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Attending Georgia Garrison members with author Kevin J. Anderson

I attended my first 501st Legion, Georgia Garrison event this past Sunday. I was there as a member of the Republic Service Organization, a costuming group based on the WWII-era USO. The troops we support? Those that serve the Republic/Empire of the Star Wars Universe!

My Star Wars fandom stretches back to childhood, and since I also love vintage styles, I couldn’t pass up the chance to join the RSO: it blends my love of Star Wars and 1940s pin-up style.

When a ship isn't available, stormtroopers have to take the bus.

The 501st Legion is a Star Wars costuming group dedicated to the Empire (rebels make their home in the Rebel Legion, a sister organization). Both groups do a lot of community work, like marching in parades, visiting kids at children’s hospitals, and supporting local events.

On Sunday, the Georgia Garrison attended a book signing by author Kevin J. Anderson. I was there as a handler, which meant I took a lot of pictures and made sure no children tried to climb up a Clone Trooper. I had never met any of the Garrison members before, but everyone was really welcoming and I had an absolute blast. I’m already looking forward to the next opportunity to serve my Star Wars troops!

The Rebel Legion tries to tempt me away from the Dark Side...

Much thanks to Shannon for taking a chance on my debut fiction!

          My feet were frozen in place, and Maxwell squeezed my hand reassuringly. “It’s okay, Betty, come on,” he said, though his voice had a twinge of worry. My first thought was that we were being mugged, but I always thought those guys just grabbed your valuables and ran. Instead, we were being led somewhere. My heart caught in my throat when I realized that this man must be a demon hunter, maybe even the same one who had broken into my apartment twice and called to warn me about Maxwell. I hadn’t listened to him, and now I was going to face the same fate that was in store for Maxwell.

            I stepped into the alley with him, and it felt like a curtain had been lowered behind us as we sank into the darkness of the narrow space.

As for me, my goals are still to write well and write often. I’m currently working on book three in the Betty Boo, Ghost Hunter Series (Ghost of a Memory), and after that I’ll have book four, the final installment, to write. I will also be publishing my young adult steampunk novel, Manifest. It’s written and undergoing editing currently.

I only have one resolution for 2012: to write, sew and exercise every day, even if I only have a few minutes for each. I’ve got books to publish, a tricky costume to produce, and a body that needs to be in better shape!

What are your New Year’s Resolutions?

This book really drew me in, and I found myself staying up until 1:30 a.m. on several occasions because I just couldn’t put it down. Ms. Bush has done an excellent job building a believable world, where the steampunk elements fit seamlessly into the narrative. The back stories for the Republic and Empire, as well as for the characters themselves, lend an air of realism to the story. This book was a really fun adventure from start to finish, and Ms. Bush let us see Chenda’s development from a naive, sheltered girl to a strong, confident woman. I’ve already bought The Gospel According to Verdu and look forward to reading it.



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To celebrate the debut of Ghost of a Whisper: Book 2 of the Betty Boo, Ghost Hunter Series, I thought I’d share an excerpt from the book. In this scene, Betty and her demon boyfriend Maxwell are leaving a Halloween party at Fort Pulaski, a Civil War-era fort outside Savannah. Ghost of a Whisper is available for the Kindle, Nook and iPad/iPhone. Enjoy!

The wind calmed momentarily, and then I felt a sudden, sharp breeze across my face. Something dark shot past my line of vision at the same time I felt Maxwell’s entire body tense. He released my hand and shoved me in the direction of the parking lot.

“Run, Betty!”

I didn’t know what was happening. I stumbled a few steps away before turning to look back. Maxwell was facing the edge of the marsh off to his right. There, fifty yards away, a man stepped out of the shadows. His broad frame was covered by a long coat, and he had a bow in one hand. His other hand reached over his head to pluck another arrow from his quiver.

A demon hunter.

He ran swiftly despite his size and began to close the gap between himself and Maxwell.

“No!” I shouted. I should have stayed quiet, but the sound escaped my lips before I could react.

The hunter’s gaze flicked briefly from Maxwell to me.

“She’s not the one you want,” Maxwell’s voice was loud, but I could hear the fear in it. “She’s innocent.”

Maxwell turned and ran across the grass toward the river. I knew he was trying to draw the hunter away from me. I also knew that I should run, just like he’d told me to.

Instead, I stood, too shocked to move, as the hunter sprinted after Maxwell.

Whether by chance or some demonic ability, Maxwell quickly outpaced the hunter. The hunter finally stopped running, but he didn’t give up. He dropped to one knee and fitted his arrow to his bowstring.

I lunged forward, shouting incoherently and praying I could reach the hunter in time. But over the sound of my shouts and my feet scrunching through the grass, I heard a soft “thwap.” The arrow rocketed out of the bow and sailed for Maxwell. I watched, horrified, as Maxwell’s body crumpled, disappearing over a small rise in the ground.

I ran right past the hunter without stopping. I had no regard for him or for my safety. My thoughts were focused on nothing but Maxwell.

When I crested the rise, I saw Maxwell’s clothes lying in a heap on the ground. The arrow had pierced his vest. Maxwell’s body was gone.

Ghost of a Whisper is available on Amazon for Kindle readers, and you can buy it on iTunes for your iPhone or iPad. It’s only $2.99. Enjoy!

Synopsis
Life is good for Betty “Boo” Boorman. Things are going great with her demon boyfriend Maxwell, and her paranormal investigation team is busier than ever as Halloween approaches. But things go to hell—literally—when Maxwell is banished by a demon hunter. As Betty tries to cope with her grief, another demon enters her life, and he offers her a deal: Betty’s soul for Maxwell’s rescue. Time is running out for Betty to make a decision, and the ghosts of Savannah, Georgia, aren’t making the task any easier. Cryptic messages from the ghost of a little girl seem to be directed at Betty, but are they a warning or a plea for help?

Synopsis
Life is good for Betty “Boo” Boorman. Things are going great with her demon boyfriend Maxwell, and her paranormal investigation team is busier than ever as Halloween approaches. But things go to hell—literally—when Maxwell is banished by a demon hunter. As Betty tries to cope with her grief, another demon enters her life, and he offers her a deal: Betty’s soul for Maxwell’s rescue. Time is running out for Betty to make a decision, and the ghosts of Savannah, Georgia, aren’t making the task any easier. Cryptic messages from the ghost of a little girl seem to be directed at Betty, but are they a warning or a plea for help?

If you haven’t read Book 1 yet, you can purchase Ghost of a Threat on iTunes, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.