tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55688424138007741262024-02-20T01:17:39.906-08:00Starbound LoversLynn Crainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563978872099232823noreply@blogger.comBlogger399125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-52669269988304868852020-05-04T01:30:00.000-07:002020-05-04T01:30:07.672-07:00Science fiction and fantasy mimics reality - by Vijaya Schartz<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The most popular stories are written to entertain, by authors concerned about the issues of their day. No matter what we write, the questions in our minds have a way of popping up into our work, and like good little problem solvers, our brains imagine possible solutions. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSD0YRd9fB3Xk2nizz9ztaWvEwkmguxJI8SJAJSB8X_P8AZVJVQcDuYTm9gsxC8lV47hIEg8bqsB4bNfpknJlf97KhkXi802Nn37aCNboRkHfSZQ56Ma9YvOo-a4xdPpLoKj3CE5eEtZO/s1600/battlestar+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSD0YRd9fB3Xk2nizz9ztaWvEwkmguxJI8SJAJSB8X_P8AZVJVQcDuYTm9gsxC8lV47hIEg8bqsB4bNfpknJlf97KhkXi802Nn37aCNboRkHfSZQ56Ma9YvOo-a4xdPpLoKj3CE5eEtZO/s1600/battlestar+poster.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexigIb7HGixn-xVt5hiE9IszTVZo0Vbbnhm8Hrwq9B9mTfsYSIdAwf4wFOkEUC31zkOtzP7LYN5K23cs1LA_V-cHIcRCA-t0_dPirVtjTZlzC9AJNfUqhQYhoevnmeAhaNZ-142T7uw8a/s1600/harry+potter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="916" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexigIb7HGixn-xVt5hiE9IszTVZo0Vbbnhm8Hrwq9B9mTfsYSIdAwf4wFOkEUC31zkOtzP7LYN5K23cs1LA_V-cHIcRCA-t0_dPirVtjTZlzC9AJNfUqhQYhoevnmeAhaNZ-142T7uw8a/s320/harry+potter.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The best stories often take inspiration from legends and myths and ancient history, which are part of our cultural background and define the way we think. Many great storytellers throughout history tried to illuminate the problems of their day through such tales, from Homer (Odysseus), to Shakespeare, to Victor Hugo (Les Miserables), to Jules Vernes, Hemingway, Faulkner, and closer to us, Glen A. Larson (Battlestar Galactica), Gene Roddenberry (Star Trek), J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter), George Lucas (Indiana Jones, Star Wars), James Cameron (Avatar)… the list goes on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmrr5FWyPOSrDgVFQFIkr2SeyxgJGw2MGQrcZ4zCUkPBWwDiTa-nitupulCUTN3WbSoTfGeE5AhlA_uppuoeWrlcKSnOBFTp_gPj7dyKD_fEehArc3PLizk5SzO68b4ioTdVVlzTpmndJ/s1600/avatar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmrr5FWyPOSrDgVFQFIkr2SeyxgJGw2MGQrcZ4zCUkPBWwDiTa-nitupulCUTN3WbSoTfGeE5AhlA_uppuoeWrlcKSnOBFTp_gPj7dyKD_fEehArc3PLizk5SzO68b4ioTdVVlzTpmndJ/s320/avatar.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Hp2fPzQ00OSDTpvail2GnQVh8q_TaEk8kWtZA_IkP9kPaKuc8KsEaIl1gJD2wuWy0PhVsn7nSuTlhXpQ2i8UgrBarEzcIj_cS7gi7yN6Kvk9Bs0v_Qw5cTuN4_b_eWuuWXFhtYMUhO-l/s1600/star+trek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Hp2fPzQ00OSDTpvail2GnQVh8q_TaEk8kWtZA_IkP9kPaKuc8KsEaIl1gJD2wuWy0PhVsn7nSuTlhXpQ2i8UgrBarEzcIj_cS7gi7yN6Kvk9Bs0v_Qw5cTuN4_b_eWuuWXFhtYMUhO-l/s1600/star+trek.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Vn1U2Bu3ZcDMBlj3M4klC9Y3_w-kyCrzuQ2Y5AEPQhWAGIouyfVsRWogwNSD8dxxUisucs0dzDFhn3Sk4aNWYr36IpXizV_N0870rh9zh3csIkbXicrddtwgPK31K3n76e72hZ67hLDl/s1600/star+wars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="373" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Vn1U2Bu3ZcDMBlj3M4klC9Y3_w-kyCrzuQ2Y5AEPQhWAGIouyfVsRWogwNSD8dxxUisucs0dzDFhn3Sk4aNWYr36IpXizV_N0870rh9zh3csIkbXicrddtwgPK31K3n76e72hZ67hLDl/s320/star+wars.jpg" width="217" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But even in a very elaborate and colorful fictional world, created by a talented storyteller, what sticks inside our minds are the people involved in the story… their struggles, their mistakes, their strengths, their resilience, their determination… and their weaknesses. We can relate to them. We wonder what we would do in similar circumstances. We wonder whether we would have the courage to do the right thing… if we could figure out what the right thing is.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-Ekxm_LwFyy8ky_3cHBh637iNFiM-dsYeZ444We2_KYJjOuHtMkM2STIiAMuDrnIeY_2K6RMZ0z2DGn2PsHLjR7jVWmZPjEsEheaYORHTz9Zhqbu1Kyg1iyN92PLYeHfZ-hhOJgw_Rb7/s1600/darth+vader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-Ekxm_LwFyy8ky_3cHBh637iNFiM-dsYeZ444We2_KYJjOuHtMkM2STIiAMuDrnIeY_2K6RMZ0z2DGn2PsHLjR7jVWmZPjEsEheaYORHTz9Zhqbu1Kyg1iyN92PLYeHfZ-hhOJgw_Rb7/s640/darth+vader.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whether it’s good vs evil, or the dangers of totalitarian empires, or whether the machines will one day take over our lives, these hypothetical stories have roots in what happened before or what might happen if we are not vigilant. I like being entertained with a tale that makes me wonder how we can improve as individuals and as a society. Fiction allows the writer to tackle hypothetical situations in a neutral setting, without ruffling too many political or religious feathers. It gives us the perfect stage for freedom of expression, philosophy and satire.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I predict that in the years to come, pandemics may become a sci-fi sub-genre. It will depict heroic health workers, overwhelmed hospital ships, suffering, tragic death tolls in senior care sick bays, disorganization, catastrophic mistakes, selfishness, greed, corruption, as well as self-sacrifice, and unimaginable acts of kindness… and that will become a classic theme for many stories to come, because this generation of authors will have lived through it… and so will their readers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAFijWycTiC-cL7VlMDElYZgV_2W8Y5qzX8SJ_dbmEZN-EfGdhRtD3dNldWsAH91Qd-JMKYhPORZ1phW_kWVSSebKioHrqunK5qyNXIlZLjRWrnyLC3P1Rh54q7tW3H7mRkYvy51Iarkn/s1600/thankyouhealthcareworkers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAFijWycTiC-cL7VlMDElYZgV_2W8Y5qzX8SJ_dbmEZN-EfGdhRtD3dNldWsAH91Qd-JMKYhPORZ1phW_kWVSSebKioHrqunK5qyNXIlZLjRWrnyLC3P1Rh54q7tW3H7mRkYvy51Iarkn/s640/thankyouhealthcareworkers.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like World War II or 9-11, this pandemic experience will become part of the collective memory, part of the recorded archives of our generation… part of the experience of the modern human race.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But unlike today’s grim reality, popular sci-fi can offer a safe escape, where the sacrifices are not in vain, the heroes are rewarded in the end, and the villains get their comeuppance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Reading.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 25.68px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Vijaya Schartz, author<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 25.68px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Strong Heroines, Brave Heroes<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/"><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</span></a><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">amazon </span></a><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">- </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">B&N</span></a><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"> - </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">Smashwords</span></a><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"> - </span><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">Kobo </span></a><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">- </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">FB</span></a><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjT1IRqh170C6gkk7WHl3Mtg1zTh4F7zf4lVVAujBZQU_ZRCTrGRQFRuZWGDn9AJu7eAZu6tYS9LTs3qmib5Cvtk3ySa-oFlB6nDH_nz5T-nA2kpRv_bmzAJY50KTNhfGlTQGwy3gceKA/s1600/Akira+medium.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjT1IRqh170C6gkk7WHl3Mtg1zTh4F7zf4lVVAujBZQU_ZRCTrGRQFRuZWGDn9AJu7eAZu6tYS9LTs3qmib5Cvtk3ySa-oFlB6nDH_nz5T-nA2kpRv_bmzAJY50KTNhfGlTQGwy3gceKA/s400/Akira+medium.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://books2read.com/Akiras-Choice"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">AKIRA'S CHOICE</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://books2read.com/Akiras-Choice"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Vijaya Schartz</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Byzantium Space Station series</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Standalone story</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When bounty hunter Akira Karyudo accepted her assignment, something didn't add up. Why would the Galactic Trade Alliance want a kidnapped orphan dead or alive?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the Byzantium space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the kidnapper is not what she expects.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kazmo, a decorated Resistance fighter, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Byzantium, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the space station?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Wow! If readers want to see and feel and believe they are in deep space, then "Akira's Choice" is the perfect choice! With a touch of romance, the vivid descriptions and beautifully developed characters masterfully presented by Schartz create a virtual world that invite the reader not merely to observe, but to walk amongst them and participate... This is a delicate art, and Schartz wields her weapons with precision and skill. Banzai!" 5 stars - exceptional - recommended read - Ind'tale Magazine</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"A captivating story with interesting, appealing characters. Being a cat lover, I found the relationship, with its psychic element, between Freckles and Shane absolutely captivating. As always, Ms. Schartz’s solid plot and crisply-written prose incorporates a good blend of action and intrigue... This story can easily stand alone... but I believe you’ll enjoy this exciting Sci-Fi series much more if you start reading it from the beginning... a must read for all fans of Sci-Fi romance. Go pick them up and settle into your favorite armchair for some entertaining reading. 4.5 stars - Manic Readers</span></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-74173503198575066542020-04-06T01:30:00.000-07:002020-04-06T11:48:47.108-07:00Dealing with the stress of being stuck at home - by Vijaya Schartz<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stuck at home? Listening to the news with growing anxiety? Dealing with confinement and social distancing, while worrying about your income or losing your 401K, can push our stress to intolerable levels. Here are a few of my stress relieving secrets to do at home. If it helps me keep my sanity, it might work for you as well.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiwTcp3ufi5EMDOmNKfFpLhniT5N54OOO58Af86Lqz_x6-R4v3g-Zod-mX4vofoLrU4ENg2F0hsJNobtLaW6Zqssj6C8rHSNoCDasjLmpcNuBdVIy0OaPMIM6Pl9XMQzI0h9lcLVUMi4t/s1600/Tai+Chi+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiwTcp3ufi5EMDOmNKfFpLhniT5N54OOO58Af86Lqz_x6-R4v3g-Zod-mX4vofoLrU4ENg2F0hsJNobtLaW6Zqssj6C8rHSNoCDasjLmpcNuBdVIy0OaPMIM6Pl9XMQzI0h9lcLVUMi4t/s1600/Tai+Chi+Day.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's me, front right, with the white shirt. You can do this at home.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tai-Chi – an exercise you can do alone, at home. It doesn’t require any space and it doesn’t matter if you do it well or not, as long as you keep moving in a slow and constant flow. There are a number of free videos on U-tube. Just follow along as best you can. Apply yourself and you’ll get better as you go. It’s a practice that can help you deal with stress all year long and has a side effect of improving your general health. I practice Tai-Chi Essentials, which is derived from the 37 form, and developed exclusively for health purposes. (Harvard Medical school guide to Tai-Chi) </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxdNHDsEX4r_rsCSpYHUnSzRC0M2HQ9mPGF_M1GUWvbO3RD_qtjhvP1Hr9auC3E6q4DeuDYk_BYxhBYPhxNWGUJI-YYgna54H17BwdoWfCm2WY4qXig3U00FKgw7a-j2i9CHExQ1j9t80/s1600/cat-kitten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxdNHDsEX4r_rsCSpYHUnSzRC0M2HQ9mPGF_M1GUWvbO3RD_qtjhvP1Hr9auC3E6q4DeuDYk_BYxhBYPhxNWGUJI-YYgna54H17BwdoWfCm2WY4qXig3U00FKgw7a-j2i9CHExQ1j9t80/s1600/cat-kitten.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cat videos – When stressed, I find myself watching more and more cute cat videos on Facebook. Join a group like “I love cats” or a group with puppies if you are a dog person, and indulge in soft furry cuteness to free your mind of stressful thoughts and concerns. A good laugh, a chuckle, a few awwwws and your spirit can soar again. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On TV – Last weekend, Animal Planet held a “Too Cute” marathon, featuring kittens and puppies and ducklings, and other furbabies. It was a big success, and they will probably do it again soon. Another advantage, it will also keep the kids, or grandkids also stuck at home, occupied and happy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vauR5siSJZr2EvpyMPb3M60CdzLomqaXmVbfg3TL89G8AFM5CMfmXMMPBcN-DXEyRtCtGS-JjP_dScFy7iCqCNbDgp91AoNDyPHcr76o47w3jmlulx7S22jT87ymvyFZxDvbvm9sHJjR/s1600/theholiday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vauR5siSJZr2EvpyMPb3M60CdzLomqaXmVbfg3TL89G8AFM5CMfmXMMPBcN-DXEyRtCtGS-JjP_dScFy7iCqCNbDgp91AoNDyPHcr76o47w3jmlulx7S22jT87ymvyFZxDvbvm9sHJjR/s1600/theholiday.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Watching romantic movies and Christmas movies – Just like romance novels, romantic movies and Christmas movies are the perfect escape. You know in advance all will be okay at the end, so you feel safe sharing the obstacles the characters have to surmount to find their happily ever after. From your DVR, or Netflix or your favorite movie source. Some channels, like Hallmark and Hallmark Mysteries have also started to replay Christmas movies. I love them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sit coms – my favorites are The Big Bang, Two and a half men, The Golden Girls. I always watch an episode or two late at night, before going to bed. It clears my mind for a good night sleep. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also like to cuddle with my cat, solve Crossword puzzles, and cook special meals for myself. I live alone, so I cook a batch then freeze individual portions to eat later. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But the best relaxation device is a good novel or a favorite series. I prefer popular fiction, action, adventure, romance, mystery, fantasy, science fiction. Any story that can get you out of your worries and into a new, exciting world will buy you many hours of pure escape. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGILQRthP-uDzwW8XrGYp631ZMKu1-bHNK3EuT5_BAqeECxj49M5BSihpyfg4njI051kvi0F14LetPH1aopsbcfH08aAWc3Ui2uijh-4UkVRSD2raK5LdtnREAixZWvZoT0oLJRw0t1Mqp/s1600/cursecompleteseries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGILQRthP-uDzwW8XrGYp631ZMKu1-bHNK3EuT5_BAqeECxj49M5BSihpyfg4njI051kvi0F14LetPH1aopsbcfH08aAWc3Ui2uijh-4UkVRSD2raK5LdtnREAixZWvZoT0oLJRw0t1Mqp/s640/cursecompleteseries.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Curse of the Lost Isle - Celtic Legends series, is available in ebook and paperback<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074CGKQJY?ref_=dbs_r_series&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank"> HERE</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope this helps you cope with these stressing times. If you want to check out my other books, visit my website or my page on amazon, B&N or your favorite online bookstore. Here are my latest releases (all are standalone stories with different sets of characters. The series indicates that they are set in the same universe). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Reading.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Vijaya Schartz, author</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Strong Heroines, Brave Heroes</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" target="_blank">amazon </a>- <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo </a>- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank">FB</a></div>
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_mARYsyNLwe1QtqFmz6Z5x1a7qUSZM-M4LU0PwMdCdQwFr7T9_ks-4WABncVxP3Wqkv-6e043xRh93fBDX9C1zdnnSivr_LY0FwcsgwyhgDuS16-ceGEBKExGCiNgLTVGFe4L7dClZc/s1600/AF+medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="925" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_mARYsyNLwe1QtqFmz6Z5x1a7qUSZM-M4LU0PwMdCdQwFr7T9_ks-4WABncVxP3Wqkv-6e043xRh93fBDX9C1zdnnSivr_LY0FwcsgwyhgDuS16-ceGEBKExGCiNgLTVGFe4L7dClZc/s320/AF+medium.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://books2read.com/Angel-Fierce" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ANGEL FIERCE</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Azura Chronicles, Book 2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">award-winning sci-fi romance</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Something’s rotten on the angel planet. When Avenging Angels turn up dead, Urielle, their Legion Commander, suspects the handsome intruder brought unspeakable evil to Azura.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maksou never met a woman he couldn’t seduce. He came to the forbidden planet to rescue his friends and get rich in the process, but the jungle crawls with lethal life forms… including a gorgeous warrior angel, who saves his life but keeps him prisoner and challenges his irresistible charm.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Urielle, sworn to protect Azura at all costs, has no use for a maverick who ignores the rules and endangers the planet… no matter how attractive. Especially when the Galactic Trade Alliance (GTA) wages a secret war to get their greedy hands on the priceless crystal at Azura’s core.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"></span><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"This is a TERRIFIC story with angels, people doing questionable things for the right or good reasons and women who are more than strong. They are leaders and can kick butt as well as the men. It even brings in AI's and gives them (at least one) a chance to redeem their programming. Action packed from start to finish, it will keep you on the edge of your seat. What's next for the people of this planet?LOVED IT!" 5 stars on amazon</span></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-61594181369437922942020-03-09T01:30:00.000-07:002020-03-09T01:30:00.141-07:00The aliens are coming. Are we ready? - by Vijaya Schartz<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The mainstream scientists finally agree that it would be impossible for us to be the only intelligent race in the universe. And it seems that many ancient texts all over the world speak of visitations of powerful gods wielding thunderbolts, and other strange beings, some blue of skin, some with many arms, some with wings, others who emerged from the sea… who possessed incredible technology and waged war in the skies on their chariots of fire. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7EQM3tsb8SysKLvpgTAO3uzXCJcXtk9t_nTxcQLICvzCvwp6nUvFmx8LE_Gwa86tyCnC_HJKECidkVajS_qypYnFjvP2scBnSe7LxTcLTscch0geoSAhNNf_DdD2jBB1dVVbis0UGpOa/s1600/Indian+gods+on+vimanas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="624" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7EQM3tsb8SysKLvpgTAO3uzXCJcXtk9t_nTxcQLICvzCvwp6nUvFmx8LE_Gwa86tyCnC_HJKECidkVajS_qypYnFjvP2scBnSe7LxTcLTscch0geoSAhNNf_DdD2jBB1dVVbis0UGpOa/s640/Indian+gods+on+vimanas.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Gods warring in the sky in ancient sanskrit texts </b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Since Chariots of the gods, by Erich Von Daniken was published in the seventies, science is now answering many of his questions. Ancient mythologies might have described aliens descending from the sky, and their advanced technology was interpreted as divine powers. Some ancient ruins show signs of being destroyed by nuclear weapons millennia ago, and are still radioactive. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEj0DyW0SWtYVQS3UVlFO75bHBoZf_6BVLsLZimYA5JbnFTvQGIqGLuHIESKB-qSB8A-yscY6y5Xk9fxOjAc6mJOnsVITZH_VSpUnpmutk8G6vogA1_DmbDemk-q5CxsWKGV4soHf-jt2/s1600/Chariots+%252B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEj0DyW0SWtYVQS3UVlFO75bHBoZf_6BVLsLZimYA5JbnFTvQGIqGLuHIESKB-qSB8A-yscY6y5Xk9fxOjAc6mJOnsVITZH_VSpUnpmutk8G6vogA1_DmbDemk-q5CxsWKGV4soHf-jt2/s1600/Chariots+%252B.jpg" /></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>In the light of our quick progress and our push for establishing colonies on the Moon and on Mars, it stands to reason that, if they are watching us, these other galactic races with incredible technology will want to make official contact with us… before we develop into a full-blown interplanetary race and interfere with their domain. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cxv_3ngQ4fQFoTJrM6NKfUEwXYJvg9NOWSPmecuBKiMJxEXuyubMBPEYTUAZ383ovpHLP2a68svJ-qrWP9IRglg7yPbn_phqYdN3eftw324zgSPDCR7K4TBkUNfs4CqLGVeSrQe8gI6N/s1600/ISS+space+station+astronaut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cxv_3ngQ4fQFoTJrM6NKfUEwXYJvg9NOWSPmecuBKiMJxEXuyubMBPEYTUAZ383ovpHLP2a68svJ-qrWP9IRglg7yPbn_phqYdN3eftw324zgSPDCR7K4TBkUNfs4CqLGVeSrQe8gI6N/s1600/ISS+space+station+astronaut.jpg" /></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>It may be that we will colonize the closest planets long before they make contact with us. What will we do when they make contact? How shall we communicate? Do we have a plan? </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuEc4vJy9QZtOFygF_ykWEQ_Bv4V3Ppj46O6TQ28T4-y-0-yqMsV19YbYhcVygubV6dwOB3B70mjuQlIQ6HMR8sqvLtAAUd8390kllNqje56h2iizyC62SwAtlrm-rQ6kHwSkV8pPqOS-/s1600/arrival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1062" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuEc4vJy9QZtOFygF_ykWEQ_Bv4V3Ppj46O6TQ28T4-y-0-yqMsV19YbYhcVygubV6dwOB3B70mjuQlIQ6HMR8sqvLtAAUd8390kllNqje56h2iizyC62SwAtlrm-rQ6kHwSkV8pPqOS-/s640/arrival.jpg" width="453" /></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>In the movie ARRIVAL, a linguist is tasked to decipher the language of aliens attempting to communicate with us. Since language is intrinsically linked to a culture (believe me, as a French person living in the US, and writing in English, I find it to be the truth) understanding an alien race would mean learning about, and understanding their culture… to determine their intents. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU0RKA4BeGyOoY-np_dAIZywry2nyiBlQF96flJj_gMIfzZedNNQbOV1cfi-HGG2tmWnngE01AGxz4rulFaXbCBqQYNUJIb4j13Vgmv0mD3pCimDMlkEQEJZyBRq2maElLrXseKO-J_M0/s1600/arrival1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU0RKA4BeGyOoY-np_dAIZywry2nyiBlQF96flJj_gMIfzZedNNQbOV1cfi-HGG2tmWnngE01AGxz4rulFaXbCBqQYNUJIb4j13Vgmv0mD3pCimDMlkEQEJZyBRq2maElLrXseKO-J_M0/s640/arrival1.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Why did they come? What do they want? Are they friendly and want to study us, like the adorable alien in E.T. or have they come to eat us and plunder our resources, like in INDEPENDENCE DAY? </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy4s694rI1c1MOl1eqixFIt9jOBc7v9sjFB16Rzb_w05pkhclsp8DwwvhMvtfYcw5xErYyFIfFcdD6irid1t1l6Lj5FWx7yJ6AfufMd7rcVK8rKnZWkuoddR2DprjWT4UdW5QzWPt0GCp/s1600/Independence+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="1024" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy4s694rI1c1MOl1eqixFIt9jOBc7v9sjFB16Rzb_w05pkhclsp8DwwvhMvtfYcw5xErYyFIfFcdD6irid1t1l6Lj5FWx7yJ6AfufMd7rcVK8rKnZWkuoddR2DprjWT4UdW5QzWPt0GCp/s640/Independence+Day.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How will the Military react? What if they have a different notion of time? What if they want us to get to their level and offer new knowledge and advanced technology? What if they are our creators through DNA manipulation, and are checking on our progress? Will we pass the test or will they destroy us with a great flood or a plague? Are we evolved enough to understand their motives?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsX3dBNuNRj5TKX-NdAfhz-bjypYUzf-DfVNdnRtP5-CMkMS-odP7fs6eYj-EGIaMCfSIsNkfNzFdc_vzYkkf2FRUvSUUfM8RlfUehTSYoo9WAnP8clVgmhvM_dmQRIx17ySIa3bTX4TKS/s1600/Regan+at+the+UN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsX3dBNuNRj5TKX-NdAfhz-bjypYUzf-DfVNdnRtP5-CMkMS-odP7fs6eYj-EGIaMCfSIsNkfNzFdc_vzYkkf2FRUvSUUfM8RlfUehTSYoo9WAnP8clVgmhvM_dmQRIx17ySIa3bTX4TKS/s640/Regan+at+the+UN.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>In a speech to the U.N. in 1987, President Ronald Reagan said, “I occasionally think how quickly our differences worldwide would vanish if we were facing an alien threat from outside this world.“ Carl Sagan, Winston Churchill, Stephen Hawking, all considered the likelihood of our first contact. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>But how can negotiations happen between galactic cultures, without a world government able to represent the entire planet? It’s impossible when so many factions are at odds, when they wage political and religious wars against each other, and the world leaders have a selfish appetite for power. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Some leaked reports say the governments of several countries are already working with different groups of aliens and replicating their technologies. Others say there are many alien factions as well, and they are at odds with each other. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFL-5vSJZ9siB6zlenhuKvN-GS7w2KNEL5Og1ZWcnd0pEwZ27NSIqI6HFQOSknGOls1LE2DgAb__f9xrUkN-ncx_4G9h465mNnLL_1UYd5b3diQGerjOvYGwGYDxtkwe0mUfgQp1VuWYBG/s1600/UFOs+above+the+White+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="992" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFL-5vSJZ9siB6zlenhuKvN-GS7w2KNEL5Og1ZWcnd0pEwZ27NSIqI6HFQOSknGOls1LE2DgAb__f9xrUkN-ncx_4G9h465mNnLL_1UYd5b3diQGerjOvYGwGYDxtkwe0mUfgQp1VuWYBG/s640/UFOs+above+the+White+House.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>UFOs buzzed the White House in 1952</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>There is even a documented instance when Aliens attempted to make peaceful contact with the White House over half a century ago, but the powers of the time were not ready to make peace with the rest of the world or publicly acknowledge the presence of aliens. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>If World Peace is a condition for our admission in the Galactic Confederation of Planets, I will visualize World Peace, and hope I’m still around to witness this momentous event that will forever unite the Human Race and give us a new direction. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>In the meantime, I write Sci-fi where Humans have already sprung into space and rub shoulders with alien races and cultures. Don’t miss my AZURA series (a planet inhabited by winged beings with astonishing powers) and my BYZANTIUM series (set on a space station at the fringe of conquered space). Of course, you can expect strong heroines, brave heroes, and a few smart felines.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Happy Reading!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjT1IRqh170C6gkk7WHl3Mtg1zTh4F7zf4lVVAujBZQU_ZRCTrGRQFRuZWGDn9AJu7eAZu6tYS9LTs3qmib5Cvtk3ySa-oFlB6nDH_nz5T-nA2kpRv_bmzAJY50KTNhfGlTQGwy3gceKA/s1600/Akira+medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="555" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjT1IRqh170C6gkk7WHl3Mtg1zTh4F7zf4lVVAujBZQU_ZRCTrGRQFRuZWGDn9AJu7eAZu6tYS9LTs3qmib5Cvtk3ySa-oFlB6nDH_nz5T-nA2kpRv_bmzAJY50KTNhfGlTQGwy3gceKA/s400/Akira+medium.jpg" width="266" /></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>AKIRA'S CHOICE</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sci-fi action romance</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Byzantium series</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>From your favorite retailer <a href="https://books2read.com/Akiras-Choice">HERE</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>When bounty hunter Akira Karyudo accepted her assignment, something didn't add up. Why would the Galactic Trade Alliance want a young kidnapped orphan dead or alive?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no-good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the Byzantium space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the kidnapper is not what she expects.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Kazmo, a decorated Resistance fighter, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Byzantium, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the space station?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_mARYsyNLwe1QtqFmz6Z5x1a7qUSZM-M4LU0PwMdCdQwFr7T9_ks-4WABncVxP3Wqkv-6e043xRh93fBDX9C1zdnnSivr_LY0FwcsgwyhgDuS16-ceGEBKExGCiNgLTVGFe4L7dClZc/s1600/AF+medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="925" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_mARYsyNLwe1QtqFmz6Z5x1a7qUSZM-M4LU0PwMdCdQwFr7T9_ks-4WABncVxP3Wqkv-6e043xRh93fBDX9C1zdnnSivr_LY0FwcsgwyhgDuS16-ceGEBKExGCiNgLTVGFe4L7dClZc/s400/AF+medium.jpg" width="266" /></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>ANGEL FIERCE</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sci-fi action romance</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Azura Chronicles series</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Get it from your favorite retailer <a href="https://books2read.com/Angel-Fierce">HERE</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Something’s rotten on the angel planet. When Avenging Angels turn up dead, Urielle, their Legion Commander, suspects the handsome intruder brought unspeakable evil to Azura.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Maksou never met a woman he couldn’t seduce. He came to the forbidden planet to rescue his friends and get rich in the process, but the jungle crawls with lethal life forms… including a gorgeous warrior angel, who saves his life but keeps him prisoner and challenges his irresistible charm.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Urielle, sworn to protect Azura at all costs, has no use for a maverick who ignores the rules and endangers the planet… no matter how attractive. Especially when the Galactic Trade Alliance (GTA) wages a secret war to get their greedy hands on the priceless crystal at Azura’s core.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 25.68px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Vijaya Schartz, author<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 25.68px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Strong Heroines, Brave Heroes<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"><a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a></span><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">amazon </span></a></span><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">- </span><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">B&N</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"> - </span><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">Smashwords</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"> - </span><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">Kobo </span></a></span><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">- </span><span style="line-height: 25.68px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 25.68px;">FB</span></a></span></b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-43886969223281897252020-02-13T01:30:00.000-08:002020-02-13T01:30:03.074-08:00Science catching up with science fiction - by Vijaya Schartz<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">As a sci-fi author, I am fascinated by what’s happening right now concerning space.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On December 20, 2019, the US government announced the creation of a new branch of the military to operate in space, called the US SPACE FORCE. The new logo, however, is eliciting frowns. Star Trek fans say it was ripped from their beloved Starfleet badge. Judge for yourself.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_EBB3FcijY02uxva8EtpR5E4X46CTMdTB2sQnZ7pQV86Kb64AXSMGxz7nETQJ5JWQ7UkInKl2y6ZGD6WbuwDKWkBEr-LgSnR2ZgdgV6Q5NvXdQmVuRFu0j45Dh_OasgnS1oCbTLyWS1k/s1600/usspaceforce-starfleet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_EBB3FcijY02uxva8EtpR5E4X46CTMdTB2sQnZ7pQV86Kb64AXSMGxz7nETQJ5JWQ7UkInKl2y6ZGD6WbuwDKWkBEr-LgSnR2ZgdgV6Q5NvXdQmVuRFu0j45Dh_OasgnS1oCbTLyWS1k/s640/usspaceforce-starfleet.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But why to go space? And why now? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The official answer is to protect our communication satellites and the International Space Station… but could there be other reasons? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOocZAbuDEC_oO6bM3BXtJxHTwlYRTOvE3j0kNNUSOQUFLkWsk-tjjwDsNWXbkzAqUHeWF2U9DgyJvwVW2djcndXjihCmRCLdmQIIK0gCPR8un7lm5P37J5hF-ESOcpQb9Wq8qdMHSIZdz/s1600/iss+space+walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="744" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOocZAbuDEC_oO6bM3BXtJxHTwlYRTOvE3j0kNNUSOQUFLkWsk-tjjwDsNWXbkzAqUHeWF2U9DgyJvwVW2djcndXjihCmRCLdmQIIK0gCPR8un7lm5P37J5hF-ESOcpQb9Wq8qdMHSIZdz/s640/iss+space+walk.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Does the government fear an attack from space? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is there an asteroid threatening our planet?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q_QClLFv1olPBlzN4uPrFVWe7rbRvnNzhRGxbYV8leQYf5ZU8VP34d59fauN_mOuzgOoFDt_5LOA6OHKXIkhyTZOLqbg8s0BkRvpSKOECKn6-70-wCAWThHMgyfAhDJSu7F4YL9hovxg/s1600/Asteroid-1233523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="590" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q_QClLFv1olPBlzN4uPrFVWe7rbRvnNzhRGxbYV8leQYf5ZU8VP34d59fauN_mOuzgOoFDt_5LOA6OHKXIkhyTZOLqbg8s0BkRvpSKOECKn6-70-wCAWThHMgyfAhDJSu7F4YL9hovxg/s640/Asteroid-1233523.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Scientists say it’s not a matter of if but when it will happen… and we are overdue. Remember the end of the dinosaurs?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXagdm8Zl0Eix0GqR8sZ4NlbPw-jA-XYl97XXnEbV4zSz8W5MPEqWUgPg6y3-aL2ZJMehIGXaeuPPqSPxrIwx0PE0DrJPC_EyPku10CeRV_DeihLdJYBFUhBXLDUMj6bdHR_fpuQKBxZhG/s1600/dinosaurexticntion.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="770" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXagdm8Zl0Eix0GqR8sZ4NlbPw-jA-XYl97XXnEbV4zSz8W5MPEqWUgPg6y3-aL2ZJMehIGXaeuPPqSPxrIwx0PE0DrJPC_EyPku10CeRV_DeihLdJYBFUhBXLDUMj6bdHR_fpuQKBxZhG/s640/dinosaurexticntion.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Or is it a race for dominance in Space? The Chinese declared a space race for the moon and have already landed equipment on the dark side. They also have satellites in moon orbit. It didn’t make the headline news, but it was confirmed by NASA. And India just announced plans for its first human space mission.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08dHPDJr1ZaiEEhIykeRvtQhaBOQmWWeJLlZQI3RWHc5ACWElEnUFZyEIJyIhbeQIK8gCyLWODkzWsnE3Vd9TPQ0R-E_iXxm0X4uOcK8qLuiekdWcfXKRew6OMkhNbkMLk8v5cxKuSzk_/s1600/China+on+the+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08dHPDJr1ZaiEEhIykeRvtQhaBOQmWWeJLlZQI3RWHc5ACWElEnUFZyEIJyIhbeQIK8gCyLWODkzWsnE3Vd9TPQ0R-E_iXxm0X4uOcK8qLuiekdWcfXKRew6OMkhNbkMLk8v5cxKuSzk_/s640/China+on+the+moon.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This month, SpaceX celebrated the successful test of Crew Dragon Capsule that will carry NASA astronauts. Which means, no more using the Russian rocket.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5cSzCCz9Rpi0K_603DgLekr3m36-Rc5N0d6vF-anbl6nixVNGK-AIt1YiHFykeUWP7zrtpMyRDvw7_ASLIjxJNvPz-yL1Tvwn_zG3T43_j9R5MI_js_5uW7d2j9u45Som3YTlJUybCU6/s1600/spacex+test+Crew+Dragon+launch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="879" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5cSzCCz9Rpi0K_603DgLekr3m36-Rc5N0d6vF-anbl6nixVNGK-AIt1YiHFykeUWP7zrtpMyRDvw7_ASLIjxJNvPz-yL1Tvwn_zG3T43_j9R5MI_js_5uW7d2j9u45Som3YTlJUybCU6/s640/spacex+test+Crew+Dragon+launch.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Or was this decision for a new US SPACE FORCE made in order to protect the private companies who are preparing to harvest a wealth of minerals in space? These private companies are already launching their own rockets. First the moon, then the asteroid belt. Like in the old West, there are fortunes to be made. Space has become the new frontier, the new opportunity for those daring enough. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Space is also a new place to expand for the ever-growing population of Earth that is quickly destroying our planet. Earth cannot sustain the growth rate of our population. Pollution is a direct byproduct of overpopulation. More people means more exhaust gas, more manufacturing, more garbage, more fishing, more plundering of our natural resources.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIu0_q8vL6MMPVbhIl6L6EG1BEy5HAPShuRyJbEnsXWkB3LTPykICHy97tShQp4Cf3Cm4mmyWYHkkUBH7dQAR_ELJxkOan0Lg2m9Z-FDZgMvnk4vSLSTUo2CwIlWUYnPmQ802tUFLqB8N/s1600/pollution-overpopulation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="360" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIu0_q8vL6MMPVbhIl6L6EG1BEy5HAPShuRyJbEnsXWkB3LTPykICHy97tShQp4Cf3Cm4mmyWYHkkUBH7dQAR_ELJxkOan0Lg2m9Z-FDZgMvnk4vSLSTUo2CwIlWUYnPmQ802tUFLqB8N/s640/pollution-overpopulation.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some say the race is for alien first contact, in order to benefit from their technology. Or has it happened already? Former astronauts have been warning us for decades that we are not alone in the universe. Now, the scientific community agrees, and recent government leaks informed the world that contact and exchange of technologies already happened with ET races at the highest levels.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some even say the US already has a military force in space that needs to be legitimized. Others talk about shadows around the Mars Rover on NASA pictures, suggesting a human presence on Mars. Do we already have people there? Or did some alien humanoid help unstick the Mars rover?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUA1chq7R1ZA5fZU2_zAJJsPRBqGTX5nB3Wu3NtqUrS5j1_1g_3KdZZwYp5w-mwaW2UvoeyVr9MRtrkGBnt7pDEJzB_cy5bYSe6srS9BVnRF1Mbmbozbtns91mBtjbEw-k2OakU3ABZgV/s1600/Shadow+on+Mars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUA1chq7R1ZA5fZU2_zAJJsPRBqGTX5nB3Wu3NtqUrS5j1_1g_3KdZZwYp5w-mwaW2UvoeyVr9MRtrkGBnt7pDEJzB_cy5bYSe6srS9BVnRF1Mbmbozbtns91mBtjbEw-k2OakU3ABZgV/s640/Shadow+on+Mars.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most of us think we would know if that were the case, but sci-fi authors and fans will tell you we would be the very last to know. Remember Stargate? Military secrets are extremely well guarded. And as for the topic of aliens, governments have become masters at systematic debunking, and misdirection. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One might wonder if there suddenly is a reason to legitimize what is already going on in space, or maybe to provide more funding for new space projects.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In any case, I will be keeping an eye on what’s developing in space. That’s where we are headed, that’s our future, and I feel lucky to be alive now, at the beginning of what can only be a great adventure.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, I’ll keep writing, and researching. This new phase of our evolution is bound to inspire many stories. Maybe you would like my Byzantium space station series. Here is the latest:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjT1IRqh170C6gkk7WHl3Mtg1zTh4F7zf4lVVAujBZQU_ZRCTrGRQFRuZWGDn9AJu7eAZu6tYS9LTs3qmib5Cvtk3ySa-oFlB6nDH_nz5T-nA2kpRv_bmzAJY50KTNhfGlTQGwy3gceKA/s1600/Akira+medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="555" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjT1IRqh170C6gkk7WHl3Mtg1zTh4F7zf4lVVAujBZQU_ZRCTrGRQFRuZWGDn9AJu7eAZu6tYS9LTs3qmib5Cvtk3ySa-oFlB6nDH_nz5T-nA2kpRv_bmzAJY50KTNhfGlTQGwy3gceKA/s400/Akira+medium.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="266" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">AKIRA'S CHOICE</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Byzantium Book 2</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Vijaya Schart</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">z</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://books2read.com/Akiras-Choice" target="_blank">Find it from your favorite retailer HERE</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When bounty hunter Akira Karyudo accepted her assignment, something didn't add up. Why would the Galactic Trade Alliance want a young kidnapped orphan dead or alive?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no-good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the Byzantium space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the kidnapper is not what she expects.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kazmo, a decorated Resistance fighter, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Byzantium, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the space station?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"Wow! If readers want to see and feel and believe they are in deep space, then ‘Akira's Choice’ is the perfect choice! With a touch of romance, the vivid descriptions and beautifully developed characters masterfully presented by Schartz create a virtual world that invite the reader not merely to observe, but to walk amongst them and participate... This is a delicate art, and Schartz wields her weapons with precision and skill. Banzai!"</i> 5 stars - exceptional - recommended read - Ind'tale Magazine</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"A captivating story with interesting, appealing characters. Being a cat lover, I found the relationship, with its psychic element, between Freckles and Shane absolutely captivating. As always, Ms. Schartz’s solid plot and crisply-written prose incorporates a good blend of action and intrigue... This story can easily stand alone... but I believe you’ll enjoy this exciting Sci-Fi series much more if you start reading it from the beginning... a must read for all fans of Sci-Fi romance. Go pick them up and settle into your favorite armchair for some entertaining reading."</i> 4.5 stars - Manic Readers</div>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Keep reading!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Vijaya Schartz, author</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Strong Heroines, Brave Heroes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">amazon </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">-</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">B&N</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">-</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Smashwords</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">-</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Kobo </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">-</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">FB</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-76120824890813858832020-01-13T02:00:00.000-08:002020-01-13T02:00:09.395-08:002019 in review - by Vijaya Schartz<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2019 was a busy and rewarding year in many ways and many areas of my life. On a personal level, my divorce was finalized, after twenty-five years of marriage. The last five years we were separated. Not a tremendous change, but a symbolic one. I always valued freedom above all. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As for my writing career, a few surprise awards came at the very beginning. I was a bestseller for 2018 at BWL, and ANGEL MINE (Azura Chronicles Book 1) was voted Best Positive Future Novel of 2018 by Critters Annual Readers Poll.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua5Q3XG33t7TOqS7Y9rsklHjvEZLA395ymiiHpCGHfxhAv0vMIvKW-aPDB3DNmsBqg3LKz2ZZWybPH9wQhyphenhyphen15hjOj7RzZccnENvgCaB72qJYVBF8jqGliNU7qQ9k95-WspaeEwq3KBoRS/s1600/BWL-logo-2018Award-Schartz-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="855" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua5Q3XG33t7TOqS7Y9rsklHjvEZLA395ymiiHpCGHfxhAv0vMIvKW-aPDB3DNmsBqg3LKz2ZZWybPH9wQhyphenhyphen15hjOj7RzZccnENvgCaB72qJYVBF8jqGliNU7qQ9k95-WspaeEwq3KBoRS/s320/BWL-logo-2018Award-Schartz-sm.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyheYqlRoQoJvKafk1ugfwGKrKB4P5GcPquvQf7P0YzpzkX9PwLsubfb0Pp1ZDOUfR7RpxHGiF2ncg2cPnc0F6vEidVbeb4KOY4I8nBqG0Q3y7uPZ8HLovIlKoLJ2LdocQLaNrDgA1aNCX/s1600/AM+best+book+poll+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyheYqlRoQoJvKafk1ugfwGKrKB4P5GcPquvQf7P0YzpzkX9PwLsubfb0Pp1ZDOUfR7RpxHGiF2ncg2cPnc0F6vEidVbeb4KOY4I8nBqG0Q3y7uPZ8HLovIlKoLJ2LdocQLaNrDgA1aNCX/s1600/AM+best+book+poll+2019.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My publication year started with ANGEL FIERCE in February, followed by BLACK DRAGON in June. Then I had to revise and refresh all the books in the CHRONICLES OF KASSOUK (six of them) over the summer for the second publication of this favorite award-winning series by BWL. Then I had to rewrite a short work into a full novel, AKIRA’S CHOICE, Byzantium Book 2, which was released in November. I also contributed to an anthology of essays about genre discrimination and the condition of women, to be released in January to benefit a women’s charity. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ten titles in one year. Phew! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When the stars align, you better be ready for the turmoil. It was grueling work. And a lot of time and effort spent on writing, on promoting the release of each book, not to mention meeting insane deadlines. I had no other choice but to bury myself in my work. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But the rewards exceeded all my expectations. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68lJ1xzXiIlx08lDlJz-HsB-21QxmmlL9ZiP4rO0zuF7QJYIFz18rhVmv0xCV4sLbLLlTg8yBzIdoPWWx5pygjFrxdrky2Ry3NUxFyOp_6hNSU9csFf_r4NooWh2FrJbPh7_YBmVfE8j0/s1600/AAAaward.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68lJ1xzXiIlx08lDlJz-HsB-21QxmmlL9ZiP4rO0zuF7QJYIFz18rhVmv0xCV4sLbLLlTg8yBzIdoPWWx5pygjFrxdrky2Ry3NUxFyOp_6hNSU9csFf_r4NooWh2FrJbPh7_YBmVfE8j0/s1600/AAAaward.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The crowning came on November 2nd, with the 2019 ARIZONA LITERARY AWARDS, where ANGEL FIERCE won first place in fiction, a very large and competitive category. Here I am in my Phryne Fisher Murder Mysteries costume, cloche hat and all, receiving the award. My book cover is on the big screen. The smile alone tells the story. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfbtAun6CSIMhH2OZuCiJYv5YbDEq3oswKO_fLEa1vt30jYAnNCKuKu3HSKrzYXAn4usmo_OEUWgm4scbGTe22HBketQ36K37M42uczNZt0nJDFEBtueImxtVx_HPxkmvGtuckAUYdYwM/s1600/AAA+banguet+2019+-+1st+prize+fiction.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfbtAun6CSIMhH2OZuCiJYv5YbDEq3oswKO_fLEa1vt30jYAnNCKuKu3HSKrzYXAn4usmo_OEUWgm4scbGTe22HBketQ36K37M42uczNZt0nJDFEBtueImxtVx_HPxkmvGtuckAUYdYwM/s640/AAA+banguet+2019+-+1st+prize+fiction.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbafHrpn96sURm7A72QpVBpv1KlPXSWaELYneuVdncJlDaUq1cV7Nelc3ounQG54vdSg7yGAQw1gKicBmQCUKYMrIaoEHIIASHHPzhbV4g6qbbV0e3DWqfXXJePiMzJeNpa4njlVs7_ElB/s1600/bestofglendaleaward2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbafHrpn96sURm7A72QpVBpv1KlPXSWaELYneuVdncJlDaUq1cV7Nelc3ounQG54vdSg7yGAQw1gKicBmQCUKYMrIaoEHIIASHHPzhbV4g6qbbV0e3DWqfXXJePiMzJeNpa4njlVs7_ElB/s320/bestofglendaleaward2019.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="260" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then, a few weeks later, on November 26, I was selected for the Best of Glendale award in Media and Entertainment, for my achievements as an author, for the year 2019. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Each year, this program identifies companies and individuals that we believe have achieved exceptional success in their local community and business category. These exceptional people help make the Glendale area a great place to live, work and play. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners. The Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Glendale Award Program and data provided by third parties. Only one winner is selected in each category." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It took me twenty years of arduous work and perseverance from my first book release to get to this point, and I have no regrets. After thirty original titles, it was all worth it. I realized my dream of becoming a recognized and celebrated author, respected by my peers, and loved by my readers. Too bad Amazon doesn’t consider quality as its principal standard. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But where do I go from here? Keep writing. I’m now working on MALAIKA’S SECRET, Book 3 of the Byzantium series, to be released in 2020. Next will be ANGEL BRAVE, Book 3 of the Azura Chronicles, set on the angel planet. Angel Fierce, the award-winning book, was Book 2 of this series, and Book 1, Angel Mine, won a Readers Poll. Each book is a standalone.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I sincerely hope 2020 gives me a little time to breathe. I wouldn’t want to get burned out about writing, like some of my author friends who stopped producing altogether. I wish to retain my joie de vivre an enjoy some kind of personal life… which was missing in 2019. Besides, having a life can also give authors some inspiration for new characters and new stories. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_mARYsyNLwe1QtqFmz6Z5x1a7qUSZM-M4LU0PwMdCdQwFr7T9_ks-4WABncVxP3Wqkv-6e043xRh93fBDX9C1zdnnSivr_LY0FwcsgwyhgDuS16-ceGEBKExGCiNgLTVGFe4L7dClZc/s1600/AF+medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="925" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_mARYsyNLwe1QtqFmz6Z5x1a7qUSZM-M4LU0PwMdCdQwFr7T9_ks-4WABncVxP3Wqkv-6e043xRh93fBDX9C1zdnnSivr_LY0FwcsgwyhgDuS16-ceGEBKExGCiNgLTVGFe4L7dClZc/s320/AF+medium.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NCXHZJX/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ANGEL FIERCE - Byzantium Book 2</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Winner Arizona Literary Awards, Fiction, 2019</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Something’s rotten on the angel planet. When Avenging Angels turn up dead, Urielle, their Legion Commander, suspects the handsome intruder brought unspeakable evil to Azura.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maksou never met a woman he couldn’t seduce. He came to the forbidden planet to rescue his friends and get rich in the process, but the jungle crawls with lethal life forms… including a gorgeous warrior angel, who saves his life but keeps him prisoner and challenges his irresistible charm.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Urielle, sworn to protect Azura at all costs, has no use for a maverick who ignores the rules and endangers the planet… no matter how attractive. Especially when the Galactic Trade Alliance (GTA) wages a secret war to get their greedy hands on the priceless crystal at Azura’s core.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"full of fascinating elements and a unique spin on Angels... fast pace and strong, vivid characters that draw readers in and keep them glued to the pages... an entertaining and intriguing read." Ind'tale Magazine</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjT1IRqh170C6gkk7WHl3Mtg1zTh4F7zf4lVVAujBZQU_ZRCTrGRQFRuZWGDn9AJu7eAZu6tYS9LTs3qmib5Cvtk3ySa-oFlB6nDH_nz5T-nA2kpRv_bmzAJY50KTNhfGlTQGwy3gceKA/s1600/Akira+medium.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjT1IRqh170C6gkk7WHl3Mtg1zTh4F7zf4lVVAujBZQU_ZRCTrGRQFRuZWGDn9AJu7eAZu6tYS9LTs3qmib5Cvtk3ySa-oFlB6nDH_nz5T-nA2kpRv_bmzAJY50KTNhfGlTQGwy3gceKA/s320/Akira+medium.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZL45JRR/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Akira's Choice - Byzantium Book 2</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When bounty hunter Akira Karyudo accepted her assignment, something didn't add up. Why would the Galactic Trade Alliance want a young kidnapped orphan dead or alive?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no-good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the Byzantium space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the kidnapper is not what she expects.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kazmo, a decorated Resistance fighter, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Byzantium, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the space station?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Wow! If readers want to see and feel and believe they are in deep space, then ‘Akira's Choice’ is the perfect choice! With a touch of romance, the vivid descriptions and beautifully developed characters masterfully presented by Schartz create a virtual world that invite the reader not merely to observe, but to walk amongst them and participate... This is a delicate art, and Schartz wields her weapons with precision and skill. Banzai!" 5 stars - exceptional - recommended read - Ind'tale Magazine</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"A captivating story with interesting, appealing characters. Being a cat lover, I found the relationship, with its psychic element, between Freckles and Shane absolutely captivating. As always, Ms. Schartz’s solid plot and crisply-written prose incorporates a good blend of action and intrigue... This story can easily stand alone... but I believe you’ll enjoy this exciting Sci-Fi series much more if you start reading it from the beginning... a must read for all fans of Sci-Fi romance. Go pick them up and settle into your favorite armchair for some entertaining reading. 4.5 stars - Manic Readers</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wish you all a wonderful holiday season, safe travels, and a fantastic year in 2020.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Vijaya Schartz, author</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b> </b>Strong heroines, brave heroes, cats, romance with a kick</div>
<b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b> </b><a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a> </div>
</b><b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b> </b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" target="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">amazon</span></a><b> - </b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a><b> - </b><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a><b> - </b><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a><b> - </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank">FB</a></div>
</b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-49977449320018037202019-12-16T01:30:00.000-08:002019-12-16T01:30:02.207-08:00Holiday culture - by Vijaya Schartz<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Edouard Herriot famously said that culture is what remains when one has forgotten everything. Culture in the French vocabulary of the period meant learning and knowledge, but the saying is also true in today’s extended meaning of the word. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZ9xaX-kw74ry5RC2Pbsc6yVK-9Tmeirlz_a6m2GdItuDeiptmAfsBiuIHvFYOWS74RiLd6vA9WJ0vwxHttvDL8aKPajbsA_ZzKaHNFWQY8uu0vnrx7pbSTTG_x_RS_ijTlPHTl8wgsTk/s1600/Acropolis+Parthenon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="1144" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZ9xaX-kw74ry5RC2Pbsc6yVK-9Tmeirlz_a6m2GdItuDeiptmAfsBiuIHvFYOWS74RiLd6vA9WJ0vwxHttvDL8aKPajbsA_ZzKaHNFWQY8uu0vnrx7pbSTTG_x_RS_ijTlPHTl8wgsTk/s640/Acropolis+Parthenon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We speak of ancient cultures, of the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, their philosophy and their mythology. We speak of the great artists of the Renaissance. They left long lasting testimonies of their history, architecture, writings, and way of life… Some say modern culture will only be evident when we are long gone and forgotten. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndl6WF2tQOEvMc64hcYLcqBnjKSH3TDH4ipHanOGu5uoEwTruesfw3LuQ6yCt4nbm3EzlDMbAsagLE-5WKQ34nKtS2lqBU5dnhzkjp5SVX_Ysh5kdf6augpJKgDG23bCfi8E4AbQfQOYI/s1600/Abu+Simbel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndl6WF2tQOEvMc64hcYLcqBnjKSH3TDH4ipHanOGu5uoEwTruesfw3LuQ6yCt4nbm3EzlDMbAsagLE-5WKQ34nKtS2lqBU5dnhzkjp5SVX_Ysh5kdf6augpJKgDG23bCfi8E4AbQfQOYI/s1600/Abu+Simbel.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I say culture is not only art, architecture, wisdom, or knowledge, but it is how we treat each other, and how we celebrate life, family, and the traditions that accompany good and bad events in our lives. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AfIv5xXdNIzhPqVU9XHERmQcMDR0bCcl1jrwJPqFJ2F7IZZqo0qqEcH21Q-SdllwCXivtz4TbjOCrMfqM81dZqCUE30ySOZWQmw6LSeUIyZ9bJCKoafmvbOwuOA-W2cFSEBsXN3X9vxX/s1600/khajuraho+India.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="810" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AfIv5xXdNIzhPqVU9XHERmQcMDR0bCcl1jrwJPqFJ2F7IZZqo0qqEcH21Q-SdllwCXivtz4TbjOCrMfqM81dZqCUE30ySOZWQmw6LSeUIyZ9bJCKoafmvbOwuOA-W2cFSEBsXN3X9vxX/s640/khajuraho+India.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Being raised in France, my first contact with America over the course of a three-month summer vacation was a true culture shock. I didn’t understand fast-food. Who in their right mind would eat ketchup? Why stick a piece of dry meat between two dry buns, when you can simmer your own coq-au-vin and bake potatoes au-gratin? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I couldn’t understand why Americans worked such long hours and never took extended vacations. The French, even in those days, took five weeks of mandatory paid vacation each year, and often took a few extra, unpaid vacation weeks as well, with their employers’ blessing. Many French companies still close completely for an entire month each summer. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I returned to France, that fall, I declared that I would never want to live in America. These people were crazy, frantic, and didn’t know how to live… and they probably thought the same thing about me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNB0b9Os8Tp2w75qGocvXYZs5RmWud4TWJOQL9ocTkARWU6pTpWP16g-sthDBYUbJoWwrm562EaXc-PSrCzddFFbmPQqR3-n8EFAkeMD9I8iCzDR4sJKeMrf0LTeMnQJbpLC97KqOEIZ8/s1600/Ganesh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="843" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNB0b9Os8Tp2w75qGocvXYZs5RmWud4TWJOQL9ocTkARWU6pTpWP16g-sthDBYUbJoWwrm562EaXc-PSrCzddFFbmPQqR3-n8EFAkeMD9I8iCzDR4sJKeMrf0LTeMnQJbpLC97KqOEIZ8/s640/Ganesh.jpg" width="449" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As things go, life has a way of making you regret such statements made in the ignorance of youth. While studying in an ashram in India, where I felt totally at ease, despite the many cultural differences, I met an American man and fell in love. We were married, and I came to live with him in the United States. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxq5aDkX_s1b6sDGnDw3961omwsLBS0gmsPeErYR8XSHNK8_5dbR4KwdgvR8TVge9vce-taX9eViM2N9pkp-Alw0HxRApKe6PhYJSwqv-L6QofvPKTr7Nf5LKTSxsyBLFJL1p-D7sDdgy/s1600/lady+Liberty+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxq5aDkX_s1b6sDGnDw3961omwsLBS0gmsPeErYR8XSHNK8_5dbR4KwdgvR8TVge9vce-taX9eViM2N9pkp-Alw0HxRApKe6PhYJSwqv-L6QofvPKTr7Nf5LKTSxsyBLFJL1p-D7sDdgy/s320/lady+Liberty+2.jpg" width="202" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Imagine my reaction when he took me to eat a T-bone steak at Jack in the Box, on a paper plate, with plastic flatware. The culture shock was back. Never in my life had I cut a steak with a plastic knife. From then on, I cooked at home. It was great for a while, but soon, my husband missed American food… which I didn’t care for, and didn’t know how to cook. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was decades ago, and I since learned to appreciate American food and culture. I understand that a busy life requires take out or fast food, in order to spend more time with family. My mother spent all her time in the kitchen. I can now fully enjoy a barbecue party, or a seafood buffet. I absolutely love apple pie a la mode (which surprised me at first, because the French do not eat pie with ice-cream). I smile when I hear my neighbors shouting at the referee during a football game… although I still cook most of my meals at home… you know… trying to eat healthy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I even corrected my husband when he said America had no culture, compared to the Europeans, the Greeks or the Egyptians. But America is still young. These ancient cultures had a chance to mature over many centuries. Besides, Lady Liberty could compete with the colossus of Rhodes, and what about the faces carved in the rock of Mount Rushmore? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVy7-pVRZm_QcazUkPjKh84WDztwyb26YiULQvMsg37LH1h2goFt9NePlNz7J7FEZ4EX69qZ8Qhe8KtXdRGmmZ_3NOqI_A6fwD8ADM_0t_hfYzUgU8MfxzbNOR_61DgRwW5sU3jKZmkVhO/s1600/mount+Rushmore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVy7-pVRZm_QcazUkPjKh84WDztwyb26YiULQvMsg37LH1h2goFt9NePlNz7J7FEZ4EX69qZ8Qhe8KtXdRGmmZ_3NOqI_A6fwD8ADM_0t_hfYzUgU8MfxzbNOR_61DgRwW5sU3jKZmkVhO/s640/mount+Rushmore.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because America is young, it experiences many growing pains and is learning to cope with change, and handle diversity. It’s not an easy task, and progress is painful and takes time. Yet in the midst of all that, America has all kinds of great cultural traditions, because of its diversity. Emigrants from many countries melted their cultures together so much that we do not exactly know where American traditions come from. You can experience Mardi-Gras in New Orleans, or a Greek Festival in California. American pizza (nothing like its Italian ancestor) is now conquering Europe. Who hasn’t enjoyed a bagel smeared with cream cheese, Mexican food, Thai food, sushi, or Chinese take out? America embraced all these different cultures and from them, forged its own. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOi8iZcVWSEX79wZVUVU_v3QbIf19QmQlwPVTWqS908iI1pHrKD6EAvDc0tSVvNmukodbbj7dFhQoWoYQQaSSbETvqhG0kPt45S35nKZw2keBQ6u0EvI52cUPY9dGn0EJcX54JJkYihtNk/s1600/Thanksgivingfeast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOi8iZcVWSEX79wZVUVU_v3QbIf19QmQlwPVTWqS908iI1pHrKD6EAvDc0tSVvNmukodbbj7dFhQoWoYQQaSSbETvqhG0kPt45S35nKZw2keBQ6u0EvI52cUPY9dGn0EJcX54JJkYihtNk/s1600/Thanksgivingfeast.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But Thanksgiving is definitely a unique holiday of the American continent (although Europe is now trying to copy it), and I enjoyed it to the fullest, with turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and all. And I take my pie a la mode, merci beaucoup.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriP9Len6CP2qM0EoCuxokUnle4NNgIfVyswrn6SZfKKY6hpQK-t91AEb7OFefLq-twrThJs6MWr8jZ6qT0OdU-QT93ogUrjjTjuAD7QUVn92cb5lMJi9wAlDC9sWkFZXz1IjUl-DQK8Bp/s1600/ashes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriP9Len6CP2qM0EoCuxokUnle4NNgIfVyswrn6SZfKKY6hpQK-t91AEb7OFefLq-twrThJs6MWr8jZ6qT0OdU-QT93ogUrjjTjuAD7QUVn92cb5lMJi9wAlDC9sWkFZXz1IjUl-DQK8Bp/s1600/ashes.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For a total culture shock, read ASHES FOR THE ELEPHANT GOD, a reincarnation love story set in India.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">amazon</span></a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To scatter her brother's ashes over the Narmada River, Fabienne leaves France for the mysterious India of her childhood dreams. As she awakens to a newfound spirituality, unexpected visions of a former life during the Raj stir ancient yearnings for a long lost passion. Mukunda, the palace architect Fabienne loved a century and a half ago, lives again as an American engineer and works on the local dam project.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As Fabienne falls in love again with India and the man of her destiny, the tapestry of her previous life unfolds. But, in the karmic land of the blue gods, a ruthless foe lies in wait. The Kali worshiper, who murdered the two lovers in a faraway past, has come back through the centuries to thwart their dream once more.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"... a broad-stroked, magnificent picture of a lavish India of the past and the present... a vivid tale of suspense... a gripping account of a woman coming to terms with heightened awareness... destiny." The Book Reader</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"... entertaining, fast-paced yet deeply spiritual... Here is a superior metaphysical novel!" Richard Fuller - Metaphysical Reviews</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"... passionate... love, lust, faith and deception... a magnificent offering to the world of fiction..." The Charlotte Austin Review</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"...rich, sensual... multilayered... a thriller... magical, mystical book..." Writer's Digest</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"...a striking and highly recommended metaphysical novel..." Midwest Book Review</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFORzBy2DfDubb5euOVTwj4fZYcFpHt7NW5sBfa5YAoys9akkDPMEeo2-GAVLTC1cI-BesOvLbY2gc82pjK6MaavSXPmzONEAFDiFrkokQWmSmSuQGi5kXMzJPYGrGt6VrLOoOzF-X3WI2/s1600/happyholidaysbanner5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1457" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFORzBy2DfDubb5euOVTwj4fZYcFpHt7NW5sBfa5YAoys9akkDPMEeo2-GAVLTC1cI-BesOvLbY2gc82pjK6MaavSXPmzONEAFDiFrkokQWmSmSuQGi5kXMzJPYGrGt6VrLOoOzF-X3WI2/s640/happyholidaysbanner5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;">Vijaya Schartz, author<br /> Strong heroines, brave heroes, cats, romance with a kick<br /> <a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" target="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">amazon</span></a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" target="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">B&N</span></a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz">Smashwords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/">FB</a> </span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-5551441456038412122019-11-18T02:00:00.000-08:002019-11-18T02:00:01.156-08:00ANGEL FIERCE is an award-winning novel - by Vijaya Schartz<br />
<div class="separator" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://epicfantasyromance.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/8e670-af2bmedium.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" class=" aligncenter" height="640" src="https://epicfantasyromance.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/8e670-af2bmedium.jpg?w=425&h=640" style="background: transparent; border: none; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="425" /></a></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiMdR1iTc_MJ6CqdTrDl_7MhceYhrM2k-0mL4t4C9QXfq3jL78tbSAvenRhPwfbrk8BXiQULbPxSyZBuTnOG1pMP33rzOhEzuyY-K12kvJh7UiB9Up18ZSgNdTAIxidD2SXdVlAsEoxS1/s1600/AAAaward.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiMdR1iTc_MJ6CqdTrDl_7MhceYhrM2k-0mL4t4C9QXfq3jL78tbSAvenRhPwfbrk8BXiQULbPxSyZBuTnOG1pMP33rzOhEzuyY-K12kvJh7UiB9Up18ZSgNdTAIxidD2SXdVlAsEoxS1/s1600/AAAaward.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I am overjoyed. ANGEL FIERCE just won 1st Place in the ARIZONA LITERARY AWARDS 2019, in the Published Fiction category.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Although my books won several awards over the years, this one is meaningful. It’s not a popularity contest, or the opinion of a reviewer on a website, but an official recognition by the writing community of Arizona. It’s also in a very large category, Published Fiction, not a limited genre, like romance or science fiction.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So you can see why I’m excited. This contest has existed for decades, and is open to all authors everywhere, so I had a lot of competition. Still, ANGEL FIERCE won 1st place, and it’s wonderful.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Find it on: </span><b style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">amazon</span></a> – <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">B&N</a> – <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Smashwords</a> – <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kobo</a></span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BLURB:</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">All Maksou wanted was to rescue his trapped friends and get rich in the process. But this forbidden blue planet crawls with lethal life forms… including Urielle, a gorgeous angel of frightening power, who saves his life but shuns his irresistible charm.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Urielle, Legion Commander of the Avenging Angels, is sworn to protect Azura at all costs. She has no use for a maverick intruder who ignores the rules and endangers the planet by his very presence… no matter how handsome and charming. Especially when the Galactic Trade Alliance (GTA) wages a secret war to get their greedy hands on the priceless crystal at Azura’s core.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When immortal angels turn up dead, Urielle springs into action… and Maksou is in her line of sight.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are a few review snippets: </span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“This romance is full of fascinating elements and a unique spin on Angels… fast pace and strong, vivid characters that draw readers in and keep them glued to the pages… an entertaining and intriguing read.”Ind’tale Magazine </span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Action-packed twists and blooming romance fill each chapter to the point I didn’t want to stop reading it. I adore her planet, Azura, and the abilities of her Avenging Angels, but even above those, her two main story-stars, Maksou and Urielle, take the lead. Truth beyond all…especially when one can’t lie. Love it! I will be reading more of this author, entertaining and intriguing, along with vivid, intense action…plus the fact, this author knows her sci-fi.” Susan on amazon.</span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“This is a TERRIFIC story with angels, people doing questionable things for the right or good reasons and women who are more than strong. They are leaders and can kick butt as well as the men.” Beverly on amazon</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEEwOE-vVmSviaJn2hPlgv_XM98MwePjKX5btp9C1a9gEnppt4DY9Dug08Bi9FGKJVkbb_6FPWmd438cnHBl36tl2EspHFtXe_Y2H9MDw7Js2aiTPpBoOQjeX17HPdki0sSnPofBguj0/s1600/Angelminesmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEEwOE-vVmSviaJn2hPlgv_XM98MwePjKX5btp9C1a9gEnppt4DY9Dug08Bi9FGKJVkbb_6FPWmd438cnHBl36tl2EspHFtXe_Y2H9MDw7Js2aiTPpBoOQjeX17HPdki0sSnPofBguj0/s1600/Angelminesmall.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Book One in the series is ANGEL MINE </span><i style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CYWVHWG/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CYWVHWG/</b></span></a></i></i></div>
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Book Three, ANGEL BRAVE, is scheduled for release in late 2020.</i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "bitstream charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Vijaya Schartz, author<br />Strong heroines, brave heroes, cats, romance with a kick<br /><a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">amazon</span></a> – <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">B&N</a> – <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Smashwords</a> – <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kobo</a> – <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">FB</a></span></b></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-87881784357202303352019-10-21T02:00:00.000-07:002019-10-21T02:00:06.153-07:00A Samurai heroine in sci-fi romance - by Vijaya Schartrz<div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #330000; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Not so long ago, I practiced Aikido, a Japanese martial art. I lived in Hawaii at the time, a place of mixed cultures, where part of the population is of Japanese descent. I had a Japanese Sensei, who taught his pupils the fascinating traditions of ancient Japan. I even learned the language and visited the country with its feudal castles and many temples.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3H4ty0p2ZT2D1tAlplDjzjrV-Jb0m6avMqpiJ6_dBhUv9RQVIWQ0eC_loKVdBqqmwFcE-oEFZjtW82XZbZ_mUnfj9P19KnLcWZulL-16kpdoVOjw8mpWR22oBKq-TzgF584d2zEYxZtU8/s1600/Japan+Aikido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #993322; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3H4ty0p2ZT2D1tAlplDjzjrV-Jb0m6avMqpiJ6_dBhUv9RQVIWQ0eC_loKVdBqqmwFcE-oEFZjtW82XZbZ_mUnfj9P19KnLcWZulL-16kpdoVOjw8mpWR22oBKq-TzgF584d2zEYxZtU8/s320/Japan+Aikido.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></b></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJB4u4YwWiDXeOFqFvZ5m_N_5j0jqEvXMclnPZato9NC87ZOBOmA3rToJTTZwwYCbo_ELLjI3_leLE-1fTX4i8GhIEwV8MS3aS5id-CKCjtQS3RnUN9PIA67PkazHwzS-Q0BMUHTHgcMPo/s1600/Japan+Aikido2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #993322; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJB4u4YwWiDXeOFqFvZ5m_N_5j0jqEvXMclnPZato9NC87ZOBOmA3rToJTTZwwYCbo_ELLjI3_leLE-1fTX4i8GhIEwV8MS3aS5id-CKCjtQS3RnUN9PIA67PkazHwzS-Q0BMUHTHgcMPo/s320/Japan+Aikido2.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="256" /></a> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2n9AtzMhlD216hDMjfN_vLFDlR1EKQzidi2o-fEDUZgKS4ZD9XjlhobkFrITNFXBFch3BGMAn_l2XPSTB_rXYbmuK6zh5U8xFyO6fsm_mzqiYbIxZczVjnWmdECcaBcCNwRjlfHlGa3_/s1600/Japan+Shinto+shrine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #993322; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2n9AtzMhlD216hDMjfN_vLFDlR1EKQzidi2o-fEDUZgKS4ZD9XjlhobkFrITNFXBFch3BGMAn_l2XPSTB_rXYbmuK6zh5U8xFyO6fsm_mzqiYbIxZczVjnWmdECcaBcCNwRjlfHlGa3_/s320/Japan+Shinto+shrine.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The most mysterious part of Samurai culture, at least for Westerners, is that deep sense of honor that pervades every thought and action. The Samurai were the equivalent of the medieval knights of ancient Europe… on steroid. Their dedication to the clan was complete. Without a second thought, they would sacrifice their life to save their master’s honor or the honor of the clan. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMuXl0Vu28OOshuUBOPQeAzECr-MkjCqnYBjuDiba7E7bHmJTkdWzfskkNdOlTutJ51Yj5PP_5gd077W4ll0T0iw5vqnt58QI8hm6tNfx6YUEcbNgywSbi9djkUTZUKd0mKlUvrVgIIG4/s1600/Japan+Myamoto+Musashi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #993322; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMuXl0Vu28OOshuUBOPQeAzECr-MkjCqnYBjuDiba7E7bHmJTkdWzfskkNdOlTutJ51Yj5PP_5gd077W4ll0T0iw5vqnt58QI8hm6tNfx6YUEcbNgywSbi9djkUTZUKd0mKlUvrVgIIG4/s320/Japan+Myamoto+Musashi.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="219" /></b></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5E-4L9e_jHgyjvHerRiIJ0Zto6NwGV-tuCe-vJlXCfremKps2MKUU8qCvJPPU9r3d8dYcPlyBsEaXrrVTw3UmDLmM1tyBNhIugcRD0d-L1d5f1m9aTkeYeW-HTyvfaF591e4eSlWbziVh/s1600/Japan+Myamoto+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #993322; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5E-4L9e_jHgyjvHerRiIJ0Zto6NwGV-tuCe-vJlXCfremKps2MKUU8qCvJPPU9r3d8dYcPlyBsEaXrrVTw3UmDLmM1tyBNhIugcRD0d-L1d5f1m9aTkeYeW-HTyvfaF591e4eSlWbziVh/s320/Japan+Myamoto+2.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></b></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5E-4L9e_jHgyjvHerRiIJ0Zto6NwGV-tuCe-vJlXCfremKps2MKUU8qCvJPPU9r3d8dYcPlyBsEaXrrVTw3UmDLmM1tyBNhIugcRD0d-L1d5f1m9aTkeYeW-HTyvfaF591e4eSlWbziVh/s1600/Japan+Myamoto+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #993322; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT9t7XSmhHWlXVtfmrRbdxCpqzuddIZvfnxa872NtKU-lEVO-lAzYLTsnjGdao3obXWLgUj8IdLPrku48T93eHw-7ppyKOuZ-f3qMtv7QskCHE7QPVFPmnFbtKVV1G1gW5ugljYdosFVG/s1600/Japan+Himeji+Castle.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #993322; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="1038" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT9t7XSmhHWlXVtfmrRbdxCpqzuddIZvfnxa872NtKU-lEVO-lAzYLTsnjGdao3obXWLgUj8IdLPrku48T93eHw-7ppyKOuZ-f3qMtv7QskCHE7QPVFPmnFbtKVV1G1gW5ugljYdosFVG/s400/Japan+Himeji+Castle.jpeg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> Myamoto Musashi was the most famous Samurai of ancient Japan. He was a Ronin, a masterless Samurai, and had the reputation of being ruthless. Himeji castle illustrates the architecture of the period. It was built to withstand battles and invasions... and it did survive the test of time. </b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #330000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgyS_QKQihkURLd1RDEmBMWed7A3IIW5Arw9Lh-XcG_NRQVxHpjgBbSQE_H_UpAkKtPGLVqX-jyxp50mIMkrttfOk6OOyf_toMWxVAs4NqGbL5sLvtmgcbYrcBvazJh2mfvsHQxVVqCSv/s1600/Japan+last+samurai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #993322; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="748" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgyS_QKQihkURLd1RDEmBMWed7A3IIW5Arw9Lh-XcG_NRQVxHpjgBbSQE_H_UpAkKtPGLVqX-jyxp50mIMkrttfOk6OOyf_toMWxVAs4NqGbL5sLvtmgcbYrcBvazJh2mfvsHQxVVqCSv/s1600/Japan+last+samurai.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></b></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #330000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The movie THE LAST SAMURAI illustrates that innate sense of honor in a way most westerners can understand. But Martial arts are not reserved for men. Many young women, even in ancient times, took the sword and adopted the way of the Samurai... until they chose to marry and have children.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvgPAliSRbVmuptwX6MomIXViHv8mO9SARH9hNTgQQ-7ae9kTGfAcLrJ1ESC4EAX4QwlizvGNBr4Guxcpsp5nS39Q8oFiuZZcRConPYase1IQkZ_WOYot37UNUolH_T7AqoitrZ7CifIq/s1600/Japan+Jo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #993322; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvgPAliSRbVmuptwX6MomIXViHv8mO9SARH9hNTgQQ-7ae9kTGfAcLrJ1ESC4EAX4QwlizvGNBr4Guxcpsp5nS39Q8oFiuZZcRConPYase1IQkZ_WOYot37UNUolH_T7AqoitrZ7CifIq/s1600/Japan+Jo.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>As I am finishing the story of AKIRA’S CHOICE, a November release from Books We Love, I enjoyed revisiting the heroic times of the Samurai. Although it's a science fiction romance, my heroine is of Japanese descent, a Samurai by tradition, and a bounty hunter by necessity. More precisely, she is a Ronin, a masterless Samurai. The story is set on the Byzantium space station, part of the Byzantium series but a standalone story, although a few characters do appear in several books. Oh, and Akira has a cheetah retriever as a companion.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rVK2lg9JiOnilyJwTVHfcYVYDjUGCHltXjhwyJdChV7TSaF9NuoRAYfVfm6M9FT5aeGXakVgZUUO_UGWQeAt9Psf7SZPblTJws9EfzNBVTJHXNxmWHy3HWqrqIg-U9XNuTZWevI4iWdR/s1600/Akira+medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #993322; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="555" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rVK2lg9JiOnilyJwTVHfcYVYDjUGCHltXjhwyJdChV7TSaF9NuoRAYfVfm6M9FT5aeGXakVgZUUO_UGWQeAt9Psf7SZPblTJws9EfzNBVTJHXNxmWHy3HWqrqIg-U9XNuTZWevI4iWdR/s320/Akira+medium.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="213" /></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>When bounty hunter Akira Karyudo accepted her assignment, something didn't add up. Why would the Galactic Trade Alliance want a kidnapped orphan dead or alive?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the Byzantium space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the kidnapper is not what she expects.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Kazmo, a decorated Resistance fighter, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Byzantium, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the space station?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"A captivating story with interesting, appealing characters. Being a cat lover, I found the relationship, with its psychic element, between Freckles and Shane absolutely captivating. As always, Ms. Schartz’s solid plot and crisply-written prose incorporates a good blend of action and intrigue... This story can easily stand alone... but I believe you’ll enjoy this exciting Sci-Fi series much more if you start reading it from the beginning... a must read for all fans of Sci-Fi romance. Go pick them up and settle into your favorite armchair for some entertaining reading. 4.5 stars - Manic Readers</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #330000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;"></span><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #330000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Vijaya Schartz, author<br /> Strong heroines, brave heroes, romance with a kick<br /> <a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" style="color: #993322; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" style="color: #993322; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">amazon</span></a> - <span> </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" style="color: #993322; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <span> </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" style="color: #993322; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - <span> </span><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" style="color: #993322; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <span> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" style="color: #993322; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">FB</a></span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-35440011929171233882019-09-23T01:00:00.000-07:002019-09-23T01:00:05.569-07:00Living in the past or in the future?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Fcgs5MfgNHmIIV2r0lSmmWi2hUDMuOPiGD8xQIiJdHgek_Ywd-H576LHmFLf2K674x-dweVhx334UHKqwNMKzZ_H6MdyO5KwvXP_2WVfQq0l1tLM_aBQmPYQ6utIWJoSyw6HlHsduVPQ/s1600/WhiteTigerCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Fcgs5MfgNHmIIV2r0lSmmWi2hUDMuOPiGD8xQIiJdHgek_Ywd-H576LHmFLf2K674x-dweVhx334UHKqwNMKzZ_H6MdyO5KwvXP_2WVfQq0l1tLM_aBQmPYQ6utIWJoSyw6HlHsduVPQ/s320/WhiteTigerCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W8XDJ56" target="_blank">WHITE TIGER on amazon</a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W8XDJ56" target="_blank">Free in Kindle Unlimited</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A book can take you wherever and whenever you like. We are bound to the present, and the reality of our existence, but when we read, we can escape and learn about a different time and place. Some of us like to revel in the past, others prefer their entertainment in the future. As a historical and science fiction author and fan, I love both… and to me, they are very similar.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some readers dream about living in slower times, simpler times… when people worked with their hands, and took the time to plant trees, grow their own food, smell the flowers and bake their own bread. Sounds idyllic, right? As writers, however, we have the responsibility to research the period, discover the truth, and write the reality of those times. The people in those days died much younger. Swords didn’t kill as many as automatic guns, but there was also tyranny, social inequalities, enslavement, exploitation, revolutions, famines, pestilences, the din of battle, the smell of horse sweat and burning homes... vultures swooping over gory battlefields. You get the picture.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGILQRthP-uDzwW8XrGYp631ZMKu1-bHNK3EuT5_BAqeECxj49M5BSihpyfg4njI051kvi0F14LetPH1aopsbcfH08aAWc3Ui2uijh-4UkVRSD2raK5LdtnREAixZWvZoT0oLJRw0t1Mqp/s1600/cursecompleteseries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGILQRthP-uDzwW8XrGYp631ZMKu1-bHNK3EuT5_BAqeECxj49M5BSihpyfg4njI051kvi0F14LetPH1aopsbcfH08aAWc3Ui2uijh-4UkVRSD2raK5LdtnREAixZWvZoT0oLJRw0t1Mqp/s640/cursecompleteseries.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074CGKQJY?ref_=dbs_r_series&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE MEDIEVAL CELTIC LEGENDS SERIES ON AMAZON</span></a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Others readers dream of future times, when we have resolved our petty differences, to explore the confines of space in shiny starships and establish colonies on faraway planets. It also sounds good... until we realize that space is a dangerous, inhospitable place, and we are not alone out there. Our prejudices now apply to other species we call aliens. Our world may have expanded, but the main conflicts remain the same. Competing for essential resources, survival vs. greed… sounds familiar? Except that the stakes are higher, since our weapons can destroy entire planets.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_mARYsyNLwe1QtqFmz6Z5x1a7qUSZM-M4LU0PwMdCdQwFr7T9_ks-4WABncVxP3Wqkv-6e043xRh93fBDX9C1zdnnSivr_LY0FwcsgwyhgDuS16-ceGEBKExGCiNgLTVGFe4L7dClZc/s1600/AF+medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="925" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_mARYsyNLwe1QtqFmz6Z5x1a7qUSZM-M4LU0PwMdCdQwFr7T9_ks-4WABncVxP3Wqkv-6e043xRh93fBDX9C1zdnnSivr_LY0FwcsgwyhgDuS16-ceGEBKExGCiNgLTVGFe4L7dClZc/s320/AF+medium.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NCXHZJX/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">ANGEL FIERCE<br />AZURA CHRONICLES<br />ON AMAZON</span></a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhUTZTbRmGLY0mhrokORMXTD1Vvr8EQPmaxfQtQ36h3YEL-7RUOpq06KhSDcVP7rA6J2aKdaR0z_U1hNv-YWxZCBGqLdNYiqDt7i-gvoApKY-trMLH7hbxpf7Ocle4lJVP3y2MkY7hr2L/s1600/BlackDragonmedium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhUTZTbRmGLY0mhrokORMXTD1Vvr8EQPmaxfQtQ36h3YEL-7RUOpq06KhSDcVP7rA6J2aKdaR0z_U1hNv-YWxZCBGqLdNYiqDt7i-gvoApKY-trMLH7hbxpf7Ocle4lJVP3y2MkY7hr2L/s320/BlackDragonmedium.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R8WT4XR" target="_blank">BLACK DRAGON SET<br />ON A SPACE STATION<br />ON AMAZON</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whenever and wherever we are, there is good and evil, courage and cowardice, selflessness and greed… and whether it’s a human or an alien world, conflicts will arise. Which is good for us writers, because without conflict there is no story. I’m often told that my imagination knows no bounds, but to me, writing a story is only a matter of logic. I start from what I know from extensive research, then I put myself in my characters’ shoes, sandals, or combat boots. Who are these people? How do they live? What do they want? What do they fear? Who do they love? Then I live their lives in my head, like a 3D movie, and I write their struggles, hopes, defeats, victories, and rewards. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been known to write action, adventure and romance, featuring fierce women, brave heroes, and cats. These are only a few of my latest releases. Find the full list on my website or on my author page at each retailer below:</span></div>
<div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">amazon</span></a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div style="font-size: x-large;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Vijaya Schartz, author<br /> Strong heroines, brave heroes, romance with a kick<br /> <a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/">www.vijayaschartz.com</a><span> </span><br /> </span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-47870158494240089892019-07-29T02:00:00.000-07:002019-07-29T02:00:03.719-07:00The cats are back in space - Chronicles of Kassouk by Vijaya Schartz<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been accused of having a wild imagination, and I plead guilty. I’m a writer. It comes with the territory. I write strong heroines, brave heroes, and cats.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You may not know it, but in my world, real and imagined, most cats are telepathic and exhibit all kinds of special powers. Some are very judgmental, others just loving, and others yet very food motivated. They can read people’s thoughts and intentions and sense whether a person is good or evil. They can disappear from a room and reappear through closed doors, or vanish entirely… until they decide to re-materialize… usually around meal time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi63XWIKqQ8rw585-OvnFCRijrXGpoWDrFEz1rjtJJ2FmwqncJHUx5QtXLWNc7oKfqx65JR__YpBP9g8SDlhnOeyQhcugjYHb6C8c88zFvm2hBw9A-utgnNIEezRNnVzSAvlfCog1ug1Zb/s1600/Jasmine+2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1200" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi63XWIKqQ8rw585-OvnFCRijrXGpoWDrFEz1rjtJJ2FmwqncJHUx5QtXLWNc7oKfqx65JR__YpBP9g8SDlhnOeyQhcugjYHb6C8c88zFvm2hBw9A-utgnNIEezRNnVzSAvlfCog1ug1Zb/s640/Jasmine+2014.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jasmine never misses a meal, no matter how invisible she has become.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I revisit the Chronicles of Kassouk for their second edition through BWL Publishing, I am thrown again into the sci-fi fantasy world I created for the series, Humans and their cats, fighting for their freedom against technologically advanced aliens with their own agenda. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the world of Kassouk, as you can tell by the book covers, cats are an important part of the culture. In Noah’s Ark, the hero’s companion is a fierce domestic cat named Viking. But all the following books eminently feature large felines, kept as pets and trained for battle. These cats are usually loyal companions, often heroic to a fault. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Noah’s Ark is set against the dramatic background of Human scientists, runaways, fugitives, and settlers crashing on a wintry planet. The title of each following novel is the warrior name of its hero or heroine. White Tiger is the heroine of her book and all the stories after that have a corresponding big cat as a secondary character. In this series, each novel is a complete standalone with its own set of characters, its own romantic story and satisfying ending, and can be read independently from the others.</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYq9u5EQtBk5Se2jXn6tm4V1ugbV4K5O2W7Jfyofb4eqSNdi0DP4ypcn049VeglM8RDCcOe7_zIoYwZxNilrfjERReptTNPPUS6j7pmGbbgUnrBsJ2Rb6VMLSouvIaTYv44Djh9AVk1PSu/s1600/RedLeopardCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYq9u5EQtBk5Se2jXn6tm4V1ugbV4K5O2W7Jfyofb4eqSNdi0DP4ypcn049VeglM8RDCcOe7_zIoYwZxNilrfjERReptTNPPUS6j7pmGbbgUnrBsJ2Rb6VMLSouvIaTYv44Djh9AVk1PSu/s320/RedLeopardCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" width="213" /></a> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0f5jPbZqJ1fino1cahtmFNauMmBXtyz8tuc8KEALF8PSYqTQfWEBFek67CJK-IvR0Wz4ijJ9sNasQ_KwXadZsbmQjPr7OvtBkz4ugC5AJDSKbs3tFduUtaRIzeAvKi8CqsAa_LALFdnq/s1600/BlackJaguarCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0f5jPbZqJ1fino1cahtmFNauMmBXtyz8tuc8KEALF8PSYqTQfWEBFek67CJK-IvR0Wz4ijJ9sNasQ_KwXadZsbmQjPr7OvtBkz4ugC5AJDSKbs3tFduUtaRIzeAvKi8CqsAa_LALFdnq/s320/BlackJaguarCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" width="213" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWIJbzkkhGzYv15bEiQHbj0XVX8n9M4Rbmqn5g0d_G2TfIvH20CG8dwsk33ViLmxTvQkgUDYNRNtboMCgbeyerevZCrysDl_VqE0WO-M0cpOA4Iva1HjTB9aRo_SwtB9YeEKH0hop5XD-/s1600/BlueLionessCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWIJbzkkhGzYv15bEiQHbj0XVX8n9M4Rbmqn5g0d_G2TfIvH20CG8dwsk33ViLmxTvQkgUDYNRNtboMCgbeyerevZCrysDl_VqE0WO-M0cpOA4Iva1HjTB9aRo_SwtB9YeEKH0hop5XD-/s320/BlueLionessCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" width="213" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgsm_quLGZ0rech4uvioxh7Si3CKox2eceJ8ZidF7Gkp4DVXHBWHz11mo5VzBcemoKKQGYusTYgqU2X8W0ZXxqW5NXu362NfVvM2U2nM_CZQgWj3vw9h3sqw_6-4BdQ6IZzBgISBF2J38/s1600/SnowCheetahCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgsm_quLGZ0rech4uvioxh7Si3CKox2eceJ8ZidF7Gkp4DVXHBWHz11mo5VzBcemoKKQGYusTYgqU2X8W0ZXxqW5NXu362NfVvM2U2nM_CZQgWj3vw9h3sqw_6-4BdQ6IZzBgISBF2J38/s320/SnowCheetahCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As the population of Kassouk evolves, however, a few long-lived characters and continuing story threads develop through several novels, and have repercussions in more than one story. So, it helps to know what happened before. And if you are like me, you’ll want to read the Chronicles of Kassouk in the right order. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am thrilled with the republication of this series. NOAH’S ARK was just released in July 2019. WHITE TIGER is on pre-order, to be released August 1, 2019. And the following titles will come out back to back over the summer – RED LEOPARD – BLACK JAGUAR – BLUE LIONESS – SNOW CHEETAH. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are the specifics of the first two novels currently available. Enjoy the read.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiEU8aCylC7Kj4Kq9RJWaopxB-WTwvm4mPb3jkYOcbxJ5uWLndrTOvUr2vhonjlcKJ9Uq6KZEp8ztD1P5ehal1mg4FLrf5MCISLCzl_s-T6qgo5iaKixcY3jRq7xQTqT-SHGuKP0HGsbO/s1600/NoahsArkCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="432" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiEU8aCylC7Kj4Kq9RJWaopxB-WTwvm4mPb3jkYOcbxJ5uWLndrTOvUr2vhonjlcKJ9Uq6KZEp8ztD1P5ehal1mg4FLrf5MCISLCzl_s-T6qgo5iaKixcY3jRq7xQTqT-SHGuKP0HGsbO/s400/NoahsArkCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>NOAH'S ARK</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Chronicles of Kassouk - Prequel</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
Exclusive on amazon for a short time <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RYYNSJN" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When Trixie's starfreighter, Noah's Ark, drops out of jump space in an uncharted part of the universe, she believes the Earth-like planet on her viewer represents hope and salvation for her motley crew and the ragtag settlers aboard her ship.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kostas, ex Space Marine, the expert survivalist recruited for this expedition, doesn't believe in coincidences, and knows that when something looks too good to be true, it usually is.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Everyone on this voyage to seed a new planet with life, is running from something, and harbors dangerous secrets... including Trixie, who vowed to never let a man control her life again. As for Kostas, he would get lynched on the spot if anyone suspected who he really is.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But on this seemingly abandoned planet, others are watching, herding them for evil purposes... And when the truth emerges and secrets unravel, Trixie and Kostas will have to fight for survival, for freedom, and for the right to love...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"Filled with action, adventure, greed, betrayal, and love..." 5-stars on amazon.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI9EOwbQ5pt457l3QmsH64DYkiQaEzm7DfXn3frvkFz_NYP_li8yvGrp7EmBMuOKzO_L7fu8DkkM33BfojYldVRLYE_Tb7oJrvM35V2mw6oXv0WubQkxSo8WG9tWmOGpyypjShJdf1oX-/s1600/WhiteTigerCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI9EOwbQ5pt457l3QmsH64DYkiQaEzm7DfXn3frvkFz_NYP_li8yvGrp7EmBMuOKzO_L7fu8DkkM33BfojYldVRLYE_Tb7oJrvM35V2mw6oXv0WubQkxSo8WG9tWmOGpyypjShJdf1oX-/s400/WhiteTigerCoverArtPaid72dpi.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>WHITE TIGER</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Chronicles of Kassouk Book One</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Exclusive on amazon for a short time <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V6FPLYQ" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the frozen plains of Kassouk, where a few aliens rule a medieval Human world, Tora, Human warrior trained by tigers, seeks her father’s murderer. But what she finds at the point of her sword confuses her. How dare Dragomir, the handsome Mutant, question her bloodline and her loyalties? And could a new enemy control the savage hordes of the fringe?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dragomir offers to help, but Humans and Mutants are forbidden to fraternize under penalty of death... Should Tora trust her mind, her instincts, or her heart?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the vortex of war, treason and intrigue, among blizzards, avalanches and ambushes, Tora sets out to solve the mystery of her father’s death. When she unveils the secret of her birth, she realizes Dragomir is the key, and together, they must save their planet from the invaders and fulfill their destiny... if they can survive dire persecutions from those they mean to protect.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"...an exceptional tale that belongs in a place of honor on keeper shelves everywhere." Coffee Time Romance - 5-cups</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"...this is one futuristic that you do not want to miss!" Fallen Angels Reviews - 5 angels - Recommended Read</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>HAPPY READING!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;">Vijaya Schartz, author<br /> Strong heroines, brave heroes, romance with a kick<br /> <a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">amazon</span></a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank">FB</a></span></b></div>
</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-68534379309332743422019-07-01T01:30:00.000-07:002019-07-01T01:30:00.374-07:00Aliens and angels, myths or ancient history? by Vijaya Schartz<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Throughout the ancient world, various mythologies feature extraordinary beings with incredible powers, coming from the heavens to teach and help, or chastise the Human race... or to mine some rare metal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whether we call them deities or angels, or aliens, or any other name, they look very much like technologically advanced extra-terrestrials, some with blue skin, some with several sets of arms, some with wings, others with animal heads. They taught our ancestors and made a lasting impression upon the minds of the population of the time. So much so that they left us gigantic statues and sculptures to remember them by... not unlike the US presidents immortalized in the rock at Mount Rushmore.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the ancient Sanskrit texts of India, these beings wield fantastic weapons. There are several factions, and sometimes they wage war in the sky against equally powerful beings from the stars. They ride flying chariots of fire, and inhabit floating cities... not unlike a mother-ship.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shiva is represented with blue skin and four arms. This protector of India, possessed a weapon so powerful, they named him the destroyer of worlds:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCf3_pmu62itnSd7jsGTMtSD-mqali5ylY4eflrGdoZyucs0-n8j-PZ8zm3KVcf3S-p1dQcwlSGLzbLgrC4namUxsd7ZccNAg_xk8oNej9T46tmgbSUWpVWFhcJryPNPsOdTOvEf_l4_8b/s1600/shiva3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1090" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCf3_pmu62itnSd7jsGTMtSD-mqali5ylY4eflrGdoZyucs0-n8j-PZ8zm3KVcf3S-p1dQcwlSGLzbLgrC4namUxsd7ZccNAg_xk8oNej9T46tmgbSUWpVWFhcJryPNPsOdTOvEf_l4_8b/s640/shiva3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some of these beings in different cultures are represented with bird heads, some with wings:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcyPl9iGLi53JRnLpH4R7iD5aM8kj5TJKGzndtlR2BTg1m7nDhNmTElY81XUGF-uS0UQ_kgwATjLOrTYDF8-o_Pck4R0ew_TuRm3yfpyK8BUQRvIsqZ3wAAVeZCfDO0sDoBLQeGOX1ZJh/s1600/anunnaki-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcyPl9iGLi53JRnLpH4R7iD5aM8kj5TJKGzndtlR2BTg1m7nDhNmTElY81XUGF-uS0UQ_kgwATjLOrTYDF8-o_Pck4R0ew_TuRm3yfpyK8BUQRvIsqZ3wAAVeZCfDO0sDoBLQeGOX1ZJh/s320/anunnaki-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Anunnaki ancient Sumeria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxDFG8pbrd_-i7LL2I0Q7HlJMDw4IWKcgMZ5rS774n5xQPqb8au3qilNifLyAPzb4n6gLEMDIIqq4VL-S83ScqeiAclKZyH6a8Wm4uQ1puJpGwyDUp7G4IrhbJ2x8q1uN_HALKrennZ4T/s1600/Thoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxDFG8pbrd_-i7LL2I0Q7HlJMDw4IWKcgMZ5rS774n5xQPqb8au3qilNifLyAPzb4n6gLEMDIIqq4VL-S83ScqeiAclKZyH6a8Wm4uQ1puJpGwyDUp7G4IrhbJ2x8q1uN_HALKrennZ4T/s320/Thoth.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Egyptian god Thoth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEion7SnlEqzyCNjBodz9pjEisZeHKmkSf6tV2NAj5bdJ7Hu9WCqO0pWJJxtPSVE1BB2JLAdfndbtouphpnRMlRq1ypSdEYVtqDdp-6BQswQKrAeYdZfXGoof2NovahetsQVKr27BHZ5c7C2/s1600/Garuda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="867" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEion7SnlEqzyCNjBodz9pjEisZeHKmkSf6tV2NAj5bdJ7Hu9WCqO0pWJJxtPSVE1BB2JLAdfndbtouphpnRMlRq1ypSdEYVtqDdp-6BQswQKrAeYdZfXGoof2NovahetsQVKr27BHZ5c7C2/s320/Garuda.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Indian god Garuda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Others have different animal heads, like Ganesha the elephant god, bringer of harmony and happiness in the home.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLADkCnqtUDC0936niATz6J4nX9y8LA17hPP1rn_E8JbuijKOEof-XcpzrCWZx4y4is68DkIsPBT-HgfEPGLIU-qZofEgEJ9kvQD2pAOyLJftaRsbRqinn7SZ5vMrGW4jCNvWCUFi2DNJ/s1600/Ganesh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="843" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLADkCnqtUDC0936niATz6J4nX9y8LA17hPP1rn_E8JbuijKOEof-XcpzrCWZx4y4is68DkIsPBT-HgfEPGLIU-qZofEgEJ9kvQD2pAOyLJftaRsbRqinn7SZ5vMrGW4jCNvWCUFi2DNJ/s640/Ganesh.jpg" width="449" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you read the Vedas (ancient Sanskrit texts) or ask the people of India about these incredible beings, they will tell you these epic adventures actually took place in their ancient past. According to them, these beings were real and lived among the population of the time, and these are not stories or legends, but their ancient history.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you want to explore exotic India in an award-winning novel, I suggest this one:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriP9Len6CP2qM0EoCuxokUnle4NNgIfVyswrn6SZfKKY6hpQK-t91AEb7OFefLq-twrThJs6MWr8jZ6qT0OdU-QT93ogUrjjTjuAD7QUVn92cb5lMJi9wAlDC9sWkFZXz1IjUl-DQK8Bp/s1600/ashes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriP9Len6CP2qM0EoCuxokUnle4NNgIfVyswrn6SZfKKY6hpQK-t91AEb7OFefLq-twrThJs6MWr8jZ6qT0OdU-QT93ogUrjjTjuAD7QUVn92cb5lMJi9wAlDC9sWkFZXz1IjUl-DQK8Bp/s1600/ashes.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00486UG24/" target="_blank">ASHES FOR THE ELEPHANT GOD</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Vijaya Schartz</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A novel of reincarnated love, set in India - Two lovers, murdered in a previous life, meet again in India, where their murderess awaits...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To scatter her brother's ashes over the Narmada River, Fabienne leaves France for the mysterious India of her childhood dreams. As she awakens to a newfound spirituality, unexpected visions of a former life during the Raj stir ancient yearnings for a long lost passion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mukunda, the palace architect Fabienne loved a century and a half ago, lives again as an American engineer and works on the local dam project. As Fabienne falls in love again with India and the man of her destiny, the tapestry of her previous life unfolds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, in the karmic land of the blue gods, a ruthless foe lies in wait. The Kali worshiper, who murdered the two lovers in a faraway past, has come back through the centuries to thwart their dream once more.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"... a broad-stroked, magnificent picture of a lavish India of the past and the present... a vivid tale of suspense... a gripping account of a woman coming to terms with heightened awareness... a destiny that yields true fulfillment." The Book Reader Magazine - 5 stars.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Reading!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Vijaya Schartz, author<br /> Strong heroines, brave heroes, cats, romance with a kick<br /> <a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">amazon</span></a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank">FB</a> </span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-24218666162427626052019-06-03T01:30:00.001-07:002019-06-03T01:30:03.883-07:00What's this cute kitty doing on my new sci-fi cover? by Vijaya Schartz<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb_EfMKb6lA5EdaCNn0cBJj-_sVEO9q_ETFfPWOw6WIz0nzSpSK9f1V0Wut6Udm-GvtvMLlxRaHcb2Th6aIFDvowoMehUDM6iM6vrAuTGvRA9Is3kWKvFHHlGlFYYlI3KEkAlsBB26RAv/s1600/BlackDragonmedium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb_EfMKb6lA5EdaCNn0cBJj-_sVEO9q_ETFfPWOw6WIz0nzSpSK9f1V0Wut6Udm-GvtvMLlxRaHcb2Th6aIFDvowoMehUDM6iM6vrAuTGvRA9Is3kWKvFHHlGlFYYlI3KEkAlsBB26RAv/s1600/BlackDragonmedium.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="http://bookswelove.net/authors/schartz-vijaya-fantasy-romance-suspense/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Find the links to purchase this book and my other titles from BWL here</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is such a cutie doing on a spaceship? On the cover of a book titled BLACK DRAGON? </span>He is neither black, nor a dragon.</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Well, there is an explanation. You see, this kitty's name is Marshmallow, and he is the prized pet of the fierce Black Dragon, code name of an infamous Resistance fighter, escaped from prison, and wanted by the authoritarian regime on several star systems.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unlike his heroic guardian, Marshmallow is quite spoiled. He loves tuna, loves the ladies, loves angels, loves blue crystal, and no one can resist petting him when he rolls on his back and rounds his blue eyes into pools of cuteness. He also </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">has a special telepathic connection with the hero, and serves as his side-kick in undercover operations. This kitty is the best at distracting the enemy.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>But although everyone loves Marshmallow, BLACK DRAGON isn't a story about a cat. It's a sweet sci-fi action romance, set on the Byzantium Space station. Book Two, AKIRA'S CHOICE, is scheduled for release in October 2019.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>This space station was previously featured in the Azura Chronicles series, in ANGEL MINE, and ANGEL FIERCE. It will also figure in book 3, ANGEL BRAVE, scheduled for 2020.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2wZUUo1Xk2-bqoK4AsjbTgW-a7Kti19JnRRh-Kre40iMHK_3x-VHOH2eupxvRuhbhPLIgWIyNU8rZhx_a1REV9fnOHAPG-3ijS3fO_XTAfemHnbPIFNqjoq2dVyTwWdmgyqukjcAVups/s1600/angelminemedium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2wZUUo1Xk2-bqoK4AsjbTgW-a7Kti19JnRRh-Kre40iMHK_3x-VHOH2eupxvRuhbhPLIgWIyNU8rZhx_a1REV9fnOHAPG-3ijS3fO_XTAfemHnbPIFNqjoq2dVyTwWdmgyqukjcAVups/s320/angelminemedium.jpg" width="213" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_mARYsyNLwe1QtqFmz6Z5x1a7qUSZM-M4LU0PwMdCdQwFr7T9_ks-4WABncVxP3Wqkv-6e043xRh93fBDX9C1zdnnSivr_LY0FwcsgwyhgDuS16-ceGEBKExGCiNgLTVGFe4L7dClZc/s1600/AF+medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="925" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_mARYsyNLwe1QtqFmz6Z5x1a7qUSZM-M4LU0PwMdCdQwFr7T9_ks-4WABncVxP3Wqkv-6e043xRh93fBDX9C1zdnnSivr_LY0FwcsgwyhgDuS16-ceGEBKExGCiNgLTVGFe4L7dClZc/s320/AF+medium.jpg" width="213" /></a></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>About Byzantium:</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Hovering at the edge of conquered space, in orbit around a dying star, sits an aging space station under the control of the Galactic Trade Alliance. Byzantium, once a thriving commercial hub, is turning into a den of crime, drugs, and debauchery, where anything or anyone can be bought or sold. The maximum-security penitentiary at its core, the Fortress, is a pit of despair and holds the most dangerous felons in the galaxy. For over a hundred cycles, the GTA has annexed worlds and plundered their resources. It now controls most of the galaxy, except for a few useless rocks and a small number of rebellious planets, who still manage to challenge their military might. But something is coming to upset the balance of power... something the GTA did not foresee.</b></i></span></span></div>
<b style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: -webkit-center;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: -webkit-center;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzHkbGCRHg-D82Ch44jCi3NCr5R1zVvKnZZDUQKu4_3n89JhjzSf0vKJuWavJT2rWnutJb0duKwGA2BEJov-w8Py0PtY3wOCuvXeBxvRnbTin9ArgThIgzogee24YGGzaSw6maepm0uv7/s1600/BlackDragonmedium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="464" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzHkbGCRHg-D82Ch44jCi3NCr5R1zVvKnZZDUQKu4_3n89JhjzSf0vKJuWavJT2rWnutJb0duKwGA2BEJov-w8Py0PtY3wOCuvXeBxvRnbTin9ArgThIgzogee24YGGzaSw6maepm0uv7/s400/BlackDragonmedium.jpg" width="266" /></b></a></div>
<b style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">BLACK DRAGON</span></i></b><br />
<b style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Byzantium Book 1<br />June 7 release, in preorder now</span></i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R8WT4XR" target="_blank">amazon</a> -</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/black-dragon-vijaya-schartz/1120797879?ean=2940163205240" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/black-dragon-9" target="_blank">Kobo</a></span></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>A gambler is cheating in a den of the Byzantium space station, and Lieutenant Zara Frankel intends to catch him in the act. She always gets her man, but this one could prove more than she can handle.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Captain Czerno Drake, code name Black Dragon, has come under cover to break his innocent uncle from the most secure penitentiary in the galaxy, the Fortress, on the Byzantium space station. He will stop at nothing to succeed, even enrolling the help of the lovely straight arrow GTA enforcer. </div>
</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>When Zara realizes that she’s been duped by a shrewd but seductive Resistance fighter, her reaction surprises everyone, most of all herself.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></b><br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Early reviews:</b></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">
<i>"I love this one by Vijaya Schartz. As always, her action-packed, well-plotted out prose kept me glued to the pages of Black Dragon from start to finish." TwoLips Reviews 5-kisses a RECOMMENDED READ</i></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">
<i>"I like the balance of humor and danger in this story, and the action kept me glued to the pages... I enjoyed watching as suspicion turned to admiration, and admiration became the first flickers of love between Czerno and Zara... Pick up a copy of Black Dragon, by Vijaya Schartz, and enter a world of adventure, romance, and a spoiled cat named Marshmallow." 4½ stars Sensual Long And Short Reviews</i></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">
<i>"Vijaya Schartz is known for her strong female characters and Zara is no exception... gives the reader lots of action and a sweet love story." Single Titles Review 4½ stars</i></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">
<i>HAPPY READING!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Vijaya Schartz, author<br />
Strong heroines, brave heroes, cats, romance with a kick<br />
<a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">amazon</span></a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank">FB</a> </div>
</b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-28181535124353865312019-05-06T01:30:00.000-07:002019-05-06T01:30:02.258-07:00Are we becoming cyborgs? by Vijaya Schartz<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The future is here. Many of us already have surgical implants, heart valves, pace-makers, artificial knees, bionic legs, hands and arms controlled by the mind. Some have artificial lenses in their eyes, cochlear implants to allow the deaf to hear. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuwXXhf0VPVdr6pBWtj3mK7ak3LLvgZRZJD5DAyOtlqePi8tLV4P9Q4WoekZV1ix204r0BcTvwmcwo8djGYUUGAi0o7jRNmmn_bfevRpr3O6ojXS4Jo6V4QCVIPN9eFGaqYI22EXU5XlU/s1600/cyborg4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="970" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuwXXhf0VPVdr6pBWtj3mK7ak3LLvgZRZJD5DAyOtlqePi8tLV4P9Q4WoekZV1ix204r0BcTvwmcwo8djGYUUGAi0o7jRNmmn_bfevRpr3O6ojXS4Jo6V4QCVIPN9eFGaqYI22EXU5XlU/s640/cyborg4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Science can now regrow in a lab new body parts or make them from biological material with 3D printers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Babies can be born with the DNA of three parents. Animals have been cloned. Human cloning is illegal, but how long will it take for some governments to secretly grow their own human clones?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZpuAoQuEv1BvFfCBO5TgBxU1Lsp20U5WpW2zOe23QyKnxqb16wX38uxhk79hsp1OFmnCJXDPrRkVFCfAR3kS3Hr1r8cvY_bnqjtMOlF6w39qyRnKJZrdLq7Q4-svqdeku6dEK8ZYBwIU/s1600/cyborg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1236" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZpuAoQuEv1BvFfCBO5TgBxU1Lsp20U5WpW2zOe23QyKnxqb16wX38uxhk79hsp1OFmnCJXDPrRkVFCfAR3kS3Hr1r8cvY_bnqjtMOlF6w39qyRnKJZrdLq7Q4-svqdeku6dEK8ZYBwIU/s640/cyborg2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In China, tests have proven successful in creating improved babies by replacing DNA strands with stronger ones, or different ones. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Soon, parents will be able to have designer babies, choosing the hair and eye color, the physical strength, the intelligence, the immunity to known diseases. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nanotechnology (tiny microscopic machines introduced in the blood stream) will allow us to repair or rectify any malfunction in the human body, cure any disease. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some day humans will be quasi-immortals... and part robots. Linking the brain to computers will increase the capacity of the human brain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfqyDBihIcIMdxkNz2_5hHONAs95f1a1mwEcvsy3ZRoKLZCQTbu5aqZ4trIn6AyCK3uMs9fGdUKMWzjTaXdC33Cw9bzV1HI9xqcITsxGVIo0JmD5GOufkip9pYsAORv2OGqItzruMA7f7/s1600/cyborg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfqyDBihIcIMdxkNz2_5hHONAs95f1a1mwEcvsy3ZRoKLZCQTbu5aqZ4trIn6AyCK3uMs9fGdUKMWzjTaXdC33Cw9bzV1HI9xqcITsxGVIo0JmD5GOufkip9pYsAORv2OGqItzruMA7f7/s1600/cyborg1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next step will be to produce super-intelligent human beings, super-soldiers, special individuals adapted to live in specific environments, like space, or on different planets.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">These changes are happening quickly and soon, we'll have to deal with the problems of the future. We'll need new laws, new guidelines, to accommodate the progress of science. That's what makes science fiction fascinating.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdFrsdkYoRbPkQuUwPl-8GvUajObtUcVkjowsv6DgPNbXHaNIDUcrbNb94n5ShlIfqLapIqTS6LPbbB_k9Qx7K9MccQMHREeOaZ0zBCn3jJu7jVexNDOjdIfQDveio83NWoGdQ-hCBJYc/s1600/cyborg3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdFrsdkYoRbPkQuUwPl-8GvUajObtUcVkjowsv6DgPNbXHaNIDUcrbNb94n5ShlIfqLapIqTS6LPbbB_k9Qx7K9MccQMHREeOaZ0zBCn3jJu7jVexNDOjdIfQDveio83NWoGdQ-hCBJYc/s1600/cyborg3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And if you like reading futuristic fiction, you may want to try my latest series, Azura Chronicles, set on a tropical planet inhabited by angelic beings. </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">amazon</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> - </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&page=1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">B&N</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> - </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Smashwords</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> - </span><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2wZUUo1Xk2-bqoK4AsjbTgW-a7Kti19JnRRh-Kre40iMHK_3x-VHOH2eupxvRuhbhPLIgWIyNU8rZhx_a1REV9fnOHAPG-3ijS3fO_XTAfemHnbPIFNqjoq2dVyTwWdmgyqukjcAVups/s1600/angelminemedium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2wZUUo1Xk2-bqoK4AsjbTgW-a7Kti19JnRRh-Kre40iMHK_3x-VHOH2eupxvRuhbhPLIgWIyNU8rZhx_a1REV9fnOHAPG-3ijS3fO_XTAfemHnbPIFNqjoq2dVyTwWdmgyqukjcAVups/s320/angelminemedium.jpg" width="213" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_mARYsyNLwe1QtqFmz6Z5x1a7qUSZM-M4LU0PwMdCdQwFr7T9_ks-4WABncVxP3Wqkv-6e043xRh93fBDX9C1zdnnSivr_LY0FwcsgwyhgDuS16-ceGEBKExGCiNgLTVGFe4L7dClZc/s1600/AF+medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="925" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_mARYsyNLwe1QtqFmz6Z5x1a7qUSZM-M4LU0PwMdCdQwFr7T9_ks-4WABncVxP3Wqkv-6e043xRh93fBDX9C1zdnnSivr_LY0FwcsgwyhgDuS16-ceGEBKExGCiNgLTVGFe4L7dClZc/s320/AF+medium.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is a planet out in the universe, emitting a strange turquoise glow. A long time ago Azura refused to join the Trade Alliance. The Alliance sent their military fleet to destroy the Azurans, but their powerful supernatural abilities spread fear even among the fiercest Devil Dogs. Since then, records have been erased. Rumors and legends all but died. Azura is strictly forbidden, and the daring few who ventured beyond the warning space beacons were never seen again...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Vijaya Schartz, author<br /> Strong heroines, brave heroes, romance with a kick<br /> <a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/" target="_blank">amazon</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank">FB</a> - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-53828672284850383192019-04-08T01:30:00.000-07:002019-04-08T01:30:01.619-07:00Adding the final touches to my next sci-fi romance novel - by Vijaya Schartz<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I just finished the sixth or seventh rewrite of Black Dragon, to be released in June, the first book of a new series. It is set on a space station named Byzantium, featured in the Azura Chronicles series, and set in the same universe. Like all my novels, it has a lot of action, adventure, and romance… a courageous heroine, and a brave hero… as well as a spoiled telepathic cat, a white Angora named Marshmallow.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmiG2bdz2LzcUI736tEkl6Is_-HbsLlDH1vBZWzPwzN3sPdRwW3W6wPdVGpjUycbEvzrN7nbY6CGUhAH3GOjXnVWRtVzt1n5nIPHYQSFwPdBUnakaiWhwyR0XFEUFBiCbCZLALZaau21L/s1600/marshmallow5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmiG2bdz2LzcUI736tEkl6Is_-HbsLlDH1vBZWzPwzN3sPdRwW3W6wPdVGpjUycbEvzrN7nbY6CGUhAH3GOjXnVWRtVzt1n5nIPHYQSFwPdBUnakaiWhwyR0XFEUFBiCbCZLALZaau21L/s1600/marshmallow5.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I went searching for illustrations of my setting, here is what I found: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iMqYHaFsT0-AiTDoqYKzmI13wrw74HyOx8fDcJKsgpfU8cFmjFNEopFa44ud1malvFewh_ncMNvDCC1FF7AKlC0RIeFqGDf_P46-54wnzNEGAASvrCXvcBpEb1qxpYu90GvLSRMrntXk/s1600/byzantium+station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iMqYHaFsT0-AiTDoqYKzmI13wrw74HyOx8fDcJKsgpfU8cFmjFNEopFa44ud1malvFewh_ncMNvDCC1FF7AKlC0RIeFqGDf_P46-54wnzNEGAASvrCXvcBpEb1qxpYu90GvLSRMrntXk/s1600/byzantium+station.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <span style="text-align: justify;">Polishing is my favorite part of writing a book. It has been read by my critique partners and beta readers, and now that I have the finished product, comes the task of making it shine. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Polishing is the most important part of a writer’s job. It’s an art. It can turn a mediocre first draft into a decent read, and a great story into a fantastic book. But the lack of polish can also destroy a potentially great novel by washing it out, diluting it in too many words, and leaving it vague, ordinary, or forgettable. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the time to deepen the characters, make sure their motivations are on the page, find the secret links and motivations you may have overlooked or understated, show, rather than tell, and deepen the point of view. Ramp up the emotion, or was poetic on some descriptions or feelings, make the setting part of the story, etc. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The process will take me a month, then the book will go to the editor. If you want a taste, here is what it’s all about: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGt34HUCYVfG8mHcAd9x-e_DARxmEQ-JtI6PuSEdC8uit8gqKXIQJCWZM4KjAHQWS_9vdUk8gSmycmjN81GErYQPFp3N1kpHqBPA-Jz0SoFWsXQqEUMxRCjXIZHqGxZxtwY1E7_TZ_glBE/s1600/Czerno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGt34HUCYVfG8mHcAd9x-e_DARxmEQ-JtI6PuSEdC8uit8gqKXIQJCWZM4KjAHQWS_9vdUk8gSmycmjN81GErYQPFp3N1kpHqBPA-Jz0SoFWsXQqEUMxRCjXIZHqGxZxtwY1E7_TZ_glBE/s320/Czerno.jpg" width="279" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Czerno Drake, AKA Black Dragon</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A gambler is cheating in a den of the Byzantium space station, and Lieutenant Zara Frankel intends to catch him in the act. She always gets her man, but this one could prove more than she can handle. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Captain Czerno Drake, code name Black Dragon, has come under cover to break his innocent uncle from the most secure penitentiary in the galaxy, the Fortress, on the Byzantium space station. He will stop at nothing to succeed, even enrolling the help of the lovely straight arrow GTA enforcer. When Zara realizes that she’s been duped by a shrewd but seductive Resistance fighter, her reaction surprises everyone, most of all herself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnhiVu3pfnh1wmt57hem1U_9obECGJQVQDhYprVjHrwHsbt1hvnQCfzeUQcDDqGtSSYejSFAx3ZcfgGIv7HNi9NitHpWAnmi9eBpF3Dxnjv3mtqkPBD7OqKOt07uoMhXsGCHiv8PnWS-6/s1600/Zara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="217" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnhiVu3pfnh1wmt57hem1U_9obECGJQVQDhYprVjHrwHsbt1hvnQCfzeUQcDDqGtSSYejSFAx3ZcfgGIv7HNi9NitHpWAnmi9eBpF3Dxnjv3mtqkPBD7OqKOt07uoMhXsGCHiv8PnWS-6/s400/Zara.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Zara Frankel, undercover security forces</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A previous and much shorter edition several years ago, received this review: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I love this one by Vijaya Schartz. As always, her action-packed, well-plotted out prose kept me glued to the pages of Black Dragon from start to finish." TwoLips Reviews 5-kisses review and a RECOMMENDED READ</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Vijaya Schartz, author<br />High Octane Romance with a Kick<br /><a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><span> </span><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/" target="_blank">amazon</a> - <span> </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <span> </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - <span> </span><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <span> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank">FB</a> - </span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-92092157340454656532019-03-11T02:00:00.000-07:002019-03-11T02:00:01.658-07:00Imagining and writing the future - by Vijaya Schartz<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
You can’t stop the proliferation of technology. The visionaries warned us in the nineties that progress would require a severe loss of privacy. They weren’t kidding.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
We already have AIs in our homes, who talk back and do our bidding. They tell us when to get the pie out of the oven, when to order more milk and when to change the air filters. They can also record our conversations. The cameras on our computers can be activated without our knowledge. Most houses have motion-activated cameras that capture the life of the entire neighborhood.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGz1cn3knTCZ0O-OqlO8ZZT7rxNUtJghQqDeFAaV572xGBYaDvZXWDMDuKsJHim-rZOiTBSbSZnArlleVnKUotxb2x9hWZWkR_eVEEB8fb6PgkOYV-6HHhrYhjUkX2bfaUpdXdRU_R60G/s1600/self-driving+delivery+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="782" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGz1cn3knTCZ0O-OqlO8ZZT7rxNUtJghQqDeFAaV572xGBYaDvZXWDMDuKsJHim-rZOiTBSbSZnArlleVnKUotxb2x9hWZWkR_eVEEB8fb6PgkOYV-6HHhrYhjUkX2bfaUpdXdRU_R60G/s400/self-driving+delivery+car.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Self-driving cars are delivering our groceries</span>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
We can clone body parts. Our cars drive us, not the other way around. We find our mates on dating sites that match our profiles. Our phones have become banking machines, movie screens, and a lifeline to all the people in our lives, whether we know them or not. Our daily lives are displayed for all to see and judge on Social Media. The authorities have access to all this information and our DNA can be used to solve cold cases... </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
More and more teenagers who are not strong enough to sustain the pressure and the bullying on Social Media commit suicide. I see it as a gruesome reminder of what unchecked technology can bring to our lives. Or is a natural selection occurring, weeding out those unable to adapt?</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
Let’s face it. It’s a new era. Where will it stop? What will the future look like? Soon we might improve embryos in the womb, or grow babies in test tubes. We might even make ourselves more intelligent.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
Human nature can adapt, but not as fast as our technology. I believe there will be a breaking point, and a severe backlash. Some visionaries believe in robot uprising. It could happen. Or the divide between the rich and the poor will cause a revolution and topple governments. Or a war, or a computer glitch will destroy most of the planet, and leave society in shambles. These are the usual themes of dystopian novels and movies, like the Hunger Games, the Divergent series, the Mad Max series, the Postman, the Terminator series, and many others.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0m_8NV5aGK-LplFd5XPzS3x-5ObaYf2oFFsLMkXSQoLwOAhRfN8bUU0WFKI2QWBFt00939hxum3Fi4ctayN2H-v5ixvuIFEDTmuKDWcqAlqxMFJr7x3YCXRNz6wY7OypONRKE4YYghbY/s1600/dystopian+movies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="638" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0m_8NV5aGK-LplFd5XPzS3x-5ObaYf2oFFsLMkXSQoLwOAhRfN8bUU0WFKI2QWBFt00939hxum3Fi4ctayN2H-v5ixvuIFEDTmuKDWcqAlqxMFJr7x3YCXRNz6wY7OypONRKE4YYghbY/s640/dystopian+movies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
I’m of the opinion that yes, some segments of society might rebel, and no, we will not destroy ourselves or lose all our technology. We shall adapt enough to survive. Then, when space exploration develops and becomes accessible to most, I believe many of us will sail into the unknown, like the adventurers who followed Christopher Columbus, like the pioneers who rode their wagons West. Some will look for riches, others for fame, for adventure, or for knowledge and the study of alien species. Others yet will look for a simpler way of life, for religious tolerance, for a chance to raise their family in peaceful surroundings.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
Despite the rapid evolution of our technology, I believe we humans will slowly evolve, but our passions will remain the same. We’ll learn from our mistakes, we’ll love, we’ll fight for our freedom, and we will continue to do so, as long as the human race exists in this universe.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
That’s why I enjoy writing the future. No matter what the technology becomes, humans will always be humans.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My latest novel, </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NCXHZJX/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b>ANGEL FIERCE</b></a><span style="font-size: large;">, is now available.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><b>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/" target="_blank">amazon</a> -
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> -
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwHCAKq4mQhMMajV3YlAD64MIqG_FaKIvMWiMRVCGFL84cF4Av8jqo9J8EIa64nIpD-X8u5TcnEFvUzD7WOVR-3TXOlBflvb6AZzpbFsM3NndUrvXzZlpipAUlTo7BlnqfK0sSZ5EMVLI/s1600/AF+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="370" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwHCAKq4mQhMMajV3YlAD64MIqG_FaKIvMWiMRVCGFL84cF4Av8jqo9J8EIa64nIpD-X8u5TcnEFvUzD7WOVR-3TXOlBflvb6AZzpbFsM3NndUrvXzZlpipAUlTo7BlnqfK0sSZ5EMVLI/s320/AF+small.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
Something’s rotten on the angel planet. When Avenging Angels turn up dead, Urielle, their Legion Commander, suspects the handsome intruder brought unspeakable evil to Azura.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Maksou never met a woman he couldn’t seduce. He came to the forbidden planet to rescue his friends and get rich in the process, but the jungle crawls with lethal life forms… including a gorgeous warrior angel, who saves his life but keeps him prisoner and challenges his irresistible charm.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Urielle, sworn to protect Azura at all costs, has no use for a maverick who ignores the rules and endangers the planet… no matter how attractive. Especially when the Galactic Trade Alliance (GTA) wages a secret war to get their greedy hands on the priceless crystal at Azura’s core.</div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: start;">HAPPY READING!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Vijaya Schartz, author<br />
Romance with a Kick<br />
<b><a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/" target="_blank">amazon</a> -
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> -
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a> -
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank">FB</a></b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-28493581094814908712019-02-11T01:30:00.000-08:002019-02-11T01:30:06.540-08:00ANGEL FIERCE, New Release February 2019 from BWL, by Vijaya Schartz <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_7gPaXgFWTTXz7ZFUfdjbnK3C7cdQ55QpbpNtPc50GFJZqavcnkwFUv_Tci77XZJHsnswyE4cDjztm-yQiLmTo3oSnJBQl0PY-ql4qIBipmnWA0pyeVelH483werTG5J3U0HGjJoSTjc/s1600/AF+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_7gPaXgFWTTXz7ZFUfdjbnK3C7cdQ55QpbpNtPc50GFJZqavcnkwFUv_Tci77XZJHsnswyE4cDjztm-yQiLmTo3oSnJBQl0PY-ql4qIBipmnWA0pyeVelH483werTG5J3U0HGjJoSTjc/s1600/AF+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">ANGEL FIERCE</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Azura Chronicles Book 2</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
February 2019 - from BWL Publishing<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NCXHZJX" target="_blank">amazon</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/921518" target="_blank">smashwords</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The story of Urielle the Avenging Angel, and Maksou, Fianna's young brother, both introduced in Book 1, Angel Mine.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All Maksou wanted was to rescue his trapped friends and get rich in the process. But this forbidden blue planet crawls with lethal life forms… including Urielle, a gorgeous angel of frightening power, who saves his life but shuns his irresistible charm.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Urielle, Legion Commander of the Avenging Angels, is sworn to protect Azura at all costs. She has no use for a maverick intruder who ignores the rules and endangers the planet by his very presence… no matter how handsome and charming. Especially when the Galactic Trade Alliance (GTA) wages a secret war to get their greedy hands on the priceless crystal at Azura’s core.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When immortal angels turn up dead, Urielle springs into action… and Maksou is in her line of sight.<br />
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><b>Vijaya Schartz, author<br />
Romance with a Kick<br />
<a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/">amazon</a> -
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&page=1">
B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz">
Smashwords</a> -
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22">Kobo</a> -
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/">FB</a></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-57965261122264592882019-01-14T01:30:00.000-08:002019-01-14T01:30:00.625-08:00The wonderful magic power of deadlines - by Vijaya Schartz<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Deadlines can make you do what you thought was impossible. The first time I was given a deadline by a publisher, I panicked. It had taken me eighteen months to write my last book, and I only had six months for this one. But I didn't want to miss this publishing opportunity, so I signed the contract. Then I realized what a great motivator that deadline provided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whether it’s a high stakes countdown in an action novel, or a self-imposed goal, or an imperative work time limit, for some reason, our subconscious treats deadlines like a do or die situation. Unlike new year resolutions, which tend to fade by February, deadlines can motivate us all year long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If my critique partner didn’t come to my living room every week, I might not have my chapter ready, or the floor might not get cleaned as often. The prospect of taking pictures at holiday parties certainly motivated me to lose the three extra pounds I gained in early fall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWTQ43zuQnZ5J2kuDyjF3kRv0Z19euV9YvC4rofoXhu28UDaCyIBpPNUvlw1HaQq81aqA9byfgFMbzfjqyXFciR90YeF2D7WScEuK2lnc7gekEiL7B6YKMLSRsNeyGroMaefRfwUdi0rT/s1600/deadline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWTQ43zuQnZ5J2kuDyjF3kRv0Z19euV9YvC4rofoXhu28UDaCyIBpPNUvlw1HaQq81aqA9byfgFMbzfjqyXFciR90YeF2D7WScEuK2lnc7gekEiL7B6YKMLSRsNeyGroMaefRfwUdi0rT/s640/deadline.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This month, I wrote “the end” on the second book in the Azura Chronicles series, making my January 1<sup>st</sup> deadline, and it’s a good feeling. Last year, without a specific deadline, it took me much longer to write the first book. I discovered that deadlines not only keep me on schedule, but they sharpen my focus on my story and characters. They force me to stay the course. Next to my wall calendar are reminders of my deadlines for next year. Three book releases. And because I have strict publisher deadlines, these books will be released on schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, instead of New Year resolutions, I suggest you give yourself deadlines. Keep the goals realistic and take control of your life. Using deadlines as a motivator, you will reach your goals, and get a great sense of accomplishment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As for me, back to my newly finished novel. It’s polishing time, and this is my favorite part of the work. I wish you all a wonderful year in 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ANGEL FIERCE, Book 2 of the Azura Chronicles is coming out in February. In the meantime, you can read ANGEL MINE, Book 1 in the Azura Chronicles series.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglK_MLztB9wjucDxN1p39XTl_KAxpaXf3qbGihXdR0Flbxh3Jt2YdJ7J87eirUUw5x-uOtOSZf1oGPzShLAeiS7BGuTa4kN5HoXkMewRObayB3kdgxJz5_QJ6yRs3oh5ubJt7v0DgJu1HD/s1600/angelminemedium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglK_MLztB9wjucDxN1p39XTl_KAxpaXf3qbGihXdR0Flbxh3Jt2YdJ7J87eirUUw5x-uOtOSZf1oGPzShLAeiS7BGuTa4kN5HoXkMewRObayB3kdgxJz5_QJ6yRs3oh5ubJt7v0DgJu1HD/s400/angelminemedium.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
What in the frozen hells of Laxxar prompted Fianna to pursue her quarry to this forbidden blue planet? Well, she needs the credits... badly. But as if crashing in the jungle wasn't bad enough, none of her high-tech weapons work. She'll have to go native, after the most wanted felon in five galaxies. It's not just her job. It's personal.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Acielon has never seen an outworlder like this fascinating female, strangely beautiful, and fierce, like the feline predator loping at her side. He always dreamed of exploring the universe, despite the legends... and the interdiction. Is it truly a hellish place of violence, lies and suffering? If it spawned this intriguing creature, it must also be a place of wonders, adventure and excitement.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fianna's instincts tell her someone is watching. Sheba, her telepathic feline partner, doesn't seem worried... yet, something on Azura isn't quite right.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"... fast-paced space adventure/romance with lots of twists, turns, and enough action to satisfy sci-fi enthusiasts... storytelling is imaginative and action scenes vivid... pleasing happily ever after that sets up a sequel." Ind'Tale Magazine.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Vijaya Schartz, author</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Romance with a Kick<br /><a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/" target="_blank">amazon</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank">FB</a></b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-36029143530945159992018-12-17T01:30:00.000-08:002018-12-17T01:30:04.389-08:00I love holiday movies - by Vijaya Schartz<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love this time of year, especially because I can binge-watch Christmas movies on cable. I’m not talking about the black and white classics, like <i>It’s a Wonderful Life</i>, or <i>Miracle on 34<sup>th</sup> Street</i>, but about the movies of this century that are becoming the new classics. Not all are noteworthy, but here are two of my favorites. Of course, the stellar cast helps, as these feature some of my favorite actors. You may also notice that they are not movies for children, nor are they tear-jerkers, but drama-comedies for grownups to thoroughly enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf879Q-N53S2_P-V63Q4In1eDgzDjWzeGc-jrVDkbBzEXGhtjuHEO5ylXo1xxMvyRUaiPNH4bovRyKvcarppmx90uG2ILMQxuh9T0Vm-IyF6bsTnZWPk7s0OO-3Z3pZPBmSUrwUQ1f8Sp4/s1600/LoveActually.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="800" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf879Q-N53S2_P-V63Q4In1eDgzDjWzeGc-jrVDkbBzEXGhtjuHEO5ylXo1xxMvyRUaiPNH4bovRyKvcarppmx90uG2ILMQxuh9T0Vm-IyF6bsTnZWPk7s0OO-3Z3pZPBmSUrwUQ1f8Sp4/s640/LoveActually.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>LOVE, ACTUALLY</b> (2003 Romantic Comedy) – Now, my favorite holiday movie of all times. You can’t go wrong with Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, Billy Bob Thornton, to name only a few. The story follows eight different couples embroiled in their own problems during the holidays. From the playboy prime minister (Hugh Grant) to the pathetic lowly employee with a disabled brother, and the blocked writer (Colin Firth) who leaves the country to write and falls in love with a Portuguese immigrant. This holiday tapestry puzzle comes together as we gradually discover what links these characters. At the end, as they are all gathered in the same room, we are overjoyed, and our faith in the holiday spirit is renewed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTSAUzPEvVtouGdqcQvgYH-kYwd9DBatF03B3dl2vR8w6K-BZ_gYYHzvddaJedyS_03yrEkr6Y-s-7ziIuTyTKAaC9QQHiYAn3rB8XZwLzfY3YmQ-E3RrIHlJSwhx38T2UpA9BzJj3xZS/s1600/theholiday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTSAUzPEvVtouGdqcQvgYH-kYwd9DBatF03B3dl2vR8w6K-BZ_gYYHzvddaJedyS_03yrEkr6Y-s-7ziIuTyTKAaC9QQHiYAn3rB8XZwLzfY3YmQ-E3RrIHlJSwhx38T2UpA9BzJj3xZS/s640/theholiday.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>THE HOLIDAY</b> (2006 Romantic Comedy) – This movie is rapidly climbing to the top of favorite holiday movies lists. Again, great actors, like Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black (who shines in a serious and touching kind of role). On impulse, two recently single women of vastly different backgrounds swap houses across the pond for the holidays. The movie trailer genius from L.A. ends up in a snowy English countryside cottage, and the British columnist with a heart of gold experiences a Hollywood mansion for the first time. As a result, both their lives are changed forever. A feel good movie with lots of holiday cheer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here you have them, my favorite holiday movies. What are yours?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime, you can read my books. Which are not holiday related, but full of action, love, good and evil, angels and villains, and other historical or futuristic characters. Happy Reading!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Vijaya Schartz</b></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Romance with a Kick</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/" target="_blank">amazon</a> - <span> </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <span> </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - <span> </span><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <span> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank">FB</a></b> </span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-47100216493035242362018-11-19T01:30:00.000-08:002018-11-19T01:30:01.033-08:00Writing can be an art - by Vijaya Schartz<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You take a picture of a building, and it’s just a building. Then you see a photograph of that same building in an art gallery, and it’s art. What makes it art? It’s the same building. But the artist waited for the perfect time at sunset, when the light hit the pillars just so, and the sun glanced off the metal roof, and the color of the sky echoed that of the turning leaves on the surrounding trees. Then the artist chooses a different angle, and the entire tableau takes another dimension. When you look at art, you are moved. You feel something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9G9q2EjL1aT66kSt6ZrCwcDV1oBg83ugJtsZUDMrLwmZDHVWIBczTESPPw14Dg4mR2LtA7czdRGc9TPaij5rRQD-i1c5bW4Z6t0fvFMvYvzBNiAAI8kMd9t-_xDjh9lU041JI1BbKo20/s1600/Lincoln1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="780" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9G9q2EjL1aT66kSt6ZrCwcDV1oBg83ugJtsZUDMrLwmZDHVWIBczTESPPw14Dg4mR2LtA7czdRGc9TPaij5rRQD-i1c5bW4Z6t0fvFMvYvzBNiAAI8kMd9t-_xDjh9lU041JI1BbKo20/s400/Lincoln1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYenhkM7awvZVMbGfm2od-Ia96JWpVOzf1hDnspLiYQXQD7OzQzJhXf5F9tlyHLaDW6P3hFL2L2e0TekJcSv4j4GGT53PEP33HnllbUfPaoYK2Qul2UxbPPCrVV_2r9IBVkIA-iL6fS8I-/s1600/Lincoln2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYenhkM7awvZVMbGfm2od-Ia96JWpVOzf1hDnspLiYQXQD7OzQzJhXf5F9tlyHLaDW6P3hFL2L2e0TekJcSv4j4GGT53PEP33HnllbUfPaoYK2Qul2UxbPPCrVV_2r9IBVkIA-iL6fS8I-/s400/Lincoln2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You take a selfie, and it’s a portrait. But someone talented will play with light and shadow, maybe choose a black and white medium. And will speak to you and make you feel something, so that the portrait will look happy, or haunted, or sad, or intriguing. It’s still your face, but in the hands of an artist, it became art.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYDOzBOk067AxIPRuijfxL-sGnVj7o_pVovYhtC3YFEfJtB5Lf2adWBSAdMMYZlMyatzzBRLEDGpcyVzEHs0vlZMsnpwlr6HUq6Q-flZgXOCBh8ek04NfXkkPJLRdXLzfwoDLvODqM0Ps/s1600/portrait1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="514" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYDOzBOk067AxIPRuijfxL-sGnVj7o_pVovYhtC3YFEfJtB5Lf2adWBSAdMMYZlMyatzzBRLEDGpcyVzEHs0vlZMsnpwlr6HUq6Q-flZgXOCBh8ek04NfXkkPJLRdXLzfwoDLvODqM0Ps/s200/portrait1.jpg" width="180" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC39i5aoWbwybMPNBZNuOJV9fexTT_T_XKg5b9H2beOyPYAshK9H8KkqHgmF2epFtT6X1FTCujUn9orvEpk1MlfCUA3nqdbrXcfnyHkkWEfHf-uB6DmY_JP8ELnB1KlbaxW1XDY_um-_EQ/s1600/portrait2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC39i5aoWbwybMPNBZNuOJV9fexTT_T_XKg5b9H2beOyPYAshK9H8KkqHgmF2epFtT6X1FTCujUn9orvEpk1MlfCUA3nqdbrXcfnyHkkWEfHf-uB6DmY_JP8ELnB1KlbaxW1XDY_um-_EQ/s200/portrait2.jpg" width="168" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMBPxr6DJ08Y1FmZIFuPnjfW7EOZm1uyviYWQnXGo-kLY_iBV_8S4VjGXY066u6oGilqieresPfIpyD34Kc2JON36879P2yAa9go3eZIxjDIm6oHkrxREC_oNAY7Uy37-WyZJ9SiUsxrf/s1600/portrait3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMBPxr6DJ08Y1FmZIFuPnjfW7EOZm1uyviYWQnXGo-kLY_iBV_8S4VjGXY066u6oGilqieresPfIpyD34Kc2JON36879P2yAa9go3eZIxjDIm6oHkrxREC_oNAY7Uy37-WyZJ9SiUsxrf/s200/portrait3.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG6IL18KwHuHgJ14eUWre_EVJTVqEYbtkSXljGngerKiiFJYRRJ1JGI-Rsc8waEQSDN5TIP35Qu8vnRcQT5Mm4a-VZpWfU7Q-NkMgr5NQYuEk4XvgwiCN32WwTMg3kkPbAfiEB4YkUVbP/s1600/portrait5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="500" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG6IL18KwHuHgJ14eUWre_EVJTVqEYbtkSXljGngerKiiFJYRRJ1JGI-Rsc8waEQSDN5TIP35Qu8vnRcQT5Mm4a-VZpWfU7Q-NkMgr5NQYuEk4XvgwiCN32WwTMg3kkPbAfiEB4YkUVbP/s400/portrait5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Similarly, a painting can be flat and inexpressive, while another painting of the same subject will make you feel something. People loved or hated the great painters of their times because they made them feel. And sometimes these feelings were uncomfortable. Hatred and guilt are strong feelings. Picasso had many enemies before being recognized as a genius. True art brings emotion to the person experiencing it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaiUp3sjLCiT2jN_eG-jR8qPDW-IgTSGBXG2Hr5A9YHbU-e4kWOzofVwTjthJVF02zr-LiPdsKUmAXj6X2VbUb20b_yD12NyEfJ_pa-HWTvTQu2HhEavBEDrC_X6BKDjfUV1YMoJmH4T8/s1600/painting1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1056" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaiUp3sjLCiT2jN_eG-jR8qPDW-IgTSGBXG2Hr5A9YHbU-e4kWOzofVwTjthJVF02zr-LiPdsKUmAXj6X2VbUb20b_yD12NyEfJ_pa-HWTvTQu2HhEavBEDrC_X6BKDjfUV1YMoJmH4T8/s320/painting1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Degas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3MNk9BnWBZtIhFU4NR-L9ghWaqacyMmbGikW5ikmVY2NSaOL7Lt9qFHf61qPigr_wMvklBX05nJQdqv0Dnn6ADlpLPH_ZDsIObIWh4lKZdGJLeS7yCjd0eMyzXjurfnVKJecVFSNhWsE/s1600/painting2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3MNk9BnWBZtIhFU4NR-L9ghWaqacyMmbGikW5ikmVY2NSaOL7Lt9qFHf61qPigr_wMvklBX05nJQdqv0Dnn6ADlpLPH_ZDsIObIWh4lKZdGJLeS7yCjd0eMyzXjurfnVKJecVFSNhWsE/s320/painting2.png" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Picasso</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiginT-UDH2T7xsMea8SUe_60iAiAECcr1VFBBuHwzG28u9U5s_HlUzAcnHAcOmZQ8YVQqXSUaJbNxOzmyE_IMZCgehytXq41lJHR3X7LVnRkuoMcxR-SeWbNhvXCu6I5_nMUZ9FQ2CbIxV/s1600/painting3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiginT-UDH2T7xsMea8SUe_60iAiAECcr1VFBBuHwzG28u9U5s_HlUzAcnHAcOmZQ8YVQqXSUaJbNxOzmyE_IMZCgehytXq41lJHR3X7LVnRkuoMcxR-SeWbNhvXCu6I5_nMUZ9FQ2CbIxV/s1600/painting3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Gauguin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A movie documentary can be informative without emotion. But an artist will make that documentary poignant and get the audience to stand up and cheer and clap at the end. A fictional movie will use music to set the mood, and sounds and special effects to make the audience feel anticipation, fear, love, victory, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And so it is with a novel. It can be a series of actions from characters in a setting, or it can be a true experience for the reader. We are painting with words, expressing emotions to make the reader feel, and our novels become a work of art.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So the secret for a writer is to feel deeply. Only then can we use words to make the reader feel and care about our characters and our stories. But like with any art, there is also a technique, like there is for painters, photographers and film makers. And it takes practice to master the technique. The secret to get the feelings on the page is in the details. A description will fall flat if it doesn’t include visual as well as other important sensory details. Smells, sounds, touch, taste, and visual effects, as well as the physical sensations experienced by the character in the story will evoke the same reactions and awaken the same feelings in the reader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25Ys0Nfp33rv2CP_eVzRiBhwu20WusUcmchfS1YE2Hru39DgNFWb4aJYiZou35_PfUH3Mb8GoCtr7JxacsJuqEUJZHccDq8Hn0jG2vUSj08rZGbxyVsedDBgFl-ZDRI80hBIHaRGUqc3r/s1600/ashes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25Ys0Nfp33rv2CP_eVzRiBhwu20WusUcmchfS1YE2Hru39DgNFWb4aJYiZou35_PfUH3Mb8GoCtr7JxacsJuqEUJZHccDq8Hn0jG2vUSj08rZGbxyVsedDBgFl-ZDRI80hBIHaRGUqc3r/s1600/ashes.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After reading ASHES FOR THE ELEPHANT GOD, readers told me they could feel the heat, smell the flowers and the spices, and hear the music, and taste the foods of India. They felt transported to another place, another time, another culture. It’s because I brought my own love of India to the pages of the book, and because I felt it, I was able to bring it to life in the writing and make the reader feel it as well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;">Vijaya Schartz, author<br />Romance with a Kick<br /><a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/" target="_blank">amazon</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank">FB</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-74779089802956080232018-10-22T01:30:00.000-07:002018-10-22T01:30:08.674-07:00Writers and cats - by Vijaya Schartz<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As far as I can remember, I loved cats… and writing. I wrote poetry in first grade, around the same time I brought my first stray home. At the time my father didn’t allow us to have pets, but since then I adopted many cats… and I kept writing. I still write, and I still have a cat. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some say writers like cats because they are non-intrusive. I beg to differ. Even right now, my cat is begging for me to stop this computer nonsense and pay attention to her. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEiQ5uz9BUtXQ9KJ8m1m6n_Yn7wgB_zXVszCKGPZmeVZzxOdnloTgfei9iDXx9gOZrzDjNjfpxGq7cyrtXjl7-7ra06m2waErarBS_VjD-Dw1QleP6S6MnWUEdBKuY2HmBJTesxeiQk5k/s1600/Jasmine+2014.JPG"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEiQ5uz9BUtXQ9KJ8m1m6n_Yn7wgB_zXVszCKGPZmeVZzxOdnloTgfei9iDXx9gOZrzDjNjfpxGq7cyrtXjl7-7ra06m2waErarBS_VjD-Dw1QleP6S6MnWUEdBKuY2HmBJTesxeiQk5k/s640/Jasmine+2014.JPG" /></span></b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Others say cats are the perfect writer’s pet because they sleep a lot and they like daily routines. That part is true. There is a time for me to write. That’s when my cat sleeps. Right now, it’s TV time and I’m still writing, that’s why my cat is so upset. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cats are independent, and the epitome of indifference. That part is usually true, unless it’s tuna time, or close to tuna time, or two hours before tuna time, or three in the morning and she decides it’s tuna time. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5DA25wwL8iWLNU0ccSkYdUq7h7gwnEfIMm45ulhqfO88eiCG5gGbVdGfaYrafqHGi1hYkwk5FB3-7gvKZVHu2mEA7dCEgyms9Lx2k4Ep6aDMfcj0VoclCVX0d0wXgWTT-S9_QnB5ccuo/s1600/catcamo2017.jpg"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5DA25wwL8iWLNU0ccSkYdUq7h7gwnEfIMm45ulhqfO88eiCG5gGbVdGfaYrafqHGi1hYkwk5FB3-7gvKZVHu2mEA7dCEgyms9Lx2k4Ep6aDMfcj0VoclCVX0d0wXgWTT-S9_QnB5ccuo/s400/catcamo2017.jpg" /></span></b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My cat's favorite camouflage blanket</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, if cats are just as demanding as other pets, why is it so many famous writers had cats and adored them? My rational opinion could be that cats are quieter than dogs and don’t need to be walked, but I believe it goes much deeper than that. Cats are intriguing, challenging, smart, and obstinate. They tickle our muse. And if I have a question, I can always ask my cat. She will give me the right answer. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some other reasons why great writers loved their cats: </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not." Ernest Hemmingway </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I write so much because my cat sits on my lap. She purrs so I don't want to get up. She's so much more calming than my husband." Joyce Carol Oates </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you." Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I simply can't resist a cat, particularly a purring one. They are the cleanest, cunningest, and most intelligent things I know, outside of the girl you love, of course." Mark Twain </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat." Edgar Alan Poe </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"When a Cat adopts you there is nothing to be done about it except to put up with it and wait until the wind changes." T.S. Elliot </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is a cat in my latest novel, a telepathic cougar, the companion of my kick-butt bounty hunter heroine. If you haven’t read it yet, pick it up and enjoy.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpT-DHj7urHnoknOHJKn7qP0ptbbezPRNvYlT3zRLkuL5jWuoumvvoDYVRww9W_2IEhOHkidyrctyl9SnuQ9yenJGSFZm-0Sf-PGPFNcq9hjzyuGIEbCE-WrCGyLUvRV1X-_i7EgRUWyc/s1600/angelminemedium.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpT-DHj7urHnoknOHJKn7qP0ptbbezPRNvYlT3zRLkuL5jWuoumvvoDYVRww9W_2IEhOHkidyrctyl9SnuQ9yenJGSFZm-0Sf-PGPFNcq9hjzyuGIEbCE-WrCGyLUvRV1X-_i7EgRUWyc/s320/angelminemedium.jpg" /></span></b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What in the frozen hells of Laxxar prompted Fianna to pursue her quarry to this forbidden blue planet? Well, she needs the credits... badly. But as if crashing in the jungle wasn't bad enough, none of her high-tech weapons work. She'll have to go native, after the most wanted felon in five galaxies. It's not just her job. It's personal.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Acielon has never seen an outworlder like this fascinating female, strangely beautiful, and fierce, like the feline predator loping at her side. He always dreamed of exploring the universe, despite the legends... and the interdiction. Is it truly a hellish place of violence, lies and suffering? If it spawned this intriguing creature, it must also be a place of wonders, adventure and excitement...</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fianna's instincts tell her someone is watching. Sheba, her telepathic feline partner, doesn't seem worried... yet, something on Azura isn't quite right.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I don’t know how Vijaya continues to write books that both aggravate you to no end and keep you on the edge of your seat. You can’t put it down until you know what happens next. Before you know what happened, you are at the end of the book and wondering how you got there so fast. It is hard not to get caught up in and lost in the imagery created on the pages of the locations. You can even smell what is in the air. Yet another page turner I couldn’t put down! Thank you Vijaya for keeping me entertained." 5-stars - Beverley J. Malloy on amazon</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Vijaya Schartz, author</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Romance with a Kick</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</span></b></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/">amazon</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&page=1">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz">Smashwords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/">FB</a></span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-21755901984478444632018-08-27T02:00:00.000-07:002018-08-27T02:00:08.489-07:00Another beloved publisher of sci-fi romance closes their doors - by Vijaya Schartz<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Yes, publishing companies do close their door, and more
often than you think. Here are some of my sci-fi romance titles recently republished with new covers, after their previous publishers who closed their doors.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-iZ-4exSrVYcWbDZgf5aZ1zNLrFVx9EEQO_wB9UsqGLj9JAFMJ2kgUP6KI0B1NduglDV9dAe-Kw7Eg7Ioz8NU7XOEco5LIi3U8b_9VDdq53NKc9VIMh8MDmsfgJDvywzukEosw_RpnDc/s1600/ancientenemy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-iZ-4exSrVYcWbDZgf5aZ1zNLrFVx9EEQO_wB9UsqGLj9JAFMJ2kgUP6KI0B1NduglDV9dAe-Kw7Eg7Ioz8NU7XOEco5LIi3U8b_9VDdq53NKc9VIMh8MDmsfgJDvywzukEosw_RpnDc/s640/ancientenemy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8DjMSJS1ucIW3lfBG5jrZCfMWh6S7hs35LyDCeTBKMTbS2SuHTc-t3yImdqQz3bbuVhXlsCVgK5wLxf2AogvKZ7hVazgCK1FJg9ejegDy5t-Y9PELkOa5Hej1-hyk4Nrq1iESiYjghyphenhyphenk/s1600/alienlockdown2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8DjMSJS1ucIW3lfBG5jrZCfMWh6S7hs35LyDCeTBKMTbS2SuHTc-t3yImdqQz3bbuVhXlsCVgK5wLxf2AogvKZ7hVazgCK1FJg9ejegDy5t-Y9PELkOa5Hej1-hyk4Nrq1iESiYjghyphenhyphenk/s320/alienlockdown2015.jpg" width="213" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nRCNM_C4lIfUcLZuHxTOuxbsspagHXza53iF3k0mOXjcu-sS6o3VDwmvMK5pGpPlR5iZjRrk8Q6xQXqdQko5J3VzSoWlnfeQtMqjTIQ55QiYr_UH0lWnJAfyG0YKgIw7vQNXpqZfR2ML/s1600/Snatchedmedium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nRCNM_C4lIfUcLZuHxTOuxbsspagHXza53iF3k0mOXjcu-sS6o3VDwmvMK5pGpPlR5iZjRrk8Q6xQXqdQko5J3VzSoWlnfeQtMqjTIQ55QiYr_UH0lWnJAfyG0YKgIw7vQNXpqZfR2ML/s320/Snatchedmedium2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>You have slaved for months if not years writing the perfect
book. After pitching it at conferences and being rejected by many agents and
publishers, you are finally accepted by a small publisher. They love your book.
They want to publish it. After doing your happy dance, you sign on the dotted
line, and soon you will be a legitimate published author. Congratulations. Now,
you are a professional author, with deadlines, edits, and promotion strategies.
Finally, friends and family will take you seriously as an author. You are on
your way.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Small publishers are wonderful, and I love them. They take
chances with mixed genres, like sci-fi romance and medieval fantasy romance.
They provide the same services as a large publisher with editors, cover
designers, some marketing… and they get your books out in the world, in all
formats, on all retail sites, and in print… although the print is sometime on
demand.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>It means that they are ecologically responsible, but most likely, your
local bookstore will refuse to order that book for its shelves… because most
print on demand books are non-returnable, and chain bookstores refuse to stock
them. They still operate on the newsstand magazine model, where what didn’t
sell that week or that month goes straight back to the publisher.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Never mind the naysayers. You are happily published. You
love your cover, the book does sell copies in the first month. Your social
media friends are buying it. You had a successful book signing in an
independent (or second hand) bookstore, and you are writing the sequel. You are
living the dream.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I forgot to tell you, the weakness of small publishers is
that they are small, usually operated by a handful of people, but owned only by
one or two of them, who are in charge and oversee the entire operation. Without
them, the company cannot survive.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>As you all know, life has a way of throwing off the best
laid plans. Even in a large publishing company, if your editor goes on
maternity leave and decides to stay home and raise her child, you may not get
along with your new editor. He/she may not like your book as much or have a
different idea of what your characters should be. He/she might request changes that
will make you cringe. Unfortunately, you are locked into a contract, and your
only option is to grin and bear it.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>But when the main operator of a small publishing company has
a life-altering accident (like it happened for Sapphire Blue Publishing after a
few years) or is diagnosed with a serious health problem and can no longer
handle the stress of running the company, (like it happened last month with
Desert Breeze Publishing after a decade of success) the small publisher will
have to close their doors.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>That will make you an orphaned author, with orphaned books most
established publisher will shun, because they are last year’s chutney… Of
course, you get your rights back. Which means you could self-publish your
orphans, or, if you are lucky, find another small publisher who will love them,
like it happened for me with BWL Publishing. It’s all part of an author’s life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>If you lose your publisher, don’t despair. Keep writing.
Nothing like a new release to lift your spirits. And this new publisher of
yours might like your new book so much, they’ll ask you if you have anything
else ready to go. Then you can pitch them your little orphans.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I was lucky that way. White Tiger was published several
times by different publishers. The last one was Desert Breeze, where it became
a series. But this book is in its twilight, and next time, I’ll republish that series
myself, just to keep it available online. Aren't the covers stunning?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVmLr5340dGXt-ROni5JzoSo2opjiMhumqo25h8SynTGn0jPf6Sh1WDjRGpQxofH1wyLfGo8yCdaOG5cOow-7lvJZwYoJKFwih3W9qc-ozC8ewHfYqbw9-_W_6sNi_6rnu2kXqL3awg8P/s1600/chroniclesofkassouk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVmLr5340dGXt-ROni5JzoSo2opjiMhumqo25h8SynTGn0jPf6Sh1WDjRGpQxofH1wyLfGo8yCdaOG5cOow-7lvJZwYoJKFwih3W9qc-ozC8ewHfYqbw9-_W_6sNi_6rnu2kXqL3awg8P/s640/chroniclesofkassouk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Two of my Desert Breeze sci-fi orphans, however, will be
republished next year by BWL Publishing, for whom I’m currently writing the new Azura Chronicles sci-fi series. These two, set on a space station, will be
a spin off from the Azura Chronicles. Of course, I’ll be rewriting these
orphans to fit in the new universe I created for BWL Publishing, then add new
titles to both series.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>It sounds like a lot of work, but I think authors like
challenges. I’m excited about re-writing these. Sci-fi was my first love and
creating new universes is my thing. I also like kick-butt heroines, brave
heroes, and cats. So, get ready for more sci-fi romance coming from Vijaya
Schartz in 2019 and 2020.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoxjjcGGHHxA1hgNkhmRWmyBZoByJEyZrK42qLYc-n6lN8ozKlZk-aUOIyrTT0-ZYFDJe_sBIc9Lp5VQ4_Epw6EvHR7EIAszhroUsOtXJqmLMy_bc5WdPmJfGFGSAxs7ydKoD6gEGHjHX/s1600/angelminemedium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoxjjcGGHHxA1hgNkhmRWmyBZoByJEyZrK42qLYc-n6lN8ozKlZk-aUOIyrTT0-ZYFDJe_sBIc9Lp5VQ4_Epw6EvHR7EIAszhroUsOtXJqmLMy_bc5WdPmJfGFGSAxs7ydKoD6gEGHjHX/s400/angelminemedium.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>In the meantime, you can read ANGEL MINE, Book 1 of the Azura Chronicles.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What in the frozen hells of Laxxar prompted Fianna to pursue her quarry to this forbidden blue planet? Well, she needs the credits... badly. But as if crashing in the jungle wasn't bad enough, none of her high-tech weapons work. She'll have to go native, after the most wanted felon in five galaxies. It's not just her job. It's personal.</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acielon has never seen an outworlder like this fascinating female, strangely beautiful, and fierce, like the feline predator loping at her side. He always dreamed of exploring the universe, despite the legends... and the interdiction. Is it truly a hellish place of violence, lies and suffering? If it spawned this intriguing creature, it must also be a place of wonders, adventure and excitement...</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fianna's instincts tell her someone is watching. Sheba, her telepathic feline partner, doesn't seem worried... yet, something on Azura isn't quite right.</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"I don’t know how Vijaya continues to write books that both aggravate you to no end and keep you on the edge of your seat. You can’t put it down until you know what happens next. Before you know what happened, you are at the end of the book and wondering how you got there so fast. It is hard not to get caught up in and lost in the imagery created on the pages of the locations. You can even smell what is in the air. Yet another page turner I couldn’t put down! Thank you Vijaya for keeping me entertained." 5-stars - Beverley J. Malloy on amazon</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Happy Reading!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Vijaya Schartz, author</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>http://www.vijayaschartz.com</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001JP7UJ4?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&sort=author-pages-popularity-rank&page=1#formatSelectorHeader" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&page=1" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">SmashWords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">KOBO</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vijaya-Schartz-Author-109777709045040/" target="_blank">facebook</a></b></span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-42056981208294612632018-07-30T02:00:00.000-07:002018-07-30T02:00:08.604-07:00Would you live on a space station? - by Vijaya Schartz<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Imagine debarking from a spaceship into a vast array of wide corridors like an airport terminal. Except that the entryway seals are hermetic, and the side windows show black space, with spaceships anchored to the giant circular wheel encircling the space station, like the rings of a planet. The station floats in space, orbiting a small planet. Or it could be in the wide orbit of a faraway sun. The station, built and expanded over centuries, would be made of many different parts, some older, others brand new. Size is irrelevant in space. It can be as big as needed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQh4heptdLLw5cNYIHfqx9NWm1zgb2FlQ_zg7olpmlG8V5wI46ngbZHE4dv_f0zDi7xlA0FSQuYwTLpQTPkbuBlRQvVhp6JuuySdxapA4d_FniV4ktsED67Em33aZUrl0Rvpv8PcicywE/s1600/space-station+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="595" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQh4heptdLLw5cNYIHfqx9NWm1zgb2FlQ_zg7olpmlG8V5wI46ngbZHE4dv_f0zDi7xlA0FSQuYwTLpQTPkbuBlRQvVhp6JuuySdxapA4d_FniV4ktsED67Em33aZUrl0Rvpv8PcicywE/s1600/space-station+1.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is how I imagine Byzantium-5, the space station featured in the Azura Chronicles</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First, you would notice the lighter gravity. You might even get sick. If you spent much time in space, it would be familiar, but if you came from a heavy world like Earth, the change would be noticeable. You would probably grow taller over time, as gravity doesn't pull you down as much, but your bones might grow lighter and weaker.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEmsxqLW6phWjPn4OzySp9WZ5cpiwUKmg3vn899_J3nxByLCCsNvK80hivlGiHhdjr7sn8CmyM2tUTUxyl8AXPE4bMfMneDZ7sAKdP-6V5Wb0uvCYrdPh9o-rp-prEqwGMLzlR9ezoY_F/s1600/airportcorridor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1050" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEmsxqLW6phWjPn4OzySp9WZ5cpiwUKmg3vn899_J3nxByLCCsNvK80hivlGiHhdjr7sn8CmyM2tUTUxyl8AXPE4bMfMneDZ7sAKdP-6V5Wb0uvCYrdPh9o-rp-prEqwGMLzlR9ezoY_F/s640/airportcorridor.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hundreds of miles of corridors in a wide circle around the core. Fortunately, there are also levitating cars and carts to carry the luggage.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hundreds of thousands could live there. Even millions. They would have room for growing food without dirt in hydroponic tubs, they would manufacture artificial meat in labs, without raising animals, and they would make their own water and their own oxygen. The complex would function like a large city, not bound by the planetary cycles of day and night... although they may want to create a semblance of circadian rhythm for the comfort of their visitors and inhabitants.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI13ijq8D2qKHH024gGetZ6klJMGfh2Az0v6bzNHTmDLI4ToW9s8F18iCLFZQbE4pwEmKm9b8moiICwDTQH74KmcsJnxXy_UKqUqirFMyTZHakXIqZPctghOS_1tSXLPonaGZewSdXc-ph/s1600/space-station+gardens.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1400" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI13ijq8D2qKHH024gGetZ6klJMGfh2Az0v6bzNHTmDLI4ToW9s8F18iCLFZQbE4pwEmKm9b8moiICwDTQH74KmcsJnxXy_UKqUqirFMyTZHakXIqZPctghOS_1tSXLPonaGZewSdXc-ph/s640/space-station+gardens.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Parks and gardens would provide oxygen and relaxation</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The station could be a port for trading goods, with commercial docks and cranes to load and unload large containers from ships to dock and vice-versa. It could also be a pleasure destination. I imagine a Vegas type of atmosphere, with entertainment, gambling dens, spas, shopping, restaurants, and all the luxuries we imagine in the future, like cyber-pleasures... the legal and the illegal kinds. I personally like the idea of sex robots.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_ZyWdLK7offFWSN0cQVR0Q_01UWrDOJoKUANpap2IrKvWqpO4yx60EtA3M-kbmdTFNrftydGQf8_SD0v76t-bzIoZ23otPym4XGubhlz_G5b2wdJVXmBGZPxyJy-WAvq4lFiJ9M9IuT1/s1600/space-station+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="650" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_ZyWdLK7offFWSN0cQVR0Q_01UWrDOJoKUANpap2IrKvWqpO4yx60EtA3M-kbmdTFNrftydGQf8_SD0v76t-bzIoZ23otPym4XGubhlz_G5b2wdJVXmBGZPxyJy-WAvq4lFiJ9M9IuT1/s640/space-station+3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here the scale is misleading. The craft would be tiny as it approaches the behemoth of a station</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By the time we get to that level of sophistication, we may have made contact with other space-faring races, and that might bring diversity (and possibly discrimination) into our advanced society.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Such a place would need tight security. Space is not the safest place. There would be corruption, gangs, drugs, terrorism, and individuals striving for control. Delinquents would be detained in jail-like areas. There might even be a prison, but who needs metal bars when a clear titanium pane can do the trick?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9Rjzu5Xi4F_cETn3T8e5OF3WRgM4fWAgaP2n5yvrFaQ9EfU_fIWluYrzBkHdf2A47dOmKPu_WC6WqN9JE3IrQCa024WwNXTD5I_YdkEhplRbllr_yX95J9uFYntqFvS4UZ5kQyEo8-6_/s1600/space-station+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9Rjzu5Xi4F_cETn3T8e5OF3WRgM4fWAgaP2n5yvrFaQ9EfU_fIWluYrzBkHdf2A47dOmKPu_WC6WqN9JE3IrQCa024WwNXTD5I_YdkEhplRbllr_yX95J9uFYntqFvS4UZ5kQyEo8-6_/s640/space-station+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Glass is not resistant enough and too breakable for these windows. I imagine they are made of transparent metal</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the core of the structure, would be a reactor to generate the energy needed to keep that city in space running smoothly. As we know, reactors can become unstable. More fodder for future stories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But what would happen to those forgotten by the system? Orphans growing on the fringe of the affluent society, escapees, and stowaways might be reduced to hide in disaffected parts of the station and form their own society. They might steal in order to survive. So far from central power (and from the overseeing authority), such a community might recourse to shortcuts, unethical practices, and oppression of the underprivileged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQISq6k1nRpBmomSLDaHAQ81oRDi6FLXnOFQxZWvAHcJTdz9d0oMPOpl7t02RXm6u_wvZ57nEGLxKQZAaZkv6NQ7mW8Kc9ikYSNRpwsn5FAPc6YziSx2L35TsvvDAIkpmfKK9-eIWywSjW/s1600/space-station+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1536" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQISq6k1nRpBmomSLDaHAQ81oRDi6FLXnOFQxZWvAHcJTdz9d0oMPOpl7t02RXm6u_wvZ57nEGLxKQZAaZkv6NQ7mW8Kc9ikYSNRpwsn5FAPc6YziSx2L35TsvvDAIkpmfKK9-eIWywSjW/s640/space-station+4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Although this is a futuristic design for a train station, I imagine the style would fit a space station as well</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As you see, the world of tomorrow may not be so different from ours, because no matter how many advances we make in science, health, and space exploration, human nature doesn't change that much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's all about survival, and the balance of good and evil. And that controversy will not soon be resolved, so there is plenty of fodder for upcoming science fiction novels.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime, you can learn more about life on a space station by reading the Azura Chronicles. Book 1, ANGEL MINE is already out and Fianna, my heroine, is a bounty hunter. But she was born on the Byzantium-5 space station, orphaned as a teenager, then survived with the protection of a violent gang, the Dragon Squad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpT-DHj7urHnoknOHJKn7qP0ptbbezPRNvYlT3zRLkuL5jWuoumvvoDYVRww9W_2IEhOHkidyrctyl9SnuQ9yenJGSFZm-0Sf-PGPFNcq9hjzyuGIEbCE-WrCGyLUvRV1X-_i7EgRUWyc/s1600/angelminemedium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpT-DHj7urHnoknOHJKn7qP0ptbbezPRNvYlT3zRLkuL5jWuoumvvoDYVRww9W_2IEhOHkidyrctyl9SnuQ9yenJGSFZm-0Sf-PGPFNcq9hjzyuGIEbCE-WrCGyLUvRV1X-_i7EgRUWyc/s320/angelminemedium.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">What in the frozen hells of Laxxar prompted Fianna to pursue her quarry to this forbidden blue planet? Well, she needs the credits... badly. But as if crashing in the jungle wasn't bad enough, none of her high-tech weapons work. She'll have to go native, after the most wanted felon in five galaxies. It's not just her job. It's personal.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Acielon has never seen an outworlder like this fascinating female, strangely beautiful, and fierce, like the feline predator loping at her side. He always dreamed of exploring the universe, despite the legends... and the interdiction. Is it truly a hellish place of violence, lies and suffering? If it spawned this intriguing creature, it must also be a place of wonders, adventure and excitement.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Fianna's instincts tell her someone is watching. Sheba, her telepathic feline partner, doesn't seem worried... yet, something on Azura isn't quite right.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HAPPY READING</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Vijaya Schartz, author</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Click to Vijaya's page on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B001JP7UJ4/ref=lp_B001JP7UJ4_st?qid=1374183941&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_82%3AB001JP7UJ4&sort=daterank&redirectedFromKindleDbs=true" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> -<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=40&page=1" target="_blank"> B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">smashWords</a> - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">KOBO</a> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-7510831468852267012018-07-02T01:30:00.000-07:002018-07-02T01:30:07.130-07:00Angels Against Robots - by Vijaya Schartz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnMyphtCtT7rhplXnPj0lrcliUGBMA9Hopx5dsIp5R_S2-6wIRFCOael1owaRt567NXnJXCOhnsQQtkhUFkJ1Vz2ORT5BeJ-i27OA9NfkCce0vzhmJVfL9DGLb9R7eWMG5Fw2WUL-uyPj/s1600/AI+robot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnMyphtCtT7rhplXnPj0lrcliUGBMA9Hopx5dsIp5R_S2-6wIRFCOael1owaRt567NXnJXCOhnsQQtkhUFkJ1Vz2ORT5BeJ-i27OA9NfkCce0vzhmJVfL9DGLb9R7eWMG5Fw2WUL-uyPj/s640/AI+robot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I'm
actively writing the second book in the Azura Chronicles sci-fi romance
series, I did not abandon research. On the contrary, even after creating
an entire world, research is my main focus. Not only it helps me find
new elements and threads to explore in the new story, but it opens so
many possibilities...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of
course, I do enjoy the research. Who wouldn't like bingeing on the
latest sci-fi movies and series (thank goodness for cable), reading
great books and watching interviews of scientists on the advances of
cybernetics, and the psychological consequences threatening future
societies?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I
love my job. Especially when the creative juices take me in unexpected
directions. Book 2 will also have a big cat of a very different kind. I
love researching cats.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cybernetics,
will you ask? Maybe I already said too much. But it's the future, after
all, and I can't wait to pit angels against robots. This world of Azura
also has a predatory fauna. Which side will the nightcrawlers take? And
what role will my new kick-butt heroine and her brave hero take in this
new adventure?</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpT-DHj7urHnoknOHJKn7qP0ptbbezPRNvYlT3zRLkuL5jWuoumvvoDYVRww9W_2IEhOHkidyrctyl9SnuQ9yenJGSFZm-0Sf-PGPFNcq9hjzyuGIEbCE-WrCGyLUvRV1X-_i7EgRUWyc/s1600/angelminemedium.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpT-DHj7urHnoknOHJKn7qP0ptbbezPRNvYlT3zRLkuL5jWuoumvvoDYVRww9W_2IEhOHkidyrctyl9SnuQ9yenJGSFZm-0Sf-PGPFNcq9hjzyuGIEbCE-WrCGyLUvRV1X-_i7EgRUWyc/s400/angelminemedium.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But
I already said too much. As I work on Book 2, you are welcome to enjoy
Book 1, ANGEL MINE. Each book is a standalone, but if you are like me,
you'll want to know what happened before in this world of Azura.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ANGEL MINE: 5-stars</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">find it on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CYWVHWG" target="_blank">amazon</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What in the frozen hells of Laxxar prompted Fianna to pursue her quarry
to this forbidden blue planet? Well, she needs the credits... badly. But
as if crashing in the jungle wasn't bad enough, none of her high-tech
weapons work. She'll have to go native, after the most wanted felon in
five galaxies. It's not just her job. It's personal.<br /><br />Acielon has
never seen an outworlder like this fascinating female, strangely
beautiful, and fierce, like the feline predator loping at her side. He
always dreamed of exploring the universe, despite the legends... and the
interdiction. Is it truly a hellish place of violence, lies and
suffering? If it spawned this intriguing creature, it must also be a
place of wonders, adventure and excitement.<br /><br />Fianna's instincts
tell her someone is watching. Sheba, her telepathic feline partner,
doesn't seem worried... yet, something on Azura isn't quite right.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;">"</span>I
don’t know how Vijaya continues to write books that both
aggravate you to no end and keep you on the edge of your
seat. You can’t put it down until you know what happens
next. Before you know what happened, you are at the end of
the book and wondering how you got there so fast. It is hard
not to get caught up in and lost in the imagery created on
the pages of the locations. You can even smell what is in
the air. Yet another page turner I couldn’t put down! Thank
you Vijaya for keeping me entertained." 5-stars -
Beverley J. Malloy on amazon</i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Happy Reading!</i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><b id="yui_3_15_0_1_1463351000157_2008">
<span id="yui_3_15_0_1_1463351000157_2006" style="font-family: "arial";">Vijaya Schartz<br />
High Octane sci-fi fantasy romance with a kick<br />
<a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="http://www.vijayaschartz.com">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/ref=lp_B001JP7UJ4_st?qid=1374183941&rh=n:283155,p_82:B001JP7UJ4&sort=daterank" target="http://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/ref=lp_B001JP7UJ4_st?qid=1374183941&rh=n:283155,p_82:B001JP7UJ4&sort=daterank">Amazon</a>
-
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya%20Schartz%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall" target="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya%20Schartz%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall">Barnes & Noble</a> -
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz">Smashwords</a> - </span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial";">
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22">Kobo</a> -
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vijaya-Schartz-Author/109777709045040" target="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vijaya-Schartz-Author/109777709045040">Facebook</a></span></b> </i></b> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-7323163743927651972018-06-04T01:30:00.000-07:002018-06-04T01:30:03.995-07:00Mew Release: ANGEL MINE by Vijaya Schartz<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">New Realease </span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ANGEL MINE</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Azura Chronicles Book 1</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>by Vijaya Schartz</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZd0Mc9mFPmS3WpdGtQBCu0y35EmrPSQTOG06hDZxiew7FVdd7p30F7DbMTZL4X6Qzv4Aa3Gj75V4utCsqcZprwcVgTHR1dyn8VFKkZjVugcyB2xfJaCHuE0dOzS59bh88CKKXVKu8gFL/s1600/angelminemedium.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZd0Mc9mFPmS3WpdGtQBCu0y35EmrPSQTOG06hDZxiew7FVdd7p30F7DbMTZL4X6Qzv4Aa3Gj75V4utCsqcZprwcVgTHR1dyn8VFKkZjVugcyB2xfJaCHuE0dOzS59bh88CKKXVKu8gFL/s400/angelminemedium.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CYWVHWG" target="_blank">kindle </a>- <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0228602327/ref=la_B001JP7UJ4_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1525905315&sr=1-2&refinements=p_82%3AB001JP7UJ4" target="_blank">paperback </a>- <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1128631777;jsessionid=FBD865CE53CC2FAE0FF0AC609BE4E6FB.prodny_store02-atgap04?ean=2940162041900" target="_blank">nook</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What in the frozen hells of Laxxar prompted Fianna to pursue her quarry
to this forbidden blue planet? Well, she needs the credits... badly. But
as if crashing in the jungle wasn't bad enough, none of her high-tech
weapons work. She'll have to go native, after the most wanted felon in
five galaxies. It's not just her job. It's personal.<br /><br />Acielon has
never seen an outworlder like this fascinating female, strangely
beautiful, and fierce, like the feline predator loping at her side. He
always dreamed of exploring the universe, despite the legends... and the
interdiction. Is it truly a hellish place of violence, lies and
suffering? If it spawned this intriguing creature, it must also be a
place of wonders, adventure and excitement.</b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fianna's instincts
tell her someone is watching. Sheba, her telepathic feline partner,
doesn't seem worried... yet, something on Azura isn't quite right.</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> MORE ABOUT THIS NEW SERIES:</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>There is a planet out in
the universe, emitting a strange turquoise glow. A long time ago Azura
refused to join the Trade Alliance. The Alliance sent their military fleet
to destroy the Azurans, but their powerful supernatural abilities spread
fear even among the fiercest Devil Dogs. Since then, records have been erased.
Rumors and legends all but died. Azura is strictly forbidden, and the daring few
who ventured beyond the warning space beacons were never seen again...</i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><b id="yui_3_15_0_1_1463351000157_2008">
<span id="yui_3_15_0_1_1463351000157_2006" style="font-family: Arial;">Vijaya Schartz<br />
High Octane sci-fi fantasy romance with a kick<br />
<a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/ref=lp_B001JP7UJ4_st?qid=1374183941&rh=n:283155,p_82:B001JP7UJ4&sort=daterank" target="_blank">Amazon</a>
-
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya%20Schartz%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> -
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - </span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a> -
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vijaya-Schartz-Author/109777709045040" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></b></i></b></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568842413800774126.post-18909311775663463962018-05-07T01:30:00.000-07:002018-05-07T11:24:23.471-07:00Angels or extraterrestrials? by Vijaya Schartz<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgroCzTrYqV9mOeO69c-uqcMT_WL8SL7q4d3YHdVpyTNyqN36dT9glP0FgpIHvUKZEyPeJgS_2k3QkHvU8uISdDeout631uTy_5ODsgw-pT22eJA3FTRQBN2I48Fj09qTErDoAimJpvy5/s1600/angel5.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="410" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgroCzTrYqV9mOeO69c-uqcMT_WL8SL7q4d3YHdVpyTNyqN36dT9glP0FgpIHvUKZEyPeJgS_2k3QkHvU8uISdDeout631uTy_5ODsgw-pT22eJA3FTRQBN2I48Fj09qTErDoAimJpvy5/s400/angel5.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What are angels? Really... Since they do not come from this earth, it's safe to say they are extraterrestrials... or are they?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Different
versions of the Christian Bible name a few, but other ancient sacred
texts, like the Zohar, the Torah, the Koran, and the Vedas have long
lists of angels who descended to earth to deliver messages, warnings, to
teach, test, or punish man.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwQC0JQ0HstWb60vcsyqccQ2MtxNeP8W1BUxKhVwXz9rRA40JA9e_nSZfbaO-eRjg5c_njzi0jnJg4cD3av5WopNT327W1O4a3P67aQ5btqFW8PyTN3xSWlWyh9tQkrBXJLPlABWkU21f/s1600/angel4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwQC0JQ0HstWb60vcsyqccQ2MtxNeP8W1BUxKhVwXz9rRA40JA9e_nSZfbaO-eRjg5c_njzi0jnJg4cD3av5WopNT327W1O4a3P67aQ5btqFW8PyTN3xSWlWyh9tQkrBXJLPlABWkU21f/s640/angel4.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQnXsNqp1SVoewDqli_-EOW3gBNkdqLKOKAatoVbKMjZCSK-4MEUWyYhHKgMXQryeWttoE9J_S4yOg6wBb81ESpMigpdSXOOKWTE2HDIg-U36ofkGTfNcka1LFPOesrT7O5eHDbJmbXw2/s1600/angel6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1600" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQnXsNqp1SVoewDqli_-EOW3gBNkdqLKOKAatoVbKMjZCSK-4MEUWyYhHKgMXQryeWttoE9J_S4yOg6wBb81ESpMigpdSXOOKWTE2HDIg-U36ofkGTfNcka1LFPOesrT7O5eHDbJmbXw2/s640/angel6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Angels
are legion, as I discovered in my intensive research. Some like Gabriel
and Raphael are messengers (which is the root meaning of the word
angel). Others like Michael who chased Adam and Eve out of Eden with a
flaming sword and destroyed the serpent, and Uriel the Avenging Angel,
are wielding deadly weapons.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDbYho36XxAHT0cVFv9rgZGCUqDgzx7WMn1vAuHhA-wepUOpKdzmh_tl71EUi50oIHb3T28a5-hhCG0imzwi0f9HOMsY4PhH8Jm2MjWb9kDNCOiiu2lHlX9YIjhkgxirrMZrEHbwHlIfP/s1600/angel7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1420" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDbYho36XxAHT0cVFv9rgZGCUqDgzx7WMn1vAuHhA-wepUOpKdzmh_tl71EUi50oIHb3T28a5-hhCG0imzwi0f9HOMsY4PhH8Jm2MjWb9kDNCOiiu2lHlX9YIjhkgxirrMZrEHbwHlIfP/s640/angel7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But
there is also Lucifer, the brightest angel and mutinous leader cast
away for wanting to impart advanced knowledge to the lowly human race.
The records also list over a thousand good angels, fallen angels and
demons.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kxRBwngsNbKsNjkJTqm37ZpLZMf5c27ENhESP-t9KyeTduIrFPKG3geaJG6rTobmoT1k7goqZWtu_RbuBh_WkwiqFtRETcwj2jUefChfPzbVt3N-KIPoEyQbrIs0mlDqtxYw9o2ZLxY_/s1600/angel3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="600" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kxRBwngsNbKsNjkJTqm37ZpLZMf5c27ENhESP-t9KyeTduIrFPKG3geaJG6rTobmoT1k7goqZWtu_RbuBh_WkwiqFtRETcwj2jUefChfPzbVt3N-KIPoEyQbrIs0mlDqtxYw9o2ZLxY_/s640/angel3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
sex of angels has long been debated. Even as the tower of Babel fell,
that was the topic of conversation among the wisemen of the time. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
for the Watchers, sent to watch over mankind, they were the ones who
found the daughters of man beautiful and took them for wives... They
mated with human females, producing the Nephilim, and triggering God's
wrath in the form of the great flood, to destroy their shameful
progeny... although a few survived. The giant Goliath is believed to be
descended from such hybrids.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSV32H2slScbJT2ZZ-VbvwY9PwGHnaPUvae-sHuzcRU2nDDXiJf3BRjSMVo3AFIc-78TMY-SL_3yZe8xk7Xkcdzf5lqFDRqQN0ejJymF3x-tgaQj6kFPAdkYfIJNbla3eztGkKxHoEfASx/s1600/angel2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSV32H2slScbJT2ZZ-VbvwY9PwGHnaPUvae-sHuzcRU2nDDXiJf3BRjSMVo3AFIc-78TMY-SL_3yZe8xk7Xkcdzf5lqFDRqQN0ejJymF3x-tgaQj6kFPAdkYfIJNbla3eztGkKxHoEfASx/s1600/angel2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
I imagine a celestial power ruling the universe, it would have to be
organized. My research indicated that there is a very strict hierarchy
among angels, like in a military order. There are archons in charge of
entire planets, archangels, and many categories of angels whose
descriptions vary. Some have multiple pairs of wings, while others look
completely human. Others yet have multiple heads, animal heads, and
others yet </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">look more like machines with</span></span> turning wheels.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
two angels who warned Loth and his family of the imminent destruction
of Sodom and Gomorrah looked like perfect human beings (no wings) and
the depraved denizens of the city found them so beautiful they wanted to
buy them for sexual pleasure.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where
do all these angels reside? The universe is a big place and a spaceship
would not be enough to contain entire legions. I would surmise there
are planets out there, inhabited and ruled by angels.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For
the sake of my new series coming out this month, AZURA
CHRONICLES, one of these planets is AZURA. And what happens there is
mysterious indeed. In book One, ANGEL MINE, my heroine, Fianna is a
bounty hunter pursuing her mark, a convicted multiple murderer who just
escaped from a high security penitentiary on a space station.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAV1O3QuR4rLhx8x0t3GfkApstBRMB3D68FZDWvXH4b58oNMnUPIPndkg6QGmZhXWIp2sM-het7SR-8ZlnJVfD7Plreop1yepAlWSu9GgnsBNZ4UYvDZ0QH8S87AmBYjCtgz-5ZCyty25/s1600/angelminemedium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAV1O3QuR4rLhx8x0t3GfkApstBRMB3D68FZDWvXH4b58oNMnUPIPndkg6QGmZhXWIp2sM-het7SR-8ZlnJVfD7Plreop1yepAlWSu9GgnsBNZ4UYvDZ0QH8S87AmBYjCtgz-5ZCyty25/s640/angelminemedium.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "arial";">What in the
frozen hells of Laxxar prompted Fianna to pursue her quarry to
this forbidden blue planet? Well, she needs the credits...
badly. But as if crashing in the jungle wasn't bad enough, none
of her high-tech weapons work. She'll have to go native, after
the most wanted felon in five galaxies. It's not just her job.
It's personal.<br />
<br />
Acielon has never seen an outworlder like this fascinating
female, strangely beautiful, and fierce, like the feline
predator loping at her side. He always dreamed of exploring the
universe, despite the legends... and the interdiction. Is it
truly a hellish place of violence, lies and suffering? If it
spawned this intriguing creature, it must also be a place of
wonders, adventure and excitement...<br />
<br />
Fianna's instincts tell her someone is watching. Sheba,
her telepathic feline partner, doesn't seem worried... yet,
something on Azura isn't quite right.</span></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<b id="yui_3_15_0_1_1463351000157_2008">
<span id="yui_3_15_0_1_1463351000157_2006" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">Vijaya Schartz<br />
Action, Romance, Mayhem<br />
<a href="http://www.vijayaschartz.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vijayaschartz.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/ref=lp_B001JP7UJ4_st?qid=1374183941&rh=n:283155,p_82:B001JP7UJ4&sort=daterank" target="_blank">Amazon</a>
-
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya%20Schartz%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> -
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/schartz" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> - </span></b><span style="font-size: large;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial";">
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=%22vijaya%20schartz%22&ac=1&fcsearchfield=Author&ac.morein=true&ac.author=%22vijaya%20schartz%22" target="_blank">Kobo</a> -
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vijaya-Schartz-Author/109777709045040" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0