Monday, August 4, 2014

Guest Blog and Giveaway: Warrior Lord by Nancy J. Cohen



Magic or Science? by Nancy J. Cohen

When does science turn into magic? In an episode of Babylon 5, a mage explains to one of the characters that magic is merely technology we don’t understand. Can you imagine how our less cerebral ancestors might have viewed a cell phone? It’s a little box from which voices emanate. Magic! Or how about a lighter, where at the flick of a finger, a flame is produced? Or a television, a big box where little people move and talk? Surely they must be possessed.

How many technological wonders have we yet to discover that would seem like magic to us today?

Take the invisibility cloak worn by Harry Potter. Magic is at work in J.K. Rowling’s series. Lord Magnor, the hero in Warrior Lord (The Drift Lords Series #3), wears a similar device on his belt. Is it magic or technology that allows him to become invisible to his enemies?

In Magnor’s case, it’s pure science. He explains how it works to Erika Sherwood, his new bride. They get married after meeting at a Las Vegas casino and entering a contest for engaged couples on a whim. Erika couldn’t resist trying for the $50,000 cash prize, plus a new car and a stay in the resort’s honeymoon suite. But she didn’t expect to find herself wed to a stranger in front of a live TV audience. Soon she’s swept into a maelstrom of danger and pursuit.

Magnor raids a museum at the Viking Vegas Resort after closing hours. He says the security guards are enemy soldiers called Trolleks, part of an alien invasion force who’ve entered Earth through a dimensional rift. He’s after a weapon that can defeat them. He seeks a clue to this weapon’s whereabouts in an ancient scroll displayed in the museum.

“Stay with me. My invisibility belt only works for you if we maintain contact.”
Erika stared at him. “Your what?”
His grip tightened. “The technology transmits visual information about our surroundings through the fibers of my clothing so it seems as though we’re not here. We disappear into the background. Please tell no one about this device. It’s proprietary to my, uh, company.”
She felt privileged that he’d shared something confidential with her. “Whatever you say, husband.”
His nostrils flared. “Do not believe our status gives you the right to plunder my secrets. If you even think about betraying me, I’ll hand you over to the Trolleks myself.”

This device isn’t totally a fictional invention on my part. I gained this information through a news clipping that mentions camouflage technology. It’s already in the realm of reality.

Then again, Magnor and Erika encounter dwarfs who have the power of invisibility along with the ability to turn inanimate objects into gold. Magic or technology based on science?

We also have a piece of equipment called a PIP, which is carried by the Drift Lords. This Portable Intel Platform is a handheld device with multiple functions including a scanner, locator beacon, and levitator beam. It’s like the Tricorder on Star Trek. Aren’t we close to this device today with the wristbands that can track your pulse rate, monitor the number of steps you walk and so on? Add infrared sensors, and these might be able to track life forms up ahead. We’re not far away from these tracking and scanning devices. And yet, to a less civilized group, being able to tell there are unseen humans in the vicinity might seem like extrasensory abilities at work.

Science makes technology possible, and advanced technology may seem like magic to the uneducated. In fiction, we have the option of explaining these abilities or of relegating them to fantasy.

Either way, what seems like magic today can probably be accomplished tomorrow through technological means. What’s exciting is how we can incorporate these possibilities into our fictional tales.



Warrior Lord
The Drift Lords Series
Book 3
Nancy J. Cohen

Genre: Paranormal SciFi/Fantasy Romance

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Date of Publication: August 1, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-62830-446-6
ISBN: 978-1-62830-445-9
ASIN:

Number of pages:  422
Word Count: 102,340

Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor

Book Description:

A fantasy wedding in Las Vegas turns into a nightmare when contest winner Erika Sherwood realizes she’s married an alien.

Pottery sculptor Erika Sherwood has no idea her televised wedding in Las Vegas is for real until an official confirms she and the stranger she’s just met are legitimately wed.

A Drift Lord and warrior of the Tsuran, Magnor tricks the redhead into marriage because she’s one of six women prophesied to save Earth. But as he’s forced into her company in their race against the apocalypse, he wonders if he risks his heart more than his life.   

Can a free-spirited ceramic artist and a fierce swordsman trust each other enough to prevent disaster?


Available at Wild Rose Publishing and Amazon

Excerpt:

Where else but Las Vegas could a bearded man wearing a cape and sword swagger inside a casino without drawing attention?
Erika Sherwood stared at the man who peered around, a bewildered look on his face until his gaze slammed into hers.
Her heart slowed, as though the world had frozen in that moment. Despite the bells ringing and people chattering and roulette wheels spinning, her awareness narrowed. She couldn’t drag her eyes away from his searing glance.
Her pulse jumped when the man strode purposefully in her direction, his cape flapping behind him. With his powerful physique and resolute jawline, he looked like a superhero come to life. She supposed he’d bought that fabulous costume at a store along the Strip.
He claimed the empty seat beside her, exchanged a few words with the blackjack dealer, and set out a pile of chips. Tension charged the air around him. Her sideways glance absorbed his longish black hair and trim beard and the wide breadth of his shoulders. She pulled her skirt down, aware it had hiked up indecently, but his gaze didn’t go there. Instead, his dark eyes fixated on her wristwatch.
“Miss?” The dealer’s questioning glance fell on her.
“Oh. Hit me, please.” She grimaced at the eight of spades she’d drawn. Drat, now she was over the limit.
“Not having any luck?” The newcomer nodded at her diminishing pile of chips. “Maybe this isn’t your game.”
“Excuse me, mister…?”
“My name is Magnor.” He quirked an eyebrow when the waitress came by with another round of free drinks.
Erika lifted her third Viking Volcano from the tray. Who could resist? The fruity drinks were on the house, a popular ploy to keep gamblers in their casino.
She raised her glass in a friendly gesture before taking a sip. “Is Magnor your first name or your last name?”
“It’s my only name.” His mouth curved as he watched her reaction.
“O-kay.” She wasn’t in the mood to challenge him. Those drinks had already gone to her head, making her happy to accept his remark along with his blatant stare. Probably half the people in Vegas used false names anyway.
“Do you work here?” she asked, realizing his outfit matched the resort’s Nordic theme.
He stiffened. “I should say not. I am a guest, like you.”
“Sorry to have asked, but you fit the part.”
“It is my customary attire as a warrior of the Tsuran.”
“I see,” she said in a noncommittal tone. Maybe he was an actor deep into his role. He could be taking a break from a movie set. Were they filming a sequel to Thor in the area?
“Nice timepiece you’re wearing.” He nodded at the object of his scrutiny.
Erika slid her hand under the table. “It was a gift.”
Her parents had given her the watch for her sixteenth birthday with the caveat that she ask no questions about its unusual properties. It ran with no visible mechanism and no battery and had a peculiar symbol engraved on its face.
Her forehead wrinkled. Why had Magnor chosen to comment on her watch when most men would offer a line about her flaming red hair or her flashy clothes?
Come on, Erika, why do you care what he thinks? You came here for the art show, remember, and not to meet men?
It must be the alcohol causing that low buzzing sound in her ears and not his imposing presence.
“This announcement is for all of our engaged couples out there,” blared a loudspeaker voice. “It’s the last call if you want to enter our exciting contest. The lucky winners will be married on live television, after which they’ll receive a complimentary stay in our honeymoon suite, fifty thousand dollars, and a new car. Entries are being accepted in the Green Room all day Friday until four o’clock.”
“Fifty thousand dollars,” Erika muttered. “Man, could I use that money!”
Magnor nudged her, a grin on his face. “Why don’t we enter the contest together?”
The smile transformed his features, making her want to study the craggy lines and furrows that made his visage so interesting.
“What?” she said when his words finally registered.
“I need a room, and the hotel is full. If we win, that will solve my problem. You can keep the car and the cash.”
“B-But the winners have to get married. On live television.”
He waved a hand. “Oh, that. Las Vegas is all about fantasy, is it not?”
Her eyes widened. “You mean, the wedding will be filmed like a reality show, but it isn’t real?”
He winked at her. “All of the contestants get bonus credits on their club cards. What have we got to lose?”
Erika stared at her diminished pile of chips. She’d lost two hundred dollars in less than an hour. She scooped the remaining credits into her purse while considering the man’s outrageous suggestion.
In her earlier days, she’d have accepted his proposal without a second thought. Back then nothing had mattered except her plants, her pottery, and her own pleasure.
Eventually, she’d erected an armor of self-discipline around herself so she could accomplish her goals. However, this resolve had evaporated under the influence of the drinks and the man’s piercing gaze. Who wouldn’t want a hunk like him as her fake fiancĂ©?
Ignoring the warning bells in her mind, she scraped back her chair.
“I accept your offer,” she told him with bravado. “If we lose, at least we’ll be ahead by several credits. And it might be fun.”
“We should seal the deal if we are to play an engaged couple,” Magnor said, closing the distance between them.
His head descended before she could protest, and his lips met hers.


About the Author:

Nancy J. Cohen writes the humorous Bad Hair Day mystery series featuring hairdresser Marla Shore. Several of these titles have made the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association bestseller list. Nancy is also the author of Writing the Cozy Mystery, a valuable instructional guide for writers on how to write a winning whodunit. Her imaginative romances have proven popular with fans as well. Her titles in this genre have won the HOLT Medallion and Best Book in Romantic SciFi/Fantasy at The Romance Reviews. A featured speaker at conferences, libraries, and community events, Nancy is listed in Contemporary Authors, Poets & Writers, and Who's Who in U.S. Writers, Editors, & Poets.













a Rafflecopter giveaway

Additional Contest: August 1 – 22

Win a whimsical Gnome figurine and a signed first edition copy of Circle of Light.


August 4 Interview
Paranormal Romance Fans for Life

August 4 Guest blog
Fang-tastic Books

August 5 Spotlight
Booklover Sue 

August 5 Spotlight
Houston Havens  

August 6 Guest blog
Illuminite Caliginosus

August 6 Spotlight
Angel’s Guilty Pleasures

August 7 Interview
Pembroke Sinclair.  

August 7 Spotlight
Deal Sharing Aunt

August 8 Interview
Roxanne’s Realm

August 8 Spotlight
Books N Pearls

August 11 Guest blog
Book-a-holic Fairies, inc

August 11 Spotlight
Mythical Books


4 comments:

Nancy J. Cohen said...

Thank you for having me here!

traveler said...

A captivating feature and giveaway. How creative and talented. thanks.saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

bn100 said...

Looks interesting

Nancy J. Cohen said...

Thank you, Traveler and bn100, for stopping by!

 
BLOG DESIGN FOR FANG-TASTIC BOOKS BY BARBARA.
RED CORSET © HALAQUINN ARCADIAS. GOTHIC NIGHT © ASHEN SHARROW.