Writing

How are you enjoying The Thief? (plus a surprise below)

How are you enjoying The Thief? (plus a surprise below)

I supposed I asked the second question first, didn’t I? First, have you picked up THE THIEF yet? If not, you can get it from your favorite retailer now. GET THE THIEF

Second, if you have picked the book up, I certainly hope you are enjoying it! Let me know. What are readers saying so far?

  • “I read while eating, while parenting, while relaxing. Couldn't take my hands off of it.” 

  • “A spine-tingling adventure across space in visceral, emotional, and adrenaline-pumping style.”

  • “I zipped through this book because it was so much fun to read and then
    when I was finished, wished it would have continued on to another
    adventure. I would love to see Eren and Nyx re-appear in another story.”
    

If you’re so inclined, don’t forget to leave a review at Amazon, the retailer where you purchased it, or on Goodreads. Nothing fancy is required - just a few words go a long way. I greatly appreciate it.

*

Now, about that surprise. :)

The final (for now) novel in the Cosmic Shores series will be titled THE UNIVERSE WITHIN, and it will star Alex and Caleb in their own standaone adventure. I'm so excited to be returning to my first loves and most favorite of my favorites. I'm almost as excited for the plot I've noodled out for them and the fascinating new alien species they're set to get all tangled up with, the Elakri. In fact, I'm so excited about it, I've already written a short story prequel to the book - but more on in a later update.

For now, here's a brief, temporary blurb that will suffice until I've written enough of the book to craft a more detailed description:

Thousands of years ago, the Elakri were a galaxy-spanning civilization—until they were forced to hide themselves away in the folds of space to escape an unstoppable foe. But what was once their salvation soon became their prison.

Alex Solovy and Caleb Marano hunt the cosmos for signs of an ancient enemy’s return. When they detect a breach in the fabric of space, however, they discover something wholly unexpected: a people lost in time and space, who have forgotten all they once were. Returning the Elakri to their proper place among the stars seems the least they can do, but first they have to survive a strange and dangerous world where none of the usual rules apply.

THE UNIVERSE WITHIN will be out next year, but you can pre-order it today in ebook, paperback and hardback:

PREORDER THE UNIVERSE WITHIN

*

Finally, a question for you. I'm having great fun taking a break from the universe-threatening peril that dominated earlier books to galavant around the cosmos with some of Amaranthe's most dynamic characters, and I hope you are, too. But who do you miss most from the main cast? Who can you not wait to get back to and find out how they've been doing in the three years since Duality? Hit 'reply' and let me know!

Time Flies When You’re Saving the Universe

Time Flies When You’re Saving the Universe

Ten years ago today, I hit the ‘publish’ button on Starshine and unleashed Alex upon an unsuspecting public. At the time, I had no idea the impact this one act was going to have - on my life, on hers, on the multiverses of Amaranthe. But in the years that followed, a story about a starship pilot with dark red hair that came to me in the shower one morning (you’ve all heard that story by now) became so, so much more. Over the course of 2,227,818 words, 20 novels and 10 short stories, it has transformed into an epic tale of humanity (and our allies) putting aside our squabbles to rise above our deepest fears and come together to do what we must to survive, then thrive.

Amaranthe is, above all, an optimistic vision that dares to believe humanity will prove to be both stronger and better than we believe ourselves to be - and that’s the story I was driven to tell when I started typing on a keyboard ten years plus nine months ago….

It was the summer of 2013, I had no idea my life was soon to change.

The Thief Cover Reveal, Plus the Best SciFi Sale of the Year

The Thief Cover Reveal, Plus the Best SciFi Sale of the Year

You’ve waited long enough to see this positively kick-ass cover for THE THIEF, haven’t you? I think so. I’ve also got an expanded blurb for you. I can’t wait for you all to come along for the ride as our favorite ex-anarch bites off more than he bargained for….

I’ll be announcing the official release date very soon (May/June), but you can pre-order the book today at your favorite retailer.

 * A stand-alone adventure set in the Amaranthe universe *

The Hesgyr are thieves. “Scavengers,” to hear their victims tell it; “repurposers” by their own reckoning.

As Chief of Intelligence for Non-Anaden Affairs, Eren Savitas’ job is to protect the Advocacy from all manner of alien threats: sabotage, assassination, insurgency and, way down the list, theft. So when he spots a Hesgyr running off with valuable technology, he follows the alien home—and discovers a civilization unlike any he’s ever encountered.

Yes, the Hesgyr are thieves. But they are also being hunted. Systematically exterminated by an insidious enemy they can’t see, touch or find. Eren finds himself drawn ever deeper into the Hesgyr’s fascinating yet labyrinthine world as he races against time to solve the mystery of the deadly attacks. What he discovers is a complex web of loyalties and betrayals, of grudges and grievances millennia old—and beneath it all, a secret that may hold the key to the survival of more than one civilization.

The Thief is a humorous, pulse-pounding sci-fi adventure about alien culture clashes, the flaws and foibles that transcend species, and the satisfaction that comes from breaking all the rules to save the day.

*

Now I have another treat for you. I’ve teamed up with dozens of today’s most popular indie scifi authors to bring you an epic collection of over 100 novels, box sets and short stories, all for the low price of FREE - but only for the next two days (MARCH 15-16), so don’t dally. SCI-FI BOOK BLAST

An Akeso Christmas Tale & a Big Ebook Sale

An Akeso Christmas Tale & a Big Ebook Sale

Merriest of Christmases and Happiest of Holidays to you! I hope you are heading into a festive week full of friends, family and joy - and some much deserved reading time with great books, of course. ;)

You all really enjoyed the Halloween ghost story I shared, so I’ve written another little flash story - more on that in a second. First, I’m running a big sale on ebooks from my direct store. Now through January 1st, you can get 30% off every ebook you purchase directly from me. Use the coupon “HOLIDAY23” as many times as you want, for as many books as you like. GO TO THE SALE

Now, about that Christmas flash fiction. A VERY AKESO CHRISTMAS takes place a few months after Duality; as such, it does contain some spoilers for the Riven Worlds novels. As befitting a Christmas tale written by someone who grew up on the likes of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, it is heartwarming, a little silly, and terribly sappy!

I scribbled it out in about two hours earlier this week, and it’s only been edited for spelling errors. At twelve hundred words, it’s a super-quick read. I hope it gets you in the holiday frame of mind as you go into this special week. Here’s a tiny excerpt from the story:

The house was decked in an extravaganza of greenery and shining balls and red bows and bright artificial stars; the two largest trees situated off the porch bore matching attire. “What is this?”

Alex appeared from Eren’s left as the wormhole faded away. “It’s Christmas.” She extended a hand to him. “Come inside.”

What in Athena’s name was ‘Christmas’? A quick query told him it was a Human holiday with religious roots that centered around gift-giving, decorating trees, singing carols, lighting things up, something about reindeer and…possibly snowball fights?

READ THE REST ON THE BLOG

A Very Akeso Christmas

A Very Akeso Christmas

Eren had never seen snow on Akeso before. Ahead, the house was decked in an extravaganza of greenery and shining balls and red bows and bright artificial stars; the two largest trees situated off the porch bore matching attire.

“What is this?”

Alex appeared from his left as the wormhole faded away. “It’s Christmas.” She extended a hand to him. “Come inside.”

What in Athena’s name was ‘Christmas’? A quick query told him it was a Human holiday with religious roots that centered around gift-giving, decorating trees, singing carols, lighting things up, something about reindeer and…possibly snowball fights?

A Halloween Ghost Story, Audio Shorts, and a Great SciFi Sale

A Halloween Ghost Story, Audio Shorts, and a Great SciFi Sale

Happy Halloween! I’ve got a fun—I mean spooky—bit of flash fiction for you today starring Nika and Dashiel. But first….

Ever been curious about my audiobooks and all the fuss over Pyper Down, but not ready to commit to Audible or another audio app? Good news - I've put all the Amaranthe short stories up on my YouTube page, where you can listen to them for FREE.

You know you already fall down YouTube rabbit holes all the time - might as well fall down this one. Listen to them all here: https://www.youtube.com/@gs_jennsen

*

I’ve also got a giant collection of over 100 free or discounted scifi and fantasy books for you. Find them all here: SciFi & Fantasy Book Bazaar

*

Now, about that Halloween flash fiction. GHOSTS OF PROELE takes place around three years after Duality, but before any future books starring Nika and Dashiel. That said, you don’t need to have read Duality or any of the Riven Worlds books to enjoy the story (it is a little spoilery if you haven’t yet read Asterion Noir). I scribbled it out in about an hour last week, and it’s only been editing for spelling errors. At a thousand words, it’s a super-quick read. I hope you enjoy it!

GHOSTS OF PROELE