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All The Links On One Page

Here they are!

If you follow the link above, you'll find all of my books on one page, both printed versions and epub/pdf. I will be currently adding the links to my second book on the sidebar.

Some Exciting News

 No, my cat isn't back yet, though the whole neighbourhood is searching for him. However, life is going on and since the festivities are mostly over, it's time to get back to business, which reminds me... my new book is finally available as an e-pub, which means an instant download for only 4.99$!

Here is the link:

The Road To Power

Below is an excerpt out of the 1st chapter of Part 3:

“And so you are going to witness Michael’s wedding, aren’t you? Laura ran her thin musical fingers through Eric’s black hair. “It’s a rare honor, you’ll be one of the few select Southerners present.”

“I don’t see it as such,” replied Eric lazily. “I’m going there as a security officer, that’s all.”

“Oh, really?” laughed Laura. “Am I to believe that our worthy Theodosius will face danger while taking part in a wedding ceremony? Someone else would suffice.”

“He is the Bishop of the Southern Provinces. He can’t have some junior officer in charge of his security,” explained Eric. “So I have to go.”

“Come on, you and His Excellency can hardly stand each other and everybody knows that he wanted his nephew to go instead of you.”

“Is Wiggles really his nephew? Or, perhaps, a closer relative?” inquired Eric pulling Laura’s hair. He was half lying on the coach in her living-room with a big cushion under his head and she was sitting next to him wearing something black, lacy and see-through, with her red hair hanging loose around her. 

“Don’t be nasty,” said Laura. “Of course, he is. Why, the boy isn’t much older than twenty which means that the Bishop was about 45 years old at the time of his birth and must have outgrown this type of sentiments, if he ever had them to begin with.”

“Oh, I believe he did,” stated Eric, “and probably, still does. Take the way he looks at you, for instance.”

“Don’t change the subject,” interjected Laura, her hand left his hair alone and travelled to Eric’s bare chest. “I’m not interested in the romantic entanglements of Theodosius. I’ve never heard that he keeps mistresses anyway. I just want to know why they chose you to go as his security guard.”

“His Highness wanted it,” answered Eric. “I really can’t tell you more than that. In fact, I’m not supposed to discuss it with anyone.”

“Not even with me?” She bent over him with her lips nearly touching his. 

“Not even with you, my dearest Laura,” responded Eric but not very resolutely. “And anyway, I have to go soon.”

 “You’ve only been here for an hour or even less.”

“Well, we used our time wisely, didn’t we? It’s nearly midnight.”

Laura suddenly jumped off the couch and stamped her foot. “Don’t lie to me, Eric Ericsson! You are going there because you are meeting someone. Someone important. Someone who promised Haakon to get Michael out of his way.”

Eric sat up and started collecting his discarded clothes from the floor and putting them on. 

“If you already know everything so well, why ask me?” he said calmly, buttoning up his shirt. 

“Because I don’t want you to go.”

“Strange, Derek White didn’t want me to go, either.”

“He was right,” agreed Laura. “I believe it’s a trap and Haakon is sending you because he wants to get rid of you.”

“Why would he want such a thing?” inquired Eric, putting on his sweater. 

“Because he is afraid of you. You are getting too popular. Then there is Isabella who is in love with you. If you marry her, you’ll have the right to the throne, and I believe there are men in this very city who would support your claim.”

“We’ve been through all of this before,” replied Eric, bored. “You should start writing novels, Laura. You have a talent of making things up.” He found his shoes and busied himself with tying the shoelaces.

Laura seated herself at the piano and started playing, and for some time, neither said a word, but then she turned suddenly and her eyes flashed with strange fire. In fact, there were so many things strange about her that Eric had lost count. Sometimes she frightened him. 

“So you won’t listen to reason, will you? That means you’ll bear the full consequences. Remember, I tried to warn you!”

“In God’s name, what are you talking about? Are you casting spells or something?”

“Oh, yes, I do,” she admitted nonchalantly. “You called me the Queen of Elves once, well, I’m her.”

“I think you drank too much champagne at dinner,” retorted Eric dryly, putting on his shoulder holster. “Good-bye, Laura.”

Her mood changed yet again and she asked him with the tone of a perfect hostess, which nearly made him laugh: “Won’t you at least drink a cup of coffee before going?”

It's Now Or Never...

 Don't miss it: a free download of my first book, The Long Way Home.

The only thing you need to do is to write to this email address:

SanneW@gmx.com

Here is an excerpt from Part 2:

 

Here is one problem,” said Ferrash. “You are intending to make Brendan Stewart your partner, aren’t you?”

“What’s wrong with it?” inquired Lennart. 

“He must know nothing about the whole business,” said Ferrash resolutely. 

“But he could be a great asset...” started Lennart, but the colonel interrupted him. 

“Stewart drinks. And when he drinks, he talks. The whole town knows the story of his misfortunes with Elinor, or what-was-her-name. I’d prefer you to get rid of him entirely.”

“It’s impossible,” said Lennart coldly. “Brent Stewart is my friend and we made a business agreement. I can’t break my word. Besides, I need his money and I need a good pilot. I can’t fly alone.”

“In any case, it’s your responsibility to ensure that Stewart knows nothing about the real nature of your work,” declared Ferrash, and the manner in which he said it prevented Lennart from making any further objections. 

At that moment a lonely figure entered the garden, looked around uncertainly, went in  the direction of the fountain, stumbled and fell into it. 

“Here is your business partner, captain,” said Ferrash. “If I were you, I’d take him out of the fountain and bring home as soon as possible.”

He stood up and Lennart did the same. The person in the fountain was making desperate attempts to get out of the undeep water, but rather unsuccessfully. 

“There is an address on the card I gave you,” went Ferrash on. “ I expect you tomorrow at ten in my office where we will continue our conversation. Good-bye.”

The next morning Brendan stayed in bed with a headache and it was not difficult for Lennart to invent a story as to why he needed to go to the capital alone. He said that he had to buy some things for his upcoming journey home and it was enough. Mrs Stewart kept musing about her son’s propensity to get drunk and Margaret was occupied with the thought of Lennart leaving them. Neither asked for details and after a hasty breakfast Lennart left for the Northern Star.

 

A Christmas Present

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year when it's long been a tradition to exchange presents with friends and family. This year I have a Christmas present for my readers, too: the first ten people who write to me will get a free copy of my first book (The Long Way Home) as an e-book.

My new book went into global distribution network and should be available by Amazon and other retailers within a month or so. We are working on an e-version as well, so stay tuned!

Merry Christmas!

P.S. Please use this email address:

SanneW@gmx.com

Black Friday

My book is currently available on Lulu and since it's Black Friday they'll probably give you some sort of a discount! Here is another chapter:

Chapter 16. 

Eric’s hand holding the pistol didn’t move. “How much are you prepared to pay for these documents?” he asked.

“So we are finally talking business, aren’t we?” inquired Alec sarcastically. “We’ve made a deal, don’t you recollect? You’ll get your money when I get the papers.”

“That’s not enough,” insisted Eric. “What about Deltan nationality you promised me? An opportunity to start a new life and all that sort of things?”

Randall shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not for me to decide,” he said. “But I can present the matter to the government.”

“So you were lying yet again,” stated Eric.

“I wasn’t, as a matter of fact. I was talking about an existing possibility, that’s all. Don’t make it more difficult for yourself, Eric. You know you have no choice but to hand the documents over to me. If you shoot me now, you’ll have the whole of our intelligence on Aargh after you.”

“Are you so sure, Alec?” asked Eric quietly. “Nobody knows that I’m alive and back on Aargh. Nobody in this building has any idea who I am. Your body probably won’t be discovered for a couple of days at least. What will you say to that?”

There was some quick trace of emotion in Randall’s face, not fear but something very close to irritation. “Don’t be a bloody idiot, Ericsson,” he said tiredly. “You won’t be able to get away with this, in any case not for long. Those who helped you on Tarna keep in touch with us. It’s just a matter of time before it all comes out. I offered you a reasonable price, but we can discuss it further, if you wish.”

“I want a Deltan passport,” insisted Eric.

“I can’t give it to you right now, but I’ll tell you something else instead. Something that will probably interest you. How would you like to go back to Dakstra?”

The hand with the ray gun dropped down and Eric pulled a chair standing by the wall and seated himself.

“If that’s another one of your jokes, Alec…” he began but Randall only smiled.

“I knew you’d be interested. While you were away, the amnesty was announced, on the occasion of the coming coronation of Michael. All political exiles are allowed to return. That includes you, of course. Coincidentally, I have some business to do with His Highness Prince Haakon, and it just came to my mind…”

“No,” Eric interrupted him. “Never. Just arrange the Deltan residence permit for me and you can have the bloody papers for free.”

“And what are you planning to do on Delta?” inquired Randall. “To work as an architect? You haven’t ever graduated so you don’t even have the necessary qualifications for a work permit. I offer you a diplomatic position at His Highness’s court, as my representative.”

Eric looked at him closely. “What you mean is that Delta isn’t satisfied with the way Michael is carrying on lately and wants to encourage His Highness to try for the crown again. And you choose me to negotiate the terms. Am I right?”

“You have a lot of insight,” remarked Alec Randall coolly. “I’d think that as a patriot, you…”

“There is no way, do you hear me, no way in Hell I’ll fight on Haakon’s side again!” said Eric vehemently. 

“I’m not asking you to fight, just to talk. Why do you hate him so much anyway?” wondered Alec. “He did what anyone would have done in his place. It wasn’t his fault you were stationed across the border. He saved the greatest part of his army when he signed the peace treaty offered by Michael. It was a small price to pay, you know. His Highness is ambitious and I believe he has a great potential.”

Eric didn’t answer; he was staring at the wall in front of him. 

“And there is something else you’d be interested to know, too, I presume,” continued Alec cheerfully. “Since Haakon is still officially a bachelor, his sister who has recently become a widow returned home to stay with him and play the role of the lady of the house.”

“What did you say?” asked Eric incredulously.

“I said that Lady Fraser whose husband General Fraser McAngus died three months ago is currently residing with her brother. As you have probably heard, their marriage was childless and since it’s common knowledge that she could never really get accustomed to living in the North it’s only logical that she would come back. Now you see that this mission will give you an opportunity to meet old friends. What do you say to this?”

“What exactly do you want me to do?” inquired Eric and Alec Randall smiled again. He’d won yet another game, and that knowledge was immensely satisfying.

A Stranger In A Strange Country

Here is Chapter 1 of my new book, which will soon be available on Amazon. Keep in my mind that it is copyrighted!

Walter Raff rather enjoyed his vacation. It was only two weeks long and he was determined to get the most out of it. It was very unfortunate that he had to spend the greatest part of his life in town and leave Millie, his sister, virtually alone since Aunt Leticia wasn’t really much of a company. 

Millie was an eager, active type of girl, thoroughly frustrated by her aunt’s attempts to turn her into a homebody like herself, only interested in tea and gossip. It was quite natural for a healthy girl of 19 to wish to see more of life than staying in a dreary small village allowed.  Yet there was nothing Walter could do about it since he couldn’t offer her a proper home himself.

He realized only too well that a big city like Stentis had too many temptations for someone with Millie’s disposition and he didn’t have time to play her chaperone. He tried to spend as much time with his sister as possible and take her out more. Millie had been thrilled at the prospect of mountain-climbing with the brother whom she adored so mountain-climbing they went.

She looked extremely cute in her sturdy boots, black leggings and rather short denim skirt which Aunt Leticia found positively scandalous. 

“What is this world coming to,” she would say with a sigh, “if a girl of your age spends time running around in the state of undress instead of sitting home and cross-stitching?”

“Well, it’s full 4 inches below the knee,” Millie had protested, “and you couldn’t expect me to wear a longer skirt now, could you? It would be dangerous in the mountains.”

“Child, you are not supposed to go into the mountains at all!” said Aunt Leticia stubbornly. “And so close to the border, too! With all these…things going on in Tarna, it’s hardly reasonable.”

“We aren’t going to cross over, thank you very much,” he had said, trying to calm his aunt. “Whatever is going on in Tarna, it stays on their side and we stay on ours.”

Tarnian politics were a constant source of irritation to his aunt, whose patriotism made her spend a considerable amount of time every day denouncing the evils of foreign occupation and praising the virtues of those who fought against it. The leaders of the autonomy didn’t do enough, in her opinion, to support the true patriots in their fight against Uranians who were synonymous with the Devil in her vocabulary. In fact, the outrageousness of the foreign power occupying the biggest part of the territory of their planet was probably the only subject the aunt and niece ever agreed upon.

Walter had sincerely tried to warn his sister about the dangers of getting involved in Tarnian politics, but was far from sure he had succeeded. Not with Aunt Leticia counteracting his influence day by day. 

“Well,” he thought now, “this vacation will do her a lot of good. And luckily, there are no known rebel supporters in our village so there is little chance that Millie ever gets in touch with one.”

He then remembered the stories he had heard about Doctor Grant, but dismissed them as country gossip. Anyway, the sun was shining, melting the snow on the tops of the nearby mountains. It was spring on Tarna and the weather had been exceptionally good so far. 

“Today we are going to climb the Black Crow,” he said, pointing the direction to Millie. His sister had auburn hair, just like himself, but his eyes were brown while hers were gray. She was slender and rather tall for a girl but Walter with his 1. 90m towered over her. He was 7 years older, too. 

“Look, Millie,” he continued, “do you see this peak behind the Black Crow? That’s already the territory of Tarna. There is a famous pass over there, but we aren’t going that far. We will stay on the side of the autonomy. The Black Crow is a tourist attraction. It’s 1050m high and there is a hut on top of it, for those who wish to spend a night there, but I don’t think we’ll stay so late, I suggest we drive half way up and then get further on foot. In that manner we can manage it all in one day. You know your aunt will get a fit if you spend a night on a mountain top, even if it’s in your brother’s company.”

Millie giggled. “Auntie Leticia is a darling,” she said, “but so old-fashioned, isn’t she now?”

They followed his plan, driving along a serpentine road which at times went as steep as the angle of 20%, so that it was a real challenge to drive. Walter breathed a sigh of relief when they finally left the car behind in the parking place. It was still early in the morning and as he could see they were the only tourists so far. 

He calculated that it would take them about two hours to climb the rest of the distance so that they could eat their lunch on top of the Black Crow. He had climbed it once before with a group of friends and the view was breath-taking. 

It was about midday and both brother and sister were quite tired when they finally reached the top. The hut was still standing there and close to it, a bench where one could sit and enjoy the view. Walter sank upon it rather contentedly, but Millie, who seemed to have acquired the second breath once they reached their destination, was eager to explore. 

She declared she was going inside the hut first, to inspect. Walter pointed out that there wasn’t really much to inspect, but she ran off before he could finish the sentence. She disappeared inside and a couple of seconds later he heard her scream. Walter jumped to his feet and saw his sister standing in the entrance of the hut, looking very pale. 

“Walter,” she said, stammering. “The-the-there is a man in there. A dead man.”