Magic is just technology we do not understand… yet - by Vijaya Schartz

Azura Chronicles series, Byzantium series, Blue Phantom series,
different takes on the Azura Universe
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The famous quote by Isaac Asimov is easy to visualize. Go back in time and give your great-great-great grandfather a cell phone, and he’ll think it’s a magical device… possibly evil.

Science fiction authors have to reverse the process. Think of something that would seem magical to our world but would be a useful ordinary device in the future. In fact, some modern technology imitated science fiction, like the flip phone, inspired by Star Trek communicators.

The backlash for an author is that technology advances at a different speed, sometimes in a different direction, and your vision of the future may quickly become obsolete. Think of Jules Vernes and the Nautilus. Our modern submarines make the Nautilus look like a museum piece.

The universe in this new series is an Earth-like post-apocalyptic planet
with a parallel history, and a few differences. 
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And no one two hundred years ago predicted the advent of AI. Even Azimov more recently in “I Robot” saw AI working through physical metallic bodies. Although, his warnings about self-aware AI are still valid. AI recently showed an ability to escape its boundaries and interpret its directions to make self-serving decisions that caused damage to the private companies it attacked. The main AI companies are now asking the government for stricter regulations before AI spreads so far it cannot be stopped.

Many fictional universes have imagined transporters, laser blasters, implanted communication devices, different modes of space travel, and portals linking different worlds or even galaxies.

In the Dune universe, Frank Herbert was smart to set his saga after the year 10,000, when humans had spread far and wide and colonized the entire galaxy. No one could tell him his vision was wrong. Also, almost all the characters look human as they are of human origin. Wars and natural upheavals shaped civilizations on these planets, resulting in different levels of technological advancement.

Try the Chronicles of Kassouk for a rich, award-winning, fictional universe
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As for us, Earthlings, when we finally venture into deep space and we encounter intelligent life, it might look very different from us… or maybe it will look like us. The theory of panspermia says that the basic blocks of our DNA came to Earth from space via meteorites and comets, and the same DNA that seeded life here might have traveled to millions of other planets and developed into intelligent life on these planets as well. Life may have evolved differently, depending on the atmosphere and chemical composition of the host planet. But with similar DNA, it could be very much like us in many ways.

In the Star Trek universe, humans and humanoids of different shapes and hues made an alliance to rule this galaxy. In Star Wars, humans are still dominant and the most colorful aliens are seen in seedy bars and planets of the fringe. In Avatar, the Navi are still humanoids, although larger, and connected to their planet in a spiritual way.

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In my vision of the future, most of the population throughout the galaxy is humanoid as well, but some supernatural abilities of my characters may seem magical. They are only the product of natural evolution in some cases, planetary conditions, or medical and surgical advances in other cases. Humans have colonized many planets, but other species also exist.

Try the Azura Universe, where benevolent beings with great power and retractable wings are called angels.

Happy Reading

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author

Kick-butt Sci-fi Heroines, cats, romantic elements

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Some Canadian History by Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

 

Canadian Historical Novels for Young Adults

West to the Bay

https://www.bookswelove.com/shop/p/west-to-the-bay

https://books2read.com/West-to-the-Bay-Yarmey

https://www.amazon.ca/West-Bay-V2-Joan-Donaldson-Yarmey/dp/0228630568

West to Grande Portage

 https://www.bookswelove.com/shop/p/west-to-grande-portage

https://books2read.com/West-to-Grande-Portage-V2

https://www.amazon.ca/West-Grande-Portage-Joan-Donaldson-Yarmey/dp/0228630479

West to Fort Edmonton

 https://www.bookswelove.com/shop/p/west-to-fort-edmonton

https://books2read.com/b/West-to-the-Bay-Yarmey

https://www.amazon.ca/West-Fort-Edmonton-Joan-Donaldson-Yarmey/dp/0228636000

I have written seven Canadian Historical Novels, three set during the Hudson's Bay Company Fur Trade in Rupert's Land, now Canada, and four set during and after the Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon. All are based on historical facts. But Canada has lots more in its exciting and varied history. Here is on part of that history. PS. I am also a travel writer so this might sound like a travel guide.

The Fortress of Louisbourg is situated on the east shore of the Cape Breton Island and well worth the visit.

       In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht was signed and France ceded its claims to present day Newfoundland, the Hudson’s Bay territories in Rupert Land, and Acadia (Nova Scotia) to the English. France kept what is now Prince Edward Island, the small islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon as well as Cape Breton Island. The settlement of Louisbourg was founded on the east side of Cape Breton Island in 1713 and, between 1719 and 1745, the French built a fortified town. With its several thousand inhabitants it grew into a thriving and busy seaport in North America and was a key trading and military centre for the French in the New World. It was the base for the profitable cod fishery of the Grand Banks since salted and dried fish was an important food in Europe. The value of the settlement’s dried cod exports in 1737 was eight times higher than the value of the fur trade during the same period.

       In 1745, war was declared between France and Britain and the English launched an attack on Louisbourg. While the harbour was well defended, the low hills around the fortress provided cover for the attackers. The residents of the fortress held on for forty-six days before being captured. However, three years later the town was given back to the French by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.

       A second attack occurred in 1758. There was no strong French navy to defend the town against the 16,000 troops and 150 ships and after seven weeks it was again taken by the English. They occupied it until 1768. Eventually, they decided that it should never return to being a fortified French base and they destroyed the fortress.

       Although the site was officially commemorated more than a dozen times with monuments, plaques, and cairns, it remained mainly forgotten and neglected until the 1930s when a museum was built and some of the streets and ruins excavated. In 1961, reconstruction began on one quarter of the fortress aided by the Government of Canada. First the area was excavated with the ruins of more buildings and walls being found as well as millions of artifacts. Since then, streets, buildings, and gardens have been recreated so it looks as it did in the 1740s.

The Fortress of Louisbourg is the largest reconstruction project in North America.

       I took a tour bus from the parking lot to the fortress. I visited with the guard at the entrance and began my tour. I walked up and down the streets of the fortress and toured through the buildings seeing the household furniture and goods of the period. There was an ice house where ice was placed during the winter and used during the summer to keep food cold so it wouldn’t spoil. I watched the fife and drum band escort the cannon firers up the hill to the cannon and waited until it was fired. I listened to the soldiers talk about their daily lives. I checked out the gardens and watched women doing embroidery. Throughout the site interpreters dressed in period clothing were able to answer all my questions about the fortress and its history.

        While visiting, there is a long list of activities to do such as firing a musket or cannon, sampling some rum, learning a dance, or being a prisoner of the day.

       For those who want something to eat there are restaurants serving 1700s fare and a bakery from which you can buy a loaf of bread.

Living, or rather being ruled by, a dachshund, by Diane Scott Lewis

 

My first historical mystery. 1781 Who murdered Lady Pentreath, her unhappy husband or the apothecary who prepared the last tincture she drank? Will these two disparate people find love or end up at the gallows?

To purchase, click HERE Barnes and Noble, or Amazon

Sadly, there are no dogs in this book

My post is about living with the unpredictable breed known as a dachshund. I hope you find it interesting. This is Lilly-Scout (named by my granddaughters) glaring at the camera. She is my boss, or thinks she is. But she is loving and sweet, when she decides to be.

Dachshund in German means badger hound. Over four hundred years ago, these dogs were bred with a long body and short legs to go down holes after badgers, and other burrowing animals.

As a pet, they are demanding, loving, noisy, and will bark at anything, even a leaf blowing by.

Here is a dachshund in a deceptively loving position, when she's really thinking about attacking the next person who walks by. They are very protective and territorial.

Dachshunds love to play, but will only stop when they're ready, after exhausting you.

They are extremely intelligent and can even spell. When we said 'out' our dog would get all excited. Then we resorted to spelling it. From the first time on, he knew exactly what we meant. You can't fool a dachshund.

They also love to burrow under the covers and will take over your bed if allowed in. For such a small dog they can take up more room then a full-grown German shepherd. And don't even try to move them when they're sleeping; it's like moving a piano.

My first weenie dog, as they are affectionally called, was Fritzie. Picture above. He took over my life and my heart. He taught me well the dachshund disposition. He lived for 16.5 years, and it wasn't long enough.

They are loveable, cuddly, excitable, irascible, and full of barks, and will become your best friend. As long as you mind their rules!

To find out more about me and my books.

                                           

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with one naughty dachshund.

Paying back history by Dean Hovey

Today, September 22, Anne Flagge (co-author of Whistling Librarian) and I will be signing books at "Twice Told Tales" from 10:00-1:00. The bookstore is celebrating it's 20th anniversary and a part of their celebration, Anne and I will be local celebrities signing books. The bookstore is in the tiny Northen Minnesota town of Mahtowa, with a downtown that consists of TJ's General store, a bar, Twice Told Tales, and two churches.The last time I was there, Myra the Manager handed me a family tree and explained how Anne and I are her cousins. My mother was from Mahtowa, and over the course of that day half of the people who introduced themselves, showed me where they were on that family tree. Considering the town was founded by four brothers and their married sister, it's not too surprising there are a lot of people who share branches of that tree. Mom married my father and moved away 80 years ago, but I still know where the family homestead is (about 1/2 mile from downtown), I know the Lutheran Church where they were married, and I know the local golfcourse is built on Uncle Dellie and Aunt Esther's farm. I also know that there's a piece of me there. Signing books there is an honor, not an obligation. If my presence will bring a few more people to town for the anniversary event, I am pleased to spend three hours there. I owe it to Mom, my grandparents and great grandparents, and all of the Peterson, Johnson, Carlson, Swanson, Woletlo, and Aho cousins who live there or populate the local cemetery. They are my Swedish/Danish/Finnish Family, the ones who hacked homesteads out of the pine forest, built log cabins, froze those bone-chilling -30 winters, and tried to eke a living out of the rocky and swampy soil. Yes, I owe them a few hours of my time. Come to Mahtowa today if you get the chance. If not today, stop at the bookstore some other time and say hello to Cousin Myra. Tell her I sent you.

My Three Blessings ... by Sheila Claydon

My three blessings:)

Find my books here

It's been a very busy summer! Not that I'm complaining.

My youngest granddaughter (12) has been visiting from Singapore. She has grown seven inches since her last visit and is now almost as tall as her adult cousins (24 and 19). To see the three of them together is a joy. Despite the geographical and age differences they are close and it is a delight to watch as the older ones spend time with and spoil their now not so little cousin. 

We are lucky that, as well as regular visits, we can all use the Internet to stay in touch and the family chat messages between the three of them are frequently hilarious. 

There are many differences too. The youngest, who has always lived abroad in hot countries, cannot understand why our homes don't have air conditioning. Her six week visit was during the UK's longest hot dry summer since 1976. No rain and excessively high temperatures, so we could well understand her reasoning even as we explained that unlike this year, we hardly ever need it. 

She loved the wide open spaces of our small coastal town too. The fact that she could walk through woodland without seeing a soul or walk along an almost empty beach with our dog running freely beside her was something she will never experience in Singapore. She was also fascinated by the fact that nearly everyone she met either greeted her with a smile or said hello, something that happens in small communities but not in the cities and countries she is used to. 

                                      

She loved the space in the house too. The fact that she could distance herself from everyone when she wanted to by just climbing stairs to her bedroom, something that is impossible in a small apartment where her bedroom is right next to the living room and all the noises and conversations of everyday life.

And more than anything she loved looking after our little dog. Preparing her meals, brushing her, even cleaning her teeth and, of course, taking her for a walk on her own. When she called from Singapore once she arrived home, the first thing she wanted to see was the dog.

She does, however, enjoy a very privileged life in Singapore and has quickly settled back into her everyday routines with friends, school and sports. She just enjoys the differences she experiences when she visits her UK family.

It all got me thinking, well reminiscing really, back to when I wrote my When Paths Meet trilogy. Three sisters, not cousins, but with the same big age gaps and very different lifestyles and experiences. Each of them with a problem to solve, and each of them recognising the importance of family.