Please help me welcome, Captain Alex! I’m excited to have him here today to talk to us about his second book, CassaFire.
Thanks for hosting me today, Ciara! Your site is awesome and I believe I found it one day before you started the “Did I Notice Your Book” segment. (And imagine my surprise when the first book was CassaStar!) You had some questions for the Ninja…
What is different about this book from the first?
In the first book, Byron was a fighter pilot and the plot centered on a war. This time, Byron is a pilot on an exploration vessel and most of the action takes place on the planet of Tgren. Shifting to one basic setting gave more room for world building. And since it’s a desert planet, let’s just say a lot of sand in involved!
The biggest difference is the introduction of a female character. That really added a new dimension to the story. If you thought Bassa challenged Byron in the first book, just wait until he tangles with Athee!
I know there is a heroine, is the entire book still in the hero’s POV?
I liked the dual point of view from CassaStar, so I kept the format. You get to view some of the story from Athee’s perspective as well.
Is there a romantic element?
I’d be lying if I said no. It’s equal parts annoyance and attraction. Athee is feisty, talented, and stubborn, and her presence invades Byron’s privacy. That’s countered by the fact she’s very attractive. Byron’s a man – you know that pings his radar big time! Come to think of it, that probably annoys him as well…
How old is the hero at the start of this book?
Approximately twenty years have passed since CassaStar ended, so Byron is forty-two. He’s still young but possesses some wisdom now. (The average Cassan lifespan is a hundred and thirty.)
Did you up any of the technical stuff in the second book or is it still a sci-fi read for everyone?
It’s still a low-tech space opera. I was stunned by the amount of people who’d never read a science fiction book but they read CassaStar. I didn’t want to disappoint them by changing my style. Besides, my work is technical, so the last thing I want to do is write about it!
Thanks again, Ciara! Now, questions? Comments? Want to know more about Byron and Athee? I can be bribed!
Visit the author’s site and leave a comment during his book tour for a chance to win CassaFire, CassaStar, and a CassaFire tote bag and mug!
CassaFire
by Alex J. Cavanaugh
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…
Available February 28, 2012
Science fiction – space opera/adventure
Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5, $15.95, 6×9 Trade paperback, 240 pages
EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9, $4.99, available in all formats
CassaFire is the sequel to Cavanaugh’s first book, CassaStar, an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller:
“…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
You can visit the author’s site at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/
CassaFire is available at: Barnes and Noble, Amazon , and Amazon Kindle
Thank you again, Ciara!
Good luck with the book Alex, I’m sure it will be a success.
Yvonne.
My pleasure, Alex!
Yvonne – Thanks for stopping in.
Great interview. I haven’t read the first book but I got a little sense of it from Alex’s interview, which I hope will help when I read book 2 which I won. Althee sounds like an interesting character. Love the name.
Well, yay for getting some romance for Byron!
I love that phrase you just used- “pings his radar.” lol
It’ll be awesome. Looking forward to reading it in all it’s glory.
Can’t wait to get my copy. Hope the tour goes well, Alex. Didn’t realize there is a jump of 20 years between books. Should be interesting.
I know CassaFire will be a success. Great interview, guys.
Hi Alex–I’m with Brinda–yeah on the romance–and I like the name-Athee. Simple yet Goddess sounding? Great combination.
Good luck with the book!
Thanks, Natalie.
Brinda, glad that amused you!
Miranda, the next book jumps twenty years as well. I must like that number.
Lindi, I guess it’s a play on the name Athena..
Great interview. I love learning more about Alex. Thanks, Ciara!
Great interview Alex! I can’t wait to read the interactions between Byron and Athee – it sounds like it’s going to be intriguing.
Oh wow – looks like some intergalactic romantic SPARKS will be burning in CassaFire!! Yay!!
Take care
x
Thanks for hosting Alex, Ciara! Appreciate learning more about the book. Happy Monday!
Sounds like a fun book. I’m all for the romance stuff too.
I can’t wait to read it!
Yay! Super excited for you Alex! Congrats on your writing!!!
Hi Ciara, Hi Alex
I’m thrilled for you Alex. All best wishes coming your way.
Nancy
Amy, their interaction will amuse!
Thank you, everyone!
I love the kind of interactions between characters that you are talking about here. I can’t wait to read this. Will be getting my copy as soon as I can! Great interview. I love behind the scene info!
The book sounds awesome! I can hardly wait to buy it! Great interview Ciara!
I think CassaStar might have been the first space opera type novel I ever read. Glad Alex added a feisty female to the mix.
The book sounds fantastic and love the trailer…Very cool..
Great interview and the Cassa Fire sounds very interesting. Good luck with the launch Alex.
Good luck with everything Alex! I’m thinking big thoughts! And hope I win that awesomely cool coffee cup!
Forty-two is still young to me, even though the average age span is less than 100 these days! That’s what happens when you get old.
I like the idea of introducing a female character. It does add more dimension.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
I’m also glad that you added a little romance to your space opera! Thanks Ciara for hosting Alex, and I can’t believe the big day is almost here!
Interesting interview. Best wishes with the tour and sales of your book!
Cap’n Alex, you are starting to show up in some reputable blogs! Cool trailer.
I’d say CassaFire sales are really going to explode over the next couple of weeks.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Alex, how do I pronounce the names Tgren and Athee? Plus bonus question…how did you come up with the names?
Woo hoo! Good luck with the book, Ninja Alex
LG, and I appreciate the fact you read it!
Stephen, you mentioned a fondness for that mug…
Morgan, getting old is no fun…
Lee, I hope you’re right!
Michael, I take about thirty minutes and just brainstorm! Athee is pronounced like Athena, only without the ‘na’ and Tgren is a soft T and pronounced like teh-gren. (I wonder if that makes sense…?)
Thanks everyone!
I just finished CassaStar in anticipation for the second book coming out. Even if you’ve never read science fiction, you will still LOVE CassaStar as it is character-driven. And there’s more than enough sci-fi goodness to please those (like myself) who enjoy military/science fiction.
Congratulations Ciara for hosting this interesting interview with Alex.
So this is the place where the unforgettable blog tour begins. A tour which we all will remember because it will be extraordinary. Nothing else you can expect from the Ninja Army.
Alex, the sequel sounds so cool! But I want to read CassaStar first. Now I have a reason to get motivated and whip through it!!
‘It’s equal parts annoyance and attraction’
I love that description of how Bryon sees his attraction to Athee
Jay, thank you – I’m really glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks, Johanna!
Lindsey, it fits.
Great interview, I’ve got to get my husband off Clive Cussler for once and get him reading these, cheers!
Sounds like an interesting book. Good luck, Alex!
Congrats, Alex! Great interview guys!
Sounds like a lot of tension between the two leads.
Great interview! Can’t wait to read it, especially with your addition of Athee.
That pings his radar! Hahahaha. It’ll give your character some depth, Alex. Good luck with the book – exciting, huh?
Hah! I love that Athee’s attractiveness annoys Byron. Great interview!
Fabulous interview!!
Good luck to Alex for Cassastar. I’m looking forward to reading it!
Yay Captain Alex… can’t wait to meet your heroine and see what damage she does to Byron
Laura X
Catherine, good luck!
And be prepared – Athee really messes with Byron.
Thanks again, Ciara!
I’m looking forward to reading CassaFire, Alex. Congrats again!
Congratulations, Alex! Great interview!
Congratulation Alex! I’m amazed by the number of people who don’t like sci fi because they are afraid of the technical stuff in it. Good on you in “luring” more non-geeky people into the genre.
The Spinster’s Vow
Great interview, Ciara and Alex.
Wishing you even bigger success with CassaFire than you have with CassaStar, Alex!
Great interview… Congrats.
Keep up the good work, Alex! You’re showing us how it’s done.
Enid, even I don’t like the heavy tech science fiction books!
Thanks everyone!
Awesome interview! Congratulations on your book, Alex.
It sounds like there are some interesting (and amusing) interactions between the main characters.
A great interview, Ciara. Best of luck with CassaFire Alex.
Looking forward to reading Byron’s reaction to Athee
Golden, there are a lot of interesting exchanges between Byron and Athee.
Thanks Anthony and Carol!
I love it when there are “equal parts annoyance and attraction.” Reminds me of some of my favorite comedy-romances!
I love low-tech sci-fi. Looking forward to Alex breaking some Amazon records tomorrow!
Very cool – I love sci-fi – one of my all time fave books is Ender’s Game. I loved the trailer – that was really neat.
Good luck with the second book Alex, I really enjoyed this interview. I’m intrigued enough that I’m going to get these for my husband, he’s a big scifi fan!
Can’t wait to read this one. Loved the first and hope there’s a happily ever after coming in this one.
I think I like Athee already. Was it difficult to write from a girls perspective?
……..dhole
CassaFire looks great – and I’m intrigued already with Athee – Byron needed a bit of female company LOL
Nearly missed this one, glad i came back to check day one of the tour
Alleged, that’s good to know!
Bianca, everyone says CassaStar reminds them of Ender’s Game
Susan – maybe!
Donna, yes it was!!!!
Thanks again, Ciara!
Nice interview. I like that this sequel is set 20 years later. That’s cool.
Holly, thanks!
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