In mid January, a reissue of
COYOTE GORGEOUS, my Native American shapeshifter novella set in Arizona, will appear in kindle, nook, Smashwords, and ARe, for the unbeatable price of 99 cents. It's a romantic suspense story, but involves a girl in uniform with a gun and an attitude. So if you like strong heroines, whether sci-fi or not, this story is for you.
Arizona Game Ranger Madison Huntley, investigating a wild animal attack on a ranch in Cave Creek, discovers disturbing details. If she didn't know better, she'd say the legends frightening the ranch hand might be true. But Madison isn't just a wilderness cop. As a biologist and a wild life expert, she believes in facts and science, not scary tales.
Kaletaka, a Hopi Native, enjoys fame among the white man, forging haunting sculptures of half gods, half humans. When he awakens bloody, with no recollection of what he did the night before, he remembers the legends of his tribe, and the meaning of his name. But as hard as he tries, can he escape his destiny?
Can Madison solve the mystery killings and insure the safety of the town? Let alone her own safety? For each step closer to the truth and to Kaletaka, unleashes an unspeakable evil, and no one is safe....
"Phenomenal world building, characters the readers care about, and an intriguing mystery... COYOTE GORGEOUS has all the elements one expects from a Vijaya Schartz story! Easily recommended!" - 4.5 shamrocks - Debbie CK2sKwipsandKritique
"So many times my theory of who done it was thwarted and yet I was thrilled to stay on the edge of my seat until the very last word just to find out." Five stars - Book Junkie Reviews
"...excellent characters... well written. Fascinated about the subject matter and the legends..." Five hearts - Romance Book Scene
In mid March 2012:
For those of you who prefer to hold a paper book in their hands, and didn't yet take the plunge with eBooks,
WHITE TIGER, Book One of the
Chronicles of Kassouk series, is scheduled for release in paperback from Desert Breeze Publishing in early 2012, probably in mid March. This has been a long time to come, and I know my paperback readers are getting impatient.
Since most of my paperbacks are now out of print, and all my new releases are published in eBook first, this will be a happy celebration. I'll probably go on a book signing spree to spread the news. Other books in this series will later follow in print as well.
In a winter world where blood and loyalty are everything, how can Tora avenge her father’s death when a handsome Mutant challenges her bloodline, and his offer to help can get them both killed...
On the frozen plains of Kassouk, where a few aliens rule a medieval Human world, Tora, Human warrior trained by tigers, seeks her father's murderer. But what she finds at the point of her sword confuses her. How dare Dragomir, the handsome Mutant, question her bloodline and her loyalties? And could a new enemy control the savage hordes of the fringe?
Dragomir offers to help, but Humans and Mutants are forbidden to fraternize under penalty of death... Should Tora trust her mind, her instincts, or her heart?
In the vortex of war, treason and intrigue, among blizzards, avalanches and ambushes, will Tora solve the mystery of her father's death and unveil the secret of her birth? Can she and Dragomir escape persecutions long enough to save their planet from the invaders and fulfill their destiny?
"...an exceptional tale that belongs in a place of honor on keeper shelves everywhere." - Johnna Flores - Coffee Time Romance - 5-cups rating
"...this is one futuristic that you do not want to miss!" - Naomi - Fallen Angels Reviews - 5 angels - Recommended Read
"...kept me enthralled from the first page...a thrilling science fiction romance" - Marlene Breakfield, Paranormal Romance Reviews
"...unique and extremely well constructed" - 4 1/2 stars - Review by Tami Brady at Book Ideas.com
"I'm adding this to my 'keeper' shelf and on the 'to be re-read' list" - Niniri Theriault for The Road to Romance
"...fast-paced story that draws the reader in and keeps him/her reading... The characters' personalities are believable and well rounded." 3 1/2 Tigers - Michelle Thomas - Gottawrite network
April 1, 2012 (no cover art available at this time):
A brand new novel, the prequel of the
CHRONICLES OF KASSOUK series, titled
NOAH'S ARK, is coming in eBook from Desert Breeze Publishing. This is the prelude to the series, the event that brought human settlers to this faraway world with no chance of contact or rescue.
When Trixie's starfreighter, Noah's Ark, drops out of jump space in an uncharted part of the universe, she believes the M-class planet on her viewer represents hope and salvation for her motley crew and the ragtag settlers aboard her ship.
Kostas, ex Space Marine, the expert survivalist recruited for this expedition, doesn't believe in coincidences, and knows that when something looks too good to be true...
Everyone, on this voyage to seed a new planet, is fleeing something, and harbors dangerous secrets... including Trixie, who vowed to never let a man control her life again. As for Kostas, he would get lynched on the spot if anyone suspected who he really is.
But on this seemingly abandoned planet, others are watching, herding them for evil purposes... and when the truth emerges and secrets unravel, Trixie and Kostas will have to fight for survival, for freedom, and for the right to love...
May 2012 - no cover art available at this time
CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE - Book One - PAGAN QUEEN
Series overview:
From history shrouded in myths, emerge the tumultuous lives of a post-Arthurian family of Magical Celtic Ladies, who roamed the civilized world in search of salvation from a curse. Wielding enchanted swords, they stir in their wake passions, wars, and destruction. For centuries they struggle for survival and acceptance in a Christian world, fight the Viking hordes, found new nations, build fortresses, send the first knights to the Holy Land, give birth to kings, cities, and new cultures.
Pagan Queen is set in Dumfries, in 806, on a medieval backdrop of ancient fortresses, Viking raids, epic battles, traditional feasts, enchanted swords, warrior knights, and divining basins. Pressine of Bretagne, born Fae and imbued with hereditary gifts, is sent by the Goddess she worships, to seduce King Elinas of Dumfries, and help him unite the tribes of Alba against the Viking invader. Head-strong and independent, Pressine did not expect Elinas to awaken in her such romantic feelings. He is noble, just and wise, and very attractive for his age. But her Pagan nature clashes with the religious fanaticism of the king’s heir, who sees her as anathema. Fighting the assaults of Charlemagne's bishops, struggling for acceptance in an increasingly Christian society, Pressine also seeks redemption from a curse that could be her undoing. Despite the dangers, for the love of her king, she defies the Goddess by becoming with child. But can her indomitable passion overcome the Faery curse?
Late 2012 - No cover art available yet
CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE - Book Two - ANATHEMA (working title)
from Books We Love Publishing
Set at the foundation of Luxembourg in 963. Battling the church and hiding the curse that makes her a serpent from the waist down one day each month, Melusine, daughter of Pressine, meets Sigefroid of Ardennes, a shrewd, ambitious knight, son of the Duke of Lorraine, who wants to carve himself a kingdom. To obey the Goddess, Melusine seduces him and becomes the very first Lady of Luxembourg. As Melusine struggles along her beloved count, she will build fortresses and cities and give birth to kings and emperors. But destiny never relents, and when Sigefroid turns religious, her very survival is at stake.
I may or may not write a novella for the holidays, depending on how much time I have left this year. These historical novels are much longer than the average book. Four more novels in the CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE series will follow in 2013 and 2014.
In the meantime, you can find the links to my other titles on the web at the top of the right column on this page.
Wishing you all a fantastic year in 2012, with lots of love, happiness, good health, and success.
Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Guns, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com/
