Today, I have the pleasure of hosting Alex J. Cavanaugh the author of the Amazon best-selling CassaSeries, as well as the founder of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. I'm a big fan of Alex's books and if you like space opera, you'll love them as well!
How One Book Became a Trilogy b y Alex J. Cavanaugh
When I wrote CassaStar, I never envisioned sequels. It was one story, the one that had been with me for thirty years. Although I had other story ideas written involving the main character of Byron, I intended for CassaStar to be a stand-alone book.
However, when it was published and fans liked it, my publisher asked if there was a sequel. I contemplated ideas and decided I didn’t want to just continue from where the other book ended. (How many life-altering/galaxy-altering events just keep hitting people every year?) That’s when I hit upon the idea of jumping forward twenty years.
Both books experienced best-seller status on Amazon in science fiction for months, so of course I had to wrap it up as a trilogy. And once again, I jumped forward twenty years. Fortunately, Cassans live many years longer than humans, so Byron was still young enough for adventures. (Byron – The Geriatic Years wouldn’t be as exciting!)
CassaDawn
CassaStar
Series Prequel
By
Alex J Cavanaugh
Genre:
SciFi Adventure, Space Opera
The
prequel to the Amazon best-selling Cassa series!
A
pilot in training...
Fighting
the odds, Byron is determined to complete Cosbolt training and join
the Cassan space fleet. Poised at the top of his class, only one
situation holds him back–his inability to work with anyone in the
cockpit. Byron’s excellent piloting skills won’t be enough
without a good navigator…
**Get
it FREE!! **
CassaStar
CassaStar
Series Book 1
To
pilot the fleet’s finest ship…
Few
options remain for Byron. A talented but stubborn
young man with a troubled past and rebellious attitude, his
cockpit skills are his only hope. Slated to train as a Cosbolt
fighter pilot, Byron is determined to prove his worth and begin a new
life as he sets off for the moon base of Guaard.
Much
to Byron’s chagrin the toughest instructor in the fleet takes
notice of the young pilot. Haunted by a past tragedy, Bassa
eventually sees through Byron's tough exterior and insolence. When a
secret talent is revealed during training, Bassa feels compelled to
help Byron achieve his full potential.
As
war brews on the edge of space, time is running short. Byron requires
a navigator of exceptional quality to survive, and Bassa must
make a decision that could well decide the fate of both men. Will
their skills be enough as they embark on a mission that may
stretch their abilities to the limit?
“…calls
to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf,
as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star
Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful
protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult
fans of space wars.” - Library Journal
CassaFire
CassaStar
Series Book 2
From
the Amazon best-selling author - CassaStar was just the
beginning…
The
Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting
Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his
fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel.
Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The
senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.
The
detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant
planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they
can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s
civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as
their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and
strange mental abilities.
To
complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers
themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a
woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train
her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his
patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist,
and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his
privacy…
CassaStorm
CassaStar
Series Book 3
A
storm gathers across the galaxy…
Commanding
the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle
behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet,
Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the
Tgrens and the Cassans.
After
enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle
within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races
triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s
mind.
Meanwhile
the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the
end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost
destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to
crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break,
and Byron is caught in the middle…
“With
a talent for worldbuilding and a compelling cast of characters, Alex
J. Cavanaugh combines high powered space battles and the challenges
of family dynamics to provide readers a space opera with heart.” -
Elizabeth S. Craig, author of the Southern Quilting and Myrtle Clover
mysteries
Get
the CassaSeries Boxed Set Here!
Alex
J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web
design, graphics, and technical editing. A fan of all things science
fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and
games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the
award-winning site, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He’s the
author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm, and
Dragon of the Stars. The author lives in the Carolinas with his wife.
Follow
the tour HERE
for exclusive content and a giveaway!
15 comments:
So glad he's had so much success with his Cassaseries books! It's nice to hear of authors doing well.
Hi, Alex, it is always satisfying when a story that has been with you for a long time proves itself to be the one you were meant to write. For years of primary teaching, taking children to work in a church full of altar tomb life-sized people in armour, I have wanted to use that place. Now I'm about to write the sequel to Thin Time, it's interesting to see how the story has changed in my imagination over the years, and that it now bears little resemblance to the idea I began with.
Thanks for hosting me, Tyrean! You rock.
Lost, I know just what you mean by little resemblance.
I have hopes of writing a sequel to something one day. I rarely think about skipping forward several years in time! That would actually work great with some of my stories. Not everything can or needs to takes place right away. I like that it leaves the main story intact, which I always appreciate as a reader, while leaving plenty of space for more adventures. Pun intended. Haha.
Hey, Alex.
Congrats on all the success of your books.
Thank you so much for featuring Alex's books and tour. We're certainly glad he wrote a trilogy.
Sherry - I agree. I am super glad for Alex.
Lost - It is wonderful when a story has staying power.
Alex - Thanks, Alex! It's always fun to host you!
Krystal - yes, I hadn't thought about skipping forward in time either, but I can see where it would add lots of grow room.
Patricia - Thanks for stopping by!
Diane - You're welcome!
Krystal, I hope skipping forward works for some of your stories.
I think that planning a stand alone and then turning it into a trilogy is even more challenging than planning a trilogy to begin with. Congrats on your success in doing that Alex!
Congratulations, Alex! You're an inspiration to us writers. :) Wishing you great success.
Tyrean, thanks for sharing and hosting Alex. Have a great weekend, all!
The story of how your series developed is inspiring, Alex! Thanks for hosting Alex, Tyrean!
The success of your series is inspiring.
Hi Tyrean and Alex - love the idea of skipping forward 20 years to the next sequel ... I guess the longevity of Byron's stories is thus limited to a point - yet a geriatric Byron could be a good mentor ... congratulations on the success so far - cheers Hilary
A geriatric Byron makes a lot more sense than a geriatric Rambo. Just saying, I wouldn't take it off the table.
Elizabeth - funny!
Thanks, everyone.
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