What a lovely night we had! Our second book signing at Zorvino's Vineyard in Sandown, New Hampshire,could hardly have been better. The weather cooperated nicely--temps in the 40s and no snow, rain, or ice. The vineyard is a bit out in the boondocks, but it's lovely. Besides the vineyard itself, the grounds include a barn, a pond, and a gazebo.
The interior of the venue is rustic, but absolutely beautiful, featuring a real wood fireplace, a cozy corner with couches, a bar, and a balcony surrounding the entire room. The lighting is romantic, if a bit dim. They actually brought in a floor lamp to brighten our corner!
Downstairs, we visited the winery and the store, where you can taste their wines and purchase a few bottles, which we cheerfully did.
As for Authors Night, it was well-attended by authors, publishers, and visitors alike. Live guitar music throughout the night added to the ambience. I sold and signed a few books. Hubby and I posed for a photo with a bottle of wine--a first for me! I signed a pic for the event organizer's files and traded books to be reviewed with another scifi author. Lastly, I donated a signed copy of my fourth novel, Galaxy Rand---a space opera which is an homage to pulp fiction--to a parents' group for educational purposes. They offer to promote local authors who donate their books. I thought that was a good idea and a cost-effective way for authors to advertise their work.
Of course, we also bought several books, reconnected with some old friends, and made several new ones. I got to talk science fiction, including favorite books, movies, and TV shows. It's always fun to introduce new readers to my Tartarus Trilogy, especially to those who are fans of SF, space adventure, and mixed-genre novels.
We left looking forward to the next book event, which will take place on July 30, 2014. Each event is an adventure, as we never know who we will meet, what's going to happen next, and what connections we'll make. It's all part of the fun of being a published author!
Keep on reading; keep on writing!
MRTighe
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Friday, January 3, 2014
Meet Galaxy Rand
Here is the final, published version of the back cover blurb for my space opera Galaxy Rand:
Galaxy Rand is one tough fem...a hard-drinking, two-fisted recoup agent, she's used to dealing with space-scum like hijackers and smugglers. But when she stumbles across a discarded robot, she's thrown for a loop. Not only is Tin Man obnoxious, but he's denser than a ton of spectromium!
Rand's unsavory past comes back to haunt her; she finds a price on her head and a target on her back. As for Tin Man, he has secrets of his own.
To save her life and her job, and to earn the five-million credit reward offered by multi-billionaire Roman Aguilar, Rand is forced to do the one thing she always swore she'd never do: go back to Esperance---the Death Planet!
Hope you enjoyed. The book is available at most online booksellers and on Kindle and paperback at amazon.com. ( which also has a Look Inside feature. )
Keep reading and keep on writing!
MRTighe
Galaxy Rand is one tough fem...a hard-drinking, two-fisted recoup agent, she's used to dealing with space-scum like hijackers and smugglers. But when she stumbles across a discarded robot, she's thrown for a loop. Not only is Tin Man obnoxious, but he's denser than a ton of spectromium!
Rand's unsavory past comes back to haunt her; she finds a price on her head and a target on her back. As for Tin Man, he has secrets of his own.
To save her life and her job, and to earn the five-million credit reward offered by multi-billionaire Roman Aguilar, Rand is forced to do the one thing she always swore she'd never do: go back to Esperance---the Death Planet!
Hope you enjoyed. The book is available at most online booksellers and on Kindle and paperback at amazon.com. ( which also has a Look Inside feature. )
Keep reading and keep on writing!
MRTighe
Monday, December 16, 2013
Step Into Rona's Boots
Try putting yourself into my heroine's boots. All her life, Rona Scott has dreamed of having a career in the Interstellar Space Service. She's worked hard, studied hard, and endured five long years of a dead-boring job at Earth Base One.
At last the Brass assign her to a deep-space job: DataComm tech aboard the retired space cruiser Astrella II. Now, twelve years after the end of the Gorgonian Wars, Astrella has been reduced to conducting diplomatic and scientific missions throughout the known-Galaxy.
Imagine boarding your first ship with Rona, only to discover it's a hot-bed of gossip, bigotry, and outright hatred. Discouraging, to say the least! But the situation rapidly goes downhill. The CO, Richard Hughes ( the legendary "Hero of the Gorgonian Wars") has a volatile temper and no sympathy for green ensigns.
Even worse, his ExO, Malkis of Tartarus, is an alien who has an obvious grudge against Terrans, females in particular. He's out to make Rona's life a living Hell! Your heart would probably sink to boot-level, as Rona's does. Her long-dreamed-of career in space seems doomed. Her dream is becoming a nightmare.
Rona struggles to remain open-minded, to maintain her high ideals, to be tolerant, and to tell the unvarnished truth, no matter the cost. She does her best to bite her tongue and concentrate on doing her duty. Just when the situation seems to be at its absolute worst---she has lied to her CO; a crewman has been found murdered; they've been attacked by an old enemy--Astrella is diverted to the mysterious planet Tartarus for unknown reasons.
There, Rona is shocked to discover that all she encountered aboard Astrella was mere child's play compared to what she's now up against.
Intrigued? Discover Rona's ultimate destiny in Judgment on Tartarus, Book One of the Tartarus Trilogy. Each novel is capable of standing on its own. You can read one or all three if you like. ( available on amazon.com in paperback or Kindle as well as other online booksellers.)
Thanks for reading! Keep writing; keep reading,
MRTighe
At last the Brass assign her to a deep-space job: DataComm tech aboard the retired space cruiser Astrella II. Now, twelve years after the end of the Gorgonian Wars, Astrella has been reduced to conducting diplomatic and scientific missions throughout the known-Galaxy.
Imagine boarding your first ship with Rona, only to discover it's a hot-bed of gossip, bigotry, and outright hatred. Discouraging, to say the least! But the situation rapidly goes downhill. The CO, Richard Hughes ( the legendary "Hero of the Gorgonian Wars") has a volatile temper and no sympathy for green ensigns.
Even worse, his ExO, Malkis of Tartarus, is an alien who has an obvious grudge against Terrans, females in particular. He's out to make Rona's life a living Hell! Your heart would probably sink to boot-level, as Rona's does. Her long-dreamed-of career in space seems doomed. Her dream is becoming a nightmare.
Rona struggles to remain open-minded, to maintain her high ideals, to be tolerant, and to tell the unvarnished truth, no matter the cost. She does her best to bite her tongue and concentrate on doing her duty. Just when the situation seems to be at its absolute worst---she has lied to her CO; a crewman has been found murdered; they've been attacked by an old enemy--Astrella is diverted to the mysterious planet Tartarus for unknown reasons.
There, Rona is shocked to discover that all she encountered aboard Astrella was mere child's play compared to what she's now up against.
Intrigued? Discover Rona's ultimate destiny in Judgment on Tartarus, Book One of the Tartarus Trilogy. Each novel is capable of standing on its own. You can read one or all three if you like. ( available on amazon.com in paperback or Kindle as well as other online booksellers.)
Thanks for reading! Keep writing; keep reading,
MRTighe
Thursday, October 17, 2013
A Snippet from True Son...
Here's a bit taken from The Rahn-tzl Master, Chapter Two of True Son of Tartarus:
An unfamiliar Shalt-ahnk male filled the chamber's archway. Likewise clad in the supple, black Rahn-tzl costume, he was a tall man--taller even than he himself, Malkis noted--unusually broad-shouldered for one of his people, somewhat heavier of build as well. Stern and hawk-faced, this man looked every inch the warrior.
Malkis immediately challenged the imposing stranger. "Where is Master Tr'gahn?"
Steel-blue eyes fixed upon Malkis' pale-gray ones, the Shalt-ahnk began to approach with catlike grace. "Master Tr'gahn is indisposed. I will take his place for this lesson, Most Venerable One." The man inclined his blond head respectfully as he spoke.
"Your name?"
"D'nart, Most Venerable One."
"Strange--I have never heard that name mentioned."
Again, D'nart gave a slight bow to his Sovereign. "Most Venerable One, you returned to Thar-kalt only a matter of months ago--after an absence of many cycles. There are many Rahn-tzl Masters in the City."
He gestured toward the pair of weapons, which lay exposed upon the stone bench. "Choose your weapon, Most Venerable One." @copyright M. R. Tighe, 2012
That's it. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed!
Keep reading; keep writing!
MRTighe
An unfamiliar Shalt-ahnk male filled the chamber's archway. Likewise clad in the supple, black Rahn-tzl costume, he was a tall man--taller even than he himself, Malkis noted--unusually broad-shouldered for one of his people, somewhat heavier of build as well. Stern and hawk-faced, this man looked every inch the warrior.
Malkis immediately challenged the imposing stranger. "Where is Master Tr'gahn?"
Steel-blue eyes fixed upon Malkis' pale-gray ones, the Shalt-ahnk began to approach with catlike grace. "Master Tr'gahn is indisposed. I will take his place for this lesson, Most Venerable One." The man inclined his blond head respectfully as he spoke.
"Your name?"
"D'nart, Most Venerable One."
"Strange--I have never heard that name mentioned."
Again, D'nart gave a slight bow to his Sovereign. "Most Venerable One, you returned to Thar-kalt only a matter of months ago--after an absence of many cycles. There are many Rahn-tzl Masters in the City."
He gestured toward the pair of weapons, which lay exposed upon the stone bench. "Choose your weapon, Most Venerable One." @copyright M. R. Tighe, 2012
That's it. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed!
Keep reading; keep writing!
MRTighe
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Another Peek into Judgment
Here's a snippet taken from Chapter Four: Paradise Lost:
A day later, as Rona Scott was sitting by herself, enjoying a cup of coffee, Johann Weiner strolled into the Commissary and paused to search the crowd. Spotting Rona alone on the far side of the room, the blond medic ambled over to her table, hands in his pockets.
"Rona Scott, isn't it?" he asked casually.
"Dr. Weiner. Have a seat," she invited half-heartedly.
He sank into the chair opposite her. "Haven't seen you since your physical--and that was weeks ago. Don't you ever go up to the Lounge to relax?" His light-blue eyes were intent on her face.
Rona allowed a little warning frown to faintly crease her brow. "They've been keeping me pretty damn busy, Doctor, what with standing Bridge-duty twice a day, trying to keep up with my work in DataLab, and attempting--somewhat unsuccessfully--to grab a few hours of sleep between shifts," she told him snappishly. She figured it was none of his damn business why she chose not to frequent the Ship's Lounge.
Weiner nodded his understanding. "That's normal on coming aboard a ship like this. Takes time to adjust to the damn schedule, not to mention the artificial gravity, artificial light, food--artificial just about everything!" he said in a disparaging tone. "Been aboard Astrella less than a year myself--transferred from Asgard. Take my word for it, Rona, you eventually do adjust."
"Afraid this is as 'adjusted' as I get," Rona grumbled, fingering her coffee cup.
"How're those nerves of yours?"
"What nerves? Hell, I don't think I have any left, Doctor! Between Hughes and Malkis, every flaring nerve in my body has been blasted into interstellar dust!"
Weiner chuckled and leaned back in his chair, fingers laced behind his blond head. "Damn pity you didn't get R&R then, Rona. Sounds to me as if you could've used some."
@copyright 2011 M. R. Tighe
That's all for now. You can read more by going to www.amazon.com, looking up Judgment on Tartarus, and searching the Look Inside feature. Have fun!
Keep reading and keep on writing!
MRTighe
A day later, as Rona Scott was sitting by herself, enjoying a cup of coffee, Johann Weiner strolled into the Commissary and paused to search the crowd. Spotting Rona alone on the far side of the room, the blond medic ambled over to her table, hands in his pockets.
"Rona Scott, isn't it?" he asked casually.
"Dr. Weiner. Have a seat," she invited half-heartedly.
He sank into the chair opposite her. "Haven't seen you since your physical--and that was weeks ago. Don't you ever go up to the Lounge to relax?" His light-blue eyes were intent on her face.
Rona allowed a little warning frown to faintly crease her brow. "They've been keeping me pretty damn busy, Doctor, what with standing Bridge-duty twice a day, trying to keep up with my work in DataLab, and attempting--somewhat unsuccessfully--to grab a few hours of sleep between shifts," she told him snappishly. She figured it was none of his damn business why she chose not to frequent the Ship's Lounge.
Weiner nodded his understanding. "That's normal on coming aboard a ship like this. Takes time to adjust to the damn schedule, not to mention the artificial gravity, artificial light, food--artificial just about everything!" he said in a disparaging tone. "Been aboard Astrella less than a year myself--transferred from Asgard. Take my word for it, Rona, you eventually do adjust."
"Afraid this is as 'adjusted' as I get," Rona grumbled, fingering her coffee cup.
"How're those nerves of yours?"
"What nerves? Hell, I don't think I have any left, Doctor! Between Hughes and Malkis, every flaring nerve in my body has been blasted into interstellar dust!"
Weiner chuckled and leaned back in his chair, fingers laced behind his blond head. "Damn pity you didn't get R&R then, Rona. Sounds to me as if you could've used some."
@copyright 2011 M. R. Tighe
That's all for now. You can read more by going to www.amazon.com, looking up Judgment on Tartarus, and searching the Look Inside feature. Have fun!
Keep reading and keep on writing!
MRTighe
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
A Little Teaser...
Here's just a snippet from Judgment on Tartarus, Book One of my Tartarus Trilogy:
The Tartarian met her eyes squarely and said, "Let us merely say that you and I have had our differences since you came aboard Astrella, Ensign. I am not unaware of your hostility toward me. And yet, unknowingly, you became instrumental in rescuing me from death. How strange the tangled coils of fate!"
He paused a moment, as if unsure whether or not he should continue. "Your self-incriminating testimony at the inquiry was also quite--remarkable. You must have realized, Ensign, that your previous failure to report Klasner's threat might draw, at the very least, a reprimand."
Before she was even aware of speaking, Rona heard herself saying heatedly, "Sir! I am well aware of your hostility toward me--but I do not countenance attempted murder under any circumstances!"
Malkis held her eyes with his own an uncomfortable moment longer, as though he were sifting her mind. "Perhaps, Ensign Scott--perhaps--you are a somewhat better officer than I previously estimated."
Rona sat dumbfounded. That caustic remark was the closest thing to a compliment she'd ever heard from the Tartarian's thin, bluish lips! She had no idea how to respond: Thank you--for what? Detesting me? @copyright 2011
That's just a hint of things to come in my epic SF love story and adventure. Hope you enjoyed!
Keep on reading; keep on writing.
MRTighe
The Tartarian met her eyes squarely and said, "Let us merely say that you and I have had our differences since you came aboard Astrella, Ensign. I am not unaware of your hostility toward me. And yet, unknowingly, you became instrumental in rescuing me from death. How strange the tangled coils of fate!"
He paused a moment, as if unsure whether or not he should continue. "Your self-incriminating testimony at the inquiry was also quite--remarkable. You must have realized, Ensign, that your previous failure to report Klasner's threat might draw, at the very least, a reprimand."
Before she was even aware of speaking, Rona heard herself saying heatedly, "Sir! I am well aware of your hostility toward me--but I do not countenance attempted murder under any circumstances!"
Malkis held her eyes with his own an uncomfortable moment longer, as though he were sifting her mind. "Perhaps, Ensign Scott--perhaps--you are a somewhat better officer than I previously estimated."
Rona sat dumbfounded. That caustic remark was the closest thing to a compliment she'd ever heard from the Tartarian's thin, bluish lips! She had no idea how to respond: Thank you--for what? Detesting me? @copyright 2011
That's just a hint of things to come in my epic SF love story and adventure. Hope you enjoyed!
Keep on reading; keep on writing.
MRTighe
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Whoops! That's Not What I Meant!
What's the funniest thing you've ever "accidentally" written?
Mine would have to be: "Grasping his dar'dul-adz firmly in his right hand..." Whoops!
Now I knew perfectly well what I meant to say by that line. A dar'dul-adz is a spear traditionally carried by Shalt-ahnk warriors on the planet Tartarus. But someone unfamiliar with my work could get another idea entirely!
My two daughters nearly died laughing when they read that line in one of my first drafts of Judgment on Tartarus. Not at all the effect I was trying to achieve!
A few of my typos have turned out to be unintentionally humorous, too. For instance: "She loved herons." Herons? Really? Well, I love them as well, but that line should have read: "She loved her sons." Big difference!
The infamous autocorrect often leads to inadvertent comedy. It once insisted that the word I wanted to type was not "goddammit" but "goldsmith!" Huh? How on earth did it reach that conclusion?
I can imagine an irate Captain Richard Hughes shouting, "Goldsmith, Fleet Admiral Gutierrez! Goldsmith!"
Ah, the many trials and tribulations of being a writer, in any genre. But no matter what difficulties you may encounter, hilarious or not, keep on writing and keep on reading!
MRTighe
Mine would have to be: "Grasping his dar'dul-adz firmly in his right hand..." Whoops!
Now I knew perfectly well what I meant to say by that line. A dar'dul-adz is a spear traditionally carried by Shalt-ahnk warriors on the planet Tartarus. But someone unfamiliar with my work could get another idea entirely!
My two daughters nearly died laughing when they read that line in one of my first drafts of Judgment on Tartarus. Not at all the effect I was trying to achieve!
A few of my typos have turned out to be unintentionally humorous, too. For instance: "She loved herons." Herons? Really? Well, I love them as well, but that line should have read: "She loved her sons." Big difference!
The infamous autocorrect often leads to inadvertent comedy. It once insisted that the word I wanted to type was not "goddammit" but "goldsmith!" Huh? How on earth did it reach that conclusion?
I can imagine an irate Captain Richard Hughes shouting, "Goldsmith, Fleet Admiral Gutierrez! Goldsmith!"
Ah, the many trials and tribulations of being a writer, in any genre. But no matter what difficulties you may encounter, hilarious or not, keep on writing and keep on reading!
MRTighe
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