Showing posts with label Azura Chronicles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Azura Chronicles. Show all posts
Monday, November 18, 2019
ANGEL FIERCE is an award-winning novel - by Vijaya Schartz
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.
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.
Find it on: amazon – B&N – Smashwords – Kobo
BLURB:
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.
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.
When immortal angels turn up dead, Urielle springs into action… and Maksou is in her line of sight.
Here are a few review snippets:
“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
“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.
“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
Book One in the series is ANGEL MINE https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CYWVHWG/
Book Three, ANGEL BRAVE, is scheduled for release in late 2020.
Vijaya Schartz, author
Strong heroines, brave heroes, cats, romance with a kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
amazon – B&N – Smashwords – Kobo – FB
Strong heroines, brave heroes, cats, romance with a kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
amazon – B&N – Smashwords – Kobo – FB
Monday, September 23, 2019
Living in the past or in the future?
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| WHITE TIGER on amazon Free in Kindle Unlimited |
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.
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.
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| CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE MEDIEVAL CELTIC LEGENDS SERIES ON AMAZON |
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.
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| ANGEL FIERCE AZURA CHRONICLES ON AMAZON |
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.
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:
amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo
Vijaya Schartz, author
Strong heroines, brave heroes, romance with a kick
www.vijayaschartz.com
Strong heroines, brave heroes, romance with a kick
www.vijayaschartz.com
Monday, February 11, 2019
ANGEL FIERCE, New Release February 2019 from BWL, by Vijaya Schartz
ANGEL FIERCE
Azura Chronicles Book 2
The story of Urielle the Avenging Angel, and Maksou, Fianna's young brother, both introduced in Book 1, Angel Mine.
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.
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.
When immortal angels turn up dead, Urielle springs into action… and Maksou is in her line of sight.
Vijaya Schartz, author
Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo - FB
Monday, July 30, 2018
Would you live on a space station? - by Vijaya Schartz
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HAPPY READING
Vijaya Schartz, author
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Click to Vijaya's page on AMAZON - B&N - smashWords - KOBO
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| This is how I imagine Byzantium-5, the space station featured in the Azura Chronicles |
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.
 |
| Hundreds of miles of corridors in a wide circle around the core. Fortunately, there are also levitating cars and carts to carry the luggage. |
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| Parks and gardens would provide oxygen and relaxation |
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| Here the scale is misleading. The craft would be tiny as it approaches the behemoth of a station |
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.
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?
 |
| Glass is not resistant enough and too breakable for these windows. I imagine they are made of transparent metal |
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.
 |
| Although this is a futuristic design for a train station, I imagine the style would fit a space station as well |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HAPPY READING
Vijaya Schartz, author
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Click to Vijaya's page on AMAZON - B&N - smashWords - KOBO
Monday, June 4, 2018
Mew Release: ANGEL MINE by Vijaya Schartz
New Realease
ANGEL MINE
Azura Chronicles Book 1
by Vijaya Schartz
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.
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.
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.
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...
Vijaya Schartz
High Octane sci-fi fantasy romance with a kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Smashwords - Kobo - Facebook
ANGEL MINE
Azura Chronicles Book 1
by Vijaya Schartz
 |
| kindle - paperback - nook |
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.
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.
MORE ABOUT THIS NEW SERIES:
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...
Vijaya Schartz
High Octane sci-fi fantasy romance with a kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Smashwords - Kobo - Facebook
Monday, May 7, 2018
Angels or extraterrestrials? by Vijaya Schartz
What are angels? Really... Since they do not come from this earth, it's safe to say they are extraterrestrials... or are they?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 look more like machines with turning wheels.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
Action, Romance, Mayhem
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Smashwords - Kobo - Facebook
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