Revelations is here!

At long, long last, Revelations has arrived! Tech issues resolved! The birth process of this book was more challenging than either of the other two books, but in some ways, it is also more of a celebration for me, since the journey toward the release of the book was so much more challenging than I expected. Now, I can rest and celebrate its arrival.

For those of you who have been following the course of Tamara’s life, this book represents a continuation of the other two—the story is Tamara’s continuing journey—but it also represents a depth that I have never gone to in my other two stories. These people whose lives I’ve had the privilege to write about have experiences that I don’t always share, or even really understand, at times. I feel their frustration, fear, love and joys, but their experiences don’t always resonate with me personally. This book, which was difficult for me to write, resonated with me very deeply as Tamara experiences some of the most intense experiences of her life. I was forced to experience one of the most pivotal—and powerful—experiences in my life as I wrote. It wasn’t easy, but it brought me levels of understanding and freedom I did not expect when I began the journey. I don’t know what it will bring those of you who read it, but I hope it touches you as it did me.

I begin again at the start of the writing process: the creative phase, where I write lots and lots of book starts with an eye to finding out where the next steps in the continuing story of Azelle go. I don’t know yet exactly where Book Four is going to take us. We may follow Tamara directly, or see her at a remove as we follow one of the other people who populate this world—even despite the November writing month, the creative process is so very fluid right now. I’ve got more possibilities about what might happen, but no firm path to follow yet. Divine timing at play once again, and this time, I’d like to believe I can be patient as I enjoy these beginning stages of the creative process. We’ll see how that goes.

In the meantime, enjoy the new installation in the story of Azelle and the continuation of Tamara’s journey in Revelations: Book Three of the Azellian Affairs! You can access the Amazon version of the book on the book page of my website or in the link below:

Star Wars: Being a Science Fiction Fan

As I come home from watching Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, I am reminded of the pleasure and fun I had as a teenager first watching Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Although I saw that movie first, before the first two, I had played with the action figures from the first two movies and knew the basic story line even before stepping into the movie theatre. Going to the movie with friends was as much fun as I’d had in my entire, rather reclusive, teen years. Seeing a movie three times in the movie theatre? Going to a movie with a crowd of other teenagers? That was a first for me…and well worth the trip, all three times.

Besides the fun mixing of old and new, the new movie reminded me of what a science fiction fan I actually am. I have always been a science fiction fan, but it has dimmed these past few years of focusing on other things instead of the realms of fantastical, possibility-stretching entertainment. Watching a masterful blend of science fiction and romance reminded me again why I write what I do. Star Wars has become so intertwined with our culture that it’s pretty much part of it. It certainly contributed heavily to my writing, along with other sci-fi classic writers like Marion Zimmer Bradley and Andre Norton. It melded drama, with a leavening of humor, and action, building characters we all got to know, then as children, played with endlessly. So much so, thirty odd years later, we bring our children to the newest release and reminisce with them over memories thirty years old.

Whether you like (or saw) Star Wars or didn’t, chances are you certainly are aware of the phenomenon of it. For those of us who did see it both when it originally came out, the re-releases, the re-boot (continuation) and now the re-re-boot of the franchise, it is a reminder that the innocence of childhood lurks not all that far behind our grown up lives. Stories that are driven by character, action and plot? Sign me up, please! After seeing Star Wars again, I am reminded that my fascination with science fiction and romance is ever growing and continues to this day. I get to play there now, in a different way, through my stories and my sharing of posts with fellow sci-fi readers, writers and fans and I remember how grateful I am to be a sci-fi geek who has allowed herself to play in this space. I get to write fun stories, too!  What could be better than that?