Based on my reading of the first
few chapters (which focuses on the main protagonist and setting up the story)
and my email exchange with the author, I'd characterize CASSAFIRE as romantic
SF.
Below you'll find the blurb, non-spoiler tags provided by the author, a brief excerpt, and the book trailer. I
don't normally feature book trailers here, but this one is professionally animated and includes the heroine, which lends it a light SFR flavor. I also think it has an effective, tight focus. (Per Mr. Cavanaugh, the
software used to create the trailer included 3D Studio Max, ZBrush, and
Photoshop.)
At any rate, peruse the information
to discover if CASSAFIRE is up your alley!
The Vindicarn War is a distant
memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the
promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an
exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary
existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.
The detection of alien ruins sends
the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can
decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key
to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount
as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange
mental abilities.
To complicate matters, the Tgrens
are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs
to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities.
Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his
patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he
feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…
Tags
Stand alone or best read in order? Second in the Cassa trilogy
(CASSASTAR; CASSAFIRE; CASSASTORM), but stands alone.
Setting: On the distant planet of Tgren
Setting: On the distant planet of Tgren
Action-adventure quotient: medium
Space battles? Yes
Type of romance: tentative and resisting
Type of romance: tentative and resisting
Fans of which films/TV shows would
enjoy this book: Star Wars,
Battlestar Galactica, and Buck Rogers
Heat level: sweet
Heat level: sweet
Featured technology: Teleportation device, used to jump
space ships from one place to another
Political conflict quotient: low to medium
Excerpt
Aware
he needed to assist Athee with her harness, Byron stepped away from the door.
Unable to locate her, he frowned. The other two passengers were secure in their
seats and gave no indication as to her whereabouts. Alarmed, Byron peered into
the cockpit. Athee sat in the co-pilot’s seat, her harness in place and eyes
scanning the control panel. Concerned, he entered the cockpit. She looked up
and smiled.
“Your
controls still amaze me,” she said, her eyes reflecting childish wonder. “So
much information to process.”
Hesitating,
Byron grasped the back of her seat. “You’ve been in a shuttle before?”
“Of
course. The previous shuttle pilot even gave me a ride over the valley.”
I
bet he did! Byron thought, staring at the attractive woman. “Well, you need to
go take a seat with the other passengers.”
Athee
tossed her hair aside and eyed him expectantly. “I thought I’d ride in the
cockpit with you.”
“That’s
probably not a good idea.”
“Why
not?”
“That’s
the co-pilot’s seat.”
“Do
you have a co-pilot?”
“Well,
no…”
“Then
this seat is open.”
Book trailer
CASSAFIRE is available at Barnes
& Noble and Amazon.
About the author
ALEX J. CAVANAUGH works in web design and graphics. He's experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is Ninja Captain Alex and founder of the Insecure Writer's Support Group and website.
***
Joyfully yours,
ALEX J. CAVANAUGH works in web design and graphics. He's experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is Ninja Captain Alex and founder of the Insecure Writer's Support Group and website.
***
Joyfully yours,
Heather