SPEAK THE OCEAN:
When the mermaid performers at Oceanica Marine Park turn violent and attack their handlers, it’s Finn Jarvis’ job to euthanize them. The work is dangerous, and he botches his latest assignment, causing the death of two additional—and expensive—Mer. His dream of becoming a superstar trainer seems lost until a newly-caught mermaid offers him the opportunity to prove himself.
Erie isn’t just any mermaid, she’s an ocean-princess that’s been ripped from her home. She doesn’t know what the landfolk want from her, but she’s determined to learn air-words and find out. Alone and voiceless, she watches as the other merfolk are broken into submission, but Erie refuses to be subjugated. To avoid the fate of Oceanica’s other Mer and eventually make it home, she needs to make the crowds love her as something more than entertainment.
While Finn trains Erie in her routine, she teaches herself English. Finn has always seen the Mer as ruthless aquatic predators, but Erie seems more human than fish. Soon he finds himself breaking the number one rule at Oceanica: “Never humanize the Mer.” Finn’s awe-inspiring routine breaks too many rules, and he’s soon fired, with a new trainer taking over Erie’s show. One that will do whatever it takes to break and silence her.
Finn needs to free Erie before she’s broken or killed by her new trainer… or snaps and kills the new trainer herself.
To do that, he’ll have to launch a campaign to take down one of the most popular attractions in the world, turn his back on his closest friends and family, and protect Erie from ever being captured again.
SPEAK THE OCEAN is available at your favorite stores in both ebook and print! You can also buy a copy direct from me! (Signed copies will be available next week)
You can read the first four chapters for free on Ream, and subscribe to read chapters of StO2 as they’re posted!
You can also add it on Goodreads!
Can’t get enough Mer? Read my short story She’s Mine on Ream!
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THE NAMELESS WARRIOR:
Since her father’s suspicious death eight summers ago, Kindra has trained to become her tribe’s first woman warrior. Although she completes the whipping ceremony to prove her strength and make a blood-bond with the tribe, she fails to receive her warrior name. She’s determined to earn her name in battle, but her plans change when the enemy Obsidian tribe claims her priestess sister as restitution for the last war. To Kindra’s surprise and horror, the new chief allows them to take her sister.
Rumors widespread at her father’s death are whispered in her ear once more. It was the new chief who poisoned her father, they say. It was the new chief who sold her sister to the enemy. It was the new chief – not the War God – who refused to grant her a warrior name. Although she didn’t believe the rumors in the past, Kindra begins to doubt the chief.
When new evidence emerges, it threatens to place the entire tribe in the hands of the Obsidians. As the last living descendant of the War God, Kindra’s the only one who can depose the chief and save her tribe, but it will mean giving up the quest to rescue her sister, and the hope of ever becoming a named warrior.
You can read The Nameless Warrior for free on Wattpad, Royal Road, or Patreon!
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PUTTING THE SCIENCE IN FICTION:
Science and technology have starring roles in a wide range of genres—science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, and more. Unfortunately, many depictions of technical subjects in literature, film, and television are pure fiction. Collecting articles from editor Dan Koboldt’s popular blog series for writers and fans of speculative fiction—plus a collection of never-before-published articles—Putting the Science in Fiction connects you to experts in the field. Scientists, engineers, medical professionals, and others share their insights in order to debunk the myths, correct the misconceptions, offer advice on getting the details right, and help writers create more realistic yet engaging stories to satisfy discerning readers.
This book helps writers:
- Understand the basic principles of science, technology, and medicine frequently featured in fiction.
- Avoid common pitfalls and inaccuracies to ensure technical veracity.
- Write realistic and compelling scientific elements to captivate readers.
- Brainstorm and develop new science- and technology-based story ideas.
Whether writing about mutant monsters, rogue viruses, giant spaceships, or even murders and espionage, Putting the Science in Fiction will have something to help every writer craft better fiction.
You can buy Putting the Science in Fiction at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Writer’s Digest Books.