Step into a vast universe teeming with life, romance, heroism, and treachery as experienced and seen through the eyes of Gayle Zimmon. 'Zim', a young woman successful in war but naive to the machinations of the greater universe, returns from combat to confront genetically engineered humans and discover that she was sent to war not to win but to die.
While fighting the Aldrakin, Zim learns of a prophecy foretelling that the "Starflower," her military call sign, will bloom "in the dark of the darkest night" but never know peace. Not one to accept ancient prophecy, after securing victory, she hopes to rekindle her romance with Mac and return to the peaceful life they left on the frontier.
But she is a major player in a galaxy-spanning intrigue she barely understands. Forces alien and cybernetic hold the stakes and align on both sides. Between dodging assassins, hostile planets, deadly robots, mystical aliens, and ancient relics, she must decide whether to continue running from her prophesied destiny-or try to live up to it.
Author bio:
I am a husband, father, storyteller, and a Christian. I’m also a writer, an intelligence analyst, and a contrarian. My wife and I live with two large dogs in a mountain chalet in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
I hold a BA and an MA in History from George Mason and George Washington University, respectively. In 40+ years with the CIA, I worked at every level from watch office and tactical operations to sensor development and informing national policy. Re-missioned from intelligence, I’m inclined to write science fiction.
I began storytelling at scout and church camp in my youth, recounting ghost stories or local lore around the campfire. These days, my restive characters want to tell their own stories. We often quarrel. When my wife sides with them, you know who wins.
Website: https://thestarflower.com/
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Twitter: @Bookgal
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Amazon: https://amzn.to/3M9LYcL
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
On writing:
How did you do research for your book?
I feel I’ve been researching my book all my life: wide experiences, meeting characters, reading everything, making contacts to touch base with, e.g., scientists and engineers, SF&F writers, medical techs, officers and enlisted from all the military services.
Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?
My main character Zim was the hardest. I know and love her very much, so testing and hurting her brought me to tears a few times.
The easiest was probably Abramyan, the character I love to hate.
In your book you make a reference to The Prophecy. How did you come up with this idea?
The Prophecy is central to the plot, as it was in DUNE, but here it is a much more personal and threatening experience. I have a feeling we all live prophetic lives and, like Zim, may wish to escape them.
Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
My characters live the stories and tell them to me. Without my writing, they cannot live.
There are many sci fi books out there. What makes yours different?
To my mind, SF is about dreaming the impossible dream. If we do that, nothing is beyond us. Much SF today is simplistic, pessimistic, and dystopian, i.e., unworthy of creative minds seeking to fly.
What advice would you give budding writers?
Write. Love and listen to your characters. Listen to your inner child. Writing to the current market and its specific interests will date your work and lose future readers.
Your book is set in Corydon. Have you ever been there?
Corydon is a manufactured planet. We decided after hard lessons that it was better than displacing native species. I’ve only been there in my stories.
In your book you state....why is that?
“In the dark of the darkest night, the Starflower blooms.” That comes from the Aldra Korah, the Aldrakin holy book, and it reminds them as well as us not to give up hope.
If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?
Probably Roland ‘Mac’ Mackenzie—loyal, intelligent, fearless, humble, Zim’s love from childhood.
Do you have another profession besides writing?
In my first incarnation I was an intelligence analyst. I did a great deal of writing then, too.
How long have you been writing?
I wrote my first story in second grade. I came from a family of storytellers.
What is your next project?
I promised my readers a trilogy and am almost finished with the second book, Agent of Blue Star. Beyond that, I have two first-draft novels on hold: The Looalee and Facing Nabua.
What genre do you write and why?
Science Fiction has unlimited possibilities for imagination and metaphor. It taps imagination well beyond other genres. It also challenges the writer to create realistic, unknown worlds.
What is the last great book you’ve read?
I read a lot of nonfiction to help understand human and inhuman societies as well as technology. In SF, Edward Lerner’s book InterstellarNet Enigma had a fascinating premise about human development. A very creative, SF thriller.
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
Your book is too short (350 pages); when is the sequel coming out? The awestruck look in the eyes of young people who’ve read it is pretty amazing. It’s not YA.
How are you similar to or different from your lead character?
My lead character manifests many of my daughter’s confrontational traits, my wife too, which may be why I instantly loved her. We are all in sync.
If your book were made into a movie, who would star in the leading roles?
A younger version of Charlize Theron could pull off Zim. Gal Gadot deserves a screen test, but the role is different than what she’s played. Hugh Jackman could play Mac. My stepson Girard (an actor in NYC) wants to play B’Len. My sister Kolleen wants to be Brownie, a golden-girl type. Mickey Rourke would be a good fit for Dom.
If your book were made into a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?
A lot of Irish instrumentals match the mood. I listen to them when I write. Think the movie Last of the Mohicans with Daniel Day-Lewis.
What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing your book?
My characters need to live.
Overcoming the current preference for authors who fit the preferred demographic.
In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like?
Agents want something completely original just like what they last read and with a well-established market, i.e., no risks. Originality may be a hard sell.
Which authors inspired you to write?
The old SF masters from H.G. Well to Arthur C. Clarke to Larry Niven, Phillip K. Dick, and Frank Herbert
What is something you had to cut from your book that you wish you could have kept?
I left a lot on the cutting-room floor that I plan to revisit in sequels and possibly in later stories set in the same universe. We never got to the Tak-Yaki planet, and I know it well.
On rituals:
Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?
If I’m hot on a scene, and it’s time for lunch, I might have a sandwich and glass of milk at the keyboard. But generally, I find snacking distracting. Late in the day, I like a glass of Merlot beside me, but I usually don’t drink it until I’m finished for the day.
Where do you write?
I have a writing loft and a wide-screen station beside a picture window overlooking the Rockfish Valley. Away from my station, I may take notes but do no serious writing.
Do you write every day?
Yes, but not always on my main project. I may write several book reviews in a day.
What is your writing schedule?
Always in the morning, often before dawn and ending by mid or late afternoon. If my characters pester me, I might get up in the middle of the night or return to writing before I go to bed.
Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time?
I mentioned liking a glass of wine beside me that I don’t drink. Late, on Fridays, sometimes it’s a martini, but they get warm.
In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper?
I understand that pen-and-paper writing draws differently on the mind than typing on a computer. That seems to be the case with me. If I’m having a problem with a scene or character, switching to my paper tablet takes care of the problem. Usually in seconds.
If you’re a mom writer, how do you balance your time?
My wife and I both write, and we are empty-nesters hours away from our adult children.
Fun stuff:
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
Probably Napoleonic France, but I prefer going forward in time.
Favorite travel spot?
I prefer wilderness areas over cities.
Favorite dessert?
Strawberry shortcake with home-baked cakes, local-grown berries, and real whipped cream.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you?
The Bible is the only book I can reread and always find some new insight. If I’m stuck on this island forever, I’d want books that help me survive. For a short stay, I’d like an anthology of stories. Maybe by Ursula Le Guin.
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you? The scariest? The strangest?
One incident addresses all these questions: funny, scary, strange. After returning from a beach weekend chaperoning teenagers, I was cleaning sand from the car, and my wife who had stayed home was helping. Teen girls can be vixens, and one of them had put a pair of her panties in the glove compartment. When my wife found them, she held them up and asked, “What is this?” My jaw dropped and my mind went blank. My wife shook her head and laughed. “Those girls.” I wish whoever pulled that prank could have seen me. She got me good.
What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?
Hard to say. I’ve lived my life marching to the sound of the guns. New, different, challenging, I’m there. Today, visitors think building my house on this mountainside was courageous. I just shrug. It is where I was supposed to build.
Any hobbies? or Name a quirky thing you like to do.
I sing and whistle classical music to my doggies. When we put Freya down, I held her and whistled her favorite tunes with tears in my eyes. She died wagging her tail.
If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?
I want my creativity to stir theirs. A creative adult is a child who survived.
What is something you've learned about yourself during the pandemic?
People’s fears were easily manipulated, and I’m an outlier.
What TV series are you currently binge watching?
TV is a wasteland, but I am watching Hard Knocks.
What is your theme song?
“Classical Gas” by Mason Williams
What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?
Our local Farmer’s Market is a hoot. We sell our books at a table there every Saturday in the Summer. Lots of literary tourists who read and write stop by to chat and kids curious about writing.
What is a favorite upcoming holiday tradition (or memory)?
Thanksgiving with the family.
What song is currently playing on a loop in your head?
Funny you should ask. I’m thinking of simple songs to teach my granddaughter when she visits, and “Smiles” keeps coming up.
What is something that made you laugh recently?
Most of what I hear in the news today makes me laugh. What isn’t funny is how many believe without question.
What is your go-to breakfast item?
Cottage cheese with fresh pineapple or peach slices.
What is the oldest item of clothing you own?
A Hawaiian shirt my mother gave me for Christmas. She’s been gone 15 years now.
Tell us about your longest friendship.
I keep in touch with a Greek family I’ve known since HS.
What is the strangest way you've become friends with someone?
A senior employee at my first professional work site considered me an upstart and sabotaged a project I was leading. He knew I knew, but when he got in trouble on his project, he needed my help. I volunteered a weekend to clean up the problems, and afterward, he came to me with an ashamed apology and thanks. We’ve been friends ever since.
Who was your childhood celebrity crush?
Elke Sommer
BOOK EXCERPT
The Battle of Bai-Yota
Ebron called up the panels for Five Squadron: twenty-four cruisers, three controlled minefields, and the simulated ships of the decoy fleet. The weapons team led by Major Yoshi Kuwashima arrived and took over for Kaplan initiating and charging the weapon stations.
Zim stood with Ebron between the command console and the star chart projection. “Sensor range limit?” Ebron set arcs on the chart for effective and maximum ranges. Zim selected the nearest, and Ebron slid the coordinates to the battle-management navigator.
Kaplan blurted, “We’re going to Port Estelle, right? I heard Tock say—” His words trailed off as he noted everyone hanging on Zim’s next order.
“Where’s Clockwork?” she asked. Ebron blue-circled the TY squadron positions and activated unit designators. Zim nodded. Tock had come up alongside the minefields and mingled with the decoys.
“Set the simulants in attack formations.” The order was for Ebron, but Zim called out loud for Kuwashima’s weapons team to hear. “Each to fire continuous, simulated pulses, maximum range plus fifty percent. I want the Aldrakin to think we outrange them.”
Ebron’s fingers spider-stepped across and between the panels, shifting the screens to display the new deployments. Tock’s TY squadrons aligned like dance partners to support the mock attack formations. Simulated weapons flashed from six decoy battle stations. Three decoy carriers deployed simulated mines and launched simulated fighters that formed new attack formations. Sensors, counter-sensors, and simulated sensors swept wide into space.
“What’s Five Squadron’s status?”
“All flights above seven percent,” Ebron responded. “Sufficient for our return to Port Estelle.” He anticipated Zim’s next question, “or for one offensive action. Six Flight is almost thirty percent.” Zim quick-nodded and pointed for Ebron to open contact with Six Flight’s commander, Major Anthony “Savvy” Savielli.
“Savvy, this is Starflower... I want Six Flight to take rear guard and give cover. We’re passing you control of the minefield and simulants. Watch us and prepare to support whatever action we take. Don’t wait for direction. We’ll be on silent comm. If we continue retreating, follow us to Estelle.”
“Roger, Starflower. Six has your six.”
Zim continued. “Flights one through five prepare to regroup at the coordinates Lieutenant Ebron is transmitting. Follow our lead.” She waited seven seconds then nodded to Ebron, and Lasalle swung out of orbit.
The coordinates took Five Squadron’s twenty cruisers, minus Savielli’s four cruisers, beyond Aldrakin sensors. Links with Savvy and Tock enabled Zim to continue tracking the battle as it developed.
Savvy joined Tock in extended range firing alongside the decoys. He directed the decoy starships and interactive mines to challenge Aldrakin encroachments, drawing fire away from his cruisers and the TY. Ebron expanded the star chart to capture the extended maneuvers and enemy responses.
Zim turned to Kuwashima. “Aldrakin weapon deployments?”
“Heavies falling back to regroup,” her weapons officer responded. “Lighter ships, cruisers, and corvettes are probing the minefield. Our decoys have them confused. When they hit one, it reacts by exploding, then Savvy generates a new one in another sector. Our simulated weapons don’t do any damage, but the Aldrakin run into real mines trying to evade them. That’s probably why they’re moving back the heavies. I count two battle stations out of action.”
Zim huffed a laugh. “Only thirty-four more to go. How have they deployed the hyper-specs and command-and-control ships?”
“Short-range sensor platforms and small combatants have gone forward to target the minefield and clear a path for the heavies. Long-range sensors and command ships are staying back, directing fire for the battle stations.” She looked up, eyes glistening. “All fire’s converging on our decoys, trying to cripple them and slow our retreat. They smell blood.”
“So do I.” Zim slow-tapped a knuckle of her balled fist to her chin. “You say all their capital ships are back and firing long, and all short-range sensor and weapon platforms are forward?” Kuwashima nodded.
Zim pointed to Ebron. “You said we can execute one action?” He nodded. A smile crept across Zim’s face. The bridge team saw it and froze.
“Cancel retreat. Signal Savvy and Tock, we’re going on offense.”
Zim touched a red circle on the star chart. “When this squadron commits to the minefield,” her finger shifted to the cluster of circles in the Aldrakin rear, “we go here... Aberrant Knight.”
Her team flew into action. Ebron slid the new coordinates to the navigator and passed them to the squadron. Kuwashima set the weapons officers to calibrate for short range against heavily shielded targets.
Kaplan’s eyes darted, unable to track the seamless orchestration. Zim exchanged glances with Ebron and Kuwashima then pointed her chin from Kuwashima to Kaplan.
“Over here, Wonder,” Kuwashima called and elicited a chair to rise beside her. Kaplan sat and watched as her team fed targets to Lasalle’s weapon systems.
“Aberrant Knight?” he muttered. “I don’t remember that in StarCom’s battle manual.”
“Welcome to Five Squadron, Wonder Kaplan.” Kuwashima’s eyes remained glued as her hands dashed across the panels. Officers around them smiled without looking up. “The Aldrakin know the StarCom battle manual. This maneuver comes from the Starflower battle manual. It’s a Daka-Rye gambit.”
Seeing Kaplan’s brows knit, Kuwashima expanded. “Daka-Rye is the Tak-Yaki combat sport. When we became allies and began joint operations, Marshal Zimmon insisted we field a team in their Daka-Rye league.”
“Okay, teach me. What’s an Aberrant Knight?” Kaplan trembled with expectation. He kept telling himself this is what he’d asked for.
“We are. Five Squadron takes a Myseko skip into the middle of the enemy fleet and goes berserk—we shoot whatever comes up on the scanner.”
Kaplan pulled upright. “Myseko’s for interstellar travel. It’s suicide to skip within a star system. We’ll be in Bai-Yota’s gravity well.” He glanced around. No one seemed the least perturbed.
“It’s a terrific surprise tactic,” Kuwashima said then faced him. “No one expects it. In Daka-Rye, the Aberrant Knight is a sacrifice. We sell ourselves dearly to distract the enemy, and our reserve force finishes them off.” She smiled into Kaplan’s astonished, black eyes. He gripped the weapons console.
“How near can we get?” Zim asked.
Ebron, pointing to the Aldrakin rear-flank, spread and rocked his index finger and thumb to indicate the margin for error.
Zim turned to Kuwashima. “We’ll likely be too far out to target their sensors, so disable weapon systems first. Update the squadron.”
“Yes, sir.”
Zim rechecked the star chart. “Everyone set timers. We go Myseko in twenty-five seconds. Any luck, we’ll catch ’em still committed to the minefield.”
Zim’s heart pounded, and her breath came short. “Lock down,” she called and took her seat. Her stony-faced crew silently followed suit and felt the reactive seats hug them in place. Zim looked across and back at her team. The thought crossed her mind as it had before every battle—this might be their end—and a thin smile crept back onto her lips.
“Sheer away.”
Lasalle dropped out of space and time.
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