Tessa McFionn was a Feature Author back in August 2016, so a special thanks to her for help getting Uncaged off the ground!
Uncaged: You were a Featured Author in Uncaged Book Reviews way back in August 2016. How was your experience being in the magazine?
OMG! I just love you guys! To share the pages with so many amazing authors has been such a fabulous treat. Through your publication, I’ve been able to make some great connections with other authors and new readers. It’s been a great thrill ride and I’ve also been able to direct folks to discover new authors. I love the positive community you’ve helped to foster.
Uncaged: Can you tell us more about your upcoming release, To Discover a Divine? Is there a set amount of books planned for this series?
I would be delighted. When I first pitched this space opera, I called it The Wizard of Oz meets Star Wars. The opening book, To Discover a Divine, kicks things off with a human who finds herself smack dab in the middle of an interstellar conflict and wondering just what’s happening. There’s aliens, space ships, blasters, and of course, a great deal of romance from start to finish. Originally, I had planned to only make it a trilogy, but when I started working on book three, I found myself stuck. After a brainstorming session with a friend, I realized the reason I was locked: I wasn’t ready to end it. Once I gave my muse permission to keep dreaming in this new universe, things started going much better. So, there will be at least six books in this series, maybe even more.
Uncaged: You are venturing out from the paranormal/fantasy genre to dip your toes in scifi. How is it different to write in each genre?
Actually, I think sci-fi is easier. I know, sounds strange. There is a ton more world building to be done, that’s for sure. But since I have my paranormal layered over the mundane world of now, I have so much more research. What are the affluent neighborhoods of certain cities? When did the Persians attack Greece? And, most importantly, what are the engine specs of a 1972 Pontiac GTO and did they come off the line with bucket seats or a bench? Yes, if you’ve read any of my paranormals, I am rather obsessed with muscle cars. Yet, in the immense world building required for sci-fi, there’s no rules except for the ones I make. Of course, that means I have to write them all down to keep things consistent, but I just love the great freedom of being able to create everything.
Uncaged: Will you be attending any conventions or in-person signings this year?
I will be signing in just a couple weeks at my favorite local indie bookstore. On April 7, I will at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego from 4:00pm until they tell me to leave. If you contact them (www.mystgalaxy.com) they’ll have details about virtual signings. As for conventions, I’ll be attending RWA Nationals in Denver in July. There is also going to be a signing there as well that will be open to the public. Living the dream and loving the journey.
[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]Tessa McFionn is a very native Californian, growing up in San Diego and attending college in Northern California and Orange County, returning to San Diego to work as a teacher. She wrote her first story in elementary school, creating strange tales about evil Cabbage Patch dolls and the life lessons taught by Barbie. Insatiably curious, she loves to learn and discover, storing up a plethora of trivial knowledge. She feeds her artistic soul through her passions for theatre, dance and music, as well as regular trips to Disneyland with friends and family. Current President Elect of RWA San Diego Chapter.[/symple_box]
Read an excerpt and review of To Discover a Divine
To Discover a Divine
Tessa McFionn
SciFi/Romance
When Kahlym cal Jhuen, freedom-fighting leader of the Chandar Stria, breaks into a prison ship controlled by the Rimmarian Thrall, he only expected to rescue two of his crew. But when he discovers a terrified female during his escape, he is immediately captivated by her unique beauty and makes a snap decision to take her with him. However, his good deed backfires when he learns he has stolen the Thrall Emperor’s prize.
Down to her last dollar, Evainne Wagner expected nothing out of the ordinary when she stepped out of her Boston apartment. Instead, she found herself in the middle of an intergalactic firefight, complete with strange soldiers with deadly weapons pointed directly at her. Salvation arrives in the nick of time in the form of a mysterious leather-clad warrior, skidding in and whisking her away. Trusting her heart, she follows, hoping to find answers as well as a way home.
Safely on board his ship, he learns more about her and her rare skills, triggering the memory of a half-forgotten prophecy spoken at the time of his cursed birth. Outcast because of a cruel twist of fate, he finds unexpected acceptance, even affection, from his new passenger.
Could she be the one who holds the future of his people, as well as his own heart, in her tender hands?
Excerpt
The dunk into the pool was just what the doctor ordered, the temperature somehow perfect. Evainne hoped it would be cold enough to jolt her brain into some emotional state aside from pissed off, but she didn’t relish the idea of a long swim in the arctic. The thing seemed almost intuitive, the water warming after one lap.
Why was she so angry? It wasn’t as if she’d never been rejected before. She should be used to that, but she wanted so much to believe he was not like the asshats back home. Guess it’s a male thing, no matter what planet you’re on.
So lost in her own head, she didn’t realize he was in the water until she heard him call her name. His voice brushed against her bare back, the single word trailing like fingertips along her skin. She closed her eyes, seeking strength in the darkness behind her lids.
“I don’t know if I’m not mad at you anymore.” She swallowed hard, listening carefully as he stepped closer, the wake of his approach lapping gently at the tops of her thighs.
“I do not wish you to be angered, but you must understand—”
That did it. She spun around to meet his apologetic stare, an unspoken sadness casting shadows in his tourmaline eyes.
“No, Kahlym. I don’t have to understand anything. I have no friggin’ clue about of the rules here. I was never one to stand on ceremony on my own damn home planet and I’m not about to start now. I was an outcast, tossed out and alone, and I had to make my way without a whole lot of help. Hell, even the crazy homeless had people willing to step up and say, ‘Yeah, that’s my family.’ All I trust is what I see from people’s actions and what my gut tells me. And I just don’t get you sometimes. One moment, you’re all hot and bothered and the next, you shove me away, spouting all about how you’re not worthy. I’m not some kind of princess or anything special, no matter what you might think. I just want…” She paused to take a breath and sort out her thoughts as they rocketed through her head.
That was when she realized he was naked.
Uncaged Review: I used to be a SciFi reading nerd, and the majority of the books I read were in that genre. I strayed away quite a bit in the last few years, but Tessa McFionn grabs hold of me and tosses me back into the fray, and you won’t get a complaint from me.
A very original story, with characters that are well thought out, and a world that I can’t wait to read more about. Evainne, our main character, is a human who finds herself suddenly in an alien world, believing that she’s in a dream, what else could it be? When raiding a ship to rescue crew members, Kahlym discovers a female, unlike any that he’s ever encountered. Protective instincts kick in and he decides to take her with him, specially after she saves his life on the ship.
The characters are well thought out, Evainne is smart, brave, witty and strong – and Kahlym is not only a feast for the eyes, but a warrior prince. The romance is swoon worthy – and the action sequences tense and fantastic at the same time. The world building that Ms. McFionn is so good at is ever present, and I can’t wait for more installments. I keep opening my door hoping I’ll get zapped into a new world. Reviewed by Cyrene
5 Stars
