Writing Goals for 2017

Well, 2016 was pretty much a bust, as my recent recap more than demonstrated. Hopefully 2017 will bring a bit more motivation and a few more accomplishments than this past year. Not to say that I haven't done *anything* this past year, but most had nothing to do with my Aston West material. Even so, I think a few of these other projects will make it onto the goals for the coming year. And just to make things interesting, I'll add a few extra goals compared to prior years...

So, here goes:

1. Plot out a fifth Aston West series novel and write at least 10,000 words on it.

2. Plot out a third Aston West novella and write at least 10,000 words on it.

3. Complete the first draft of my in-work "Demonkiller" WIP.

4. Complete the first draft of my in-work sci-fi suspense/mystery novel.

5. Finish the next novella in the Max McCannor series.

6. Plot out the final novella in the Max McCannor series.

7. Write six Aston West short stories.

All in all, it's going to be a busy year. Thanks to everyone who's purchased copies of my books, and I'm looking forward to bringing you even more great stories in the near future.

2016 in Review

I don't imagine I'm going to accomplish anything in the next couple of days to make many changes to these results, so I'm now looking back at 2016 and my goals for the year, and see what it was that I completed...

1. Plot out a fifth Aston West series novel.

I've had a few nibbles of ideas bouncing around in my head, even before I finished All Good Things, but alas, nothing on the plot side. I've actually toyed with the idea of ending the series with this next novel. We'll see what happens this next year.

2. Finish a third Aston West novella.

This did not happen. I do have another novella out there that I'd like to try and finish some day...but I'd also like to be motivated enough to write some new material.

3. Publish my new Aston novel All Good Things.

This was actually one of the few things I did accomplish this year. If you haven't already purchased a copy, please do so (click the cover to head over to Amazon). It's a surprising thing, how motivation and sales are correlated...

4. Publish another Triple-Shot.

Sadly, didn't finish a single short story this year, so didn't get another Triple-Shot out.

5. Finish the next novella in the Max McCannor series.

Lyndon Perry and I have still not gotten any farther along on this project this year. We still have a few chapters written on the next installment, tentatively titled Runaway, but it hasn't gone anywhere.

***

Sadly, my motivation has been deep in the bottom of the toilet for most of the year. Hopefully, I have a turnaround this coming year...

I should be getting another set of goals put together for 2017 in a day or two.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone! And now, with my gift for you, enjoy copies of my first two Aston West novels (Heroes Die Young and Friends in Deed) for free, for a limited time only.

Air Cap Recap

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth at this past weekend's Air Cap Comic-Con. Really enjoyed myself, and so did my table partner, Candice Gilmer. I especially appreciate all the love that was given to the first in my Aston West series, Heroes Die Young! Thank you all!

Air Cap Comic-Con

Had a great time at Air Cap Comic-Con in Wichita, Kansas yesterday. Looking forward to another great day today. If you can't make it out to the event this weekend, you can still pick up copies of my books over on Amazon. Enjoy!

July 2016 Update

As it's been about a month since my last post, figured I'd give a bit of an update.

Still running dry on Aston West stories, and I only have an inkling of a concept for book five in the series. So, in an effort to recharge the batteries, I've started looking at some non-Aston ideas:

1.  Book two in my collaboration effort with Lyndon Perry, in the Max McCannor series...tentatively entitled Runaway.

2. A sci-fi suspense novel set in a future-Earth system, wherein a defense attorney has to prove his client's innocence in a lunar colony murder, tentatively entitled The Dark Side.

3. A young adult novel with a teenager who is chosen to become the next in the line of religious "demonkillers," tentatively entitled Demonkiller.

So, there you have it. Things are still moving a bit slowly on these, but hopefully life will ease up a bit and some of these (as well as some Aston stories/novels) will get into a groove.

FALLEN Excerpt

I’d always had poor timing. So much so, that it didn’t surprise me anymore when things go wrong. Sitting before a communication beacon in the middle of nowhere, way off any normal transport route, I almost expected I’d have an unexpected visitor drop in. And sure enough, I wasn’t disappointed when a white flash filled my viewscreen.

The other vessel had all the looks of a pirate ship, with the blast-marked hull plating and barely operational lighting. But there was no reason anyone would try to set up a trap for unsuspecting victims here. This was a brand new communications beacon location, so most wouldn’t bother traveling here, not unless they were lost, or trying to steer clear of regular routes as I was. And if this ship was in fact trying to rob me, they would be sorely disappointed by the fact I had nothing in my cargo hold.

“No incoming transmissions?” I asked my ship’s computer, Jeanie.

“Nothing,” she confirmed. “The other vessel is approaching its listed weapons range.”

I had to assume that they were indeed pirates, and not very bright ones, for sure. “I’d better let them have the bad news.”

“Transmission channel open.”

I sat up a little straighter in my captain’s chair. “Whoever you are, I have no cargo.”

“They’ve entered weapons range.”

Still no response. I watched the ship approach and had a gut feeling to run screaming at me. Just before I tasked Jeanie to set an escape route and take us to hyperspeed, a window finally opened at the left side of my forward viewscreen.

And it was at that very moment I realized poor timing and horrid decision-making skills had nothing to do with this encounter.

“Jaysen Ro,” I muttered.

I’d thought I’d seen the last of those demonic eyes, pure and haunting blue lenses that filled both sockets. Even across the vast amount of space between us, I could almost imagine the stench of his breath as he spoke. His gravelly voice morphed into a snarl. “Miss me?”

“How’d you get out? You were arrested.”

“You can’t get rid of me that easy, scum.”

I quickly scanned the entire image of the other bridge. Two grungy males who barely looked old enough to be called men sat at a pair of forward control consoles. The rest of the room was empty, aside from Ro himself.

But this wasn’t the time or place for a reunion. “Jeanie, get us out of here!” I called out in a panic.

She mimicked my tone. “Hyperspeed system is offline. It appears to be a jamming signal.”

My opponent feigned a hurt look, sticking out a pouty, gnawed lip for emphasis. “You don’t want to hang out and play?” Then, he jumped up from his chair and pointed a long, fungus-infested nail at me. “Too bad, dead man!” And to his crew, he yelled, “Fire all available weapons!”

* * *

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Prologue from ALL GOOD THINGS

The lounge’s rancid stench was what you’d expect out of a hole that criminals scrambled into. With his medical background, John could make out the smells of urine, blood, vomit and various other bodily fluids and excretions, combined with cleaning agents that had tried and failed to win the battle. He pursed his pale pink lips tight, trying to hold his breath as long as he could between quick draws of air that made him gag. Fiddling with a small crystal wafer hanging from his neck, he looked across the booth’s table into the hazel eyes of his wife, Isabel.

She ran a tanned hand through her long black strands of hair, pushing them behind her petite ear. “I don’t like this place,” she whispered.

“Not much longer,” he attempted to assure her.

“Another moment longer is still too long.” She sighed deep, and broke their mutual stare to look off toward the doors they’d be using to leave later.

John had been second-guessing his decision to bring her along, ever since they left the transport to trek through this forsaken spaceport. He could almost pass off for someone intending to be there, as his Torian heritage gave him a near-albino appearance, aside from his bright blue eyes. He’d actually seen a few others of his kind while walking through the corridors, which he thought quite odd, considering his species had always been known for staying close to home. He, on the other hand, was nothing like the rest of his people. He’d ventured out into the universe to make his own way. And now, he was delving into a life of crime and profiteering that would have made his own mother retch.

Isabel’s glamorous body, however, made her stand out in ways he had never expected. Certainly, she’d turned heads everywhere he’d taken her, even when they lived on Vetras, their former home. But here it was worse. Her looks made her the target for all of the drunken animals and other criminals to ogle. It was obvious that she wasn’t supposed to be here, and that made her a target.

He shouldn’t have brought her.

John waved off the scantily-clad waitress as she tried to drop off another round of drinks, despite her having already been foiled on three earlier occasions. The barkeep behind the opposite counter gave them dirty looks, not expecting anyone to nurse their liquor for as long as he and Isabel had.

John continued stealing glances at a digital timepiece on his wrist, a present from Isabel for their recent wedding. She fiddled with the diamond ring on her left hand, shielding it from everyone else’s view in the establishment as she twisted it around her finger.

Finally, he breathed a sigh of relief with one last look at his timepiece. The moment had come. “Time to go,” he mumbled.

He slid out from the booth, holding a hand out for his wife. A smile finally graced his face, even though Isabel didn’t match his expression herself as they walked as a pair toward the exit. Watchful eyes made no effort to hide the fact that other patrons were keeping tabs on the two as they left.

Everything he’d done had been leading up to this point. Putting up with his former employer and her lunacy, stealing the wafer which now hung on a chain around his neck, and traveling to this disgusting armpit of the galaxy. His moment had finally arrived.
Their moment, he thought to himself, as he snuck another glance at his loving bride. She was afraid, and with good reason. But in a short while, they’d have millions on them, and could travel anywhere they wanted.

Someone was paying a hefty price for the wafer and its contents, exactly as John had hoped when he’d stolen it right out from under his employer’s nose.

They moved quickly out of the room, into a sterile, white tile hallway. The stench didn’t improve any, even though there wasn’t a single soul in sight. Isabel latched her arms around his waist and squeezed him tight. “I can’t wait to get out of this place.” John could feel her shaking, but he wasn’t sure if it was fear or excitement.

“It won’t be long,” he told her.

She looked up into his pale blue eyes, a smile finally coming to her face as she gripped his hand instead. “What are we going to do first with our money?”

“Buy a home, maybe a ship.” John kissed her cheek. “Once we have it, we escape this hellhole and never look back.”

“I can’t wait,” she told him, giving back a much deeper and more passionate kiss on his lips.

Having scouted out the location in advance, John knew where he was supposed to meet the buyer. That was about the extent of his knowledge, though. The transmissions had all been heavily-encrypted, and no identifying details had been given to him, even when asked. The only things John needed to know, he’d been told, was when and where the exchange would take place, and how much he’d be making in the deal.

His smile grew as he walked with his wife, until they finally reached landing bay four. Passing through an opening set of sliding doors, Isabel gripped his hand tighter. A ship faced away from them, its stub nose tucked into the darkened far corner as if it were being punished.

John’s heart thumped hard against the inside of his rib cage. He didn’t see anyone standing here, but he’d double-checked and triple-checked the messages before setting out for the meeting, and they were right on time. Isabel’s fingernails dug into his skin. He was just about ready to bolt when a loud clank resonated through the enclosed hangar, followed by even louder whirring. He looked over at the ship again, and saw the aft cargo ramp lowering.

Goosebumps covered John’s skin as he set eyes on the man who had to be the buyer. He was a beast, standing tall and decked out in a full body suit, jet black and glistening. Bristly blonde stubble adorned the top of his head, his face chiseled like stone. The suit flexed along with the man’s muscular chest, as he marched down the ramp and strode toward them with a frown.

The beast lifted an eyebrow as he drew closer. “John?”

He simply nodded, and came to a stop with Isabel clutching his hand almost to the point of cutting off circulation. The plan had been solid, but reality was setting in. John and Isabel were no criminals, and this man no doubt was.

“Elijah Cassus.” The bulky beast extended a hand with a sly smile. “I assume you brought what we agreed upon.”

John finally got his nerves under control, and pulled the wafer out from under his shirt. He blurted out in response, “And you?”

Elijah thumbed toward the open shuttle ramp, and a large duffel bag that rested just inside the ship. “Right there. Ten million, as agreed.”

John’s earlier feelings of mistrust finally began to dissipate. “Then it sounds like we have a deal.”

Elijah’s thin smile grew, before he turned and walked off toward the shuttle.

John muttered to his bride before following, “Stay here. I won’t be long.”

As they drew closer, John glanced at the duffel bag. Even from his vantage point at the bottom of the ramp, he saw several small holes in the outside of the bag, as if a projectile weapon had been used against it. He was no criminal, but knew enough not to ask questions. The only thing that mattered was those credits would soon be in his hot, little hands. Ten million credits would go a long way toward setting them up for the rest of their lives.

John unfastened a clasp behind his neck as Elijah climbed the ramp and hoisted the duffel bag off the floor plates. He pulled the wafer and its lanyard off, clasping the chain in his hand. He determined then and there not to let loose of it until he had the money. Elijah turned, and the two of them stood in a standoff.

Isabel caught John off-guard by calling out from the other side of the landing bay, “What do you plan to do with this information?”

Elijah’s tone soured as he growled, “It’s of no concern to you, as long as you’re paid.”

John gulped, thinking she had fouled up the deal. He’d thought she’d been on the same page as he was, that they didn’t care why anyone wanted the information, or what they’d use it for. The money was enough.

“But I have nothing to hide...”

John kept a close eye on the duffel bag and rivulets of sweat flowed down his temples. His heart thumped hard against his chest again. Elijah softened his tone as he continued, “I want to bring back my dead brother. We have an old score to settle.”

John took in a long breath, forcing himself to relax. His employer, the woman he’d stolen the information from, had successfully brought her husband and daughter back from beyond the grave using nano-bot technology and programming, all of which was well-documented on the wafer. He had no doubt that this man would have just as much success using the ‘death cure’ on his brother. He ignored the whole idea of settling a score that Elijah had mentioned. None of that concerned him.

Elijah tossed the duffel down the ramp, and it landed on the hangar floor beside John. “Ten million, as promised.”

John knelt down and unzipped the bag, before running his free hand through the solid credits inside. Each of the golden coins had a silver rim, which put the value of each coin at a thousand credits. All of his worries and concerns melted away at the feel of those coins against his skin.

Elijah’s voice grew cold. “And now, I want the information you promised.”

John looked up, distracted from his love-fest with the duffel bag. He flung the crystal wafer and its necklace toward the top of the ramp, where Elijah caught it mid-air with one hand.

“It’s been great doing business with you.” Elijah turned and stormed off. Isabel rushed over and knelt beside John, staring at the money. She squealed in delight and planted a passionate kiss on her husband.

“Oh, one last thing,” Elijah interrupted. John glanced back up, seeing a disintegrator cannon in the other man’s hands. Isabel screamed, before jumping up and sprinting toward the exit. John attempted to catch her, but she evaded his grip. A shot echoed in the emptiness. John watched as the energy blast struck her in the back, knocking her down with an awkward stumble. Her body quickly burned from the inside out, decomposing into organic ash while she screamed in pain and agony, writhing around on the hangar floor. Her voice carried even over the klaxon that had sounded off after Elijah’s shot.

John’s heart shattered into a million pieces as he scrambled toward her, screaming, “No!”

He was too late to do anything but watch her final moments, as her body completely decomposed. He ran his hands through the pile of ash, sobbing over his wife’s death. He felt something solid and pulled out the ring that he’d given to her, which only made him an even more emotional wreck.

“Why?” He moaned, turning back to his wife’s killer, who now pointed his weapon at John.

“The trouble with making deals with evil men, John, is you shouldn’t trust them.”

“But we gave you what you wanted.”

“You were both loose ends, John, pure and simple.”

John sobbed, trying to figure a way out of this mess with his own life intact. “But we wouldn’t have said anything. I’m the one who stole the information to begin with. If I told, we’d all be imprisoned.”

John kept trying to stall, hoping that someone, anyone, would come in and stop this madman. He held his hands out in front of him. “And ten million credits is obviously enough to keep my mouth shut.”

“I always did despise blabbering idiots,” Elijah snorted, before firing another blast.

John screamed even louder as it blasted through his hands and struck his stomach. The next few moments were more painful than anything he had ever felt in his life, as if his body were a garment that was being pulled apart at the seams. The seams were then seared with a blowtorch, only to be ripped apart again, and the process repeated.

His fingers were the first to disappear, and he watched Isabel’s ring fall into his wife’s ash pile at his feet. His watch soon joined it, falling off along with the river of ash that was falling from his arms as the weapon’s effects propagated up both limbs.

John could feel his organs within his gut slowly being ripped apart, their functions shutting down, causing even more intense pain. His lower extremities turned to ash faster than the upper, and though he just wanted to die, he collapsed into Isabel’s remains when his legs could no longer support the rest of his rapidly decomposing body.

While the pain and agony raced up his chest, he looked past the mound of ash up at Elijah who rushed down to retrieve the duffel. John knew his end was certain, but he had hoped that someone would stop this madman from getting away. As Elijah raced back up the ramp, all of John’s hope was lost.

Gears pulled the aft ramp up off the floor, the grinding sound barely distinguishable with the klaxon echoing to no avail throughout the hangar. A maniacal laugh escaped his lips as the ramp slammed shut behind him.

John could feel his heart stop, and knew that the end was fast approaching. It was only then that he truly felt remorse for what he had done. His actions had killed both his wife and himself, and who knew what else this madman would do with the information he now had in his possession.

With no blood circulating, his brain shut down, bringing with it a reduction in the pain levels, albeit for a mere moment. And with that moment, he saw his watch lying next to Isabel’s ring.

And then, darkness fell.

***

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THE CURE - 7 May 2016

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!

Welcome back to another week of Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday crews! In last week's snippet, Mila was in the middle of a heartbreaking scene, looking over the dead bodies of her daughter and husband. And this is where we jump back in, for our final snippet from this novel...

Mila closed her eyes and the tears gushed forth. She should have arrived on time that fateful night. If she had, they wouldn’t have been waiting in the parking lot when a pair of vagabond killers had found them. Random as it had been, her family ended up dead, because she always put work ahead of everything else in her life.

With a sigh, she eased her eyelids open, blinking away tears and glancing back and forth between the corpses. A small smile formed while the liquid train slowed. Increasing hope filled her heart, knowing she had a plan, even though formed from grief and desperation. With every passing moment, Mila knew she was getting closer to the cure she’d been seeking these last ten months.

The cure for death.

Please check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors! See below for more info on The Cure. If you'd like to buy a copy, click the cover...

Vetrasian scientist Mila Groso built a career out of developing cures for the galaxy’s deadliest diseases. After her husband and daughter are murdered in cold blood, she makes it her mission to find a cure for death itself.

Mila isn’t the only one interested in her research, though. The planet’s religious leader sends his minions to stop her from negating the existence of an afterlife. A mysterious mercenary threatens her life unless she hands the research over. It's obvious too many people know what she’s doing.

Fighting to stay alive, Mila must fend off both groups with their diametrically opposed goals and find the ultimate cure to resurrect her family. What once was a potential miracle may end up a greater curse than she can imagine.

THE CURE - 30 April 2016

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!

Welcome back to another week of Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday crews! In last week's snippet, Mila entered the room where her dead family's coffins were being stored. And now we jump back in...

Looking through the clear lid at her daughter was almost as if gazing into a mirror of the past, her foolish youth. This teen’s face, though, was a model of steadiness, framed by the same thick, dirty blonde, shoulder-length strands Mila herself was burdened with. A long white dress was the standard burial garment for all the planet’s women.

“Oh, sweet Oreana...” Mila choked on her words, and streams of tears flowed down her face.

She wiped her eyes and turned to the second casket, where her husband’s tanned face sat in wait atop a white suit, the standard men’s burial garment. She longed to once more run her hand through his brown ratty hair, to stare into his sky blue eyes. “Gordon, my love,” she whispered. Stroking the hard plastic cover with her fingers, Mila tried to remember what he felt like. It made her sob even more that she couldn’t recall the memory.

Please check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors! See below for more info on The Cure.

Vetrasian scientist Mila Groso built a career out of developing cures for the galaxy’s deadliest diseases. After her husband and daughter are murdered in cold blood, she makes it her mission to find a cure for death itself.

Mila isn’t the only one interested in her research, though. The planet’s religious leader sends his minions to stop her from negating the existence of an afterlife. A mysterious mercenary threatens her life unless she hands the research over. It's obvious too many people know what she’s doing.

Fighting to stay alive, Mila must fend off both groups with their diametrically opposed goals and find the ultimate cure to resurrect her family. What once was a potential miracle may end up a greater curse than she can imagine.

***

In other news, on May 1 only, you can pick up two of my Aston West titles for free. Both of my Aston novellas, Seeker and Fallen, are free for your Kindle. Be sure to go in and check them out (and share the news with your friends)!

    

THE CURE - 23 April 2016

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!

Welcome back to another week of Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday crews! In last week's snippet, Mila entered the room where her dead family's coffins were being stored. And now we jump back in...

Silence closed in from all sides. Despite the center’s use of floral sprays as a mask, there was no way to completely eliminate the musty stench emanating from the underground vaults. She shifted up to the caskets, her shaking hands creeping toward the transparent shells. Every visit confirmed what she knew, but couldn’t accept. It hadn’t been a bad dream. Her family was truly gone forever.

Even now, she wasn’t convinced. She’d be with them soon enough. That was the only thing providing her solace, letting her sleep at night.

Please check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors! See below for more info on The Cure.

Vetrasian scientist Mila Groso built a career out of developing cures for the galaxy’s deadliest diseases. After her husband and daughter are murdered in cold blood, she makes it her mission to find a cure for death itself.

Mila isn’t the only one interested in her research, though. The planet’s religious leader sends his minions to stop her from negating the existence of an afterlife. A mysterious mercenary threatens her life unless she hands the research over. It's obvious too many people know what she’s doing.

Fighting to stay alive, Mila must fend off both groups with their diametrically opposed goals and find the ultimate cure to resurrect her family. What once was a potential miracle may end up a greater curse than she can imagine.

THE CURE - 16 April 2016

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!

Welcome back to another week of Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday crews! We are continuing from last week's snippet. And here's where we jump back into the action...

She composed herself as the door opened and Paul stepped out. A cold chill flowed out to greet her. “Take as much time as you need.”

“Thank you,” Mila mumbled, walking inside.

“I’ll be up front whenever you’re finished.” Paul shut the door behind her.

She took a deep breath and stared at the two sarcophagi. The standard white coffin had been upgraded with ornate markings and shiny metal carvings mounted to each corner and around the base. It had been billed as a flowing pattern meant to speed the decedent’s path to the afterlife, or some other such nonsense meant to soothe a survivor’s grief.

Please check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors! See below for more info on The Cure.

Vetrasian scientist Mila Groso built a career out of developing cures for the galaxy’s deadliest diseases. After her husband and daughter are murdered in cold blood, she makes it her mission to find a cure for death itself.

Mila isn’t the only one interested in her research, though. The planet’s religious leader sends his minions to stop her from negating the existence of an afterlife. A mysterious mercenary threatens her life unless she hands the research over. It's obvious too many people know what she’s doing.

Fighting to stay alive, Mila must fend off both groups with their diametrically opposed goals and find the ultimate cure to resurrect her family. What once was a potential miracle may end up a greater curse than she can imagine.

THE CURE - 9 April 2016

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!

Welcome back to another week of Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday crews! Last week was the first snippet from my sci-fi thriller The Cure, so we continue this week with another snippet. I debated whether to do "creative editing" or just skip ahead in the story a bit, and figured skipping ahead would probably be for the best. Last week, we met Mila, a scientist out to find a cure for death. In between then and now, we've met the manager of the burial center she was sitting in (Paul), and the two have walked off toward the back of the facility. And here's where we jump back into the action...

Paul held a hand out toward another pair of plush white couches. Mila figured the facility had bought in bulk. “I’ll just double-check everything’s as you’ve requested.” He left her there, entering the central of the three viewing rooms while she sat down once more.

Such frequent visits weren’t in the standard burial contract, and had been negotiated for a significant price. Calling it a request was putting a definite spin on things.

Mila’s limbs shook, just as with every visit. Even being strong-willed as she made herself out to be, the entire situation still struck unbridled fear into her bones. A death sentence carried out on her family’s murderers had not appeased her bloodlust.

Neither had it assuaged her guilt.

Please check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors! See below for more info on The Cure.

Vetrasian scientist Mila Groso built a career out of developing cures for the galaxy’s deadliest diseases. After her husband and daughter are murdered in cold blood, she makes it her mission to find a cure for death itself.

Mila isn’t the only one interested in her research, though. The planet’s religious leader sends his minions to stop her from negating the existence of an afterlife. A mysterious mercenary threatens her life unless she hands the research over. It's obvious too many people know what she’s doing.

Fighting to stay alive, Mila must fend off both groups with their diametrically opposed goals and find the ultimate cure to resurrect her family. What once was a potential miracle may end up a greater curse than she can imagine.

THE CURE - 2 April 2016

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!

Welcome back to another week of Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday crews! Last week was the final snippet from my Aston novel Friends in Deed, so this week I figured I'd take a break from my Aston tales (although not from his universe). Instead, I'll start a series of snippets from my sci-fi thriller, The Cure (the snippet starts partway through the first chapter). Enjoy!

Mila pursed her lips and squirmed, unable to find a comfortable position in the chair. She looked around, seeing peaceful digital artwork by artists with names she didn’t recognize. The distinct stench of fresh paint spilled off the walls. They’d gone to great lengths to liven up the facilities over the past few months. There was no sense in it. Putting a friendly, pleasant face on the surroundings didn’t hide the fact there was only one reason to come here.

To visit the dead.

Please check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors! See below for more info on The Cure.

Vetrasian scientist Mila Groso built a career out of developing cures for the galaxy’s deadliest diseases. After her husband and daughter are murdered in cold blood, she makes it her mission to find a cure for death itself.

Mila isn’t the only one interested in her research, though. The planet’s religious leader sends his minions to stop her from negating the existence of an afterlife. A mysterious mercenary threatens her life unless she hands the research over. It's obvious too many people know what she’s doing.

Fighting to stay alive, Mila must fend off both groups with their diametrically opposed goals and find the ultimate cure to resurrect her family. What once was a potential miracle may end up a greater curse than she can imagine.

FRIENDS IN DEED - 27 March 2016

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!

Welcome back to another week of Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday crews! If you haven't already, catch up with my previous snippet, where Aston has been dumped on a prison planet, was chased by a pale, naked psychotic giant with a homemade boulder/tree mallet, and was saved at the eleventh hour by a homemade arrow out of nowhere.

And now, without further adieu, I present the final snippet from my Aston West novel, Friends in Deed. Enjoy!

He couldn’t pull it out from the front, so reached back. The beast’s mind finally gave up hope as soon as his fingers felt a stone tip emerging from the back of his neck. His eyes rolled up into his skull, then he fell backward.

The corpse splashed down and huge waves pushed against me. I jerked my head around and stared at the opposite bank. There, a bow in his left hand and a quiver of arrows strapped to his back, stood the man who’d just saved my life.

Elijah Cassus.

* * *

I shot awake, drenched in sweat and breathing heavy. The ship was rapidly decelerating, and something was definitely wrong. My ship’s computer usually gave me advance notice before we dropped below the hyperspeed threshold.

And there you have it...if you want to find out who Elijah Cassus is, I'm afraid you'll have to buy a copy over on Amazon (and while you're there, pick up one of my other titles). That, or you can make your deductions based on the blurb below. Please check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors! See below for more info on Friends in Deed.

Aston West was condemned to life on the prison planet Lycus IV for spitting in a man’s face. Being forced to reside with the likes of murderers and thieves, he owes his freedom to Lars and Elijah Cassus, who orchestrated an escape. Now the twin brothers call in the favor and force him to return with their team to Lycus IV to rescue crewmate Leah Jordan.

Aston discovers Leah’s desire to leave the twins forever, but Lars and Elijah use fear and intimidation to control their group and no one leaves alive. It’s a case of kill or be killed and Aston will need to become more like the brothers than he ever wanted.

FRIENDS IN DEED - March 20, 2016

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!

Welcome back to another week of Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday crews! If you haven't already, catch up with my previous snippet, where Aston has been dumped on a prison planet, has just fallen in a riverbed, after being chased by a pale, naked psychotic giant with a homemade boulder/tree mallet.

And now, without further adieu, I present the continuation of my Aston West novel, Friends in Deed. Enjoy!

I flipped over and faced my attacker as his cold, dark shadow enveloped me. Milky-white foam oozed over his lower lip, dripping long strands toward the water below.

“Prepare to meet your maker!”

He raised the mallet high above his head. At least my death would be quick, but I couldn’t say much for painless. I shut my eyes tight and waited for the crushing blow.

A sharp whistle passed overhead and the giant beast gasped and choked. My eyes flashed open as the beast dropped his weapon into the river behind him.

Only one object stood between me and oblivion, a homemade arrow buried in his neck, with feathers fashioned into rear fins.

Oh, wow! That was sure a close one! But hopefully whoever shot that arrow is a friend, and not a foe...

Hope you enjoyed the snippet, and if you want to catch the rest of the book, it's available over on Amazon along with all of my other titles. Please check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors as well! See below for more info on Friends in Deed.

Aston West was condemned to life on the prison planet Lycus IV for spitting in a man’s face. Being forced to reside with the likes of murderers and thieves, he owes his freedom to Lars and Elijah Cassus, who orchestrated an escape. Now the twin brothers call in the favor and force him to return with their team to Lycus IV to rescue crewmate Leah Jordan.

Aston discovers Leah’s desire to leave the twins forever, but Lars and Elijah use fear and intimidation to control their group and no one leaves alive. It’s a case of kill or be killed and Aston will need to become more like the brothers than he ever wanted.

***

As a little side bonus,  you can also catch weekly snippets during my posts with Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday from this book's companion title (and fourth book in the series), All Good Things, with this link to the final snippet...

FRIENDS IN DEED - 13 March 2016

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!

Well, hopefully this week will go better than last, and maybe Google won't eat comments to the blog post randomly (and in great quantities). Welcome back to another week of Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday crews! If you haven't already, catch up with my previous snippet, where Aston has been dumped on a prison planet and is being attacked by a pale, naked psychotic giant with a homemade boulder/tree mallet.

And now, without further adieu, I present the continuation of my Aston West novel, Friends in Deed. Enjoy!

He hoisted his club and swung it. I stumbled back and it sent a breeze across my face. Escape was my only chance for survival, so I turned toward the opposite bank and sprinted across the riverbed.

“Your punishment is death! Vengeance is demanded!”

I high-stepped through the water while the beast screamed bloody murder. I didn’t want to look back, because that would leave no doubt he gained on me.

My foot tripped over a cluster of submerged rocks and I splashed into the cool, clear water.

Oh, no! Let's hope Aston can find a way out of this one, because it's not looking good for him...

Hope you enjoyed the snippet, and if you want to catch the rest of the book, it's available over on Amazon along with all of my other titles. Please check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors as well! See below for more info on Friends in Deed.

Aston West was condemned to life on the prison planet Lycus IV for spitting in a man’s face. Being forced to reside with the likes of murderers and thieves, he owes his freedom to Lars and Elijah Cassus, who orchestrated an escape. Now the twin brothers call in the favor and force him to return with their team to Lycus IV to rescue crewmate Leah Jordan.

Aston discovers Leah’s desire to leave the twins forever, but Lars and Elijah use fear and intimidation to control their group and no one leaves alive. It’s a case of kill or be killed and Aston will need to become more like the brothers than he ever wanted.

***

As a little side bonus,  you can also catch weekly snippets during my posts with Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday from this book's companion title (and fourth book in the series), All Good Things, with this link to the final snippet...

FRIENDS IN DEED - 6 March 2016

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!

Well, hopefully this week will go better than last, and maybe Google won't eat comments to the blog post randomly (and in great quantities). Welcome back to another week of Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday crews! If you haven't already, catch up with my previous snippet, where Aston found himself on a prison planet and accosted by a pale, naked giant running towards him.

And now, without further adieu, I present the continuation of my Aston West novel, Friends in Deed. Enjoy!

His makeshift mallet towered above his head, a boulder strapped into the fork of a tree branch. I jumped aside just before the weapon crashed down.

One of his eyes grew crazy-wide, while the other glazed over. Saliva dribbled from his lips. “I am King of the Wooded Realm! You dare invade my territory?”

This wasn’t a fight I planned to stick around for. This beast was obviously psychotic, and they were always the worst type of violent.

Obviously not too friendly, and armed to boot? Aston better figure a good way out of this one...and fast!

Hope you enjoyed the snippet, and if you want to catch the rest of the book, it's available over on Amazon along with all of my other titles. Please check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors as well! See below for more info on Friends in Deed.

Aston West was condemned to life on the prison planet Lycus IV for spitting in a man’s face. Being forced to reside with the likes of murderers and thieves, he owes his freedom to Lars and Elijah Cassus, who orchestrated an escape. Now the twin brothers call in the favor and force him to return with their team to Lycus IV to rescue crewmate Leah Jordan.

Aston discovers Leah’s desire to leave the twins forever, but Lars and Elijah use fear and intimidation to control their group and no one leaves alive. It’s a case of kill or be killed and Aston will need to become more like the brothers than he ever wanted.

***

As a little side bonus,  you can also catch weekly snippets during my posts with Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday from this book's companion title (and fourth book in the series), All Good Things, including my latest snippet from yesterday...

SFFS: Snippet #6 From ALL GOOD THINGS

Welcome back, everyone, to another week of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday.

I'm back with another snippet from my new Aston West "series" novel, All Good Things. If you didn't already realize it, the new novel is now fully available over at Amazon (in print and e-book) through the link above. I'll continue posting snippets for the next several weeks.

If you've missed an excerpt or more, be sure to check them out through the following:

Snippet #1
Snippet #2
Snippet #3
Snippet #4 
Snippet #5

First, the blurb for All Good Things:

 A new ship. A new love. A new life.

An old nemesis could end it all.

Space pirate Aston West never truly came to grips with the death of his friend, Leah Jordan. He’s tried to move on, falling in love with his best friend, Rione Sc’lari. But the memories of Leah’s murder at the hands of twin brothers Lars and Elijah Cassus still linger, gnawing at Aston’s soul as he blames himself for her death. Even though he exacted fatal vengeance on Lars, Elijah has promised revenge for his brother’s demise.

Elijah finally reveals himself, and Aston believes his life is over. But rather than carry out his prior threat, Elijah, possessing a new miracle drug, promises to bring Leah back to life if Aston goes along with his latest diabolical plan. Will Aston risk his newfound love and join forces with the ultimate evil, just to find absolution?

Last week, Elijah had just informed Aston that he wasn't there to kill him...and now, here's the new snippet:

“Funny, those were the last words you said to me. ‘Hunt me down’ or something to that effect.”

“Time has a way of changing things, Aston. Besides, I have a little surprise for you.”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out what sort of surprise he had in store, but if it meant I’d survive this, I couldn’t complain. “And that is?”

“Aston...” Warm breath eased past my ear. I hadn’t heard that voice in forever, but there was no mistaking it.

Chills raced up and down my spine as I muttered, “It can’t be. You’re dead.”

I turned on my heels and saw Lars Cassus standing right in front of me, living and breathing, and carrying a disintegrator cannon of his own. I stumbled back, trying to scramble away from the man I’d killed. The corner of his mouth curled up. “I’m back.”

Hope you enjoyed it! (And if you don't know who Elijah and Lars are, why not pick up a copy of Friends in Deed? Sorry about the spoiler in this snippet about a major plot point from that one, though...) If so, pick up a copy of All Good Things from the link above. And of course, be sure to check out all of the fabulous SFFS snippets through the link at the top of this post.

FRIENDS IN DEED - 28 Feb 2016

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!

This is my first time joining the Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday crews! Although I could start off with the first book in my (space pirate) Aston West series, I figured I would be a bit different and go with a snippet from the second novel, Friends in Deed. Enjoy!

In the depth of my nightmares, Lycus IV would always be a formidable hell, no matter if the scenery gave off the illusion of mighty grandeur. Lush green trees lined the banks. Sporadic cloud cover offered broken views of a distant pale blue mountain range.

This prison planet’s terror was not found in its natural surroundings, but from its unwilling inhabitants.

A wide river flowed slowly before me over a bed of rocks. Filthy clothing, ripped and shredded, barely covered my bruised and bloody skin. I gazed across the clear, inviting water.

A bellow filled the air. I turned as a pale, naked giant rumbled through the brush, yelling at the top of his lungs.

What? This isn't how all of your nightmares go?

Hope you enjoyed the snippet, and if you want to catch the rest of the book, it's available over on Amazon along with all of my other titles. Please check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors as well!

SFFS: Snippet #5 from ALL GOOD THINGS

Welcome back, everyone, to another week of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday.

I'm back with another snippet from my new Aston West "series" novel, All Good Things. If you didn't already realize it, the new novel is now fully available over at Amazon (in print and e-book) through the link above. I'll continue posting snippets for the next several weeks.

If you've missed an excerpt or more, be sure to check them out through the following:

Snippet #1
Snippet #2
Snippet #3
Snippet #4 


First, the blurb for All Good Things:

 A new ship. A new love. A new life.

An old nemesis could end it all.

Space pirate Aston West never truly came to grips with the death of his friend, Leah Jordan. He’s tried to move on, falling in love with his best friend, Rione Sc’lari. But the memories of Leah’s murder at the hands of twin brothers Lars and Elijah Cassus still linger, gnawing at Aston’s soul as he blames himself for her death. Even though he exacted fatal vengeance on Lars, Elijah has promised revenge for his brother’s demise.

Elijah finally reveals himself, and Aston believes his life is over. But rather than carry out his prior threat, Elijah, possessing a new miracle drug, promises to bring Leah back to life if Aston goes along with his latest diabolical plan. Will Aston risk his newfound love and join forces with the ultimate evil, just to find absolution?

And now, here's the snippet:

I kept my focus on Elijah. “So, it’s come down to this. Gunning me down in cold blood on some random planet?”

He snorted, leveling the barrel at my chest. “Cold blood would insinuate you’re innocent, which you aren’t.”

“Aston?” Rione repeated, this time more forceful.

Elijah interrupted, “He killed my brother.”

Rione knew the background, but now reality was hitting her right in the face. She turned to face Elijah, but didn’t say a word.

I insisted, “Do with me what you will, but leave her out of this. She has nothing to do with our past.”

He laughed. “Despite what you might think, Aston, I’m not here to kill you.”

Hope you enjoyed it! (And if you don't know who Elijah is, why not pick up a copy of Friends in Deed?) If so, pick up a copy of All Good Things from the link above. And of course, be sure to check out all of the fabulous SFFS snippets through the link at the top of this post.

SFFS: Snippet #4 from ALL GOOD THINGS

Welcome back, everyone, to another week of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday.

After taking a week off for my annual pilgrimage to Dallas for ConDFW, I'm back in the saddle again for another snippet from my new Aston West "series" novel, All Good Things. If you didn't already realize it, the new novel is now fully available over at Amazon (in print and e-book) through the link above. I'll continue posting snippets for the next several weeks.

If you've missed an excerpt or more, be sure to check them out through the following:

Snippet #1
Snippet #2
Snippet #3

First, the blurb for All Good Things:

 A new ship. A new love. A new life.

An old nemesis could end it all.

Space pirate Aston West never truly came to grips with the death of his friend, Leah Jordan. He’s tried to move on, falling in love with his best friend, Rione Sc’lari. But the memories of Leah’s murder at the hands of twin brothers Lars and Elijah Cassus still linger, gnawing at Aston’s soul as he blames himself for her death. Even though he exacted fatal vengeance on Lars, Elijah has promised revenge for his brother’s demise.

Elijah finally reveals himself, and Aston believes his life is over. But rather than carry out his prior threat, Elijah, possessing a new miracle drug, promises to bring Leah back to life if Aston goes along with his latest diabolical plan. Will Aston risk his newfound love and join forces with the ultimate evil, just to find absolution?

And now, here's the snippet:

I turned my head this way and that, trying to catch a glimpse of my nemesis. Then he stepped out of the corner shadows between us and the doorway, a disintegrator cannon in his hands.

“No...” I muttered beneath my breath.

The minimal light from the main corridor illuminated him like an angel, which I knew for certain he wasn’t. He hadn’t changed in appearance at all, wearing that same baggy white shirt buttoned halfway up his chest which did little to hide his muscular chest. Bristly blonde stubble adorned the top of his head. His face was hard and unmoving, as if chiseled in stone. A pair of tan pants and dark brown boots made him look like an extra in an old medieval holo-movie. They didn’t use disintegrator cannons in those, though.

“It’s been too long,” he muttered.

Rione was understandably confused. “Aston?” She hadn’t known Elijah Cassus, and given my choice, I would have kept it that way. Apparently, fate had other plans.

Hope you enjoyed it! (And if you don't know who Elijah is, why not pick up a copy of Friends in Deed?) If so, pick up a copy of All Good Things from the link above. And of course, be sure to check out all of the fabulous SFFS snippets through the link at the top of this post.