Welcome to prolific author, adventurer, and cat lover,
Vijaya Schartz!
Award-winning author Vijaya Schartz never conformed to anything
and could never refuse a challenge. She writes strong heroines, brave heroes,
and cats. She likes action and exotic settings, in life and on the page. She
traveled the world and claims she must be a time traveler, since she writes
with the same ease about the far past and the far future. With thirty-three
titles published, Vijaya Schartz writes action adventure laced with sensuality
and suspense, in exotic, medieval, or futuristic settings. Her books collected
many five-star reviews and literary awards. She makes you believe you actually
lived these extraordinary adventures among her characters.
Find Vijaya here:
Vijaya Schartz, author
Strong heroines, brave heroes, cats, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
http://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vijaya-schartz
https://www.facebook.com/vijaya.schartz
https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz
Tell us about your life outside of writing.
I currently live in Glendale, Arizona, where it’s hot and dry. I
like the desert heat. Over the years, I’ve traveled the world, lived in France,
in India, in Hawaii, Florida… I was a surfer and an Aikido Black Belt. Now, I
practice yoga and meditation… I also practice and teach Tai-Chi… and I watch a
lot of movies… for the storytelling.
Do you have a work in progress?
I always have a work in progress. Right now, it’s the second book
in the Blue Phantom series, ANGEL GUARDIAN, scheduled for release next year in
October. I’m still in the brainstorming and character defining stage, and the
story is slowly taking shape. There will also be a big cat (or two) in that
book.
What was the most difficult section/piece you ever wrote? What
made it difficult?
My best friend died in France while I lived in an Ashram in
India. He was twenty-six. For over a decade, as I lived faraway, I didn’t deal
with his death, until it hit me one day, and I wrote a poem about it. I cried
for days. But it was very cathartic.
What sort of research do you do for your work?
It depends on what I’m writing. When I was writing a series of
Celtic legends, I did intensive historical research, from the Viking invasions
in Scotland to the Crusades in the Middle-East. For science fiction and
fantasy, I keep abreast of the current research and space exploration sciences,
to make sure my stories are believable. As for the fantasy element in my
stories, as Isaac Azimov once said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is
indistinguishable from magic.”
Which books and authors do you read for pleasure? Is there an
author who inspires you?
As an avid reader, I loved Marion Zimmer Bradley’s strong
heroines and Anne Mc Caffrey’s Dragons of Pern series. I read Tolkien, Frank
Herbert (Dune). Early in my writing career, I came upon Linnea Sinclair’s
books. She is a pioneer of Science Fiction romance, two genres which, until
then, didn’t really mesh. I was hooked on her Dock Five series. I loved the
books and the new trend, and I have written many sci-fi romances since then.
But I also had the pleasure of interviewing famous authors when I hosted a
radio show about writing. I was a fan of Diana Gabaldon (the Outlander series),
and I have the fondest memories of her. She is a talented author and a very
gracious guest.
Was there a person who encouraged you to write?
As a child, I was writing poetry in first grade. I was an avid
reader. My teachers all encouraged me to write, but one in particular was a
mentor. I produced many poems and essays, and later travel journals. One of my
boyfriends, who was an editor for a famous newspaper in Paris, also encouraged
me to write… but I wasn’t ready. I thought I didn’t have much to say, for lack
of experience. That’s when I started my travels. My first book out was “ASHES
FOR THE ELEPHANT GOD” straight from my experience in India. It was well
received and gave me the confidence I needed to continue writing and expand
into other genres.
New release: ANGEL SHIP – Blue Phantom Book One
Buy link: https://books2read.com/Angel-Ship
The Blue Phantom glows like a beacon in black
space, appears and vanishes, and never registers on scanners. Rumors say it
will save the righteous, the oppressed, and the downtrodden… and slay the
unworthy without mercy. The space pirates fear it. Their victims pray for it…
but its help comes at a price…
Desperate to save her people from the Marauders swarming her space freighter, Kefira prays for a miracle. Blake Volkov, legendary captain of the Blue Phantom hears her plea and deems her and her refugees worthy of his help. Grateful for the rescue, Kefira finds his price shocking. But despite his glowing wings, handsome looks and impressive abilities, Blake admits he is no angel… although Kefira’s feline bodyguard strongly disagrees.
Meanwhile, an old enemy bent on revenge unleashed an unspeakable evil on the
galaxy. Time to face past mistakes… time for innocent blood to flow. Nothing
prepared Kefira for the upheaval ahead.
Can Blake find redemption? Can Kefira save her people? Can she ever trust and
love again?
2021 release: ANGEL BRAVE – Azura Chronicles Book Three
Buy link: https://books2read.com/Angel-Brave
Keoke Mahoe slips through the forbidden planet’s impenetrable
defenses to deliver a perilous message. But Lady Valoria fiercely protects
Azura. Any intruder, especially one who kills for food, is promptly terminated.
While Valoria admires Keoke’s uncanny ability to cheat death, she cannot trust
a spy. What he suggests is unthinkable... and could throw the galaxy into
chaos. Yet, could he be telling the truth? She appreciates his audacity, his
noble heart, and his smile… to the chagrin of Eris the Amazon, her best friend,
bodyguard, and would-be lover.
But in the farthest confines of the galaxy, an old enemy is rising again.
People are sacrificed by blood and fire on unholy altars. Malevolent armies are
assembling, and this time, even Azura's Avenging Angels may not be able to stop
the onslaught of darkness upon all civilized life.
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