Hathor Legacy: Burn
by Deborah A. Bailey
Blurb:
On the planet, Hathor, an old threat re-emerges that may destroy the fragile alliance between the Guardians and Novacorp. When Nadira is called to investigate a rash of fires throughout the city, she discovers the Deshtu, another group with PSI powers who have been purposely kept in the shadows.
Working to uncover the source of the fires, Nadira learns the brutal truth about the origin of the Guardians. The Guardian Elders have plans to make Nadira more powerful, and she may be forced to sever her psychic connection to her lover, Jonathan Keel.
When an unexpected ally gives Jonathan information about the Deshtu that connects them to the fires, he becomes a convenient scapegoat for the opposing factions. Nadira puts her life on the line to solve the crime, while the Elders make their move to remove Jonathan from her life forever.
As time runs out, the Guardians prepare for a clash with Novacorp that could plunge the planet into chaos, and a final betrayal forces Nadira to risk everything to save herself and Hathor.
Excerpt:
Up ahead at the corner, she saw lights and transport vehicles passing back and forth. They could get one and head back to the apartment. She was in no mood to return to the reception. Not after what she'd just seen and felt.
"What the hell could be the reason to set these fires?" Jon asked, picking up the pace as they neared the corner.
"The officers think the Guardians are doing this. They believe Varyn's story."
At the corner, they hurried to the transport stand and got into the first one of a long line of shiny, blue and black vehicles. Once the doors closed behind them, she pressed her palm against the clear ID plate. "Take us home."
"Affirmative, Sentry Nadira." After retrieving her data from the system, the transport pulled into the traffic lanes, heading towards the apartment building.
"When are you going to talk to Varyn again?" Jonathan asked, as he glanced behind him.
"As soon as I can. I wanted to give her a little time. But I don't think I can wait much longer," she replied. "Is something wrong?"
"Huh? No. I just felt like we were being watched." He settled down in the seat and slid his arm around her. "It's nothing."
She remembered having that same feeling when she'd come home from the Gathering.
As a Guardian she'd tracked people before. She'd used her abilities to sense their locations and read their thoughts. Was that happening now? Were she and Jon being tracked by the people who'd set the fire?
Author Interview:
What inspired you to write Hathor Legacy: Burn?
Well, it's book two of a series. The first book is Hathor Legacy: Outcast. I got the idea for a planet run by a corporation while I was a corporate employee. Then I wondered what would happen if some people developed PSI powers. Would they use those powers for good or evil, or what? How would they fit into society? Since I love science fiction, I decided to put my ideas together and create a planet in the future that was settled by people from Earth. After the outbreak of a disease kills half of the settlers, the survivors start to develop PSI powers. Ultimately, because the planet is rich in resources, the Novacorp corporation takes over and creates their own government. So you could say I had a few ideas that all came together in this book series.
When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I knew from probably age seven, if I remember correctly! I loved reading and I was always writing and drawing. That's probably true of most writers. It's something you do because you have to do it.
What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?
Let's see, I remember reading Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss when I was about 5. The thing is I still remember how much I loved it. That's why I enjoy reading and writing today. I can still feel the excitement I had from reading that book.
What genre of books do you enjoy reading?
For the most part, I like any kind of speculative fiction type of book. Whether it's science fiction or fantasy or just has a futuristic feeling to it, I'm drawn to it. Even though I've read mainstream stories, I prefer to read books where the author can let their imagination run wild. Also, I like character-driven stories that emphasize relationships, which is a big reason why enjoy writing science fiction romance.
What is your favorite book?
That's a tough question to answer! I have a lot of favorites, so it's really hard to pick just one. One book I really enjoyed was "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro. It's not really considered science fiction, but I think it can be in that genre. It's about cloning and what happens to a few of the clones as they grow up and discover what they are. There's a love story too, though it's bittersweet. They made a movie a few years back, and it was pretty close to the book. But I recommend checking out the book first.
You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?
My favorite author is science fiction writer, Octavia Butler. She inspired me because up to that point I'd mostly been reading science fiction by male authors. If women were in the story, they weren't the focus and they weren't directing the action. Also, as a black female she showed that writing speculative stories was open to everyone who had a story to tell. I think particularly when you're younger and unsure, it helps to see that you're not by yourself if you feel drawn to a specific type of story.
She wrote a lot of dystopian stories, which now are extremely popular, but at the time not so much. Instead of focusing on space exploration, her stories were mostly centered on Earth in the near future. But the situations were based in our everyday world. But that's what science fiction and fantasy does so well, it takes things we can identify with and places them in otherworldly settings.
If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?
Right now I'd pick Ancient Egypt. I did research into Egyptian mythology when I was writing my book, which is where I got the idea to name the planet after the goddess, Hathor. Seems like it would be exciting to actually see the pyramids being built, or to look inside the temples as they were. Instead of it being something in a history book, I could explore it and see it for myself.
When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?
Writing the first draft is the easiest, because I'm just going with the flow. But the drafts after that can be challenging because that's when the story really comes together. That's the point where it can be frustrating when a scene isn't working, or a character isn't turning out the way you thought they would. So, for me writing is a little of both. It all depends on what stage I'm at in the process.
Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?
I don't have any pets, but a few cats come and go in my backyard. They show up when they feel like it, though, so I'm not sure yet if they plan to stick around. Cats have their own ideas about things!
What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?
Chocolate of course! After that, I'd say pizza because I make my own and I add anything and everything to it. Or can I have pizza first then chocolate for dessert? That would be a perfect meal.
Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?
My best advice would be to follow your dream and don't give up on it, no matter what. The more you write the better you'll get. You'll also become more confident about telling your stories. So don't be discouraged. If you have a story inside, let it out.
My Review:
I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.
On the planet Hathor someone has been setting fires to what is called service houses. A service house is where someone is taken that has shown signs of having abilities or powers. But whoever is setting fire to these houses is hiding something. The houses that are being burned have people in them, people that have abilities. But someone is trying to hide that fact and Nadira a Guardian is investigating the fires and trying to find out who is behind the fires and the murders. Nadira runs into a lot of trouble herself while investigating the fires.
Nadira's boyfriend or the person she is connected to is charged or blamed for a crime he didn't commit and his sent back to his home world. Someone wants Nadira all for themselves or just wants to take control of her and can't do it as long as she is connected to someone. So this person is doing everything in their power to keep them apart. Nadira will risk her life, her job, her home and her freedom to save Jon. No one is going to hurt or break them up as long as she has breath in her body.
The oldest families on Hathor came from Earth. The planet was made safe for humans when they sprayed the planet with some kind of chemical that would make it habitable for humans. All or most that is born on Hathor are born with special powers but if they leave the planet for any length of time they will lose their powers.
While investigating the fires Nadira finds out a lot that she never knew about her family and the war that happened a long time ago that almost brought destruction to Hathor. If Nadira doesn't find out who is starting the fires in time it just may triggers another war. Nadira is racing against the clock to save her life and that of her planet.
When beginning Hathor Legacy: Burn I wasn't sure if I was going to like it but I was especially concerned that it wouldn't make any sense to me as I did not read the first book Hathor Legacy: Outcast but I didn't have any problem keeping up with the story. I don't feel as if I missed anything from the first book at all. Although I do wonder if the first book gave any info about Nadira, her family, her mentor and more about her training as well as how Nadira and Jon met and about their connection and would like to read the first book as well. I would also love reading more about Nadira and her new life in more books. I loved the world that makes up Hathor. I loved their houses, their different ways of transportation. I you have not read the Hathor Legacy's then I highly recommend that you do and real soon. The world building is out of this world (pun not intended).
About the Author:
As a little girl when Deborah A Bailey was watching Star Trek and Twilight Zone, she was writing and drawing her own superheroine comics. When she grew up, she continued to write and followed her love of technology into a career as a computer programmer and developer. But writing was never far away from her heart, so over the years she wrote and published stories set on other worlds and in Earth's future. Ultimately she fulfilled a lifelong dream and completed her first novel in the Hathor Legacy universe, Hathor Legacy: Outcast.
Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers' Conference and her work has been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun. In 2013 she published a short story collection, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales. In her "other" life, she's a freelance writer who's published three non-fiction books and countless articles that have appeared in print and online. Visit her blog for writing tips, interviews and updates. http://www.BrightStreetBooks.com
Deborah will be awarding a free print version of Hathor Legacy: Burn to three randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour (US ONLY), and a Grand Prize of a $45 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Virtual Book Tour Organized By Goddess Fish Promotions
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