SFF Saturday - Jan 28

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday once more

This will be the last snippet from the recently released The Eternal Knot, the final in the Lancaster Rule trilogy, published by the Champagne Books Group. From next week, I'll be showing off some stuff from my works in progress

In this scene, Josie is witnessing the unveiling of a stasis pod, which is suspected to have held a very intriguing person...

    The pod was simple. Sleek, like a bullet, with a smooth, multi-toned tempered-glass casing over the black metal cocoon frame. It rested on a thick triangular base so that instead of lying horizontal, the main pod sat at a forty-five degree angle, allowing the sleeper to appear as though they reclined. In a word, it looked sexy as hell. Unlike my pod, which had been thick and chunky, rectangular and cumbersome, and out-dated like the prehistoric relic that it was. I was glad that Quin had destroyed it. 

   Apart from my own pod, I’d never actually seen these newer models in person. This pod before us looked impressive, even to my ignorant eyes. Quin and Aline’s near-orgasmic mutterings was merely the background soundtrack for this unveiling.

For the complete listing of the Lancaster Trilogy, check out my author page at Burst Books, or over at Amazon Kindle.

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 and use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

A Review: Battle Dancer

For my first Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge review for 2012, I chose Battle Dancer by K.M. Tolan, the final chapter in the Dancer series.

It took me a while to finish reading this, for varying reasons, but mostly because I knew this was the last book and I didn't want it to end.

However, like Tolan stated in the story: 'Everything ends.'  And the grand finale did not disappoint!

Picking up after Defiant Dancer (book 3 for those uninitiated), it follows the story of Mikial Haran, a warrior class humanoid who becomes a Great Suria (a sort of spiritual leader and a really big deal for the Dessan people).  Mikial learns to face her demons, which is mainly herself, while trying to guide her segregated people into a solid, unified planet.  A daunting task, especially when she's managed to ostracize everyone close to her as the powerful shadow of being a Great Suria consumes her.  Of course, the pesky humans get in the way to make things worse, and the little green Me'Aukins have drawn her into a war with the humans.

Mr. Tolan manages to draw out the worst qualities we humans have in the form of General Powel, a truly nasty specimen.  There were many moments I wanted to jump inside the book and give this dude a beating.  But, our best qualities are redeemed in the form of Ryan Donald, who has been around from the very beginning.

Battle Dancer is about friendships and love, the bewitching charms of power, the courage to face your inner demons, war, politics, and battle like a good old-fashioned fist fight.  This was a truly enjoyable read as I caught up with my old friend Mikial, and it's with a bit of melancholy that I say goodbye.  Thanks, K.M. Tolan!

My next book in the reading challenge: Zirconya - The Sage of Aluh-Nehn by Diana Ilinca.

SFF Saturday - Jan 21

It's that time of Saturday again: Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday

Due to popular demand, I give you another snippet from the recently released The Eternal Knot, the final in the Lancaster Rule trilogy, published by the Champagne Books Group.

In this scene, Josie and her party are ambushed, to say the least.  She witnesses, from her POV, her mother-in-law in action.  Griet is, well, kind of scary...

    They materialized as if by magic. I couldn't say how many there were, only that they were dressed in black and moved like ominous shadows. Their phantom sight alone seared a shiver down my spine.
    Then everyone moved at once.
    The blur that was Griet Lancaster made it hard to focus on the pressing danger. But the destruction that was Griet Lancaster, left bodies dropping to stain the white floor like black-clad rips in the earth.
    I let out a startled yelp of horror. Then hands tugged me in every direction, dragging me into the hellish black. I slashed out with my krima to wrench free. Someone yelled out, sucking in their breath as my krima hit home.
    So, they were human after all.

For the complete listing of the Lancaster Trilogy, check out my author page at Burst Books, or over at Amazon Kindle.

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 and use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

Do We Really Do What We Say We Will?

I posted this before on The Writer's Vineyard, but it's just one of those things that you need to spread around...

Recently, a young family member (cousin-in-law) announced his decision to enter the Marathon Des Sables.  He and his friends banded together and formed Because We Can, and have decided to run the Sahara Desert to raise funds for cancer research.

My initial reaction to this was the full version of ‘WTF.’  But then I thought what a brave thing they would be doing—to be able to do—because they can.  The race is a full-out, unrelenting, sun-scorching, dehydrating trial of human endurance on the driest place on earth.  Just a minor inconvenience, in the great big picture, compared to someone suffering the ordeal of cancer.  How many of us have already been touched by cancer’s horrible, greedy fingers?  If we haven’t ourselves been touched, we know of someone close enough who has been.  Some have survived, too many we’ve lost.  But affected by it, we are.  And here these young people are doing something truly remarkable to help lash back the sickly reaches of those fingers.

It got me to thinking of how many times we actually do what we say we will.  Even a simple thing like “I’ll call you tomorrow”—but you never do.  I truly try my best to do what I say I will, but admittedly, it doesn’t always happen despite my best intentions.  Or I will push it off for another time.  Or think, someone else will do it.  I’m sure a lot of you have done that.  But I’m sure it’s everyone’s goal to be able to achieve a higher moral standing (I’m hoping so because that’s how I feel despite my cynicism on certain things).  We all want to do good, we all aspire for good things, we all want to be better people.  But it’s hard work.

And nobody likes hard work without some kind of payback in return.  The only payback for this kind of hard work, is the feeling of self-accomplishment.  Of doing good.  Of doing something right.  Of just doing something.

With the start of the new year, I see it fit to put my foot down and do what I say I will.  To change from thinking about doing something, to doing something, in any way I can.  From simple things, to complex things.  I will try my best, in whatever I do, say, or plan, to see it through to the end.  To start, I will help my young friends with their cause.  While I don’t have rainfalls of money showering upon me to donate, I have something else that I can use.  I can write about it.  I can spread the word on the social networks, tell my friends, acquaintances, what have you.  It’s a start and I hope it will make a difference where I can be proud to be accountable for.

What will you do that you say you will?

Cheers.

SFF Saturday - Jan 14

Happy New Year everyone!
Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday is back!

Here's another snippet from the recently released The Eternal Knot, the final in the Lancaster Rule trilogy, published by the Champagne Books Group.

Today, Josie has just been injured, quite seriously, and is "having a conversation" with her worried husband, John.  Though, from his response, it's pretty hard to tell that he's concerned.

   "Hurts?"

   "Lots." She squeezed an eye shut for effect.

   "Hmm...good," he smiled. "You deserve it."

   "I know," Josie smiled back. "Are you going to kill me later, too?"

   He nodded with a grave expression. "Of course. I have to. You have to learn your lesson."

   "I know, I deserve it," she grinned. "And after you kill me, I'll never be allowed out of the house--ever."

   "You'd better believe it." He kissed her gently on her forehead. "But I know that will never happen. Your life is just too full of surprises."

   "John?"

   "Mmm?"

   "I really need med-cal."

   "I know."

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!

Shorty Awards Nomination

How cool is this?  Shorty Awards...honestly, I had to Google that to find out.

I've been seeing it knocking around the social networks lately, and it wasn't until I saw it in my Twitter feed, did I have the motivation to have a look and find out more.  What it is, is awards for social network kickass-ness.  To put it bluntly and plainly.   If you got the 'thang' then people will vote for you.

Well, everyone wishes they had the 'thang', right?  Me included.  So, I signed up.  Why the hell not.

So, if you think I 'got the stuff' on Twitterverse, and you think I'm worthy enough to vote for...please feel free to vote!  Click HERE!

Thanks a bunch!

Cheers!

SFF Saturday - Jan 07

Happy New Year everyone!
Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday is back!

On January 02, The Eternal Knot, the final in the The Lancaster Rule trilogy, was released by Champagne Books and its new SFF dedicated imprint, Burst Books.

Today, I share an encounter Josie has (from her POV) with a particular woman whom she has a keen dislike for.  For obvious reasons, of course...
         

She greeted me with a wide spread of her arms. Several gold bracelets jangled at her wrist and caught the afternoon light. She’d been lounging on a bench, posing, seemingly enjoying the gardens when I had walked in and stood aloofly motionless. A true stage diva, she played her part perfectly. Upon seeing us, she allowed her face to light up with pleasure and airily walked towards us, certain that we’d see her near-naked body through the sheer dress. Even Loeb, conservative and stoic as ever, proved he was still a man and not a robot, flicked his eyes to keep time with her jiggling boobs.

I would have rolled my eyes if I didn’t have to maintain a pleasant face.

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!

New Name Goes Live!

My new blog name is live!


Just thought I'd mention that.  Out with the old, in with the new -- what a great way to start the weekend, right?


So, if you haven't already, update your links to this blog to http://www.tktoppin.blogspot.com

That's all for now.

Cheers!

Versatile Blogger Awards Nominee

Oh wow, I just got nominated for a Versatile Blogger Award.  Of course, being a little dense, I had no idea what this is...I had to Google it.  (I still kinda don't know what it's about, but what the heck, right?)

So, I am following the rules, as per Poet: Whispers blog (who nominated me) indicates.  And the rules are...

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers.
2. Inform the bloggers of their nomination.
3. Share 7 random things about yourself.
4. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
5. Add the Versatile Blogger Award button on your blog post.

I'm going to go backwards on this since rules are meant to be broken. :)

The Versatile Blogger Awards button:

Thanks Bajanpoet from Poet:Whispers!!

Sharing 7 random things about me:
1. I'm short.  Vertically challenged.  Preconditioned genetically.  A Hobbit in a land full of Gandalfs.  Hey, I'm Japanese...give me a break.
2. I hate cooking, but I hate starving more.
3. Bugs and creepy-crawlies have never really bothered me in the past.  But as I grow older, I prefer they understand my personal space requirements.
4. I was born, raised, and still living in Barbados.  A Bajan, as we're called. 100%, like salt fish cakes, flying fish, cou cou, and pudding and souse.  I just don't look the part...again, another preconditioned genetic trait.
5. In the cyber world, I've been mistaken for a dude (a few times).  I suppose having an androgynous name like T.K. Toppin might mislead some people.  But in case you're wondering, I am most definitely a dudette.
6. Even though I live on a tropical island, I hate the sun (and sunlight). Think cave-creature...Gollum...anemone.  Why sweat when you can stay cool, right?
7. The last post brings me to the last.  My car has cobwebs.  Really, it does.  And an accumulation of dust from its last yearly wash.  I hardly drive around anymore.  In the last year, if I've done 5K, that's a lot.  Since working for myself, since becoming a self-imposed recluse, since I started writing, I have no reason, other than bothersome errands, to leave the house.  That's what hubby is for.  He does the groceries anyway...so why should I?

I'm informing other Bloggers of their nomination...now!

Nominating 15 Bloggers...
1. Poet: Whispers (can I do that? Nominate a nominee again?)
2. MiscRamblings
3. Kaye Manro Romance Author
4. Cheese-on-Bread!
5. Smart Girls love SciFi
6. Diana Ilinca: Musings of a Fantasy Author
7. Cary Caffrey
8. Heidi Ruby Miller
9. Misa Buckley
10. Pippa Jay
11. Reading, Reading and Life
12. The Galaxy Express
13. Tribute Books Reviews
14. Travel The Ages
15. Linda Kage

Wow, that was really difficult to conjure up 15 bloggers. Pheww...

Well, I guess all that's left to do now, is to post this!

Cheers!

New Blog Name from Friday January 6

Just a quick reminder that this blogsite will change its name to tktoppin.blogspot.com from Friday AM, early!

If you're a follower, first off, my eternal thanks.  Next, please update your link to this site.  I know I will be updating like mad where all my 'old' name is posted.

Thanks again everyone, and looking forward to prattling on about nothing -- I mean, about important, world-changing stuff that make you gasp with anticipation. :)

Cheers!

The Eternal Knot is Released!

What a great way to start the new year!

The final installment in my Lancaster Trilogy is out!!  THE ETERNAL KNOT released over the new year weekend, bringing to an end the tale of Josie Bettencourt and all the comings and goings in her life.  I suppose it's kind of bittersweet that the story comes to an end.  The Lancaster world dominated my life for a good part of three years, and to see it through to the end, is like seeing the last of your children fly the coop.

For those who have followed Josie's journey, I hope I did this last book justice by answering all the questions that lurked about.  It was, by far, the hardest book to complete out of the three.  Maybe because I knew that this was the end, maybe because I didn't want the story to finish.  But, who knows, another story with Josie might be born in the future...so I won't say never.  I promise to keep you posted.  For now, enjoy the rollercoaster ride that is the Lancaster Trilogy, finally complete at last!  Hang on to your knickers -- it's gonna be a wild ride!

Cheers.