Friday, August 5, 2011

Outer Diverse by Nina Munteanu

My latest book, Outer Diverse, is coming out this fall and we are launching it at Con*Cept in Montreal in October and Hal-Con in Halifax in November.

I'm really excited about this book. It's the first of the Splintered Universe Trilogy. Here's a bit about it:

…Splintered Events, Single Destiny…
…An entire spiritual sect is inexplicably wiped out by Eclipse, the largest crime syndicate in the galaxy…
…Glitter Dust, a new seductive but dangerous contraband narcotic of mysterious origin and sold on the slipstream, is used by certain spiritual fanatics to travel to another dimension and “experience God”…
…An elite Eclipse assassin, known simply as the Rose, is entrusted with an eclectic hit list of prominent galactic citizens, including spiritual leaders, information pirates and dust traffickers…
…One of the Rose’s targets, an eccentric priest, prophesies the Suntelia Aeon, a catastrophic End of Age, triggered by the joining of twin souls…


Galactic Guardian, Rhea Hawke, fears that this dire resurgence of an ancient prophesy may be fulfilled at last. She suspects that these latest moves by Eclipse are linked to the return of the cruel extra-galactic Vos. The Vos invaded thirty years ago and would have destroyed Earth if not for the intervention of a benevolent but arrogant alien race, the Eosians, who have now claimed Earth for themselves as their price.

This is going to be Rhea’s hardest case yet—particularly since she’s been taken off the case and fired by her Eosian boss for her most recent in a legacy of bungled missions. And Eclipse is gunning for her.

Rhea’s desperate race to expose their plan before the galaxy falls again to the cruel Vos catapults her on a journey to the far reaches of the galaxy, where she will discover the shattering truth about duel twin worlds and her ultimate role in preserving or destroying them both.

Outer Diverse is scheduled for release October 15th 2011 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders and other quality bookstores near you.



Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of novels, short stories and essays. She coaches writers and teaches writing at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. For more about Nina’s coaching & workshops visit www.ninamunteanu.me. Visitwww.ninamunteanu.ca for more about her writing.
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18 comments:

  1. Jean-Luc PicardAugust 7, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    The plot sounhds fantastic, Nina! So many strands.....

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  2. Nina MunteanuAugust 9, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    Thanks, Jean-Luc! Isn't the cover fab??? I think it's brilliant! It's the work of Toronto illustrator COSTI GURGU, himself an accomplished and published author. And before you ask, yes, there is a story to the cover... :)

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  3. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    And what is story???

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  4. Nina MunteanuAugust 9, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Ah... what is the story?... (big grin...)

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  5. TimAugust 10, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Love that you are thinking in terms of trilogy, Nina. Your characters and futuristic scenarios are so rich that they need that kind of room to really breathe.

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  6. Nina MunteanuAugust 10, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Thanks so much, Tim... Yes, breathe... I like that word... :)

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  7. David M. MerchantAugust 12, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    Would make a terrific video game as well, along the lines of the Mass Effects trilogy (hope you take that as the compliment it was meant to be). Love the cover - the way its designed, you are drawn right to her face, and that deep, serious, almost enigmatic expression.

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  8. Nina MunteanuAugust 12, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Thanks, David!

    YES! She is enigmatic, isn't she?... I was very fortunate to have the cover done by Costi Gurgu. He designed this cover and the two others of the Trilogy as a triptych... they will fit together into a whole...

    Yes, the way he created the "wheels" with hieroglyph-like markings, all drawing you in as if through a portal (which resonates with the story inside!) to her face... It's very clever and morish... you are drawn in and the more you look the more you see and the more you see the more you look... :)

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  9. Vanessa RottnerAugust 12, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Dear Nina,
    The art work is stellar which stands alone! Knowing your extraordinary talent for world building, I for one would hit the floor running at the book store..in gleeful delight!
    You will take us on a fantastic journey where our imagination with thrive and be nourished. Well done!
    I can hardly wait for the launch.

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  10. Nina MunteanuAugust 12, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    Thanks, Vanessa! LOL! I am looking forward to the launch too!

    Costi's art is so beautiful, I feel it alone will sell the book! (I'd buy it! LOL!) Hope I keep its promise inside with a rip-roaring read... :)

    Others seem to think so... (smile)

    This is what author/film producer Craig Bowlsby said about the book:

    “Nina Munteanu … turns an adventure story into a wonderland of alien rabbit holes. When the action starts it goes into hyper-drive … A fascinating and enthralling read.”— Craig H. Bowlsby, author of Horth in Killing Reach and creator of Commander’s Log

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  11. Nina MunteanuAugust 12, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    p.s. David, I'll have to check out the video game you mentioned... WHAT A COOL IDEA! Thanks!

    Cheers,
    Nina

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  12. David M. MerchantAugust 12, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Mass Effects is a trilogy (I'm anxiously awaiting the release of the ME3), and a story that evolves as you go. It feels, to me, like being inside a SF novel. They probably could use someone like you to do a better job at world building in their stories, but overall I enjoy the game. Can folk pre-order Outer Diverse? Cover as a triptych...well, just an added bonus!

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  13. Nina MunteanuAugust 16, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    That's cool, David! Yes, I do enjoy world-building... (big grin) ... I do a lot of it in this trilogy; and thoroughly enjoyed it! Well, I am an ecologist...

    Yes, you can pre-order the book, but not until I know the price. I will know shortly and then let you how you and others can pre-order here. Thanks for the interest!

    Best Wishes,
    Nina

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  14. NancyAugust 31, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    Cover is great. Idea is very cool. Congrats on the new book! I don't reply very often, but am always glad to see you moving ahead, and I love the travelogues. :-)

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  15. Nina MunteanuSeptember 1, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    Thanks, Nancy! Much appreciated!
    Best,
    Nina

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  16. Nina MunteanuSeptember 4, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Just for your interest, the book is scheduled for release by Starfire October 15th on Amazon and quality bookstores near you. I was told it will be available for pre-order and will have information soon on that.

    The story behind the cover may only be revealed next spring... :)

    Cheers,
    Nina

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  17. Jean-Luc PicardSeptember 19, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    Come launch it it Birmingham, England, Nina!

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  18. Nina MunteanuSeptember 19, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    I'd love to, Jean-Luc! Let me see what I can do about that... :)

    Best,
    Nina

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