Today’s featured book is Neverwylde 6 by Linda Mooney. Tell us about your story. We’ll have other questions in a moment.

Finally rescued from the half-world, Kyber and Kelen believed the worst was behind them.

They were wrong.

Another ship has landed on Neverwylde, but are the visitors friend or foe? Kelen, Kyber, and the crew are hoping for a rescue, but preparing for a battle. The fight between Terrans and Seneecians has been put behind by those on the half-planet in order to survive, but the newcomers are not of the same mindset.

Even if they are rescued, where will that leave Kelen and Kyber? With neither being accepted by the other’s race, will they be forced to go their separate ways?

Everyone is hoping for their own happily ever after once and for all. But sometimes the worst terrors don’t come from alien worlds.

They’re closer to home.

What species/races of people are in your book?

There are two main species of people in this book. The Terrans are from Earth, and the furred Seneecians from the planet Seneecia. For this romance, Kyber, the hero, is Seneecian, and Kelen, the heroine, is Terran.

Do you have non-sentient creatures or animals in your story? If so, what are they?

There are several creatures in this series, deadly and vicious, but the ones that resonate the most are the furries. They’re considered to mostly likely be the dominant species of the half-planet. One in particular, who is named Five because he has five instead of six legs, becomes almost a mascot.

Language and Culture

What languages are spoken in your story universe?

The Seneecians have their own language, as do the semi-sentient species on Neverwylde. But for the sake of the series, the Seneecians speak “Terranese”. Five and his kind have a language consisting of squeaks and whistles, and the only other species that converses have a translation necklace.

If you created a language for the story, what is it called?

The Seneecians speak Seneecia.

Please give us a few words in this language and their translation .

When Kyber says “Eelo nok torus nor” to Kelen, it translates to “You are my only one”.

In the culture of your story world, what is different from ours?

There is no basic culture on Neverwylde. This is a half-planet where both Seneecians and Terrans have crash landed, and they spend the series discovering and learning how to survive. Of the few things they’ve realized is that everything comes in threes, or in multiples of three. Everything. Knowing this, they’re able to make some valid guesses and take action, which enable them to endure.

At the same time, however, the Seneecians continue to adhere to the laws of their own world. Although they don’t place such restrictions on the Terrans, they maintain them among themselves.

What special laws are important to your story world?

As mentioned, the number 3 plays an integral part of this series. Not coincidentally, there are six books in this now-completed series.

As a whole, Neverwylde should not exist. It appears to break all rules of physics and science. In short, it is a half-planet, missing one entire portion of the world, yet is still able to maintain an atmosphere, gravity, and sustain plants and wildlife. Our survivors spend the series learning how to adapt to such a planet as they continue to discover new things. And face the dangers within head-on.

What rights (such as equality) are challenges for your characters?

Seneecians and Terrans are mortal enemies, and have been for decades. But on Neverwylde, they are faced with the very real possibility that, unless they call a temporary truce and join forces to combat the dangers that appear, no one will survive.

What makes things more intriguing is that Kelen and Kyber are drawn to each other, to the dissatisfaction of the others. How they learn to love is a testament to the heart, as they take the time to learn and accept their differences. Inevitably, the others come to accept the couple, and their union further cements the truce and growing friendships between the species.

Story Setting

Describe one of the worlds where your story takes place .

Five of the six books take place on Neverwylde. This half-planet looks as if someone with a galactic-sized knife sliced the world into two pieces. In several scenes, the survivors stand on a slab that extends outward into space itself, where they can see nothing but the universe above, around, and below them.

There are temples on the planet’s surface. They later discover these temples house a transporter device that can take them to various locations deep within the planet’s core.

The planet’s interior is laced with interconnecting tunnels and corridors, some of which are high enough to enable them to walk upright, and others which require them to crawl on hands and knees. These tunnels lead to larger rooms, each of which is bathed in a particular color (which they discover corresponds to a button on the teleportation slab.)

It’s within those tunnels and rooms that they are confronted by dangerous creatures, as well as natural catastrophes such as earthquakes and rock slides.

What makes this world unique?

What makes Neverwylde unique is that it defies the laws of science and physics that both the Terrans and Seneecians are accustomed to facing. Which means they have to suspend their initial beliefs and re-learn in order to survive. That includes the types of creatures they face.

Tell us about the age of the culture in your story, i.e., are the people part of an ancient civilization, a newly formed group within an established culture, pioneer colonists, etc.

This story takes place in the far distant future. People of Earth have become a major power in space. Although it’s not made clear how advanced these people have become, to know there is now only one major language from the planet gives one an idea of how much society has changed.

The last book of the series spends time on Seneecia itself. Even though Seneecias are a war-like race, their cities are ultra-modern, consisting of towering, spiraling buildings and wide open plazas with little to no visible vegetation.

What food or drink is available to your characters?

Upon crash landing, both species rely on packets of emergency rations. But once those are gone, they’re forced to drink the planet’s water, and eat from the vegetation they find there (after the doctor has deemed it safe to eat or drink). Later, they learn to eat the creatures they have to kill, as well as other life forms they find along the way.

In what ways was it helpful to have a map (or sketch of one) for your story? (Provide a link to an image, if available)

I’ve uploaded several images which I used as reference when writing this series.

http://lindamooney.com/NeverwyldePics.htm

Character Physiology

What are the physical characteristics of the race/species of your main characters?

Seneecians are humanoid, but they look nothing like Terrans. Every inch of their muscular bodies are covered in short fur. Some of their pelts are curly, while others are smooth. Differing colors/variations of shades and hues make them easy to tell one from another. Kyber, the hero, is pure black.

Their hands and feet bear massive claws and talons. Similar to cats, they’re able to extend those razor-sharp talons from the tips of their fingers. In addition, their spiked teeth can also extend from their gums, making hand-to-hand combat ferocious and bloody.

Their genitals are kept within their body cavity and covered with a genital cup until the need to procreate. They wear sandals and a leather-like, sleeveless uniform with a short shirt that resembles that of ancient Roman soldiers.

What physical differences exist in the way your characters communicate (i.e., telepathy, empathic abilities, etc.) with each other?

Although Terrans cannot speak Seneecian, Seneecians can speak Terranese.

What differences, if any, exist in the way your characters reproduce?

Terrans and Seneecians are capable of having sex, with some differences. For one thing, male Seneecians don’t have nipples, although Kyber does inform Kelen that females of his kind do have breasts.

In addition, once penetration takes place, the male does not “rock in and out” like a human male. His hips do not move. Instead, he firmly holds the female steady, and his erection moves in and out like a piston.

Are there more than two genders in your story world? If so, what are they?

Among the furries, such as with Five, it takes three to procreate. It isn’t explained any further, but it falls neatly into the category of “everything in threes” that is a major component of the series.

Sharing World Building Expertise

Please give us three tips you find helpful when creating a story world:

Literally, the sky’s the limit. When it comes to topography, geography, creatures, or circumstances, you have carte blanche. However, a few things have to be taken into consideration. For example, not all planets are like Earth. Reference the atmosphere, the gravity, even the color of the sky and sun(s).

Also, when you refer to aliens, not every species is going to look like someone who resembles an Earth woman or man. Unless, of course, that person is a descendant from Earth, or is able to transform their body to look like one.

Finally, don’t feel as if you have to explain every little difference in your new world. You don’t have to give details as to why such-and-such exists or happens. Some things are meant to remain a mystery. Let the reader come up with their own conclusions.

When you researched for your story setting, what kinds of things did you learn?

I’m always trying to find something new, that is still clear to the reader. For example, in the lower inland pools, the huge “sheet” suspended between the mountain-sized pylons on either bank is found to be a power source for the planet’s inhabitants, similar to hydro-electric generators.

What things should writers avoid when building a science fiction world?

Try to avoid stereotypes. Some similarities are good, to enable the reader to get a grasp of whatever concept you’re trying to get across. But try not to emulate other well-known franchises such as Star Wars and Star Trek.

What’s your advice for writers who want to create a solid background for their story world?

Build in limitations. That way you have the ability to create a crisis or build tension when something doesn’t work, or doesn’t move as fast as it should. Put obstacles in the way. And don’t be afraid to challenge or hurt your main characters.

Specific science fiction genre: romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
Publisher : Music And Press
Amazon http://amzn.to/2s0J5PV
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/neverwylde-linda-mooney/1121910173?ean=2940158554728
iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1251677669
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/neverwylde-8
Print http://lindamooney.com/Neverwylde.htm

Linda Mooney Social Media

Linda loves to write sweet and sensuous romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel.

A wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Kindergarten and music teacher, she lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf coast where she delves into other worlds filled with daring exploits, adventure, and intense love.

She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. In 2009, she was named Whiskey Creek Press Torrid’s Author of the Year, and her book My Strength, My Power, My Love was named the 2009 WCPT Book of the Year. In 2011, her book Lord of Thunder was named the Epic Ebook “Eppie” Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance.

She also writes naughty humorous romances under the name of Carolyn Gregg, horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith, and elementary teacher workbooks as L. G. Mooney.

For more information about Linda Mooney books and titles, up-coming releases, contests and giveaways, and to sign up for her newsletter, please visit her website.

Website http://www.LindaMooney.com
Blog https://lindamooney.blogspot.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/LindaMooney
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MusicAndPress
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/lindam54/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/Linda_Mooney
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Mooney/e/B002BMES1W
Newsletter http://www.LindaMooney.com
Instafreebie http://lindamooney.com/ (Check out the available titles under each pseudonym.)