My Challenge for Next Year

So, as challenges go, this is a breeze.  It's about reading and reviewing, something I do all the time.  Of course, I've never really signed up for something like this, but what the hell.  Here goes nothing!

Lisa from Baffled Books invited me to join up in the Speculative Fiction Challenge, and all I have to do, is pick my level (of books I'm gonna read) and then post up a review on my blog.  How easy-peasy is that?  I suppose I could go for being Obsessed (which is 48 books), but let's be realistic here.  I do have other things that need to be done, and while reading is a very enjoyable past time, especially in speculative fiction, I'm going to go for Excited (6 books).  Later on, like next year, I'll probably post up which six I'm going to be reading.

And hey, anyone can join in the fun and excitement of reading and reviewing.  Just click on their link and there you go!

Hmm, I wonder if anyone's going to be reading my books?  Just saying, you know...

Cheers!

SFF Saturday - Nov 26

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again.

Once again, I'll be showing off The Eternal Knot, the final in the The Lancaster Rule trilogy, due out January 2012 Champagne Books and its new SFF dedicated imprint, Burst Books.

Still staying with Quin, today we reflect upon his life...
         

Though he’d retired from pod hunting, he still hadn’t forgotten how to find people. In the quiet moments of his living while hiding, the old itch of wanderlust would afflict him until it became unbearable. He was a scientist, but adventure beckoned him like a mistress. He’d been almost bowled-over-glad when he’d been found. Living rough for over a year in Chile, while it could be entertaining, had not been all pleasure. Many days he’d spent in utter solitude, pondering his life, thinking of Madge, dipping ever-close to the edges of depression. He’d drifted from one obscure town to the next, meeting old friends, staying with an aged cousin, simply existing.

If you're interested in participating in next week's SFF Saturday, stop by their sign-up blog which is open every Wednesdays.  And don't forget to follow the rules.

Cheers!

SFF Saturday - Nov 19

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again.

Check out the spanking new cover art, designed by the talented Amanda Kelsey.

And because I just got this amazing new cover art, here's another little treat with a snippet from The Eternal Knot, the final in the The Lancaster Rule trilogy, due out January 2012 Champagne Books and its new SFF dedicated imprint, Burst Books.

For those of you who have been keeping up with the tale so far, you might remember a certain individual called Quin.  For those who don't know...well, your loss.  Hah, kidding.  Not really.

Here we have Josie and Quin discussing some interesting medical advancements...
         

“We’ve checked out most already and they’re all men. Fern’s good, but not that good that she can grow a dick and a pair of balls.”

Quin gave her a scowl. “Persistence, Josie. When tracking someone who wants to be hidden, always assume everything you learn is not as it seems. Dig deeper and remove the layers of illusion.”

Josie let out a dramatic sigh. “Fine. I swear, Quin. We’re on some kind of loop here. We had this exact conversation just yesterday.”

“No we didn’t. For example, we learn something new every day. It is possible to grow a dick and a pair of balls in this century. You can’t procreate with it, but it’s doable.”

         Josie returned a deadpan look. “Whatever!”

If you're interested in participating in next week's SFF Saturday, stop by their sign-up blog which is open every Wednesdays.  And don't forget to follow the rules.

Cheers!

Looking to Change For The New Year

So, I have reached a decision...like I do every time the year inevitably draws to a close.  This of course, is something that I've been debating for some time.  But I feel the time has come now to finally enforce it.

I've decided to change the name of this blog page to tktoppin.blogspot.com.

It makes sense for this change over to my own name, rather than the name of my first book.  After all, I will be writing more books, and I will be chattering about things other than The Lancaster Rule books.  It's also fitting that come next year, the final of the Lancaster trilogy will be released into the world, and so comes the end of the tale.  It simply won't be relevant to hold onto this blog page name.

My decision to change the name has not come lightly.  In fact, I even considered creating a new page in Wordpress.  But then I thought, why should I?  I already have a blog that also serves well enough as a website if any one is interested in learning more about me.  And why should I have more things to manage?  I like keeping things simple.

So, come January 6th, 2012, I will be switching over to the new name.  Don't worry, I'll be sure to inform everyone -- ad nauseam -- well before the change over takes place.  That reminds me, I'll have to update ALL my links to ALL the places I'm linked to.  That should be a tedious and time-consuming venture.  May the force be with me.

Cheers.

SFF Saturday - Nov 12

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again.

Continuing with The Master Key, sequel to The Lancaster Rule, published Champagne Books.

Today we have Simon on a space station called the Scrap Yard, which is like the mothership for all things cybernetic.  Of course, not everything goes smoothly while there.

          The blast knocked them off their feet. The room shook with tremendous force, making everyone wonder if they didn’t, in fact, spin clean out into outer space.

Simon shook his head to clear it, his teeth hurt from the shock waves and he heard a loud ringing in his ears. He felt slightly nauseous. Whatever that last explosive was, it was designed to have maximum effect on humans. Most of the equipment in the room juddered and made static noises, then resumed normally. The men and droids were only just peeling themselves off the floor. One man retched up his dinner.

They’re using Rumble-Bombs, Simon thought quickly.

Just before detonating, the bomb would emit a pitched tone to unbalance the inner ear, followed immediately by the explosion. Most droids used a balance chip to keep them upright, making them susceptible as well.

If you're interested in participating in next week's SFF Saturday, stop by their sign-up blog which is open every Wednesdays.  And don't forget to follow the rules.

Cheers!

SFF Saturday - Nov 05

Time for another Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday.  I know, that's a mouthful.

Today, I return to The Master Key, sequel to The Lancaster Rule, published Champagne Books.

I couldn't decided which snippet to use -- there's just so many.  But here we go.  Here we have Josie, who has once again done something rather impulsive, and now, regretting her actions.

My head spun. I reached up tentatively to touch the sore spot—right at the back—and felt a knot. Whatever Ho used to hit me, it was something reassuringly hard.

A groan spilled out of my mouth, making me feel nauseous. I swallowed hard and brought the hand from my head to my mouth. My nose hurt too, where Lee smacked me in the face. It felt twice its normal size.

Whether it was the knock on my head or the time-out in blackness that brought me to my senses, I wasn’t sure. But I felt like an idiot. I acted impulsively and foolishly, putting myself, Aline—even the unsuspecting Dr. Maines—in serious danger. Everything that I’d learned and had been taught to do in times of danger, I threw clean out the window.

If you're interested in participating in next week's SFF Saturday, stop by their sign-up blog which is open every Wednesdays.  And don't forget to follow the rules.

Cheers!

Remember, Remember the 5th of November...

...The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
'Twas his intent...

And so on and so forth.  Now that I've gotten your attention, let's hope I get to keep it long enough.  Well, at least until Saturday November 5th.

The Champagne Books SF and F writers have banded together in a raggedy group of a dozen to host a LIVE CHAT.  While I can't ensure they'll be any fireworks and gunpowder, there will be loads of giveaways that we writers are offering up.  From PDF books, paperbacks, and trinkets (I hear there's Jelly Belly tins up for grabs).  How cool is that?

Here's a list of the amazing writers being spotlighted that night: K.M. Tolan (Dancer Series), T.M. Hunter (Aston West Series), Ashley J. Barnard (Fox Trilogy), Jude Johnson (Dragon and Hawk Series), Helen Henderson (Windmaster), Jane Toombs (she got soooo many books I don't know where to start).  And we have some newly signed writers as well: Marc Davies (Hive), J.A. Garland (The Mutatio Project), Leia Getty, Ronald Hore, Joanne Renaud.  There is also the chance that Ciara Gold might pop in (Celestial Dragon). And of course, there's me...

Up for grabs on my end, a personally autographed paperback of The Lancaster Rule OR The Master Key...whichever the lucky winner decides.

Where is this live chat taking place?  Over at the Champagne Books Chatroom: http://champagnebooks.com/Chat.html on November 5th (yep, Guy Fawkes Day) at 7pm EST.

So stop by then for a chance to harass me...oops, I mean, for a chance to win something.