Monday, June 15, 2020

Realm Explorers Part CXXXIII: Visit the Township with Belle Blukat

Welcome to Realm Explorers!  In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors.  Enjoy your travels!  And don't forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book. 

Note on this piece: There is love scene after they are married and it is NOT explicit.

Author’s name: Dana Bell writing as Belle Blukat

Title of book and/or series: Novella called The Woman He Won

Brief summary of the story: Marcie got dumped on a strange world after getting caught in a tornado. She awakens injured, in pain and is rescued by Lir a dark haired male with red eyes. He is both a healer and warrior self-exiled for a wrong he thinks he committed. As the weather grows cold he takes Marcie with him to his home and introduces his new mate to his mother. At the Little King ceremony Lir is challenged for Marcie, who must make the most difficult decision of her life.

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story: The world has several moons, severe weather which caused massive damage and loss to the natives in the past. With their seeming primitive culture, the surprise twist is that they are not exactly what they seem.

If we were to visit as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there? The odd island and how difficult it is to reach.

What dangers should we avoid in the Township? If you are a woman, don’t go there. You will be fought over by the men.

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served? Feasting meats and vegetables.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in the Township? One on one combat and daggers.

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to the Township? A large hairy beast who can jump great distances. Elevators and homes above the trees.

What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in the Township that we don’t see on Earth? Odd plant like creatures that crawl around on the outside of the windows.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used. Not really.

Is there any advanced or unusual technology? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples. The homes they live in have things like a stove, indoor plumbing and was built by their ancestors long ago, along with some sort of computer they can talk to.

Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in The Township as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there? They have a celebration of the Little King. He was a leader long ago who helped saved their people. Everything is seasonal.

What is the political or government structure?  Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she? They are ruled by Elders who make all decisions.

Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit? If you just share a bed with a man you are considered his mate.

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
Funny story on this one. I also write fanfiction and I was thinking of writing a love story with Luke on the island. However, I liked the idea so much I turned it into an original piece instead. I included a Wizard of Oz twist with how my heroine arrived and the two characters took me on a journey to their semi-happy ending. The dwellings my characters lived in came from seeing the tops of buildings that literally looked like they were floating on the trees. It was also my first attempt at writing a romance, which I submitted thinking it would be rejected. They loved it and published the novella.

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book? The dangers of genetic manipulation and the possible unfortunate outcomes, plus women’s rights when it comes to marriage.
 
Author Autobiography: Owned by two cats, Adara and Taj, Dana Bell writes stories staring her fur babies often. She loves to tell tales set in places she has lived or visited, has a fascination for lighthouses, Yellowstone National Park, super volcanoes, and doll houses which have taken over her basement. Her published books include Winter Awakening and God’s Gift. Her short fiction can be found in various anthologies for SFFH and she writes romance as well.  She lives in Colorado and works a day job so her cats have a warm house, food and lots of toys.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)?  Please include links.
Kindle

Where can readers connect with you online? 



I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Township.  Questions about the world or the book?  Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!  

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in next week's edition of Realm Explorers!
Are you an author of a sci-fi or fantasy novel that takes place in another world? Click here to find out about having it featured on Realm Explorers!

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