Stargazing with Anne Kane

When I was young, I used to wish I had special powers. I devoured fantasy and science fiction novels from the local library faster than they could get them in stock. I especially loved the “historical fantasies.” You know the kind, set back in the days of knights and kings and druids and witches. And dragons, but then that’s a whole other topic. LOL. Several times, I ran across references to the powers of the Earth’s ley lines. I didn’t quite understand what they were, but the thought of bands of power running from point to point beneath the surface of the earth always intrigued me. I wondered if there was some truth to the stories. I imagined how the witches would be able to sense the ley lines and use them. Perhaps because I wished I were one of them, I assumed that the people who would have this awesome talent would be female.

The last time Halley’s Comet made it’s once –in-a-lifetime approach to earth, my husband and I got up in the middle of the night and drove to our favorite lookout point at the summit of a local mountain. As I stood there, wrapped in a blanket against the cold, I looked up in awe at the vast array of stars twinkling above me. Watching the comet streak across the night sky with its tail blazing out behind it, I was reminded of how small and insignificant we are in the vastness of the universe. It was an amazing night; one I’ll never forget.

Last Halloween the weather was clear and chilly out here in the mountains. I stood on my deck, gazing up at the stars, and remembered that night. I recalled my meager science lessons from high school, and how the gravitational pulls of the planets and stars affected the orbits of each other and all the heavenly bodies. The kids running around in their witches costumes reminded me of those long ago stories of witches and ley lines, and I wondered about the planets and stars. Do invisible lines of power connect them? What were the chances that a female born in Earths distant future, would have the ability to see those lines, to tap into their energy and use it? What would that woman be like? It would take a strong person to harness that kind of power. What type of man would she love, and what male would be confident enough in his own power to love such a woman? Thus was born my new series with Changeling Press – Stargazers.

Currently I have four books contracted- Wanton, Willful, Wild and Wayward. Wanton was released March 13th 2009. Willful will be out on May 15th. Wild and Wayward are scheduled to be released in July and September, respectively.



In honor of Belinda’s Halfway to Halloween celebration, I’ll give a free PDF copy of Stargazers 2- Willful to one lucky reader. To enter, all you have to do is comment on this Blog post.

Happy Reading!
Anne Kane
http://www.annekane.literalseduction.net/
Sci –Fi and Fantasy with a sensual twist!

ISBN (13): 978-1-60521-180-0
Genres: Futuristic, Paranormal, Sci-Fi
Themes: Menage, Magic and Mayhem
Release Date: May 15, 2009
Author: Anne Kane
http://www.annekane.literalseduction.net
Publisher URL Changeling Press - Erotic Fiction

BLURB:
Born both a Stargazer and Daughter-Heir to the throne of New Zanadles, Jazlyn is used to a life of pampered luxury. But when the planet runs into financial trouble, her father agrees to bind her to a five-year term of service aboard a vessel with two very virile interplanetary merchants.
Her leisurely life is replaced by a whirlwind of Intergalactic Council intrigues and the lusty attentions of her new employers, but when space pirates attack, a routine delivery turns into a deadly struggle for control of the ship.



EXCERPT:
Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back. She let her consciousness expand out into the cold void of space, seeking the brilliant energy that signified the ley lines. Behind her closed lids, the lines shimmered into view, their seductive energy calling to her. The blues and green were darker in this quadrant, clearer in the absence of man-made clutter, but they still formed that glittering maze that tempted her to immerse herself in its power. She ignored the temptation, searching amongst the strands for the one she needed to follow to reach their destination. She examined each, discarding one after the other. Instinct would tell her when she’d found what she needed. Greens. Golds. Blues. The lines were seductive, tempting her to lose herself in their beauty. Still, she searched.

And then she found it. The line that would lead her to the Globar system. She narrowed her focus, concentrating on that one line, drawing the twinkling energy into herself, and using her hands to direct it to the massive engines of the ship. Dimly, she felt the vibrations as the ship began to move through space, picking up speed as she strengthened the flow of power, acting as a human conductor.

She reveled in the feel of the energy coursing through her body, captured by her, controlled by her. The temptation was there, always at the back of her mind, to draw more and more power until there was no going back. She’d merge completely with the brilliant energy of the lines, become one with that incredible maze. It became harder and harder to resist. Every time she channeled the power, she hesitated just a fraction of a second longer before letting it go. She’d always used her father to anchor her to this life -- to reach out to if the temptation were too great.

But he wasn’t here.

Time had no meaning in her trance. The power flowed through her to the engines in a steady stream, and she remained passive, letting it use her. Dimly, she was aware of planets, stars and the other heavenly bodies as they came within range, only to disappear as the ship hurtled toward its destination.

It could have been nanosecs or whole solar days before she sensed her destination approaching. Reluctantly, she let some of the power slip away, loosening her hold on the line. She could feel the engine slow as she came out of the trance. Her body sagged against the harness as fatigue overtook her. When the auxiliary power kicked in, she emerged completely, and exhaustion slammed into her. She opened her eyes to find Bryce striding toward her, concern plowing deep furrows into his handsome brow.

“How long...” Her voice cracked and she couldn’t finish. She must have held the power longer than she’d intended. She felt spent, every last ounce of her reserves drained.
“Too long. Why the hell didn’t you let go before this?” Bryce’s hands were gentle as he unbuckled the restraints. When she would have fallen, he lifted her in his arms and dragged a blanket over her naked body. “You scared the hell out of me. Don’t you ever do that again!”
Jazlyn smiled weakly at the rough affection in his voice. Typical male, he seemed to think he had the right to give her orders. “I’m a Stargazer. I don’t take orders from merchant captains.”
“So this is what you do when I’m not around.” Jazlyn started as Tyler’s deep voice boomed out cheerfully from the far side of the bridge. She peeked over Bryce’s shoulder. Tyler had one arm draped possessively around her cousin.

Mika smiled up at him with adoring eyes, before she turned a concerned look in Jazlyn’s direction. “Did you overdo it? You know your tutor warned you. Those lines can devour you whole if you’re not careful.”

“I’m fine.” She felt silly, held in Bryce’s arms like a small child while her cousin lectured her. “Just a little tired.”
“You can rest for a cycle before the next jump.” Tyler looked at the dark red planet visible on the observation screen. “That’s Makus 1 off to our left. We stocked up on supplies before we left New Zanadles, so we don’t need to dock.” He glanced at his partner. “No need to alert any Council spies that we have a Stargazer on board.”

Bryce nodded. “I agree. I’ll take Jazlyn down to her cabin so she can get some rest. You secure the bridge and make sure we’re ready in case we have to power up in a hurry.”
“You two are so paranoid.” Mika ducked out from under Tyler’s arm. “I’ll come and take care of Jazlyn.”

“Not necessary.” Bryce met Jazlyn’s gaze, and she felt her cheeks go red. “I can take care of her.”

“She needs rest, my friend.” Tyler grinned. “Not your amorous attention.”

“And she’ll get it.” Bryce strode toward the doorway. “If you want to take care of someone, Mika, Tyler’s in need of some supervision.”

Mika laughed, the sound cheerful in the confines of the bridge. “Let him go, Tyler. I told you he’s smitten. My darling cousin has him wrapped around her little finger.”

Bryce threw the pair a quelling look and strode out the doorway, Jazlyn held firmly against his heart.

Vampires and Were Wolves and Ghosties, Oh My!

Welcome to my first annual Halfway to Halloween Celebration!

You've probably heard my story, I love the month of October. All year I wait for the fall color on the trees. I look forward to carving pumpkins and trying to lure in the trick or treaters who are brave enough to venture down our spooky unlit street. But alas, traditionally, October is just a month of really bad mojo for me. Don't believe me? I promise you, check in with me six months from now to get the update on this years special event.

But more importantly, check back here daily, I promise you'll find articles from some great authors of paranormal romance, sexy excerpts, and a bundle of great recipes and craft ideas to get you started ahead of time.

But on to Halloween. It's a special time...who doesn't love Halloween? I remember when I was a very small child, we lived in El Segundo, a rather lovely area in Los Angeles County. My mother or my grandmother always made spectacular costumes for myself and my siblings. I was Bo Peep once. My brother was a hobo. My sister was a princess. We walked up and down the streets of our neighborhood, and then ventured to the next street over. That was a frightening journey, as we never left our own neighborhood on a normal day. The houses were strange and the faces were unfamiliar, it was one of the biggest adventures of my life.

So what's the deal with Halloween anyway? I don't want to weigh you down with the full academic background...I was going to, but my old notes from college are in storage...So let it be known that this is a grossly oversimplified article on the origins of a highly complex holiday. I'm not even touching any non-Celtic traditions of the day.

Personally, I believe that Samhain is part of our cultural memory. The traditions are stunningly similar from culture to culture as the holiday evolved. Mask, fire, the harvest and the association with the dead...and the undead.

Halloween is a cyclic, or calendar holiday. It happens at the same time every year. Like many holidays on the modern Western calendar, Halloween started as a pagan observation: the Celtic festival of Samhain. It later blended with Roman traditions as they forayed into the British Isles. In time, the Pope ordered that All Saints day be observed on November 1, so while Halloween is secular, there is a strong religious overtone to the holiday.

October 31 was the death of the old year, November 1 symbolized the birth of the new year. But it wasn't like the celebrations that we associate with New Year today. It was a grim, frightening time. The growing season and harvest was past and now the slow death of winter moved in. It was time to bring in the harvest and prepare for the long night ahead.
On that one single night, the veil between worlds was thin...so thin that things from the other side could make their way through and visit us. The ghosts of the dead could slip through, causing mischief, or simply stopping in to make a benevolent visit to family and loved ones.

Fire was a purifying force to the Celts. The remnants of their crops were burned in gigantic bonfires. They ritually herded their livestock between two of the gigantic bonfires. Animals were slaughtered for winter stores, and their bones were fed to the fires. Undoubtedly, more substantial animal sacrifice was made as well.

Many of the symbols that we now associate with Halloween are rooted in these times: masks, skeletons, Jack-o-lanterns, (made of roots rather than pumpkins) and various paranormal creatures such as ghosts, goblins, vampires, black cats, werewolves, and many other ominous symbols of evil and death.

Of course, over the centuries, the holiday has continued to evolve, (and grow sadly commercialized) and yet in a sense, it remains strikingly true to its ancient origins. Its a celebration of life moving forward into death, in order that life might once again arise from the Earth. It's a celebration of harvest...anyone up for bobbing for apples? How about some candy corn? Its a time when the dead may briefly mingle with the living. It is frightening, exhilarating and hopeful, all at once.

So what are your thoughts on Halloween? Any favorite memories? Do you remember a special costume or a particularly spooky incident? Leave a comment on my blog and this Sunday night I'll draw a name for a free download of Snowfire: Chrysalis.

Many thanks, and have a happy May Day! Don't forget to come back tomorrow!

www.belindamcbride.com

The Man of my Dreams

It seems logical to write about Dorian and Phaedre, the two lead characters from Soul Keeper. However, logic is something I am rarely afflicted with, so, I’m actually going to tell you about a very minor character from the story, and how he ended up making his presence known to me.

First off, Soul Keeper wasn’t the first book I sat down to write, but it was the first that I finished. I didn’t have a particularly clear outline of the book, so I suppose that’s why the door was left open for Roman to enter. I knew the plot, the ending and pretty much how they got there, but I guess my subconscious decided that something was missing.

One night, I had one of those short, vivid dreams that literally bring you out of the bed. In the dream, I was riding a bus. We were on a route that wound through San Francisco’s Presidio, near Baker Beach. The bus stopped and I get on. (That’s the odd logic of dreams…) I took a seat next to the doors and looked at the man sitting across from me.

He was frightening. He was dark, but I was unable to decide what his ethnicity was. His hair was shaved close to his scalp, and he wore a dark, expensive suit. He wore sunglasses, so I couldn’t see his eyes, but I knew they were silvery-green. He was huge. Even sitting, his knees pushed out into the aisle. He was handsome in his way, but very, very intimidating. He then smiled at me, and with that smile, I knew this was a good, safe person.

We got off the bus at the same stop, and he paused as though he didn’t recognize where he was. I realized that he was lost. He gave me a slip of paper with an address on it, and we walked to that address together. He knew that his name was Roman, and he knew his home was nearby, but he couldn’t remember how to get there.

Roman was brain-injured.

He might have been inspired by someone I’d met a few years back. Perhaps he represented the head injury I’d suffered myself years ago. Whatever the case, Roman very quickly found his place in Soul Keeper. For me, he represents things lost and gained. For Phaedre and Danae, he is safety in a very real and literal sense. For Kaine and Dorian, he represents the failure of the Equis to take care of their own.

Every character in the book is reflected by how they dealt with Roman’s injury.

What I found most interesting about the character is his grace. Roman carries a heavy burden, but never grieves over the loss of the person he once was. His family and friends grieve for him. Roman simply moves on. He has a very real appreciation for his life in spite of the hardships that he experiences. Roman can’t read well, but has discovered a genius for computer skills. He can’t handle a pencil or tell his left from his right, but earned a living as a bodyguard and security expert. Sometimes the frustration is there, but he always manages to set it aside and adapt.

Roman reminds me of patience and persistence. He reminds me not to judge others. Roman reminds me to listen to my inner voice.

I’m not quite certain which direction Roman will travel, but I have every intention of going along for the ride. Literally. Did I mention that he’s a shape-shifting centaur?

You can read about Roman, and all the other magical creatures in Soul Keeper, coming very soon to New Concepts Publishing.

If you’d like to know more about me, please come and visit!

www.belindamcbride.com

www.belindam.blogspot.com

www.myspace.com/belindamcbride

Little Dragon is now available!

Rose Lee was a wonderful character to create, in fact, if you scroll down to "Alpha Bitches and Little Dragons" you will find a little more information about how she came to be.

Arad Soheil? He was literally a mystery even as he first stepped into the story.

This seems to be typical for my writing, a story, a heroine (or hero) and a shadowy love interest who refuses to speak until they actually enter the story.

Arad is a wonderfully complex character, riddled with fears, grief and self-contempt that he certainly doesn't deserve. Odd, even Arad knows that his thinking has become twisted, yet can do nothing about it.

Well, nothing until Rose Lee enters his life!

http://www.changlingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=959

BLURB:

Following a devastating injury, Detective Rose "Little Dragon" Lee takes a courier job to make payments on her ship. The job was easy...safe...until her ship is captured by the dangerous, war-like Nephris.

Nephris Commander Arad Soheil immediately recognizes his captive as the one person his government would most like to capture and terminate. Arad immediately files a property claim on the dangerous female, making her part of his household. Rose means more to him than a warm body in his bed or a vessel for his children. She holds the key to his freedom and his sanity, to his very life.

Because Arad Soheil is not what he seems, and his time is running out.