Some women walk their own paths through the ages, even
when mayhem follows. Follow two of these women as they each walk the Paths Less Traveled.
In “Lightning
Strikes”, Falcon, a disinherited
princess, wants to be the king’s spy. The theft of a prize stallion is her
chance. But when her best friend stands
accused, far more than her dreams are at risk. Falcon races to catch a thief
before fatal vengeance falls on an innocent man.
Worlds away, Psyonics
Corporation controls all paranormals and psychics in “Flashes of Life.” Its highest-testing but still latent psychic,
Vonna accepts an assignment with the
D.C. police to avoid the company’s breeding program. The company works to ensure
failure in her first case – a homicide.
If she can’t unlock her talents, a murderer will go free and she’ll be
consigned to slavery.
Excerpt from Flashes of Life:
A blonde female officer growled as I bent to slide under the
yellow police tape. Her aura flicked with the burnt amber of authority and a
hint of annoyance. Her jaw snapped shut as she took in my white leather outfit
and gloves, the outward sign of my other than human status. Silver surprise
limed her before changing to puce and signaling her disgust. Her gaze flicked
to the emblem bearing the Greek letter Psi on my chest, and then skittered
away.
"A pleasure to meet you Officer Williams. I'm Vonna
Sinya, the assigned Psionic . Detective Muller is waiting for me."
Williams tapped her commlink and turned her back."The Charlie's here," Williams whispered.
Charlie-short for charlatan.
The word burned across my skin. It’s what the insens called
psychics despite the scientific proof of our existence. I drove my fingernails
into my palms. The white leather gloves only transferred the barest pressure to
my hand. Recently graduated from Psy Corp, the gloves were a new addition to my
wardrobe.
The gloves chaffed.
Muller strode briskly toward me. "Let her pass,"
he said as he approached. "Ms. Sinya, nice to meet you." He looked
down at his hand, and then dusted it off on his pants before extending it.
Touching a psychic was the equivalent of offering your
throat to a hungry vampire. The corners of his eyes tightened making the three
crow's feet under each one stand out from his skin. He wasn't as sanguine about
his offer as he'd like me to believe. He knew psychics were a threat even when
smothered in leather. Maybe especially then. Still, the alpha dog was offering
me a place in the pack and hoping I didn't challenge his authority.
I pasted a smile on and grasped his hand. "It's a
pleasure to meet you. Please call me, Vonna."
"Rick." He lifted the tape. "First
murder?"
I ducked under the line separating cops from little people.
"My first crime scene."
He shifted a step back. "Why do I get the
newbies?"
"Because you're willing to shake hands with us?"
The change in his mood was so rapid that his bark of
laughter and bright blue slash of humor startled me. "That may be
it." He walked toward the house. His pace was half the speed of his
departure. "Main talent?"
A rash of heat flamed across my features. "We don't
know."
Muller stopped and turned. "The Company does not
let unknown psionics wander the streets, much less join active investigations.
It's not like I just asked your favorite sexual position."
The Company was a pejorative term for Psy Corp. I'd heard it
referred to an ancient song about owing your soul to the Company you worked
for. If so, it wasn't a misnomer.
"I'm a thirty-seven."
"Excuse me?" Muller went pale in the flashing blue
lights.Despite the pit in my stomach at what might await me in the house, I smiled. "Just realize what you'd given your hand to?"
From Musa Publishing (in Kindle, Nook, IPad, Android, Mobi or .pdf format)
REVIEWS:
On AMAZON:
4.0 out of 5
stars Two engaging
and very different short stories., September 13, 2012
By:
This
review is from: Paths Less Traveled (Kindle Edition)
Each of
the two short stories in this book is gripping and involving in its own
way.The first story, "Flashes of Light", is a dark and gritty science fiction tale set in the future. The heroine, Vonna, is a psychic working for Psyonics Corporation who must prove herself capable of solving a grisly murder to avoid being forced into a breeding programme. The way her feelings and psychic visions are portrayed is vivid and the writer paints a stark picture in your mind.
The second story is written from the perspective of Falcon, a young princess who must solve the theft of the king's prize horse before her best friend is wrongly executed for the crime. It gives a glimpse of a fascinating world which I would love to read more about.
Nancy DiMauro creates realistic characters and scenes which capture the imagination. I found myself empathising the herione in each story and feeling the atmosphere of each scene - signs of a good writer. I thoroughly recommend this book.
Format:Kindle
Edition
Nancy Dimauro's 'Paths Less Traveled is a nice pair of compact
reads under one cover. The sci-fi tale, 'Flashes of Life' comes first,
describing a post WWIV setting where Vonna, a woman with unsettling Psy-powers
fights to avoid enforced breeding programs, opting for public service in the
police force instead, but she is despised for what she is. Her psionic gifts, a
biological misfire from radiation poisoning in wartime are viewed as an asset,
but far too dangerous to allow for freedom of movement for Sensates such as her.
The balance between acceptance as a human being and the treatment she receives
as 'other' add a poignant touch to Vonna'a predicament. Her attempt to solve a
murder is thwarted by even her own company; but a brave man takes a chance on
her ability, and the twists and turns of a well crafted tale are very
worthwhile. The story was a good read over all, quite dark and gritty. I'd like
to read more of Vonna's adventures.
The second tale, 'Lightning Strikes' leans more toward a fantasy flavor. Falcon, is the King's stepchild and serves as his personal assistant. She must solve the mystery of a missing horse before her friend is sentenced to death. Falcon begins a desperate race to ward off ugly politics for the King, find the culprit, and save an innocent from imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. The many hurdles Falcon faced down with sheer determination made for good reading. I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms Dimauro.
All in all, Paths Less Traveled delivers two well written stories that will make you stop and consider what it is to be. And if you're looking for heroines with depth and spine, this book is for you. A one-two punch of a read.
The second tale, 'Lightning Strikes' leans more toward a fantasy flavor. Falcon, is the King's stepchild and serves as his personal assistant. She must solve the mystery of a missing horse before her friend is sentenced to death. Falcon begins a desperate race to ward off ugly politics for the King, find the culprit, and save an innocent from imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. The many hurdles Falcon faced down with sheer determination made for good reading. I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms Dimauro.
All in all, Paths Less Traveled delivers two well written stories that will make you stop and consider what it is to be. And if you're looking for heroines with depth and spine, this book is for you. A one-two punch of a read.
By 21
Days
Format:Kindle
Edition|Amazon Verified
Purchase
This pair of stories are indeed very different. "Flashes of
Life" is a grim cop drama set in the distant future where psionics walk a line
between valuable commodity and dangerous detainees of the state. "Lightning
Strikes" takes place in a uniquely drawn fantasy setting. However, the heroines
of both stories are seeking their place in their respective worlds--a place that
both defines their identities and confirms who they are deep inside. Both young
women have the talent to succeed, but both are faced with roadblocks determined
to push them right back into subjection.
For this reason, the story pairing worked really well for me as each tale provided commentary on the other. Vonna and Falcon are fresh and inexperienced but determined to see that justice is done and that the innocent are protected. I really liked them both.
I will agree with previous reviewers that I would LOVE to see more of each of these worlds and these characters and hope DiMauro will come back to this wonderful ground.
For this reason, the story pairing worked really well for me as each tale provided commentary on the other. Vonna and Falcon are fresh and inexperienced but determined to see that justice is done and that the innocent are protected. I really liked them both.
I will agree with previous reviewers that I would LOVE to see more of each of these worlds and these characters and hope DiMauro will come back to this wonderful ground.
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