Tag: Eileen Troemel

A new space romp! Celtan Dilemma by Eileen Troemel

Blurb:
Traitor or criminal?

Lieutenant Lillian Buckner receives orders to take her squad of women pilots out to specific coordinates and destroy an unarmed transport. Lilly must decide whether to be a war criminal by firing on an unarmed vessel or to be a traitor and disobey her orders. Her life and those of her six pilots depends on her decision. No matter her decision, the punishment may kill her if she returns to the human forces.

Trust or Punish?

Lord Hugh Korol fights against the humans. They invaded the Celtan’s territory and took sectors of space from them. The humans attacked their home world. When human women aid one of their unarmed transports, he must decide what to do to them. Can he trust the one he desires or will she break more than the fragile trust growing between them?

Buy link:
Amazon Kindle Unlimited

Excerpt:
A big man, Ray Harris took anyone to his bed he wanted. He wanted Lillian but she steadfastly refused. Something about him rubbed her the wrong way.

“Are you clear on the mission,” he growled at her as he brushed against her breast, squeezed her bottom as he paced around and around her.

“Sir, we seek out this ship,” Lillian repeated her orders, careful not to call it a transport. “Once we find the ship, we destroy it.”

“Will there be any chatter, like you hens normally do,” Ray insulted them.

“Sir, my squad follows protocol,” Lillian defended her squad.

“There are complaints about your squad,” Commander Harris smirked. “You should be nicer to me. It will help me better address those complaints.”

“Sir,” Lillian realized a solution to both her problems. “When I return from this mission, I’ll be happy to discuss in detail how we can make my squad better. If you don’t mind a private meeting with me.”

Ray Harris smiled. His hands slid down to her bottom and squeezed. He walked around to stand in front of her. He yanked her into a tight embrace, pressed his lips against hers, thrust his tongue in while he squeezed her breasts. “I think a private meeting is optimal. There might need to be several,” he murmured against her lips.

“Yes, sir,” Lillian tried not to cringe or curl her lip at the prospect.

“We could start now,” he suggested.

“I don’t want to be late for the mission,” Lillian evaded his advances. “I think our meeting is too important to hurry, don’t you?”

“In your quarters,” Ray narrowed his eyes.

“Yes, sir,” Lillian affirmed while meeting his eyes. “We can both get comfortable.”

“Very well,” Commander Harris pulled her tighter against him before letting her go. “Get out there and make sure you follow all protocols.”

“Yes, sir,” Lillian said walking away. She managed to not jump when he slapped her ass.

Another excerpt:
“It appears you are the last one to claim your mate,” Npin prompted Lilly.

“I may select any male in this room,” Lilly asked.

“Yes,” Npin said.

Lilly looked at each of the men. Most of them looked away from her, didn’t meet her eyes. She looked into Lord Korol’s eyes, saw kindness there. She walked up to him, held out her hand and waited.

Npin smiled as Lord Korol swept her into his arms, sealed the claiming with a kiss rather than holding her hand. Lilly tried to withdraw but his gentleness overwhelmed her reserve. His lips teased hers. Her eyes closed, her body melted against his, wanting him to kiss her, a first for her. Long moments passed as he accepted the woman who claimed him and sealed the claim with a long sweet sensual kiss.

When he raised his head, she gasped, “Oh.” She touched her lips, felt her body tingle with need and desire.

“We will retire to my quarters,” he said not taking his eyes off her.

Buy Celtan Dilemma now!

New! The Moon Crossing a writing partnership

The Moon CrossingWhat do a scifi/fantasy romance writer and historical romance writer have in common?

Well for Jan Selbourne and me it was a mutual love of writing.

After reading Perilous Love, I became a fan of her writing. In Perilous Love, Jan dragged me through a gambit of emotions including being very annoyed I had to go to sleep and wouldn’t get back to her book until much later the next day.

Jan and I talked writing and went back and forth a bit. I’m not sure how the conversation started but I said we should write a book together. I love her style and her attention to detail, so I thought we could work together to create a story.

It started more in fun – well, what could we write together. I don’t know how we settled on alternate history but it seemed to work. History was involved which hit on Jan’s strengths and it being tweaked and a bit different.. well that describes me I think.

Both Jan and I write as we go. There’s no grand plan or outline. We sit down and write. How in the world were we going to write a story together? So we talked through ideas. Some were rubbish and others were brilliant. Once we had a rough idea of where we thought we were going, we started writing. We started this in 2020 so with all the COVID and political unrest and difficulties, we tapped into the conspiracies of government and big business. Corruption is one of the themes in the book but also coverups.

Jan picked the names. I hate picking character names. In my head they are character 1 or character 2 or something similar until they coalesce into something more. One thing we did discuss was Susan needed to be strong. Moments of stress didn’t result in her breaking down in tears or falling apart. We tapped into her fears and let the reader see them. At one point, she’s walking through a dark tunnel. She feels like the walls are closing in and her fear climbs. Tapping into those feelings are key for the development of the character and progression of the story.

We opted to swap chapters. I’d write one then she’d write one. When it was her turn to write, I had to force myself to not go in and read behind her. I loved reading where she took us and our characters. After reading her chapters, I had to catch my breath. I tapped into the characters and thought okay, what’s next?

There were moments when I thought ‘huh, hadn’t planned to go there’ but as I read what she wrote, I was amazed and thrilled. Her writing inspired my writing. I hope mine did the same for her.

There were times she said – I’m writing this scene – I was perfectly okay with that because there were scenes I knew I wanted to write. I think our styles complimented each other nicely. By tapping into our strengths, I think it gave our story more depth and breadth. I also think it strengthened our friendship.

BLURB:
USA Today Bestselling Author Eileen Troemel and 2019 winner of Coffee Pot Book Club Book of the year silver medal for Historical Fiction Jan Selbourne present an alternate history, sweet romance of life after the Moon Landing in 1969.

In 2030, World Correction Center – the Earth’s most secure prison – is a miserable place to land. Since it’s on the moon, it’s inescapable. It contains the worst criminals Earth has ever seen. So why are the brilliant minds across the globe being sent to this black hole of the justice system?

When world-renowned archeologist Micky Cooper is charged with embezzling, his sister Susan knows it’s a set up. It’s up to her to prove his innocence. Susan thinks she might be paranoid but she swears she’s being followed and should she trust the nice man whose cousin has disappeared as well? Was it just a chance meeting or is he against her too?

Teaming up with Greg Tanner, a man equally resolved to prove the innocence of his cousin, Samantha Tanner – a world leading linguist. Susan and Greg seek clues wherever they can find them but they’re barely keeping one step ahead of those who want them to stop.

They begin to unravel the web of lies, fraud and cover up. Just when they start to put the pieces together, Susan and Greg are forced to run for their lives. With a nudge from Samantha, they find someone to help. Is this woman an ally? Or simply part of a greater conspiracy to hide the truth? What exactly is on the moon and why are the Earth’s greatest minds being sent there to serve time?

Buy link:
Universal: https://books2read.com/mooncrossing

Excerpt:
Finally at the front, she saw the little line on the sidewalk. The signs said no matter what, stay behind the line. Why? Did they think her powerful enough to break through a steel cage and bullet proof window? She forced a smile on her face as she fought her own rebellious nature. Putting her toes on the line, she raised her eyes to meet those of the officer.

The officer behind the window glanced her way. She flashed a sweet almost innocent smile to charm him. He paused momentarily, “State the name of the prisoner.”

“Micky… Michael James Cooper,” Susan heard the whir of the computer through the thick walls as the officer typed in her brother’s name. Biting her lip, she waited.

The officer stared at the screen, an eerie green reflection on his face. He glanced at her, frowned, and glanced back to his screen. “He’s not assigned,” the officer said.

“Can you tell me when he will be assigned,” Susan asked stepping closer to the window. She stepped over the line, but no one burst out of the doors to drag her away.

With his Adam’s apple bobbing, the officer looked into her pretty blue eyes. He licked his lips as he took in her tight sweater and her curves. Pencil skirts highlighted her narrow waist and flat stomach. Susan saw the desire she endured from men since she got breasts at ten. Men. She tried to keep the disgust she felt hidden.

“He’s been assigned,” the officer said reluctantly shifting his eyes back to the screen. “There’s no backlog of prisoners. They either get a prison in the US, or they go off to WCC.”

“What’s WCC?”

“World Correctional Center,” he informed.

“Sergeant Brady,” she read off his name from the tag on his gray uniform, “I know you get a lot of flak from people all day long, I don’t want to cause trouble. I want to send my brother some food and other creature comforts.”

Sergeant Brady adjusted his belt as he stood behind the glass and metal counter. “Most likely they sent him to the moon,” he said. “Those designations always take longer to get in the system.”

“May I ask you a simple question,” Susan said putting on her ‘I’m a dumb girl act’.

“Anything I can do to help,” Officer Brady said, grinning when she gave him a half smile.

“I thought they only sent the worst criminals there,” she said leaning forward to give him a better view of her cleavage. “I know Son of Sam and Charles Manson were sent to the dark side of the moon. Why would they send my brother who… well he did something with the computer, and they said he stole money.”

“It’s all up to the International Department of Justice,” Officer Brady said leaning towards the glass. “They assign the prisoners to the prison.”

“You’re so kind,” Susan beamed at him. “Who can I contact…”

“You can’t and you are beyond the line,” snapped an officer behind Brady, who jumped to attention.

“Oh, forgive me,” Susan said stepping back. This man was not swayed by her helpless girl act. “Thank you for your assistance.”

Turning away from the head of the line, Susan felt a flush rush across her face. How dare they? The dark side of the moon. Why send her brother? They convicted him of embezzlement. Murders, mass murderers, traitors were all sent to the dark side of the moon.

Meet the Authors:

Eileen TroemelEileen Troemel:
USA Today Bestseller Author Eileen Troemel writes action packed and emotionally powerful fantasy, scifi, romance. She’s versatile and writes in many genres.  She’ll try almost any genre if it means she can tell a good story.  In addition to her writing, she loves to read, crochet, and research genealogy.  Her best days are spent with her family of three adult daughters and her husband or writing. 

LINKS:
Website: https://eileentroemel.com/ 
Twitter https://twitter.com/EileenTroemel
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EileenTroemelAuthor/ 
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eileentroemel/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-troemel-6667825b/
MeWe https://mewe.com/i/eileentroemel
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7868345.Eileen_Troemel

Jan SelbourneJan Selbourne:
Jan Selbourne was born and educated in Melbourne, Australia and her love of literature and history began as soon as she learned to read and hold a pen. After graduating from a Melbourne Business College her career began in the dusty world of ledgers and accounting, working in Victoria, Queensland and the United Kingdom. On the point of retiring, she changed course to work as secretary of a large NSW historical society. Now retired Jan is enjoying her love of travelling and literature. She has two children, a stray live in cat and lives near Maitland, New South Wales

Website: https://nomadauthors.com/JanSelbourne/index.html
Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JanSelbourne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jan.selbourne
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14661584.Jan_Selbourne?from_search=true
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Selbourne/
/B0184OSZ6E/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-selbourne-2817b6140/

New! Sci-Fi pre-order: The Moon Crossing by Eileen Troemel and Jan Selbourne

The Moon Crossing: Troemel and Selbourne

USA Today Bestselling Author Eileen Troemel and 2019 Coffee Pot Book Club Historical Book of the Year Silver Medal winner Jan Selbourne present an alternate history, sweet romance of life after the Moon Landing in 1969. Release date: November 13.

Blurb:

In 2030, World Correction Center – the Earth’s most secure prison – is a miserable place to land. Since it’s on the moon, it’s inescapable. It contains the worst criminals Earth has ever seen. So why are the brilliant minds across the globe being sent to this black hole of the justice system. When renown archaeologist Micky Cooper is charged with embezzling, his sister Susan knows it’s a set up.  It’s up to her to prove his innocence. Susan thinks she might be paranoid but she swears she’s being followed and should she trust the nice man whose cousin has disappeared as well? Was it a chance meeting or is he against her too? Teaming up with Greg Tanner, a man equally resolved to prove the innocence of his cousin, Samantha Tanner – a word leading linguist – Susan and Greg seek clues wherever they can find them, but they’re barely keeping one step ahead of those who want them to stop.  They begin to unravel the web of lies, fraud and cover up. Just when they start to put pieces together, Susan and Greg are forced to run for their lives.  With a nudge from Samantha they find someone to help. Is this woman an ally? Or simply part of a greater conspiracy to hide the truth? What exactly is on the moon and why are the Earth’s greatest minds being sent there to serve time?

Pre-order link Get your copy now for 99¢:
Amazon US

The Moon Crossing: Troemel and SelbourneExcerpt:
Could the government really make someone disappear? The little voice in her head replied, ‘yes they could. Taking a step back into the alley, she watched Greg enter the coffee shop. “Okay. Do I trust his or not?” she muttered. “What if I just listen? Would it hurt to listen?

“Shit, I’m nutso standing in a dark alley talking to myself,” Susan said. Closing her eyes, she tried to consider her gut instinct. She didn’t know. At five minutes past, she raised her chin and opted to trust – for now.

Looking both ways, she crossed the street. She deliberately wore practical clothes, tennis shoes, blue jeans, and a tank top. Over the top, she wore a hooded sweatshirt. Seeing herself reflected in the glass door, she wondered if she dressed too casual. Too late to change now.

He sat in the back facing the door. A smile lit his face as soon as he saw her. Is he faking it?  It looks like a real smile.  He stood, sort of old fashioned but Susan liked it. He seems sincere. Feeling awkward for analysing his every expression, she approached the table. “Hi.”

“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” he said.

“Me neither,” she slid into the booth. He sat opposite her as the waitress brought their coffee. “They have a good peach pie here.

“It’s really good today,” the waitress said

“Give us two pieces,” Greg said.

Waiting for the waitress to leave, Susan assessed him. She liked what she saw but this was not a date. “Did you find out more about your cousin,” she asked as she sipped her coffee

“A colleague of hers said she worked day and night on a project. It’s who my appointment was with yesterday,” he said. “I know how she gets. She has a puzzle, and she won’t stop until she solves it.”

“Do you think she got sent to the moon as well,” Susan reached out to touch his hand. It felt warm and strong.

“I don’t know,” he said. He gripped her hand. “They said a secured facility. The moon is for the worst of the worst… or so their website says.”

“The prisoners are only allowed visitors once a month,” she said. “I get they’re bad people but they still deserve to have visits. Do you know how much it costs to get to the moon?”

“You’d go,” Greg said. “I watched a few of the first launches.”

“They have the shuttle now,” Susan said. “I saw a video of a recent launch.”

“From their site,” Greg asked.

“No this was on the internet,” Susan said. “It was in one of the chat rooms.”

“You’re a bit of a computer geek,” Greg grinned.

She liked his smile, firm lips surrounding white teeth, a light in his eyes indicated laughter even though he hadn’t laughed yet. “A bit,” she said. “I tinker a bit with it.”

“If we believe our loved ones are innocent,” Greg said.

“We do,” Susan said.

“Then how were they both falsely accused and convicted of crimes they didn’t commit,” he asked.

“It’s more than that,” Susan said. “Not only were they convicted but they were sent to the worst prison. Why? How does it serve them? What could they have been working on to annoy someone so much they wanted them out of the picture? They timed it well.  I was out of the country.”

“Wait, so was I,” Greg interrupted.

“See, it’s no coincidence you and I, their closest relatives, were out of the country. That’s what we’re talking about isn’t it?”

Greg sat back and rubbed a hand through his hair. “What if it wasn’t they wanted them out of the picture but rather, they needed them on the moon for some purpose,” Greg asked.

“Why wouldn’t they just ask them to work for them or with them,” Susan countered.

“Maybe they did but they turned them down,” Greg leaned forward again gripping her hands.

Susan glanced at their hands. “This is crazy. You know what this sounds like?”

“We’re a couple of conspiracy theorists,” Greg shook his head.

She couldn’t look at him, staring at their hands she considered all they discussed. Could the government kidnap scientists?

“I… I’m staying at my brother’s house,” she said slowly. “I’ll have a look through his things.”

“Want help,” Greg asked.

She stared into his warm caramel eyes. Did she trust him? Was this too convenient? She hadn’t a clue how to help Micky, but could she rely on this man? With a deep breath, she said, “Sure.”

The waitress returned with two plates of pie. Greg asked, “I’m really sorry. Can we get those to go?’

“Sure,” she said. They rose and followed her to the counter.

Susan paid, she insisted on it. As they stepped out of the coffee shop, Susan saw a flash of light. Across the street, a black SUV parked in the line of mid-sized cars. It looked out of place. She couldn’t see the plates. Were they watching her, following her?

“Everything all right,” Greg asked.

“No, it’s not,” Susan said walking away from the street. “Have you ever felt like you were being followed?”

“Yeah,” he scanned the street. “More often recently.”

She stepped close to him, pulled him close to her. She brushed her lips across his. His arms slowly closed around her. “I think we’re being watched,” she murmured as she made it look like they flirted and had an assignation rather than plotting… whatever they were plotting.

Meet the authors:

Eileen TroemelUSA Today Bestseller Author Eileen Troemel writes action packed and emotionally powerful fantasy, scifi, romance. She’s versatile and writes in many genres.  She’ll try almost any genre if it means she can tell a good story.  In addition to her writing, she loves to read, crochet, and research genealogy. Her best days are spent with her family of three adult daughters and her husband or writing.  

Website: https://eileentroemel.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/EileenTroemel
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EileenTroemelAuthor/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eileentroemel/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-troemel-6667825b/
MeWe https://mewe.com/i/eileentroemel
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7868345.Eileen_Troemel

Jan SelbourneJan Selbourne was born and educated in Melbourne, Australia and her love of literature and history began as soon as she learned to read and hold a pen. After graduating from a Melbourne Business College her career began in the dusty world of ledgers and accounting, working in Victoria, Queensland and the United Kingdom. On the point of retiring, she changed course to work as secretary of a large NSW historical society. Now retired, Jan is enjoying her love of travelling and literature. She has two children, a stray live-in cat and lives near Maitland, New South Wales.

Website: https://nomadauthors.com/JanSelbourne/index.html
Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JanSelbourne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jan.selbourne
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14661584.Jan_Selbourne?from_search=true
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Selbourne/e/B0184OSZ6E/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-selbourne-2817b6140/

New! Cowboy Desire anthology from BVS

Cowboy Desire anthology

For me, Cowboy Desire is the best BVS anthology yet—the stories are all compelling and very different. Damn good writing!

Of course I didn’t review my own story in the anthology (paranormal Bird That Sings) but I do hope you’ll read and enjoy it!

Wild Thunder—Zia Westfield
Loved this old-fashioned cowboy type story. It starts with Gabe and Emmaline waking up next to each other. Emmaline wonders how she got there, in (she assumes) Gabe’s hotel room when suddenly a flashbulb startles them. The resulting photo gets Em fired and Gabe in hot water in a custody battle for his nephew. How the animosity and ager are settled is all about Em’s effect on two families and a large black horse. I loved the role Colton’s nephew played in the story. Zia, a really fine story, ma’am. (Tipping hat)

Ava—Callie Carmen
In this short story sequel to Callie’s romance novel Joshua (another 5-star!), she features Ava, the artist who lost Joshua, her childhood friend and first love. Now she’s back home in Kentucky and seriously focusing on her art—and Colton Maples, a successful rodeo cowboy who’s taking time out to help his dad in his art gallery. Colton has a reputation and sponsors to keep up, so even though he’s helping out at home, his mind is on the circuit. And speaking of reputations, rodeo cowboys have them in spades. Can Ava trust Colton to remain hers when he’s surrounded by rowdy colleagues and Buckle Bunnies? They discover in a strange and sweet way that love is met with Thunder and Lightning. Two great characters in a great story!

Cowboy Desire anthology

Orion—Virginia Wallace
What a great ad unexpected story! I don’t want to give too much away here because I want you to discover the story for yourself, but I’ll say that Daisy is a rancher’s daughter who’s trying hard to keep their ranch going when her father can no longer carry on as he used to. One night, while out riding, a strange light brightens on the horizon and then disappears. The next day, from nowhere and just when they’re desperate, a man arrives to help. Who is this Orion fellow? No one she knows. But he’s hired on anyway and soon proves to be their salvation. More than that, he seems to read Daisy’s mind…and her heart. They fall in love. Daisy expects Orion might ask her to marry him when he vanishes. Uh-oh. Virginia’s storytelling excited me when I read her story in Desire Me Again. In Orion she’s shown another wonderful example of appealing characters with an unusual take.

The Long Paddock—Jan Selbourne
This is one of my favorite stories in the book. Jan delivers a real taste of Australia and wonderful romance! Shelley and David—ex husband and wife—meet accidentally on a storied sheep and cattle trail/road known as the Long Paddock two years after their divorce. David had a drinking problem and Shelley finally gave up on his ever working on their marriage rather than spending hours at the pub with his friends. Now she’s dating someone and taking a much-needed time away to see her oldest friend. Traffic is held up by sheep being driven south and David is one of the herders. As fate would have it, they run into each other a couple more times and Shelley senses a difference in David. He claims to have changed. He claims never to have stopped loving her. He claims he’s ready to make a life. But is any of that true? How can she trust him, ever again? But as I mentioned, there is that pesky thing called Fate… This is a remarkable love story!

Space Cowboy Blues—Alice Renaud
Even a universe isn’t wide enough to keep love at bay! When Melynas escorts Jack, a cowboy from Earth who travels from planet to planet studying local “farm animals” for scientific reports, she longs to get close to him. But her planet and even her touch is deadly to him. Jack is a true gentleman and he shows that by acting respectfully toward Melynas, something other humans don’t do. Only when Jack is embroiled in a fight to protect Melynas do the two discover something fantastic. Alice usually captures us with her writings of Mer-people. This futuristic space romp is new from her but I hope it won’t be the end of her explorations—this story is worthy of a trip across the universe. I loved it!

Cowboy Desire anthology

Loving Jack—Estelle Pettersen
What a cool story! Olivia Bertrand married Angus Wilson directly after high school graduation. They had been going together but in no small part because her very best friend, Jack McCullen was already dating someone seriously. On their wedding night, Liv discovered Angus with another woman. What??! Furious, Jack beat Angus up and then screamed at Liv that she should have married him. That’s a fine time to tell her. After a quick escape from her marriage Liv goes off to London to work and stays away five years. When she finally returns home, she finds Jack is single—he never married. Is there any hope for the two of them, or has it been too long with too many misunderstandings? I really enjoyed this story of second-chance love.

Mail Order Mate—Eileen Troemel
Jack (short for Jackleen) and her niece are all that’s left of a family of nine after a pandemic sweeps across her planet. In an effort to solve two problems at once, the local government brings in human-like aliens from an over-crowded planet to form new family units and keep the planet’s agricultural base from total collapse. Jack agrees to accept a male (Ido) and his brother and wife to their station where they raise jumbos—kinda sheep on steroids. Jack missed the sounds and comfort of having people around, but will these aliens ever fill that void? And will she ever come to love Ido as a wife should? I was charmed by this story of family, no matter who or what makes up that group. Eileen makes you feel you’re there on the planet Loved it!

The Wyoming Way—Nancy Golinski
Spencer Campbell runs a ranch in Wyoming with his brother Paul. He’s married to a woman from Boston, a social butterfly named Charlotte. They have two daughters in college, so they’re living in that stage of life where empty-nesters struggle to find common ground after the kids have left home. Trouble is, Charlotte always seems to make it clear that she’s unhappy in Wyoming. The adjacent ranch is owned by Joey and his sister Jess—who left years ago for veterinary school and never returned. Joey has PTSD issues and really can’t maintain the ranch as it should be. Now Jess is returning home to pursue her career and help get the ranch back into shape. It’s so easy to be with Jess again. Spence has someone to talk to, someone who understands him and what he does. When they’re trapped away from home in a blizzard, they found they had more than common interests between them—know what I mean? What Charlotte does next sets off changes in both their lives. Complications in love are never good things. Can Spence and Jess find their way through them? What a great story, and unusual, too. I know you’ll love it as I did.

Cowboy Desire anthology

The Cowboy’s Heritage—Patricia Elliott
Magic strikes in this sci-fi story. On their island ranch, Reid McCloud goes searching for a lost lamb. It’s a prize-winner and Reid’s folks will kill him if the lamb is lost for good—or worse—when they return from their cruise. He chases a trail down a narrow, rocky path to the beach where he discovers not a lamb but (can he believe his eyes?) a mermaid. Before his eyes she shimmered and changed into a woman. Had he seen her correctly? Couldn’t have! Everyone knew there were no such things as mermaids. Regardless, she was injured. With the help of his friend, he got her back to the house. When she comes to, she tells Reid to call her Nerina. Meanwhile, far under the sea, a young mermaid who was caught up in s storm while trying to escape an unwanted marriage, is being searched for. Could she and Nerina be one and the same? And while she and Reid begin to fall in love, what will they do when she is found, as she inevitably will be? This is a very different love story with a surprise ending, and I loved it!

Craving Her Cowboys—R.M. Olivia
At the beginning of this ménage tale, Riva is a woman in a very bad situation, living with an abusive man. She making her escape as he returns home, and just in the nick of time…she’s free. Taking the back roads to Dallas so as not to be tracked easily, she breaks down not all that far down the road. Fortunately for her, she is stopped in the parking lot of a repair shop run by two brothers. Unfortunately, her car troubles are even worse than her personal ones. It will be days before she can get underway again. With no money and no where to stay, she reluctantly accepts the offer of the brothers for her to stay with them. They might not be able to fix her car right away but she has their engines roaring! The next day they take her home to pick up all the things she had to leave, and also give her worthless boyfriend what-for. Is it any wonder she doesn’t resist their offer to stay longer? Another hot tale from R.M. Oliver! Air conditioning required.

Cowboy Desire anthology

E-mail Ordered Groom—Starla Kaye
Gwenie (Gwendolyn) was a farrier—a most unusual career for a woman but she was damn good at it—and part owner of her family’s ranch. Her brother Thad has a surprise for her, something he says is the answer to her dreams. Who should climb out of a black SUV just arrived, but Drake Walters, her brother’s best friend, her old, secret crush, and a former football player. A serious injury spelled his exit from the NFL, and now he’s there, on her ranch, talking to his brother like they’re still the best friends they had been fourteen years ago. To Gwenie’s shame, Thad reveals that he’d emailed Drake that he worried about her. She was too much woman (meaning capable, stubborn, and not terribly feminine) for the men in their area, but that he knew she wanted a home and babies. Oh, and a husband, and that she’d been scribbling Drake’s name in the margins of the ranch’s records, over and over. Drake wanted to discuss a business question with Thad, so he came home to see about both issues. But once he’d seen Gwenie, could he remember that when he left she’d been just his friend’s kid sister? Did he want to? What a great story with two very likeable, engaging characters!

Pearl, Ben and REO—Alan Souter
This is perhaps my favorite story in the book. It’s so different, so sweet, so unexpected. Ben, a rodeo champion in 1909 Wyoming, and his Sioux Indian wife, Pearl, live on a little farm. When Ben arrives home after winning another calf roping event, the love between the two is so evident. “I’ve been thinkin’,” he said. “Every time I’ve heard that our lives have made a big swing from the well-traveled road.” And what Ben’s been thinking is that he’s getting a mite too old to rodeo for many more years. His horse is getting a hair slower and deserves a more fitting life. What he has in mind is indeed a big swing from the life they’re used to. The change is…REO, a brand new automobile. Pearl is not quite ready to jump on board with whatever this new change means. The thing takes two people to start, and then breaks down fairly often. They live in Wyoming, where the primary mode of transportation is a horse, not horsepower. But she sees Ben’s dilemma and never doubts that he needs this change but only if they can move forward together The question is how. Once you read this story you’ll treasure it as much as I do. It’s true love in under 10,000 words!

Bullets and Bustles—Suzanne Smith
Emma Tombs is a bounty hunter, and one of the very best. But she’s not happy doing it, not anymore. She confesses as such to the local sheriff when he pays the bounty for the latest man she’s gunned down. He tells her that the man she wants the worst, Johnny Romma, is in the area. She wants Johnny so badly because he killed her husband. Her husband had been no prize but killing him left her penniless and at a loss for a way to support herself except with a gun. Reluctantly, she gives up the chance to bring him in—dead or alive—and leaves town, her old life, and her reputation behind. She sets up a café in a distant part of the state. She’s a pretty women, which is the only reason the café hasn’t closed because she’s a horrible cook. One day, a gorgeous man wonders in for breakfast. They chat. He comes back and they chat some more. JD he says his name is. Emma is completely taken with him. He says he invested in a ranch outside town, though, he admits with a grin, he knows as much about ranching as she does about cooking. Says he’ll read a book to find out what to do. It’s practically love at first sight for the two—until Emma discovers JD’s secret. Suzanne’s skill at storytelling is on full-on display. This is a wonderful story of two unlikely lovers that leaves you feeling happy!

The trick to writing a series by Eileen Troemel

Welcome, Eileen Troemel!!

How to Write a Long Series
(in theory)

Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

If you want to write a long series, you should probably start a spreadsheet for all your details. Names, descriptions, scenes, ideas, summaries of books, and so on. That would be the logical way to start a series. If you are a person who plots out your books, that’s probably the best way to start a series.

I don’t plot my books. I just write them. I sit down to my computer and start with an idea. I let things flow as they come. If I’ve finished something, I look through my WIP folder and open what sounds good and then I read. I edit as I go because the mistakes offend me (yes even in my own stories).

I wrote a series of nineteen books – one short story (prequel) and eighteen full length novels. I sat down to my computer and wrote. Before I started the second novel, I reread the first one. Then I let the characters take me where they wanted. This is how I’ve written most of my novels. I think it’s worked well.

Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

It sounds like I’m super disorganized, doesn’t it? How in the world did I manage to write so many in a series? The snarky(ish) answer is – one story at a time. Let me give you some background.

In 2014, I published my first books (romance novel, meditation self help book, and three poetry books). Like all new authors, I was pretty clueless. Reading articles – they all said don’t wait, publish your next book.
My middle daughter and I had this conversation about books – one of like a billion. She asked what I was doing next. I said I didn’t have any idea. She asked for a space scifi romance where the woman comes from a vulnerable point.

Ideas popped into my head. I pulled from different experiences in building my character and the world (or more appropriately universe) she was in. Put in ideas on travelers, gypsies, and other nomadic societies, my love of Star Trek, Star Wars (and other space type movies) and about a thousand other ideas and experience into my head, mix and spew out the results. Five months to the day from my first book, I published Wayfarer.

Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

For me, it was one and done. Then my readers got a hold of it. My daughter finished it and said – what’s next? (this is a theme). I said – no I told her story. I’m done.

I was but Adara and Decker weren’t. I don’t think it took long and I was working on Wayfarer Clans… and then Wayfarer Immemorial… and – well you get the idea. By the end of 2014 I’d published four Wayfarer novels. In January 2015, I published Wayfarer Wedding and I thought I was done. My main characters were married. They had their happy ever after – right?
Nope. I wrote the prequel next and then just kept writing their story.

Clearly, I did not start out to write a series. I almost never plot out a book. When I started Wayfarer – I only had the female main character, her race, and a vague setting. I’m pretty sure I wrote several scenes before she even had a name.

Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

As soon as people – i.e. authors – hear I wrote a series with eighteen novels and a short story, the first question is – How did you keep track of everything?

First book, I didn’t. I think I was three novels in when the idea of keeping a spreadsheet came to me. One thing I did not want to do as I wrote a series was to mess up someone’s backstory or say someone had green eyes in one place and blue in another.

So I started a spreadsheet. I reread all the books and each new character, Wayfarer words, ship, and other details in the books went into my spreadsheet. I’ve got nine tabs in it. On some of the tabs, I’ve got a ton of information and others ended up being just a short list.

I know at one point, I added the number of books so I could track who came in when and who was in which books. I used this to keep a summary of each book. I cannot tell you how many times I used the summary to figure out days between events. There’s a lot of pregnancies in my series so making sure the right amount of time had passed was key. But I also used it to figure out ages and other things. If I was working on a Wayfarer novel, I had my spreadsheet open. It was my ultimate referral.

One other thing which helped me was to reread the books. One reason to reread the previous books was to get the feel for the characters, setting, and tone. It helped me fall back into Adara’s head or whichever character I needed to write about.

Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

Rarely did I start a book with a plan. When I reached book ten (Wayfarer Expansion), I freaked out a bit. TEN books. It seemed like such a big deal. Was the story good enough to be book ten? Obviously it had to be BETTER! I edited and edited and edited. In passing, I told a friend how I was feeling and she reminded me numerological a ten is a one so it’s a beginning. It was simple. It’s just another step in the series. I finished my edits and published.

My middle daughter and I talked (another of those billion book conversations) about authors who kill off characters. Somewhat to tease her, I said maybe I should kill someone off in the Wayfarer novel. What was meant to tease my daughter turned into a serious discussion of how it should be done. When I started writing Wayfarer Acceptance, there were two things I knew – I did not want to write another birthing scene and one of the characters would not survive the end of the book.

Around book twelve (Wayfarer Convictions) or thirteen (Wayfarer Limits), I realized the stories were leading to a huge change in the storyline. I knew at this point where Adara was going to end up. What? Plotting? Yes – minimally.

One of the things I hate about long series is without fail, repeats occur. I looked at where I’d been in the series and realized I was coming to the end.

My daughter and I talked about different crimes and different overall themes and at some point, I realized – wow this is so hard to write without giving spoilers. Let’s just say my characters evolved to a point where their lives were changing. By book fourteen, I knew how many books I had left to write. It was supposed to be three more but when I wrote the last book it ended up being too long for one book. I split it and the series ended with eighteen full length novels.

My lessons from this… well bullet points work for me:

  • Each book has to have a beginning, middle, and end. This doesn’t mean a storyline can’t carry over but there has to be some sort of conclusion.
  • Use a spreadsheet or something like it to keep track of all the details in your series.
  • Avoid any kind of formulaic format.
  • Stretch yourself and your skills by taking risks.
  • Follow the story and be true to your characters.
  • Know when it’s time to end the series.

It doesn’t matter how you write – plotting or writing as it comes or jumping all over the place. What matters is the story. Each book has to be unique and different so the reader doesn’t know what to expect. Once your reader knows what to expect, they start to get bored. Bored readers are never good.

The answer to the question – how do you write a long series? – is not simple or easy. You write your way, honor your characters and your story, and hope the readers LOVE what you write.

Read Eileen’s interview about writing the Wayfarer series

About Eileen:
Author of Moon Affirmations as well as poetry, novels, and short stories, Eileen enjoys telling a good story or expressing a heartfelt emotion.  She’s been published in The American Tarot Association’s Quarterly Journal, What’s Cooking America, Children, Churches and Daddies, and many other publications.  In addition to her writing, she loves to read, crochet, crafting, research genealogy, and spend time with family.  She has three adult daughters and has been married to her husband for 38 years.

I hope authors will check my social media for information to help authors who are featured.  I have four categories which specifically pertain to authors.

Tips for Authors (https://eileentroemel.com/category/tips-for-authors/).  This is a series of blog posts which I hope will help writers who think they are ready to step from final draft to editing and hopefully publishing.  As I think of more topics I plan to add to this.  Editor Interviews (https://eileentroemel.com/category/editor-interview/) which asks editors key questions.  This gives authors a chance to get to know editors and how they think. Book Tour (https://eileentroemel.com/category/book-tour/) which I get book information from companies who offer book tours. 

However, I also post for any author who asks.  All they have to do is provide me with the information.  I’ve worked with a lot of authors and I’m now starting to get requests from publisher.  Author Interviews (https://eileentroemel.com/category/author-interview/) In this section, I send out 10 questions to authors who want to be interviewed and they provide me answers and pictures and graphics to post.  These all get posted on my web site and then they go out to my social media. 

One last thing – though this isn’t on my blog but in my group on Facebook – I’ve been doing live (typed) interviews.  I create a post about the author and the book we’re talking about.  Then in the comments I ask question and the author answers.  Others are invited to ask as well. 

One thing I want to say – I don’t charge for any of this.  Yes, it takes time and effort but I’m not out any money.  I’ve gotten to know some great authors and learned about genres I don’t write in. 

My philosophy – hmmm well I’d like to have some lofty esoteric response here but the answer is simple.  I’m an author.  Almost daily, I get requests to advertise with some group or someone wants to do a review – but of course there’s a charge for it. Being an author is expensive.  Most of us in this field are saving for expensive items like editing and book covers.  While we put out a lot for these ($300+ for editing and anywhere from $50 up for covers) we make very little in royalties – even as a self published author a lot of people take their share first.  I don’t have the money to help in most situations but I can say – hey come put your stuff on my site and I’ll post them. One post – if it’s sent to me in an organized fashion – takes very little time and effort on my part.  If it takes very little effort and it helps people, then why not do it? So I do.

Website: https://eileentroemel.com/ 
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Relaunch! The Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

This is so exciting! Eileen Troemel is relaunching her fabulous Wayfarer series. What an opportunity to binge read–and no waiting for the next book to be published. I’m pumped!

Blurbs:

Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

Wayfarer Aegis (prequel)  (Pages: 75)
Pilot Adara Stone boarded the Aegis, an explorer class ship, to make a journey into unknown space.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Aegis-prequel

Adara Stone – pilot for the Interstellar Planets Union services.

She’s half Wayfarer and half human and Captain James’ last choice as a pilot.  Excited for her first long contract and explorer class ship, Adara knows she’ll spend seven years flying a ship in unknown space. She can’t wait to see what’s out there.

By the book, Captain Alden James does not want anyone varying from his flight plan.  He quickly loses patience with Adara breaking protocol.

Adara craves a family but finds only recrimination and punishment.  She taps into the skills dismissed by her captain and the services in order to be the best pilot she can be.  When Fate intervenes, will her Wayfarer skills be enough?

Wayfarer  (Pages: 184)
“Just sign your contract and be there by 1700,” Decker said.  He knew he just hired trouble.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-book-1

Recovered from the disaster of the Aegis, Adara longs to fly in space again.

Emotionally and physically battered, she applies to every piloting position but her heart and soul long to fly the Pritchard.  The Manu investigatory ship requires all types of flying from chasing raiders, rescuing ships in danger, and getting investigators on site.

Captain Decker Flannery gets to hire his entire crew for the first time.  He doesn’t want some damaged pilot to mess with the balance of his crew.  When one of his pilots takes a better offer, he has no choice but to hire Adara Stone, highest ranking survivor from the Aegis.  He doesn’t want her on his ship, he thinks she’s trouble.

Can Decker see through Adara’s quiet and discover more than he bargained for?

Wayfarer Clans  (Pages: 175)
Estranged from her family at ten, Adara Stone finds herself embroiled in a crime wave where the Pritchard might be hunting her family.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Clans-book-2

Are Wayfarer Clans kidnapping children, teen girls, and scientists?

A rash of kidnappings lead Adara to suggest a Wayfarer clan is adding to their clan. Chasing down a stolen Science Corp vessel, Adara Stone beats the pilot and rescues the ship and all its occupants.  The pilot of the ship shocks Adara.

Decker and Adara struggle to cope with her family relations as the crew dives deeper into the kidnapping cases.  Friction arises between the two.

Will her family put a wall between Decker and Adara?

Wayfarer Immemorial  (Pages: 195)
Hailed as Hero of the Aegis, Adara Stone confronts her fears while her enemies in the Barion race target her and her maite saol Decker Flannery.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Immemorial-book-3

The Barions are back!

Decker wants Adara nowhere near the memorial but she insists on helping the survivors and the families of those lost on the Aegis.

With her plate full as a new clan leader, Adara leaves security up to Decker, Franklin, and Paul.  Her only requirement – she must attend the memorial service.

Barion battlecruisers invade the Services space while a rogue Barion attempts to meet privately with Adara.

Will Decker and Adara survive this encounter with the Barions?

The Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

Wayfarer Negotiator  (Pages: 266)
Chaos reigns – until Adara negotiates a settlement.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Negotiator-book-4

A riot on a space station throws Adara Stone into a new role.

When Wayfarers clash with shopkeepers, Adara’s asked to step in to settle the dispute.

Decker’s parents are visiting but he doesn’t want her to meet them.  He leaves her on the ship while he spends time with his family.  Until Avin’s, the Etienne hunter, murder case interrupts with an important break.

Negotiating, Decker and Adara clash over her continued health issues.

Can they come together to negotiate a peaceful settlement?

Wayfarer Wedding  (Pages: 198)
A demanding future mother-in-law, a secret mission, and a thousand guests, Adara’s on edge and ready to elope.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Wedding-book-5

Adara and Decker’s big day fast approaches!

Before they can wed, her family is sent on a covert mission to collect information on a hostile race.

Decker’s mother makes demands on how the wedding should be causes tension in an already stressful situation.

Will Adara and Decker be able to protect her family and return in time to have their wedding?

Wayfarer Trials  (Pages: 230)
Her senses on overload, Adara discovers more skills as she faces one hazard after another.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Trials-book-6

Humans only!

Returning from their honeymoon, Adara and Decker with their crew face a rash of attacks on non-human females.

New trainees bring a sense of danger.  Decker and Paul try to protect Adara through a series of explosive events.

Can Adara protect her people with her skills?

The Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

Wayfarer Destruction  (Pages:  215)
Everything Adara loves is threatened.  Will she be able to save the Pritchard and her crew or will she lose all she loves again?
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Destruction-book-7

Someone wants Adara dead – again.

A disastrous first flight leads Franklin to expose sabotage and industrial espionage threatening Adara’s life.  Orders come down, Adara and Decker are to seek out and meet with the Hettians. They are to return the Hettian prisoners to their home world.

Dr. Nukpana is on the loose, trying to recruit Wayfarers and testing his formula on humans.  The bodies pile up while Adara and Decker cope with an arrogant and foolish diplomat.

Everything Adara loves is threatened. Many she holds dear are at risk. Will she be able to save the Pritchard and her crew? Or will she lose all she loves again?

Wayfarer Freedom  (Pages: 267)
Decker sustains an injury while protecting Adara.  Will the forces against Adara and the Wayfarer succeed in eliminating her?
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Freedom-book-8

Adara can’t shake her grief.

Without a ship and home, she feels untethered. Adara is pulled in many directions with her negotiations, training, and consulting. In the chaos of all her responsibilities, her life is threatened.  Is it because of the crimes she’s helped solve, the enemies she’s made at Command or with Nukpana?  Who is after her?  She struggles to find her balance as Decker is injured protecting her.

Wayfarer independence comes before the legislature.  The clan leaders decide Adara is the best woman for addressing the large assembly.  Adara would like anyone else to do it but agrees because her people need her to.

Will she be able to persuade them to give Wayfarer their independent status?

Wayfarer Salvation  (Pages: 252)
Adara, Decker and the Command staff fumble their way through a crime wave, a pregnancy, and the growing pains of a new ship.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Salvation-book-9

Adara’s pregnant!

Adara and Decker experience the fears and joys of expecting their child.  Fears remain from the previous miscarriage.  Decker wants to protect her, shelter her.

With twists and turns of crime fighting, pregnancy issues, and growing pains, the crew of the Phoenix fumble their way through the first days of their contracts with Decker, Hal, Adara, and all the command staff trying to guide them.

Will they succeed on the new ship?

The Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

Wayfarer Expansion  (Pages: 232)
First contact with a new race, Adara’s assistants get in a bar fight, and Decker tries to restrict her.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Expansion-book-10

Friend or foe?

Mostly over her morning sickness, Adara juggles Decker being over protective, a new relationship for her niece Jolen, and meeting a new race.  While escorting settlers to a new planet, Adara and Decker meet the Tuscalain people.

Will they be as dangerous as the Hettians or an ally?

Wayfarer Acceptance  (Pages: 204)
Giving birth in a shuttle, Adara and Decker escape kidnappers as they discover who has been behind all the threats.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Acceptance-book-11

Adara gives birth!

Their daughter arrives early and under less than ideal circumstances.

Finally they learn why so many attempts have been made on Adara’s life. While Adara and Decker get used to being parents, Jolen and Tillie take on a hacker. Rhia and Bas work on a murder case.

Adara meets thirteen year old Bethania from the Holy Cross. The Holy Cross is an old private vessel carrying too many people.

It spells disaster.

Wayfarer Convictions  (Pages: 283)
Raiders, Tuscalains, a Services efficiency expert, and a firebug amounts to just another day on the job for Adara and Decker.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Convictions-book-12

Raiders, Tuscalains, and cold cases!

Walter Farento, a services efficiency expert observes the Phoenix. Rhia fumbles for leads in her cold case, while the hacker eludes Jolen. Avin hunts a firebug. Sabotage threatens the assembly of a new station. A breakthrough in the cold case points to something deeper and more sinister.

It all amounts to just another day on the job for Adara and Decker

The Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

Wayfarer Limits  (Pages: 193)
Racial unrest ripples across the human territory, hitting close to home with Adara’s family.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Limits-book-13

Command changes the rules.

Disagreeing without fighting, Adara and Decker face the new challenges as Command issues new mandates restricting how all members do their jobs.  Tension rises on the ship and across the human territory.  Diplomatic relations with the Tuscalains goes poorly for the humans but not for the Wayfarers. Racial unrest ripples across the human territory, hitting close to home with Adara’s family.

Will Decker and Adara get on the same page?

Wayfarer Contentious  (Pages: 199)
Command mandates, racial tensions, complaints from trainees lead to Command issuing an ultimatum to Adara.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Contentious-book-14

More Mandates!

Escalating conflicts plague the command staff and Decker and Adara.  New trainees arrive with an unexpected addition.

Racial tensions rise with many attacks on other races. Allies are attacked, humans only is on the rise.

Have they reached a tipping point?

Wayfarer Home  (Pages: 225)
A saboteur dogs Adara’s new leadership as she builds a new society.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Home-book-15

It’s time to leave!

Adara and Decker gather up the Wayfarers, Humans, Briskans, and a variety of other races to leave.  Friends, Georgette, Luke, and Drake, join them bringing needed skills.

Building a new society, Adara struggles with all the responsibilities on her shoulders.  An uncomfortable ship, seven months pregnant and a saboteur create an intolerable situation.  Teamwork and drawing on all resources, including the children, helps get all the tasks done and sets a precedent on how they move forward as they travel to their new home.

Will they survive the saboteur?

The Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

Wayfarer War  (Pages: 292)
In the wake of the Hettians invasion of human space, Adara, Decker, and the Wayfarers gather information and resources to aid the few survivors.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-War-book-16

The Hettians attack!

Rushing through Human territory, Command does not respond to the attack leaving the outer stations, planets and settlements undefended. Death and destruction follow the Hettians.

Pregnant with twins, Adara fears for her family and her people.  She wants to fight, to protect but doesn’t have the fire power to take on the Hettians.  Short staffed and short on supplies, she questions every decision.

The Lux becomes a way station for those escaping the Hettian invasion.  With assistance from the Etiennes, Adara works to rescue survivors but also tries to let the unsuspecting stations and settlements know what is headed their way.

Will the Hettians annihilate the Humans?  Will any race be safe from them?

Wayfarer Evolution  (Pages: 220)
Unrest with the Humans only group causes conflict and violence on the newly established home world of the Wayfarers.
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Evolution-book-17

Humans only survives

Old prejudices haunt the Wayfarers as they make room for the survivors of the human race.  Little incidents of vandalism and bigotry pile up.  Adara and Decker face the day to day running of the Wayfarers both on planet and off.  With Oakes’ reassurance and Decker’s support, she plans to take the new ship and explore their sectors.

Before they can go, humans only make an attempt to harm their children and family. Taking a hands off approach, the investigation is handled by people outside the family.  Violence against the family and Adara’s assistants lead to the Wayfarers first trial.

Back in space, Adara settles into running the Wayfarers and exploring space.  She finds comfort and excitement in learning how to delegate and balance her life.  But the conflict isn’t resolved and follows her.

Will the Wayfarers and Humans come together?

Wayfarer Resolve  (Pages: 233)
The family is threatened by the people Adara rescued. Can they find a way to peace or will the prejudice tear apart the connections Adara and the Wayfarers are making?
https://books2read.com/Wayfarer-Resolve-book-18

Bigotry haunts Adara.

Adara and Decker set out in their new ship to take workers to Monroe and find a new planet for the Etiennes.  While they address violent riots on Homeworld, their children are attacked.  Adara must be Mathair Naclan – mother of the clans.  She learns to take control and stand firm behind her decisions which follow beliefs from a range of races including her own heritage of human and Wayfarer. The bigotry threatens the most vulnerable of her family.

Bias within the Wayfarers and against the Wayfarers frustrates Adara as she and her admin council defend against the Humans only group.  The family is threatened by the people Adara rescued.

Can they find a way to peace or will the prejudice tear apart the connections Adara and the Wayfarers are making?

Excerpt from Wayfarer book one

Hair sprawled out over her pillows, Adara lay naked on her bed. She returned to her quarters after the fighter vessel detained the long hauler. Lolli was returned to her father frightened but relatively unharmed. The other victims of the human traffickers weren’t as lucky. Adara scrambled on hearing a knock at her door. She grabbed the first shirt in her drawer. “Just a minute,” she called rushing to find jeans.

The t-shirt hung to her mid-thighs, she gave up on trying to grab pants and answered her door, hoping it would be Lisa. Captain Flannery stood at her door. “Sir,” she said. She backed into her quarters.

Decker stepped into Adara’s quarters, noted the heap her uniform lay in on the floor. The t-shirt she wore was inside out. “Did I wake you?” he asked remembering she slept nude. He felt a tightening in his groin at the thought of her warm and naked in bed.

“No, sir,” she blushed.

“I see,” he said.

“I wasn’t up yet,” she tried to explain.

He paced around her small quarters. Seeing a basket with her crocheting in it, he noted the yarn was something he and Hal bought her. She still had no pictures or decorations in her quarters. He came to tell her she did a good job. The Etiennes certainly thought she had. Patr had scooped her up into another hug, kissed her forehead as she left the bridge. Frall had even hugged her warmly. What was with these other men touching her? He felt fire and rage in him as he thought of her being with them.

“What’s your relationship with Patr,” Decker demanded completely forgetting why he was there.

“I told you. He’s a brother to me.”

“The way the two of you fondled each other on the bridge didn’t seem very sibling like,” Decker accused.

“He… he put his hand,” she stumbled over her words.

“Yes. That’s my point. His hands were all over you,” Decker growled at her.

“His hands weren’t all over me. He took my hair down and he put his hands on my shoulder to offer support. I’d hardly call that fondling,” anger came to her defense.

“He certainly seemed to consider you his property,” Decker said.

“He did not,” she said. “Etiennes would never mate outside their species. The life span is too different.”

“Sex doesn’t have to mean mating,” Decker said. “I’ve heard Wayfarer women are quite amorous and promiscuous.”

“Hang on just a minute,” Adara’s temper flared. “What right do you have to question my relationship with someone? I’ve not reported any nor is it required I do unless it’s with someone in the services. Patr isn’t in the services so even if I were having sex with him, it would be none of your damn business.”

“I don’t like people man handling my crew,” he growled at her.

“He was hardly man handling me. If he was, it’s up to me to complain about it not you. It’s my body. You have no say in what happens to me in that way,” she said stepping so close their bodies almost touched.

He grabbed her arms and pulled her on tiptoe. He looked down at her breasts pushing against him, “Don’t push me, Adara.”

She put her hands on his chest. His heart thudded quickly under her hands. She caught her breath as he dragged her against him. She felt his arousal and felt an answering need in her own body. “You’ve overstepped your authority, captain,” she said. His mouth was so close, she wanted it on hers.

The Wayfarer series by Eileen Troemel

Let’s meet this amazing author!
NA: Eileen, before we get into the actual interview, I’d like to thank you for all you do to support and work with other authors. Will you tell us a bit about your blogs, the work you do with authors and publishers, your writing and philosophy? We all appreciate you!
ET: Thank you, I hope what I do helps the authors who are featured.  I have four categories which specifically pertain to authors. Tips for Authors (https://eileentroemel.com/category/tips-for-authors/).  This is a series of blog posts which I hope will help writers who think they are ready to step from final draft to editing and hopefully publishing.  As I think of more topics I plan to add to this.  Editor Interviews (https://eileentroemel.com/category/editor-interview/) which asks editors key questions.  This gives authors a chance to get to know editors and how they think. Book Tour (https://eileentroemel.com/category/book-tour/) which I get book information from companies who offer book tours.  However, I also post for any author who asks.  All they have to do is provide me with the information.  I’ve worked with a lot of authors and I’m now starting to get requests from publisher.  Author Interviews (https://eileentroemel.com/category/author-interview/) In this section, I send out 10 questions to authors who want to be interviewed and they provide me answers and pictures and graphics to post.  These all get posted on my web site and then they go out to my social media.

One last thing – though this isn’t on my blog but in my group on Facebook – I’ve been doing live (typed) interviews.  I create a post about the author and the book we’re talking about.  Then in the comments I ask question and the author answers.  Others are invited to ask as well.

One thing I want to say – I don’t charge for any of this.  Yes, it takes time and effort but I’m not out any money.  I’ve gotten to know some great authors and learned about genres I don’t write in.

My philosophy – hmmm well I’d like to have some lofty esoteric response here but the answer is simple.  I’m an author.  Almost daily, I get requests to advertise with some group or someone wants to do a review – but of course there’s a charge for it. Being an author is expensive.  Most of us in this field are saving for expensive items like editing and book covers.  While we put out a lot for these ($300+ for editing and anywhere from $50 up for covers) we make very little in royalties – even as a self published author a lot of people take their share first.  I don’t have the money to help in most situations but I can say – hey come put your stuff on my site and I’ll post them. One post – if it’s sent to me in an organized fashion – takes very little time and effort on my part.  If it takes very little effort and it helps people, then why not do it? So I do.

NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?
 ET: For a long time, I tried to be traditionally published.  I finally gave up on publishers and decided to leap into the deep end of the pool.  Once I started, I published all my backlog which included a meditation book, romance novel, and three poetry books.  Then I sat back and said – ‘What’s next?’  During a discussion with my daughter, she told me to write her a scifi romance with a woman who wasn’t all that strong to begin with but by the end of the … book but in this case series as well, she was strong and confident.  So Wayfarer came to be.

NA: What sort of research did you do to write this book?
 ET: I’m not big on research.  First I write off the cuff.  So as the story comes to me, I write it.  If I need to know something, I use my phone and google it.  But prior to starting Wayfarer, I did a lot of things.  Science fiction for me put it squarely in the space arena.  I knew I wanted to focus on a woman.  I started thinking about her being different and how did she stand out.  This led me to well if she’s in space maybe she’s not fully human.  When I thought of an alien race, I considered what we here on earth didn’t like.  Prejudices… now this is a big topic and no I’m not diving into politics… but I grew up watching westerns and remember a lot of derogatory comments about people with mixed races – so part Native American and part white typically in those stories.  I also considered groups of people who are disliked.  Being partly Irish, I considered the Travelers – they have a bad reputation along with Gypsies or Romani – not trying to insult anyone here – just thinking of groups who’ve been disliked on sight.  Put all of this into a pot and stir and I came up with Adara, half human and half Wayfarer, pilot for spaceships who has skills because of her genetics but also because of her genetics people distrusted her.

NA: A fun fact about writing your book.
ET: Fun fact… well this was supposed to be a stand alone, one and done book.  I finished the first book, sent it to my readers, and started thinking about what next.  Then all of my readers came back and said – what’s next?  I said – no.  Her story is done.  Again my daughter who wanted the story in the first place said – but you left things incomplete.  Now I hate that in books so I panicked.  She said – well what about her family?  What happened with the Barions are they going to let go or will they come after her again? This started me thinking and the next thing I knew – book 2 happened – Wayfarer Clans

NA: Do you have a day job?
ET: Yes, I do have a day job.

NA: What was your job before you started writing full time?
ET: I work at a University as an administrative assistant.

NA: What started you on the path to writing?
ET: This is easy – my 3rd grade teacher when I was 8 assigned us a short story to write.  It’s the first time I realized I could create stories from my imagination.

NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer?
ET: I have a ridiculously large family between my family and my husband’s.  Some – well I’m not sure if they even know I write.  I’ve not had any negative reactions from them.  My mom even knew I write erotica (under a pen name) and she shrugged.  She never read it but she never said anything negative about it to me.  She loved my poetry books and any book with no sex in it.  She even read Wayfarer.  I said, you know there’s sex in there.  She said she skipped over it.  Many of my friends have been asked odd questions when I know they’re experts in something.  Some people have asked to be put in my books.  On occasion I’ve done that.  And yes, I’ve even killed off people in my story who annoy me.  But I’m not telling you who and why.

NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?
ET: I write as I go. If the characters aren’t talking, I’m not writing.  I have almost 30 WIPs (works in progress).  I also write from start to finish.  If I write out of sequence, I struggle to make it all fit.

NA: What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
ET: This is easy – when a reader says – I love your books.  I feel such a sense of relief that my stories aren’t complete crap (yes on my bad days I think they are) and that someone actually likes them.

NA: Which kind of scenes are the hardest for you to write? Action, dialogue, sex?
ET: This varies for each story.  I think the first time I wrote an action scene where I had to describe in detail what happens to the human body when you stab it or slam a hammer into it – that was hard finding the right balance between me gagging because I hated the scene and still being descriptive enough that the reader wasn’t disappointed.  As for sex scenes, these are really technical.  You want the soft words and the sensual feeling but gauging the level of heat in them is crucial.  Additionally, you don’t want extra arms or readers saying – If they’re doing this, how can they be doing that?  So it’s technical.  Plus coming up with words which aren’t the anatomical words can be tricky because you don’t want them to sound completely ridiculous.  I actually find these scene particularly fun to write – not for the sexual content but because they make me think and work at writing.

NA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
ET: Aside from writing, I love to crochet.  I’ve been crocheting since I was 12.  I’ve had patterns published in magazines and have even published my own patterns.  I also have a large family.  In my own family, I have a husband and three daughters but our expanded family is ridiculously large.

NA: A pet peeve.
ET: Let me preface this by saying I’ve been in customer service for most of my adult life.  I do not like rude people.  If you have a problem, state it politely and clearly.  Accept that sometimes the answer is no.  I’ve been in stores and other places where people are trying to get their way and they can’t – usually it’s against policy.  I remember standing in line at the DMV (department of motor vehicles) and this woman was complaining because the person behind the counter wouldn’t allow her to do what she wanted.  Now, I worked at the DMV phone line, and KNEW state statutes.  This woman got louder and louder.  I could see the person behind the counter getting more and more nervous.  I spoke up and said, you’re asking her to break state law.  She cannot do that.  She’ll lose her job.  The person didn’t like it but I think the people around me were happy the argument ended.  It probably helped the line moved forward too.

NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
ET: Fair warning – this is not a polite answer …. SHUT THE FUCK UP!  I don’t like mornings. [NA: LOL!]

NA: What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
ET: They aren’t famous but I’d like to gather my mother and aunts, grandmothers, great grandmothers, and so on going back in my family.  I’d like to listen to all their stories and learn about their lives.  Of course it would need to be recorded so I get every word.    

NA: What are you working on now?
ET: Well typing this out is going to make me tired but just for you.  I’ve got two short stories I’m writing for two different anthologies. I’m working on a co-write with another author for a children’s book which is probably going to morph into three books.  I’m doing refreshes on a number of my early books.  I’m working on the third Wild Magic book.  I’ve got two finished books which need editing and prep for publishing. I’ve got three crochet pattern books to do final touches on.  Other authors have asked me to edit their books – we’re trading services – so two full length novels to edit. I’m helping someone hone their editing skills.  Did I mention the 30 or so WIPs that tug at me?

NA: What is any question we didn’t ask that you would like to answer?
ET: When I first started writing I said I wanted to write at least one book in every genre.  I know that will never happen because there are genres I won’t touch.  I typically write scifi fantasy romance.  I’m stretching out into paranormal and others.  I won’t write in horror, dark anything, and probably not historical – too much research is needed.  Fantasy is probably my favorite genre to read and write because I love seeing the different worlds and societies that come from people’s minds.  I get to make all the rules.  Who wouldn’t want ultimate control like that?

Author bio and links:
Author of Moon Affirmations as well as poetry, novels, and short stories, Eileen enjoys telling a good story or expressing a heartfelt emotion.  She’s been published in The American Tarot Association’s Quarterly Journal, What’s Cooking America, Children, Churches and Daddies, and many other publications.  In addition to her writing, she loves to read, crochet, crafting, research genealogy, and spend time with family.  She has three adult daughters and has been married to her husband for 38 years.

Website: https://eileentroemel.com/
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LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-troemel-6667825b/
MeWe https://mewe.com/i/eileentroemel