Spotlight: The Golden Sword by Janet Morris

Genre: Epic Dystopian SciFi Fantasy 

Dystopia.

Biology shapes reality.

The further adventures of the most beautiful courtesan in the galaxies of tomorrow.

She had the power to create planets.
The sixty carved bones of the Yris-tera foretold her ancient fate.
Her heritage of power took her beyond time and space and stole from her the one man she loved.

Enslaved on the planet Silistra tomorrow's most beautiful courtesan unleashes the powers of the gods. 

ON A PLANET DESPERATE FOR POPULATION, WOMEN HOLD THE KEYS TO POWER. 

But power brings enemies. 

Estri, holder of Silistra's highest office, never suspected the intrigues moving against her...until her rivals attacked. 

Her betrayal toppled more than a single well-Keepress. 

Estri's enemies threatened all of Silistra.

Their plan: to reveal the planet's precious secret of extending life in exchange for off-world technology -- the technology which decimated Silistra's population long ago. 

Excerpt

I wondered what it meant, to be a “ten,” as the crellkeep chose a spot apparently like any other upon one chain and fastened me to it by means of heavy metal anklets that were spaced along its length.

“I put you next to Aje. You will sleep through the nights,” he informed me, as if I should be grateful for some thoughtful service. Seeing me safely bound, the two jiasks turned and left the chamber.

“What is your name?” the crellkeep asked.

I almost told him, but caught myself. It took me a moment to remember the crell name Chayin had given me.

“Miheja,” I said finally.

“Meh-he-ya,” the crellkeep corrected me gently. “The Eastmost Star’s Daughter. Suits you. So you have the dharener entranced, do you? A ten, indeed. Crell life is no burden to one so highly numbered.” He stood up, rubbing his back, “I go to get Aje. You will like him. They all do,” he said and patted my naked shoulder. Moments later I was alone in the deserted ever-dusk of the crellpits. A single torch burned at the chamber’s entry, throwing life into the feature- less rock walls.

I crawled the length of my tether, and by lying stretched out could just get my fingers upon the central ring. I tested its strength, as had countless crells before me. There was no weakness in it. I had expected none. I then examined each link of my chains with my fingers, to see if perhaps somewhere there was one unsoldered among them. There was no error among the 387 links that bound me firmly to the central ring. Its twin was sunk where the cold stone floor met the wall behind me. Perhaps there was a weakness in that area, but I had not enough tether to explore it. I lay down upon my left side and curled my knees against my chest. I could not think. I merely lay there.

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About the Author

Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and has since published more than 30 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. Most of her fiction work has been in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written historical and other novels. Morris has written, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction, as well as papers and articles on nonlethal weapons, developmental military technology and other defense and national security topics.

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Spotlight: Leap by OC Heaton

Genre: SciFi Techno Thriller 

One small step could ruin mankind’s greatest leap...

November 2003. Brilliant scientist Uma Jakobsdóttir has figured out a way to solve global warming for good. Known as LEAP, the system is capable of providing Earth’s ultimate second chance...until it falls into the wrong hands.

When playboy CEO Samuel Reynolds III snatches LEAP out from under her nose, he adds insult to injury by attempting to destroy Uma. But this is no malicious whim. As the daughter of its creator, Uma enforces the LEAP Laws.

Because of its potentially devastating capabilities, LEAP users must not clone people, revive the dead, or merge minds and species. But in the race to recover her precious piece of tech, Uma is faced with sacrifices that push her resolve to breaking point.

From the frozen wastelands of Iceland, to the leafy suburbs of London and the mean streets of New York City, LEAP is a technothriller that will keep you questioning what it means to be human.

Ready to take the LEAP? Click ‘buy now’ to start reading today!

Excerpt

Route 41, South-West Iceland

13 November 2003, 18:43 hours GMT

The doomed four-by-four plumed thick fountains of spray into the darkness as it crawled along the narrow highway to Keflavík International Airport, its bright beams illuminating a hypnotic kaleidoscope of churning rain. The sight made Sally Moltex nauseous. She tried the side window, but it was mirror black, reflecting the Jeep’s night-lit interior back at her. She closed her eyes, willing the vehicle to move faster as a thrill of excitement surged through her at the memory of what they’d seen that afternoon. Almost immediately, it was replaced by a prickle of fear. Everything screamed hoax: one second, they’d been stood inside the Department of Geothermal Studies, the next, they were in Ethan Rae’s London Town house. They’d gone outside onto a busy Camden Town street thick with traffic. Alone. Ethan had insisted on that. They’d walked to the tube station. Bought a newspaper. Again, Ethan had been insistent. They’d asked someone where they were. And a second person. The third had shouted abuse at Sally; accused her of being an ignorant Yank. Of not knowing that she was in London. James had eventually intervened in his charming British way, calmed the man down, and they’d returned to Ethan’s office. Twenty minutes later, they were back in Reykjavík. Heads spinning at what they’d seen. Hearts beating with what Ethan had given them.

‘Do you think LEAP’s fake?’ she asked her companion.

James Reagan didn’t reply straight away. Without taking his eyes off the road, he attempted another call to his producer at News 24/7 in London. Nothing. He was going to miss tomorrow’s deadline if he didn’t get through soon. Seven million Saturday viewers was no disaster, but it was well below his Friday average.  

 ‘Nah,’ he said. ‘Ethan wouldn’t risk it. What would he gain by misleading us?’

 ‘That’s what I can’t work out,’ Sally said, tracing her fingers along the cold glass of the passenger window, trying to keep pace with the streaming water. 

‘How do you fake what we just saw?’ James said. ‘Besides which, it will do him way more damage if he’s lying.’ 

Sally wasn’t so sure. She liked James. Had known him for twenty years, but he anchored a light entertainment show for a channel that needed content. Lots of content. She, on the other hand, unearthed stories. Real stories that took months to fact check before she allowed them to be broadcast. If they got this wrong, James could blame Ethan, an eccentric billionaire. She would be finished. 

‘I need more time,’ Sally said.

‘Ethan is launching in ten days. With or without us.’

‘You’d broadcast on the strength of what he just showed us?’

‘As of midday tomorrow,’ he said. ‘That’s if we can take off to—’ 

He never finished his sentence. A loud crack from the rear of the Jeep veered it savagely left. James tried to counter by wrenching the steering hard right, but the small charge had done its job. The Jeep flipped, bleeding fuel from its shattered underbelly as it slithered off Route 41 and onto the lava below. The dead rock punctured the thin roof, ripping through plastic, metal and cables which sparked into life. Fumes met fire and a blinding explosion boiled into the sheeting rain, as long forgotten lava flows glowed red in approval.

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About the Author

I write what I love to read – big issue thrillers that are super well researched inside a complex plot full of twists and turns.

The result of the above is The Race Is On Series, an idea I had on a trip to Iceland. The first in the series is called LEAP, which tells the tale of a device which has the power to halt global warming. The ensuing race to control the power of this machine will continue throughout the sequel to LEAP which I’m well on my way to completing. It’s called Green Ray and will be published in May 2023.

Just like LEAP, the 2nd book weaves fact with fiction and encompasses events such as the 2009 global financial meltdown, Al Qaeda, a new US President and a cornered CIA; another delightful concoction around which I have constructed another tall, but hopefully credible, tale. Watch this space!

I live in Leeds, UK with the love of my life and our two daughters. It rains a lot in Leeds but that works out well for me – loads of time for research and of course writing! 

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Spotlight: Breeze Bridge by Annie Dyer

Release Date: May 2

Clover Carew has no job, no home and has never had a proper boyfriend, unless you count the several hundred book-shaped ones. Stopping to help the stranger whose car has broken down on the bridge to the island doesn’t seem like a bad idea, even if it is Halloween. Only the stranger is definitely not Prince Charming, however handsome he looks.

Grayson Wynne has enough problems in his life: a difficult ex-wife, a new position as the island’s doctor, a young son and no form of childcare; he doesn’t need Clover knocking on his door determined to be his good Samaritan. Especially when she comes with feline shaped baggage and legs that are too much of a distraction for a straight-laced single dad.

He needs a nanny, and Clover needs a place to live and a job. She also needs dating lessons, but that’s where Grayson draws the line, one in permanent marker, until Clover has an offer from elsewhere. Then all of a sudden, those straight laces become very very undone…

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Meet Annie Dyer

Annie Dyer enjoys her alarm to be off, her books to be steamy, and her gin to be dry. Her stories are set in the UK and filled with more heat than an English summer. She writes about strong women and the men who are men enough to make them happy! Her books are made to binge read, and guarantee a happily ever after. Annie lives in Manchester, England with her husband and pets, in a Victorian house with leopard print carpet!

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Connect with Annie Dyer: annie@writeranniedyer.com

Spotlight: This Side of Wrong by Nicki Grace

Genre: Erotic Thriller

Blaze’s hand closes around my neck, pushing me to my knees, and I remind myself that I wanted this. I yearned for this experience, craved his touch, and it’s the reason I find myself in this situation.

Merely days ago a man lie dead at my feet and it wasn’t the first time that death nearly claimed me.

I thought I was escaping the pain and memories when I moved here a year ago, but it seems the lurking dark cloud of destruction has followed me.

The only man that can keep me safe fears he will ruin me, but I’ve wanted him for far too long to stay away.

If I can handle the threats made on my life, surely I can handle him.

Then again, maybe I should heed his warnings because, even though he is the only man I can trust, he is also a ruthless assassin.

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About the Author

Nicki Grace is an Atlanta native with a bachelor’s in business and a Masters in Marketing. As a wife, mother, author and designer, she is addicted to writing, spas, laughing, and sex jokes, but not exactly in that order. 

Her comedic personality and unique upbringing by an illiterate but fiercely strong mother and a courageous, prideful father, made her view of the world pretty unconventional.  

Luckily for you, someone gave her internet access, and now you get to experience all the EMOTIONAL, EXCITING, SHOCKING, and HOT ideas that reside in her head. She loves to have fun and lives for a good story. And we’re guessing so do you!

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Audio Spotlight: Aiden by Samantha Lind

Release Date: April 30

It took just one look, and I knew she was meant to be mine.

Her body language told me she was onboard, but my job had her slamming on the brakes. She was convinced professional athletes had a puck bunny in every city, but that was far from the truth.

I agreed to be her friend for now . . . but how do I make her see we'd be better as lovers than just friends?

Contains mature themes.

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Meet Samantha Lind

Samantha Lind is a USA TODAY Bestselling contemporary romance author. When she’s not dreaming up new stories, she can often be found with her family, traveling, reading, watching her boys on the ice, or watching her favorite professional hockey team (Go Knights Go!), and listening to country music.  She can be contacted by email or found on Facebook. 

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To learn more about Samantha Lind & her books, visit here!

Connect with Samantha Lind: samantha@samanthalind.com

Spotlight: Skin & Bones by Renée Watson

From the acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a soulful and lyrical novel exploring sisterhood, motherhood, faith, love, and ultimately what gets passed down from one generation to the next.

At 40, Lena Baker is at a steady and stable moment in life—between wine nights with her two best friends and her wedding just weeks away, she’s happy in love and in friendship until a confession on her wedding day shifts her world.

Unmoored and grieving a major loss, Lena finds herself trying to teach her daughter self-love while struggling to do so herself. Lena questions everything she’s learned about dating, friendship, and motherhood, and through it all, she works tirelessly to bring the oft-forgotten Black history of Oregon to the masses, sidestepping her well-meaning co-workers that don’t understand that their good intentions are often offensive and hurtful.

Through Watson’s poetic voice, skin & bones is a stirring exploration of who society makes space for and is ultimately a story of heartbreak and healing.

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