Lisa Paitz Spindler

GET LOST IN SPACE with THE SPIRAL PATHAvailable March 28 ISBN 978-14268-9141-0Carina Press After defecting from the Star Union eleven years ago, spaceship Captain Lara Soto is now the leader of the free Chimerans. Her only regret is the intense young officer she left behind. But when Terra’s S.U.S. Interlace goes missing with her brother Rafael on board, she has to push aside the pain of her betrayal and team up with her old love once again. Commodore Mitch Yoshida has never stopped thinking about the woman who deserted him. He’s also witnessed first-hand the Terran discrimination Lara foretold, from sequestering Chimerans on spaceships to enforcing indentured military service. With Rafael and the Interlace crew held prisoner by a being out of legend, will Lara and Mitch be able to resist their long-denied attraction and complete a rescue mission? To secure the Chimerans’ release, they must risk traveling to a whole new dimension. . . The wormhole, what sailors called the Spiral Path, led to only one of the many dimensions in space-time. Unfortunately, Lara might not be crossing into any of them today. “Gryphon, your launch slot has been denied,” said a voice from Cassini Command. “Captain Soto, please report to the embark bay antechamber for inspection.” “Inspection? What’s stuck up those Star Union asses now?” Camryn Rossa, Lara’s first officer for the past eleven years, locked down her station and unsnapped her restraints. Lara leaned back in her command chair and clicked her nails on the arm. Those damned royal pains. All her permits were in order, immaculate even. The Gryphon’s manifest had been logged days ago. Star Union officials could be sticklers—especially out here at Cassini Station—but no one had ever denied her launch before. No one would dare threaten a Creed aristocrat, even one with a reputation as tarnished as hers. Plus, pissing off the Creed prime minister by detaining her daughter could destroy diplomatic relations, which meant the Union might have finally given up on peace. Except, like the rest of her crew, Lara wasn’t just Creed, she was also half-Terran. In other words, a Chimeran—born of both dimensions. And neither Terra nor Creed trusted the Chimerans. They were unnatural, after all. Lara’s stomach clenched and a cold sweat shivered on her skin. Maybe the Union was finally trying to make good on their threat to enslave her and her Chimeran crew. Maybe her days of freedom were over. “Captain, are we going?” Cam stood statue-still and patient, gods bless her, hands clasped behind her back. Despite walking out of the Union Academy with her over a decade before, the woman had learned her lessons well. No way could Lara let her longtime friend down now. Lara stood and smoothed the creases out of her leather jacket. Outside the viewport, Saturn’s rings floated behind its moon Titan. She glanced at her young navigator. “Chandra, you have the conn. If we don’t return in fifteen minutes, blow through that launch bay and rendezvous with the Centaur on Alpha Haven.” The ensign swallowed and nodded but took her command seat without hesitation. “Yes, ma’am.” Lara clenched her jaw. This was the boy’s third mission. If anything happened to Chandra, his uncle would kill her. “Expecting trouble?” Cam fell into step beside her. “We’re not even transporting anything illegal this time. What’s Union’s diss?” “I have no idea, but activate your wrist-sync.” Lara kept her gaze trained ahead and pushed her panic away. If the Union wanted a fight, she’d give them one, but not at the risk of her crew. She’d ceased following their orders a long time ago. “We’re stopping at the weapons locker on our way.” NOTHING SPACEY ABOUT LISALisa Paitz Spindler is a science fiction author, web designer, blogger, and pop culture geek. Her debut space opera novella, THE SPIRAL PATH, will be released March 28, 2011 from Carina Press. In addition to contributing book reviews and television recaps to SF Signal, she also maintains the Danger Gal Blog hosted by her alter ego, Danger Gal, whose stiletto heels are licensed weapons and whose ninja stars travel faster than light. Lisa, however, gets through each day on caffeine and science blogs. I've known my "cyber playground" buddy for several years. It's awesome that this hard-working, friendly, supportive gal has found the right fit for her space adventure. I love that. But I also love that Lisa has provided me with the perfect excuse to schedule some reading time on March 28th. I will be downloading her book next Monday and enjoying the return of futuristic romance. ALIGNING THE PLANETS WITH ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS ANGI: How often to you get lost in a story? LISA: If I’m not lost in a story, I put it aside and move on. Life is short. ANGI: What’s the first book you remember reading? LISA: I remember having the Little Golden Books series, so it was probably “The Poky Little Puppy.” ANGI: What’s your favorite “love” word? LISA: I love the Irish Gaelic phrase “A chuisle mo chroí" which means "Pulse of my heart." ANGI: Where do you read and how often? LISA: On the couch, but I’ve been known to hide wherever I need to if a book has captured my attention. ANGI: What sound or noise do you love? LISA: The rain. ANGI: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure? LISA: How about a Fairy Tale Action Adventure? ANGI: What was the first story you remember writing? LISA: OK, I’ll admit it. When I was 12 I wrote a 19-page screenplay sequel to Empire Strikes Back. I am strong with the Nerd Force. ANGI: Be honest, when reading...do you put yourself in the heroine’s role? LISA: Yes, this is why I prefer strong, active heroines. ANGI: Is writing or story-telling easier for you? LISA: Story-telling, definitely. ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: So, Lisa, what is your favorite Sci-Fi flick of all-time? And did it inspire you to write Sci-Fi romance? LISA’S GOTTA ANSWER: When Empire Strikes Back was released I was at the prime movie-star crushing age, so absolutely the love story between Princess Leia and Han Solo left me wanting more science fiction romance. Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan and Blade Runner are tied for a close second. LISA WANTS TO KNOW…If you could visit any fictional world you've read or seen in a movie, which would it be? As part of Lisa’s Out Of This World Blog Tour, she’s giving away a copy of THE SPIRAL PATH and this Retro Saturn T-shirt to one lucky reader. Everyone who enters will receive a door prize: The Spiral Path electronic trading cards depicting the four main characters in the story. Click here to enter. Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only. If an electronic Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Lisa can also be found on Twitter and Facebook. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook or FOLLOW us on Twitter to keep track of who's next to "Get Lost". Come back tomorrow when Simone hosts Erin Quinn and Friday when Heather hosts Katharine Ashe. Til next week when I party with fellow GET LOST crew member, my Unsinkable GH finalist bud, Young Adult debut author, and a new friend... Maureen McGowan. ~~Angi