Nickie's Views and Interviews: The Chasm

Today we welcome author Branwen OShea. Branwen is doing a virtual book blast tour for The Chasm, a YA Science Fantasy Hope Punk available June 24, 2022 from Sigma Orionis Publishing. The Book Blast Tour will take place June 24 - 30, 2022.

Branwen OShea will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the following link to place your comment:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4253/

Blurb

They thought the biggest problem they faced was each other.

After Bleu, Rana, and their new friends narrowly prevent war between the star beings and humans, they hope the upcoming negotiation will secure the peace. Newly emerged from their subterranean haven, the Northern Haven humans are clearly not suited to Earth’s ice age, and require assistance from the enlightened star beings to survive long term on the Surface. But Commander Savas doesn’t trust the suspiciously kind star beings and their unexplainable abilities. When both sides reluctantly negotiate a joint mission to find the other Havens, Bleu must somehow cooperate with the manipulative commander to keep his friends safe.

As their team confronts unexpected dangers, Bleu and his teammates begin to suspect the star beings don’t know as much about the Surface as they claimed, while Rana is torn between remaining true to her nonviolent ways or becoming more human to survive. When an unnatural predator attacks, even the nearly all-knowing Kalakanya can’t explain it. Now the team must pull together or their new discovery will pull them apart, limb by limb.

Excerpt

Neviah gaze narrowed. “You do know you’re doing a good job, right?”

He snorted. “So far, we’ve managed not to kill each other.”

“Considering Savas tried to nuke them a few weeks ago, that’s a huge accomplishment.”

He laughed, but she was right. It was amazing they hadn’t yet attacked each other. “Okay, let’s hope we can all continue to stay alive.” He turned to leave, then spun back. “Listen, if the choco doesn’t work to keep you awake while piloting, call back to me, and I’ll come entertain you. All right?

Her smile was radiant. “Entertain me? Hmm. That sounds good. A whole lot better than stressing about flying across an ocean that hasn’t been crossed in centuries. Perhaps I should just give the choco back to Savas now?

“Noooo. Choco is too amazing to lose.”

“Oh, so now we’re sharing it, eh?” She poked him with her stylus. “You want some of my choco?”

“Only a fool would say no to that.”

“Hmm. To the choco or to sharing it with me?” She lifted an eyebrow expectantly.

He shrugged and looked away, too riffled by her mood to answer properly. Her persistent flirting embarrassed him, and she always interpreted that to mean he liked her back. “I need to help pack up.” He left before she saw him blushing. Ugh.

Author bio and links

As a young girl, Branwen wanted to become an ambassador for aliens. Since the aliens never hired her, she now writes about them.

Branwen OShea has a Bachelors in Biology from Colgate University, a Bachelors in Psychology, and a Masters in Social Work. She lives in Connecticut with her family and a menagerie of pets, and enjoys hiking, meditating, and star-gazing. Her published works include Silence of the Song Trees, The Calling, The Cords That Bind, and The Chasm.