Terra Nova by Christine Hart
(The Variant Conspiracy Trilogy, #3)
Publication date: September 28th 2016
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Science Fiction
The end of the humanity and an unrecognizable future Earth are now days away. After their first glimpse of the Terra Nova virus, Irina and her variant friends know their former employer’s plans are almost at hand. Their failed attempt to publicize Ivan and Innoviro Industries’ horrific activities has left them utterly reliant on their own wits and weapons.
After surviving a catastrophic earthquake in San Francisco and destroying a secret viral testing facility, Irina’s crew has traveled by a variant portal to London. On the other side of the world, they begin tracking when and where Terra Nova will be unleashed on the world. They know stopping Terra Nova is only the beginning of unraveling Ivan’s plans to reinvent the planet, but if they can’t stop this virus, there will be no one left to save.
Faith appeared with four glowing green drinks in a cup holder tray. Clear plastic cups, lids, and straws let the liquid inside glow through. It looked like something that would spawn ninja turtles. “These are the Incinerator’s own toxic spills. They’re just vodka and sprite with a capful of that crap they put in glow sticks. Did you know you can drink that shit?”
Jonah reluctantly took a plastic cup. “Are you sure we should drink it?”“It’s not going to kill us. No more so than the alcohol.” Ilya picked up a cup and took a long generous pull on his straw.
I took an experimental sip. It tasted like vodka and sprite. There was a mildly synthetic aftertaste, but nothing toxic. I took another, much larger sip. There it was – the warmth I’d been craving since my shower. I might stand a chance of sleeping tonight after all.
Jonah followed my lead and took a slurp on his straw, pausing to let the liquid do its work. He looked at me with a devilish grin and grabbed my hand, pulling me off to the dance floor. His touch radiated energy into me, right through my skin waking up every cell in my body.
He leaned down and kissed me, running his hands through my hair. His powerful grip felt restrained, as though his mind fought to control his body. The intensity surpassed our first night together. After we had spent so long mocked by his unstable mutation, first hurting me and then nearly killing him, we were both finally stronger than ever.
“I can’t help myself. I need to touch you. I don’t ever want to let you go. We’re going to make up for some lost time tonight.” His lips brushed my ear as he spoke. His fingers traced the line of my neck and it sent shivers down my spine. So much for sleep!
Tell us a bit
about Terra Nova and The Variant Conspiracy trilogy.
I’d definitely
classify this NA trilogy as a cross-genre story. They’re a racy
blend of sci-fi and paranormal and with a strong romantic sub-plot.
The story follows a group of renegade mutants tracking an evil
corporate conspiracy from the West Coast of North America into the
Mojave Desert and hopping to London, Greece, Egypt, and Kenya.
Terra Nova
is the third title in the series. Irina and her friends have already
been through hell in a major earthquake, but they quickly uncover
something much worse – a pandemic virus mere days away from
release. The scope of this book reaches thousands of years into the
past and deep into the mind of a tragically troubled man. By the end,
Irina is forced to do the unthinkable or risk the end of humanity.
How did you get
started as a writer?
I’ve been a
writer most of my adult life, but I didn’t set out to be. I went to
university with law school in mind, but my first year English teacher
encouraged me to be a writer. I didn’t embrace the change right
away, but I took a few writing courses. I was 18 when I published my
first story in the student newspaper. When I saw my byline in print,
I was hooked!
I changed gears
into a BA degree with an English major and Professional Writing
minor, the latter of which was intended to prepare students for
working at newspapers and magazines, as well as corporate
communications departments and public relations firms. I figured out
pretty quickly that journalism wasn’t my thing. I focused on
communications instead and I found a good fit.
What motivated
you to start writing fiction?
Writing fiction
wasn’t such a huge leap for me. I didn’t switch to fiction until
my mid-twenties, experimenting with children’s picture books and
short stories before I hit my stride writing young adult.
When I realized
some of the themes and plots I wanted to explore were more mature
than most young adult publishers would tackle, I started considering
the new adult market. In Canada, new adult is still being
incorporated into the publishing landscape, so the opportunities up
here are slim. Fortunately I found an amazing home for The Variant
Conspiracy at NY-based Soul Mate Publishing.
Is there anything
you’d like your readers to know about you?
First of all I’d
like my readers to know how grateful I am that they found me and gave
me a chance. With a dizzying array of choices in contemporary
fiction, I value every single reader who chooses to spend time with
my stories and characters.
Second, I’d
like everyone to know that my story ideas come from the heart. I want
to entertain and inspire, but I also want my readers to think deeply
about human nature, modern society, and the future of our world. It
sounds heavy for NA fiction. Hopefully my work is fun at the same
time!
How do you
motivate yourself to get through the dreaded Writer’s Block?
I have an
interesting relationship with writer’s block. I simply don’t
allow it. I push myself to write, even if it isn’t flowing or
thrilling me in the moment. If I’m going to get a chapter done on a
particular day, that’s what happens. I’ve written with an infant
strapped to my chest. I’ve written bleary-eyed until midnight. When
it comes to deadlines, even those I set for myself, I’m my own
hardest taskmaster.
What do you get
up to when you’re not writing fiction?
I used to work in
the corporate world, specifically marketing and communications. I did
mostly business writing – from copywriting, blogging, and press
releases to huge policy documents, instruction manuals, and
contracts. These days I’m a mom to two toddlers, ages 4 and 1 at
the moment.
I also have a
bizarre habit of breaking stuff and making stuff for my Etsy shop
Sleepless Storyteller. I take apart watches, computers, electronics,
and vintage jewellery to create new wearable art. It sounds odd and
it is, but turning trash into treasure is too much fun to stop at my
own jewellery box. I had to start selling online to make room for new
creations.
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Located on BC’s beautiful West Coast, I write from my suburban Burnaby home staring at North Vancouver’s iconic Coast Mountains. I love writing about places and spaces with rich history and visually fascinating elements as a backdrop for the surreal and spectacular.In addition to my undergraduate degree in writing and literature, my background also includes corporate communications and design. I am a current member of the Federation of BC Writers and SF Canada.
When not writing, I have a habit of breaking stuff and making stuff – in that order – under the guise of my Etsy alter-ego Sleepless Storyteller. I share my eclectic home and lifestyle with my husband, baby daughter and preschool son.
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