Victoria A. Jeffrey's authorly doings. . .

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Sample Chapters! (Mission: Blackguard Conspiracy)

Okay here's the sample chapter from my latest book I'm writing, Mission: Blackguard Conspiracy! it starts with a huge bang! Hope you like it! If you want more sample chapters, join the mailing list! This is chapter one, by the way.  Also, Schisms is now perma-free! if you've already read it tell someone who might be interested!


Enjoy!

1

The momentum I'd gained from my jetpack caused me to careen into the wall and I began sliding toward the open airlock but I myself caught upon one of the ship's rear support columns and frantically swung myself around and with a thump I hit the floor snatching up the broken pipe as he bore down on me again. He grabbed my arm and swung me up towards the ceiling. I hit the ceiling with a hard crack as he grabbed my legs to slam me down against the floor or the wall. I swung the pipe and bashed him on the shoulder but his strength in his rage was fantastic! It seemed to have no effect on him but I hit him again, this time across his helmet. I felt myself slammed against the ground and saw stars on the edges of my vision. Adrenaline now was the only thing that kept me going – that, and growing rage. And I too had gotten more fit and stronger in my labors as a U-net agent.
I rolled across the ground and was up again but had dropped my weapon and couldn't get to my pistol. He laughed, his mouth full of bloody phlegm and saliva from his glands but besides that he was unharmed and coming at me like a hawk after prey.
“You've been a pain in my ass for too long, Astor! It ends here!” He screamed, bloody spittle flying form his mouth and bubbling on his faceplate. He pulled out a blade and I kicked his arm sending it clattering to the floor behind him.
“Only in your ass? I haven't been trying hard enough!” I lunged forward, smashing into him and we both went down toppling over the storage boxes. With superior strength he got the best of me and I soon found myself pinned under him, struggling as he laughed. His face was so badly mangled that I no longer recognized him, the human engineered skin and alien flesh and appendages fused together in a monstrous unity. He straddled me with his powerful legs, grabbed my helmet and began bashing it against the floor trying to crack it open. The powerful sucking sound of the air emptying from the craft was becoming louder and I felt the powerful force of motion as the air pressure chamber doors finally rose open completely and we both slid toward the opened air chute of the craft. I could see the pistol only a few feet away from me again. Tantalizingly close.
If only I had listened to Magnum!
Outside was the eternity of black space, my soon graveyard if I didn't turn this around. I yelled and pushed against him trying to lift him off me. If I didn't do something quick I would be dead matter floating in space. And then I saw my chance. I grabbed his jetpack strap and pushed the forward blast button sending him careening into the opposite wall. I held on to the jetpack strip and swung him around again as he screamed in rage. I forwarded his momentum by pushing the lift off and drive buttons again and then as he tried to yank the strip from me. He managed to do that as I swung him further toward the open hatch trying to throw him out. Finally yanking it free he flew back down from the ceiling and charged after me, knife in hand. By then I had dropped to the floor and grabbed the pistol. I fired right before he was able to descend upon me and a stream of violet laser fire crackled from the pistol burning a large hole in his chest. He screamed, more in anguish and defeat than pain and I fired again this time the laser fire severing one of his arms. I watched as both he, his arm and all the effluvia and fluids spewing from his body toppled end over end out the air chamber and then floated out the hatch into cold space.
“Yeah,” I said, sighing heavily and bending down to one knee. “I guess it does end here.” Finally, my nemesis was defeated.
I felt myself being pulled along the floor and realized that my own leg was tangled in the long jetpack strip. I tried to anchor myself looking for anything to hold on to but there was nothing in the bay but a few storage boxes which were now just out of my reach. I accidentally dropped the pistol, sending it scuttling toward the open hatch in my struggle to free myself. The force was becoming too strong for me to walk against it. I fell and slid helplessly along the floor as the body floated further out into space. I struggled in vain to untangle myself and shake it off. It was no use. I struggled, crawling back across the floor, each movement becoming ever more difficult as the force of the air and the dead weight of the body was too great. I grappled against the smooth floor desperately, then turned back to see myself sliding near the pistol I grabbed hold of it again and shot at the strip, finally severing the cord. I slid down the floor and managed to hold on to a bar against the wall of the air lock. Sliding my arm toward the emergency controls, the force of the winds forced my head down against the cold metal surface of the wall. I positioned myself awkwardly, sideways against the wall and reached the control panel, pulled the lever and the doors came down and secured the ship. I could finally feel the air around me slowly return to normal pressure as the air lock secured itself completely shut.
I fell to the ground and simply remained there for a few moments. He was now gone, truly forever, never to hunt me or my family again. All I had to do now was wait for someone to come and respond to my distress signal from the ship. When my energy returned I eventually went the cockpit and sat down, taking off my helmet. I turned the lights off and sat back, staring at the wonders of space. There was a change in me. I was no longer afraid. Tulos had said as much would happen one day. And he's said to celebrate it and savor it. But then may be I was too dumb to be afraid. After all who in their right mind would have followed an alien spy all the way to another planet in the first place but someone who was too dumb to be afraid? I laughed.
I think we had won. And I felt that I could finally breathe, that whatever trials would come for the human family, and there would be many, that the future was once again bright. . .

. . .and then I woke up. Again, my dreams were becoming more real, as if I could smell, touch and experience the pain in them. And they were becoming more prescient. Which was making me question my own sanity. This wasn't helping things with my wife who normally took everything in stride. There had been a sudden change in her towards me and she was now calling everything I did into question, even my sleeping patterns! Once again, I was a hero in my dreams, saving the world only for that dream to dissipate and my poor ego to deflate when I woke up to reality.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Progress

I'm in the second editing stage of Blackguard Conspiracy right now and it's been very tough. I've just finished writing a book under a pen name and went straight back into writing Blackguard and I was really feeling the burnout. Things are getting better on that front. I'm enjoying this phase of the editing process but it was rough going for a few months getting that first draft out.

Sometimes it's good to take a break. over work is never a good thing. Anyway, I've got another other Worlds podcast episode coming out later this month so stay tuned. I'm hoping to get Blackguard out by the end of this month but I'm not sure how that will work! we'll see!

Saturday, November 14, 2015

New Book release!

I've been a busy lady! I'm now working on the next Mission book, Blackguard Conspiracy and there's a new science fiction, time travel romance called The Sojourner, that's out now. The Sojourner is now on sale at Amazon. If you enjoy scifi romance and time travel romance, check it out!



All her life Sara McGregor has felt adrift, searching for. . . something. Part of her past is shrouded in mystery, thanks to her enigmatic mother, long dead, and she's struggling to figure out what course her life should take. Dropping out of college and a string of failed relationships has trapped her into a holding pattern. There's got to be something more than her dead-end job, her current loser boyfriend and the pointless rat race of life. Something is missing. 

A strange astronomical event coupled with the power of a family heirloom blasts her into the future, far away from her world and from everyone she's ever known and loved. She accidentally lands on the ship of a handsome pirate captain. Viewed as an unwelcome stowaway at the least, a dangerous spy sent to harm the crew at the worst, the captain is convinced that she's been sent to assassinate someone very close to him. Sara's in over her head and must think fast to convince the captain she's innocent. Sara's game for the excitement but does she have what it takes to survive among a den of space pirates who don't trust her? Survival among them depends on the captain accepting her account of how she landed on his ship and discovering her identity. The answer lies in the mystery surrounding her secretive mother, an answer that may save her life and help her chart a new destiny.


Look for it on other retailers later this month!

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Exciting Stuff, finishing the blueshifters

I'm nearly finished with the blueshifters, season two. That should be out by the beginning of August. there's so much I've got on y plate right now and I've entered exciting times as a writer! two more books n the blueshifter series will be written and then that will be finished. After that comes a scifi detective serial and of course my main series, the Mission series which I plan to release sometime this fall.

The most exciting? well, I've come up with a new pen name for another series I'll be doing this year. But more on that later.

Go ahead and visit the blueshifter blog and read the newest episodes I have out. The next blueshifter book that will be out is the blueshifters: red dawn. That season will be all about the bad guys.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

You Drop Stardust - Scifi Romance!

I have a new book out, it's the ebook form of my online sci-fi romance serial, You Drop Stardust! It's on sale now at Amazon for $0.99! if you enjoy the Griffin and Sabine series by Nick Bantock, you might like You Drop Stardust! Look for The Blueshifters, season 2 to be out this month!


Friday, June 19, 2015

New podcast episodes and new blueshift fiction episodes!

I have new stuff out! Besides Mission: Harbeasts of Mars I have three new episodes put for the blueshifters, Strange Clues, The Trans-Resurrection machine and The Trans-Resurrection Machine, Part 2, and I also have a new episode out for my Other Worlds podcast! Check them out!

Saturday, June 6, 2015

New Release!

Mission: Harbeasts of Mars is now live on Amazon! for $2.99!


Crash landing! 

After a rowdy victory celebration following the battle of Europa, Bob goes for a stargazing trip in the desert and wrecks his speeder. Stranded, he soon finds he isn't alone. Harbeasts, the savage, fearsome, genetically engineered predators that roam the Martian deserts are hot on his trail! 

With no water or food, limited air supply, no working vehicle, and the nearest way-station days away, Bob finds himself in a dogged fight for survival. Unfortunately, he also finds that the harbeasts aren't the only predators out to get him.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

What Happened To Fun In Science Fiction?


60's Slingers by Jason Weidel
60's Slingers by Jason Weidel
 This is a question I've been asking myself for a few years now. I'm tired of depressing, nihilistic science fiction stories and I know I'm not the only one. Even for those who may enjoy the current offerings that pass for science fiction they may be looking for a wider variety. Where is that variety? Sadly, it's disappeared.
It's very much related to another question I've asked about certain styles of music - hip hop and rap. As I grow older I've found that I no longer listen to much of it but the question is asked because it has changed drastically and not for the better: whatever happened to the fun in hip hop and rap? It's become dull, stupid, repetitive trash only concerned with money, cars and hoes.
It's become painfully dark and nihilistic. No thanks. personally, I find nihilism to be a poisonous way of thinking.
Science fiction has gone down the same sad path and while I've heard the various arguments for why science fiction has forsaken its pulpy roots, bold adventures and heroes and positive look at science and humanity's future (some of them make very good sense), I find that often times those of us who write stories for others to read have a deep influence on people's attitudes and thinking and on the larger culture, whether we want to admit it or not. It's the same with any artistic endeavor. You do influence others with your work and it can be profound. So, the kind of work you create and put out there becomes important.
I'm not saying that people should censor themselves. If one wants to write only dystopian, nihilistic sci-fi, go ahead. I have no interest in stopping them. But where are the writers who are tired of reading stuff like that? Where are those who have become tired of the mundane?  Science fiction has forgotten its bold roots and those of us who want to see more positive science fiction are being under-served. I myself am a science fiction writer and I write fiction that has a more positive view of humanity and the future. I suppose it has to do with my own philosophical beliefs. I believe that things will certainly become much darker, but then they will  eventually get much better for humanity. This is reflected in my work. Some people believe that humanity will eventually find its way out of the morass, others, like me, believe God will eventually solve the issues. Regardless of the belief system, there's a positive end as the result.
Perhaps some of this is nostalgia ( I see nothing wrong with that) but entertainment doesn't just reflect society and its ills, it also reinforces them when it simply follows the downward path seen in society. If you want to change something, you can't simply reflect what you see. That's a lazy form of creative endeavor. You have to reach out for something better. You have to take action to create a vision of your own. Just like old school fantasy where there are clear delineations between good and evil, a vision that usually leads to a positive end, which is the sort of fantasy I usually prefer, writers who aren't interested in the mundane or the nihilistic need to put our own brighter visions out there. We need to impact and influence the genre with a new chorus of positive voices. There's no real vision anymore, no wonder. Reality has let us know that Mars and Venus and other planets are hostile. but there is nothing more magnificent than the human mind when it needs to solve problems. The hostile conditions on these planets shouldn't stop science fiction. After all, it's FICTION, not reality. Fiction often times influences the real world. Why has this stopped? It's become the other way around and I find this has deadened writers' imaginations. That should never be!
Untitled, by Mark Covell
Untitled, by Mark Covell
Right now there is only one chorus and it is sounding the death knell of the human race. If the agents and publishers are the problem, if they won't publish old school sci-fi then self -publish it, so readers who want these kinds of stories can be served well.
I have readers who tell me they enjoy my Mission series because it reminds them of the old school stuff they read as kids. That old school stuff is still good reading, in my opinion. It's one of the reasons so many people, like me, love Star Wars!  It doesn't have to be completely retrofitted sci-fi that doesn't take into account the issues people face today. Of course, it will take on the modern times we live in. I'm not calling for hunky-dory stories (The Dune series by Frank Herbert is a prime example of serious science fiction that is anything but happy-go-lucky. It's cynical, but the wonder in the storytelling is still there) but must everything be dismal and dark? Where's the vision? Where's the wonder and imagination? Where are the movers and shakers to shake us up out of our nihilistic stupor? Those readers are out there. Let's stop ignoring them.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

New book cover - Mission: Harbeasts of Mars!

My new book cover for the fourth book in the Mission series: Harbeasts of Mars. scary looking, aren't they? I love it. This was created by the Glendon of Streetlight Graphics!

Harbeasts of Mars comes out next weekend!


Saturday, March 7, 2015

Other Worlds Podcast: Episode 2 - Dust and Bones

Other Worlds Podcast: Episode 2 - Dust and Bones: Here is episode 2 of the Other Worlds podcast. Talkshoe, my regular host, has decided to act screwy today and the feed won't stream ...

Friday, March 6, 2015

New Episodes!

I have the latest episode of You Drop Stardust out, Between Aurora and Antaeus. I'll be wrapping up this story by the end of the month because I'll be participating in a scifi romance blog-hop where this story will be featured as a giveaway in audio book form so stay tuned for that and also because in April I'll be in Europe on vacation!
Next week I'll have the second episode of Other Worlds podcast out, called Dust and Bones, after my titular short story. Also the march Madness giveaway starts next week too!

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer

Yeah I know, I know, it's been out since forever. I feel like posting it anyway, so there!


I can't wait!

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Sunday, January 18, 2015

The Rangers - official trailer!

 The Forge studios has released their official trailer for their indie fantasy film The Rangers! It looks fantastic and I'm excited about getting my DVD. It's from a Kickstarter I supported that was fully funded back in April of 2014. Take a look and if you wan to keep up with what this indie film studio is doing subscribe to their Facebook Page!


Friday, January 9, 2015

Progress Report

Mission: Attack on Europa:
Finished.
I'm finishing the last editing pass and I'm just waiting on the book cover art work. Look for the release of Mission: Attack on Europa January 31st!