Monday, November 23, 2015

Author Notes on JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON

My popular science fiction romance, JANUS IS A TWO-FACED GOD, is a sequel of sorts to the awarding-winning JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD. What I mean by “of sorts” is that Janus Moon takes place six years after Janus God. A minor character in the first book, Christopher Bainbridge, is the hero in the second book. The heroine is new to the story. The protagonists of Janus God, JorVal 5 Lanquist and his love, Sophia McClaren, appear in the second book and do play an important role.

If you’d like to read my Author Notes on JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD, just click on this link.


As with many stand-alone novels, readers love the characters and the locale. Although I’d never intended to do a sequel, I received many requests for another JANUS book. After a few years had passed, I felt the urge to reconnect with the JANUS worlds that I created. JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON is the result.


In the year 2458 AD, the solar system is in danger. Will Blade Sinclair be Earth's savior or will she cause Earth's destruction?

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE. In the year 2458, injured ballerina Blade Sinclair agrees to participate in the Galactic Olympic Games. Unfortunately, she’s on the wrong team; an alien team. If Blade doesn’t win a gold medal, her family will die. If Blade does win, the Sarthox will destroy Earth. What’s a girl to do??

LOVE HURTS. Security chief Christopher Bainbridge has had his share of traitorous females. At the Lunar Olympic Games, he finds himself mixed up with another one. But Blade doesn’t seem like a typical traitor, and against his own inclinations, he falls in love with her. How can he help her escape from the Sarthox and save the solar system at the same time?

As I previously wrote in my Author Notes JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD, world-building in science fiction stories can be very difficult. You might think that because this book is a sequel, the locations would be already created and that continuing the story would be simple. Nope, not so! Instead of being at the center of the galaxy, this novel is based in our solar system, mostly on our moon. Carving out an underground lunar city is not as easy as it sounds. Phew!



Her family or her world? Who dies is up to Blade Sinclair, but how can she possibly choose?

Amazon.com eBook and Amazon.com Print

JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON has been with Awe-Struck Books (Mundania Press) from the beginning, however it’s very possible that the publisher will change soon. Stay tuned! This book has earned terrific reviews including Simegen.com’s WELL WORTH READING AWARD, 4.5 books from Long and Short Reviews, and has been on the best-seller’s list at Fictionwise.com.

You can view JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON’s book trailer here. Music is by Kevin MacLeod.


Here’s a snippet from real life. As a child, I always wanted to take ballet lessons, but I guess that just wasn’t in the cards. Then again, I’m not the most coordinated of dancers! When I conceived the idea of a ballerina competing in the Galactic Olympic Games in the fictional sport of air ballet, I knew I had to understand the dynamics of classical ballet movements. So what did I do? I bought three DVDs to help me: Ballet Class For Beginners; the New York City Ballet Workout 2; and Balletone--The Dancer’s Workout For EveryBODY!


According to Long And Short Reviews, my descriptions in the book passed with flying colors! Here’s part of the 4.5 star review: “I originally decided to read this book as it dealt with subject matter that is near and dear to my heart -- dancing -- although after many previous disappointing experiences with this same subject matter I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had found being someone knowledgeable of dancing terminology and techniques made me a bit more critical of many author’s descriptions. I was NOT disappointed with this book, in more ways than one.”

Scene Setup: This is from the beginning of JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON where we met Blade Sinclair, a former prima ballerina now forced to teach because of a knee injury.

Blade was brand new as the children’s teacher, barely a month under her belt. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience, and they, in turn idolized her as only four or five-year-olds could. Leading her students in a basic bending movement, or demi-pliĆ©, Blade fought to control the flare of pain in her right knee... and the memories it always dredged up. Once upon a time she had danced the part of Aurora, in French choreographer Marius Petipa’s timeless ballet, “The Sleeping Beauty.” It was a role that every ballerina aspired to, a role that arguably could be considered the pinnacle of a classical ballerina’s career.
The role of Aurora could be hers no longer. An incorrect landing from a leap across a Moscow stage had torn a ligament in her knee.
To Blade’s credit, she had fallen gracefully and her partner reacted quickly by picking her up. She even managed to continue dancing until the end of the performance. But by then the pain was excruciating. No amount of ice water or physical therapy helped. In the end, she had to have surgery, and therefore was sidelined from the rest of “The Sleeping Beauty” production. The damage had been far-reaching--to her reputation and to her knee.
Blade automatically checked her posture in the mirror and smoothed a stray hair back into her dark, tight bun. Her career as prima ballerina was over. She was washed up at age twenty-five.
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I hope you enjoy Blade and Christopher’s story!

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!