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Hi all! Well, today’s the day. ‘Treacherous Sun’, book one of my new sci-fi series ‘The Nu Hayven Chronicles’, is finally out and about. It was a hard write for me to be honest, but one I’m very glad I persevered with. There’s space battles, fight scenes, poisonings, guys with wings and men with naughty, wandering tails! And while I won’t lie and say there wasn't a time or two when this one very nearly wasn't completed, I'm so glad I persisted. In the end, it was a challenge, but definitely one worth the trials and tribulations, because there’s a little bit of the story behind this story. One I’d love to share it with you.
It all began towards the end of last winter, which is August here in Oz. True to form, I’d been pushing myself too hard and ended up sick as a dog with a heavy cold that quickly developed into laryngitis. As some of you may know, I have five children all under the age of ten. Needless to say they thought it was brilliant and an absolute hoot watching mum trying to co-ordinate the troops with no voice. But, after a really long day, my five gorgeous, clever, wonderful children gave me a very special gift.
With mum in no condition to tell bedtime stories one night, they took it upon themselves to tell me some. I’d mentioned previously I wanted to write a story about angels and demons, and as I listened to my kids take the idea and run with it, adding their own unique vision and interesting twist I realized not only how lucky I am to have such special, imaginative little people in my life, but also that I really needed to listen to and maybe brainstorm with them more often!
From that one night, I ended up knowing that the demons live in the molten core of their home planet, but the angels live on the surface and look after all the plants and animals. I found out that angels don’t like the demons because they’re afraid of what they look like. I also learnt that the angel’s and demon’s home world is going to blow up and they have to leave, but there’s only one space ship so they have to learn to share. The whole session was truly amazing.
All my kids played a part in getting this series started for me, but I decided to dedicate this particular book to my son, who we call Pumpkin (a long story for another time). It was Pumpkin who supplied me with the idea for the fireflowers (and he was very insistent that’s what they be called!), which will be playing a pivotal role in this series. I have plans and plots for four books altogether. Which is slightly problematic as I have five children. Still, they’re good kids—I’m hoping they won’t mind having to share a dedication or two along the way.
If you choose to read ‘Treacherous Sun’, I truly hope you enjoy it.
Happy Reading All!
Hugs,
Jade.
http://www.jadearcher.com/
P.S. Here’s a little excerpt from ‘Treacherous Sun’ to whet your appetite ;)
Mykel stared out into the cold, empty expanse of space at the bright glow that was his home system’s final burst of brilliance. The supernova that had claimed their world was stunning, despite the soul-searing tragedy it represented.
Such a beautiful end for such a beautiful world.
Mykel wiped away the single, silvery tear that slid down his cheek. He repositioned his wings to wrap around his shoulders—unconsciously seeking comfort in their soft embrace.
Placing a hand against the portal, he let the icy chill seep into his palm as he sent out a mourning and peace prayer for those that had been lost. So many had decided to stay with the world they loved, including his mother and father. Stubborn damn pair.
A hurt, cynical part of his heart suspected it had all ended up being just too hard for them. The pain of losing their world. The thought of having to pick themselves up and start again. The inevitable changes that would need to be made.
Mykel lowered his head, no longer able to watch their sun’s final decay. No matter how hard he had begged, pleaded or cajoled, his parents had refused to leave Orison. They had simply trained him up as quickly as possible to assume leadership and settled in to die. Mykel felt the pain like a fresh slash to his heart.
Why weren’t we more important than a dead lump of rock? Why wasn’t I?
Nothing survived on the surface of the planet by the end. The only way life had managed to struggle on was in specially constructed bio-pods, most of which had been brought with them. It was just dirt and rocks and death everywhere else by the end. And now, not even that.
When the Intergalactic Council had offered the Nu Hayven, he thought everyone would jump at the chance to survive and carry on. But no. Many had refused to leave—preferring to die with their world. As nature intended, they said.
Mykel snorted angrily as another tear tracked down his cheek. There was nothing natural about what had happened to their world.
A hundred years ago, when he’d been barely old enough to leave his home nest, something catastrophic had happened. Something Mykel didn’t believe for one moment was a natural process. Some even blamed the Intergalactic Council—the sun had been fine before they began sending diplomatic envoys to negotiate peace treaties between Aenjels and Deamonds. But if they were a part of the problem, which Mykel seriously doubted, they had ultimately proven to be their salvation as well. After all, the Intergalactic Council had built them a habitat ark, the Nu Hayven—their last refuge.
Mykel still couldn’t understand how it had ended up being necessary though. By all rights it shouldn’t have been. Two hundred years ago, their solar system was young and vibrant and strong. Their sun had been countless millennia away from burning out. It had never even crossed anyone’s mind that it would die. Then everything changed. The sun began to decay more rapidly than anyone had ever documented in recorded intergalactic history.
No one understood it. No one could explain it. It just happened. Like a cancer, taking over the fiery body at the centre of their lives and slowly eating away at it until one final explosion claimed its heart.
“Sir?”
Mykel spun around to face the military aide at the door. He hoped the man hadn’t seen the tears. The last thing he needed was for the Intergalactic Council to get word that the Aenjel’s leader was weak and weepy. He had to present a strong front if he was going to make sure his people were well cared for. They were orphans now in a cold universe. And the neighbours were anything but friendly.
“Yes,” Mykel answered as steadily as he could manage.
“Your comm link appears to have malfunctioned again, sir.”
Mykel fought down the sense of chagrin at being caught with his comm link turned off. He hated the little device that kept him tethered to this floating hunk of flexisteel.
“Admiral Jaynous would like a word, if you please,” the aide continued when Mykel made no reply to his subtle censure.
Mykel stifled the sigh that threatened to escape his lips. What is it this time? He resettled his wings in irritation. The last few weeks on board the transport vessels had been…difficult. He’d found himself in front of the stern rescue fleet’s commander on more occasions than he cared to recall. Jaynous had little patience for Aenjels in mourning apparently.
Inclining his head, even though it wasn’t truly necessary—they both knew he really didn’t have a choice in the matter—Mykel followed the aide out of the room and down the sleek, sterile corridor to the Admiral’s office.
Why are all the cruisers so lifeless and cold? he wondered as they walked. Was this what they had to look forward to on the Nu Hayven? Mykel could see many long hours spent in the bio-pods if it was. And he knew he wouldn’t be alone. No Aenjel could live like this for long. Feeling more and more depressed with every step, Mykel entered the Admiral’s large, austere office…and froze.
He needed to continue into the room. He should look away and acknowledge the rest of the executive officers he could sense scattered around the room. He should be focusing on Admiral Jaynous, wherever he was. But he couldn’t. His eyes simply would not cooperate as they drank in the tall, dark-haired Deamond standing in the shadowy lee of the view portal on the far wall.
Damn! Every line and inch of the man was caught in perfect relief against the star-spattered background of black. Tall and well-muscled, with broad shoulders and a trim waist, the Deamond was all hard, hot warrior. Which, of course shouldn’t have turned Mykel on, but did. In a big way. Every damn time he laid eyes on the man.
Even though the shadows hid his face, Mykel knew every nuance and expression well enough to imagine Lusaffar’s wicked grin. The fact that Mykel was standing frozen in the doorway would amuse Lusaffar to no end. The tiny points of his fangs would be just peeking out over his bottom lip and his black eyes would be filled with derision.
As he watched, Lusaffar tilted his head in a mocking bow. Light glinted off the two tiny black horns that grew from the top of his head and his thin, mobile tail snaked out in a lazy undulation behind him. It was enough to snap Mykel back to reality. He hurried into the room, trying desperately to avoid eye contact and ignore the gorgeous Deamond that haunted his thoughts—night and day.
1 comment:
Thank you for having me here again, Jadette. I really wanted to share the story behind this one. And I agree with you...the cover for this one is wonderful. April Martinez does amazing work!
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