Showing posts with label speculative fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label speculative fiction. Show all posts
Monday, September 26, 2016
Brand new covers for CRUSADER and CHECKMATE by Vijaya Schartz
Once in a while, my Canadian publisher, Books We Love, surprises me with fresh new covers for some of my older titles. I was thrilled to see these two offerings for my Archangel twin books.
CRUSADER
Archangel Book One
In kindle HERE
Archangel Book One
In kindle HERE
not all of them human...
Michael
Tanner, proud, brash, irreverent, half Native American, and single
father, doesn't believe in aliens. When a Blue Angel claims to have
fathered him, Michael knows his drinking has gone haywire... But a
seductive Prince of Darkness born of a nightmare now targets
Michael’s family. When his girlfriend disappears and characters from
his dreams suddenly materialize to threaten his daughter, Michael
must come out of denial and overcome his weaknesses, to face the
unbelievable mystery of his birth and fulfill his unique destiny.
Fantastic Read ! This is one you'll be sorry to see end, and like me you'll be looking forward to the next book in the series. B&N Nook review - Five stars
"Brilliant!
A must-read book!
Relationships, angels, aliens and seduction... even Satanism... kept
this reviewer riveted... compelling fantasy... you won't want to put
it down... superior... enthralls, and, at the same time, awakens!"
Metaphysical Reviews
- Five Stars
"Crusader
tells an age-old tale of good versus evil. Excellent. This one is a
true keeper. Schartz pens a
mighty fine tale primed to read through in one sitting."
Curled Up
With a Good Book
- Five Stars
"...engaging and fast-paced... harmonious mix of enticing story...
where real people do extraordinary things... humorous and hopeful...
fluid and entertaining... quick and often droll dialogue... a
marvelous tale of good and evil..." The
Charlotte Austin Review
- Five Stars
"...Lavishly described, expertly written with stirring descriptions
that take one's breath away. Author Schartz has written a solidly
absorbing, old-fashioned science fiction novel of good and evil, yes
and no, the one and the many." The Book Reader
Archangel Book two
Find it in kindle HERE
Former bad
boy Michael Tanner is in a lot of trouble, and being an archangel
hardly helps at all
To quench
his vengeful lust for the Archangel who scattered his remains at the
edge of the universe, the Reptilian ruler orders the sacrificial
death of Michael's teenage daughter. Half human and a full-fledged
Archangel on his father's home world, Michael and his mate must
return to Earth to save his daughter from fiendish claws, and his
native planet from enslavement or worse... But the way home is
fraught with dangers, some more insidious than others. Nothing
prepared Michael for the kind of trial he must face, when his
rambunctious past catches up with him at the worst possible time...
"Sword-and-shield adventure... aliens and angels and dreams truer
than life and depraved shapeshifters and evil sorcerers and parallel
universes... Funny and sad and very intelligent." The Book
Reader
"...charm
that keeps you reading... A fun piece of escapism... hours of sheer
entertainment." Rapport Magazine
"You will
be hooked... a good read from start to finish." Alan Caruba -
BookViews
"Rollicks
right along at a good clip... a fun concoction and a fast, zippy
read... Really, this one is among the most pleasurable."
Writer’s Digest
"Wickedly
insightful. Grab this today along with the prequel, Archangel
Crusader." Five stars - Curled up With a Good Book
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - All Romance eBooks -
Monday, April 11, 2016
FREE in kindle: CRUSADER, Archangel Book 1
Hurry. This standalone story in the Archangel speculative fiction, sci-fi adventure books is free in kindle until April 12. Find it at:
Michael Tanner, proud, brash, irreverent, half Native American, and
single father, doesn't believe in aliens. When a Blue Angel claims to
have fathered him, Michael knows his drinking has gone haywire... But a
seductive Prince of Darkness born of a nightmare now targets Michael’s
family. When his girlfriend disappears and characters from his dreams
suddenly materialize to threaten his daughter, Michael must come out of
denial and overcome his weaknesses, to face the unbelievable mystery of
his birth and fulfill his unique destiny.
"...relationships, angels, aliens and seduction... even Satanism... kept this reviewer riveted... compelling fantasy... you won't want to put it down... superior... enthralls, and, at the same time, awakens!" - Metaphysical Reviews
"A mighty fine tale primed to read through in one sitting." - Curled Up With a Good Book.
"...engaging and fast-paced... a harmonious mix of enticing story... where real people do extraordinary things... humorous and hopeful... fluid and entertaining... quick and often droll dialogue... a marvelous tale of good and evil..." - The Charlotte Austin Review
"...Lavishly described, expertly written with stirring descriptions that take one's breath away. Author Schartz has written a solidly absorbing, old-fashioned science fiction novel of good and evil, yes and no, the one and the many." - The Book Reader
"...relationships, angels, aliens and seduction... even Satanism... kept this reviewer riveted... compelling fantasy... you won't want to put it down... superior... enthralls, and, at the same time, awakens!" - Metaphysical Reviews
"A mighty fine tale primed to read through in one sitting." - Curled Up With a Good Book.
"...engaging and fast-paced... a harmonious mix of enticing story... where real people do extraordinary things... humorous and hopeful... fluid and entertaining... quick and often droll dialogue... a marvelous tale of good and evil..." - The Charlotte Austin Review
"...Lavishly described, expertly written with stirring descriptions that take one's breath away. Author Schartz has written a solidly absorbing, old-fashioned science fiction novel of good and evil, yes and no, the one and the many." - The Book Reader
HAPPY READING!
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - All Romance eBooks - Smashwords - iBooks - Kobo
Monday, August 3, 2015
SELF/LESS - A futuristic story of sacrifice and redemption - Review by Vijaya Schartz
In the near future, a few wealthy and powerful men can cheat death by transferring their consciousness into a brand new, young, healthy body grown in a lab... at least, that's what they're told.
Waking up in a new, young body, can be exhilarating, especially after being plagued by old age and terminal cancer. With plenty of money aside, a new identity, and perfect health, the possibilities are limitless. Fast cars, gorgeous women, a fun, carefree life... in New Orleans.
Only one small caveat, you have to take daily pills to prevent some kind of rejection side effects. And the lab will only give you a week's worth at a time.
Like every powerful and wealthy man, our hero is no saint. Yet, when strange memories of love and family, with a woman he never met flood his consciousness, he knows something doesn't add up. The shrewd businessman in him wants answers and what he finds horrifies him.
In order to save time and money, the lab is using shortcuts. Growing a body in a lab is still years away, so they harvest bodies from people desperate enough to give up their lives to provide for their loved ones.
The lab cannot afford any whistle blower spoiling their money-making enterprise, and they don't mind killing to protect their secrets. In fact, the lab director and his goons are also customers, and do switch bodies on a regular basis as needed.
This makes for a very entertaining thrill ride, as our hero is torn between living forever and doing the right thing.
So many twists and turns and dangerous situations for all involved kept me on the edge of my seat, until the conclusion. It was an unexpected, but very rewarding and satisfying ending.
All in all, a pleasant surprise of a summer movie. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
REDEMPTION and ethical choices in the face of injustice are also the themes of AKIRA'S CHOICE, a Borealis Space Station Novella.
AKIRA'S CHOICE
Borealis IX novella
by Vijaya Schartz
When bounty hunter Akira Karyudo accepted her assignment, something
didn't add up. Why would the TPP want a kidnapped orphan dead or alive?
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 BOREALIS space station. But when she
finds her fugitives, the kidnapper is not what she expects.
Markku, a decorated rebel soldier, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Borealis, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the decrepit space station? Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.
Markku, a decorated rebel soldier, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Borealis, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the decrepit space station? Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.
HAPPY READING!
Vijaya Schartz
Friday, December 21, 2012
NEW PAPERBACK RELEASE - RED LEOPARD - Vijaya Schartz
Find my titles on:
In charge of the fortress of Kassouk in the King's absence, what is Terek to do when a Goddian spacecraft lands in his medieval backyard, and the striking woman leading the galactic party insists on colonization?
Galya, the Goddian Princess commanding the geological vessel, is bent on finding a crystal with unusual hyper-conductor properties. And the futile resistance of the local population isn’t going to stop her. Not even that defiant tribal chief nicknamed Red Leopard, like the infernal feline that follows him everywhere.
Terek and his band of swordsmen and felines must defend their people’s freedom, no matter the cost. But with this unexpected arrival, an old prophecy surfaces, taking new meaning and carrying a new threat... When political intrigues, greed, murder and betrayal tip the scales, whom can Galya really trust? Her fellow Goddians? the Mutants bred to serve her race? or her primitive Human enemy?"action packed, fast paced story... I can't wait to read the next book in the
Chronicles of Kassouk series." 5 angels - Fallen Angel Reviews
"This book was so good. The plot, characters, setting, everything was laid out in detail; vivid and believable. I was completely lost in the world Vijaya created and loving every second of it." - 5 stars - Shawna K. - Goodreads.com
Galya, the Goddian Princess commanding the geological vessel, is bent on finding a crystal with unusual hyper-conductor properties. And the futile resistance of the local population isn’t going to stop her. Not even that defiant tribal chief nicknamed Red Leopard, like the infernal feline that follows him everywhere.
Terek and his band of swordsmen and felines must defend their people’s freedom, no matter the cost. But with this unexpected arrival, an old prophecy surfaces, taking new meaning and carrying a new threat... When political intrigues, greed, murder and betrayal tip the scales, whom can Galya really trust? Her fellow Goddians? the Mutants bred to serve her race? or her primitive Human enemy?"action packed, fast paced story... I can't wait to read the next book in the
Chronicles of Kassouk series." 5 angels - Fallen Angel Reviews
"This book was so good. The plot, characters, setting, everything was laid out in detail; vivid and believable. I was completely lost in the world Vijaya created and loving every second of it." - 5 stars - Shawna K. - Goodreads.com
"Packed with action and adventure. Galya ... a tough warrior... a sweetness about her that makes her easy to like... I loved how Rascal was Terek's faithful companion and defender throughout nearly the entire story... I really liked Red Leopard."
- The Hope Chest Reviews
Although this futuristic romance novel was already available in eBook in all formats, it just came out this month in paperback. I'm so glad those of you who prefer to hold a book in your hands can now enjoy this award-winning series. THE CHRONICLES OF KASSOUK started with WHITE TIGER, and RED LEOPARD is Book Two.
Book Three, BLACK JAGUAR is scheduled for paperback release in February, and the other titles will follow shortly a few months apart.
Noah's Ark, which is a prequel, the beginning, was published last in eBook and will also be last to come out in print. Each story can be read separately, but if you are like me and you like to read a series in the right order, here is how it stands right now:
NOAH'S ARK - The beginning
WHITE TIGER - Book One
RED LEOPARD - Book Two
BLACK JAGUAR - Book Three
BLUE LIONESS - Book Four
Find my titles on:
Happy Reading
Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
Monday, August 6, 2012
SUMMER SERIES ON TV: FALLING SKIES by Vijaya Schartz
I’m really enjoying this post apocalyptic series, full of drama, action, twists and, of course, romance. The world is invaded by hostile aliens, most of the humans are dead, the few who survive are organizing themselves military style. A story wouldn’t be complete without what makes the world go round, so there is romance as well. Very well acted, wonderful special effects for television. You can’t go wrong with Spielberg when it comes to drama.
But I’m starting to wonder where this story is going. We are on the second season, and have been acquainted with all kinds of alien creatures, the alien harness used on human children to make them compliant, some giant armed robots bent on destroying humans but only when they get in the way, the crawlies, and now a revolt of the skitters, six-legged creatures from another world, previously enslaved by the alien overlords and now working for them.
I’m still waiting to see some depth to the story and the plot. The overlords say they are acting for the greater good but use ruthless methods. It seems the aliens are all bad and the humans, except for a few bad apples and turncoats, mostly good. I have a problem with that. We don’t even know yet, towards the end of season two, why the alien overlords came to Earth. What I gathered from what I saw is that they seem to be recycling metal, but you don’t need our planet for that. For space travelers, the universe if full of raw metal.
As for romance, it flourishes in the most unexpected places. The young among the human resistance have raging hormones, of course, but the responsible adults also experience love despite the dire circumstances. Love has become a symbol of hope.
It’s Sunday nights on TNT. I’ll keep watching.
Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
Find my sci-fi romances in paperback and eBooks.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Blasters and Swords
BLASTERS AND SWORDS
As an author, I write romance in futuristic and medieval settings, and sometimes, I mix both into the same series, like in the Chronicles of Kassouk, where I pit a medieval society against an advanced technological race. And contrary to modern logic, medieval humans are smart, very resourceful and full of surprises... and swords may be archaic, but in the hands of a true warrior, they can overcome overwhelming odds. Everyone enjoys seeing the oppressed win in the end.
As an author, I write romance in futuristic and medieval settings, and sometimes, I mix both into the same series, like in the Chronicles of Kassouk, where I pit a medieval society against an advanced technological race. And contrary to modern logic, medieval humans are smart, very resourceful and full of surprises... and swords may be archaic, but in the hands of a true warrior, they can overcome overwhelming odds. Everyone enjoys seeing the oppressed win in the end.
In Snatched, a modern warrior is abducted by an Alien race and sold as a fighting Amazon to entertain a decadent society. Advanced civilizations and ancient fighting techniques often go hand in hand. Despite our advanced weapons, we still practice ancient fighting techniques as a sport, like boxing, or Karate.
FIND MY BOOKS ON MY AMAZON PAGE HERE
FIND MY TITLES at B&N HERE
FIND MY eBOOKS at ARE HERE
A number of new authors are now also writing swords in their science fiction and mix it with fantasy. This is not a new phenomenon. Marion Zimmer Bradley in the eighties and nineties wrote in both science fiction and medieval fantasy genres with her Mists of Avalon (Arthurian legends) series and her Darkover (speculative fiction) series, and she met with great success in both genres. Most of her readers did cross over the genres to read all her books. And swords were important weapons and symbols.
Writing the past or the future, or imaginary worlds and parallel universes, is not so far apart.
Writing the past or the future, or imaginary worlds and parallel universes, is not so far apart.
People do not change much through the ages. Although we would like to believe that we evolved over the last centuries, we really haven’t. Despite our fancy laws, we still have serial killers and terrorists. Given the opportunity, any human being will behave in the same noble or despicable manner now as he or she would have centuries ago. And in the future, it will probably still be the case.
Of course, in the future there also might be robots, cyborgs, and clones which might operate under a different set of rules. But is that so different from the rules controlling the slaves of ancient times? And since History repeats itself, is it not likely that ancient rules might resurface in the future?
The struggle for justice, however, like the need for love and freedom, are timeless and constant themes that keep repeating in the past, the present, and will most likely endure in the future. Because these needs are inherent to human nature.
In conclusion, whether a writer tackles the past, the future, or an alternate universe, what carries a story, beyond the action, adventure and plot, is human emotion.
The struggle for justice, however, like the need for love and freedom, are timeless and constant themes that keep repeating in the past, the present, and will most likely endure in the future. Because these needs are inherent to human nature.
In conclusion, whether a writer tackles the past, the future, or an alternate universe, what carries a story, beyond the action, adventure and plot, is human emotion.
FIND MY TITLES at B&N HERE
FIND MY eBOOKS at ARE HERE
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