Space Opera

Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes space warfare, melodramatic adventure, interplanetary battles, as well as chivalric romance, and often risk-taking. Set mainly or entirely in outer space, it usually involves conflict between opponents possessing advanced abilities, futuristic weapons, and other sophisticated technology.

While Camadin Station One - Death Haunts the Stars was a mystery set in a science fiction setting, Camadin Station Two - Last Stand would best be classified as space opera. What I'm hoping for is an exciting, fast paced tale in the vein of E.E. "Doc" Smith's Lensmen and Skylark series.

Edward Elmer Smith, PhD, was a food engineer who became an early writer of science fiction and is often called the "father of space opera". His Lensmen series revolved around two ancient and highly-advanced races (the Arisians and the Eddore) locked into warfare over billions of years. The Arisians begin a breeding program on Earth to create living weapons capable of defeating the Eddore. Key to this program is the Lens, a device worn on the wrist that gives the wearer various mental abilities to include mind-reading and telepathy. The Lensmen books are filled with courageous heroes (male AND female), villainous villains, and epic battles in space.

The Skylark series focused on the conflicts between the inventors of faster than light travel and an arch-rival. During the course of the stories, both sides create larger, faster, and more deadly spacecraft; locate new friends and enemies out in deep space; develop new technologies; and have great space battles!

I discovered "Doc" Smith's books in the mid-70s and found them to be exciting page turners, difficult to put down until I reached the end of each book!

And that is the kind of swashbuckling excitement I hope to bring to CST - Last Stand. For those following the novels development, you know it's been in fits and starts but I AM making headway. I'd like to have the first draft finished within a couple of months and then begin the editing process.

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Shameless plug:

My current novels are available through Amazon.com in e-book and trade paperback formats. If you're looking for new books to read, please check 'em out at my Amazon Author page at www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney.

Arizona State Guard: Bloody Border (e-book: $3.99 / trade paperback: $10.99)
Arizona State Guard: Target Terror (e-book: $3.99 / trade paperback: $11.99)
Arizona State Guard: Freedom’s Forge (e-book: $3.99 / trade paperback: $12.99)

Chaos on Terra-Prime (e-book: $2.99 / trade paperback: $11.99)
Foothold on Terra-Bravo (e-book: $2.99 / trade paperback: $10.99)
Crisis on Terra-Bravo (e-book: $2.99 / trade paperback: $12.99)

Camadin Station One - Death Haunts the Stars (e-book: $4.99 / trade paperback: $10.99)

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Today is Memorial Day, where we honor our fallen military personnel who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. Please take a moment today to reflect on the lives of these brave men and women.

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2017