• Oxygen by John B. Olson and Randall Ingermanson (deluxe re-release). I loved this book. In fact, by the time I finished it, my entire family knew the story. I couldn’t stop talking about it.
• Freehead (working title) by Kerry Nietz. This is the conclusion of the epic sci-fi “DarkTrench” saga that started in 2009 with A Star Curiously Singing.
• The Restorer by Sharon Hinck (deluxe re-release of the first book in the “Sword of Lyric” trilogy). I loved, loved, loved this book so much we used it as a selection for our local book club. Needless to say, it was a BIG hit there too.
• Broken Sight by Steve Rzasa, a new space opera from the universe revealed in the universe revealed in Rzasa’s novel The Word Reclaimed.
• Wind and Shadow by Kathy Tyers. This is a very long-awaited sequel to the classic Christian sci-fi “Firebird” trilogy. I can’t wait to read it.

For more info on books previously released by this fabulous publisher of inspirational speculative, sci-fi and fantasy fiction, check out the website: Marcher Lord Press.

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Superlative Stream, by Kerry Nietz
With his female companion, HardCandy, and a secret ship named DarkTrench, Sandfly travels across time and space to find the source and meaning of the transmission that changed his life. (The Superlative Stream is the sequel to A Star Curiously Singing.)

The Word Unleashed, by Steve Rzasa
Baden will have to come to grips with the power he has unleashed on the Realm of Five. And that power has plans of its own. (The Word Unleashed is the sequel to The Word Reclaimed, which is available for $.99 in e-book form from Amazon for a limited time. Here’s the Amazon link.)

To Darkness Fled, by Jill Williamson
Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights flee into Darkness. They head north, to Tsaftown and Ice Island, where they must free an army that can help them fight for Er-Rets. (To Darkness Fled is the sequel to By Darkness Hid, which is available for $.99 in e-book form from Amazon for a limited time. Here’s the Amazon link.)

Two previously released MLP books are also available in e-book form by Amazon for a limited time at the $.99 price: Starfire by Stuart Stockton Vaughn, and The Dark Man by Marc Schooley. Click on the books titles for the Amazon link.

You can purchase the books on MLP’s website at:
http://www.marcherlordpress.com/New_Store/Fiction.htm

MLP bundles and specials are also available:
http://www.marcherlordpress.com/New_Store/Bundles_and_Specials.htm

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Word Reclaimed

Far in the future, the five colonized systems have finally been freed of the curse of religion. By mandating tolerance across all colonies, no one can bring religious persecution upon anyone else. Things have been this way for a generation. Long enough for most of those living to have never known a Torah, Koran, or New Testament, except in stories. And the Kesek secret police work hard to keep it so. So what happens when a bitter teenage discovers a holy book that has been earmarked for destruction? What happens when it begins speaking to him. And now that Kesek is coming for him and his father and anyone else who gets in his way, what is he going to do with this troublesome book? The Word Reclaimedis epic space opera amidst civil war, treachery, and  political alliances as sifting as Martian sand.

And now for the interview. Enjoy!

What led you to write this particular story?

A few years ago I hit upon the idea, what if a man found a Bible in the wreckage of a starship? Then I wondered what it would be like if written religious texts were banned, and faith was regulated. From that came the genesis for “”The Word Reclaimed.”

In a way, The Word Reclaimed reminded me of several really great space operas–like Star Wars and Anne McCaffrey’s novels, among others. What particular books or movies impacted you as you were growing up?

Ah, you discovered the not-so-great secret! I love the Star Wars series and read several novelizations, especially the “Heir to the Empire” and “Black Fleet Crisis” trilogies – those I read in college. I did most of my science fiction reading in high school and college. I thoroughly enjoyed C.J. Cherryh’s “Merchanter’s Luck” as well as the Honor Harrington novels of David Weber.

Oh! And I can’t forget the canceled “Firefly” TV series. Best sci-fi show ever!

Who are your favorite authors, those whose books you’d love to settle down with on a cold winter afternoon or evening?

The aforementioned “Merchanter’s Luck” is one I re-read regularly. I also really enjoy David Drake’s “Lt. Leary, Commanding.” Kathy Tyers’ “Firebird” trilogy is a great one, too.

How long did it take you to write The Word Reclaimed?

The Word Reclaimed is actually the first half of a much longer epic I called “Commissioned.” It took about six years to write the whole works, with most of the work completed during nine months in 2008-09. Jeff Gerke of Marcher Lord Press decided he wanted to publish the novel but asked me to find a cut-off, a cliffhanger of sorts. I did, and “The Word Reclaimed” was born.

Who was your favorite character to write? What is your favorite thing about that character?

Well, my protagonist Baden was enjoyable if only for the fact that he’s an average guy struggling with some real questions of faith and belief. But I’d have to settle on Detective Chief Inspector Nikolaas Ryke of the Kesek secret police as my favorite to write. He’s just mean! It was fun to take one character and see just how much of a villain I could make him.

If you could be any character from a fantasy or sci-fi book, who would it be and why?

That’s easy – Han Solo! Or at least, somebody with his same job description. Come to think of it, I’d love to be on the crew of the good ship Serenity of Firefly fame …

What projects are you working on now?

I am in the midst of rewriting/editing the sequel or Book 2, entitled “The Word Unleashed.” The release date is April 2010. After that, well, I have lots of ideas for this universe.

How can readers find you on the web?

My website, www.steverzasa.com, has the latest information about “The Word Reclaimed” and background about the universe in which “The Face of the Deep” series is set. “The Word Reclaimed” is available for purchase through www.marcherlordpress.com, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”