add that would differ in a useful way for my storytelling from here on Earth? I decided on using a time travel scenario by creating a wormhole that could be used as a “bridge” to the past that would allow my characters to meet up at different times in history because that just sounds like so much fun to set up. And the ensuing chaos will help with the storytelling.


Secondly, I imagined a looser kind of morality that would allow for a lot more fun. We can sometimes be such prudes here on Earth so a universe with more scope in that direction just might add a whole new slant to things. And it looks like some readers are looking for stories that cross many genres, at least according to some of the blogs I’ve been reading, so that just might be the needed impetuous, right?


Thirdly, a new universe would be a great place for all the supernaturals to hang out, which would explain their elusiveness here on Earth—think Big Foot. Gives them their own place where they can visit our planet when they chose which means we need portal(s) to that other world that I’m going to call Outrider due to their outlaw nature.


Fourthly, the new world creatures just accept reincarnation as a fact, like some believe in right here on Earth.


Fifthly, time travels much slower on this new world adding to the sense of it being a haven. You can visit this universe and get back to Earth before very much has changed. Rather a useful premise for storytelling.


Now, to find out more you will just have to read the series when it’s finished. First Book: Blood Moon Justice coming soon. J


How does world building work for you? Do you fly by the seat of your pants as you go or do you plan everything ahead of time? I’d really like to know.


Best, January Bain
Storyteller
Forever Series
Champagne Books