The Magic of the New Atlantis Trilogy

Hi everyone, my American Title IV entry, MURDER BY HAIR SPRAY IN GARDENIA, NEW ATLANTIS, is due to release sometime soon from Siren-BookStrand. The edits are complete and I'm waiting on cover art changes...so, we'll see...and yes, there's a part of me that's all a-tingly, as if I'm soaking in champagne. This story, as some of you know, is a pure labor of love and feels like a matter of destiny. That doesn't mean it will sell like those proverbial hot cakes. Although, an author can always dream ~ which I'm particularly good at, that is, daydreaming about good things.
What is also true, is that there are two more novels in my continuing series, titled the New Atlantis Trilogy. The second one, as yet untitled, is half written with the rest of the story outlined in a haphazard way which allows for me remaining a pantser sort of writer.
The following is a scene I wrote a couple of days past, specifically with a New Year's theme. Zryphus manages to take Kalypso to his homeworld, a tradition of his culture he honors.

Embrace of the Sun... New Year’s Day on Ozympia

A scene from The New Atlantis Trilogy after MURDER BY HAIR SPRAY IN GARDENIA, NEW ATLANTIS ~

“If every grain of sand were crystal and pearl,” Kalypso murmured about the expanse of beach below her. Awe rose inside her as the Ozympian sun, a blazing white disc, rose above the oddly rippling ocean. Zryphus had explained leviathan beasts of every shape and size inhabited his homeworld’s seas, causing the great rows of waves.
As if to keep herself stable, Kalypso reached out for the top railing around the immense u-shaped deck. The deck extended beyond the cliff, but began at the main hearth room, as it was called, of Zryphus’ parents home, one of three. Even though she was still furious at his deception in bringing her to Ozympia, the wonders she’d seen and experienced would live inside her forever.
“As you tried to live inside me forever...last night.” She spoke as she heard him near her. Frowning, she crossed her arms, refusing to turn around.
“My wildcat woman,” he praised, using the same tone he’d used during the night after one of their wrestling-fierce lovemaking sessions. She’d been all over him, as fierce as a lioness.
Kalypso shook her loose hair, feeling the long length flow around her bare arms, then lift in the brisk whirling breezes.
“It’s a New Year’s tradition here, living inside you forever, Sheriff Gorgeous.” Enfolding her in his arms from behind, he nuzzled the rim of her ear, sending a frisson of pleasure down to her toes. “The longer we embrace in union, the longer the sun embraces the world with its resurrecting light.”
“Yes, the Embrace of the Sun...as your parents explained it. No doubt, we’ve saved Ozympia for an eternity,” she drily cut.
“No doubt,” he agreed, hugging her closer.
Kalypso wound her arms around his, then caressed his forearm. How could she help it? The beast lout had made her fall, at least, half in love with him. And with New Atlantis safe, for now, she could sort of forgive him. Besides, he never took ‘no’ for her final answer. Which was why her next words were, most likely, utterly stupidly foolish. “I don’t care what your Zerculeon tradition is, we are not married.”
“Kalypso, my woman.”
She heard his heart pour from his voice, then shine around her, the same way the rising sun spread its diamond heart light, embracing the navy blue ocean, and seeking to embrace the land.
“It is truly beautiful here, your world and your home.” With her next thought, she asked, “Why would you want to leave?”
“More beautiful than New Atlantis?” he teased, rocking her tenderly.
“No. Different. Everything is larger, a greater grandeur.”
“New Atlantis is greener. As if emeralds live everywhere.”
“Mmmm...lovely description. And true. Still, you didn’t answer my question.”
“A world may be one of majestic grandeur, but without a woman it cannot be home to a man. Not a Zerculeon man.”
Kalypso heard him with her soul because he spoke from his soul. She leaned back into an embrace of the sun. Him.
~~~~~~

HAPPY NEW YEAR ~
May your most romantic dreams come true...

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com ~

Kalypso & Zryphus invite you to read their love story ~
MURDER BY HAIR SPRAY IN GARDENIA, NEW ATLANTIS ~ 2051 mystery-suspense futuristic ~ American Title IV finalist ~ coming from Siren-BookStrand ~ http://bookstrand.com ~

Magic or Murder by Edit...

Hi everyone, what is the magic or murder of editing my manuscript for its release?
The magical part is the usual for any author, the opportunity to improve my novel in spell-binding and more meaningful ways, which will hopefully resonate with the readers. In my case, it seems my novel is dense with dialogue and a bit short on narration. No problem, actually, except for the tire-burning like fumes emerging from my brain, now. And, of course, the looming deadline.
Nope, no problem...except...I want it perfect! I tell you! Perfect! I shout toward the heavens, while wishing lightning strikes of brilliant inspiration will light me up like a Christmas Tree in Times Square. Yes...all the Christmas promo-ing on the chat loops is getting to me, already...argh!
Okay, that kind of perfection won’t happen, realistically. So, what can I hope to achieve? Only, my very best effort, and the reward of having another chance to pen my story more powerfully by using the skills I’ve learned, thus far. Yes, instead of the flame-ethereal sunset on the far horizon, I can now expand Kalypso and Zryphus’ love story to the panoramic vista of the land and sky...which feels mighty darn good.
What is the murder part? When I’m stuck on a freakin’ word. Good grief, my shoulders turn into rocks, and my eyes threaten to spin out of control. Another murderous part of editing, is when I’m just darn stuck, so stuck I feel like I’m madly spinning my wheels in the mud, and it’s flying splat! splat! all over the windows...like I’ve actually done far too many times in my life.
But, guess what? The real magical joy of editing ~ I have a great excuse to spend time in Gardenia, New Atlantis with my heroine and hero, which is why I wrote story in the first place.
***

An exclusive first, Title Magicians ~ the preview of a new narrative section added to Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis ~

~~~
Entranced, her spirit soaring with new hope, she’d watched the antediluvian lands emerge from the hurricane-whipped ocean, while hidden in the shadow of a New York City tenement building. Despite the last days of the Conflicts, everyone who could, had paused and stared up at one of the mammoth plasma screens, used for propaganda and mind control.
The whispers of what occurred, had turned to wildfire, and couldn’t be stopped.
Atlantis had risen again.
While she watched, the ground beneath her feet had shuddered, as if the planet was a giant dog shaking off fleas. To prove it was not another shower of buster bombs shaking the remaining cities on the East Coast, the three-day miracle had been shown as updates, at first.
On the third day, the full land of Atlantis had roared from the seas like Poseidon seeking his former empire. From the islands of Cuba, north to Savannah, Georgia, the antediluvian land shone beneath the breaking sun as a new Atlantis.
At the first glimpse of sun rays touching one peak, and while leviathan waves crashed, spewing enormous sprays of mist, the shudders of destiny had stormed through Kalypso, with all the strength of the spinning rainstorm that still raged over most of the renewed land.
Before any other groups dared to explore, she and her militia, and several other friendly rebel militias, had colonized, agreeing to begin a new country, based on their shared ideals.
~~~

MURDER BY HAIR SPRAY IN GARDENIA, NEW ATLANTIS ~ 2051 mystery-suspense futuristic ~ coming from Siren-BookStrand ~

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com ~

REMEMBER...vote for your fave American Title V entry online at Romantic Times!