Suvudu Universe

Today I welcome author Dianne Salerni, who is celebrating the release of her latest book, The Inquisitor’s Mark.

When I started a book about a secret day of the week, I had to decide whether it would be fantasy or science fiction. Tying my story to Arthurian legends tipped me over to the fantasy side. But The Eighth Day was also going to have a modern setting, and since we live in a world of science, I had to account for that.

For example, I decided CPUs couldn’t detect the alternate timeline, and nothing with a CPU would work on that day. Then, I realized no time measuring device should cross the divide. When my MC Jax discovers that his late father’s Rolex stops at midnight every Wednedsay, his guardian, Riley, gives him a Timex to wind only on the secret day.

Riley’s watch ticked steadily until exactly twelve o’clock and then stopped.
The Rolex started.
Riley shrugged. “Every time-measuring device is affected by relativistic change, and a lot depends on the perspective of the observer.” When Jax’s mouth dropped open, Riley grinned. “Einstein’s theory of relativity.”

Between Book 1 and Book 2, I noticed a plot hole. If there’s a day the world doesn’t know about and electricity stops on that day, why doesn’t the food in our refrigerators go bad every week? So, I tackled the issue in The Inquisitor’s Mark. When my characters raid a McDonalds on the eighth day, Jax wonders why his hamburger is still hot.

“I keep telling you, Jax, it depends on the point of view of the observer. Time doesn’t pass for inanimate objects on the eighth day unless someone observes it passing. No observer, no effect on the object.”

What I learned about writing urban fantasy is that some of the weirder and bizarre aspects of science fit quite nicely in a fantasy world. Magic and theoretical physics will get an author out of almost any plot hole.

Find Dianne at her Blog and on Twitter
Find The Inquisitor’s Mark on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

New clue today at What Are the Kargrandes? We’ve had some good guesses already. (And no, it has nothing to do with the Kardashians.) New clues every Monday until the release of Dragon of the Stars on April 7.

Sample Tweets for this week:

What are the Kargrandes? Fourth clue up this week- http://whatarethekargrandes.com/ #whatarethekargrandes #scifi @alexjcavanaugh

Solve the mystery–what are the Kargrandes? http://whatarethekargrandes.com/ Dragon of the Stars–April 7 #whatarethekargrandes @alexjcavanaugh

Signups continue for the A to Z Challenge - you don’t want to miss the biggest blogging event of the year!

Don’t forget this Wednesday is post day for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.

Vanessa Morgan’s short film, Next To Her, was released on January 31.

Return of the Last Shaman by Roland Yeomans
Find it on Amazon

The Warrior and the Governor by Susan Gourley-Kelley
Find it on Amazon

Listen to Me by Patsy Collins

Love's Revenge, Means of Mercy #2 by Terri Rochenski
Sweet, Historical Romance

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for February! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

6 –

Jupiter Ascending
In a bright and colorful future, a young destitute caretaker gets targeted by a ruthless son of a powerful family that live on a planet in need of a new heir, so she travels with a genetically engineered warrior to the planet in order to stop his tyrant reign.
Directors: Andy Wachowski | Lana Wachowski
Stars: Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne, James D'Arcy
Always a good sign when your movie is delayed a year. Oh wait…

Seventh Son
Young Thomas is apprenticed to the local Spook to learn to fight evil spirits. His first great challenge comes when the powerful Mother Malkin escapes her confinement while the Spook is away.
Director: Sergey Bodrov
Stars: Ben Barnes, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges, Alicia Vikander
Always a good sign when your movie is delayed a year. Wait, didn’t I just say that?



13 –

Kingsman: The Secret Service
A veteran secret agent takes a young upstart under his wing.
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Stars: Colin Firth, Michael Caine, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson
A violent British film from the BBC. Not the British Broadcasting Company, but Blood, Boobs, and Carnage.




20 –

The Lazarus Effect
A group of medical students discover a way to bring dead patients back to life.
Director: David Gelb
Stars: Evan Peters, Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass, Sarah Bolger
Olivia Wilde can raise me from the dead anytime!




Think magic and science blend well? See some new books you want? Ready for IWSG on Wednesday? Any upcoming movies interest you? Any ideas yet about the Kargrandes?