THE STAR RIDER UNIVERSE SERIES by Heidi Skarie

THE STAR RIDER UNIVERSE SERIES

by Heidi Skarie

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GENRE:  Science Fiction

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 BLURB: You may feature one or more of the books in the series. Please include the series blurb along with the book blurb and excerpt for the book(s) you choose to feature. 

The Star Rider Universe series blurb

 Can a small band of heroes save their world from a ruthless interplanetary conqueror?

 The Star Rider series is an exciting space opera series that takes place in a distant galaxy during an intergalactic war. The first three books are about two undercover operatives, Toemeka and Erling, and their friends, lovers, and enemies as they fight for the freedom of their world.

 The next three books are about Toemeka and Erling’s young adult children as the war continues and a new generation is pulled into the struggle for peace.

 You'll love this thrilling series if you like stories that take place in other worlds with feisty heroines, brave heroes, space battles, and starships.

 *****

 Book One: Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge

 He wanted to rule the stars. He shouldn’t have murdered her family…

 Toemeka Ganti won’t rest until the universe is rid of the sinister sorcerer-deity who killed her parents. Working undercover to liberate a peaceful people from his ruthless usurper, she attempts to develop a weapon that can break through the tyrant’s shields. But she’s barely begun her work when she’s captured by the despot’s dark agents.

 Rescued by a mysterious and handsome warrior-priest, Toemeka and her team join forces with the planetary resistance. But without her device to knock out the enemy defenses, their budding rebellion could swiftly be crushed. And her time to complete it has almost run out…

 Can Toemeka free an oppressed planet and light a spark of hope throughout the galaxy?

 Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge is the electrifying first book in the Star Rider space opera series. If you like feisty heroines, high-tech weapons, and courageous crews, then you’ll love Heidi Skarie’s thrilling saga.

 *****

Book Two: Star Rider and the Golden Threads

 Toemeka Kimes doesn’t sit back when her loved ones are in trouble . . . she jumps in to save them.

 While Toemeka is living in a secret dome city for refugees, an urgent message arrives for her husband, Michio. It’s a plea for help from Queen Koriann of Jaipur. Planetary conqueror and sorcerer, Samrat Condor, is threatening to attack unless they surrender.

 Michio has left the dome city for specialized training to stop Condor’s spread of dark power, so Toemeka goes to Jaipar on planet Borko in his stead. There she is reunited with Agent Erling Fenian, her former Coalition partner.

 Complications arise including old feelings between Erling and Queen Koriann, personal betrayal, dark sorcery, spiritual tests and hostile alien

 Will they be able to save Jaipar?

 *****

Book Three: Star Rider and the Bonds Of Love 

 Toemeka wants peace . . . but Condor, the universe’s most powerful world conqueror, wants her dead.

 Toemeka resigns as a Coalition operative during an interplanetary war, to live peacefully with her warrior-priest husband, Michio. Her plans are shattered when she’s abducted by one of Condor’s sorcerers, who’s interested in twisting her unique abilities to increase his own dark powers.

 Michio is devastated and searches the galaxy to find her. But time is running out for them—as well as the free world they’ve dedicated their lives to protecting.

 After the sorcerer-conqueror Condor destroys Coalition headquarters, he turns to annihilate Toemeka and Michio’s home planet.

 Will Michio rescue Toemeka in time for both of them to use their mystical powers to save their world? Or will their attempts ultimately lead to their deaths?

*****

Book 4: Call of the Wind 

Will a young pilot shot down in occupied territory be executed or overcome impossible odds and survive?

 Living under the shadow of an interplanetary war, Baymond Kimes’ life is shattered when his father is shot at a spiritual gathering. He turns to his childhood friend, Princess Fawniteen, for comfort. Their innocent love blossoms, but when Fawn’s parents reveal she was betrothed at birth to another, the young couple is devastated.

 Fawn dutifully accepts her fate, and Baymond escapes at sixteen by joining the Interplanetary air fleet.

 Trained as a fighter pilot against the forces of a powerful sorcerer-deity, Baymond grows up fast. Eventually, his aircraft is shot down and he’s captured.

 Can Baymond escape to see Fawniteen again and use his special gifts to save the galaxy?

 If you like brave heroes, true love, exciting adventures and space battles you’ll love Call of the Wind.

 *****

Book 5: Call of the Eagle

 One reckless decision and now he must face a sinister world conqueror in battle . . .

 During a time of interplanetary war, Baymond escaped heartbreak by joining the galactic air fleet. Now he faces death daily while living on a military space station far from his home planet. His latest assignment is to travel to a war-torn planet on a reconnaissance mission.

 Meanwhile, Princess Fawniteen is expected to marry Prince Radcliff to form a political alliance between their countries. But when Radcliff’s father dies, she realizes she’s still in love with Baymond and wants control over her life.

 Fawniteen breaks off her engagement and travels across the galaxy to be with Baymond. She joins him on what’s proposed to be a peaceful mission. Instead, they find themselves cut off from the space station and war erupts.

 When Baymond and Fawniteen become separated, he must face his hardest trial yet when he’s captured by the enemy when searching for her.

 Will Fawn and Baymond survive their separation by war? Can Baymond draw on his unique gifts and defeat a powerful sorcerer-deity to save the galaxy?

*****

Book 6: Golden Cord of Light 

When darkness descends can a few courageous heroes save their planet?

 Princess Morisa’s world is turned upside down. She planned to be a priestess living at a monastery for the rest of her life. But now she’s being sent to a foreign country and is expected to use her special powers to entice the prince to marry her. How can she seduce him when it goes against everything she’s been taught?

 Prince Everette is embroiled in the world of politics and rebellion. With his father leaving for war and his mother ill, he’s the regent ruler and head of the military. As if that isn’t enough, he’s expected to be polite to the feisty Princess Marisa, who is staying at the palace for the summer.

 Everette and Morisa’s stormy relationship intensifies as the warring world around them erupts. Can they put aside their differences long enough to keep the most dangerous sorcerer in the galaxy from destroying their planet? Or will the galaxy plunge into darkness? 

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 EXCERPTS 

From Book 1 Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge, A Space Opera Adventure,

 Toemeka raced through the dense, ominous forest, pursued by Talon soldiers and their vicious hounds. More hounds rushed out from behind trees. Saliva and blood dripped from their fangs as they growled and stalked her from all directions.

 Toemeka jerked awake, her heart pounding and body shaking. Only a nightmare, she reassured herself, drawing a deep breath to control the anxiety. She felt awful - hung over and thickheaded. Not knowing where she was, Toemeka shoved a damp lock of hair off her aching forehead and sat up. In a nearby berth less than five feet away lay Michio, sleeping soundly.

 Distorted memories of the previous evening sprung to mind. Hammering music. A snake slithers around a man’s neck. Rochambeau shot. The smell of a ship burning. She wasn’t sure what was real and what was an illusion caused by the drug.

 Monitors along one wall dimly lit the room. The low drone of engines and a distinct vibration suggested she was on a starship or perhaps a space station. Stars and planets shone as dots of light in the blackness of space when she looked out the porthole. Most likely a space station with simulated gravity, she decided.

 She pushed the silver space blanket off her clammy body and slid off the berth. Her bare feet hit the cool floor. She took a soft step, swayed unsteadily and threw out a hand, pressing it against the wall to regain her balance. Michio’s brown leather jacket hung from a hook on the wall. She crept quietly towards it in hopes of finding his energy gun.

 Michio rolled over; she froze. once his breathing became regular again, she thrust her hand into the jacket pocket. empty, but something heavy clunked against the wall. Underneath the jacket hung his gun belt. Her hand closed around the solid handle of a Juggernaut 50, a powerful energy gun; she pulled it from its holster.

  The berth creaked. She swung around and aimed the Jug 50 at Michio as he leaped out of the berth. He coiled before her like a huka panther ready to spring, radiating self-confidence. He had the muscular body of a warrior and seemed taller and more dangerous than he’d appeared when asleep. He wore nothing but loose-fitting silk sleeping pants that hugged his taut stomach.

 Blast it! Why did she feel vulnerable when she was the one holding the Jug 50? Then it hit her. The weapon was of little use because she would never shoot someone who might be an ally. “Stay where you are!” she exclaimed.

 He studied her with piercing eyes. “I see you’re finally awake.”

 She held out her free hand. “Give me the Viper’s keyless remote.”

 He scowled. “Are you crazy? Do you think I’m just going to let you steal my ship and leave me stranded in space?”

 “I’m sure you know someone who will come get you. Now give me the remote or I’ll blast a hole in your thigh.” Feeling weak and nauseated, she locked her knees, afraid her strength would give out.

 “So this is what I get for risking my life to rescue you.” His stance remained guarded.

 “If you were rescuing me, you won’t mind taking me back to my apartment.”

 He shook his head. “It’s no longer safe for you there.”

 “I’ll decide what’s safe and what isn’t.”

 “Fine,” he snapped, “but I need to get dressed before we go anywhere.” He reached for his clothes hanging on the hook behind her.

 “Stay back. I’ll hand them to you.”

 “Don’t push me. And put the Jug 50 away before one of us gets hurt.”

 “Not likely.” She kept the gun trained on him, then turned to snatch his clothes off the hook.

 He sprang, knocking her backwards, and slamming her right arm against the wall. The gun discharged with a flare of light as it flew out of her hand and onto a berth. She pushed against his unyielding chest.

 He pinned her against the wall. “Now will you listen to reason?” His eyes flared with fury. 

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Interview with Heidi Skarie

Everyone loves a hero!

Tell us about your genuine heroes and heroines and what inspired you to write about them.

I write about courageous heroes and heroines in my stories. I believe we all need heroes, mentors, and teachers to inspire and encourage us to grow and be our best. My heroes and heroines are flawed characters. I don’t write about superheroes or cartoon characters. I write about real people who are struggling to meet challenges and achieve their goals. They have to overcome their false beliefs and grow in order to achieve their mission and win inner and outer freedom.

 I’ve written a space opera series called The Star Rider Universe. Toemeka Ganti is the heroine of the first three books in the series starting with Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge. Her code name and handle is Star Rider. She is an undercover operative working for the Coalition of Free Nations during an intergalactic war. She and a small team of spies are sent to another planet to work with the local resistance to overthrow the tyrant that seized control of the government, killing the former ruler.

 Toemeka became an undercover operative after her family was killed and her peaceful village destroyed by the interplanetary conqueror. She is a wounded hero fighting for the freedom of the local people. She’s a fighter pilot, a brilliant scientist, and an experienced spy.

 Her flaws are that she’s impulsive, a risk-taker, and doesn’t listen to authority. She’s also a heart person and follows her feelings even when it’s perilous. Her flaws combined with the inherent danger of being a spy leads her into the many dangerous situations that make up the story.

 The novel also has two strong male characters. I think it’s important to show that both men and women can be heroes and work together for the greater good.

 My latest book, Golden Cord of Light, has a heroine lead character. Morisa has psychic power and is training to become a priestess that has the skill to fight sorcerers. Morisa has been indoctrinated at the monastery where she has been raised to follow the teaching of Mother Lady Anaya. The religious beliefs are that women are superior to men and that power is greater than love.

 Morisa was born a princess and is sent into the world to marry a foreign prince, Prince Everette, to build a political alliance between their countries. Both Morisa and Everette are resistant to the idea of marriage. Morisa doesn’t want to be married or have children.

 Everette follows a different religious teaching that believes men and women are equal. He wants the freedom to marry for love and wants an heir to rule the throne after him. Everette wants adventure and to be a fighter pilot like his father used to be. He longs to be a part of the intergalactic war. He’s being trained as both the future ruler and head of the military. His main flaw is that he is young and inexperienced.

 Characters are the heart of my stories. They are what the reader comes to care about and who they cheer for. I try to make them interesting, unique, and flawed. I invite you to share my heroes and heroines’ journeys in the Star Rider Universe.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links: 

Heidi Skarie is the author of the Sci-Fi, Space Opera series The Star Rider Universe. The sixth book in the series, Golden Cord of Light is a new release and the seventh is coming out in 2024. She was inspired to write Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge after having a series of six dreams that was like watching a movie.

 Heidi Skarie loves writing and creating stories. She especially enjoys writing science fiction and fantasy because it allows for creativity, imagination, and freedom of ideas. All inventions come from a feeling or dream of possibilities that can later manifest like computers, cell phones, zoom calls, and self-driving cars.  She vividly remembers the amazing day when Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon and the possibility of space travel became a reality.

 Skarie teaches classes on writing and has spoken on podcasts, radio, and television. 

 She lives in Minnetonka, MN with her husband, Jim, and their cat, Lucky.  To find out more about her journey as a writer visit her website and blog.

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