Tag Archives: thriller

Extract: Facebook Ask The Author

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This is extracted from a Facebook Ask the Author interview on November 29, 2013.

Hi, I’m Lance Erlick, the author of two novels in the Rebel series: The Rebel Within and Rebels Divided. (http://www.amazon.com/Lance-Erlick/e/B00C1PKYSA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1371212711&sr=1-2-ent). I also have a short story out on Amazon (Watching You) and one on this website (Nature of Emergency).

After years of squeezing writing in between long stretches of earning my keep, I’m now a full time writer. My focus has been young adult science fiction and other stories that take my fancy. I am currently working on a 3rd story in the Rebel series.

Question: If you could write in one fiction universe for the rest of your career, what universe would it be?

Answer: That would be tough. I enjoy a wide range of areas. I guess if I had to choose it would be young adult science fiction as I enjoy the wonder of how young eyes view our changing world.

Question: Lots of stories begin with ‘what if’ what about yours?

Answer: The Rebel series is no exception. It began with the question of what would happen if bleeding-edge fertility research succeeded in allowing non-reproductive cells to fertilize an egg. While a boon to infertile men, it would also allow two women to have a biological child. That could bring a revolution in social mores. What do you think?

Question: Do you write “hard” science fiction, or “soft” science fiction?

I would say more on the soft side. When I read hard science fiction, it often struggles with character and plot. I am more interested in the interaction of character in new situations. I do want there to be a science base, but I don’t dwell on it. For example, I explored fertility research enough to know there’s a chance of developing a process for two women to have a biological child without a man and then used that in my stories without getting into the technical details. It was enough to realize it was a possibility.

Question: There are a number of ways this scenario could go. Does your story follow the line of thinking that men would be seen as superfluous? Fathering is a lot more than being a sperm donor.

Answer: The Rebel society is the result of a 2nd Civil War in which things get twisted to the point radicals take over and create an all-female society. A female-plurality society has existed before. The Mormons had such initially because more women joined their group in the beginning than men and that influenced their polygamous society. After one of the Paraguayan Wars in South America, most of the men were killed and the society had to deal with a heavily female gender mix. I agree there is more to parenting than being an egg/sperm donor, but every new development brings benefits and challenges. Something to consider that influenced the Rebel society is that while women have made great progress over the past 50 years, males now only receive 40% of college degrees in an information society. What will that mean to gender choices in the future?

Black Friday Promo

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In conjunction with the Genre Underground’s #ReadInTheDark2013, I will be offering a Black Friday promotion on The Rebel Within ebook at Kindle, discounted to $.99. Tell your friends and neighbors to stock up while they can. Also, as part of the Black Friday experience, I will be featured on Facebook’s “Ask the Author” event from 4-5PM ET (3-4PM CT). Come keep me company.

Character Interview Annabelle

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(by Lance Erlick)

Q: Annabelle, now that you’ve survived this ordeal, where would you most like to go for a vacation getaway, anywhere in the world?

A: Is that on or off the record?

Q: Okay, off the record. No strings attached.

A: If you could grant me any wish of a place to go with no consequences, I would choose a prison.

Q: After what you’ve been through, why in the world would you choose that?

A: That’s where they sent my birth mother when I was three. I can’t give you a specific prison or city, because they won’t tell me where they sent her.

Q: I’m afraid I can’t grant that.

A: I didn’t think so. Well, then I’ve never been to the Great Smoky Mountains even though they’re only 25 miles away. They’re in the forbidden Outlands. I know it carries a lot of personal risk, but I would really like to experience the untamed beauty of the lands.

Q: So you would put yourself in harm’s way to experience what is essentially a national park?

A: It’s much more than that. It represents all that’s forbidden in my society: boys, the ability to go places without being watched, and to experience things that are forbidden.

Q: They’re forbidden for your own good.

A: Shouldn’t I be able to decide for myself.

Q: So, with the opportunity to go anywhere in the world, you would only venture some 25 miles east into the woods.

A: Right now, I can’t think of any place I’d rather be than home in Knoxville with my family surrounded by beautiful hills and the river.

Footnote: Few may know that Knoxville was caught in middle of the first American Civil War. The city supported the South, while the surrounding areas supported the North. It makes the perfect backdrop for a Second Civil War.

Blog Tour (1 day)

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Tuesday August 27, my first blog tour at:

Come visit at above locations. There is supposed to be a chance to win a Kindle Fire HD on those two locations. Let me know what you think.

Rebel Series available in Nook

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The Rebel Within and Rebels Divided are now both available in Nook at Barnes & Noble.

Available & Discounted at Smashwords

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The Rebel Within and Rebels Divided now available and discounted at Smashwords. Also available for 99 cents is Watching You. Go to https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LanceErlick

FREE ebook June 19-20 (2013) The Rebel Within

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Just a reminder that I’ll be offering The Rebel Within as a free Kindle ebook on June 19-20 (2013) at Amazon, so download and enjoy. Pass this along to your friends in case they are interested.

Kirkus Reviews referred to The Rebel Within as “A stimulating, worthwhile story of a dystopian future.” They went on to say, “The novel has plenty of action and suspense, made all the more thrilling due to the investment readers have in the characters.” and, “Annabelle is believably stubborn, yet also vulnerable and likable.”

After the Second American Civil War, the Federal Union pursues a world without men by rounding up the remaining males.

Annabelle is a tomboy who lost her parents at age three. Despite her rebellious acts against a conformist society, the state pushes her to become a cop intern at age 16 to catch escaped boys. Then she’s forced to choose between joining the elite military unit that took her parents or being torn from her beloved sister and adoptive mom. Meanwhile, she meets a handsome boy who escaped prison, and helps him get away.

While facing a cop intern boss who hates her, a military commander who demands too much, and an amazon bully who won’t leave her alone, Annabelle struggles with conscience. Will she risk everything by hunting for her imprisoned birth mother and helping escaped boys avoid the federal roundup? Can she stand up to the amazon? Will she survive the rigorous military qualifying program so she won’t be sent away, while remaining true to herself and protecting her family?

Will she cross paths with that handsome boy again?

Go to Amazon to get your download.

FREE ebook June 16, 19 & 20 (2013) The Rebel Within

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I will be offering The Rebel Within as a free Kindle ebook on June 16, 19 and 20 (2013) at Amazon, so download and enjoy. Pass this along to your friends in case they are interested.

Kirkus Reviews referred to The Rebel Within as “A stimulating, worthwhile story of a dystopian future.” They went on to say, “The novel has plenty of action and suspense, made all the more thrilling due to the investment readers have in the characters.” and, “Annabelle is believably stubborn, yet also vulnerable and likable.”

After the Second American Civil War, the Federal Union pursues a world without men by rounding up the remaining males.

Annabelle is a tomboy who lost her parents at age three. Despite her rebellious acts against a conformist society, the state pushes her to become a cop intern at age 16 to catch escaped boys. Then she’s forced to choose between joining the elite military unit that took her parents or being torn from her beloved sister and adoptive mom. Meanwhile, she meets a handsome boy who escaped prison, and helps him get away.

While facing a cop intern boss who hates her, a military commander who demands too much, and an amazon bully who won’t leave her alone, Annabelle struggles with conscience. Will she risk everything by hunting for her imprisoned birth mother and helping escaped boys avoid the federal roundup? Can she stand up to the amazon? Will she survive the rigorous military qualifying program so she won’t be sent away, while remaining true to herself and protecting her family?
Will she cross paths with that handsome boy again?

Go to http://amzn.to/162EvjG to get your download.

Just Released Rebels Divided

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Rebels Divided has just been released on Kindle. It follows three years after The Rebel Within.

After Second American Civil War, a nation divided. A young man and woman from enemy camps must come together to rescue her sister and gain justice for his pa’s murder. Complicating this, the Federal governor and Outland warlord conclude a secret deal, pledging her in marriage to the warlord. At the same time, can the pair trust growing feelings for each other despite being sworn enemies?

Kirkus Reviews The Rebel Within

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A stimulating, worthwhile story of a dystopian future.

Readers will easily engage with this well-written tale. Annabelle is believably stubborn, yet also vulnerable and likable. Erlick also paints other characters vividly; for example, Dara, a mech and Annabelle’s nemesis, is so nasty that readers may find their skin crawling whenever she enters a scene. The novel has plenty of action and suspense, made all the more thrilling due to the investment readers have in the characters. The novel’s psychological elements keep things interesting, as well; the fact that Annabelle must join the force that killed her father, and try to remain an individual in a society that praises sameness, certainly has an effect on her. Readers will likely think about this society long after finishing the book.

Review of The Rebel Within

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Fran Lewis just reviewed The Rebel Within, giving it a five star rating. Some of her comments:
Fast paced, action packed and definitely filled with energy and characters that will keep you wondering what is going to happen next as Annabelle leads the way.
What would you do to protect the ones you love? The author raises this question along with many others.
An ending so explosive and surprising you won’t see it coming.